FAQ's

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I apply for Cooinda?

1. Make an appointment with the Cooinda General Manager and Director of Nursing to discuss your situation and to obtain the necessary application forms.

2. Discuss your intentions with your family.

3. Make an appointment with your General Practitioner to discuss your plans.

4. Make an appointment with a solicitor to discuss your legal affairs.

5. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or your General Practitioner to organise a referral.

6. Make an appointment with your accountant or financial advisor to discuss your financial situation, particularly in regards to accommodation costs and care fees.

7. Advise Cooinda if you would like your name to be placed on the waiting list.

8. We will stay in contact and help you when a place becomes available.

What are the legal considerations of entering an aged care facility?

It is a good idea to consult a legal professional to make sure your legal affairs are in order before entering aged care. They will tell you about important legal tools that can help you plan for your future and to protect your interests. These include having an up-to-date Will and appointing a Power of Attorney and/or Guardian.

An Enduring Power of Attorney document gives a person that you trust the legal authority to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf once you no longer have the capability to deal with these matters competently. For example, that person may be required to complete admission documents on your behalf.

An Enduring Guardian document gives a person that you trust the legal authority to make personal or lifestyle choices on your behalf once you no longer can make those decisions for yourself. For example, that person may be required to decide whether you should have surgery, dental work or where you should live.

What are the financial considerations of entering an aged care facility?

We will give you all the information required but it is a good idea to consult your accountant or financial advisor to talk about the financial implications of entering an aged care home. The decisions you make about how you wish to pay your accommodation (if applicable) may affect your aged pension, aged care fees and tax. Basic information and a fee estimator is available from Centrelink or My Aged Care website (www.myagedcare.gov.au).

How is Cooinda funded?

Cooinda is an approved charitable, not-for-profit, community-owned organisation. We rely on contributions from residents and clients, ongoing community fundraising support and government funding.

How much does it cost to live at Cooinda?

Although the Australian Government subsidises a range of aged care services in Australia it is expected you will contribute towards the cost of your care and maybe towards your accommodation.

What is the asset and income assessment?

As part of the admission process, you will be required to complete an income and assets assessment, which will be used to determine how much you contribute towards your care and accommodation. For couples, total assets and income will be halved, regardless of whose name the asset or income is under.

A home exemption cap ($168,351.20 as of 01/07/19) applies if a house is included in assets. For farms, the house and two hectares are assessed the same as a home but the remaining property is assessed as an asset. It is important that you consider seeking financial advice regarding your individual situation.

Note that your home will be included as an asset unless it is occupied by a ‘protected person’ (e.g. your partner; a dependent child; a carer who has lived with you in the home for the past two years and is eligible for an income support payment; or a close relative, such as a sister, brother, parent, child or grandchild, who has lived with you in the home for the past five years and is eligible for an income support payment).

What is the basic daily care fee?

The daily care fee is used to contribute towards your day-to-day living costs, such as meals, cleaning, laundry and power. The daily care fees are determined by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. This rate increases on 20 March and 20 September each year in line with changes to the Age Pension.

What is the means-tested care fee?

Depending on your income and asset assessment, some residents may be required to pay an additional means-tested contribution towards the cost of care. This fee is capped.

How is the daily care fee paid?

Dairy care fees are paid fortnightly in advance via direct debit.

What options do I have for accommodation payments?

Accommodation payments can be paid as:

• A refundable deposit or contribution (paid as a lump sum);

• Periodical payments (e.g. fortnightly); or

• A combination of both.

Depending on your income and assets assessment, you may not be required to pay any or some of the accommodation payment. As an example, if your total assets are less than the asset-free threshold ($49,500 as of 01/07/19) and you earn below the income threshold (i.e. the basic pension), the government will subsidise your accommodation costs and you will only be asked to contribute the basic daily care fee.

What are the accommodation prices for Cooinda?

Refer to Accommodation Pricing Information. The following table shows the maximum Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) and the maximum Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) for Cooinda Coonabarabran. The table also shows the indicative Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) and the indicative Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) for a 50% contribution. These figures are effective from 1 Jul 2019.

(Quoted fees are based on maximum permissible interest rate, currently 5.54%)

If you have any further questions, please contact the Cooinda General Manager for more information on 02 6842 0888