Care Needs Assessment
The care needs assessment helps us to see if you need long-term nursing home care.
When we receive your completed application form we will arrange for a care needs assessment. This assessment could be in a hospital or in your home.
What happens during the care needs assessment?
A healthcare professional, such as a geriatrician, public health nurse or occupational therapist, will do your assessment.
They will look at:
- your ability to do everyday activities like bathing, shopping, dressing and moving around
- how you use any health and personal services such as a home care assistant or nurse
- the family and community support available to you
- your own wishes and preferences
The assessment may include a physical examination by a healthcare professional.
The person doing the assessment writes a report. We will use this report to decide if long-term nursing home care is the best option for you.
You may be asked for more information to complete the care needs assessment, such as a referral from your GP. It is important you provide this as soon as possible to complete your application.
We will write to you when a decision has been made on your care needs. You will also receive a copy of the report and the reasons for the decision.
If you do not qualify for long-term nursing home care
If you do not qualify for long-term nursing home care, you must wait 6 months before you can apply again.
If there is a change in your health or circumstances you can apply before the 6-month waiting period ends.
