Best idea is to stay in your own home until the very last minute. I think it is degrading to the human spirit to waste away in a nursing home. I see myself going to bed one night just after my 105th birthday and passing away in my sleep.

Foxy

The figure that you mention does seem excessively high and while I am not familiar with "aging in place" perhaps the first people to contact, if you haven't already, might be the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. This is a government department and they have a web site here.

http://www.aihw.gov.au/ageing-in-place/

At least they would be able to advise you of your rights.

"the facility is asking for a $925,000 bond"

While you appear certain that is the amount there could be a lot going on in your life and it is easy at times like that to misunderstand. It wouldn't hurt for someone independent who understands numbers to have a look.

Also, get the paperwork and trot along to DSS, or ring the 1800number given here,

http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/financial-and-legal/aged-care-homes-costs-explained

Dear snake and otb,

Thank You both for your advice. I'll do as you suggest.

My husband and I were quite shocked at the
price of the bond we were quoted.

When "Allity" purchased the facility it
consisted of 2 room suites, purchased in
a retirement facility, which were at that
time valued at about $260,000 dollars and
included one bedroom, ensuite, living room,
kitchenette, and so on.

"Allity" set about upgrading one floor of
the suites, making them into "high-care."

Now for these suites the asking price has
been set at $925,000 (refundable bond) in addition to government
regulated service fees. For those who can't afford the
full bond - the cost of the excess will be taken as a
monthly fee deducted from the bond payed. The equivalent of
paying rent. Calculated on interest lost of the unpaid
balance.

Apparently this company is following the law which only
stipulates the cost of the service fees and not the cost
of the accommodation.

There is a facility in the area run by
"Tender Loving Care," that for similar
accommodation is charging a million dollars - which we were
told. Having spoken to many of the existing residents -
not many can afford these prices.

Of course with time they possibly may have to reduce the
prices because very few will be able to afford them.
However, in the meantime, we are investigating other
facilities for my mother that appear to be more
reasonable.

Foxy

Thanks for the explanation. It's a real problem that the whole country faces as we get older. It makes me think that not only that, but we already have over 800,000 on the Disability Support Pension and the money has to come from somewhere to pay for all this social security. As part of the older generation which always criticises the younger of course (!) I often wonder about the way they tend to compromise their health with drugs, excess alcohol and junk food. They don't seem to comprehend the long term effect this might have mentally and physically in later life when sheer numbers may preclude government help. Sadly the unfortunate elderly, who for no fault of their own, also get caught up in this maelstrom and I should imagine that your mother might be one of them.

Hasbeen, are you still in Queensland?

There is a prioritising system put in place by the Libationals (in an effort to delay effective treatments that might cost non-administrative money) that controls which cases are referred to the appropriate hospitals. Your referring Doctor must specify the appropriate hospital (and ideally the consulting surgeon/specialist), and document the condition. A simple referral hinging on the referrers judgement as a doctor will be overridden (by someone who failed grade twelve but sure knows how to maximise their metrics) and you will be sent to a lesser hospital and confuse their triage process. Get a specific referral to P.A (I'm biased) that specifies your condition in terms that emphasise the complexity and severity (the twit who normally interferes is rightfully afraid of medico-legal jargon).

Basically, make it clear to the clearing house that you cannot be "plausibly misinterpreted" as "easy to deprioritise".

Your GP has to do this. My mother-in-law accepted her GP's assurance that he had written, but he had not specified anything, simply requested. A more detailed and assertive referral got her in. ....Yes, a couple of meetings to actually assess your condition, and anaesthetic risk for surgery, but properly processed by people committed to doing the work, rather than the gate-keepers committed to preventing it.

Good luck.

Rusty.