Ask Susan: What’s the difference? RAS vs ACAT Assessment
Both the RAS and ACAT Government assessments identify your needs for types of support and the goals you wish to achieve, that will help you reach independence and improve your overall wellbeing.
What IS the difference between a RAS assessment and an ACAT Assessment?
Why is it important to know about these 2 assessments before you get one?
Once you (Or your ageing family member) has completed the My Aged Care request for an Assessment, you may get a call offering you an appointment from the My Aged Care representative.
RAS (Regional Assessment Service)
If, from the information you’ve provided during your online or telephone application, it sounds like you need low-level support to stay independently in your home, My Aged Care may recommend a home support assessment with a RAS assessor.
The Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessment is free and they will come to your house to assess how you are dealing with life’s activities.
The key points to note about the RAS assessment are:
1. The RAS assessment is for people who have low-care needs.
2. Once the RAS assessor comes out to meet you, they can ONLY recommend low-care services for you from the Commonwealth Home Services Program (CHSP).
3. Not all providers can offer CHSP services.
CHSP services are coordinated by local Community Centres and providers based in your locale.
4. The CHSP work-force can often be made up of keen, generous and skilled Volunteers.
ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team)
If it sounds like you have care needs that are greater than what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme can support, a comprehensive assessment with an ACAT assessor should be recommended.
The types of care an ACAT can assess you for include:
- Home Care Packages
- Short-term care options
- Aged care homes
Q: Why is it important to notice which type of assessment you’re being offered?
A: Many Home Care Providers only offer one Program or the other.
For example, a company I used to work with, Prestige In home Care, is not registered to provide CHSP services; is ONLY registered to provide Home Care Package (and private) Care.
Conversely, another excellent provider on the Northern Beaches, MWP Care, is ONLY registered to provide the CHSP services or Low-Care services.
Q: How do I ensure I get the Assessment I need, and consequently, the Care I need?
A: Ensure you fill-out the My Aged Care assessment quiz, from the perspective of having a ‘very bad day’. You (or your elders) worst type of day.
Do not be tempted to answer the questions from a stoic, optimistic attitude.
This may lead the assessors to presume you are doing A-OK and that you don’t require much assistance at all!
Remember, that situation only serves the government: NOT YOU or your Loved One(s).
Case Study:
One of my client’s noticed that the Assessor on the other end of the phone was not offering an ACAT assessment; so she called me to ask my advice.
She is actioning the application for a Home Care Package on behalf of her husband, who has limited mobility after intense radiation treatment.
The good news is anyone can request an assessment for another person, at any time. Even without being a representative for that person.
While you’re talking on the phone to My Aged Care I recommend having the recipient allow you to become their My Aged Care representative during the call.
It’s quick and you will just need verbal consent from the applicant (in this client’s case, her husband)
Everyone is entitled to an ACAT assessment.
The above situation transpired for that client of mine.
She received a telephone call from the RAS Assessor. She didn’t accept the appointment as she needed to take her husband (the Home Care Package recipient) back to hospital.
The CHSP program will not be adequate for the services she needs for her husband. He is losing mobility even in the three weeks since we applied for an assessment.
Do you feel like/ need some assistance in answering the questions to receive a My Aged Care Assessment to start the process for a Home Care Package ?
If you just want to chat, contact me to discuss your requirements.
Read more about things you need to know about Home Care Packages here and here
And don’t forget the Income Tested Fee requirements, if you are a Self-funded Retiree. It’s essential reading!
