How to Access Aged Care

Practical guidance for Australia and the United States

A simple care planning template

Begin with the person’s priorities

Use a notebook or print this page to prepare a simple shared plan. This is an organising tool, not a clinical care plan.

Person’s priorities: What matters most? Which routines, activities and choices should support respect?

Current situation: What tasks need help, what has changed, and what support is already available?

People to involve: Who does the person want included in decisions and updates?

Record one task at a time

For each task, complete these fields:

  • Support needed: describe the task clearly.
  • Who has agreed to help: name the person or service.
  • When: record dates, frequency or visit times.
  • Cost: note what is confirmed and what needs checking.
  • Contact: record who to call about the arrangement.
  • Backup: agree what happens if the usual helper is unavailable.

Do not assume someone can take on a task without checking. Ask the health team about tasks requiring specific training or professional support.

Review the plan together

Set a review date. Ask what is working, what is missing and whether the support remains manageable for everyone involved.

Keep sensitive information securely and share it only with appropriate people and the person’s agreement. Use the relevant service’s formal process for permissions or clinical instructions.

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Updated September 2026 • Australia and United States • General educational planning tool.

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