Mater Christi is a fully accredited 101 bed Aged Care Facility which offers a vibrant sense of community in a beautiful natural open and light filled environment while providing 24 hour nursing care for respite and long term residents.
We strive to offer our residents an optimum quality of life, encompassing care, lifestyle opportunities, spiritual and emotional support via our dedicated, passionate team of staff and volunteers.
At Mater Christi, we believe in providing a supportive and vibrant community where seniors can enjoy their independence while receiving the care they need. Our dedicated team is here to ensure that you live a fulfilling and comfortable life.
Respite Care is when you become a temporary resident of Mater Christi with access to all the facilities, care and lifestyle programs on a short-term basis.
Respite care at Mater Christi offers vital support for caregivers by providing temporary relief for those caring for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities. This service emphasizes a compassionate and personalised approach, allowing caregivers to take much-needed breaks while ensuring their loved ones receive quality care in a safe environment. The dedicated team at Mater Christi focuses on maintaining the comfort and well-being of individuals during their stay, engaging them in meaningful activities and fostering social connections. By prioritizing caregiver support and individual needs, Mater Christi helps families recharge and sustain their caregiving efforts.
Dementia care at Mater Christi is dedicated to providing specialized support for individuals living with dementia and their families. This approach emphasizes a person-centered model that focuses on enhancing quality of life through tailored activities, effective communication, and emotional support. The compassionate team works collaboratively with families to understand each individual’s unique needs and preferences, fostering a nurturing environment that promotes dignity and engagement. By prioritizing understanding and connection, Mater Christi aims to empower both patients and their loved ones throughout their dementia journey.
Palliative care at Mater Christi focuses on providing comprehensive support to individuals facing serious illnesses and their families. This approach emphasises pain management, symptom relief, and emotional well-being, ensuring that patients experience dignity and comfort throughout their journey. By integrating medical, psychological, and spiritual care, the dedicated team works collaboratively with families to address their unique needs, fostering a supportive environment that enhances quality of life. Through compassionate communication and a holistic perspective, Mater Christi aims to empower patients and their loved ones during challenging times.
Pastoral care at Sawtell Catholic Care offers a holistic approach to supporting individuals and families through their spiritual, emotional, and practical needs. With a focus on compassionate listening, counselling, and spiritual guidance, the dedicated team fosters an inclusive environment that encourages connection and belonging. Through various initiatives like support groups and outreach programs, they address issues such as mental health and grief, empowering community members to navigate life’s complexities with resilience and grace.
Mater Christi has a vibrant and dynamic Resident Lifestyle Team who strive to offer an innovative, enjoyable and meaningful range of activities for our resident community.
From regular shopping trips to the local shopping centre to musical performances, exercise and even meditation
classes, the activities programme endeavours to find something that allows each individual resident to experience a better quality of life. In addition to the main program Mater Christi has a dedicated Dementia Specific program which embraces the latest information and research in better care for people with dementia.
Residents have direct access to The Link community garden and cafe space.
There may come a day when you need to think about aged care placement, for yourself or a family member. This subject can produce challenging emotional responses like fear, grief, denial, frustration and guilt. It’s quite normal for people to feel some – or all – of them!
At Mater Christi we appreciate that emotional responses are an inevitable part of the process of adapting to a new lifestyle, one that is often forced upon a family with little warning.
So here is some information to support you in making empowered choices on the kind of accommodation which fits your individual needs, medically, emotionally, spiritually and economically because at SCC ‘we care’ is more than our logo, it’s a lifestyle
Please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your own questions or to clarify any matter on (02) 6653 1241
To find out if you are eligible for Australian Government Support for residential aged care, you will need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).*
Aged Care Assessment Teams are teams of health professionals such as doctors, nurses or social workers who provide information, advice and assistance to older people who are having difficulty living at home. To find an ACAT you can contact one directly via the My Aged Care website at www.myagedcare.gov.au
Alternatively, your doctor or health centre can provide a referral to the ACAT nearest to you.
* (Aged Care Assessment Teams are known as Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS) in Victoria
What is an ACAT assessment?
A member of ACAT will visit you to understand more about your lifestyle and your needs. With your permission, your doctor may tell the ACAT member about your medical history. At this visit you may like a member of your family or your carer present. Once your assessment has been completed by ACAT and you are considered eligible for aged care services, they will either give you a
copy of the assessment or it will be posted to you.
It is important that you hold onto this document as it is the approval for your move to residential aged care. You should note that your ACAT assessment is free and will always remain valid unless granted for a specific period of time.
The following are the types of aged care services you may be eligible for:
Permanent Care
This can range from assistance with personal care or day-to-day tasks through to requiring 24 hour nursing care.
Dementia care
Mater Christi has a dedicated 30 bed unit for those with more advanced needs. It involves a high level of care with round the clock nursing.
Respite care
Respite care is short term care when you need it and may be provided in your own home, in a respite care centre or as residential care in Mater Christi.
Once you’ve met with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and received a letter to say that you are approved as eligible for residential aged care, you can start looking for your future home.
The best way to find a place that suits you is to visit a few different homes. Use our finder to look for homes in the area you’d like to live and contact them to arrange a time to visit.
Each home is different, so visiting them will help you to find out what you can expect. You’ll also be able to see what the accommodation is like, and what types of care, services and activities they offer.
Which aged care home is right for me?
Before you visit any aged care homes, it’s a good idea to make a list of the types of care you need and the things that are important to you in a home. You may want to take your letter from the ACAT as some homes will want to know that you have been approved and what care you require. Talk to your carer or family members to make sure you’ve thought of everything, and ask them about their needs too, so that they can still support you in your new home.
As you visit each home, you may also want to make some notes about what you like, what you don’t like and whether you feel comfortable there. Your impressions of the staff and the environment will help you to make a decision about which home is right for you.
You may also want to think about your physical, spiritual, social and emotional care needs, to make sure an aged care home is right for you.
Common questions to consider may include:
Do you need help with everyday tasks such as dressing, using the toilet, bathing or moving around your home?
What training does the care staff have (are there registered nurses, enrolled nurses or trained carers)? How many staff provide care overnight?
What arrangements are there to ensure privacy for residents?
What are the meal arrangements – seating, times, menus, visitors, meals in your room and special diets?
Can the home meet your special needs (including language and culture, religious observances, pets and access to medical visits)?
How are social and cultural activities decided? Are residents’ interests taken into account?
How can family and friends be involved in care? Can they stay overnight if needed?
What transport can you access for visiting shops, friends and family?
Can the home meet your medical needs such as assistance with medication, wound or catheter care?
Do you need services such as podiatry (foot care), physiotherapy (exercise, mobility, strength and balance), the services of a dietitian (nutrition assessment, food and nutrition assessment, food and nutrition advice, dietary changes) or speech therapy (communicating, swallowing or eating)?
What type of care services cannot be provided? How would you be advised of this?
The Australian Government pays for the bulk of aged care in Australia. But, as with all aged care services, it is expected you will contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford to do so.
You will never be denied the care you need because you can’t afford it.
How much you could be asked to pay towards your accommodation costs will depend on your financial situation. You may be asked to pay only part of or no accommodation costs.
The Australian Government will conduct an assessment of your income and assets. They will then advise you and the aged care home if you can be asked to pay towards your accommodation costs, and if so how much.
If you are required to pay for your accommodation, you will now have greater choice in how you pay. You can use a:
lump-sum payment, called a ‘refundable accommodation deposit’
regular rental-type payment called a ‘daily accommodation payment’, or
a combination of both.
If you are required to pay an accommodation payment, you will have 28 days from the day you entered care to decide on your payment method. Aged care homes cannot refuse you a place based on how you want to pay for your accommodation.
Until you decide on your ongoing payment method, you will need to pay your accommodation costs by rental-type ‘daily accommodation payment’ until you decide on your ongoing payment method.
Refundable accommodation deposit (RAD)
If you choose to make your payment as a lump sum, this is called a ‘refundable accommodation deposit’. A refundable accommodation deposit works like an interest-free loan to an aged care home. The balance of the deposit is refunded when you leave the aged care home less any amounts you have agreed to have deducted.
Daily accommodation payment (DAP)
Instead of paying for your accommodation as a lump sum you can choose to pay as periodic payments. The amount you pay is based on a daily rate which is why this type of payment is called a daily accommodation payment. However, you will pay in instalments up to a month in advance, as agreed with your service provider. Daily accommodation payments, unless you have paid in advance, are not refundable if you leave the aged care home.
Using a combination
You can choose to pay for your accommodation as a part lump-sum refundable accommodation deposit and part rental-type payment known as ‘daily accommodation payments’.
Residential Respite Care
If you receive residential respite care through an aged care home, you won’t have to pay an accommodation payment. You also won’t have to pay any means-tested care fees. You will, however, be asked to pay a basic daily fee and perhaps a booking fee. The booking fee is a prepayment of residential respite care fees and not an extra payment. The booking fee cannot be more than either a full week’s basic daily fee, or 25% of the fee for the entire stay, depending on which amount is the lowest. Residential respite care may be available for up to 63 days each financial year. This time can be extended in lots of 21 days if the ACAT assessment finds that this extra time is necessary.
Financial information and education
If you want to find basic information about managing your finances, you can use Centrelink’s free Financial Information Service. This confidential service can help you make informed decisions about investment and financial issues for your current and future needs. For more information about the Financial Information Service, contact Centrelink on 132 300.
For more information about general finance or to access the My Aged Care Fee Estimator go to www.myagedcare.gov.au
You can apply to as many homes as you like. When a place becomes available, the aged care home will contact you or your nominated contact person.
After accepting a place, make sure you let the other aged care homes know that you have found somewhere you like, to ensure that they no longer need to keep your application open.
Filling in an application form
You will need to apply to any aged care homes you are interested in. Some homes will have their own application process and may ask you to fill in their forms.
Talk to the homes and find out what process they have and what information they will need.
Do I need to provide personal information?
Yes. This way, your future aged care home can understand your specific care needs if a place becomes available.
Do I need to provide financial information to the provider?
No, you don’t need to provide any financial information on your application form. However, you will need to provide financial information to Centrelink when you are entering care if you
wish to apply to have your fees and charges subsidised by the Australian Government.
If you are entering an aged care home on or after 1 July 2014 you will need to complete the Residential aged care combined assets and income assessment form and submit it to Centrelink for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) if you receive an income support payment through them for assessment. You will need to complete and submit this form even if you are also receiving an income support payment. This is because the information required for aged care is different to the information required for income support payment purposes. If you don’t have your income and assets assessed you may be charged the maximum rate of fees and charges.
The Residential aged care combined assets and income assessment form is available from Centrelink or My Aged Care website.
You will be able to request an assessment prior to entering aged care and will receive an initial fee notification advice which will be valid for 120 days prior to entry unless there is a significant
change in your circumstances. You will need to update Centrelink (or the DVA) during the 120 day period of any changes in your circumstances such as marital status, homeownership or financial changes. Centrelink will determine if the fees should be reset prior to entering care and will advise you.
Will my information be kept private?
All aged care homes are required to keep your information private under state, territory and Commonwealth legislation. You can expect the information you provide in the forms will be treated sensitively by the aged care home. If you want to access your personal information, you can contact your aged care home at any time. By law, aged care homes are required to manage your information according to certain standards.
Under both the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Privacy Act 1988, you are entitled to access the information that the aged care home collects from you. There are severe penalties, including imprisonment, for people who misuse personal information. For more information on how to apply for an aged care home, go to My Aged Care at www.myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422.
Moving house is always a challenging situation. At SCC, our motto is “We Care” and these are not just words. So we want to make this transition as stress free as possible for you. These are the steps which lead to our brand new residents becoming members of the Mater Christi Family.
Meeting with our team
You will meet with our Admissions and Finance teams who will guide you through the paperwork including our Resident Agreement.
Completing Resident Agreement
You should take the time you need to read and understand the Resident Agreement which is a legal contract with SCC outlining you’re the terms of your residency, your rights and obligations as well as the rights and obligations of SCC plus information on your costs.
If there is anything you don’t understand we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Move in
Your room at Mater Christi will come with a bed a built in wardrobe and a bedside locker. We encourage you to bring your own things such as bedspread/doona cover and pillowcases, your own chair and bookcase or cabinet and any pictures or photos you would like to have on the walls to make your room feel home like. Please discuss what items you’d like to bring with the Facility Manager or Admissions Coordinator.
Your clothing should all be labelled for laundry purposes.
My Aged Care website at www.myagedcare.gov.au
Five Steps To Entry Into Aged Care booklet.
My Aged Care Website Five Steps To To Entry into Residential Aged Care
Charter of Care Recipients’ Rights and Responsibilities
Australian Government Department of Health Ageing and Aged Care.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Aged Care
Aged Care Compliance Resources
Australian Government Department of Health Ageing and Aged Care.
Our Care Team
Our qualified clinical and care team take the time to get to know each and every resident and to understand their medical history. This way, we can tailor our care to help support our residents in the way they prefer.
Our residents have access to Registered Nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; with each room having an easy-to-use nurse call system.
Our Head Chef prepares and cooks a large range of meals from the onsite kitchen to suit the unique dietary requirements of our residents. A menu sample has been included in this pack for your review. Residents with specific dietary requirements are catered for; with all allergies and intolerances carefully noted by our catering team. Please let us know that you have special dietary considerations and we will ensure that the Chef is aware of these.
Meals are served in the dining room; or for personal reasons, a resident can request to dine in their room.
To ensure that we have all essential information, we request that resident brings with them:
Medicare card
Pension Card
Department of Veterans Affairs card if applicable
If the resident is unable to manage money, amounts over $10.00 may usually be left with our Administration Staff. This will be receipted and available to the resident during standard office hours.
All clothing and personal items must be clearly, but discreetly labelled with the resident’s name with either a laundry marker or personalised sewn on labels. Any additional clothing brought in during the stay is to be recorded and labelled.
We recommend that you bring at least the following:
5 pair of pyjamas or nightwear
10 sets of underwear
5 or more changes of clothes
1 pair of slippers
1 or 2 pairs of street shoes
1 dressing gown
Toiletries including nail trimmers (we provide shower gel, shampoo etc)
aids or appliances
All of these items will be returned on discharge.
You’ll want your loved one to feel comfortable and look good to help retain their self -esteem, so keep in mind that it is an everyday living environment and it’s better to select functional clothing that will look good for a long time. Select clothes that stretch and have extra space in the arm openings, hips and waist.
All washing will be carried out by the Mater Christi Laundry unless you make other arrangements.
The facility’s laundry temperature requirements for infection control are strict. Accordingly, we recommend polyester and cotton/polyester blend materials as they will hold up the best and look better for longer.
No-iron Fabrics are the best choice
They will always look crisp no matter how recently they were laundered or how long they’ve been folded in a drawer
There is no additional cost for laundry service. We provide an onsite laundry service with the residents laundry collected by our care staff and taken to the laundry to be washed on a daily basis. Clothing items are then returned the following day by the Laundry staff and delivered personally to the resident’s room.
Our role isn’t just to care for people when they are ill, but also to help them stay healthy. To complement our high quality care we also offer a range of special lifestyle and wellness programs designed to enhance each of our residents’ day.
Our activities are designed to stimulate our resident’s physical senses to achieve maximum independence in a safe environment, whilst developing friendships and improving social interaction. All of our exercise sessions are designed by qualified physiotherapists to meet the individual needs of each resident.
Activities may include
Garden walks
Gentle exercise classes
Ball games
Concerts/singalongs
Arts and crafts
Card and Board games
Bingo
Bus Outings
Shopping
Group discussions and reminiscing and newspaper reading
Introduction to technology (supported skype sessions with family and friends)
Gardening
We believe it is important for our residents to maintain their personal friendships and contacts as well as make new friends. Family and friends are always welcome at Mater Christi and have unrestricted visiting hours. We encourage our residents to stay in touch with loved ones by technology including skype. We have a coffee shop on site that is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Friends, family and residents are able to gather at the Grove Coffee Shop for coffee, cake, sandwiches and meals. A coffee shop menu has been included for your awareness.
All homes have to meet government accreditation standards and to show continuous improvement in the quality of care and services they provide to residents.
The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency assesses homes and monitors them to make sure they comply with the Aged Care Standards.
This information is from the Australian Government’s
My Aged Care Website Five Steps To To Entry into Residential Aged Care
Will my information be kept private?
All aged care homes are required to keep your information private under state, territory and Commonwealth legislation. You can expect the information you provide in the forms will be treated sensitively by the aged care home. If you want to access your personal information, you can contact your aged care home at any time. By law, aged care homes are required to manage your information according to certain standards.
Under both the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Privacy Act 1988, you are entitled to access the information that the aged care home collects from you. There are severe penalties, including imprisonment, for people who misuse personal information. For more information on how to apply for an aged care home, go to My Aged Care at www.myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422.
