Introducing the Nguyen Family aka

Family 2.

Our Group in a Nutshell!!Cynthia, Melanie, Erin, Tim, Marguerita and

Terese

Information Set 1

Key Area’s 2 Adults, 3 Teenagers + 1 Demented

Grandmother (Veronica) who’s becoming disoriented, incontinent and prone to falls.

Total income of 82K + 42K = 124K(With mortgage of $2,150 a month plus Private

Health Insurance).

Determined to keep Veronica at home, but have both parents remain working.

Local Government Area Services• The Nguyen family reside in Patterson Lakes, within the City

of Kingston.• The family can prepare themselves for living with

dementia, collect information and speak to Health Care Workers at local community locations (Local G.P., Hospital, Community Health Centre)

• Through the local hospital or Community Health Centre, the Nguyens could organise an Occupational Therapist to visit Veronica and help to retrofit the house with various equipment.

• Case-management and care co-ordination via ‘Access Care Southern’ which is run and organised by the City of Kingston.

• ‘Central Bayside Community Health Services’ in Chelsea run a program called Southern Psychogeriatric Activity Service (SPAS) which would aid Veronica in adjusting.

Information Set 2

Key Area’s

Jackie is promoted at work, from part-time to full-time (increase pay included).

Veronica’s condition continues to decline.

CENTRELINK SERVICES FOR THE NGUYEN FAMILY

1. Carer allowance• Carer allowance may be given if you are looking after

a person over 16 who has a disability, medical condition or who is frail aged and needs a lot of care and attention on a daily basis.

If the person you care for goes into respite care or hospital:

• You can still receive Carer Allowance (adult) for up to 63 days in a calendar year if:

- The person you care for is in respite care, as well as 63 days in a calendar year.

• Income and assets -You do not have to meet income or assets tests to receive Carer Allowance (adult).

2. Aged pension• Payment can be received but an assets test and income

test must be done. If qualifies a payment of $569.80 a fortnight. (but would have to meet residency requirements).

3. Social work services• Social workers from Centrelink would help to: - provide counseling and support to Centrelink customers with

difficult personal or family issues- provide information about, or refer customers to,

community support services - help with claims for payments from Centrelink• Social workers help people including people who are full-

time carers of a child or an adult with a disability or severe medical condition.

4. Commonwealth seniors health card and seniors concession allowance.

• You can get a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card if you have reached Age Pension age and you do not get a pension from Centrelink, which entitles you to various concessions from the Australian Government such as cheaper medicines and bulk billing for doctors’ appointments.

• To qualify for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card you need to have a yearly adjusted taxable income of less than $50,000—for singles.

Seniors concession allowance:-• You qualify for Seniors Concession Allowance if you hold a

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and you are in Australia or temporarily absent for a period not exceeding 13 weeks. The rate of Seniors Concession Allowance is $129.70. You are paid each quarter, shortly after the qualification dates of 20 March, 20 June, 20 September and 20 December.

Information Set 3

Key Area’s

Family Dr. advises residential care for Veronica is essential.

The family hires an unqualified friend resulting in Veronica fracturing her pelvis.

Residential Care

• Aged Care - not necessarily a Nursing Home• Key types of aged care at this stage – – Transition Care Programs– Extended Aged Care at Home (Dementia) package– Respite Care– Residential Aged Care (not preferred by Jackie)

• Most Government funded care requires ACAT assessment

• Costs vary depending on individual assets and pensioner allowance, DVA, etc

• Patterson Lakes and surrounding area have at least 20 Aged Care Facilities

Private Health InsuranceIn accordance with Veronica’s fractured pelvis:• Bupa Australia- Family Essentials Hospital Cover (Hospital)

• Covers 3 adults and 3 dependents

• Ambulance cover for emergency transport to hospital

• Full cover for cost of private shared room and theatre fees if surgery is required

• No excess if the family member is admitted as a result of an accident

• Hospitals must be in agreement with the insurance provider

• Best local hospital in agreement Peninsula Private Hospital (120 overnight beds)

$$$ Family’s Costs thus far…

Mortgage = $25800 yearlyPrivate health insurance ($145.70 monthly) = $1748.40

yearly

Taxable Income (subtracting the Mortgage + Health Insurance Costs) = $124451.60

(Including PAY RISE)

Insurance provider= Bupa Australia - Family Essentials Hospital Cover

(Hospital)

Information Set 4

Key Area’s

We are introduced to the fact Veronica came to Australia on a family reunion visa and is therefore not currently entitled to an Australian pension.

Jackie is becoming increasingly stressed, with work demands and of losing the help of her unqualified friend to care for her mother equalling the rekindle of her past pokies addiction.

Veronica’s Family Reunion Visa Entitlements

-

Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 143)o Medicare and PBS

o Social security payments

Talking it Out

Counselling:o Family counsellingo Financial adviser/accountanto Gambling help

Two years down the track…

The best and most preferable outcome for the Nguyen family, 2 years down the track from now is for…

• Veronica to be receiving a pension.

• Jackie to be succeeding in her new job and all old gambling habits resolved.

• Veronica receiving the best care possible.

References• Central Bayside Community Health Services (2009). Southern Psychogeriatic Activity Service. Retrieved

16 September, 2009, from http://www.cbchs.org.au/spas.php

• Centrelink (2009, 3 August). Age Pension. Retrieved 7 September,2009, fromhttp://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/age_pension.htm

• City of Kingston (2008). Community Directory 2008. Melbourne: City of Kingston

• Department of Health and Aging (2009). Aged Care Australia. Retrieved 11 September, 2009, from http://www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au/

• Department of Immigration and Citizenship (2009). Visas, immigration andrefugees - contributory parent (migrant) visa (subclass 143). Retrieved 7September, 2009, from http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/parent/143/

• Mutual Community (2009, 1 April). Family Essentials Hospital Cover. Retrieved 13 September, 2009, from

http://www.mutualcommunity.com.au/public_insurance_sales/sa/App/hosp_detail_Family_Essentials_Hospital_Cover.action

• PrivateHealth.gov.au (2009). Private Health Insurance and Australian Health Fund Information. Retrieved 13 September, 2009, from www.PrivateHealth.gov.au