Frequently Asked Questions

Please see our Fees and Costs page, or contact us for more information.

You must have a current assessment by an ACAT (Aged Care  Assessment Team) before we can offer you a place at Bethsalem Care. This can be organised through your doctor, hospital staff or directly with the Aged Care Assessment Team in your area. In Adelaide, call (08) 8193 1203.  The assessment will indicate if are eligible for Permanent placement or for Respite Care.
We also recommend that you have the necessary legal documents in place, and are aware that since 2014 Advanced Care Directives have replaced Enduring and Medical Powers of attorney.
It is also recommended that you have a current Will and that your nominated representatives are aware of your preferred arrangements.

Yes you may, however we can only offer you a place when a vacancy arises, if we have access to your ACAT Referral Number.  An ACAT assessment is mandatory, and we need to know the individual’s care needs before admission.

We also require you to complete our simple application form.

Please contact us and we will send you an Application Pack.

Yes. An Income and Assets Assessment is also required.  This will identify what you may be required to contribute for accommodation and care costs based on your own personal financial situation.  More information can be found here and the Centrelink Request for a Combined Assets and Income Assessment form can be downloaded here.  The form is also included in the Application Pack that we can send to you.

Respite Care provides a short break for friends or relatives who are providing care at home, by allowing the care recipient to temporarily stay at Bethsalem Care.  Respite Care may also be needed after a stay in hospital or medical event and prior to returning home.  We do not have dedicated respite beds, however when a vacancy arises we may be able to offer respite care if we are aware of your needs.

Respite Care is available with the relevant ACAT assessment for up to 63 days in any calendar year.  Our minimum length of stay for respite care is 2 weeks.  If you are interested in obtaining a respite placement we recommend contacting us to obtain more information and to discuss availability.

Our waiting list is always changing and places are allocated on a needs basis when a vacancy arises.  We encourage you to contact us for more information.  In some cases it may take some time before you are offered a place, depending on your specific care needs and the availability of an appropriate room.  We work hard to anticipate and respond to your needs, so we will make contact with you if we have your details.

When a vacancy arises we will make on offer of accommodation to the person with the greatest need who also meets the criteria for the available room.

Yes – a request for this is included in our Application Kit.

All of our rooms are single rooms with private ensuites and are generously sized at around 23 sq/m.  This provides ample space to personalise your new home and to bring some of your cherished and familiar possessions with you.

All of our rooms have a spacious modern private ensuite bathroom.

Aside from providing individualised care, Bethsalem Care has a full time physiotherapist on staff and will also arrange podiatry, optometry, audiology, speech and occupational therapy as needed.  Sometimes there may be additional charges for additional allied health services.

Additional Services are also available to residents under the recently introduced Bethsalem Plus program.  For a modest daily fee of $6.95/day, a broad range of additional services are provided to residents, and includes among other things: fresh chef prepared meals, a 55″ smart TV, high speed internet connection, private in-room telephone, access to leisure activities and special events.  The cost for Bethsalem Plus is included on residents regular accounts.

Please talk to us to learn more.

A hairdresser is also available in an on-site professional salon, three days per week, and modest additional charges apply for using this service.

These vary based on the individual financial circumstances of the person entering the home. Fees and charges are regulated by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services and our fees are set in accordance with these regulations. A handy fee calculator can be found by visiting the My Aged Care website. (www.myagedcare.gov.au).
Please see the information on the Fees and Costs page.

We welcome visitors with pets that comply with our Pets Policy, however we cannot accommodate resident’s pets on a permanent basis.  From time to time we have our own pets living at Bethsalem Care, and we regularly have pet therapy and visiting pets come into the home for the enjoyment of residents.

We welcome and encourage your inspection by appointment.  Please contact Reception on (08) 8321-0300 during normal business hours. We also encourage you to talk to our Care Manager about the services we offer and your specific needs.

Please use our online Tour Booking tool.

Residents are encouraged to make their room as homely and familiar as available space allows.  We recommend a small table and chairs, small dresser, photographs, your own quilt or blanket, and personal items of clothing etc.  For any restrictions on this, please consult with our staff before admission. However, it is often best to leave any precious items in the care of family or friends.
All rooms have built in wardrobes. Linen, towels and blankets are supplied for all residents.
Any electrical appliances brought into the facility will need to be tagged for electrical safety at your cost. We arrange this service with our own staff.

There is a public bus service running past our Home and a bus stop within 30 metres of our facility.  More details on this service are available from Adelaide Metro.

A community bus service is provided by the Onkaparinga Council and is available for travel to the local shopping centre. Bookings must be made as there is no regular service.  A small fee is payable as this is operated by volunteers.

Yes – if your doctor is happy to look after you here, we would be very pleased to support that decision or if you wish you can travel to their rooms for appointments. Otherwise we do have doctors who visit on a weekly bases and more regularly as needed.

Because this is your home, we encourage visitors, however COVID has introduced restrictions and special requirements on visitors. Visiting limitations are changing frequently so please see our COVID Updates page for more information on these restrictions.

Yes – you are entitled to 52 days social leave per year without impacting on your permanent place at Bethsalem Care. This leave can be used for any purpose except to enter Hospital or another residential aged care home.

Overnight social leave is not available during periods of respite.

Please feel free to call or visit us between 8:30am and 5:00pm on normal business days.  Our administrative team is keen to discuss how we can assist you.  Other contacts which may assist in answering your questions:

Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing web site: www.myagedcare.gov.au

Aged & Community Care Info Line (free call) 1800 500 853