Supporting you in aged care

How DVA and other departments are able to continue supporting you while you are living in a residential aged care home.

Nominating a representative

You may choose to authorise someone to be your nominated representative when dealing with us. A nominated representative can be a partner, adult relative, trustee, agent, legal representative or organisation. You can set up a nominated representative using MyService or by completing this form - Appointing a third party to represent a DVA client. For more information visit the nominated representative webpage.

Please note that this form only authorises representation with DVA. Other government departments or services may require you to create other arrangements. Information on representation arrangements for other departments can be found on the Help accessing aged care services page.

Supporting you

Making the move to living in an aged care home may not have been an easy decision and can be a time filled with complex emotions, family dynamics and confusion about what supports are still available to you.

DVA has developed a guide, to help you understand the additional supports available. The booklet The veteran’s guide to living in an aged care home can be downloaded or ordered in hard copy from the aged care resources page.

If you remain unsure about the support you are eligible for, visit dva.gov.au/rac-dva, call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or email general.enquiries@dva.gov.au.

Care plans

Your aged care team will develop a care plan with you. Your care plan will provide your care team with information about you including your preferences, goals and clinical and care needs.

It is important if you are accessing any DVA services and supports these are detailed in the care plan you develop with your aged care team.

When developing a care plan with your aged care team you can ask them to include:

• that you are a veteran or war widow(er)
• equipment you use or need and if it is supplied by DVA - RAP in residential aged care list
• medication or wound care products - Concessional medicines under the RPBS
• additional appointments with allied health providers, if you have a clinical need beyond those provided by your aged care home
• transport arrangements for off-site medical treatment - Travel for treatment
• any mental health conditions you may have. You may also like to discuss how to manage any mental health conditions you have, including to:
  • ask if a behaviour support plan can be developed to assist your care team avoid triggers and understand the activities you do to stay well
  • discuss how the Veteran Supplement in Residential Care can be used to support your mental health (if you have consented to the provider accessing this payment). - Veterans’ Supplement for residential care

Income support payments

If you receive a DVA Disability Compensation Payment or income support payment you will continue to receive these, except for rent assistance, when you move into an aged care home.

For couples receiving income support payments (Service Pension, Income Support Supplement, Veteran Payment, Aged Pension paid on behalf of Centrelink), once you move permanently into an aged care home you may be entitled to be paid at the illness separated rate, even if you both move in together. To maximise your payments please advise DVA on the day you move permanently into the aged care home by calling 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

Veteran cards

If you have been issued with a DVA Veteran Card, you may be able to access certain benefits. These benefits depend on the card type and may help you to access support services. Some Australian Defence Force members may not have a DVA Veteran Card and may need to apply to DVA to obtain a card.

We issue 3 types of cards that entitle the holder to different care services:

• Veteran Gold Card
• Veteran White Card
• Veteran Orange Card

Find out more on the Veteran Card webpage.

Recognition in aged care

We have developed a range of recognition products to be used by veterans, and war widow(er)s residents in their rooms, doors, equipment or their place settings in dining rooms. The products have been designed to recognise their contributions to our nation and to highlight their eligibility for additional supports through DVA. 

To order stickers and access digital products go to our sticker order page.

The Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant

DVA clients may also apply for the Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant (the Covenant). The Covenant serves to recognise and acknowledge the unique nature of military service and the contribution of veterans and their families.

Find out more by visiting the Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant webpage.

Questions you may ask your aged care home

You may have moved in but not be aware of how your aged care home supports veterans and war widow(er) living in their home. We have developed a question sheet with room for you to add questions and make notes when visiting aged care homes. These questions have been developed with veterans and war widow(er)s in mind and can be found in The veteran's guide to moving into an aged care home. There are also helpful brochures on moving into residential care and specifically about veterans’ needs in aged care, on the 10 questions to ask webpage.

Commemorating military service

Some of the most important work that DVA is tasked with is to commemorate the service of our veterans. Commemorations provide recognition, respect and acknowledgement to all Australian veterans.

The Department has set up several pages to aid in commemoration and highlight the service and sacrifices of our defence force personnel. You can find more information by visiting the Commemorations webpage.

Registered supporters in aged care

Supported decision-making in aged care is a process that helps older people continue making and communicating their own decisions, allowing them to stay in control of their lives.

This helps you to be involved in making your own decisions for as long as possible. It also helps to keep you informed, so you can consider the pros and cons before making an informed choice about your care.

As a resident of an aged care home, you can request to register one or more people to be your registered supporters to assist you with decision-making. This person or people can help you make and communicate your own aged care decisions, including speaking to My Aged Care, aged care assessors, aged care providers, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Registered supporters can also request, access and receive information about you.

A registered supporter does not have authority to speak on your behalf to DVA without completing the nominate the representative process. Furthermore, registered supporters cannot assist you with means testing for aged care. You can find more information on means testing on the Residential aged care means testing webpage.

Learn more about registered supporters and how to set up a registered supporter relationship at Arranging someone to support you | My Aged Care.

There are other support services to help you understand and navigate aged care. Explore these options on My Aged Care at Getting support in aged care | My Aged Care.

Advance care planning

Advance care planning involves planning for your future health care. It enables you to make some decisions now about the health care you would or would not like to receive if you were to become seriously ill and unable to communicate your preferences or make treatment decisions.

Everyone should consider advance care planning, regardless of your age or health. Ideally, you should start planning when you’re healthy. Start a conversation today with your family and your aged care home about advance care planning.

For more information or to request a printed starter pack visit the Advance Care Planning webpage or call 1300 208 582 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (AEST).

End of life arrangements, care and conversations

As you age and your needs change it is important to consider your end-of-life arrangements and who will manage your affairs if you no longer have the capacity to make decisions about your personal finances, medical and health decisions. This may also be a good time to set up or update your will as your circumstances may have changed following your move into an aged care home.

For more information on setting up a will, enduring power of attorney arrangements and funeral planning, DVA has created Planning Ahead – A guide to putting your affairs in order – preparing for and coping with bereavement. This book is available for download or you can order a hard copy at dva.gov.au/publications.

More aged care help

It’s no secret aged care can be confusing and it’s often difficult know where to start. You don’t have to do it alone. There are many services available through the government as well as independent services that can support you on your aged care journey.

The Help Accessing Aged Care Services page provides information on available support. There are also further support services to help you understand and navigate aged care. You can explore these options by visiting the Getting support in aged care webpage on the My Aged Care website.

Other pages we think may interest you

• Aged care resources
• Supporting you in aged care
• Accessing DVA supports and services in aged care
• Accessing mental health support and staying connected
• Carer support
• Raising an aged care concern
• The new Aged Care Act
• Understanding residential aged care costs
• Residential aged care means testing