We understand that the decision to move into aged care can be difficult and everyone’s experience is different. Often a hospital stay triggers a family’s decision to start the search for aged care. Or you may notice that the person you support can’t manage day-to-day tasks on their own anymore. VMCH offers a variety of in-home services to help older people stay at home for longer. But in some cases, 24/7 care is required. VMCH can help with permanent or respite care.

We operate under the principles of Montessori; an approach dedicated to delivering exceptional care whilst supporting and empowering residents to do what they can for themselves. Our residences offer ageing in place, specialised dementia care, chronic disease management and respite. As a person’s needs change, we change with them. Qualified registered nurses lead a team of professional carers who are complemented by dedicated lifestyle staff members.

We generally say there are five steps to moving into aged care:

1. Our friendly admissions team can walk your through the process and help you understand the costs. Call them today on 1300 698 624.
3. Register with My Aged Care (a government aged care service).
4. Organise an aged care assessment with the government Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). They will come and meet you at your home and help you to determine the level of care required.
5. Take a tour of one of our aged care residences. We have 11 residences across Victoria.
6. Complete an application form and speak to our admissions team who can advise of availability.

Pricing is dependent on individual means and asset testing. Payment can be made via a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) or a combination of both. Supported places are available. For more information, please call our friendly team on 1300 698 624.

It can take as little as 24-hours to move you in, depending on availability, completion of application forms and assessments.

Our residences offer exceptional lifestyle programs, tailored to the resident’s individual needs. Activities may include group and individual sessions, community outings, resident interest groups (gardening, exercise, arts and crafts etc.), games and sensory stimulation.

Our chefs prepare delicious fresh and nutritious meals on-site daily. At several of our residences we offer a buffet service, allowing residents to serve themselves and stay as independent as possible.

We provide all our residents with a comfortable remote-controlled adjustable single bed, bedside drawers and an armchair. Naturally, you are more than welcome to bring your own small furniture items, artwork, decorations and mementos. This is your new home and we want you to feel comfortable as quickly as possible.

We welcome your pets to come and visit, however they cannot stay overnight or live permanently at the residence.

You can keep your own GP if they offer house calls. If your GP is unable to consult at the residence, we can certainly arrange a GP to care for your medical needs.

No. We welcome people from diverse cultures, nationalities, faiths and walks of life. What we share is our humanity, our respect for one another and the community we create together. Residents of all denominations have access to pastoral care services. Our team is here to ‘walk with you along the journey’ – offering spiritual support, help in times of need and to celebrate joyous occasions.

We can offer a short respite stay at any one of our aged care residences. Dependent on room availability, prospective residents can join us for two weeks or more. If you love the support and care received, we’ll be happy to discuss making the move permanent.

The NDIS supports people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to enjoy everyday life. It gives participants more choice and control over how, when and where their supports are provided.

You need to meet certain requirements to qualify for an individual support plan when it becomes available in the area where you live.

Eligibility requirements include:

• A participant must have a permanent disability that significantly affects their ability to take part in everyday activities
• You need to be aged less than 65 when you first access the scheme
• You must also be an Australian citizen, live in Australia and hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category Visa.

For more information on access requirements go to the NDIS Access Eligibility Checklist web page.

Early intervention requirements include:

• Child has an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent
• Child is under six years with a developmental delay which results in substantially reduced functional capacity in one or more areas of self-care, language, cognitive and motor development
• There is evidence that getting supports now will help a child by reducing how much assistance they will need in the future, it will help family and carers keep helping the child.

The NDIS website also has more information about early intervention access requirements.

The NDIS takes a flexible, whole-of-life approach to working with individuals and their family to develop a plan about what support they need to enjoy life, live independently and achieve their goals.

It provides participants with more choice and control over how, when and where their supports are provided.

It also provides certainty that they will receive support over their lifetime.

The NDIS will fund reasonable and necessary supports that help participants achieve their goals.

This may include:

•  Daily personal activities
• Transport to participate in community, social, economic and daily life activities
• Workplace help so a participant can successfully gain or keep employment
• Therapeutic supports including behaviour support
•  Help with household tasks
• Help from a person skilled in aids or equipment assessment, set up and training.
•  Home modification design and installation, mobility equipment, vehicle modifications.

Under the NDIS Act, a support will not be funded if it:

• Is not related to the participant’s disability
• Duplicates other supports already funded by a different mechanism through the NDIS
• Relates to day to day living costs that are not related to a participant’s support needs, or
• Is likely to cause harm to the participant or pose a risk to others.

We have staff who are experts in the planning process. They can provide advice to assist you to make the most of your plan.

The NDIA has prepared the NDIS Planning Workbook, which can be found on the NDIS website: www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process

Call our NDIS experts today

Come and visit us for a tour! We’d love to show you around and introduce you to some of the residents, so you can get a better understanding of what it’s like to live at one of our retirement living communities.
We also recommend that you sign up to our database so you can learn more about the individual properties come on the market.

We consider your safety and security is of the utmost importance to us. At all our villages we have staff either one site or on call 24/7. Our staff, neighbours, 24hr call system and CCTV provide great peace of mind for our residents.

Pets are absolutely welcome at all our retirement living communities, but we do ask you seek approval of management first. We want to make sure our communities are a wonderful place for those with and without pets, so we may ask you comply with a few guidelines to ensure a harmonious environment.

VMCH does offer a fantastic range of At-Home Aged Care services. If you need a little extra help at home and in the community, then we can provide the care you need. From cleaning, to shopping and allied health support. To find out more call 1300 698 624.

Retirement living is for people over 55 who can live independently in their own homes, and can participate and enjoy the community lifestyle.

In contrast, residents who live in an aged care residence can no longer live at home independently and require daily care for their health and safety.

Definitely! This is your home after all. Friends and family are welcome to stay with you for short periods. If you’re planning to have a visitor for an extended period of time, you’ll need to talk to the Manager.

Generally, any variations or alterations to the apartments, such as new paint colour scheme, alternate floor coverings, installation of permanent fixtures and other modifications will require the consent of management.

VMCH has retirement living communities across Camberwell, Deepdene, Clayton, Kyneton, Trentham, Eltham, Bacchus Marsh, Pakenham, Balwyn, Hawthorn, Brunswick West, Greensborough, Torquay, and Toorak.

We recommend that you consult your solicitor and financial planner or accountant before making this important decision.

You have the security of a 49-year lease. You may of course leave at any time of your own choosing.

No, stamp duty or GST are not applicable.

There is a weekly maintenance charge towards the operating cost of the communal facilities and services. This is set annually in relation to actual costs and in discussion with the resident committees at each of the sites.

You are responsible for insuring the contents of your home. Building insurance for your unit is included in the weekly maintenance fees.

The DMF is really an ‘enjoy now, pay later’ arrangement. This fee contributes to the capital cost of the amenities. By deferring these costs, entry into our community lifestyle is more affordable. You pay these deferred fees when you leave from the ingoing price paid by the next resident, which, in recent times, has usually returned more than the amount you paid.

A 24-hour emergency call service is provided to all residents and is included in the maintenance fees. Access to emergency assistance is by phone and pendant.