🩺 For GPs and Primary Care Teams
Helping you support older patients and their families through the My Aged Care pathway.
1. How GPs fit into My Aged Care
Most people start aged-care conversations with their GP. Families describe changes such as more falls, confusion, or carer exhaustion.
Your role:
- Identify medical issues and document functional decline
- Support a referral to My Aged Care
- Set realistic expectations about timeframes and funding
Our goal at myagedcare.info is to prepare families so those appointments are calmer and more productive.
2. Proactive Health Assessments
The annual Over 75 Health Assessment (MBS item 705) is a powerful tool to formally identify care needs, review medication, and initiate discussions about advance care planning and home safety before a crisis occurs.
It provides a structured format to document functional decline and support a My Aged Care referral.
RACGP Guidelines for Health Assessments ↗3. What families usually ask the GP
Common questions:
- “Can we get help at home?”
- “Is it time for respite or permanent care?”
- “How much will this cost?”
We explain the normal five-step path at myagedcare.info/the-5-steps: 1. Talk to GP → 2. Call My Aged Care → 3. Assessment → 4. Approval → 5. Support starts.
4. What helps the GP most
Encourage families to prepare before the appointment using the free checklist at myagedcare.info/gp-prep.
They should note:
- What has changed (falls, memory, hygiene, sleep, weight)
- Safety or supervision worries
- Carer limits
- Current supports
This helps your clinical summary and speeds up referrals.
Open Patient Prep Checklist5. What happens after referral
- Family calls My Aged Care 1800 200 422 or applies online.
- My Aged Care may request a medical summary.
- RAS or ACAT visit occurs.
- Services are allocated.
- GP continues ongoing review and monitoring.
We remind families that approval decisions rest with assessors, not the GP.
6. Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| GP can order full-time care tomorrow. | Supports require assessment and funding. |
| Letter guarantees a nursing-home bed. | Placement depends on ACAT approval + availability. |
| Hospital must keep Mum until care starts. | Hospitals discharge once medically stable. |
| GP decides package level. | Levels are set nationally by ACAT. |
7. Helpful tools for families
- “Is it time to get help?” – self-check quiz: myagedcare.info/selfcheck
- “What to tell your GP” – private prep form: myagedcare.info/gp-prep
- “How costs work” – clear fee guide with link to the official Aged Care Fee Estimator: myagedcare.info/fees
- Carer stress help: Helplines.com.au
- Budget planning: MyDailyCost.com
8. Reliable official sources
9. What Doctors Often Remind Families
These short reflections are based on common feedback from Australian GPs. They are simple truths many clinicians would agree with.
🩺 “Your GP’s role is to understand the health and safety changes, and start the My Aged Care referral — not to control approvals or waitlists.”
🌿 “Bring examples of what has changed at home — this helps your GP describe your situation clearly for the assessor.”
🕊️ “Asking for help early is not failing. Getting support before burnout keeps everyone healthier.”
💬 “It’s okay to feel lost — the system is complex, but your GP and My Aged Care can guide you through it.”
❤️ “GPs care deeply about older patients and carers — they just work within government processes that can take time.”
To prepare for your appointment, visit AskMyGP.com.au. For emotional support, see Helplines.com.au.
10. About this project
myagedcare.info is an independent, privacy-first initiative supporting GPs and families. No logins, no tracking, no commissions.
Always see your usual GP for medical care. Contact: AskMyGP.com.au/contact