Preparing for Your Support at Home ACAT Assessment: What to Expect and How to Get Ready

Whether you’re arranging support for yourself or assisting a parent or loved one, it’s natural to have questions about the process.

One of the key steps is the Support at Home assessment, a straightforward conversation about your current situation and the type of help that could make daily life safer and more comfortable at home.

As an approved My Aged Care provider, our team is here to guide you through each step, explain the process clearly, and make everything feel manageable.

In this guide, we’ll outline what to expect on the day of your assessment, how to prepare in advance, and practical tips to help you feel confident and at ease.

What Is the Support at Home Assessment?

A Support at Home ACAT assessment is an assessment completed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to determine whether an older person is eligible for government-funded aged care services delivered at home under Australia’s aged care system.

Its purpose is to:

• Understand your health and mobility
• Assess how you manage daily tasks
• Identify safety concerns in your home
• Determine eligibility for government-funded services
• Recommend the level of support required

The assessor’s role is to build a complete picture of your situation, not just medically, but practically and emotionally. The clearer the picture, the more appropriate the recommended supports will be.

Why Preparation Is So Important

One of the most valuable aged care assessment tips is prepare in advance.

Many people attend their assessment without notes, assuming they will remember everything on the day. However, it’s common to forget important details or unintentionally downplay challenges.

Preparation helps you:

• Communicate clearly and confidently
• Avoid overlooking key concerns
• Ensure risks are accurately identified
• Reduce stress and uncertainty
• Advocate for appropriate support

Spending time reflecting beforehand can significantly improve the outcome.

How to Get Ready for Your Assessment

The assessment is usually conducted at home so the assessor can understand your living environment. Select a quiet area where you can speak comfortably and without interruption. 

2. Understand That It’s Not a Test

Many people feel nervous beforehand. It’s helpful to remember that this is simply a discussion about your needs. There are no exams or complicated paperwork to complete during the visit.

The goal is to identify the support that will help you remain safe and independent.

3. Consider Having Someone With You

A trusted family member or friend can attend the assessment if you wish. They can:

• Help you remember details
• Ask questions
• Take notes
• Provide emotional support

Gradual changes are sometimes difficult for someone to see in themselves. Their perspective can help provide balance and accuracy. They may also offer helpful insight if you tend to understate your challenges. 

4. Have Key Information Ready

Before the visit, gather:

• Your Medicare card
• A form of identification (driver’s licence, passport or DVA card)
• Contact details for your GP and specialists
• A list of current medications
• Any recent medical reports
• Details of services you currently receive
• Information about support provided by family or friends



Having this information ready makes the conversation easier.

5. Reflect on Your Daily Life

It can be helpful to write down:

• Health conditions affecting you
• Tasks you find difficult or tiring
• Safety concerns in your home
• Activities you’ve stopped doing
• Your personal goals, such as staying at home or maintaining mobility

What Happens During a My Aged Care Assessment?

During a Support at Home assessment, the assessor will introduce themselves, explain the process and ask for your consent to begin. They’ll talk with you about why you’re seeking support, any recent health changes, falls or hospital stays, and how you’re managing at home. You’ll be asked about mobility, safety around the house, medication management and how you handle daily tasks like showering, cooking, cleaning and attending appointments.

They may also ask about memory changes, mood or feelings of isolation. If a family member or carer is present, they may be asked how they’re coping too.

The Most Common Mistake: Describing Your “Best Day”

Seniors often minimise their difficulties. It’s natural to want to remain independent and capable.

You might say:

• “I manage.”
• “I can still do it.”
• “It’s not that bad.”

However, the assessment isn’t about whether you can technically complete a task. It’s about whether you can complete it safely, consistently and without exhaustion.

If you experience pain, fatigue, fear of falling, or need frequent rest breaks, say so. If you’ve stopped doing certain activities altogether, that is important information.

Being honest helps ensure you receive the support you genuinely need.

How to Clearly Describe Your Needs (So You Get the Right Supports)

Many people worry they won’t explain themselves properly. Here are practical ways to communicate clearly during your My Aged Care assessment.

1. Be Specific Rather Than General

Instead of saying:

“I’m fine with showering.”

Try:

“I can shower, but I feel unsteady and hold onto the wall because there are no grab rails.”

Instead of:

“I manage cooking.”

Try:

“I get tired standing at the stove and I’ve accidentally left it on before.”

Specific examples help assessors understand risk and effort.

2. Explain How Long Tasks Take

Time matters. If something takes twice as long as it used to, mention it.

Examples:

• “It takes me nearly an hour to get dressed.”
• “After vacuuming one room, I need to rest for an hour.”
• “Preparing dinner leaves me too tired to do anything else.”

Fatigue is an important indicator of support needs.

3. Talk About Pain and Fear

You might be physically capable of completing a task, but feel anxious or unsafe doing so.

For example:

• “I’m afraid of falling in the shower.”
• “I avoid the back steps because I’ve slipped before.”
• “I worry about going out alone.”

Fear and avoidance are significant factors in aged care assessments.

4. Mention What You’ve Stopped Doing

If you no longer:

• Drive
• Attend social groups
• Garden
• Use stairs
• Cook full meals

Say so. Stopping activities often reflects reduced confidence or increased risk.

Questions You Can Ask During the Assessment

You are entitled to understand the process.



Consider asking:

• How is the support level decided?
• What services might suit this situation?
• Can support increase if needs change?
• What happens if we disagree with the decision?
• What are the next steps?

Clarity reduces anxiety and empowers informed decisions.

What Happens After the Assessment?

After your assessment is finished, the assessor will review the information you’ve shared and decide what kind of support may be suitable. 

In some cases, they may suggest short-term reablement support to help you regain strength after illness or a hospital stay. 

If you don’t yet need formal services, they may provide general advice or link you with local community programs. Sometimes, they may also recommend a more detailed assessment for ongoing Support at Home funding.

If services are approved, the assessor will decide what type of support you need, how often you should receive it, and how urgent your situation is. You’ll then receive a letter explaining what you’ve been approved for and the next steps. 

If you don’t agree with the outcome, you can ask for a review. If needed, you can also appeal.

In some cases, your assessment may be reviewed internally, and you might receive a follow-up phone call to clarify details before services are confirmed.

Choosing the Right Support Provider

Once approved, selecting a provider who understands your needs is essential.

FOCUS Connect is an approved My Aged Care Provider supporting older Australians to remain safe, independent and connected at home. Through our Support at Home services, we help you understand the My Aged Care process, prepare for your assessment, and make sense of your approval once it comes through. 

We focus on respectful, reliable care that strengthens independence and gives you confidence to continue living comfortably in your own home.

Contact us to learn more about our Support at Home services.