If the person is in hospital, ask for the medical social worker before discharge. If they live at home, contact a District Elderly Community Centre or Neighbourhood Elderly Centre. Explain what care is no longer manageable, rather than simply asking to put a name on a waiting list.
The SWD referral route also accepts requests through Integrated Family Service Centres and other referring units. Families do not join the Central Waiting List by booking a subsidised bed directly with a home.
Prepare information that changes the care plan
- Bring identification, contact details, recent discharge or medical summaries, the medicine list and any professional care instructions requested by the worker.
- Describe an ordinary day and night: getting out of bed, eating, washing, toileting, taking medicines and being left alone. Record who currently provides each part of the care.
- Explain the real limits: a carer’s work hours, stairs without a lift, unaffordable private care, or a carer who can no longer continue.
What happens next
- The referring worker screens the request and arranges a standardised care-needs assessment where appropriate.
- An accredited assessor conducts an interview and assessment; the worker explains the result and services matched to the person.
- Discuss eligible service types and acceptable homes or locations. Confirm what preferences are recorded, then keep the application reference and responsible worker’s contact.
- Agree on support while waiting and what changes should trigger reassessment. Registration does not provide immediate care.
For subvented residential care, the published age criterion is generally 65 or above; ages 60–64 may be considered on proven health or social grounds if other criteria are met. The responsible worker should confirm the route for the individual. Do not confuse a care-needs assessment with the separate income-and-assets assessment used by the residential voucher scheme.
If care cannot wait
Ask the worker to consider interim home care, day care, respite or emergency placement as appropriate. Explain the date by which current support ends. Do not cancel existing help because an application has been submitted, and do not assume that paying for a private bed automatically converts it into a subsidised place later.