FAQ

If concerns associated with living at Pine Lodge arise, Management is open to any discussion with residents or family or friends.
If satisfaction is not obtained, the Board of Management can be consulted by contacting the Chairman of the Board Mr Serge Voloschenko on (07) 3277 5841.
If a concern cannot be resolved or suitable explanation has not been given, the Aged Care Complaints Resolution Scheme, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing can be contacted on Toll free 1 800 500 294.
The National Aged Care Advocacy Service can also be contacted on Toll free 1800 700 600.

The Commonwealth Government developed a “Charter of Residents Rights and Responsibilities”. The Charter is extensive and recognises that each Resident has the responsibility to exercise his/her rights, while not infringing on the rights of others, and the rights of those who are involved in the care of Residents.
A copy of the “Charter of Residents Rights and Responsibilities” is available from the management of Pine Lodge.

Resident meetings are held on a regular basis to discuss and make decisions about a variety of matters that relate to living at Pine Lodge. The Recreation Officer is available to discuss you individual needs should you not wish to attend resident meetings. You are encouraged to take an active part in those meetings. Family and friends can also attend these meetings if they wish. Alternatively, use the Suggestion and Feedback process.

If at all possible you are encouraged to have social contact outside Pine Lodge. Relatives and friends may like to take a Resident for outings during the day and for overnight leave. Up to 52 days social leave per year is permitted without loss of Commonwealth benefits. Any additional time away from Pine Lodge requires the Resident to pay a full daily fee as approved by the Commonwealth Government.
If you need to enter a hospital however, then unlimited leave applies without loss of Commonwealth benefit.

Residents are encouraged to continue with as many activities as they wish.
Communal activities within Pine Lodge include individual outings, concerts, table and floor games, special multi-cultural events, celebrations of national days and arts.
You may be asked to pay a nominal fee to attend outings or activities requested by your family or friends.
A monthly program of activities is prepared for Residents, and relatives and friends are encouraged to join whenever possible.
Pine Lodge invites you to participate in the recreational programs.

Yes you can attend to your usual religious and spirituals.
If you belong to any religious faiths you are encouraged to practice according to your rituals. Management can arrange visits of ministers/spiritual advisors as requested by you or your nominated representative.
If your religion is Russian Orthodox you have the opportunity to attend church services regularly, as the church of Blessed Virgin of Vladimir is located behind Pine Lodge.
Food customs related to religious beliefs are respected. Name days and birthdays of Residents are celebrated only with their permission.

Voting is compulsory for all people who are registered on both state and federal rolls. For your convenience, polling booths are arranged on the premises whenever possible. Postal voting can also be organised.

If you are accustomed to drinking alcohol, arrangements can be made to meet your needs. If however a Resident’s behaviour becomes disruptive due to intake of alcohol, management may need to discuss this with doctor or nominated representative.

For health, safety, and comfort of Residents, staff and visitors, smoking is restricted to one specially designated area outside the building with strict supervision from staff. Smoking within the living area and bedrooms is not permitted.

For the convenience of Residents, Pine Lodge employs multilingual staff. Access to interpreters or common words or phrases used can be arranged if and when required.

A public telephone is available in the foyer of the administration wing for the convenience of the Residents, friends and relatives.

A Personal telephone can be installed in the room. A range of options is available for call plans, please contact office to receive up to date costs.

Internet access is delivered via Wi-Fi network, which is available throughout the facility and it is free for residents and guests

There are no set visiting hours at Pine Lodge. Family and Friends are welcome to visit Residents as often as they wish.
As already mentioned, visits by family and friends are made easy and pleasant by provision of a separate lounge and mini kitchen facilities in each wing. If you choose, alternatively you are welcome to sit in the outside areas or join other Residents and family in the large dining and living area.
Note: Office operations are restricted to regular business hours.

Pine Lodge provides three nutritious meals a day, seven days a week. All meals are freshly prepared in the Pine Lodge kitchen using a variety of fresh produce as well as fruits and vegetables in season.
Food preferences are discussed with the Resident and his/her family on entry to Pine Lodge, and every attempt is made to meet those preferences. Pine Lodge caters for traditional cultural meals as well as for special diets is also available. Snacks and drinks are provided between meal times, and other times as requested.
Where possible Residents are encouraged to attend the dining room for meals however, a tray service can be provided if the Resident prefers to eat in his/her room or is unable to go to the dining room.
Where possible flexibility of meal times is also considered to accommodate Residents’ preferences. If family and friends wish to join Residents for meals, they are welcome to do so at a nominal charge.

Personal laundry services are provided by Pine Lodge staff at no extra cost. Laundry of personal clothing is provided at Pine Lodge premises. All care is taken while laundering garments.
To ensure that expensive clothing and woollen garments are not damaged, it is advisable to have them dry cleaned at your cost or taken home by family or friends for laundering.

You will need a variety of clothes which will satisfy your care needs and comfort. Any clothing that you would normally wear at home. You should allow sufficient clothing to last for one week. You or your family are asked that all clothing be distinctively marked with your name and initials. Dresses, shirts, jumpers etc. can be marked on the inside of back neckline. Trousers or pants can be marked on the inside of back waistline.
Please inform staff if any new clothing is brought into the home or if any clothing is removed from the premises by relatives or friends.

You are encouraged to bring personal items to Pine Lodge. Paintings, armchairs, small items of furniture and other objects are welcome in consultation with the Manager.
All tablets and medication that you are taking. Repeat prescriptions for all the medication that you are presently taking.
Also bring the following documents :
• Pensioner Health Benefit card
• Pensioner concession card
• Medical or other private medical benefit fund documents
• Medicare card
You may bring television sets as well as radios, cassette or CD players. Management of Pine Lodge however must ensure that every room is safe for you. For this reason, it is necessary that all electrical equipment that is brought to Pine Lodge is tested and tagged by a qualified electrician. At the time of admission any electrician costs is the responsibility of the resident or resident’s representatives. Follow up electrical testing is required annually.
Pine Lodge insurance does not cover cash or valuable items belonging to you against loss, theft or damage. It is therefore advisable to prepare and supply a list of your possessions so that they can be identified if misplaced. It is advisable to insure any valuable items that you bring into Pine Lodge prior to entering the home.
Please inform staff if any new items are brought into the home or if any item is removed from the premises by relatives or friends.

Pine Lodge is a charitable non-profit Organisation registered, accredited and approved to receive Commonwealth Government subsidy.
Fees that are paid for care are set by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and are reviewed from time to time.
For the care fee paid by the Resident, Pine Lodge provides:
• Accommodation and meals
• Care by trained staff
Assistance with activities daily living e.g. bathing, dressing toileting and general mobility
Pine Lodge provides care and services for all Residents in keeping with ‘Specified care and services” as set out in Schedule 1 of the Quality of Care Principals 1997.
Additional items such as clothing hairdressing, alcohol, cigarettes, sweets, dry cleaning, newspapers, magazines, extra food items, postage and telephone, individual toiletries and other items can be provided at the Residents expense.
Legal matters
Pine Lodge encourages Residents to exercise independent control of their finances. If this is not practical or possible, alternative arrangements may need to be considered. These arrangements may include appointment of Legal Representative such as The Adult Guardian, The Public Trustee or a private equivalent.
If a relative acts on behalf of the Resident regarding financial matters, management asks that a copy of enduring Power of Attorney be provided.

Entry to Pine Lodge is approved by the Age Care Assessment Team (ACAT) located at major hospitals and depends on availability of accommodation. At the time of entry, you are allocated an available room. This initial accommodation may change at a later date depending on your needs. Any relocation however is always discussed with you and your relatives before the move takes place.

Yes, we offer respite care.

Please us when you are ready and when you need care.