Loans from family to fund a RAD have impacts on the cost of care and potentially estate planning. The Aged Care Act 1997 does not preclude a family member of a resident making a contribution towards their accommodation payment.  However, an aged care provider must not accept a lump sum payment which would leave the resident with less than the minimum permissible asset level within 28 days of entry and the provider has sufficient information to know the person’s means.

Pre-paying a funeral enables a client to choose and pay in advance for their eventual funeral.  They can pay for the funeral in full or pay it off in regular instalments over a period of time. The cost is fixed in today's dollars, even if the funeral is not for many years. Funeral bonds are an investment product that can only be withdrawn after death to pay for a funeral, they may not cover the cost of a funeral.

When a couple is entering into Residential Aged Care consideration needs to be given to the timing of their move and the impact this can have on their means assessment.