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Frequently Asked Questions
Absolute Care Therapy answers your frequently asked questions about Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
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What is the At-Home Review, and how much does it cost?The At-Home Review is a personalised assessment, conducted either in your home or via telehealth. We take the time to get to know the individual - their needs, interests, and daily routines. During this review, we assess whether Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a good fit, and provide practical, tailored strategies to help enhance their health, wellbeing, and cognitive engagement. The value of the $299 fee includes: 1-hour in-home or telehealth assessment Pre-assessment preparation and creation of a personalised home file Administrative and onboarding time (should you choose to proceed) Relevant paperwork and reports Email correspondence and follow-up communication Tailored strategies to support cognitive health Whether or not you choose to proceed with our programs, you’ll walk away with valuable insights and clear recommendations to support your next steps. Cost: $299 + travel • Travel <15mins from clinic – $50 • Travel <30mins from clinic – $99 • Travel over 30 minutes – by discussion
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What is involved in an assessment?Our assessments are designed to focus on understanding your strengths, cognitive health, hobbies, and interests, as well as what you would like to achieve with our support. This helps us develop personalised strategies and recommendations, ensuring a positive and friendly experience. We prefer to conduct the assessment in person at your home, as it allows us to meet you directly and provide clear, tailored information. However, if more convenient, we also offer telehealth assessments. We encourage you to have a support person present during the assessment.
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CST Funding OptionsOur programs can be fully funded through NDIS or Home Care Packages. Please check with your coordinator to ensure there are adequate funds available. NDIS: Program is funded through Capacity Building Funds. HCP: Program is funded through allied health and incurs no out of pocket costs. Invoices are issued after each session to assist with budget management. Please make sure you have funds available prior to booking a Home Review Assessment.
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Can I Pay for the Program with Private Health Insurance?Due to the complex and extended nature of our Cognitive Stimulation Therapy program, funding is most commonly accessed through Home Care Packages or NDIS, or paid privately. You may be eligible to claim a partial rebate for the physiotherapy component of the program through your private health insurance. To check your eligibility, please contact your provider and quote the following HICAPS item codes: • 530 – Home Assessment • 500 – Group Program Please note: Private health rebates are typically calculated against standard 20-minute physiotherapy sessions. As our program involves extended face-to-face therapy and extensive preparation and documentation, any rebate received may only cover a small portion of the total cost. Provider Details: Business Name: Absolute Care Therapy Provider: Amanda Burnby, Senior Physiotherapist ABN: 15 183 459 578 Clinic Location: 3/527 Canning Hwy, Melville, WA Provider Number (Clinic): 6521442A Provider Number (Home Visits): 6521441L
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CST Commitment & Alternative Options if Group Therapy Isn’t the Right FitWe understand that committing to a 7-week therapy program can feel like a big decision, especially if you're unsure whether it's the right fit. That’s why we want to offer you peace of mind. If, after attending the first two weeks, you feel the program isn’t the right fit, we’ll provide you with a Home CST program. This can be completed at home with family or staff, ensuring you continue to receive valuable support. Please note that the full program fee for the Connect program is required and any unused funds from your program fee will be applied to cover the Home CST program. We are committed to providing the right support for you, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way.
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Can I participate in the group sessions with my loved one?We find that our in-practice sessions work best when family members aren’t in the room. It gives people a chance to interact with new faces in a fresh setting, helping to build confidence. However, for the final session, we invite one family member to join. This allows your loved one to showcase what they’ve learned and gives you the opportunity to see the techniques in action, helping you to continue the practice at home
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How long will it take to see results?While everyone’s experience is different, many families report improvements in engagement, confidence, memory, communication, and overall mood within 2 weeks of CST.
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What if my loved one can’t attend a session?Due to the personalised nature and complexity of this program, we are unable to offer make-up sessions. However, we will provide you with a Home CST session + resources that can be completed with family, friends, or staff to help support continued progress. To ensure consistency and commitment, we request an upfront commitment to the entire program. You can choose to pay for the program in full before it begins, or opt for fortnightly invoicing to help with budgeting.
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What if I’m a hired caregiver, not a family member?CST is a valuable program for staff, family members, and friends — helping anyone in a caregiving role connect meaningfully while supporting brain health and overall wellbeing.
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What if my loved one gets frustrated or has an outburst during the program?CST is designed to be gentle, patient, and empowering. We tailor the sessions to match your loved one’s pace and mood so they never feel overwhelmed. We always have 2 staff present during group programs, so If challenges arise, we can allocate individualised attention.
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Where do you provide services?Group Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is provided at our Melville clinic at: 527 Canning Hwy (corner Rome Road) Melville Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is provided at home by your support team. We will home visit to complete an assessment, and again to deliver resources and provide training. We also also available for telehealth consultations for people who live outside of the Perth Metro region.
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