What is residential care?
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Residential aged care is for older people who can no longer live at home. Reasons can include illness, disability, bereavement, an emergency, the needs of their carer, family or friends, or because it is no longer possible to manage at home without help.
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Australia’s aged care system aims to ensure that all older people receive support and quality care when they need it. Aged care homes are owned and operated by people or organisations that have the approval of the government to care for you. Your aged care home will ensure that you have the care that you need, whether you just need help with day to day tasks, assistance with personal care, or 24-hour nursing care.
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When it is time to choose your aged care home, you will need to know what types of aged care homes are available in your area, as this may affect the cost and the services that you will receive. Residential aged care can be offered as either permanent or short-term care. Short-term care is called ‘respite care’. |
If you need less care than that offered by aged care homes you may wish to consider independent living units or retirement villages.
These residential communities offer a range of services for independent older people, and are regulated by State and Territory governments. Commonwealth Carelink Centres can provide you with information on the types of alternative accommodation in your region.
What types of aged care are available?
There are two broad types of aged care — low level and high level care.
• Low level care homes (formerly known as hostels) generally provide accommodation and personal care, such as help with dressing and showering, together with occasional nursing care.
• High level care homes (previously known as nursing homes) care for people with a greater degree of frailty, who often need continuous nursing care.
For more information on Residential Aged Care please see the Department of Human service Website