Questions about aged care homes
What is an aged care home? What care and services do they provide?
An aged care home is a place where older people can live when they need ongoing help or health care and can no longer live at home.
An aged care home provides:
- accommodation – a room with furnishings and bedding
- care services – such as personal care, nursing, and therapy services
- hotel-type services – such as meals, laundry, cleaning, and social activities.
What is the difference between an aged care home, residential care, and a nursing home?
There is no difference between the terms. An aged care home, residential care and nursing home all describe the same service.
However, retirement villages or independent living units are not aged care homes. This means they are not subsidised or regulated by the Australian Government.
When should I consider an aged care home rather than help at home?
You might consider moving to an aged care home if you can no longer live independently at home. Or perhaps you need more help than your current carer, family or friends can provide.
Am I eligible for a government-subsidised aged care home?
To find out if you’re eligible, you will first need an assessment.
Most people who apply for a place in a government-subsidised aged care home do so because they can no longer live independently at home, and are either:
- older than 65 years (50 years or older for first nations people)
- a younger person with exceptional circumstances, whose care needs cannot be met through other specialist services.
If you already receive government-subsidised aged care services, you might need a reassessment first. You should first talk to your current provider about reviewing your care plan.
I’m eligible for an aged care home. What happens now?
If you receive a letter to confirm you have been approved as eligible for a place in a government-subsidised aged care home, there are two things you should do next:
- Find and connect with an aged care home that best suits your needs
- Learn more about how aged care home costs and fees work.
If I agree to an aged care home, what happens next?
After agreeing to an aged care home, the home will want to formalise the offer through a resident agreement.
This will involve some paperwork and contracts about your care, accommodation, and any extra services you may elect to receive.
Your aged care home can help make sense of the information. You can also ask family, friends, carers or a legal professional for help.
Preparing for your move is also important. You may want to know what you should bring and who might be able to help you.
How do I check the quality level of an aged care home?
All government funded aged care homes receive Star Ratings that will help you compare the safety and quality of care delivered in aged care homes. All aged care homes receive an Overall Star Rating and a rating across four key areas: Residents’ Experience, Compliance, Staffing and Quality Measures. Aged care homes get a rating between one and five stars with more stars meaning a home provides higher quality care.
To check the Star Rating for an aged care home you’re looking at, use My Aged Care’s Find a provider tool online. The rating for each aged care home will appear as a part of their listing.