Residential aged care

Residential aged care offers social and nursing support to people with a wide range of interests and abilities. From social outings and gatherings through to end-of-life care, residential aged care offers permanent, personal round-the-clock care.

With older people enjoying more diverse activities than ever before, these homes are often modern, light-filled and well equipped. Long gone are the musty ‘nursing homes’ from past decades.

All Australian aged care homes are run by qualified health professionals and must meet government regulations on the facilities and the level of care they provide their residents.

Ways to stay

• Most people in an aged care home are permanent residents
• Some places also offer respite care for short-term stays (typically to relieve a family member or friend who is offering full-time care at home; maximum 63 days a year)
• Transition care may also be available for people moving from hospital back to their own home, but who aren’t quite up to independent living yet (maximum 84 days)

Decisions, decisions

The move into permanent residential aged care can be stressful. Often, it comes as a result of an accident or illness, and the urgent need to find a suitable home and secure a room can mean decisions are made quickly. It’s easy to feel swamped.

Here we’ve identified the most important things you need to know. From choosing and applying through to funding and subsidies, you’ll find the information you need to make well-informed decisions with confidence.

Read next: How to compare and choose aged care homes