Moving into a retirement village or a residential aged care facility can greatly enhance our health, happiness and wellbeing as we get older.
Each supported living option has unique benefits and appeals to specific needs – but they have fundamental differences. This overview aims to help you decide which supported living option may be best for you or your loved one.
Retirement villages
If you or your loved one are mobile, able to live relatively independently, and don’t require significant medical attention or assistance with personal care, a retirement village may be the best choice.
Retirement villages offer independence and flexibility. Residents can travel regularly and maintain an active and social lifestyle.
Retirement villages provide maintenance and landscape services and often offer amenities such as swimming and exercise facilities, cinema and recreation rooms, cafes, community gardens, and guest suites and guest parking.
Living in a retirement village offers a lifestyle shared with others of similar in age and interests. Many have social committees who organise special events and group outings.
There are a variety of models for retirement villages, with different fees and services for each model.
For example:
- Lifestyle resort – Occupants purchase a freehold title and build their homes while leasing the land.
- Freehold complexes – The occupant purchases the freehold title, but the property may differ in the fees it charges compared to other facilities that are registered as a retirement village.
- Right to occupy – The occupant pays for the right to live in the property, while having the option to pay for other services.
Home Care Packages in retirement villages
Many people living in retirement villages enjoy home care support via government funded Home Care Packages. Here is more information about Home Care Packages and how you can access government subsidised help at home: Live your best life at home with home care services (agedcarereviews.com.au)
Aged Care Decisions can help you find Home Care Package Providers to suit your needs. Contact us here for more information and to get started.
Residential aged care facilities
A residential aged care facility (also known as a nursing home) is ideal for someone who is unable to live independently, needs regular medical care, and would benefit from services such as scheduled meals, laundry and room maintenance, which are all taken care of by facility staff.
Residential aged care facilities also assist residents with daily activities such as personal care and grooming, feeding, toileting and management of individual medical needs.
Aged care facilities have nursing staff onsite 24 hours a day, and welcome visits from doctors and allied health professionals as needed.
Most aged care facilities have outdoor areas to enjoy, and some provide access to a common kitchenette with tea/coffee making facilities.
Many have additional features such as a garden, cafe, cinema room, swimming pool, beauty salon and library.
Residents are encouraged to participate in organised social activities. Most facilities have comprehensive lifestyle programs to enhance wellbeing, including activities such as games, crafts, music and gentle exercise classes.
The Australian Government subsidises aged care homes across Australia to provide affordable, accessible care, and costs will vary depending on the families’ individual circumstances.
Here is more information about fees and charges applicable for residential aged care:
All about fees and charges for residential aged care (agedcarereviews.com.au)
Here are some more resources about residential aged care options:
What to consider when choosing an aged care provider (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
When is the time to move into an aged care facility? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Residential Aged Care vs Retirement Living (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Who are Aged Care Decisions?
Aged Care Decisions is Australia’s leading aged care placement service, helping thousands of families to successfully navigate the aged care process.
We offer a 100% FREE service for families. Our custom-built software can match your location, care needs, preferences, and budget with live vacancies at aged care facilities right across Australia.
We are committed to helping Australians navigate their aged care journey – we currently assist over 10,000 families each month.
