When you require care you may wonder what the difference is between a Home Care Package, retirement home, and nursing home. These terms are often used interchangeably but are not at all alike.
Typically, only one option is appropriate, based on a person’s needs, capacity to live independently, and available funds. Let’s look at the difference between Home Care Packages, retirement homes, and nursing homes so that you can decide which option is best for you!
Home Care Packages
A Home Care Package empowers you to live healthy, safely, and independently in your own homes. The Australian Government pays approved providers a subsidy to supply specific aged care products and services to Home Care Package recipients.
You must be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and need coordinated services to be eligible for a Home Care Package. To determine your priority for care needs, you must undergo an ACAT assessment.
There are four different Home Care Package levels with funding ranging from $10,588.65 (level one) to $61,440.45 (level four) per year. There are specific inclusions and exclusions on care services so you need to use an approved provider to help you manage your package. Consumers can choose to self-manage their home care package if they want to choose their own carers and have more control over their services.
What is a retirement home?
Retirement homes or retirement villages are for residents who can live independently with minimal assistance. Living in a retirement home is usually driven by an older person’s lifestyle rather than their care needs. Retirement homes are not government-subsidised and are appropriate for people 55 years of age and over.
Retirement homes are suitable for older Australians who want to live an active and social lifestyle with people of similar age and interests. These retirement villages often have communal facilities like swimming pools, gyms, and recreation facilities. Some retirement homes offer additional care services, but the main focus is on social and lifestyle aspects.
You do not need to meet any additional requirements to be eligible to live in a retirement home. As retirement homes are not government-subsidised, residents must pay for the costs and fees of services and accommodation using their own funds.
When living in a retirement home, you can apply for the Home Care Package program to access care services.
What is a nursing home?
A nursing home is for older people who need ongoing assistance with everyday tasks or healthcare and can no longer live at home. The Australian Government provides a subsidy for nursing homes.
You must be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and unable to live independently at home to be eligible for an aged care home. To determine your eligibility, you must first check your eligibility online, and also undergo an ACAT assessment.
Nursing homes provide structured care services to older people with various needs, such as daily personal maintenance or feeding assistance. Nursing home residents usually cannot choose their caregivers or the services they receive.
Nursing homes are government-subsidised, but you may have to pay additional costs, such as a basic daily fee, accommodation costs, and a means-tested fee.
Should I sign up for a Home Care Package, retirement home, or nursing home?
To determine if you should sign up for a Home Care Package, nursing home, or retirement home, consider your needs, capacity to live independently, and available personal funds. Retirement homes are not government subsidised, so you must be able to afford the cost of your accommodation and services out of your own pocket.
Home Care Packages are suitable for older people who require assistance living independently in their homes. Your eligibility for a Home Care Package will be determined through an ACAT assessment. Home care packages are an excellent opportunity for older Australians to use government-subsidised services to supply their care. There are four levels of Home Care Packages available based on an individual’s care needs. A level four package ($61,440.45 per year) is suitable for a person with high care needs who typically require daily visits from carers.
A nursing home is a suitable option if an older person requires ongoing assistance with daily tasks but cannot live at home. Your eligibility to live in a nursing home will be determined by an ACAT assessment. These government-subsidised homes provide very structured care services and are suitable if a person requires ongoing assistance with daily activities.
If you’ve decided that a Home Care Package is the right option, then you should check out our guide on how to apply for a Home Care Package If you’re ready to start thinking about your choice of provider, then make sure you know the questions to ask when looking for a Home Care Package provider.
If you have any further questions, please contact the team at 1300 459 190.
