What is aged care?

First published: January 2025

Aged care is a collection of services delivered to older people (usually aged 65 and over), both inside and outside of their home, that allows them to live a full, normal life. Aged care is provided on a variety of different levels, depending on the needs of the client. In Australia, the Department of Health and Aged Care is a governing body that assists with policies and programs put in place to ensure a smooth delivery of care and better health for all.

What aged care services are available?

Aged care is not a one size fits all program, and each program is tailored to groups and/or individuals. As you enter your twilight years, you may benefit from:

• Assistance with everyday living. This can be in a residential/nursing home, or within your own home.
• Modifications in your own home, to make your everyday life easier. Examples of this can be handrails, wheelchair ramps, bathroom adaptations such as wet rooms, and stair/chair lifts.
• Planned visits from healthcare professionals to assist with individual tasks, such as physiotherapists, podiatrists and other therapies.
• The Aged Care Volunteers Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) which encourages volunteers to engage with older people to provide friendship and companionship.

All aged care services must meet the Eight Aged Care Quality Standards which defines what good looks like for those receiving aged care and apply to all in home care and government funded aged care providers.

Types of aged care services

Typically, aged care is defined by round the clock care in a residential aged care home. Whilst this is a big part of aged care programs, there are many options to suit all:

Home care

This encompasses care that is received in the client’s own home. It allows the individual to live independently, through assistance that makes daily activities easier. Recipients of this type of aged care may require a registered nurse, or other healthcare professional, to visit them daily, or drop in when required. Examples of this care includes:

• Getting out and staying social – interactions with the local community and getting to and from appointments
• Temporary care – assistance whilst getting out from hospital and transitioning back to your own home, healthcare services to get you back on your feet
• Keeping your home liveable – through modifications and new equipment
• Keeping the person well – assisting with daily activities including feeding, grooming, showering and taking medications

Residential aged care

You may not be able to live independently, so aged care homes are there for when you need to make this transition. In Australia, the Government will assess your needs and determine what type of aged care will benefit you the most with attributed costs. Recently, the aged care industry has been going through a period of change, with the new Aged Care Act stating that the Government will provide $3 for every $1 that the resident provides. Part of the ‘Once in a Generation’ aged care reform is the aim to make aged care more affordable and accessible for everyone.

Selecting an aged care provider can be a difficult choice, but there is something to suit everyone. When you are a resident of an aged care home, you can expect to receive:

• Round the clock care if you need it, with registered nurses available onsite 24/7
• Assistance with daily living
• Bespoke leisure and lifestyle programs
• Access to facilities such as hairdressers and gyms, and visits from personnel to provide health services and social activities

Recent reforms in the aged care industry adhere to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s 148 recommendation report to deliver better aged care overall. One of the recommendations aims is to increase workforce attraction and retention, ensuring that recipients of aged care receive the expert attention that they need and deserve.

Retirement villages

Unlike residential aged care homes, accommodation in retirement villages is not subsidised. Purchasing or renting a home in a retirement village comes with some daily living assistance to attend to your needs whilst living an independent life. This is a great option for those who don’t need a high level of care.

This is fantastic way to enjoy community living in your older years and are usually cheaper than similar sized homes in the same area.

Short term care

This is aimed at those who need assistance for a short period of time, to help restore their independence. There are various instances where you may benefit from this, including:

• Recovering from medical episode – assistance whilst overcoming a medical condition to help you get back on your feet
• Respite care – this allows your carer to have a break from their caring duties and can be for as little as a few hours, up to a few months
• Out of hospital treatment plan – after time spent in hospital, you may need to receive professional care to recover in the best possible way

How are aged care services paid for?

Aged care services are provided by the government, and the amount they receive per resident depends on the level of care needed. This, plus your funds, determines the amount the provider will receive towards your care in a residential aged care home. Different providers charge different amounts, and once you have determined your contribution you can work out the providers that will suit you best.

Home care works in a similar way, which is a combination of your finances plus a Government subsidy that is determined by your basic daily fee and income tested care fee, plus any additional fees you agree to. Short term care takes into consideration residential, community, and emergency respite care, all with different financial allocations.

Aged care services through Sanctuary

Since inception, we have built longstanding relationships with aged care providers and professionals across the country. For more information on embarking on an aged care career, or for premium staffing solutions, contact us today.