The label "nursing home" has negative connotations for many people. Yet nursing homes provide an important component of senior housing options.

It’s important to separate nursing home myth from fact. Many older people find that living at home becomes more difficult for a variety of reasons such as illness, disability, reduced mobility, isolation or the problems of maintaining a large property. It is important to look at the reasons for not being able to cope and find out if there are services available in your area to help you. Feeling comfortable about where you live is important and some elderly people may feel that just moving into a retirement village with close-by medical support and conveniently located services is enough. Others may need high level care in a nursing home with 24-hour nursing staff.

Different levels of care

Aged care facilities can vary in style, size and cohort age. Some give priority to certain groups, such as war veterans or those from non-English speaking backgrounds. Some facilities provide a secure area and/or a special program for people suffering with dementia. Residential care facilities may be privately owned or run by church organisations, local councils and not-for-profit organisations. The Australian government accredits, regulates and funds certain residential aged care facilities, where there are two levels of care provided: low level and high level care. Low level care is for people who are regarded as semi-independent: able to get out of bed, use the toilet, get up from a chair, walk around the room or to the dining room with minimal assistance. High level care facilities provide a higher level of care for people who need greater assistance and 24-hour nursing care.

Finding the retirement home that’s right

The aged care home finder page run by the Australian Government helps you to look for Australian government-funded aged care homes that meet your particular needs. You can search for aged care homes in a particular location or with a particular name and you can specify the level of care needed or define any special needs. The site only covers aged care homes, not retirement villages. A search for nursing homes in your area, with the capability of looking after a dementia sufferer should reveal a mix of church-run, private and government funded nursing homes. Some facilities calling themselves hostels traditionally offer only low level care. Address and contact details are provided and some details about that particular facility.

Australia’s aged care system

• Australian Government national system of community and residential care for frail aged: Aged Care Assessment Teams assess eligibility
• Joint funded Australian Government/States and Territories home and community care
• States own and deliver some care services
• Some small private residential care arrangements; and private retirement villages with some assisted living arrangements

Some aged care facilities look more like holiday apartments than aged care facilities, while other aged care homes have fewer facilities, basic décor and resemble hospital wards. Depending on the funds that you have at your disposal and the nature of the frailty, both mental and physical, of the elderly person going into care, there are a lot of choices. The trick is to find a balance between the physical needs of the person going into care and providing a homey environment where they live in comfort.