Home Care vs Aged Care Facilities vs Group Homes: Which Should I Go For?

Living with a loved one or friend who has a disability, chronic health condition, or is becoming frailer with age has many challenges. You may often wonder or worry about their well-being and fear what the future will hold when you are no longer able to provide the care they need. 

There are several options when it comes to caring for someone who needs additional support. You can receive qualified nursing care from the comfort of your own home, or you can explore what residential aged care facilities or group residential care homes have to offer. 

There are pros and cons to each of these options, and the right one for you will heavily depend on your preferences, budget, ability to assist with care, and the needs of your loved one. It will also depend on where you live, the providers available to you, and whether or not you have funding like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or My Aged Care (MAC).

At Homage, we pride ourselves on being the experts in care. We know how important it is to find the best option for your loved one to enjoy their golden years as much as possible. We also know that having a difficult conversation about caring needs can be challenging. That’s why we pride ourselves on making a perfect match between one of our Care Pros and your loved one.

Here, we’ll explore the three different types of care options: home care, aged care facilities, and group homes. We’ll explain how each of them works, the pros and cons of each, and how to determine which is right for you. We’ll also cover how to find out more about each of these options and where to go for further information about pricing. 

Who needs care in Australia?

Needing care is something we often assume will never happen to us. However, ageing, illness, and disability can and do happen to everyone. In 2019-2020, over one million Australians utilised aged care services in some capacity. 

The majority of people choose to receive aged care in their homes, preferring to remain in their own living environment where possible. However, the majority of aged care spending in Australia is spent on residential aged care homes, due to the higher cost of care in these settings.

There are slightly more women than men receiving aged care in Australia, with 65% of care recipients being older women. People in residential aged care tend to be slightly older than those receiving home care, potentially reflecting greater or more complex support needs as the ageing process progresses.

Younger people may also need care as a result of chronic or acute illness or because they live with one or more disabilities. Around 1 in 6 or 18% of Australians identify as having a disability requiring care and support. This figure equates to around 4 million Australians who have a condition that requires additional support to enable them to live a meaningful and independent life.

Some people are born with a disability, and others will experience a disability later in life due to ageing, or the presence of an illness or injury. Caring affects us all at some stage in our life, whether it’s because we need it ourselves, or because we support someone we love to get the care they need.

Knowing what type of care is right for you or your loved one takes some time and effort, but it is well worth it to know they are in safe and capable hands.

Which type of care is right for me?

Before you make any long-term decisions about care, it is important to get a more in-depth understanding of the types of care available in Australia. There are many different care providers and ways of accessing care, but they can be broadly categorised into three main types – home care, residential aged care, and care group homes. 

Here, we’ll dive deeper into what each of these types of care entails and what to expect from each type of care service. 

What is home care?

As you get older, you may notice you struggle to do the same things around the house as you once did. You may also notice living independently, your personal care and grooming, and staying on top of errands are gradually becoming more difficult. 

Many people experience lower energy levels, declining mobility, and reduced physical stamina as they enter older age. It’s perfectly natural to need some help around the home as this process unfolds. Without adequate support, your quality of life and ability to do the things you love can suffer. 

While some people are fortunate to have friends and family to lend a hand, others may not. It is also nice to know that spending time with your loved ones is about enjoying each other’s company rather than relying on them for practical support.

That’s where home care providers come in. Getting help at home looks different for everyone. Some people may need assistance with shopping or running errands. Others may need support for activities like showering, getting in and out of bed, or dressing. Others may require assistance with food preparation, cleaning, and other household chores.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting home care. Every person’s needs, preferences, strengths, and challenges are unique. Reputable home care providers should take the time to understand your care needs and match you with an ideal professional who can support you or a loved one to feel safe, happy, healthy, and comfortable in your home.

Pros and cons of home care

Every type of care has upsides and downsides. Here are some of the pros and cons of home care to help you decide if it’s right for you.

Pros of home care:

• Perfect for people who are still quite independent and only need assistance with a few tasks around the home.
• Allows you or a loved one to stay in the familiar comfort and safety of your own private home environment.
• Caregivers can visit daily to check on the individual and provide support with shopping, attending appointments, or anything else they need.
• Home care is a great intermediary or transitional option for people feeling nervous at the idea of entering residential care.
• Easier for family and friends to keep visiting whenever they like, without the barriers of visiting hours or a new location. Maintaining strong personal relationships is important for successful ageing and staying happy and healthy.
• Can be more affordable because you stay in your own home and only pay for the care hours and services received. 

Drawbacks of home care:

• Can be expensive if home modifications are needed such as railings, ramps, or chairlifts.
• Can be less consistent if care providers or staff change from week to week. Having to welcome new people into the home can be unsettling for some care recipients.
• Costs can be unpredictable if care providers change their pricing structure. Having well-managed finances is important to navigate these changes.
• Some older people may be unsafe or uncomfortable with having strangers come to provide support in their homes, especially if they live alone.
• Doesn’t provide the community environment of a group home or residential aged care facility which often has social groups or activities with other residents.

What is residential aged care?

Residential aged care facilities are specialised homes designed to care for larger groups of older people. They tend to be an all-in-one service providing accommodation, caring support, meals, social support and activities, and household maintenance like cleaning and replenishing toiletries. Residential aged care can be more comprehensive than ad-hoc home care and is often suitable for older people with higher or more complex care needs.

Pros and cons of residential aged care

Pros of residential aged care:

• Safe and secure option for people who can’t or don’t want to live alone.
• Removes responsibility for all household tasks and ensures a specialist living situation complete with all care needs.
• Staff are typically available 24/7, making it ideal for older people who are frail or have several underlying health concerns.
• Couples can often be boarded together, removing the need to separate when entering care.
• Provides social opportunities like day trips and activities, so you or a loved one can meet other residents and build friendships.

Drawbacks of residential aged care:

• Can be expensive due to the comprehensive nature of the care and the added expense of accommodation and 24/7 staff.
• Some people may miss their independence and not enjoy the experience of living somewhere new where staff and other residents are always around.
• Location may be less than ideal, making it more difficult for loved ones to visit.
• Some facilities may have limited visiting hours, creating further barriers to visiting and staying connected.

What is a care group home?

Group homes are also known as share homes. Group homes differ from residential aged care in a few important ways. First, they are designed to have a home-like environment, often for a smaller number of residents than aged care facilities. In group homes, the priority is making sure everyone living there feels as comfortable and happy as possible, while also receiving care from professional support workers. Rather than having full-time nursing or care workers, group homes may have staff visit once or more a day to assist with any tasks required. 

Pros and cons of care group homes

Pros of group homes:

• Flexibility for residents to choose the type of home they want to live in, and how much care they need.
• Provides a home-like environment with the benefits of comprehensive care.
• Fewer residents can mean more privacy and the opportunity to build family-like relationships.
• Increased focus on maintaining independence, with residents contributing to chores if possible and desired.
• Provide social activities and outings to stay connected to the broader community.
• Typically more flexible with visitation from loved ones.
• Hotel-type services like cleaning and toiletry supply are often included.
• Can be an easier transition for people with memory problems or dementia than going from their own home to a large residential facility.

Drawbacks of group homes:

• May have less mental and social stimulation, with fewer activities and outings than larger facilities. 
• Fewer residents may mean fewer opportunities to meet new people and make friends.
• May have less privacy, especially if bedrooms are shared or in close proximity to one another.
• Often lacks an onsite nurse or medical professional, whereas aged care facilities will have medical staff onsite 24/7.
• Usually do not have amenities like a gym or leisure centre, craft rooms, barber shops or salons, etc.
• If your care needs increase, you may need to move to a higher-care option such as a residential aged care facility. 

How to decide which type of care is right for you

No matter how much research you do online, it can be difficult to know what option will suit you best. Getting more information by calling local providers, going on tours of residential aged care facilities and group homes, or having consultations with potential home care providers is a great palace to start. You can ask in-depth questions about their caring options, and help them get to know your loved one to see if it’s a good match.

What costs are involved with caring options?

Every provider will have slightly different costs for their caring services. The costs and fees depend on a number of factors like your budget, income, assets, and whether you have access to government funding or subsidies. Below are some indicative pricing ranges for different types of care, and guidance on where you can get tailored information and quotes.

What does home care cost?

Home care is subsidised by the Commonwealth government. The costs are different for everyone depending on their income, assets, and which provider they choose. 

A provider may charge the maximum basic fee for a Home Care Package (HC), which depends upon what level of HCP you receive.

Home Care Package maximum basic daily amounts:

• Level 1 – $10.08
• Level 2 – $10.66
• Level 3 – $10.97
• Level 4 – $11.26

People on higher incomes than the Age Pension may be required to pay extra.

What does residential aged care cost?

There is no standard fee for residential aged care facilities. Every provider is different, and it often depends on your unique financial situation, care needs, and funding package. You can use this estimator tool to help you understand what you may be required to pay. To get a more precise quote, you will need to undergo an in-depth assessment.

There are four main types of fees you may need to pay when entering an aged care facility. These are

1. Basic daily fee – paid by all residents, the maximum charge of which is $56.87
2. Means-tested care fee – will only apply if your income and means assessment determines it appropriate. The amount will be based on the outcome of your assessment.
3. Accommodation payment – based on your assets, you may be asked to make a partial or full contribution towards the cost of your aged care accommodation.
4. Extra service fees – depending on your assessment and any extra services you require, you may be asked to make additional payments towards your care.

What do care group homes cost?

Every service provider charges different fees for group homes. Group homes are typically less expensive that aged care facilities, with average costs of around $3000 per month, plus any additional fees for daily services. Depending on your care needs, preferences, and extra services, additional fees can apply.

Homage is here to help

If you decide that home care is the best option for you, Homage’s team of highly trained, compassionate, and friendly Care Professionals would love to assist you. You can rest easy knowing that all our home care nurses are locally qualified and highly trained to provide you and your loved one with the highest quality of care. During our free, no-obligation telephone consultation, we will strive to get to know you and your loved one to help us make the perfect match for a home care professional.

We will strive to learn about your needs, goals, preferences, and reasons for requesting care, so we can find the perfect person to provide care from the comfort, safety, and dignity of your own home. We know that having someone in your home requires a high level of trust and rapport, and we pride ourselves on finding the best solution for all of our cherished clients.