Choosing the right aged care home can be easier when you know exactly what you’re looking for. This article delivers a helpful checklist for individuals and families who are making a decision on residential aged care.
Choosing an aged care home for a loved one or yourself is an important decision and one that can bring comfort, trust and peace of mind for the whole family. Transitioning into residential aged care can be challenging time, and in locations where several aged care options are available, the choice can seem overwhelming. This article helps you to make informed decisions by looking at key considerations, with a handy aged care home checklist.
In this article:
Aged care services and facilities to consider: Focus on the individual needs of your loved one, both now and in the future.
Good culture and a nurturing environment: Look at the connection between the staff and residents, and the residents themselves.
Search for a provider with a good reputation: Consider the provider’s company values and capabilities.
Your aged care home checklist
#1 The best location is one that is easily accessible for family and friends
When it comes to location, consider an aged care home with proximity and easy access for family and friends to visit your loved one. We know that our relationships and social activities become more important as we age, particularly when it comes to preventing loneliness in aged care. It may be helpful to think about whether the aged care home’s preferred visiting hours fit your family schedule and travel times, and whether public transport or onsite parking is convenient. If visits are likely to include a local outing with your loved one, research suitable facilities, cafes or shopping centres within a reasonable distance for you to enjoy.
#2 Good aged care facilities and services
The right aged care provider will be able to provide services that are tailored to your loved one’s unique needs and preferences. A broad range of services is always a good sign as it provides choice. There will be services and facilities that vary in importance, as it really comes down to the individual. Consider the impact of facilities and services on day to day living, including:
Indoor and outdoor spaces Does the aged care home have easily accessible spaces that encourage community and time outdoors?
You want your loved one to feel comfortable in common areas and enjoy the time they spend beyond their room. In the same way, you want areas that are welcoming to family and friends during visiting times. Explore the common areas, gardens, and alfresco spaces available for day to day living.
Meals and dietary requirements Fresh, nutritious food should be a high priority in any aged care home. Tasty, varied menu options are also very important to residents, too!
At BaptistCare, we know that food makes a difference in aged care. It’s why our meals are prepared with the freshest of ingredients on a seasonal basis. Our residents help design the menus, which include culturally meaningful and nostalgic dishes. Nutritionists and dietitians ensure nutritional needs are met. And all food preparations are carried out to strict food safety parameters.
Health and wellbeing services Residential aged care offers differing levels of care, right up to specialist dementia care and palliative care. When it comes to choosing the right aged care home for your loved one, consider what specialised care and services they may need, both now and in the future.
If your loved one has complex care requirements, ask questions around the services that are available onsite, and whether they can continue to see their current medical specialists. Discover which allied health specialists and medical professionals are regularly accessible. It’s also a good idea to research what health and wellbeing activities are on offer. Movement and exercise classes, meditation and relaxation sessions, can all contribute to enhancing the quality of life of all residents.
#3 Great culture and a nurturing environment
The best residential aged care delivers person-centred care that supports people with dignity and respect. This contributes to the overall culture that you and your loved one will experience. You can often get a good feel for the environment when you tour an aged care home. Look at how the staff connect with residents, and how the residents engage with each other.
At BaptistCare, our homes are strong and supportive communities, with caring, attentive staff. Our People First approach promotes independence, quality of life, and a sense of belonging. This is also created through the way we deliver care. Our MyTeam Approach empowers residents, families and care staff as a core unit. Working together consistently, we build relationships and appreciate the residents’ unique choices and preferences on day to day living. It creates connection in our communities and supports each person – including our staff - to live a meaningful life.
When choosing an aged care home, consider whether the home will support your loved one's spiritual and emotional needs. At BaptistCare, we’re here to respect and care for everyone. We want to support your loved one in any area they feel necessary – whether that’s physically, emotionally or spiritually. That’s why, as part of our ongoing care, we offer a chaplaincy service to all our residents. Chaplains are here to provide support through life’s challenges and experiences, even if your loved one is not religious. They’ll spend time getting to know them; actively listening to what matters.
#4 A choice of social and lifestyle activities
It’s important to remain socially, physically and mentally active at any stage of life, and maintaining this level of activity in residential aged care can positively impact our quality of life. Social activities and events can help residents build relationships and make them feel part of a community. Request an activity schedule or speak to the lifestyle coordinator when you tour an aged care home.
At BaptistCare, dedicated lifestyle coordinators plan and organise all leisure and lifestyle activity programs in our aged care homes. They get to know residents and understand their needs, interests, values, spiritual and cultural preferences, incorporating these into activity programs. Lifestyle coordinators also play an important role in introducing new residents to like-minded people with similar interests.
The Australian Government is in the process of rolling out new Aged Care Quality Standards, and now is a good time to look at how providers are adapting.
Accreditation and reputation To gauge an aged care provider’s reputation and accreditation look at the size of the provider, how long they have been operating in the industry, and review their safety certifications and accreditations - all of these should highlight the provider’s commitment to quality and what sets them apart
Why BaptistCare? For 80 years, BaptistCare has been delivering care to older Australians. We put People First, and support residents with dignity and respect, whether they are independent, have complex clinical needs or require dementia care, right through to end-of-life palliative care. Our dedicated team partners with residents and families, providing a holistic approach to ensure that residents are well cared for, feel safe, and are living well.
“I’m so impressed with how good the staff are – I think they’re absolutely marvellous! I love all the activities on offer, there’s always something happening and plenty to do,” Marjorie, BaptistCare Residential aged care resident.
#6 A smart financial decision
There are fees and charges that come with residential aged care, and every aged care home is different. Likewise, everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to choose an aged care home that is financially viable for you.
We’ve created a clear financial guide that helps to outline the fees and charges associated with residential aged care. This gives you an idea of what you will be expected to pay, depending on your unique circumstance.
Your guide to residential aged care
Above we explored six tips for choosing the right aged care home. Together, they make a handy checklist when it comes to navigating your own journey towards residential aged care.
At BaptistCare, we understand there’s a lot to take in around residential aged care. And we’re here to help.
That’s why we’ve created our Demystifying Residential Care Guide. This guide breaks down the complex residential care process and covers everything you and your family need to know, from government funding and eligibility criteria to assessments and preparing to move in.
At BaptistCare, we’ve been providing quality, person-centred care for over 80 years across our Residential Aged Care communities in New South Wales, ACT, and Western Australia.
If you would like to know more about BaptistCare Residential Aged Care services, we’d be happy to talk with you and can arrange a tour around your nearest BaptistCare Residential Aged Care home.
Disclaimer of Liability The material contained in the website is provided for general use and information purposes only.This website is not a substitute for independent professional advice. For further information, please see our Website Statement.
