30 July 2024

Stories | Aged Care Homes

It’s an old stereotype that’s proven difficult to shake – the nursing home that’s a cold, sterile, hospital-like environment in which older people are left feeling isolated, bored, and bereft of home comforts.

Charting a path in the opposite direction, "home-style" aged care offers seniors a revolutionary new way of living and receiving care. It’s swiftly growing in popularity for its smaller, cozier, and more comfortable spaces that look and feel like home - while still offering deeply person-centred care.

This revolutionary model is set to become the future standard for aged care globally – and potentially change the face of healthcare at large.

In this article:

What is home-style aged care?

Home-style aged care is a new approach to residential aged care that focuses on creating intimate, "home-like" environments within the larger residential aged care facility. They can be known as:

Households
Cottages
Units
Small home model

All equate to the same idea—a small living unit designed to look and feel like a residential home where older people can live comfortably with round-the-clock care.

Each household accommodates a small group – usually 10 to 16 - of residents, placed together based on their social compatibility as well as care needs. They share common living spaces such as the kitchen, dining rooms and gardens, while also enjoying their own private rooms and ensuite bedrooms.

What difference does home-style aged care make?

The concept of homestyle aged care is based on new design principles and guidelines arising from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

These are underpinned by strong evidence that indicates a great number of benefits for older people living in home-style residential aged care.

A study by the Medical Journal of Australia found that the smaller household model was associated with a significantly higher quality of life compared with standard models of care.

The study also found that homestyle aged care even resulted in significantly lower numbers of falls and hospitalisations.

What does home-style aged care look like?

Accommodation units in home-style aged care feature comfortable, communal spaces large enough to accommodate the whole household, with bedrooms situated off to the side rather than down long, disorientating corridors.

You’ll find homely knick-knacks and thoughtful art pieces throughout, with clinical spaces for medical equipment kept discreetly within easy reach.

The units feature spaces that enable residents to socialise, eat, and enjoy activities together, including:

A shared modern kitchen and dining space
A living area and sitting rooms
Gardens and outdoor patio areas

Home-style community spaces

The home-style model of care also focuses on building and supporting community living through design. Home-style aged care homes will usually feature a number of vibrant communal facilities that promote social, spiritual and physical health. This includes:

On-site cafes
On-site hair salons
Chapels
Gardens, courtyards and walking paths
Function rooms and spaces to enjoy with visiting family members

Physiotherapy and medical rooms are often located on-site too, enabling residents to receive the care they need right in the comfort of their own home.

The heart of the home

As in any household, the kitchen is always a central meeting point, bringing people together over a friendly meal or a cup of tea.

According to Stuart Walton, Manager of Hotel Services across 21 BaptistCare residential aged care homes, creating the right dining environment is crucial in helping residents feel relaxed and comfortable, which in turn, boosts their dining experience.

“When we’re nervous, agitated, or unsettled, our appetite often suffers,” says Stuart. “The more a kitchen space replicates the home-like environment, the more likely it is that residents will relax, have an increased appetite, and be able to enjoy their food.”

Home-style kitchens also enable residents to maintain a sense of independence. Residents are welcome to help themselves to snacks or drinks throughout the day while still enjoying the convenience of home-cooked, healthy, and delicious meals prepared by our on-site chefs.

Menu design that puts residents first

At BaptistCare, our seasonal menus are 100 percent resident led.

Our chefs seek input from the resident community, incorporating their personal and cultural preferences as the first and most crucial step in the menu design process.

Input is then sought from dieticians and nutritionists to ensure that meals are satisfying, tasty, varied, and meet the nutritional needs of older people.

You can learn more about our innovative approach to the dining experience in residential aged care here.

Are home-style kitchens safe?

At BaptistCare, our kitchens are installed with induction technology, which means that you need not worry about the risk of hot surfaces.

Catering teams also work within the strict parameters of our food safety program, in line with the NSW Food Authority, the Health Protection Service in the ACT, and the Department of Health, WA. They are committed to meeting exceptional hygiene standards and ensuring that food safety is always a top priority.

Home-style aged care in action – BaptistCare Caloola

At BaptistCare Caloola, a residential aged care home located in New South Wales’ Wagga Wagga, residents have transitioned into home-style aged care with ease.

A modern, five-star accommodation with state-of-the-art technology, BaptistCare Caloola offers five beautifully furnished households, each accommodating up to 16 residents.

BaptistCare Caloola residential care manager, Biji, said that the familiar environment of home has enabled residents to make a softer transition into care.

“We’ve had nothing but positive feedback on the new home-style model from both residents and their families,” she said.

“It’s particularly beneficial for those who require specialised care, such as people living with dementia. We’ve found that they are generally less anxious and become settled in the home much more quickly than in the traditional model.

“We’ve also noticed an increased number of visitors, with many families reporting that it feels just like visiting their loved one at home. It’s quiet, and while there are still measures in place to keep residents safe, visitors don’t have to wait for the receptionist to open the door for them every time. They’re small changes that make a big impact.”

How much will home-style aged care cost me?

With more home-style aged care homes in the pipeline for many aged care providers, including BaptistCare, the model is set to become the new standard for Australian aged care.

The best part is that it costs no more than the standard residential aged care model.

If you’re new to aged care fees, you can learn more in our comprehensive guide.

Alternatively, you can learn about Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) and Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) options at BaptistCare Caloola, here.

Home-style aged care - Looking to the future

As we pave the way for innovations in residential aged care, BaptistCare Caloola has set the stage for our next big project: Glendale Lodge.

Scheduled to open in early to mid-2025, Glendale Lodge promises to be another shining example of home-style aged care, ensuring our residents enjoy the highest quality care with the familiar comfort of home.

Nestled in the heart of Elderslie, Sydney, and adjacent to our Angus Bristow Retirement Living Village, Glendale Lodge will feature three distinct room types - including the vista premium, which will offer breathtaking views of the picturesque Elderslie surrounds.

Stay tuned to BaptistCare channels for more updates as we bring this vision to life.

Find BaptistCare aged care services near me

If you would like to know more about home-style aged care, why not chat with one of our friendly team members – we’d be happy to talk with you about your situation and care needs and can arrange a tour around your nearest BaptistCare residential aged care home.

You can also use our simple online search tool to explore BaptistCare Aged Care Home locations across New South Wales and the ACT.

Click the links below to learn more about:

BaptistCare Caloola Aged Care Home | Residential Aged Care | MyTeam | Understanding Aged Care | Financial Guide 

“Home-style” residential aged care: Household model offers a new way of living for seniors