Aged Care
How in-home aged care and residential care are different
Do I need to go into residential care?
No! Whether you need help around the house, support connecting with your community or high-level medical care, KinCare can provide you with 24/7 support in your own home.
Read more about the differences between in-home aged care and residential care, so you can choose what is best to support your needs and lifestyle or that of your elderly loved one.
In-home Care
- Allows you to continue living independently in your own home
- Your care is tailored to your individual needs
- You can access support to meet basic, low, intermediate or high care needs
A recent Australian Government survey found 83 per cent of people over 60 would prefer to stay living in their own home as they get older.
With just the right amount of extra support and care, staying in your own home can mean maintaining your independence for longer. Whether it’s a few hours of domestic help a week, support to go shopping, or daily nursing care, in-home care services can give you choice over the type of care you need and want to receive.
Residential Care
- Involves moving from your home into long-term accommodation where support and care is provided
- Typically, there are three options: retirement villages and over 55’s communities; assisted care facilities; and nursing homes
A recent Australian Government survey found six per cent of people over 60 would prefer to live in a retirement village in their older years. Only one per cent would prefer to live in a residential aged care facility.
Residential care is often the choice for those finding it tough to live independently. Different options provide different levels of care. Retirement villages and over 55’s communities offer more independence; assisted care facilities provide some support; and nursing homes provide high level care, specialised medical help and end of life care.
In-home Care
- KinCare has protocols and processes in place to protect our Customers and staff
- All staff have access to PPE and masks are worn for all services in NSW, ACT and Victoria
There’s no place like home for comfort and security, especially during these uncertain times. KinCare has well defined protocols in place so when your loved one receives in-home care services from KinCare, you can rest assured knowing that they’re in safe hands.
Residential Care
- Visits with family and friends may be limited
Considering residential care for your loved one during COVID-19 may be concerning, however in-home can be an option. This page provides information about the differences between in home and residential care. You can also read more on our blog.
In-home Care
- Flexible support to meet your changing needs
- Tailored support matched to your individual needs
- 24/7 services
- Everything from basic personal care and domestic help to social support and complex care including nursing, clinical services and palliative care
If you’re not sure what sort of help you need, KinCare will work with you to design a package that is right for you. This could include domestic help, shopping support or nursing care.
KinCare’s in-home services also include opportunities to learn about important topics like resilience, nutrition and well-being to help you lead a happy and healthy life. Learn about our virtual services and online programs here.
Residential Care
- Services tend to be one-size-fits-all, with less flexibility
- Services and supports are much less tailored to your needs
- Residential care services are typically for those who require intensive, ongoing help
Residents living in aged care facilities tend to have fewer individual choices. There is also less flexibility and tailoring when it comes to accessing the right services and supports. The demands of caring for many residents at the same time can impact your choices and the type of care and support you receive.
Residential care can also mean you have fewer choices about when you access support and the people who care for you.
In-home Care
- Yes - In-home care is suitable for all levels of support needs, from basic through to end of life care
- Services and supports are available 24/7
- Supports are personalised to your needs and can change as your needs change
- Palliative care services are available in your home
Even if you have complex medical needs or require a higher level of support, KinCare’s in-home care services can provide all the support you need.
You can choose a few hours of help around the home, or as much as around-the-clock medical support and end of life care. We also offer a range of nursing and therapy services that can be adapted for individual needs. Learn about our nursing, occupational therapy, flexible respite care and palliative care services.
Residential Care
- Yes - however residential care is increasingly focussed on end of life care
As a growing number of older people choose to stay living independently with additional support in their home, residential care is focussing more on providing support for those nearing their end of life.
The average age of admission to residential aged care is now 84.6* years. This is expected to rise in the coming years.
*6th report on Funding and Financing of the Aged Care Sector, July 2018
In-home Care
- Fewer changes to your routine or location mean you’ll be able to keep doing all the activities you enjoy
- Allows you to stay as independent as you wish
- Comfortable, familiar settings promote positive mental and physical wellbeing
- You can easily stay connected to family and friends
- Knowing a loved one is happy, healthy and safe at home can reduce stress for your carers
There is no place like home when it comes to comfort and security. Where you live can have a huge influence on your happiness and your physical and mental health. Continuing to live in your own home for longer means you’ll also be able to maintain your independence and keep your social connections.
If you’re feeling lonely, KinCare’s social connections services can help you stay connected to friends and family.
In-home care can also reduce stress on your loved ones. Your family and friends will get peace of mind knowing you’re being properly cared for in a place you know and love.
Residential Care
- An unfamiliar environment can lead to isolation and loneliness
- Limited access to family and friends and fewer social interactions can negatively impact mental health
- Many care facilities do offer social activities and trips
- Proximity to others in a similar age group
Sadly, according to The National Ageing Research Institute, more than 50% of aged care residents experience depression, anxiety, or both.
Moving out of a family home and being separated from family, friends and your local community is a huge life change. For some older people, a lack of independence can lead to isolation and loneliness.
Loneliness is a common precursor for depression and a risk factor for other psychological and physical health conditions. Additionally, limited social engagement can be detrimental to a person’s health.
Living in residential care can also limit a person’s independence, including their ability to get out in their community.
In-home Care
- Research shows continuing to live in your own home is good for general health
- Staying at home longer may increase life expectancy
- Can include services to help you modify your home to suit your needs
- Can include live-in support
Evidence shows that staying at home longer is beneficial for your health. Additionally, the more hours of in-home care a person receives, the lower their risk of entering permanent residential care.
Making modifications to your property can help you to continue to live there safely while getting the care you need.
You may also be able to receive live-in care, or continue living with your loved ones, with additional in-home supports.
Residential Care
- Research shows substantially higher death rates in residential aged care facilities
- Isolation and limited independence can negatively impact quality of life
Recent research shows that people living in institutional or residential aged care facilities have substantially higher mortality compared with their peers who continue to live in their own home and receive in-home care.
Isolation, loneliness, lack of social engagement and independence can be common among residents of aged care facilities. Studies show that these can all negatively impact an older person’s physical and mental health.
In-home Care
- Government funding is available at different levels
- You may have to contribute to the cost of your care package
- Part-funded and self-funded retirees pay more, but it’s capped annually and over your lifetime
- Costs are capped for people experiencing social and financial disadvantage
In-home care is fast becoming the most cost-effective option for many families. The Federal Government is now offering more home care funding to help older people stay in their homes longer.
To find out more about the level of government funding you may be eligible to receive, see which government funding option is right for you.
Everyone’s situation is different. While you may be asked to contribute to the cost of your care package, these contributions are capped according to your means.
If you are experiencing social and financial disadvantage, your costs will be capped at 17.5 per cent of the standard single aged pension.
If you are a part-funded or self-funded retiree, there are caps on the income-tested care fees you’ll pay: up to $30.86 per day or $11,234.96 per year and $67,409.85 over your lifetime*. These caps are indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year.
*Source: My Aged Care
Residential Care
- Average cost to move in is $350,000
- Cost can be as high as $500,000
- Everyone pays a basic daily fee
- Some people also pay a means-tested annual care fee of at least $46.87 per day, or up to $211 per day.
- Some people pay a contribution or full payment for their room
- Some facilities charge for extra services
Residential care can take a huge financial toll on you and your family. The average cost of moving into a residential aged care facility is $350,000, but can be as high as $500.000.
Additionally, there are daily fees, annual care fees and other contributions you may need to make, depending on your situation, income and the facility you choose.
Similar to home care fees, some fees are capped annually and over your lifetime. For example, the annual and lifetime caps on means-tested care fees are $28,087.41 per year, or $67,409.85 in a lifetime*.
*Source: My Aged Care
Contact KinCare today to find out how we can help you
Whatever your needs, KinCare can tailor an in home care solution to suit you. Contact us and speak to one of our experienced Customer Care Managers to find out what kind of support you could benefit from.