Ageing is Living

Our Care Communities offer residential aged care which can often be referred to as nursing homes, aged care facilities and care homes. We offer permanent aged care as well as respite care and rehabilitation in our wellness centres. All our Care Communities offer dementia care and palliative care and with Care Communities across Australia there is a wide variety of accommodation to suit all needs.

Thinking about the move into residential care is never easy and can bring up all sorts of emotions. It’s time to start the conversation about moving into care when you have concerns that your loved one isn’t coping well with day-to-day activities or if you feel safety is a concern. The earlier you start the conversation, the more time everyone will have to consider options and make informed decisions.

Yes, consider a short stay in respite care to start with or perhaps arrange to go and have lunch or participate in an activity that your loved one enjoys. This will give you both you a chance to find out if the Care Community feels like a good fit and it will give you both confidence in your decision.

It’s natural to feel apprehensive about making such a big decision. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Our team understand that it can feel overwhelming and they can provide direct support and suggest strategies to make things easier.

Everyone’s different but on average you can expect most people to start feeling more comfortable and at home in around two to six weeks. It’s a big adjustment so try not to get disheartened if it seems to take a while. The most important thing is to just take each day at a time and speak with our leadership team if you have any concerns.

Moving house is among the most stressful life events. When moving house is combined with a big life change like moving into residential care, it can have a significant impact. Often the move into care comes about as a result of a traumatic event such as a fall rather than a considered decision process, so the circumstances around the move can feel overwhelming and out of the person’s control. Sometimes the person moving into care can take out their frustrations on their family if they don’t feel in control. It’s important to ensure that your loved one feels a part of the decision-making process. If this happens, try not to take it personally. Our team are here to help and support both you and your loved one through this time.

We recognise that food is an important part of your experience in care, so we have developed a nutritious, balanced and seasonal menu with a view to accommodating the cultural preferences and dietary needs of our residents. Where possible, we source our ingredients locally to deliver fresh, quality meals which are prepared and cooked in-home by our qualified chefs.

We also offer texture modified meals for those who may experience difficulties with chewing or swallowing, or who have experienced an episode of choking in the past. We encourage you to join us in the dining room for meals and enjoy the opportunity to socialise. Please let us know if your family and friends wish to join us for a meal!

If you would like a private telephone, please speak with the General Manager to determine whether the home is able to provide you with a phone or other ways to stay connected to your family and friends. You may be asked to cover the costs of installation as well as rental of the landline. You are also welcome to bring your own mobile phone and charger if you prefer.