Tips on Choosing the Right Aged Care Home

Like most important decisions, research is key to finding an aged care home that is the right fit for you or your loved one. You can start looking even while assessment and funding matters are being determined by My Aged Care.

You may like to start by looking for aged care homes in a particular geographical area – either in you or your loved one’s local community or perhaps in a region closer to family. BlueCare has more than 40 aged care homes across the state – including country Queensland – and some homes have nurtured several generations of families. You can browse our aged care homes here.

Then it’s often a case of finding a place with the support, facilities and feel that best suit you or your loved one. One of the best ways to do this, if possible, is to book a tour.

What to expect on an aged care home tour

A tour will give you a chance to meet people and understand a little about the attention and care you or your loved one will enjoy in a residential care community. It will also help you compare other aged care homes you've researched and learn what makes a good aged care home.

Remember, rather than finding a standalone residence, you are buying into a supportive community, where warm and compassionate staff can have a direct impact on you or your loved one’s well being. At BlueCare, our skilled staff enjoy getting to know you and understand how important it is to keep family in the loop about our residents’ care and well being.

You should expect to be introduced to some other residents and staff at the home and find out about the support and activities on offer. And you can let the home know some of the pastimes you or your loved one enjoy. This is a chance for you to see first-hand how engaged and occupied the residents are, and how staff interact with them.

As you tour the aged care facility, bear in mind that what the resident-to-be finds appealing may be different to what the family finds appealing. For instance, adult children might like the sleek, clinical lines of a spanking new complex, while their parent might prefer a more homely setting with established gardens and a comforting ambiance. It’s always good to keep the lines of communication open to make sure everyone is happy with the choice.

At BlueCare, we realise this is an emotional time, and as an aged care provider with years of experience, we're committed to doing our best in helping families settle loved ones into residential aged care.

What to ask about life in residential aged care

You probably already have some questions in mind regarding what makes a good aged care home for your loved one, but to help you in your decision-making, here are some of the more common questions we get asked at BlueCare. The answers will vary from centre to centre.