As you grow older, you may find that you need more help with day-to-day tasks or health care. If you are living on your own and are not able to get out-and-about as easily as you used to, you may want some extra company. Sometimes, the best way to receive help and support is to live in an aged care home (sometimes known as a nursing home) either on a permanent basis or for a short stay (called ‘residential care’). You may need help because of an illness, a disability, an emergency, or because of the needs of your family, friends or carer. Staff at our aged care homes (Cherrybrook Christian Care Centre, Carinya House Glenhaven or Groves House Cardiff Heights near Newcastle) can help you with day-to-day tasks (e.g. cleaning, cooking, laundry); personal care (e.g. dressing, grooming, going to the toilet); or 24-hour nursing care (e.g. wound care, catheter care).
Our aged care homes are approved by the Australian Government to care for you. The aged care system in Australia aims to make sure that all older people can receive support and quality care when they need it.
Deciding to move into an aged care home is often a time of stress, high emotion, a longing for the past and uncertainty about the future. It is a challenging and emotional decision for the person moving and their family, friends and carers.
Each aged care home is different. There will be new routines, new environments and new people, all living together under one roof. You will have help with many of the day-to-day tasks that you’ve been used to always doing for yourself, and there will be plenty of social activities going on in your new home.
If you are caring for someone nearing the end of their life, who is living in one of our aged care homes, staff will help them to feel as comfortable and supported as possible. Staff in our aged care homes can help in developing a care plan to best support the care needs of your loved one.
