Can couples stay together in residential aged care on the Gold Coast?

After 40, 50 or even 60 years together, the idea of suddenly living apart can be difficult to imagine.

You’ve shared a home, created routines and probably developed a very specific way of doing things together. One person makes the morning tea. The other knows exactly which TV show needs to be on at 6pm. You know when the other needs company and, equally importantly, when they need a little space.

So, when residential aged care becomes an option, one of the first questions many families have is: can couples move into aged care together?

The good news is, yes, they can. It does depend on the aged care home, available accommodation and each person’s individual care needs, there are residential aged care options designed to allow couples to continue living together.

What does aged care for couples actually look like?

Coupes move into aged care in many different ways. Sometimes, both people require aged care and choose to move at the same time. In others, one partner may need significantly more support than the other, but the couple would still prefer to continue living together.

You must check if the home can accommodate your particular needs as a couple.

Can you share a room or suite? What happens if your care needs are different? Can you continue spending your days together while receiving individual support? And importantly, will it still feel like you are living together rather than simply living in the same facility?

Staying together while receiving different levels of care

Growing older together doesn’t always mean you need the same level of support at the same time. One partner may be quite independent while the other requires help with mobility, medication or everyday personal care. Health and care needs can also change over time.

Good residential aged care for couples recognises that you are still two individuals. Each person should have care planned around their own health, needs, routines and level of independence, while still having opportunities to enjoy life together as a couple.

It means one person can receive the additional assistance they need without every part of the couple’s daily life revolving around care.

Finding aged care that still feels like home

For many couples, staying together is only part of the equation. They also want their new surroundings to feel comfortable and personal. They want to have space and privacy.

At HillView Care, couples’ accommodation includes Couple Deluxe Suites and Couple Studios, giving partners the opportunity to continue sharing their own space. Features such as private ensuites and individually controlled air conditioning can help create a comfortable environment that feels more like home.

When considering an aged care home on the Gold Coast for a couple, it’s a good idea to see the accommodation for yourself. A floor plan can tell you the size of a room, but walking through it helps you picture what everyday life might actually look like. You can book a tour of HillView Care to explore the accommodation and ask questions about the options available for couples.

Can couples still do things independently?

Most definitely. Moving into aged care together doesn’t mean having to spend every moment together. One person might enjoy an exercise class while the other prefers a quieter morning. One may love joining social events like happy hour, while the other would rather read, garden or catch up with family.

At HillView Care, residents can get involved in a range of activities and events, from entertainment and exercise to high teas, social occasions and bus trips. Couples can choose what they would like to be involved in while continuing to enjoy the familiar companionship that has been part of their lives for years.

What should couples ask before choosing an aged care home?

If remaining together is important, bring it up early when you start exploring residential aged care. Ask what couples’ accommodation is currently available, whether you can share a room or suite and how different care needs would be managed. It’s also worth chatting about what happens if one person’s health changes in the future.

Think about the everyday things, too. Can you bring your favourite furniture or belongings? Is there somewhere you can sit together privately? Can family and friends visit comfortably? What activities could you enjoy together?

Taking the next step together

Moving into residential aged care is a major life change, but it doesn’t have to mean giving up the routines and the connection you’ve built together. Finding the right aged care for couples is about looking for a home that can support each person individually while respecting the life they continue to share.

If you’re considering residential aged care for yourself, your parents or another couple you love, seeing the home in person can make the decision much easier. Book a tour of HillView Care or contact the HillView Care team to discuss couples’ accommodation and individual care needs.