Your guide to aged care on the Gold Coast

On the Gold Coast, we’re lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We’re also lucky to have some beautiful aged care homes, including our very own HillView Care Merrimac and Ashmore. 

Our aged care homes provide a warm and nurturing environment for your loved ones when they can no longer take care of themselves in their own home. Our team of dedicated professionals is committed to ensuring the well-being and comfort of every individual under our care and every resident receives individualised attention to ensure they feel not only cared for but truly valued. 

When you’re not familiar with the industry, navigating aged care on the Gold Coast can seem a little daunting, so to help you, we’ve put together this simple guide that will walk you through the essential aspects of aged care on the Gold Coast. We’ll talk about residential aged care and other types of care, some of the myths surrounding aged care, what you should look for in a quality aged care facility and how much it costs. 

What is residential aged care?

Residential aged care is specially designed for older adults who can no longer live independently. It includes accommodation, help with day-to-day tasks such as cooking, cleaning and laundry, personal care such as bathing, dressing and going to the toilet, access to health services as well as social and emotional support. 

Residential aged care homes often provide various types of care to cater to more specific needs. At HillView Care Merrimac and Ashmore, we provide residential aged care including respite care, dementia care and palliative care. Let’s take a look at these in more detail: 

Respite care: If you’re looking after your loved one, you might struggle to find time for yourself. At HillView Care, we provide premium short-term or respite care on the Gold Coast and provide a comfortable and caring place for your loved one to stay while you have a much-needed break. Respite care can be for a few days, or weeks – and is an option for those who have left the hospital and require a little more care than you can provide at home. 

Dementia care: We provide specialised dementia care on the Gold Coast, with a team of handpicked carers who understand the unique needs of those living with this illness. We provide a safe and secure environment, with 24/7 on-site medical care at both our Ashmore and Merrimac aged care homes.  

Palliative care: At HillView Care, we provide tailored palliative care on the Gold Coast for residents facing life-threatening illnesses. We believe in respecting individuality, and ensuring residents have a say in their care just as they would at home. We prioritise preserving their dignity and independence, offering private medication administration and supporting their active involvement in our community.

Residential aged care – The myths

For a long time, there have been myths and misconceptions circulating about aged care living. Perhaps many of the myths come from the fear of change, but it’s important to dispel these misconceptions to gain a clearer understanding of the quality of care and support available in modern aged care facilities. 

Some common myths include: 

Residential care will never feel like home

While aged care living differs from independent living, it can still feel like home. The key is finding an aged care home that aligns with your specific needs and preferences, considering factors like location, types of care, facilities, lifestyle, and staff.

At HillView Care, we go above and beyond to help our residents feel at home, getting to know their likes and dislikes and how we can provide them with individualised care that allows them to continue having their own identity and expressing themselves. 

Moving into a residential aged care home means losing your independence

This is a common myth about moving into a residential aged care home. These days, modern aged care facilities provide holistic care that encourages residents to maintain their independence. At HillView Care, residents can participate in a huge variety of activities, both onsite and offsite, no matter their mobility level. This ensures they can continue to pursue their passions, embrace lifelong learning and build their social connections. 

All aged care homes are the same

Every residential aged care home offers a different experience, with varied levels of care, accommodation types, common areas and meals. You only have to visit a few aged care homes in person to realise each facility is very different – making it extremely important to find a home that suits the individual needs of your loved one. 

Meals are bland and food is unhealthy

At HillView Care, it’s quite the contrary! We have experienced on-site chefs who prepare daily home-cooked meals for our residents. Some examples of our meals include, red wine braised lamb shanks, hearty beef minestrone with dinner rolls, citrus poached pears with mascarpone and warm mixed berry brioche pudding just to name a few! Our chefs cater to all dietary needs and our menu is endorsed by dieticians.

Quality standards for residential aged care

Understanding the standards for residential aged care is essential as it can provide clarity on what to consider when evaluating a residential aged care facility and the level of care it offers. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and find the most suitable aged care home for your loved one. These standards encompass eight key areas, including:

1. Consumer dignity and choice.
2. Ongoing assessment and planning.
3. Personal care and clinical care.
4. Services and supports for daily living.
5. Organisation’s service environment.
6. Feedback and complaints.
7. Human resources.
8. Organisational governance.

Learn more about aged care standards in Australia with this Aged Care Standards Factsheet.

Aged care rights

The Aged Care Quality and Standards Commission also has a Charter of Aged Care Rights. 

As someone who receives aged care and services, I have the right to: 

1. safe and high-quality care and services 
2. be treated with dignity and respect 
3. have my identity, culture and diversity valued and supported 
4. live without abuse and neglect 
5. be informed about my care and services in a way I understand 
6. access all information about myself, including information about my rights, care and services 
7. have control over and make choices about my care, and personal and social life, including where the choices involve personal risk 
8. have control over, and make decisions about, the personal aspects of my daily life, financial affairs and possessions
9. my independence
10. be listened to and understood 
11. have a person of my choice, including an aged care advocate, support me or speak on my behalf 
12. complain free from reprisal, and to have my complaints dealt with fairly and promptly 
13. personal privacy and to have my personal information protected 
14. exercise my rights without it adversely affecting the way I am treated. 

How much does residential aged care cost? 

Finances can be a worry for those moving into residential aged care homes, so it’s important to understand how aged care living costs work so you and your loved one can plan for the future. The expenses related to residential aged care include: 

Basic daily fee: This fee is updated by the government on 20 March and 20 September annually, and it’s paid directly to your chosen provider.

Means-tested care fee: Government subsidy covers this fee, based on your individual assessment.

Accommodation fee: Government subsidy also covers the accommodation fee, ensuring your loved one’s comfort.

Extra service fees: Not covered by government subsidy, these fees might apply for additional services.

Additional service fees: Similarly, these fees aren’t covered by government subsidies and could pertain to special services.

Learn more by visiting the Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care website. 

What next? Learn more about residential aged care at HillView Care

To assist you in the process of transitioning your loved one into aged care living, we have a great blog ‘Looking for an aged care home, where do I start?’ which outlines information about the aged care assessment and how to apply. 

If you’d like more information about our HillView Care Ashmore and Merrimac aged care homes, you can book a tour of our premises or request a callback and a member of our friendly team will be in touch.