Choosing the right Residential Care home is a big decision for you and your family. It’s about finding a place that feels like home, where you are treated with dignity and supported to be Better for life.

At Southern Cross Care, we believe that your needs are as individual as you are. To help you find the best fit, we have put together ten things to consider when looking for a home. We currently have vacancies available at our aged care home in Largs Bay SA. View The Philip Kennedy Centre here, which is part of a vibrant community that could support you to be Better for life.

1. The feel of the home

When you visit, think about how the home makes you feel. Can you imagine feeling comfortable and content living there? Does the home feel warm and welcoming? 

A person-centred home should feel like a community where every individual has their own place and a sense of connection, rather than a clinical site where people are only staying for a short time. 

A positive feeling when you visit shows you will be more likely to enjoy your life in Residential Care and that it will be easier for you to settle into your new lifestyle.

2. Location and accessibility

A major consideration is the location of the aged care home. You may need to find a home that is easy for your family and friends to visit, so you can continue to see them often. 

If that’s not possible or not what you need, then a home that is in the same area you have a strong connection to is one to look for. If you have lived for decades in the same suburb then a home in that suburb is likely to give you a sense of comfort and belonging, and there may even be other residents living there you already know. 

Even if you choose not to go out to familiar places after you move in, other residents, staff, volunteers and members of that home’s community will be able to talk to you about the local area and provide a sense of connection to the broader community, or the chance to reminisce on important memories. This sense of connection and belonging is very important to overall wellbeing.

Our aged care homes are located across Adelaide, including in Largs Bay, Northern Adelaide, the Western, South-Western, Southern and Eastern Suburbs; as well as Mount Barker and the Fleurieu Peninsula. We also have an aged care facility at Fannie Bay in Darwin. View all our locations here.

3. Staff and volunteers

Our people are the heart of our homes. Look for friendly interactions between staff and residents, take note of the friendly greetings you get as you tour the home and watch the team as they deliver aged care and support. Our compassionate staff and dedicated volunteers are the key to providing you with high quality services and helping you to be Better for life.

4. Health and fitness services

Staying active is key to healthy ageing. All Southern Cross Care homes have on-site age-friendly gyms with specialist equipment to help you improve strength, balance and mobility, as well as allied health professionals that are involved in helping you to be as healthy and independent as possible. 

If you’ve had an injury or fall, our staff can help you to get back on your feet and maintain your abilities, so you can have a good quality of life and continue doing what you enjoy.

5. Food and nutrition

Good food is one of the most important parts of daily life. Ask to see a menu and find out if meals are cooked fresh on-site. All Southern Cross Care nursing homes can also cater to your specific dietary needs. Our kitchen teams take great pride in their work and always strive to deliver delicious, nutritious and appetising food.

6. Social and lifestyle activities

A vibrant aged care home will have plenty of things to do. Look for a lifestyle calendar that includes social activities, fun events, outings, and hobbies that you enjoy, such as art and crafts. 

All Southern Cross Care homes have Wellness & Lifestyle Teams that organise many meaningful and fun activities, events and opportunities for you to pursue your passions and interests. 

You can be as busy as you like by joining in on every occasion, or you can choose to only attend a selection of activities you are interested in. You can also request an activity be added to the monthly program by talking to the team. 

When choosing a home, you might like to see what’s already on the calendar to gauge if there are other residents who share some of your interests.

7. Personalising your space

Your room should be a place where you feel comfortable. Think about how you might personalise the room and what you could bring with you into the home, as well as what options you might have for the set up of the room. 

Do you need a view of the garden, a space for a bedside table and a recliner by the window in order to make your room feel like your own sanctuary, or would you rather just have your own bedspread and a few photo frames on the counter top?

8. Specialised care needs

If you are living with dementia, you may want an aged care home with a dedicated memory support unit. It is important to ask if the homes you are considering offer rooms in a memory support unit, as not all Residential Care homes have a dedicated wing for this extra tailored type of care and support. 

Our nurses are also available 24/7 to help you to manage any health conditions you may need specialised care for, and to assist with medication management.

9. Costs and fees

Aged care costs can be complex. Ask for clear information about the Basic Daily Fee, the Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), or the Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP).

Higher Everyday Living Fee services are also on offer for a separate fee, such as Wifi in your room, a glass of beer or wine with main meals and outings on our age-friendly buses. Being clear on the costs for a room and all of the services you’re interested in can help you to make a decision.

10. Timing

Some aged care homes will have vacancies available before others, so many people feel they have to move into whichever home offers them a place first. 

While this may be true for some people, particularly those waiting in hospital or not able to receive the care they need at home, if you are not in an urgent situation you might consider waiting for a room at the home you like the most. 

Even a home you have to move into due to urgency can still become a wonderful place to live, it’s all about personalising your lifestyle and making your room feel like home, while receiving quality individualised care and support.

Finding the right home is about choosing a place where you can continue to be yourself. If you have any questions, our team is always here to help you navigate your aged care options. Contact our team on 1800 852 772 for more information or click here to view current vacancies.