For most people, moving into aged care is one of the most significant decisions they will ever make. The choice of facility will play a major role in your experience. Therefore, making an informed decision is crucial when choosing an aged care facility. Starting this process early ensures you have enough time to make an informed decision

So what are some factors to consider when deciding on an aged care facility?

Factors to consider when choosing an aged care facility.

Proximity to family and friends

For many people, location is the most important factor when selecting an aged care facility. As you age, being close to your family and friends is more important than ever.

Access to health professionals

As we age, our healthcare needs often increase in complexity. Look for aged care facilities that provide access to a wide range of healthcare professionals.

Cost

Before deciding on an aged care facility, you need to ensure that it is within your budget.

Availability

It doesn’t matter how good an aged care facility is if it doesn’t have a bed available when you need one. Many aged care facilities will have a waiting list. That’s why it’s a good idea to plan ahead and not wait until you or your loved one is in need of urgent care. Wait, and your choice of facilities may be much more limited.

Star Rating

Published on the government’s My Aged Care website, aged care star ratings can provide some insight into the level of care provided by an aged care facility. Homes are ranked according to four key sub-categories: resident experience, staffing levels, compliance and quality measures. According to the criteria, A one-star-rated home requires significant improvement. Meanwhile, a home with a five-star rating indicates the home has been judged to provide an excellent level of care. However, some experts argue that star ratings do not always provide an accurate indication of the level of care a facility provides. They argue that visiting a facility in person is the best way to determine the quality of care it provides.

However, arranging a tour of an aged care facility is not always easy. Many aged care facilities ask families to complete an application before stepping foot inside the place. However, experts argue that committing to an aged care facility without visiting it is rarely a good idea.

Always tour a facility before committing to it. This allows you to gain a sense of the feel, look and smell of the place. While on the tour, ask yourself questions like.

• Does the home feel welcoming?: Are the staff friendly and the residents smiling?
• What is the leisure and lifestyle program like?: It is important aged care residents have things to do, rather than just sitting in their rooms all day. A tour will give you a chance to see what activities are on offer at an aged care facility.
• What is the food like?: The quality of food in aged care plays an important role in maximising resident experience.Taking a tour of an aged care facility at meal time allows you to see what the food on offer smells and looks like. This could also give you a chance to see the environment which residents eat their meals in. You could also request a copy of the menu if it’s available.
In some cases, facilities will allow prospective residents to stay in the facility on a trial basis as part of a respite care program. This provides a great opportunity to see if the facility meets your needs.

Deciding on an aged care facility is a big decision and one that should be made with as much information as possible.

Are you looking for a career in aged care? Aged Care Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services, including our aged care resume and cover letter writing service.

Article References

Brown, B (31 October 2023) ‘How to find a suitable aged care home’, Hellocare, accessed 25 February 2025.

McDonald, T (25 February 2025) ‘Aged care guide: How to choose the best home’, Herald Sun, accessed 25 February 2025.

St Vincent’s Care (5 December 2023) ‘How to Choose the Right Aged Care Home [4 Step Guide] ’, St Vincent’s Care, accessed 25 February 2025.