Home Care vs Residential Care (Nursing Home): How to Decide
Home care vs nursing home: compare Support at Home and residential aged care on cost, care level, safety and lifestyle, so you can decide with confidence.
The core choice
What home care offers
What residential care offers
Comparing the costs
When home care is enough
When residential care makes sense
How to decide together
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between home care and a nursing home?
Home care brings support to the person in their own home through Support at Home, while a nursing home provides accommodation and care together with staff available around the clock. The choice depends on needs, safety and the person's wishes.
Is home care cheaper than residential care?
It depends on the situation. Home care gives an individual budget with means-tested contributions, while residential care adds a basic daily fee and an accommodation payment. Both are means-tested with caps and hardship protections, so get the numbers modelled.
When is it time to consider a nursing home?
Consider residential care when a person needs supervision or care overnight, when safety risks like falls or wandering cannot be managed at home, when clinical needs are high and constant, or when a family carer can no longer sustain the load.
Do we have to choose one permanently?
Not necessarily. Many families use home care for years before considering residential care, and respite lets you trial an aged care home without a permanent commitment. A current My Aged Care assessment helps you see what each option can fund.