How to choose a residential aged care home

If you were choosing a residential aged care home for yourself or a family member, you face a range of options. You might prefer a small boutique home close to where you or your family live. You may decide you prefer one run by a religious organisation that shares your spiritual values. Or, you could opt for a private home owned by a long-standing aged care provider with established infrastructure, services and reputation.

SummitCare is a large, award-winning aged care provider in Sydney with homes all over the city from the East to the South West, the North West and Wallsend in Newcastle. SummitCare has owned and managed high-quality homes since opening the Wentworth Convalescent Nursing Home in New South Wales in 1966. With more than 50 years’ experience, SummitCare offers a range of options for people who choose to live in one of our homes, providing professional, respectful and supportive care for our aged community as if they were their own family. For starters, each of the SummitCare homes has a very different demographic and residents can then choose the home that will best suit their individual needs. The prospective resident may be from a South East Asian background in which case the Canley Vale home would be the best choice, or that they want to live relatively close to the beach or shopping centre because they like to get out and about with their family, so the Waverley or Randwick homes would be an ideal choice.

Perhaps you are looking for a residential aged care home that doesn’t feel like residential aged care and that just feels like a normal, welcoming home, with plenty of outside areas for them to relax in. For that person, the modern Baulkham Hills facility would be a great choice. The site has been designed with enclosed courtyards, with a mini golf course and a large outdoors chess board so residents can safely enjoy the open air when they want. Essentially, by choosing a residential aged care home that is owned by one of the largest aged care providers in Sydney, you are giving yourself or your relative greater choice than if you just went with a small home.

Larger providers have a greater ability to put resources into creating partnerships with local communities and organisations, and tend to offer a wider range of activities. With established, qualified staff and facilities, it’s also easier for them to create different menu options so residents will be able to choose food that they will enjoy. 

Being part of a residential aged care group means that residents have access to a wide variety of activities inside and outside the home, and other entertainment so they can fill their days. They can also socialise with other residents if they choose to. Each of SummitCare’s homes have activities specifically targeted towards the demographic or interests of the residents. They are culturally respectful to encourage connection and participation.

Activities are important for anyone living in residential aged care and can give them a sense of belonging and something to look forward to each day. Activities such as dancing, cooking classes, bingo or light physical exercise can also keep the mind active for longer. Not only fun and engaging, these programs can also help slow the symptoms of dementia and reduce the likelihood of depression or loneliness in other residents who live in the home. 

If you would like to enquire about a room in one of our homes or take a tour, give us a call on 1300 68 55 48 or enquire here.