Publish date: 10 August 2026
When you or a loved one begins to need extra support with daily life, one of the biggest questions families face is whether to arrange for home care or consider moving into a residential aged care home .
It is a deeply personal decision, and there is rarely a single right answer. The best choice depends on care needs, safety, lifestyle, family circumstances and personal preference .
Both Home Care and Residential Aged Care are designed to support your safety, independence and wellbeing. The main difference is where the care is delivered and how much support is available throughout the day.
In this guide, we explain the difference between home care and residential aged care, the key factors to weigh up, and where to turn for support as you make your decision.
What is home care?
Home care brings support services to your place, so you can continue living independently and safely in your own home. For many people, home is a sanctuary filled with memories, routines and community connections, and home care is designed to help you stay there for as long as possible.
In Australia, the Government subsidises home support through two main pathways. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides entry-level assistance for people who only need help with a few tasks, while Support at Home offers more personalised care for those with greater or more complex needs.
Our home care services include:
- Cleaning, laundry and gardening
- Meal preparation and cooking
- Shopping and transport
- Social support and companionship
- Personal care, including bathing and dressing
- Nursing and medication support
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and other allied health services
- Respite and short-term care
These services can be adjusted as your circumstances change, helping you maintain your routines and continue doing the things that matter to you.
Home Care may be suitable when
Home Care can support a broad range of needs, such as:
- Want to remain in familiar surroundings
- Can live safely between scheduled care visits
- Need help with particular daily tasks
- Have a home that can continue meeting your mobility and safety needs
- Have family, friends or neighbours who can provide additional support when required
- Prefer to maintain your existing routines and community connections
What is residential aged care?
Residential aged care provides accommodation and around-the-clock care in a purpose-built aged care home. It is designed for older people who can no longer live safely or comfortably at home, even with support, or whose care needs have become too complex to manage independently.
Living in an aged care home typically includes:
- 24/7 care and support from trained carers and nursing staff
- All meals, laundry and housekeeping are taken care of every day
- Access to clinical and allied health services, including specialised dementia care
- A built-in community with social activities, shared spaces and companionship
For many families, the greatest benefit of residential care is peace of mind. Knowing that professional support is always on hand, day and night, can lift a significant weight from both the person receiving care and those who love them.
Residential Aged Care may be worth considering when
Residential Aged Care can support a broad range of needs, such as:
- You need frequent assistance throughout the day or night
- Falls, mobility difficulties or memory changes are affecting your safety
- Medical or personal care needs have become more complex
- Your current home is no longer practical or safe
- Family carers are finding it difficult to provide the required level of support
- Living alone contributes to loneliness or social isolation
- You would benefit from regular activities and a supportive community
This is a significant change that any family goes through, and supporting your loved ones in aged care becomes essential to keep them happy and healthy.
With the right aged care home like that at Bethanie in Perth, your loved ones can find safety, companionship, and a genuine sense of belonging, so they overcome the emotional stress of being away from home and adapt to their new, joyful routine easily.
Key factors to consider when deciding
Every situation where a person requires extra care is different, but these questions can help guide whether to choose aged care or home care:
- Level of care needed: If you or your loved one only needs help with a few everyday tasks, home care may provide all the support required. If care needs are high, constant or becoming more complex, such as advanced dementia or frequent falls, residential care may offer a safer and more sustainable option.
- Safety at home: Consider whether the home environment is still safe and manageable. Stairs, bathrooms and isolation can all pose risks as mobility or memory changes, even with regular visits from care workers.
- Social connection: Loneliness can affect health as much as physical conditions. Home care can include social support and community activities, while residential care offers daily opportunities for connection within a ready-made community.
- Family and carer capacity: Home care often works best alongside support from family. It is important to be honest about how much time and energy loved ones can realistically provide, and to remember that respite care is available when carers need a break.
- Costs and funding: Both options attract Government subsidies, with contributions based on your income and assets. Comparing the costs and fees of home care with the costs and funding of residential care will help you plan with confidence.
- Personal preference: Above all, listen to what you or your loved one truly wants. For some, remaining at home is non-negotiable. For others, the security, comfort and companionship of an aged care home brings a welcome new chapter.
Getting support
You do not need to have all the answers before reaching out. The first formal step for Government-subsidised care is an aged care assessment arranged through My Aged Care , which determines the type and level of support you are eligible for, whether at home or in residential care.
From there, our Aged Care Navigation Specialist team can talk you through your options, answer your questions and help you understand what each pathway would look like for your family.
It may also help to:
- Speak with your GP about health or safety concerns
- Discuss the options openly with family members
- Compare services, availability and costs
- Meet Home Care providers and ask how care is scheduled
- Tour Aged Care Homes to experience the environment in person
- Consider respite care as a short-term option or an opportunity to experience residential care
If residential care feels like the right fit, our step-by-step guide on how to apply for aged care walks you through the process, from assessment to moving day.
Your choice does not need to remain fixed forever. Some people begin with Home Care and move into Residential Aged Care when their needs increase. Regularly reviewing your care arrangements can help ensure the support continues to be safe, appropriate and aligned with your preferences.
Finding the right care with Bethanie
Choosing between Home Care and Residential Aged Care is a personal decision. Home Care can help you maintain your independence and familiar routines, while Residential Aged Care can provide continuous support, safety and community when more comprehensive care is needed.
As one of Western Australia’s leading not-for-profit aged care providers, Bethanie offers both Home Care and residential Aged Care, so whichever path is right for you, we can support you every step of the way.
Contact Bethanie today or call us on 131 151 to discuss the support that is right for you or your loved one.
