People often confuse a retirement village with aged care, but they are very different animals! So what is the difference?
In summary, a retirement village is a community designed for older, retired people who can live independently. A residential aged care home is a facility designed for older people requiring constant or regular care and supervision due to their inability to live independently.
Further summary of differences below:
Retirement village:
- Independent living, usually in villas or apartment-style homes
- Staffing during business hours
- No government funding available
- Little or no care services on-site
- Weekly fee around $150-250 per week
- Minimum age restriction
- Comes under Qld State Government legislation
Aged care
- Hospital-style private rooms or suites
- Care staff on-site 24/7
- Government funded
- Care services provided on-site
- Daily fee of around $64 dollars (85% of the single basic age pension)
- Requires an ACAT (care assessment) to be accepted
- Comes under Commonwealth Government legislation
- Must be accredited and undergo at least annual assessment
Our Runaway Bay Retirement Community has a co-located aged care facility, also operated by TriCare, for residents needing higher care.
This makes TriCare Runaway Bay an ideal location for couples where one needs a higher level of care and the other still lives independently. Find out more about our Co-located Living locations here.
