What Is the Difference Between Home Care and Aged Care? – Careseekers

Aged care is a broad term that refers to support and services designed to help older people manage daily life as they age. This support can be provided in a residential aged care facility or in a person’s own home. Home care is one form of aged care that allows older people to receive assistance while continuing to live at home.

Understanding this difference can help families explore the type of support that best suits their situation.

Key points

The main difference between home care and aged care is where support is provided:

aged care is a general term for services that support older people
home care is aged care delivered in a person’s own home
aged care can also include residential care in aged care homes
home care focuses on helping people remain independent at home

What does aged care mean?

Aged care refers to a range of services designed to support older people who need assistance with daily living, health, mobility or wellbeing.

These services may include:

support with daily routines
personal care
domestic assistance
health and wellbeing support
social and community support

Aged care can be provided in different settings depending on the person’s needs.

What is home care?

Home care is a type of aged care that is delivered in a person’s own home.

It allows older people to receive help with daily tasks while continuing to live in familiar surroundings.

Home care support may include:

personal care
household tasks
meal preparation
companionship
transport
support with appointments or activities

The level of support can vary depending on the person’s needs.

How is residential aged care different?

Residential aged care involves living in a specialised aged care facility where support is provided on site.

This type of care may be considered when a person requires higher levels of support that are difficult to manage at home.

By contrast, home care focuses on providing assistance while the person continues to live independently in their own home.

Why do many people prefer home care?

Many older people prefer to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

Home care can help by:

supporting independence
maintaining familiar routines
providing practical help with daily tasks
offering companionship and social support

For many people, this type of support makes it easier to continue living comfortably at home.

Can people move between different types of aged care?

Yes. Care needs often change over time.

Some people begin with a small amount of home support and later require additional assistance. Others may move to residential aged care if their needs become more complex.

Support arrangements can often evolve as circumstances change.

How do families decide what kind of care is right?

A helpful starting point is to consider:

what daily tasks are becoming difficult
whether support is needed occasionally or more regularly
whether the person prefers to remain at home
what level of assistance would make daily life easier

Understanding these factors can help families explore care options that suit their situation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between home care and aged care?

Aged care is a broad term that includes all services designed to support older people. Home care is one form of aged care that provides support in a person’s home.

Is home care part of aged care?

Yes. Home care is one type of aged care that helps people remain living independently at home.

Does aged care always mean moving into a facility?

No. Aged care can be provided in a residential facility or through support services delivered at home.

Why do people choose home care?

Many people prefer home care because it allows them to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving the support they need.

Can care arrangements change over time?

Yes. Support can often increase or change as needs evolve.

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Read: What Is In-Home Aged Care?