Group Homes Australia is a home-based care provider that was established on the belief that everyone should be able to live comfortably in their own home. The homes, which can accommodate six to ten residents, offer 24-hour support, dementia and palliative care, respite care and more. Their staff also offers training to help residents stay in their homes.
Group Homes
Group Homes Australia was founded on the idea that people should be able to live and thrive in their own homes. They have created homes on ordinary suburban streets throughout Australia, where six to ten residents can receive the 24-hour care and support they need. These homes offer dementia care, palliative care, and respite care.
Designed as a home-like environment, Group Homes Australia homes are staffed by trained homemakers who are able to focus on the individual’s abilities and needs. They have no logos or branded furnishings and blend in with ordinary suburban homes, enhancing the dignity of the residents.
Supported living
There are several key differences between residential care and supported living in Group Homes Australia. Supported living involves a range of different services that allow people with disabilities to lead more independent lives. These services vary from constant care and supervision to less intensive support provided only a few hours each week. The difference between residential care and supported living is the level of support required.
In Australia, over 17,000 people with disability live in group homes. The majority of these individuals have no other option. While group homes were once considered innovative, many now resemble mini-institutions.
Respite care
Respite care can be a vital part of providing support for elderly and frail individuals. It provides a needed break to carers and allows the person receiving care to develop their independence. Depending on the Group Homes Australia circumstances and the needs of the person being cared for, respite care can be provided by family members, friends, or specialised aged care facilities.
The costs of residential respite care are capped by the Australian Government and pegged to 85% of the single basic age pension. Although the amount of pension may change over time, it is important to remember that the cost of residential respite care should be affordable for anyone on a government pension. A reputable residential respite care provider should also have no hidden costs, including accommodation and bonding.
Cost of care
Group Homes Australia runs a dozen small-group homes across Sydney. Each of these homes has just 10 residents and encourages active participation in daily activities. In addition to promoting an independent lifestyle, the homes are also social hubs, where residents can make new friends and enjoy social activities. Their founder, Karen Krebs, has worked in the aged care industry for two decades and wants to ensure equal access for all Australians.
While this study has several limitations, it does provide some important information for future research. The population studied is relatively similar to the Australian residential aged-care population. Furthermore, the study used individual data and linked health care utilisation, so it provides precision and is sensitive to population differences. Additionally, the study used the ACFI assessment to estimate residential care costs, which is sensitive to individual care needs and is not affected by facility-level factors such as size and location.
Quality of care
Group Homes Australia is a new concept in aged care that aims to make the environment as natural and home-like as possible. The homes are typically small, with between six and ten residents. The homes do not have typical aged care features, like staff uniforms or set meal times. Nor do they display the organisation’s logo.
Researchers compared the QOL of people living in group homes and those living in supported living environments. The study found that people with intellectual disabilities in group homes and supported living arrangements had similar QOL levels. In both group homes and supported living settings, about 30 percent of the population had the potential to live independently but still required help.