Daily living Daily living in a nursing home

Moving house is often stressful and it may take time to settle into your new environment. Here’s what you can expect from life in a nursing home.

If you are thinking about moving into a nursing home you’re likely to experience a massive range of emotions, varying from relief and excitement to uncertainty and apprehension.

Living in a nursing home will be different and it may take a little bit for you to settle into your new life.

Providing a caring and supportive environment, staff in a nursing home are there to make life easier for you. Many residents have reported they actually enjoy an enhanced quality of life and improved social life, since they moved.

You will benefit from receiving help with some tasks you’ve found difficult to do and you will have peace of mind that should anything happen, you will receive immediate attention and the situation will be managed well.

It’s your home

There may be some ‘common’ areas that are shared with other residents, such as the dining room and lounge room, but your room is your own.

Nursing homes positively encourage you to bring personal items for your room, such as pictures, photos, ornaments, furniture throws and smaller pieces of furniture.

Find out prior to moving what extra personal belongings you can bring so you can still enjoy the things which have meaning to you.

Social aspects and routines

The chances are you’ve moved from living in a house on your own or with a partner, so you’ll need to get used to a few more people being around. However, the choice is yours as to how social you want to be.

You can choose to be social in the communal areas and spend time with other residents or simply find a quiet corner, or remain in your room to enjoy your own company.

Nursing home staff are generally friendly and outgoing, and they will respect your need for privacy.

Many nursing homes have strong links to the local community.

You can choose to get involved with activities such as meeting local school children or other people from other groups.

As well as adjusting to new people, there may be some changes to your daily routines, such as slightly different meal and shower times.

The important thing to remember is that by moving into a nursing home you’ll receive the help and support you need to improve your quality of life.

Multiple activities

Nursing homes offer many social aspects and multiple activities such as exercise classes, religious services/classes, bingo, arts and craft, concerts and outings.

It doesn’t mean you have to take part – you still decide what you want to do.

You can continue to enjoy your usual activities outside the nursing home, such as attending any regular classes or meeting friends in your favourite coffee shop.

Whether it’s reading or watching TV in your room, chatting with other residents or going to the cinema with friends, the choice of how you spend your time is yours.

Partners

Some homes offer rooms for couples in the form of adjoining rooms, double rooms, or even a single unit for couples.

This means couples can continue living together even if they have different care and support needs.

Pets

While most homes do not allow residents to have their personal pets, a lot now have ‘live-in’ animals such as cats, rabbits, dogs and birds. Some nursing homes also arrange for a variety of animals to visit regularly.

Family and friends

Your family and friends are always encouraged to visit and depending on your health, you will be able to come and go as you please – visit friends, enjoy family celebrations, go shopping and even go on holiday. Many nursing homes also have special areas available for private functions. This means you can still hold special events for family and friends in your nursing home.

Going on a holiday

When you live in an aged care home you can still go on a holiday. You can leave the aged care home for up to 52 nights in a financial year. This is called ‘social leave’.

The Government will continue to pay subsidies on your behalf to the aged care home and you still have to pay your daily fees and income tested fees.

If you are away for longer than 52 nights the Government will stop paying subsidies and you may be asked to pay any owing amounts to the aged care home.

The 52 night rule can not be extended.