Group Homes Australia chief exec talks small scale living: podcast

Making aged care homes more liveable for older Aussies will be a key feature of any changes to the sector, and as over half of all aged care residents have a dementia diagnosis, thinking outside the box when it comes to our care homes will be important.

This is reflected in the final report of the royal commission.

"Where older people live affects their sense of security and their quality of life," the report reads.

"Accommodation that is well designed to meet people’s needs can improve their lives and their wellbeing."

And small scale living is one model many believe is better suited to residential care.

"Without wishing to limit innovation, we consider that the small household model is one way in which residential aged care can adopt dementia-friendly and accessible design principles," the commission's report continues.

"Commissioner Briggs believes that small household models of design are the best option for future residential aged care and that, in the absence of government action to steer the sector toward smaller-scale accommodation, providers and developers will continue to build larger facilities."

Tamar Krebs is another advocate for this model of care. A former RN, she is now founder and co-CEO of Group Homes Australia.

Krebs joined Aged Care Insite to discuss small scale living and its particular benefits for people with dementia.