What is Residential Care and is it the right fit for you?

Residential care provides accommodation, meals, personal care, clinical support, lifestyle activities and 24-hour assistance in a care home. It is for people who need more regular support than can usually be provided at home.

Residents receive help with daily routines such as bathing, dressing, mobility, meals, medication and social activities. Families and friends are welcome to visit, and each home includes shared spaces for coffee, catch-ups and activities. Residential care is different from Help at Home or Retirement Living because care staff are available day and night.

If you are unsure which option is right, start by applying for an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. Helping Hand can then talk you through your choices once you understand the level of support you may be eligible for. As a South Australian not-for-profit aged care provider established in 1953, Helping Hand has more than 70 years of experience supporting older South Australians, and is assessed against the Aged Care Quality Standards by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Next step: Arrange an assessment through My Aged Care. Once you have a residential care referral code, contact Helping Hand Admissions on 1300 653 600 to discuss vacancies, tours and what happens next.

What Residential Care includes

Social activities

Dementia support

Residential respite

Nursing and clinical support

Healthcare and allied health services

Facilities and shared spaces

Meals, laundry and cleaning

Smoke-free environment

How to access Residential Care

Helping Hand has 11 residential care homes across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia. To access residential care, you will first need an aged care assessment through My Aged Care.

Learn more

  • 1
    Contact My Aged Care to arrange an aged care assessment

    My Aged Care is the Australian Government starting point for aged care assessments and referrals.

  • 2
    Complete the assessment

    You will receive a residential care referral code if approved.

  • 3
    Call Helping Hand Admissions on 1300 653 600

    to discuss your needs, preferred locations and current vacancies.

  • 4
    Book a tour

    or take a virtual tour of the homes you are interested in.

  • 5
    Complete the required forms

    and speak with the Admissions Team about care needs, fees and timing.

  • 6
    When a suitable room becomes available

    Helping Hand will guide you through preparing for the move.

Our Residential Care homes

Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat

North Adelaide

49 Buxton Street, North Adelaide SA 5006

Our North Adelaide home is a one of a kind care home, just 3km from the Adelaide CBD.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat

Golden Grove

209 The Golden Way, Golden Grove SA 5125

Our newest care home, Golden Grove is a modern three-storey home with state-of-the-art features and comforts.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat
Three women talking at table
Group of elderly people chatting on armchairs
Hair dresser styling elderly woman's hair
Elderly woman reading book in library
Elderly man on computer

Lightsview

1 East Parkway, Lightsview SA 5085

Opened in 2012, Lightsview is a modern, award-winning home. Enjoy city skyline views and natural light throughout.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat
Group exercise class

Mawson Lakes

2 The Strand, Mawson Lakes SA 5095

Homely and comfortable, our Mawson Lakes home is welcoming for residents and visitors.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat

Ingle Farm

7 Shackleton Avenue, Ingle Farm SA 5098

Surrounded by beautiful gardens and open spaces, Ingle Farm is homely, comfortable and welcoming.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat
Woman and man chatting in cafe area
Edlerly woman sitting in armchair reading
Worker pouring elderly woman a drink
Two elderly men chatting

Parafield Gardens

437 Salisbury Highway, Parafield Gardens SA 5107

Parafield Gardens has a vibrant, homely and friendly atmosphere, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat

Port Pirie

15 Halliday Street, Port Pirie SA 5540

Our Port Pirie care home, known as Lealholme, is set amongst a backdrop of nature reserves and peaceful gardens.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat

Jamestown

1-7 Cumnock Street, Jamestown SA 5491

Homely and comfortable, Belalie Lodge, our Jamestown home is welcoming for residents and visitors.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat

Whyalla, Copperhouse Court

43a Flinders Avenue, Whyalla Stuart SA 5608

Cosy and comfortable, Copperhouse Court has been part of the Whyalla community for several decades.

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Rooms available
Group of three in lounge chairs having a chat

Whyalla, Yeltana

25 Newton Street, Whyalla SA 5600

Yeltana, whose name originates from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘somewhere to rest’, has been part of the Whyalla community for several decades.

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Liliana resident
“In my heart, I still feel Italian, but my loyalty is to Australia first, this is my home. Thank God I was able to find a place here in Whyalla. My daughter visits and calls me every day, and I enjoy the activities.“

Liliana

Resident, Helping Hand Copperhouse Court Whyalla

Connect with us to find out more

If you need help understanding residential care, contact Helping Hand Admissions. Our team can talk you through current vacancies, preferred locations, tours, fees, referral codes and the next steps to arrange care. You can:

  • Call us now to speak with the team.
  • Request a callback at a time that suits you.
  • Register your interest online if you are ready to take the next step.

If you have not yet had an aged care assessment, contact My Aged Care first so you can confirm your eligibility and receive the right referral information.

Residential Care FAQs

Find clear answers to common residential aged care questions, including how to access care, what residential care includes, how fees work, what respite involves, how dementia support is provided and how to prepare for a move.

Female reception staff member on phone call respite care

Yes. Helping Hand can arrange residential care home tours by appointment. Visiting a home can help you understand the environment, rooms, shared spaces, lifestyle activities and whether the home feels right for you or your family member. Entry requirements may change depending on current health or government advice. Virtual tours are also available for some homes on the residential care locations page.

Next step: Call 1300 653 600 or book a tour online.

All residents at our residential aged care homes have access to the following services and assistance:

  • Staff onsite at all times to assist where needed, including in emergencies
  • Assistance with daily living activities including, showering, dressing and help to move about
  • Assistance with medications
  • Meals and refreshments, including catering for special dietary needs
  • Laundry and housekeeping services
  • Building and grounds upkeep and maintenance
  • Social and lifestyle activities program
  • Basic furnishings including curtains, chairs, beds, bed linen, bath towels, soap and toilet paper are also included, and residents are encouraged to bring items of furniture or personal possessions with them to personalise their home.

In-home care allows you to continue living independently at home. You can tailor the care you receive to meet your needs, and support is offered on a sliding scale from basic to high care needs.

Residential care is there for people who are no longer able to live independently at home, either due to physical frailty or the need for increased support due to conditions such as dementia. Support and care is provided 24/7, including meals, assistance with daily living activities, and lifestyle and activity programs.

The Australian Government developed the Charter of Aged Care Rights in July 2019, which you can download here in several languages. It gives information about your rights as a user of aged care services in Australia.

If you would like more detailed information about your rights as an older person, the Legal Services Commission, in partnership with the Office for the Ageing, has developed a guide called Know Your Rights.

The cost of residential aged care varies from person to person, depending on which home you are moving into, and your own personal financial situation. The Government may contribute toward your care costs, and you may be asked to contribute towards them too if you can afford it. My Aged Care provides an overview of the costs involved on their website, and we also have an overview on our website, and publish our fees for our homes on each of our residential care home pages.