Deciding on aged care can be one of the most emotional and complex choices older people and their families face. For many, especially so-called "sandwich carers" – typically women balancing careers, children and supporting ageing parents – the process often feels overwhelming. Thankfully, there’s a tool to help make these decisions a little clearer: Star Ratings.
Introduced as a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Star Ratings aim to provide greater transparency, accountability and clarity in an often complex sector. Designed with input from older people, their families and carers, the system helps to compare aged care homes and make informed decisions based on what matters most to you and your loved ones.
Empowering you to make an informed choice
Navigating aged care decisions becomes even harder when time is short and emotions run high. Anna, a carer for her elderly mother Bettina, knows this all too well.
“We looked for residential aged care because Mum had a fall and had to have more care than I could give her,” Anna shares. “Mum was very keen to look for a place that she felt was like home.”
Bettina wanted to find a place that felt homely and not like an international hotel.
“When I looked at the website, I really liked that the Star Ratings had that resident rating because I wanted to see how they felt about living there and whether they felt they belonged, (that) it was their home,” says Anna.
Bettina talks about the positive impact of finding a home that is the right fit for you. “I wasn’t well when I came, but I’m bouncing along now,” she says.
Bettina and Anna’s story reflects how tools like Star Ratings can help simplify decision-making, offering older people and their families confidence and peace of mind during a challenging time.
Why Star Ratings matter
For older people and families just beginning the journey of researching residential aged care, Star Ratings can act as a helpful guide. Whether you’re looking for a home with multilingual staff or faith-based inclusivity, this tool can help narrow the options. Most importantly, Star Ratings simplifies the research process, offering a clear picture of a home's quality.
Breaking down Star Ratings
The Overall Star Rating reflects four critical aspects of care, weighted by their importance to residents:
- Residents’ Experience (33%): What do the residents themselves think? This category captures feedback from the independent Residents’ Experience Survey. In 2023, 96% of residents said they felt safe in their homes, and 95% praised staff for their kindness and respect.
- Compliance (30%): How well does the home meet government standards for safe, high-quality care? Homes that fail to address specific issues see their compliance score drop below 3 stars, a benchmark for acceptable care.
- Staffing (22%): Are there enough nurses and care workers to meet the needs of residents? This rating compares the home’s staffing levels to the government’s minimum targets.
- Quality Measures (15%): This rating looks at five critical indicators of care quality, including falls, unplanned weight loss, pressure injuries, medicine management and use of restrictive practices such as physical restraint.
Up-to-date information to help make informed decisions
Star Ratings are updated regularly, using data from multiple sources such as residents, aged care providers, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. This ensures the ratings remain current and reflect the evolving quality of care.
The tool is not only useful for finding the best fit, but also for holding aged care providers accountable to the standards older people deserve. It allows older people and their families to focus on what matters most – helping them choose a home in a safe, respectful and caring environment.
Deciding on aged care is never easy, but having a tool like Star Ratings can bring clarity and peace of mind during a challenging time. Whether you’re just starting the conversation or making a final decision, this tool is designed to put the power of information in your hands.
For more information about Star Ratings and to explore residential aged care options, visit www.health.gov.au/StarRatings
By taking the time to research and plan, you can feel confident that you and your loved ones are considering the best options.
This article is brought to you by the Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care.
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