How Victoria is bringing ‘care’ back to aged care

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was established in 2018. It was tasked with examining whether aged care services were meeting the needs and expectations of the community. Its final report, Care, Dignity, and Respect, released on 1 March 2021, outlined 148 recommendations.

These recommendations were based on insight gathered through public hearings and submissions, and aimed to achieve a “fundamental and systemic shift”. Key to this was a new, rights-based Act which would substantially redefine both the scope and objective of aged care.

The Aged Care Act 2024 commenced on 1 November 2025. Rather than positioning older people as passive recipients of care, it set out a Statement of Rights they should expect when accessing government-funded services. It also strengthened quality standards, provided a Statement of Principles to guide decision-making, and enhanced regulatory oversight.

In practical terms, the new legislation requires government-funded aged care providers to prioritise activities that foster social connection and encourage community participation. They will need to demonstrate how they are respecting residents’ independence and supporting them to remain active and engaged. They will need to show that they are working within the community, not away from it.

Importantly, providers will now be expected to take a broader, more holistic view of their performance when measuring their success. In addition to the usual clinical and operational metrics, assessments will look at key quality-of-life indicators for residents. This means providers will be expected to personalise their care approach, ensuring it meets the unique needs of each individual.

This is particularly important in regional locations, like Yarrawonga, where local support networks tend to be deeply rooted. Providing opportunities to maintain, and even strengthen, existing connections can make the transition to residential care much easier. It can also help combat loneliness and even provide a renewed sense of purpose.

Playgroups: The gold standard for connection

While some providers have struggled to adjust to the recent reforms, most have embraced them fully. In consultation with their residents, they are designing and implementing programs to help build bonds and reduce isolation.

One of the most popular and effective models is intergenerational playgroups. This approach takes inspiration from the TV series Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds and Old People’s Homes for Teenagers. It brings together local children and aged care residents, and encourages engagement through a range of structured and supported activities.

The benefits of these programs can be profound. For residents, they increase movement, stimulate memory, foster socialisation, and provide meaningful moments of genuine joy. When conducted within care facilities, they also break down barriers between the facility and the community it supports.

This has definitely been the case for Mercy Place Yarrawonga Woods Point, which runs weekly playgroups with several local schools. These visits have helped breathe new life into the facility, filling the halls with the sound of laughter and excited conversation. They have also created opportunities for interactions that would otherwise not happen, something residents deeply value.

Selling the lifestyle, not the capacity

The increased focus on community-oriented programs represents a fundamental rethinking of how aged care is delivered.

Traditionally, facilities have been defined by their operational performance. How many beds they had and how quickly they responded to medical needs were considered their major selling points. But now, it’s the quality of the resident experience that sets the best providers apart.

This reflects the biggest questions people have when choosing a care facility: Will they be happy there? Can they continue doing the things they love? What will their daily life be like?

To address these concerns, providers need to clearly articulate their philosophy of care. They have to tell a compelling story about their commitment to honouring the independence and dignity of their residents. And they need to be able to communicate this to prospective residents and their families.

Partnering with an SEO agency for aged care is the best way to do this. An experienced agency will understand the unique marketing challenges aged care providers face and how to overcome them. They also know how to maximise visibility, ensuring that the facility shows up when local families search online for resident-centred care options.

Regional communities leading the way

While the recent reforms impact all government-funded aged care services, regional facilities are spearheading the cultural shift.

In places like Yarrawonga, the community focus that underpins the new expectations and requirements has long been a lived reality. Many older residents are actively involved in sporting clubs and volunteer groups, often fulfilling crucial leadership and coordination functions. There also tends to be greater reverence for shared history and the significant role older people play in shaping local identity.

What’s more, in many regional centres, aged care is one of the biggest industries, employing a significant number of locals. Usually, a significant proportion of the population is also either related to, or knows, a current or past resident. As such, facilities are generally seen as critical social services that provide a variety of benefits to the broader community.

All of this makes it much easier to integrate aged care into the fabric of everyday life. It makes valuing relationships as much as resources standard practice. And it reinforces the belief that ageing is not a problem to be managed, but a privilege worthy of respect and celebration.