Home instead of a nursing home: Nursing home alternatives in Austria
Grandpa Olaf was once a free spirit who enjoyed life to the fullest – from wild shared-apartment parties to extended trips in his beloved van. Now, at the age of 72, his doctor has recommended that he move into a nursing home. Olaf? Into a home? No way. “With the old folks? Never!”, he thinks to himself and firmly pulls on his red knitted hat. But what alternatives are there for Olaf and other seniors who cannot imagine life in a nursing home?
In Austria, there are a wide range of options for seniors to enjoy their later years outside of traditional nursing homes. These alternatives offer flexible solutions tailored to individual needs – whether living alone or in a community. If you are looking for the best option for your father who needs care, or thinking about your own future, we will show you the most exciting alternatives and how to find the right solution for you or your family.
At noracares, we know that care means love – but it also requires strength. You are not alone. At noracares, we believe that home is not a place, but a feeling. We show you how to preserve that feeling without compromising on safety.
If you are thinking about alternatives to a nursing home, it is important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option. Every form of living has its own strengths, but also specific challenges. Here is a quick overview for you:
Before deciding on one of the many nursing home alternatives in Austria, an honest assessment is important. It’s not just about what is medically necessary, but about how you or your loved one wants to wake up in the morning – with a smile and a feeling of freedom.
Checklist for Your Decision:
- Support: Which everyday tasks are difficult (cooking, dressing, household chores)?
- Community: How important is daily conversation with others to you? Do you need hustle and bustle or rather peace and quiet?
- Activity: Which hobbies (gardening, cooking, walking) should definitely remain part of your life?
- Budget: What financial framework is available (including care allowance and funding)?
- Environment: How important is proximity to your family and your familiar social network?
Assisted Living: Independent and Safe in Your Own Four Walls
Assisted living is one of the most sought-after alternatives to nursing homes in Austria. It is the ideal model for people like Olaf who love their freedom but want to know that a safety net is in place in the background. You live in your own accessible apartment, furnished with your familiar furniture, but have access to various support services.
What Defines Assisted Living in 2026:
- Accessibility: From the bathroom to the elevator, everything is designed so you can move safely even with a walking aid or wheelchair.
- Basic Services: A flat fee usually covers emergency call systems, on-site contact persons, and cleaning of common areas.
- Optional Services: You decide whether you need help with cooking, shopping, or laundry – you only pay for what you actually use.
Good to know: Official information on locations, funding opportunities, and the legal framework for assisted living in the individual federal states can be found on the digital government guide österreich.gv.at. Especially in cities like Vienna, there are innovative models that allow you to enjoy your life in the middle of the action – between coffee houses and parks.
Nora’s Thoughts on Self-Determination
Assisted living is a wonderful step toward preserving your own autonomy. But what happens if everyday tasks become more difficult than expected? This is where noracares comes in. We can bridge the gap between the basic services of assisted living and your individual needs. That way, you don’t have to move if your care needs increase – you simply bring the right support directly into your apartment.
Senior Shared Apartments: Together Instead of Alone
Why should shared apartment living be reserved only for students? In cities like Linz, Salzburg, and Graz, senior shared apartments are booming more than ever. The concept is ideal for anyone who values independence but is tired of being alone. Each resident has their own private space (room with bathroom), while the kitchen and living room become the vibrant heart of the home for everyone.
Olaf’s good friend Wencke has been living in a shared apartment in Graz for two years and enthusiastically tells Olaf over coffee:
“It was an adjustment at first to have roommates again, but now I wouldn’t want to miss it. We cook together, take walks in the city park, and if I ever need help sorting my pills, there’s always someone there. It feels like a second spring for me!”
Why Senior Shared Apartments Are So Popular in 2026:
- Shared Costs: Fixed costs for rent, electricity, and internet are shared, which creates financial flexibility, especially in attractive city locations.
- Safety in Everyday Life: There is almost always someone at home. This gives not only seniors but also you as a family member a reassuring feeling.
- Flexibility: Many shared apartments organize their domestic helpers or mobile services together, which simplifies coordination.
What You Should Pay Attention To:
Legally, senior shared apartments are often private rental agreements. It is important to clearly separate household support from nursing care. Official information on housing rights and the legal framework for alternative living arrangements in Austria can be found on the government portal österreich.gv.at.
Nora’s Tip: Shared Apartment Care via noracares
Did you know that noracares also works perfectly for shared apartments? If several residents need support, you can jointly search for a suitable caregiver via our platform. This strengthens cohesion within the shared apartment and ensures that professional help is exactly where life happens – right in the heart of your community.
Multi-Generational Living: Young and Old Under One Roof
Imagine Grandpa Olaf living in a neighborhood where he is not “the senior,” but the expert on old travel stories, while the student next door shows him how to digitally organize his photos. Projects like the “Oase 22” in Vienna’s 22nd district impressively demonstrate how enriching it is when generations blend. Here, families, singles, and seniors form a modern version of neighborhood support.
The concept is simple, but brilliant: Young helps old, and old helps young. It’s a give-and-take that prevents social isolation from arising in the first place.
What Makes Multi-Generational Projects So Special in 2026:
- Lived Neighborhood Support: Small favors like carrying heavy shopping bags or cooking together are part of everyday life.
- Meeting Zones: Shared kitchens, workshops, or rooftop gardens encourage spontaneous interaction.
- Safety Through Community: People look out for one another. If Olaf’s blinds don’t go up in the morning, someone checks in.
What you should pay attention to:
Multi-generational houses are not care facilities. If the need for care increases, mobile services or 24-hour care must be organized additionally. You can find legal information about housing rights and community agreements in such projects on the official portal oesterreich.gv.at .
Nora’s Tip: "Living in exchange for help"
An exciting model for 2026 is the principle of “Living in exchange for help.” Seniors provide living space and in return receive support in everyday life (e.g. gardening or shopping) from younger housemates. But be careful: This does not replace professional care! If you notice that help from neighbors is no longer sufficient, it is time to consider professional support via noracares to preserve harmony within the household community.
Shared Apartments for People with Dementia: Security Through Structure
When memory fades, the world often becomes confusing, loud, and frightening. In a specialized dementia shared apartment (in Austria often referred to as a “low-care residential group” or “outpatient assisted living community”), your loved ones find a safe haven. Usually only 6 to 12 people live together here. This small group size is crucial to avoid sensory overload and enable genuine orientation in everyday life.
In these shared apartments, the focus is not on the medical diagnosis but on “normal” life. This is also called milieu therapy: Peeling potatoes together, listening to old hits, or setting the table are not merely household tasks, but valuable therapeutic elements. They maintain everyday skills for as long as possible and provide a sense of being needed.
Why this form of living is so valuable:
- Spatial orientation: Short distances and visual guidance systems (e.g. pictures instead of text on the bathroom door or color markings) provide security and reduce anxiety.
- Social security: Since all residents share similar challenges, social pressure decreases. Here, it is okay to forget things, repeat questions, or simply be yourself without being corrected.
- Personalization: Residents bring their own furniture. The familiar bed or armchair from earlier creates an emotional bridge to one’s own identity and past.
Would you like to dive deeper into the topic? To receive the best possible financial support for this form of living, the correct classification is crucial. Read more here about Dementia Care in Austria: How the Care Levels Work.
What you should pay attention to when making your selection
When viewing the shared apartment, make sure it complies with the official quality standards for alternative housing forms. In Austria, this is often regulated at the state level, but the basic legal framework and criteria for quality assurance can be found on the official portal oesterreich.gv.at or directly at the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Nora’s Tip: 1:1 addition in the shared apartment
Even in a dementia shared apartment, there may be moments when your relative needs even more individual attention – for example during severe restlessness or in the final stage of the illness. At noracares, you will find specialized caregivers who can also come to the shared apartment on an hourly basis to ensure very personal 1:1 support. In this way, the structure of the group is combined with the warmth of individual care.
Retirement Residences: Aging in Luxury with a Hotel Atmosphere
For seniors who wish to spend their later years in an exclusive yet secure environment, retirement residences – especially in urban centers such as Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck – offer a first-class alternative. Imagine your loved one not living in a care facility, but in a 5-star hotel with medical backup.
In these residences, quality of life is the top priority. It is not just about "care," but about enjoyment and self-determination.
What defines a modern retirement residence in 2026:
- Concierge service: Support with organizing appointments, outings, or errands.
- Top-level cuisine: In-house gourmet restaurants that cater to individual wishes and dietary plans.
- Wellness & vitality: Spa areas, fitness rooms, and physiotherapy are often integrated directly into the building.
- Cultural offerings: From exclusive vernissages and theater visits to lectures, a vibrant social life is encouraged.
What you should pay attention to when making your selection:
Since retirement residences are often legally considered rental agreements with additional services, you should carefully review the contracts. Pay attention to which services are included in the basic flat rate and what costs extra.
Important note: Information about your rights as a tenant in such housing forms as well as general legal foundations can be found on the official portal oesterreich.gv.at.
Nora’s Thought on Luxury vs. Home
Retirement residences undoubtedly offer dreamlike comfort. But we at noracares also know: For many, the greatest luxury is and remains their own familiar home. If you are looking for the comfort of 1:1 care but do not want to give up Grandpa Olaf’s castle, a private caregiver can bring exactly that “residence atmosphere” into your own four walls – without the stress of moving.
Your home is more than just four walls – it is the place where your story was written. For people like Grandpa Olaf, the idea of leaving this familiar environment is unimaginable. The good news for 2026: With modern technology and targeted support, staying in your own home is now almost always possible.
We at noracares support you in making exactly this wish come true. Because safety and a sense of security do not have to be mutually exclusive.
How to Make Your Home Ready for the Future
To maintain independence, major renovations are often not necessary. Small, strategic changes make the difference between insecurity and freedom.
The Safety Check for Your Castle:
- Eliminate tripping hazards: Remove loose rugs or secure them with anti-slip mats. Ensure bright, shadow-free lighting in hallways and stairwells.
- Barrier-free bathroom design: A threshold-free shower and securely mounted grab bars are often the most important investments to maintain privacy during personal care.
- Mobility aids: A stairlift can make entire floors accessible again that were previously considered “unreachable.”
Smart Home 2026: Your Digital Everyday Helpers
Technology is no longer an obstacle today, but a discreet companion that ensures safety in the background.
Financing & Subsidies in Austria
Barrier-free renovations can be costly, but you do not have to shoulder this alone. In Austria, there are numerous support options to help make your home senior-friendly.
Important note: Information about subsidies for barrier-free renovations (such as the care subsidy for home adaptation) can be found directly at the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection or on the official portal oesterreich.gv.at. Depending on the federal state, there are also specific housing allowances.
Nora’s Tip: Technology Combined with Heart
Smart home solutions and emergency call systems provide security, but they cannot replace a smile. The perfect solution for 2026 is the combination: Use technology for everyday safety and bring in an empathetic caregiver through noracares for the moments when human closeness, a shared conversation, or support with cooking truly matter. This way, your home remains not only safe, but alive.
Your loved ones want to remain in their familiar surroundings, and you want to wholeheartedly fulfill this wish for them? That is a wonderful gift. But we also know:
“Care means love, but it also takes strength. You are not alone.”
Organizing the care of a relative can feel like a full-time job. This is where noracares steps in. We are your digital bridge to people who are not only qualified but also have their hearts in the right place. This gives you valuable time back for yourself and allows you to enjoy moments with your loved one again as a daughter, son, or partner – instead of only as a caregiver.
Find your personal caregiver – simple and fast with noracares
You have decided on a type of living arrangement, but the right support is still missing? With noracares, the search is as individual as your needs. Whether it’s help with household tasks, assistance with personal care, or a warm companion for shared walks – we bring together what belongs together.
Why noracares is the right choice for you:
Getting started with noracares is this easy
We have designed the process for 2026 to be as simple as possible so that you don’t lose time with bureaucracy:
- Free registration: Create your profile on our platform in just a few minutes.
- Use premium benefits: Become a premium member to gain full access to all profiles and features.
- Individual request: Describe your needs in detail. Which languages are important? What interests does your loved one have?
- Matching & contact: Browse suitable profiles, get in touch directly, and arrange an initial meeting.
Nora’s tip: Diversity enriches care
At noracares, we value diversity. Are you looking for someone who shares the same traditions, speaks a certain language, or shares your father’s passion for classical music? Include these details in your search! A shared topic of conversation is often the best key to a trusting care relationship.
Your next step toward relief
Don’t wait until your energy reserves are exhausted. Good care begins with your own self-care. Start your search now on noracares.at and find the ideal support that perfectly fits into your loved one’s life!
Money should never be an obstacle to dignified and self-determined aging. The good news: In Austria, there is a strong social network that helps you cover the costs of nursing home alternatives. Since financing can vary depending on the federal state and type of housing, we have summarized the most important pillars for you here.
The Austrian care allowance 2026
The care allowance is the most important foundation. It is a dedicated subsidy intended to compensate for care-related additional expenses as a lump sum. Since the comprehensive indexation (annual adjustment), which will continue in 2026, it directly helps you finance everyday support – such as that arranged by noracares.
- 7 levels: The care allowance is paid out in seven levels, based on the monthly time required for care.
- Flexibility: You can use the money freely, for example to pay a caregiver in a senior shared apartment or for assisted living.
Get the details: You can find up-to-date information on benefit levels and how to apply on the official portal oesterreich.gv.at or directly from the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Housing allowance & housing subsidies
In addition to the care allowance, there is often support for housing costs themselves. If you choose assisted living or a senior shared apartment, rental costs may be higher.
- Housing allowance: This can be applied for at the respective state governments to reduce the monthly rent for senior-friendly accommodation.
- Care subsidy for home adaptations: Would you like to stay at home? There are often one-time grants available for barrier-free adaptations (such as bathroom renovations or stairlifts).
Legal framework: What you need to know
To ensure that you and your loved ones are legally protected, there are clear regulations for employing caregivers outside of nursing homes.
The Domestic Helpers and Domestic Employees Act (HgHaG)
Many housing arrangements in which caregivers work directly in private households or shared apartments fall under the HgHaG. This law regulates working hours, remuneration, and the scope of duties for individuals providing services in private households.
It is important to familiarize yourself with these basics in order to create a fair and legal working environment. Further information is available from the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK).
Being prepared provides security
Nora’s tip: Planning ahead as an act of self-love
Legal aspects often sound dry, but they provide enormous security for you and your family. There are two documents you should definitely discuss early on:
- Power of attorney for healthcare: Here you specify who is allowed to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so yourself.
- Living will: This ensures which medical treatments you wish to receive or refuse.
Your path, your decision! Aging and care are as individual as the people themselves. Whether Grandpa Olaf dreams of the old days in his van or Wencke celebrates her “second spring” in her senior shared apartment – there is no one right solution, only the one that fits your life.
We at noracares know that saying goodbye to a familiar lifestyle can be difficult. But as you have seen, in 2026 a nursing home is no longer the only option. Whether assisted living, vibrant shared apartments, or the comfort of your own “castle” with 24-hour care – you have the freedom to choose.
The key to a happy care relationship lies in accepting help in time and knowing your own limits. You don’t have to walk this path alone. We support you in finding the right human support so that care does not become a burden, but a relationship built on appreciation and respect.
Do you still have questions? No problem! Here you will find answers to the most pressing topics about self-determined aging and support through noracares.
- 24-hour care: A form of support in which a caregiver lives directly in the household of the person in need of care. They assist with everyday life, household management, and personal care.
- Assisted living: A barrier-free housing option that combines independence with a basic level of security (emergency call system, contact persons). Additional care services can be booked individually.
- Dementia shared apartment: A specialized small group (usually 6–12 people) that provides security for people with memory loss through clear structures, milieu therapy, and shared daily routines.
- HgHaG: The Domestic Helpers and Domestic Employees Act. In Austria, it forms the legal basis for employing individuals who provide services in private households.
- Intergenerational living: A housing concept in which people of different ages (from toddlers to seniors) live together and support each other in the spirit of modern neighborhood assistance.
- noracares: Your digital, personal marketplace for Austria that directly and easily connects families with vetted, empathetic caregivers and nursing staff.
- Living will: A written declaration specifying which medical treatments you wish to receive or refuse in a situation where you are no longer able to express your will yourself.
- Care allowance: A state monthly benefit in Austria intended to compensate care-related additional expenses as a lump sum (levels 1–7).
- Telemedicine: The use of digital communication (e.g., video calls) to conveniently conduct medical consultations or health check-ups from home.
- Power of attorney for healthcare: A legal document in which you authorize a trusted person to act on your behalf if you lose your capacity to make decisions.
