Nursing home alternatives in Austria: Individual forms of living for senior citizens

In Austria, there are a variety of options for senior citizens to enjoy their retirement outside of traditional care homes. These alternatives offer flexible solutions that are tailored to individual needs - whether alone or in a community. If you are looking for the best option for your father in need of care or are thinking about your own future, we will show you the most exciting alternatives and how you can find the right solution for you or your family.

Advantages and disadvantages of nursing home alternatives

When considering nursing home alternatives, it's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option. Each living arrangement has its own benefits, but it's equally important to be aware of the potential challenges. Below we look at the most popular alternatives and highlight the advantages and possible disadvantages of each.

Needs analysis and checklist

In order to find the right type of accommodation, an individual needs analysis is essential. This involves taking a close look at your personal needs, such as your state of health, your care requirements and your social contacts.

A checklist can help you decide:

• What kind of support do you need in everyday life?
• How important is social interaction to you?
• What leisure activities would you like to continue doing?
• What budget do you have available?
• How important is it to you to be close to your family and friends?

Assisted living: Independent and secure

Assisted living is one of the most popular care home alternatives in Austria. Here, senior citizens live in age-appropriate apartments that they can design according to their own wishes. It offers the perfect mix of independence and security, as help is always available if needed - be it for visits to the doctor, shopping or housekeeping. For seniors like Olaf who want to remain independent for as long as possible, this is a great option.

• Pro: High independence, daily support, own home remains
• Contra: When the need for care increases, a move to a nursing home may be unavoidable

Organizations such as Caritas, Hilfswerk and other welfare organizations offer assisted living throughout Austria. Especially in cities like Vienna, there are numerous customized forms of housing for senior citizens. A walk through the Prater or a visit to a traditional Viennese coffee house can easily be integrated into everyday life. Assisted living offers you the perfect blend of independence and security

Senior shared flats: Together instead of lonely

Another interesting alternative is the senior flat share. Similar to a student flat share, several senior citizens share an apartment where everyone has their own room and the kitchen and living room are shared. Shared activities such as cooking, playing games or watching TV promote a sense of togetherness and prevent loneliness.

Olaf's old friend Wencke has been living in a shared flat for senior citizens near Graz for two years. "It was a change, but now I feel like I did when I was a student. We cook together, go for walks, and if I need help, there's always someone there," she tells Olaf at a coffee meeting.

• Pro: Independence is maintained, social contacts are guaranteed
• Contra: Not ideal for loners or those with higher care needs

This form of living is becoming increasingly popular in cities such as Linz and Salzburg, where communal housing projects are emerging.

Multi-generational living: Young and old under one roof

Multi-generational projects such as "Oase 22" in Vienna create living spaces in which young and old form a community. Families, singles and senior citizens live in the same neighborhood, spend time together and learn from each other. The idea behind it: a lively community in which social isolation is avoided and older residents receive support from younger neighbors when needed.

• Pro: Social life with retreats, vibrant community
• Contra: Long planning times, unclear responsibilities for care services

Multi-generational homes are increasingly popping up in Vienna, Graz and even rural areas such as Burgenland, where senior citizens can remain part of a community.

Residential communities for dementia patients: safety and structure

For people with dementia, residential communities provide a safe and structured environment that allows them to remain as independent as possible. These forms of living are offered by organizations such as Caritas and provide familiar routines and a strong sense of community.

• Pro: community of like-minded people, high autonomy
• Contra: Less contact with people without dementia

Residences for the elderly: Luxurious aging

For financially well-off seniors, retirement residences offer a luxurious way to age in place. These facilities are more like a hotel than a nursing home and offer numerous recreational opportunities - from going to the theater to going on outings together.

• Pro: Individual care in luxurious surroundings
• Contra: High costs, therefore only accessible to a small group

Luxurious retirement residences are particularly popular in urban areas such as Vienna or Innsbruck, where seniors can enjoy a carefree and comfortable life.

Stay at home, live self-determined

Your home is your castle? Then you might want to stay in your own four walls for as long as possible. With a little support, this is often possible. Barrier-free conversions such as a stairlift or a level-access shower make your home safer. Technical aids such as emergency call systems and intelligent household appliances make everyday life easier. And neighborhood help and community projects also keep you socially active.

How to make your home senior-friendly:

• Safety check: Get your home checked for tripping hazards and other sources of danger.
• Help around the house: Intelligent household appliances such as voice assistants or robot vacuum cleaners make everyday life easier.
• emergency call system: An emergency call system gives you peace of mind and allows you to get help quickly in an emergency.

• Accessible bathroom design:A level-access shower and grab rails make the bathroom safer.

Nora's tip: Technological developments for home care 

Smart home solutions enable you to lead a self-determined life in old age. Using voice assistants, YOU can control lights, call up information or be reminded of appointments. Telemedicine services enable regular health monitoring and reduce your need for frequent visits to the doctor.

Help for family caregivers 

Do your loved ones want to stay in their familiar surroundings? Caring for a relative can be very stressful. noracares is here to make your everyday life easier. With our platform, you can quickly and easily find a reliable caregiver to support you. This gives you more time for yourself and allows you to concentrate fully on your relationship with your relative.

Find your personal caregiver - quick and easy with noracares

Have you found the right type of housing for you, but not yet a caregiver? With noracares, the search is child's play. On our platform, you can quickly and easily find qualified caregivers who perfectly match your needs.

Why noracares?

• Large selection: Choose from a pool of vetted caregivers.
• Flexible deployment options: Whether for a few hours or around the clock - find the right solution.
• Personal support: We support you every step of the way.

How it works:

1. Register: Create your profile for free.
2. Become a Premium Member
3. Enter your care request: Describe your needs in detail.
4. Find your caregiver: Browse the profiles and get in touch.

Start your search now and find the ideal caregiver for you or your loved ones!

Financing Nursing Home Alternatives

Funding for care home alternatives can be complex and varies by housing type and region. From care allowances to housing benefits, there are several ways to cover the costs. State support is available for some forms of housing such as assisted living or senior citizens' shared flats. For multi-generational projects or luxurious retirement residences, on the other hand, the costs can be higher and state subsidies are often not enough.

You can find more information on financing options, such as care allowance and housing subsidies, on the website of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) here or in the Ministry of Social Affairs here.

Care allowance and housing benefit

Austria offers care allowance, which is divided into seven levels to cover the necessary care costs. This care allowance can be used to finance care-related expenses in forms of housing such as assisted living or senior citizens' shared flats. In addition, a housing allowance can be applied for to reduce rental costs for senior-friendly accommodation.

Detailed information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs here or at ÖGK here.

Legal basics

The legal regulations for different forms of housing can vary. For example, assisted living and senior shared flats are often regulated by the Home Helpers and Domestic Workers Act (HgHaG). This law stipulates how care workers are employed and what services must be provided. It is important to familiarize yourself with the legal principles that apply to the chosen form of housing to ensure that all requirements are met.

You can find more information about the HgHaG on the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Nora's tip: Legal aspects

A healthcare proxy regulates who may act on your behalf in the event of your incapacity to make decisions. A living will specifies which medical treatments you want or refuse. Both documents are important to safeguard your wishes.

Nora's FAQs

Suitable living form

Financing and bureaucracy

Practical questions

Care at home

 

Aging and care are as unique as the people themselves. Whether it's assisted living, shared apartments for senior citizens or multi-generational projects - there are many ways to make your twilight years comfortable and independent. The key is to find a solution that both covers care needs and offers a high degree of independence.

At noracares, we help you find the right caregiver for every living situation - be it for a senior shared apartment or assisted living. Our platform makes it easy for you to find the ideal support for you or your family quickly and easily. Register now and find the perfect caregiver for your loved ones.

Are you or do you know a caregiver? Register on noracares.at and find the right support for you or your family!

__________________________________________________________

Glossary:

• Assisted living: A form of housing for senior citizens in which residents live in their own apartments and have access to support from care staff if required.
• Care home:A facility where people in need of care are looked after around the clock.
• Senior living community: A flat-sharing community in which several senior citizens share a house or apartment.
• Multi-generational living: A form of housing in which people of different generations live under one roof.
• Dementia: A disease that leads to a progressive loss of mental abilities.
• Care allowance: A state benefit that can help finance care at home or in an institution.
• Housing benefit:A government benefit that helps to reduce housing costs.
• HgHaG: Abbreviation for the Home Helpers and Domestic Workers Act, which regulates the employment of care workers.
• noracares: An online platform that makes it quick and easy to find a suitable caregiver.
• Care level: A classification that describes a person's individual care needs.
• Care directive:A legal declaration in which a person determines who should make decisions for them if they are no longer able to do so themselves.

• Patient decree:A written statement in which a person sets out their wishes regarding medical treatment.