Home Care Will Define Retirement Living in 2026

A fundamental shift in how Australians age

For decades, retirement living and aged care were seen as two separate stages. In 2026, that line has largely disappeared. According to the PwC–RLC Retirement Census 2024, 79% of retirement villages now offer regulated home care services, fundamentally redefining what it means to downsize.

Rather than moving from the family home to a village, then later to residential aged care, Australians increasingly expect to remain in one community as their needs change. This shift is not only practical — it reflects deep emotional and psychological priorities around independence, dignity and continuity.

Ageing in place becomes the norm

For Ruth (78), widowed and managing declining mobility, the appeal of integrated home care is simple: she wants to stay in control of her life. “I don’t want to move again,” she says. “I just want support when I need it.”

Ruth’s priorities reflect a growing cohort of older Australians who are proactively planning for future care, not reacting to a crisis. Retirement villages with onsite or partner-delivered care allow residents to increase or decrease support without upheaval.

This model aligns with national policy goals around ageing in place and reduces pressure on residential aged care facilities.

“The future of retirement living isn’t about moving again — it’s about staying put with the right support.”

Families want reassurance, not complexity

For Anna (55), researching villages for her father, care integration is often the deciding factor. She’s not just comparing floorplans — she’s assessing risk. Retirement Village Payment Options | Downsizing.com.au

Her questions are common:

• What happens if Dad falls?

• Can care be increased without moving?

• Who coordinates services?

• Are carers regulated?

PwC data confirms that families increasingly drive decision-making, and villages that clearly explain their care pathways build significantly more trust. Editorial education — particularly around how home care differs from residential aged care — is critical for this persona. Support at Home program | My Aged Care

Care as a lifestyle enabler, not a limitation

For Claire (68), recently divorced and living alone, integrated care represents peace of mind. She doesn’t need help now, but knowing it’s available reduces anxiety.

This emotional reassurance is often overlooked. Care integration isn’t just about physical health — it’s about confidence, autonomy and reducing fear of the future.

Villages that frame care as a support system, rather than a signal of decline, resonate strongly with cautious and vulnerable buyers.

How villages are adapting in 2026

Modern retirement communities now include:

• Care coordination staff

• Partnerships with Aged Care providers

• Emergency response systems

• Wellness monitoring

• Allied health access

• Transitional care pathways

Vertical villages, in particular, are well suited to integrated care due to centralised layouts and proximity to medical precincts.

The affordability dimension of care

For Jenny and Paul (73 & 74), care integration also has a financial dimension. Private home care outside a village can be expensive and fragmented. Village-based care often offers better coordination and cost efficiency.

In 2026, affordability discussions increasingly include future care costs — not just housing.

The bottom line

Home care is no longer an optional extra. It is a defining feature of retirement living in 2026 — and a powerful driver of confidence, continuity and wellbeing for residents and families alike.