A new partnership between retirement living and home care providers is designed to help older Australians access support earlier while remaining in control of where and how they receive care.

Retirement living residents will receive easier access to information, care navigation and wellbeing services under a new collaboration between Keyton and Silverchain.

The initiative is aimed at supporting residents as their health and care needs change, without requiring them to leave their homes or retirement communities.

Residents will be able to decide if, when and how they access support, and will remain free to choose the provider that best meets their needs.

Keyton chief executive Paul Martin said the partnership reflected the growing desire among older Australians to remain independent for as long as possible.

“People want the confidence to remain living independently in the communities they love, even as their needs evolve,” Mr Martin said.

“With Keyton’s expertise in retirement living and Silverchain’s experience in navigating the care system, we are creating a connected and supportive experience for residents.”

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says most Australians aged 65 and over who use aged care services receive support in their own homes.

About 800,000 people aged 65 and over used home support services in 2021 to 2022, while almost 213,000 were using home care at 30 June 2022.

By comparison, about 185,000 people aged 65 and over were using residential aged care at that time.

The figures reflect a preference among many older Australians to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving help with tasks such as personal care, domestic work, nursing, transport and allied health.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data also shows 95.9 per cent of Australians aged 65 and over were living in households in 2022, while 4.1 per cent lived in cared accommodation.

However, the need for support can increase with age. The ABS found 52.3 per cent of people aged 65 and over had a disability and 39.8 per cent of older people living at home needed assistance with everyday activities.

Silverchain chief executive Dale Fisher said helping people understand their options earlier could make the care system easier to navigate.

“Our ambition is to create a better home care system for all Australians,” Ms Fisher said.

“Collaborations like this help us realise that ambition by connecting more people with the care they need to remain healthy and independent at home.”

Under the initiative, Silverchain staff will provide Keyton residents with information and care navigation support. Residents will also have the option to contact Silverchain directly about services including personal care, nursing and allied health.

“We know the care system can be difficult to navigate, so Silverchain’s experts will be available to support Keyton residents to find and access services to help maintain their health and wellbeing,” Ms Fisher said.

The Australian population is ageing, with people aged 65 and over accounting for 17.1 per cent of the population in 2022, or about 4.4 million people.

Women made up 53 per cent of Australians aged 65 and over, according to the AIHW. Women also accounted for 65 per cent of people aged 65 and over using home support services in 2021 to 2022.

The AIHW data shows that home care use increases among older age groups. At 30 June 2022, 41 per cent of people aged 65 and over using home care were aged 85 and over.

Information and care navigation services are available to Keyton residents, ahead of the formal launch of the wider wellbeing and care program in the new year.