{"id":1165,"date":"2025-07-17T03:23:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T03:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/?p=1165"},"modified":"2025-07-17T03:23:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T03:23:21","slug":"how-do-i-keep-the-family-home-and-still-pay-for-aged-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/2025\/07\/17\/how-do-i-keep-the-family-home-and-still-pay-for-aged-care\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Keep the Family Home and Still Pay for Aged Care?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"246\" data-end=\"446\">For many Australians, the family home is more than just bricks and mortar \u2014 it\u2019s security, memories, and legacy. So, when a loved one is moving into aged care, the big question families often face is, <strong data-start=\"448\" data-end=\"502\">\u201chow do I keep the family home and still pay for aged care?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"504\" data-end=\"696\">Thankfully, <strong data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"565\">selling the home isn\u2019t always the only option<\/strong>. With smart financial advice and careful planning, many families can preserve the home while still meeting the costs of aged care.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"698\" data-end=\"701\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"703\" data-end=\"764\">\ud83d\udca1 Option 1: Keep the Home and Pay a DAP Instead of a RAD<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"766\" data-end=\"983\">A <strong data-start=\"768\" data-end=\"810\">RAD (Refundable Accommodation Deposit)<\/strong> can often be hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you\u2019d prefer not to sell the home to pay this upfront, you can opt to pay a <strong data-start=\"937\" data-end=\"974\">DAP (Daily Accommodation Payment)<\/strong> instead.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myagedcare.gov.au\/understanding-aged-care-home-accommodation-costs\">Here&#8217;s some options<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1200\">\n<li data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1059\">\n<p data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1059\">Think of the DAP like <em data-start=\"1009\" data-end=\"1015\">rent<\/em> \u2014 calculated daily on the unpaid RAD amount<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1060\" data-end=\"1128\">\n<p data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1128\">Interest is charged at the government-set <strong data-start=\"1104\" data-end=\"1128\">MPIR (currently ~8%)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1129\" data-end=\"1200\">\n<p data-start=\"1131\" data-end=\"1200\">You can even have the DAP deducted from other assets or cash reserves<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1302\">\ud83d\udc49 This option lets you <strong data-start=\"1226\" data-end=\"1258\">retain ownership of the home<\/strong>, while still securing a place in aged care.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1304\" data-end=\"1307\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"1309\" data-end=\"1374\">\ud83e\uddee Option 2: Use a Combination Strategy (Part RAD \/ Part DAP)<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1376\" data-end=\"1488\">If the home generates <strong data-start=\"1398\" data-end=\"1415\">rental income<\/strong>, or you have access to other funds, a <strong data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1473\">hybrid strategy<\/strong> may work best.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1490\" data-end=\"1646\">\n<li data-start=\"1490\" data-end=\"1541\">\n<p data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1541\">Pay a <em data-start=\"1498\" data-end=\"1507\">portion<\/em> of the RAD to reduce DAP interest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1589\">\n<p data-start=\"1544\" data-end=\"1589\">Use other income or assets to manage the rest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1590\" data-end=\"1646\">\n<p data-start=\"1592\" data-end=\"1646\">This strategy can protect long-term equity in the home<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1648\" data-end=\"1766\">We regularly model these options for families to help choose what\u2019s most cost-effective <em data-start=\"1736\" data-end=\"1765\">and emotionally sustainable<\/em>.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1768\" data-end=\"1771\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"1773\" data-end=\"1830\">\ud83d\udc75 What If a Spouse or Dependant Still Lives at Home?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1832\" data-end=\"2014\">If the <strong data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1888\">former home is occupied by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.servicesaustralia.gov.au\/aged-care-carer-or-close-relative-assessment-for-aged-cost-care?context=23296\">protected person<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 like a spouse, child with a disability, or carer \u2014 it may be <strong data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"1982\">exempt from the means test<\/strong> for a period (or indefinitely).<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2016\" data-end=\"2182\">\u2714\ufe0f This means the home won\u2019t be counted as an assessable asset by Centrelink or the aged care means test<br data-start=\"2120\" data-end=\"2123\" \/>\u2714\ufe0f Pension and aged care costs can be significantly reduced<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2187\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"2189\" data-end=\"2235\">\ud83d\udcbc Option 3: Consider Renting the Property<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2237\" data-end=\"2346\">If no protected person remains in the home, <strong data-start=\"2281\" data-end=\"2299\">renting it out<\/strong> may help fund aged care costs without selling:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2348\" data-end=\"2556\">\n<li data-start=\"2348\" data-end=\"2414\">\n<p data-start=\"2350\" data-end=\"2414\">Income can help cover DAPs, daily care fees or means-tested fees<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2415\" data-end=\"2488\">\n<p data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2488\">Be mindful: <strong data-start=\"2429\" data-end=\"2459\">rental income <em data-start=\"2445\" data-end=\"2449\">is<\/em> counted<\/strong> in aged care means testing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2489\" data-end=\"2556\">\n<p data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2556\">Get advice on tax implications and structuring income effectively<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2671\">This can also help <strong data-start=\"2577\" data-end=\"2621\">maintain eligibility for the Age Pension<\/strong>, depending on how income and assets are assessed.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2673\" data-end=\"2676\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"2678\" data-end=\"2727\">\ud83d\udd10 Option 4: Use Other Financial Assets First<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2729\" data-end=\"2865\">Rather than liquidating the family home, it may be smarter to use <strong data-start=\"2795\" data-end=\"2835\">cash, superannuation, or investments<\/strong> to pay aged care costs first.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2867\" data-end=\"2888\">\ud83d\udcac This approach can:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2889\" data-end=\"3073\">\n<li data-start=\"2889\" data-end=\"2931\">\n<p data-start=\"2891\" data-end=\"2931\">Preserve the home for future inheritance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2932\" data-end=\"2999\">\n<p data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"2999\">Offer flexibility if the family later decides to sell or downsize<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3000\" data-end=\"3073\">\n<p data-start=\"3002\" data-end=\"3073\">Minimise stress and decision-making during a time of emotional upheaval<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"3075\" data-end=\"3078\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"3080\" data-end=\"3110\">\u2757 Don&#8217;t Act Without Advice<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3231\">Making decisions about the family home and aged care <strong data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3202\">without expert financial guidance<\/strong> can lead to costly mistakes.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3233\" data-end=\"3285\">At <strong data-start=\"3236\" data-end=\"3266\">Trusted Aged Care Services<\/strong>, we specialise in:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3287\" data-end=\"3481\">\n<li data-start=\"3287\" data-end=\"3330\">\n<p data-start=\"3289\" data-end=\"3330\">Protecting the family home where possible<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3331\" data-end=\"3361\">\n<p data-start=\"3333\" data-end=\"3361\">Navigating RAD\/DAP decisions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3362\" data-end=\"3398\">\n<p data-start=\"3364\" data-end=\"3398\">Maximising Centrelink entitlements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3399\" data-end=\"3481\">\n<p data-start=\"3401\" data-end=\"3481\">Developing aged care strategies that respect family values <em data-start=\"3460\" data-end=\"3465\">and<\/em> financial goals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"3483\" data-end=\"3486\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3542\">\u2705 You <em data-start=\"3497\" data-end=\"3502\">Can<\/em> Keep the Home \u2014 With the Right Strategy<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3544\" data-end=\"3694\">Every family\u2019s situation is different. Whether your goal is to protect inheritance, keep the home in the family, or reduce stress, we\u2019re here to help.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3696\" data-end=\"3820\">\ud83d\udcde <a href=\"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/contact\/\"><strong data-start=\"3699\" data-end=\"3737\">Contact Trusted Aged Care Services<\/strong><\/a> today for a confidential, obligation-free conversation about the best way forward.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3473\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For many Australians, the family home is more than just bricks and mortar \u2014 it\u2019s security, memories, and legacy. So, when a loved one is moving into aged care, the big question families often face is, \u201chow do I keep the family home and still pay for aged care?\u201d Thankfully, selling the home isn\u2019t always [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[132,133,134,135,136,137,138,139],"class_list":["post-1165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aged-care","tag-aged-care-costs-explained","tag-aged-care-financial-advice-gold-coast","tag-aged-care-rad-vs-dap","tag-aged-care-strategies-australia","tag-aged-care-without-selling-house","tag-do-i-have-to-sell-the-home-for-aged-care","tag-keep-the-family-home-aged-care","tag-protect-home-aged-care"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trustedagedcare.com.au\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}