Choosing where and how you live is deeply personal. When weighing up in-home care versus group homes, the best option is not about what works for someone else. It is about the support that helps you feel safe, respected, connected and in control of your own life.
For some people, staying at home with the right support makes everyday routines more manageable while protecting familiar relationships, habits and independence. For others, a shared living arrangement may offer the structure, company or around-the-clock assistance they are looking for. Both can be valuable options. The key is understanding what each looks like in real life, and how it fits with your goals.
What does in-home care look like?
In-home care means receiving support in your own home, whether you live alone, with family, with a partner or in a shared household. Support is shaped around your routines and the areas where you would like a hand, rather than asking you to fit into someone else’s timetable.
This could mean help getting ready in the morning, preparing meals, keeping on top of laundry and household tasks, travelling to appointments, or building confidence with cooking, budgeting and other independent living skills. It can also include support to get out into the community, spend time with friends, attend activities or explore new interests.
The level of support can change as your needs and goals change. You may want a few hours each week to help maintain your home, regular personal care at set times, or more flexible support during a busy period. Some people also use short-term accommodation when they would like a change of routine or when informal supports need a planned break.
The biggest feature of in-home care is that your life remains centred on your own home and preferences. You choose how you want your day to feel, from the music playing while you make breakfast to when you would prefer support workers to visit.
What are group homes?
The term “group home” is commonly used to describe a shared living arrangement where several people live together and receive support. You may also hear terms such as supported accommodation or shared supported living. The exact setup can vary widely, so it is worth asking detailed questions rather than assuming every home operates in the same way.
Some shared homes have support staff available for much of the day or overnight. Residents may have their own bedroom and share living areas, meals, transport or household routines. Others may offer more individual space and greater flexibility. The right arrangement depends on the home, the people living there and the support model in place.
A group home can suit someone who enjoys living with others, would feel reassured by regular staff presence, or needs support that is difficult to arrange in a private home. It can create opportunities for social connection, shared activities and help close by.
At the same time, shared living means compromise. You may need to coordinate with housemates, follow household systems, or have less say over things such as meal times, visitors, noise and the use of common spaces. These are not necessarily negatives, but they matter when deciding what feels like home to you.
In-home care versus group homes: the everyday differences
The practical differences often come down to choice, privacy, support availability and social connection.
With in-home care, you generally keep greater control over your surroundings and daily routine. You decide where you live, how your space is organised and who comes into your home. Support workers come to you, with assistance planned around the times and activities that matter to you. This can be especially meaningful if you have strong ties to your neighbourhood, family, pets, local services or community.
In a group home, support may be available more consistently within the house. That can provide peace of mind for people who need frequent assistance or prefer not to be alone for long periods. However, the support is often delivered in a shared environment, so staff attention and household decisions may need to be balanced across several residents.
Social connection looks different in each option too. Group homes can make casual day-to-day interaction easier if you enjoy being around others. But living with people does not automatically mean feeling connected. In-home care can also support a rich social life by helping you visit friends, join local groups, attend events or build confidence using transport. The question is not simply whether you will be around people. It is whether you can build relationships that feel genuine and enjoyable to you.
Questions that can help you decide
There is no single checklist that can make this decision for you, but honest conversations about daily life can bring clarity. Think about what helps you feel settled, capable and yourself.
You might consider how much privacy you want, whether you enjoy sharing a home, and how often you need support during the day or night. It can also help to think about your current routines: Do you want to stay close to family, friends, work, study or familiar places? Are there skills you want to build in your own home? Would regular company at home feel welcome, or would it feel limiting?
Financial and funding arrangements also need careful consideration. NDIS funding is individual and based on your circumstances, goals and reasonable and necessary supports. It is not safe to assume that one housing or support option will be funded in the same way as another. A provider, plan manager, nominee or trusted support person can help you understand the practical details, but your preferences should remain central to the conversation.
If you are considering a particular group home, visiting more than once can be helpful. Notice whether residents appear comfortable, whether staff speak respectfully, and whether people seem to have real choices in their day. Ask how routines are set, how visitors are welcomed, how meals and transport are organised, and what happens if you do not get along with a housemate.
If you are considering in-home support, ask how workers are matched, how consistency is supported, and how you can adjust services if your routine changes. Feeling comfortable with the people providing support matters just as much as the tasks they assist with.
When in-home care may be the better fit
In-home care may suit you if your priority is remaining in a familiar place while receiving practical help to live life your way. It can be a strong option for people who value privacy, have established local connections or want to develop everyday skills within their own routine.
It can also work well when family members or housemates are part of your life but need dependable, clearly planned support around them. The aim is not to take over. Good support creates space for you to make decisions, practise skills and do as much for yourself as you choose.
For participants across Port Macquarie and the Mid-North Coast, IncludeCare provides flexible in-home and community support built around personal goals, routines and meaningful connection. A free meet-and-greet can be a relaxed way to talk through what support might feel right before making any commitment.
When a group home may be the better fit
A group home may be worth exploring if you need frequent support, would benefit from staff being close by, or genuinely want to share a household with others. It may also be an option when your current home no longer meets your access, safety or support needs.
Still, choosing shared living should never mean giving up your voice. You deserve to be involved in decisions about where you live, who supports you, how your home runs and what a good day looks like. If a proposed arrangement does not feel respectful or right, it is okay to keep asking questions and explore alternatives.
Give yourself permission to choose carefully
Housing and support choices do not have to be rushed into because they affect the ordinary moments that make up your life: a quiet cup of tea, seeing the people you care about, choosing dinner, heading out when you want to, and feeling comfortable in your own space.
Take the time to picture your preferred day, not just the support you need. The right option is the one that gives you the strongest foundation to feel at home, build confidence and keep making your own choices.