Maintaining independence in a residential aged care home
05/03/2026
Many Australians believe that moving into residential aged care means losing their independence.
The 2024 Residential Aged Care Insights found that around half of Australians considering aged care, fear losing their independence. Residents themselves often describe the opposite.
At Anglicare Sydney’s Roden Cutler Lodge in Gordon, 14km northwest of Sydney’s CBD, choice is part of everyday life. Residents decide what their days look like, from painting and flower arranging to playing mahjong or spending time in the gardens. Each person is encouraged to do what they enjoy and supported to keep living life according to their unique wish.
For many, that sense of comfort and control comes as a surprise. What they find is a home that’s warm, supportive, and built around the people who live there.
Every day at Roden Cutler Lodge starts with the people who live there. When a new resident arrives, the team sits down to learn about their interests. What have they always loved doing? What might they like to try?
Lifestyle Coordinator Robyn Keavy (pictured above right) said, “All our activities are person-centred. It’s important because everyone has different needs, whether physical or cognitive. Everything is personal for the resident.”
This approach means no two days ever feel the same.
“On our activity program, we’ve got floral arranging, knitting, indoor carpet bowls, cooking, card games, mahjong and bridge,” Robyn says. “And if a resident comes and says, ‘I used to play this,’ we’ll introduce it.”
Most importantly, residents are free to choose what feels right for them. As resident Alan explains, living at Roden Cutler Lodge is “completely different” to what he expected, and he doesn’t feel limited living here.
“I can go out quite often and have a meal with friends. My daughters take me out for a drive somewhere,” he says.
Resident Denise says it’s that sense of freedom that surprised her most. “The residents have quite a bit of say in what they’d like to do, and that makes a big difference. You’re not regimented.”
Please visit a residential aged care home and see for yourself.