Aged care options in Healesville and the Yarra Valley

Finding the right aged care option for someone you love is one of the most important decisions a family can make. If you are searching for aged care in Healesville, the Yarra Valley, or the surrounding Yarra Ranges, this guide will walk you through what is available locally, what to look for, and how to take the next step.

What aged care options are available in the Yarra Valley?
The Yarra Valley and Yarra Ranges region has a small number of residential aged care facilities, which means families need to plan ahead rather than assume a place will be available at short notice. The options in and around Healesville include both permanent residential care and short-term respite care, with varying levels of specialisation in areas like dementia support and palliative care.
At Holmwood, located at 17-19 Lalors Road in Healesville, we offer permanent residential aged care, respite care, dementia-friendly care, and palliative care, all within a single facility that has been part of the Healesville community for more than 40 years.

Permanent residential aged care
Permanent residential aged care is full-time accommodation with 24-hour nursing support for older Australians who can no longer live safely at home. It is the most comprehensive level of care available and is suitable for people with complex medical needs, advanced dementia, significant frailty, or other conditions requiring ongoing clinical oversight.
For families in Healesville, Yarra Glen, Coldstream, Gruyere, Seville, Woori Yallock, and across the Yarra Ranges, choosing a local facility means you can remain close and visit often. That ongoing connection makes a genuine difference to a resident’s quality of life.

Respite care in the Yarra Valley
Respite care is a short-term stay in a residential aged care facility, designed to give family carers a break or to support someone recovering after a hospital admission. It can be planned in advance or arranged at short notice in an emergency.
Holmwood offers respite care places subject to availability. If you are a carer in the Yarra Valley who needs temporary support, or if your loved one has recently been discharged from a hospital such as Maroondah Hospital or the Austin and needs a period of supported recovery, respite care at Holmwood may be a suitable option.

Dementia care in the Yarra Valley
Dementia care requires a specialised approach, a prepared environment, and staff who are trained in person-centred dementia support. At Holmwood, our dementia-friendly care model focuses on meaningful activity, sensory engagement, practical independence, and a calm, familiar environment that reduces anxiety and supports wellbeing.
For families in the Yarra Ranges caring for someone living with dementia, finding a facility that truly understands the condition, rather than simply managing it, is critical. We encourage families to ask specific questions about dementia care approaches when visiting any facility.

How do I know which option is right?
The right type of care depends on your loved one’s current needs and how those needs are likely to change over time. A useful starting point is the Single Assessment System, formerly known as ACAT, which is a free government assessment that determines eligibility for residential aged care and other aged care services.
You can initiate an assessment by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or applying online. If your family member is currently in hospital at Austin Health, Eastern Health, or another local facility, the hospital’s discharge planning team can arrange the assessment on your behalf before they leave.

What should I look for when choosing an aged care home?
When visiting facilities in the Yarra Valley, there are a few things worth paying close attention to beyond the brochure:

• How do staff interact with residents when they do not know you are watching?
• Does the home feel calm and welcoming, or busy and institutional?
• Are residents engaged and occupied, or sitting quietly with little stimulation?
• Can you speak directly with the facility manager and clinical team?
• Is the home transparent about fees, vacancies, and care approaches?

At Holmwood, we actively encourage families to visit unannounced as well as by appointment. We are confident in what we offer and welcome the opportunity to show you around properly.

Why families across the Yarra Valley choose Holmwood
Holmwood has been caring for older people in Healesville since the early 1980s. We are Australian-owned and locally operated, with a team that includes long-serving staff who know the community well. Every decision made at Holmwood is made with our residents in mind.

For families travelling from Lilydale, Chirnside Park, Mooroolbark, Eltham, Diamond Creek, or further afield in Melbourne’s north-east, Holmwood is a manageable drive through some of Victoria’s most beautiful countryside.

If you would like to arrange a visit or simply have a conversation about what we offer, please contact our team on (03) 5962 4321. You can also find more information on our Our Care page or our Getting Started page.