What is the difference between an assisted living apartment and residential aged care?

The main difference comes down to the level of support and independence. Assisted living apartments are ideal for people who are mostly independent but benefit from help with everyday tasks like meals, cleaning, and personal care. You live in your own private apartment and enjoy access to village amenities, dining, and social activities. Residential aged care is designed for those who require ongoing, higher-level support. This may include assistance with mobility, medication management, and complex health needs, along with all meals and personal care. Residential aged care is delivered in a dedicated care centre, with professional staff available 24/7.

What support services are included?

At Ryman, assisted living is all about personalised support that suits your lifestyle. Our serviced apartments come with a selection of services designed to make everyday life more comfortable and enjoyable. Support options may include: Fresh, chef-prepared meals served daily in the village dining room; Regular housekeeping and laundry services; Help with personal care, such as dressing or managing medications; A 24/7 emergency call system for peace of mind; Full access to village amenities and activity programmes; Transport options for outings, appointments, and errands. We offer different levels of support, so you can choose the services that best match your needs and preferences.

How can I tell if a loved one needs a little extra support?

It's not always easy to recognise when someone close to you may benefit from assisted living or residential aged care. But noticing the signs early can help ensure they receive the right support at the right time. Here are some common indicators to look out for: Changes in personal hygiene or grooming habits; Difficulty keeping track of medications or appointments; Unexplained bruises or frequent falls; Household chores left undone or bills unpaid; Withdrawing from social activities or noticeable mood shifts; Weight loss or signs of poor nutrition; Memory lapses that affect daily routines. If you're seeing several of these signs, it might be time to explore assisted living options. At Ryman, we're here to guide you through the process with empathy and care, helping you make informed decisions for your loved one.

What is the average cost of an assisted living apartment?

The cost of an assisted living or serviced apartment in Australia can vary depending on factors such as location, apartment size, level of support required, and features like orientation or scenic views. At Ryman, we believe in transparent pricing – so you'll always know exactly what you're paying for. Generally, costs include: An entry payment that gives you the right to occupy the apartment; A weekly fee covering services such as meals, cleaning, and access to village amenities; A deferred management fee (DMF). This is your contribution to the ongoing operation of the village, deducted when you leave. To find pricing for serviced apartments in your area, visit our Find a Village page. Simply filter by location and select the village you're interested in. If apartments are available, prices will be listed alongside the details.

Find a village
Choose a village community that fits your personality and lifestyle.

Find a village >
Living options
Blaze your own trail with our choice of living options. Plan for the future with care on site.

Living options >
About Ryman
Always adapting, always pushing further to better serve you.

Why choose Ryman >
Investors
Sustainably creating value while providing the best of retirement living and care for residents.

Investor centre >
Careers

Call 1800 288 299

Assisted living

INDEPENDENCE WITH SUPPORT

Assisted-living apartments provide you with support that makes life easier, like housekeeping and a chef-prepared meal every day. It’s great for you, and reassuring for your family, because they know you’re being looked after. Best of all, that extra support creates more time for fun!

Apartments are located in the heart of the village, with easy access to everything the village has to offer. Your balcony is a great place to while away the evening with a good book or to watch the daily activities of the village community. It’s also the perfect spot to grow herbs and display colourful pot plants.

It’s the feeling of togetherness that’s the real icing on the cake for our assisted-living apartment residents. With a variety of outings, regular transport options and endless opportunities to join in with activities when you feel like it.

AN apartment lifestyle

The living is certainly easy in our beautiful assisted-living apartments. Light and spacious with a seamless flow throughout, you’ll find everything is at your fingertips.

You’ll have a kitchenette with a fridge-freezer and microwave, a separate bedroom and a private ensuite.* Call bells mean help is always there, as they are monitored 24 hours a day by
on-site staff.

Natural ambient light cascades from glass doors in your living area which flows through to your balcony or terrace. A neutral colour palette means you can style and furnish your apartment just the way you like it.

*Apartment layouts can vary, please check with your local village.

Your weekly fee for assisted living covers:

rates, water rates, and building insurance
gardening and ground maintenance
maintaining and operating the community amenities
our Engage activities programme, including musical entertainment, fashion shows, arts and crafts, and regular outings
our Triple A exercise programme, including classes such as Functional Fitness, circuit, or ‘sit and be fit’
exterior maintenance of your apartment, including inside and outside window cleaning
social time at our weekly Happy Hour
call bells monitored 24 hours a day by our on-site staff
village management and administration
scheduled transport services and outings.

Assisted-living residents also receive:

a daily main meal – three choices, including a vegetarian option
daily morning and afternoon tea
towels provided
linen changed weekly — or as needed
housekeeping
electricity and heating
regular outings to the shops and further afield.

Ryman’s assisted living apartments – also known as serviced apartments – are purpose-built for older Australians who want to maintain their independence while enjoying a little extra support with day-to-day living. Support services may include freshly prepared meals, regular cleaning, and assistance with personal care.

These apartments come in a variety of layouts, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options. Each features a private ensuite and a handy kitchenette. Located close to the village centre, they offer convenient access to amenities, dining areas, and social activities, making it easy to stay connected with the village community.

At Ryman, assisted living is all about personalised support that suits your lifestyle. Our serviced apartments come with a selection of services designed to make everyday life more comfortable and enjoyable.

Support options may include:

Fresh, chef-prepared meals served daily in the village dining room
Regular housekeeping and laundry services
Help with personal care, such as dressing or managing medications
A 24/7 emergency call system for peace of mind
Full access to village amenities and activity programmes
Transport options for outings, appointments, and errands

We offer different l levels of support, so you can choose the services that best match your needs and preferences.

The cost of an assisted living or serviced apartment in Australia can vary depending on factors such as location, apartment size, level of support required, and features like orientation or scenic views.

At Ryman, we believe in transparent pricing – so you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for.

Generally, costs include:

An entry payment that gives you the right to occupy the apartment
A weekly fee covering services such as meals, cleaning, and access to village amenities
A deferred management fee (DMF). This is your contribution to the ongoing operation of the village, deducted when you leave

To find pricing for serviced apartments in your area, visit our Find a Village page. Simply filter by location and select the village you’re interested in. If apartments are available, prices will be listed alongside the details.

The main difference comes down to the level of support and independence.

Assisted living apartments are ideal for people who are mostly independent but benefit from help with everyday tasks like meals, cleaning, and personal care. You live in your own private apartment and enjoy access to village amenities, dining, and social activities.
Residential aged care is designed for those who require ongoing, higher-level support. This may include assistance with mobility, medication management, and complex health needs, along with all meals and personal care. Residential aged care is delivered in a dedicated care centre, with professional staff available 24/7.

It’s not always easy to recognise when someone close to you may benefit from assisted living or residential aged care. But noticing the signs early can help ensure they receive the right support at the right time.

Here are some common indicators to look out for:

Changes in personal hygiene or grooming habits
Difficulty keeping track of medications or appointments
Unexplained bruises or frequent falls
Household chores left undone or bills unpaid
Withdrawing from social activities or noticeable mood shifts
Weight loss or signs of poor nutrition
Memory lapses that affect daily routines

If you’re seeing several of these signs, it might be time to explore assisted living options. At Ryman, we’re here to guide you through the process with empathy and care, helping you make informed decisions for your loved one.

Something Powerful

Tell The Reader More

Assisted living

INDEPENDENCE WITH SUPPORT

RYMAN GUIDES

ENID'S STORY

"You couldn't better it."

AN apartment lifestyle

THE MAIN HUBS

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Your weekly fee for assisted living covers:

Assisted-living residents also receive:

FIND A RYMAN RETIREMENT VILLAGE NEAR YOU

ENQUIRE NOW

TRIPLE A EXERCISE

Our menus

GET IN TOUCH