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Navigating Home Care Packages: A Content and Usability Analysis of Consumer‐Facing Information on Aged Care Provider Websites

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Australasian Journal on Ageing

Published online on

Abstract

["Australasian Journal on Ageing, Volume 45, Issue 2, June 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\n\nObjectives\nThe global population of people aged 60 years and above is growing. With this, there is a rising need for home care services and demand for online health information to facilitate the decision‐making among older adults and promote consumer‐directed care. This exploratory study aimed to examine how aged care provider websites present and structure information about Home Care Packages (HCPs) to support consumer decision‐making.\n\n\nMethods\nA web‐based content analysis of Australian provider websites was conducted by accessing websites using Google Chrome in incognito mode and using an evaluation tool that assessed language readability (Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level scores), usability features Web Content (Accessibility Guidelines V2.0) and the relevance and depth of HCP information. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSSv.29. Qualitative data were analysed using deductive content analysis. Data were extracted into Microsoft Excel and deductively coded using the structured evaluation tool developed for this study. Coded content was then narratively synthesised, augmented by researcher notes and illustrative quotes.\n\n\nResults\nFrom 25 systematically sampled websites, the median Flesch Reading Ease score was 52.5 (IQR 12.52) corresponding to a high school reading level of 10th–12th grade. Most sites featured small text (n = 21) and inconsistent information regarding services, pricing and case management. None of the websites in this analysis was found to be both user‐friendly and comprehensive in their HCP content.\n\n\nConclusions\nPoor usability and inconsistent information may limit older adults' ability to access and understand HCP details, reducing engagement with these online resources.\n\n"]