Last episode we spoke all about the different types of home care services available in Australia and this week we're discussing HOW to access them. In this episode I unpack: How to contact My Aged Care What to request when you speak with someone What to say to best highlight your needs What an ACAT assessment looks like What you need to prepare for an assessment How long an assessment goes for What happens after your assessment If you want to contact My Aged Care to arrange an assessment for yourself or a loved one, you can do so by calling 1800 200 422.  As discussed in this episode ..read more

Happy Wednesday! Today's episode is one I've touched on previously, but that can always use an update - Home Care Services! 80% of ageing Australians want to remain in their own home, so how can we do that? In this episode we talk about: How and why to contact My Aged Care The different types of aged care assessments The varying home care programs and their pros/cons What is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), who is eligible, what does it cost and how do you access it? What is a Home Care Package (HCP), who is eligible, what does it cost and how do you access it? And what is th ..read more

Do you dread contacting Centrelink? Someone can do that for you! Do you want help accessing a Home Care Package? Someone can do that for you! Do you need to downsize but can't physically pack all your belongings? Someone can do that for you! Today we're breaking down eight key aged care support services that you may not know exist. These services can help simplify your aged care journey by outsourcing support from experts in particular fields.  AGED CARE PLANNERS AGED CARE PLACEMENT CONSULTANTS AGED CARE FINANCIAL ADVISORS AGED CARE SOLICITORS CENTRELINK ASSISTANCE SENIORS HOME OFFICE A ..read more

I regularly have people comment ‘I didn’t know people like you existed!’ when we first meet. People typically don’t go looking for aged care services until they need them and if you don’t know what is available it’s hard to find the right fit for your needs. The lovely ladies from SALT Directory saw this gap in the sector and decided to assist many ageing Australians and their families to get simpler access to services. The SALT Directory provides a comprehensive guide of specialised aged care services - many you might not know existed! Each member is vetted to ensure they're of a standard KK ..read more

When caring for vulnerable loved ones we can feel a need to protect them and remove any potential risk. Whilst this is a natural response, it's so important that when caring for loved ones with dementia we constantly balance their safety with their right to freedom and autonomy. When we put ourselves in their shoes and consider what choices they would make if they didn't have dementia, we start to make decisions more holistically that uphold their wishes, rights and values. Todays episode is all about how we manage risk when it comes to loved ones living with dementia. I talk about various sc ..read more

Is Mum still safe driving to the shops? Is Grandpa making himself nutritious meals? Should Aunty Greta have a few less glasses of brandy in the evening? Wouldn’t Dad be less stressed if he had someone to care for him? Dignity of risk is another way of saying you have the right to live the life you choose, even if your choices involve some risk. Dignity of risk does not mean turning a blind eye and ignoring any dangers to your loved one’s health or wellbeing. Dignity of risk does mean having respectful, supportive conversations – identifying risks and creating plans together. In today's episod ..read more

In the last episode of the podcast we talked about the concept of an 'Annual Check-in'. A time to pause and take stock on how your ageing loved one is progressing and if they need any additional support. In episode 73, we're talking about what to do if they are declining. Number 1 - don’t panic! Depending on the severity of the decline, there are so many different paths we could go down. Sometimes it doesn’t require the initial ‘panic stations’ that it might feel like when you realise their condition has changed. CALL ME Seriously, I work with a lot of families who notice their loved ones de ..read more

E71 is one of my passion topics... Advance Care Directives. These documents have slightly different names and formats in each state and territory, but they're essentially a document that details your wishes for future health care, end of life planning, living arrangements and other personal matters . In today's episode I discuss: - What is an Advance Care Directive? - How do I find out what it's called in my state/territory? - Why should I have an Advance Care Directive? - What if my family already know what I want? For more details on Advance Care Planning please head to www.advancecareplan ..read more

Welcome back to The Truth About Ageing podcast! Today we're talking all things Advance Care Planning. In South Australia, there are three key succession planning documents that can help your family as you are ageing and once you die - a will, Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and Advance Care Directive (ACD).** In case you’re wondering what the difference between these documents is and what roles they play… a very high level, simple summary is: WILL A legal document with instructions for who you want to inherit your estate, care for your children and be the executor of your estate. ENDURING ..read more

The theme for October is 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' and in last fortnights episode I discussed how to know when it might be time to move. In today's episode I unpack what those next steps might be. In Australia we're incredibly lucky to have many housing options available to Seniors, each with varying levels of support. Today I discuss: Independent Living Units / Retirement Villages Serviced apartments Semi-support living If you would like to have a chat about which option might work best for you or your loved one, please head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au/services and book a free 15 min ..read more