Aged care articles

Happy senior woman looking at her carer.

How much is carer payment and allowance?

Caring for someone you love is a noble and vital role, but it can also bring about financial challenges. Whether you're looking after an elderly family member, a sick friend, or a disabled loved one, the costs of caregiving can add up. That's…
Senior man sitting on bed.

The Five Aged Care Mistakes To Avoid

This blog post is aimed at providing valuable insights to help you avoid common mistakes and make the best choices for your aged care needs.
Old person doing a crochet.

What is the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI)?

In this blog post, we will take you through the ins and outs of the Aged Care Funding Instrument in a clear and concise manner
Yellow paper in the trash bin.

How to reduce assets for aged care?

In this article, we will explore the key concepts and strategies to help you make informed decisions about managing your assets for aged care.
Senior couple sitting on a black metal bench in the park.

How to maximise Age Pension entitlements?

In this blog post, we will explore effective strategies to maximise your Age Pension payments while staying within the legal and financial boundaries. By employing these techniques, you can potentially increase your pension and enjoy a more comfortable retirement. 
Old woman blowing bubbles.

What is My Aged Care?

As our loved ones enter their golden years, ensuring they receive the best possible care becomes a top priority.  In Australia, the My Aged Care website plays a pivotal role in providing support and assistance for seniors and their families…
Senior woman talking with someone over the phone.

How does the aged care complaints scheme work?

In this blog post, we will explore the aged care complaints scheme and provide you with a clear understanding of how it works.
Happy family embracing each other.

What is quality of life in aged care?

In this blog post, we will explore various aspects related to quality of life in aged care, ranging from the importance of social activities and nutrition to the impact of mental health and end-of-life care.
Mother and daughter sitting on a wooden bench in the park while using a phone.

How to talk to your parents about aged care?

In this blog post, we will provide you with guidance on how to talk to your parents about aged care
Woman practicing duty of care in aged care.

What is duty of care in aged care?

In this blog post, we will explore the concept of duty of care in aged care, its importance, the specific duties of aged care workers, examples of breaches, and the legal and ethical requirements associated with it.
Old man in black suite choosing between rest home or home.

In-home Care VS Residential Aged Care

This blog post will compare and contrast in-home care and residential aged care to help families in Australia make an informed decision.
Elderly couple sitting on a couch while looking at the framed pictures.

Income and assets test for aged care

In this blog post, we will delve into the income and assets test for aged care and explain its significance for elderly individuals and their families. Whether you're considering aged care options for yourself or a loved one, understanding these tests and their financial implications is crucial.
Old man sitting on the bed while using a laptop.

A Guide to Means Tested Care Fees

s our loved ones age, making informed decisions about their care becomes paramount. Among the various considerations, understanding means tested care fees and how they are calculated is crucial for families in Australia.
Brown and white concrete bungalow.

Aged care and the family home: Sell, rent, or keep?

In this blog post, we are going to provide advice on options that may work for those who need or want to move out of their former residence including selling, renting out, gifting and keeping it as an asset possibly for future generations of your family.
Road sign going to a nursing home with yellow background.

How to choose the right aged care provider?

As the population ages, the need for quality aged care services in Australia has become increasingly important. Finding the right aged care provider can be a complex and daunting task, with numerous factors to consider. In this guide, we will…
Senior people trekking.

A Guide to the Costs of Aged Care

In this guide, we will explore the various fees and charges involved in aged care.
Senior couple wearing red and gray jacket.

Understanding the Types of Residential Care Facilities

In this blog post, we will explore the different types of residential care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and care homes for the elderly. Whether you're searching for "nearest care home to me" or interested in learning about "residential aged care," this guide will help you understand your options.
Senior couple using a laptop to research about the aged care sector in Australia.

A Comprehensive Guide to the Aged Care Sector in Australia

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key aspects of the aged care sector in Australia, shedding light on the system, funding, challenges, and available services.
Federal Budget 2023-2024.

Federal Budget 2023-2024: A Positive Outlook for Aged Care Clients

The recently announced Australian Federal Budget 2023-2024 brings encouraging news for clients accessing aged care services.Despite the government's need to secure an additional $11.3 billion over the next four years to fund a 15% increase in…
Aged Care Fees Index

Aged Care Fees Indexing March 20 2023

In recognition of the rising costs associated with aged care, Services Australia has adjusted rates and thresholds - effective from 20 March.
Do I need to sell my home for aged care

Do I need to sell my home for aged care?

If you or your loved one are considering aged care, you might be wondering, "Do I need to sell my home for aged care?" Entering aged care can be an emotionally and financially challenging decision.
Why planning ahead for aged care is key for ageing parents

Why planning ahead for aged care is key

The number of Australians over the age of 70 is expected to reach nearly four million in the next two decades, which means that aged care will be an issue that will affect an increasing number of families.
Aged Care Planning

Family Reunions: The Perfect Time for Aged Care Planning

Christmas is a time for family, and the New Year is a time for setting goals and making positive changes. Combining the two can be a great way to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of and that everyone is on the same page about what the future holds.
Old-woman-undergoing-an-ACAT-assessment

What is ACAT? How do they work in Australia?

If you're considering moving into an aged care facility in Australia, you'll likely need to go through an ACAT assessment. The assessment involves an interview and a physical examination, and it's used to assess your needs and determine which type of aged care facility would be the best fit for you.
Should we pay the accommodation amount as a RAD or a DAP

Should we pay the accommodation amount as a RAD or a DAP?

Should we pay the accommodation amount as a RAD or a DAP is one of the main decisions we help our clients to make, when a loved member of the family is entering residential aged care.
Why use an aged care consultant

Why use an aged care consultant?

In this blog post, we'll outline some of the ways in which an aged care consultant can help you and your loved ones make the most of this important stage in your lives.
How do gifts affect aged care fees and the age pension

Gifting Rules: Impact on Aged Care Fees and Pension

When you think about transferring or gifting land to one of your family members, there are a few reasons why this might be on the radar. One major driver we see for moving ownership is tax optimisation (usually between spouse), and protection of assets.
What is consumer directed care

What is Consumer Directed Care?

As Australia's population ages, more and more people are finding themselves in the position of needing to care for an elderly relative. In many cases, this means providing them with consumer directed care (CDC). But what is CDC, exactly? And how can you make sure that your loved one gets the best possible care under this arrangement?
What is short term respite care

What is short term respite care?

If you're like me, you have a loved one who is getting up there in years. Maybe they even live with you. You've probably thought about what would happen if something happened to you and they were left alone. That's where short term respite care comes in. 
Power of Attorney

Decision-making using a power of attorney

This time may come when you need to make a financial decision on behalf of a parent as an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPoA). Is this an honour or a burden? It can be both, so the person taking on the role needs to understand both the legal obligations as well as family responsibilities. 
Best home care provider

5-Step Plan to Select the Best Home Care Provider

Because everyone’s needs and circumstances are different, a range of home care services are available to you – the challenge is selecting the right and best home care provider to meet your needs.
Residential aged care

5 Steps For Choosing The Best Residential Aged Care Service

Moving into residential aged care is a move to a new home. Even though this is not a home you are buying, if you think about it in terms of a property transaction it might help you to build a checklist to make the right choice. 
3 Aged Care Industry Facts You Need to Know

3 Aged care industry facts you need to know

Most people want to remain independent throughout retirement and to stay in control of where and how they live. But your ability to do so may depend on your health and physical well-being. As we age, some things become harder to do on our own. 
Residential care

How To Avoid Selling Your Home To Pay for Residential Care

If moving into residential care, do you really have to sell your home? What are your choices? Myths and misunderstanding about the rules can add to anxiety and confusion.
Too wealthy for home care subsidies

Too wealthy for home care subsidies?

In Australia, if you have a lot of money, you can't get help paying for home care. That's because the government only offers subsidies to people who are judged to be "assets test positive."
In-home aged care

Access in-home aged care when you need help at home

As you age, choosing in-home care or home care services and bringing support into your home can help you to remain independent for longer and improve your quality of life. But understanding how to access in-home care services can be hard to navigate. So, what’s important to know now?
Age friendly home

How to create a personalised age-friendly home

Making your home age-friendly through home modifications may help an elderly person to stay in their home for longer, making the home safer and more accessible.
Home Care Package

How far can a Home Care Package stretch?

Understanding how home care might work for you, needs a reality check around waiting times, adequacy of the care available and costs. Understanding fees and financial implications should be at the top of your research checklist.
supporting a person with dementia

Supporting a person with dementia

Supporting a person with dementia is tough and challenging , but independence and quality of life can still be achieved with the right support and a few changes.
Sandwich Generation

Help For The Sandwich Generation

We all lead busy lives so juggling family, work and personal responsibilities can be complicated – particularly when people we love need increasing levels of care and support. This article explains the sandwich generation and takes a look at what to consider and where to start when you have older parents.
affordable aged care

Jump hoops for affordable aged care

In Australia, we are lucky that government subsidies can help with the aged care costs, but you will have to jump through hoops to be approved. And you may have long waiting times before the government money becomes available (particularly home care). This article takes a quick look at the three steps for approval.
age pension

Home Sweet Home: Can it Affect Your Age Pension?

We all know the saying, "home sweet home." But did you know that where you call home can actually affect your age pension in Australia? Yep, it's true! If you're considering retiring down under, here's what you need to know about how your living situation can impact your retirement income.
Frailty Years

Why now is a good time to plan for frailty years

Planning for the frailty years or future - and all the challenges it may bring - can help achieve quality of lifestyle as well as quality of care. 
Residential aged care fees

Planning for Residential Aged Care Fees

So for some people, a move into residential aged care may be a better alternative. Careful planning ahead of time can make all the difference and remove a lot of the stress at the time when a decision needs to be made.
Saving enough for retirement

Australians Are Not Saving Enough for Retirement

It would be a great achievement for most people to have enough saved up so that they don't think about retiring in their later years. Unfortunately, saving money for retirement isn't as easy as you may think. Therefore, it is important to plan and prepare for retirement financially. 
The Hidden Cost of Retirement

The hidden cost of retirement

The common question when it comes to retirement is ‘how much is enough?’. But regardless of how much you have put aside, there’s a significant potential cost in retirement that is often not considered, and if ignored, it can undermine our plans - aged care.
Elder Abuse

Take control & avoid elder abuse

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15 June puts a spotlight on issues around elder abuse – not just physical abuse, but also financial abuse.