In this episode, Hannah McQueen and Marc Leishman sit down with Tracey Martin, CE of Aged Care Association NZ, to explain how rest homes really work in New Zealand.

They cover needs assessments, subsidies, bed shortages, dementia care, hospital-level care, EPOA (enduring power of attorney) stress, and the financial realities families aren’t prepared for.

This is a practical, honest guide to understanding the aged-care system before crisis hits.

Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole-of-person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz

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Aged Care Symposium 2026, 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, invites people across aged residential care to speak up, share ideas, and help shape solutions that strengthen practice, teamwork, and resident experience.

Built around the theme 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘀𝗸, this one-day symposium is about building confidence, sparking new thinking, and recognising the collective wisdom that grows when we learn from one another - whether you’re new to the sector or bring years of experience.

📅 Friday 24 April | 8.30am–4.30pm

📍 Trafalgar Centre Northern Extension, Nelson

Open to all RN’s, Clinical Managers and anyone in support and allied health roles.

To register, visit the ACA website on aca.org.nz

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Hosts:

Hannah McQueen — Founder of Brightly

Mark Leishman — NZ TV & Radio Broadcaster

Join the community:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast

Produced by PodLab — www.podlab.nz

In this incredibly personal episode, Hannah McQueen sits down with Girvan Roberts to share the story that inspired Age Brightly.

Girvan reflects on supporting her mother Annette through dementia, falls, and hospitalisation, navigating EPOA (enduring power of attorney) responsibilities, sibling dynamics, community care, and the emotional toll of anticipatory grief.

If you’ve supported an aging parent, this episode will resonate.

Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole-of-person assessment at https://www.agebrightly.co.nz

Hosts:

Hannah McQueen — Founder of Brightly

Mark Leishman — NZ TV & Radio Broadcaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast

Produced by PodLab — www.podlab.nz

“You’re Ageing: This Podcast Is For You” launches The Next Bit, a new podcast for New Zealanders by New Zealanders who want to stay independent, informed, and confident as they age.

Hosts Hannah McQueen (Founder of EnableMe, now Founder of Brightly) and broadcaster Mark Leishman explore why most people don’t lose independence because they suddenly “get old” - they lose it because early warning signs are missed: A fall. A medication change. A subtle red flag. And then decline quietly accelerates.

This episode sets the foundation for a series focused on:

Preventative health

Aging well and frailty prevention

Falls risk

Retirement transitions

Avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and rest home care

You’ll also hear how Hannah’s experience reviewing retirement village and rest home contracts led to the creation of Brightly: a geriatrician-led, whole-of-person assessment designed to detect risks early and help people stay well for longer.

Aging doesn’t happen all at once.

But when it changes, it can change fast.

Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole-of-person assessment at

https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0F76P0

The Next Bit hosts:

Hannah McQueen — Founder of Brightly

Mark Leishman — New Zealand TV & Radio Broadcaster

Join our community:

Instagram: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0F77J0

Facebook: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0F71s0

TikTok: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0F6NY0

YouTube: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0F6Y20

Written and produced by PodLab — https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0F6_D0