FRIENDS - it has been a while between episodes! 
Hi 👋🏼 I've missed you!

Today I'm talking about the Aged Care Funding Reforms that were announced by the Albanese Government on 12th September 2024. Whilst they're yet to be passed through parliament, it's important to have an understanding of the proposed changes and the impact it may have on accessing aged care services.

If you have any questions after today's ep, please feel free to get in touch.

You can find me at www.navigateagedcare.com.au!

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, if you or someone you love needs mental health support, you can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or LifeLine on 13 11 14.

You can find me at www.navigateagedcare.com.au, on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing or on Facebook @navigateagedcareau

The podcast will be on hiatus for a little while, but will be back in your ears again in the future!

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 this new program called Support at Home? 

This episode is a great starting point for those with ageing loved ones that don't know where to begin. It can also be a helpful refresher if you're already accessing one of these services and don't know what's next.

For more info on this topic you can head to - www.navigateagedcare.com.au/post/home-care-101-april-newsletter

Can't wait to unpack more next fortnight!

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. 

1. AGED CARE PLANNERS
2. AGED CARE PLACEMENT CONSULTANTS
3. AGED CARE FINANCIAL ADVISORS
4. AGED CARE SOLICITORS
5. CENTRELINK ASSISTANCE
6. SENIORS HOME OFFICE ASSISTANCE
7. AGED CARE REMOVALISTS & DECLUTTERING
8. END OF LIFE PLANNING

For more details you can head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au/post/ageing-support-services-march-newsletter

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch via my website www.navigateagedcare.com.au, on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing or on Facebook @navigateagedcareau

Speak to you all again soon!
Kate.

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 & KT would use for their own parents. 

In today's episode we talk about how the SALT Directory was formed, what services are available on it and how you can engage with SALT - *hint* they have an expo in Adelaide on Tuesday 26th March 2024. 

For more info on the SALT Directory you can head to - https://saltdirectory.com.au/
To sign up to their upcoming Adelaide event, head to - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/salt-directory-navigating-the-ageing-journey-together-tickets-777348950637?aff=erelexpmlt&keep_tld=1

If you want to connect with me, you can head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au or find me on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing

Big love, 
Kate.

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 scenarios and how we can balance freedom vs. safety for our loved ones who may no longer have capacity to make those decisions for themselves.

If you have any questions that arise from this episode, please feel free to send them through to me via Instagram @thetruthaboutageing, on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or via my website www.navigateagedcare.com.au. Dementia Australia is also a wonderful resource for carers - www.dementia.org.au.

Big love, Kate.

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 episode, I talk about how we can apply the 'dignity of risk' framework to conversations with our loved ones:

1.       Make sure they understand the risks to themselves and others
2.       Work with them to manage those risks
3.       Respect their decision
4.       Revisit as needed 

In next weeks episode, I'll be talking about how we manage risk for people living with dementia or other cognitive decline. 

As always, you can find me on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing, on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or at my website www.navigateagedcare.com.au :)

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 declining and don’t know what to do next. I’d be more than happy to talk you through your options. This doesn’t mean you have to become a paying client - for some people I can give them some pointers over the phone and they’re set. For others, it’s helpful for me to take the lead and guide them through the process.

ACAT ASSESSMENT
If your loved one hasn’t been assessed by ACAT, now’s the time to do so. When you start noticing even small changes in abilities, e.g. difficulty changing bed sheets or pulling up weeds, it’s worth getting them assessed. All assessments are arranged through My Aged Care.

SPEAK TO HOME CARE PROVIDER
If your loved one already has access to a home care package, speak to their provider about your observations and concerns. They may be able to work with you to gradually increase services and further support your loved one.

SEEK RESPITE IF NEEDED
If the situation is more urgent and you are concerned for your loved one’s immediate safety at home, you can seek respite until a more permanent plan is created. They will need to be assessed and approved for respite care (again, through My Aged Care), but if they have the codes, you can begin contacting facilities for vacancies. Again, this is often something I do for clients - because knowing who to contact or where to start can feel overwhelming. Feel free to give me a call if you’re not sure what to do.

If you'd like more information or want to have a chat about your loved ones needs, please head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au :)

HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON FRIENDS! We are well and truly into the silly season, so this episode is all about how to check in on loved ones over this festive time.

The idea of an annual check-in is a yearly reminder to pause and take stock of how your ageing loved ones are progressing. You might look back on the past 12 months and be impressed at how independent they've been! You might compare to Christmas last year and realise there are quite a few changes in their overall wellbeing. 

In today's episode I break down 8 key categories to look out for, probing questions you could use to learn more and what this could potentially be a sign of:

• Personal appearance
• Weight change
• Mobility
• Engagement
• Social/community participation
• Memory/recall
• Medication management
• Home maintenance

For more information on this topic, you can head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au/post/annual-check-in-december-newsletter 

As always, you can find me on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or in Instagram @thetruthaboutageing

Happy Festive season!!

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.advancecareplanning.org.au. 

If you want to know more about me and the services I offer, you can head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au or find me on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing or on Facebook @navigateagedcareau :)