The Truth About Ageing

Q&A part two is with powerhouse guest and my gorgeous friend Sophie Wauchope. Sophie has worked in the aged care sector for many years as a General Manager of an aged care home and in the community running a regional CHSP program. If you haven't listened to part one, jump back to episode 11 to meet Soph and hear the first half of our chat. Today we talk about what to do when people don't want help. You might know that your Dad, neighbour, Aunty or Grandma desperately need help at home, but they're fiercely independent and adamant they don't want any services - what on earth do you do next? Enjoy part two of our combo with the ray of sunshine that is my beautiful friend, Sophie Wauchope. Find us on @thetruthaboutageing on Instagram or @thetruthaboutageingpodcast on Facebook to join the conversation.

What does it cost to live in an aged care home? What on earth is a RAD or a DAP?! What does respite care cost? And most importantly... how do I know a facility is a good one? Today we answer questions that have been sent through to the podcast with my beautiful friend, Sophie Wauchope. Sophie has worked in the aged care sector for many years as a General Manager of an aged care home and in the community running a regional CHSP program. She is a wealth of knowledge, with a passion for aged care and soul of sunshine. Unsurprisingly we talked for quite a while, so today is part one of my chat with Soph. Stay tuned next week for part two! Find us on @thetruthaboutageing on Instagram or @thetruthaboutageingpodcast on Facebook to join the conversation.

Is Residential Aged Care the same as a nursing home? What is respite? How do I move to an aged care facility if I want to? Today's episode is all about finding a bed! We cover the history of Residential Aged Care Facilities, how to find available beds, the best way to try before you buy and how to avoid getting to 'crisis' point. As always, you can find us for more discussion @thetruthaboutageing on Instagram or at @thetruthaboutageingpodcast on Facebook.

Today's quick tip episode is more of a challenge... In episode 9 I unpack three questions that kick-start meaningful conversation and engagement. Based on a family tradition of discussing the 'best thing in your day, worst thing in your day and thing you're most grateful for', I discuss three questions I use regularly with clients to help them feel connected, understood and valued. My challenge to you is to use these three questions with someone special in your world - whether that's your Grandma, partner, neighbour or parent, they're great questions to share with each other and to connect more deeply.

Want to know what other options there are if living in your own home is becoming too much? Today's episode unpacks the many varied housing options available to ageing Australians and steps out the accommodation pathways. We cover downsizing to Retirement Living or Independent Living Units, accessing Serviced Apartments, what Supported Residential Facilities are, the purpose of Hospice Care & when to access Residential Care Facilities (Nursing Homes) and how many great ones there are around Australia. Join the conversation on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing or on Facebook @thetruthaboutageingpodcast!  

It's no secret that today's guest is one of my favourite humans... meet my Grandma, Nerida! I speak a lot about Grandma in other episodes of the pod, so I thought it would be helpful for you to meet her. She is currently living independently at home and doing incredibly well for her age. However, like most 88 year olds is increasingly faced with age related challenges and is cognisant of what could possibly lie ahead. As always, if you have any questions about today's episode, please join us on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing or on Facebook @thetruthaboutageingpodcast. 

Welcome to Episode 6! Today I share 5 Quick Tips about how to choose a Home Care Package provider. We discuss what fees to look out for, understanding what is included in Care Management charges, how to compare the cost of services between providers and how to find a provider that suits your individual needs. Come find us on @thetruthaboutageing on Instagram or @thetruthaboutageingpodcast on Facebook to join the conversation!

Episode 5 is a Deep Dive episode in to all things Home Care Packages - how the funding works & is paid to your service provider, what fees can apply, what services you can access, how brokered services work & how much you can realistically expect from a Level 4 Home Care Package. As always, there will be additional resources up on our Instagram page @thetruthaboutageing and our Facebook page @thetruthaboutageingpodcast. If you have any questions about your loved ones & Home Care Packages, send them through my way!

In this weeks episode I talk with the amazing Amanda Ball. Amanda has 12 years experience in the aged care sector in a variety of roles including providing direct care services, managing CHSP programs, coordinating Home Care Packages and now managing her own team of care staff. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and is passionate about empowering people with knowledge to keep them at home for as long as possible.  I'm sure you'll take something away from todays episode!

Welcome to episode 3 - our first 'Quick Tip' episode! Today we discuss 5 tips for when you first contact My Aged Care - from what questions they will ask, to what you will need to have ready and what discussions to have prior with your loved one. Our 5 tips are: 1. Start a convo, 2. Write a plan, 3. Have your cards handy, 4. Pick a buddy and 5. Be honest. Tune into the ep for more details & find us on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing or on Facebook at 'The Truth About Ageing' where we'll have extra resources and cheat sheets available!