Your Aged Care Compass

In this episode, Coral sits down with occupational therapist Lani Davies to explore the realities of delivering OT services in regional and rural communities. From gravel driveways to being swooped by magpies while writing her notes, Lani shares the creative, flexible, and deeply human side of rural practice. If you’ve ever wondered how OTs navigate limited resources, long travel days, and community-led solutions, you’ll love this episode.

Together, Coral and Lani explore the challenges and triumphs of supporting older Australians in regional and remote communities. You’ll hear stories of scooter trials using a neighbour’s equipment, enlisting another client to teach someone to use a lift, and the power of local knowledge in getting things done. This conversation offers practical insights and plenty of heart. Older people in rural areas should still receive the support, equipment, and modifications they need, even when resources are limited.

In this episode:

• Lani’s journey from aspiring nurse to passionate OT
• The logistics of supporting clients across Gympie and surrounding rural areas
• Strategies for efficient travel and client scheduling in remote locations
• Creative scooter trials using a neighbour’s equipment
• Barriers to accessing suppliers and therapists in rural towns
• The importance of community connections in rural OT practice
• A lift trial arranged between two clients in the same town
• The impact of limited tradie availability on home modifications
• Navigating provider requirements for multiple quotes in remote areas
• Physical access to equipment matters for older rural residents
• Lani’s reflections on collaboration, resourcefulness, and rural resilience

Connect with Lani Davies and Forbes Care:

• LinkedIn
• Forbes Care Occupational Therapy website

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

When is the right time to engage an occupational therapist and what difference can they really make? In this episode, Coral sits down with Kelly Forbes from Forbes Care to explore the OT’s role in helping older people to live safely at home. From falls prevention to dementia support, Kelly shares real-world examples that highlight how small changes can have a big impact. A rail, a ramp, a touch lamp, or simply a different position in bed could improve someone’s independence at home.

Kelly discusses funding pathways such as GEAT and CHSP to help access important services and support.

What impressed us most? The way OTs assess not just the person, but the entire home, including who’s pushing the wheelchair, how transfers happen, and whether routines have been disrupted. It’s a holistic, practical approach that goes far beyond equipment. Occupational therapists see what you might not and guide you to options that will improve safety and security.

 In this episode:

• What occupational therapists do in community settings
• How OTs assess home safety after a fall
• Common and uncommon home modifications (including ramps, rails, and sensor lights)
• High-risk zones
• How OTs support older people with dementia
• The role of assistive technology in falls prevention and independence
• Personal alarm systems
• What a functional capacity assessment involves
• Why king single beds are standard under Home Care Package guidelines
• The GEAT program
• Support at Home and the Restorative Care Pathway may enhance OT services

Connect with Kelly Forbes and Forbes Care:

• LinkedIn
• Forbes Care Occupational Therapy website

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

Coral and Michelle are back together to explain the Psychogeriatric Assessment Scale (PAS) and its role in accessing the Dementia and Cognition Supplement for people receiving a Home Care Package. They explain why this screening is often misunderstood, how eligibility is determined, and why many people miss out on funding they’re entitled to. This conversation is supported by our experience and offers practical advice for families and providers navigating this process.

Listeners will learn what the PAS is, why it’s not commonly used in clinical settings, and what goes wrong when providers or GPs aren’t familiar with the screening requirements. With Support at Home commencing soon, this episode is especially relevant for those currently supporting older people with a home care package who have moderate to advanced cognitive impairment.

In this episode:

• The PAS is one of three screening tools used to assess eligibility for the Dementia and Cognition Supplement
• The supplement provides extra funding for people with moderate to advanced cognitive impairment who receive a Home Care Package
• A diagnosis of dementia alone is not enough to qualify; significant cognitive impairment must be demonstrated
• The PAS is not widely known among clinicians, including GPs and practice nurses
• Occupational therapists are not approved to complete the PAS screening
• Incorrect screening or use of the wrong assessor results in the application for funding being denied
• The supplement provides 11.5% additional funding based on the level of the Home Care Package
• This can amount to over $7,000 per year for someone on a Level 4 package
• The Dementia and Cognition Supplement will not continue under Support at Home
• People currently receiving the supplement will retain it after November 1st
• The supplement is tied to the Home Care Package Program, not Support at Home
• Many self-managed clients miss out due to lack of support or awareness
• Michelle offers a pre-screening service to check eligibility before proceeding

Resources mentioned:

• Blog - What is the dementia and cognition supplement?
• Service - Screening for eligibility for the dementia and cognition supplement
• Email Michelle - [email protected]
• Phone Michelle - 0432 995 776

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

In this episode, Coral speaks with Wendy Hall, founder of Dementia Doulas International and Dementia Doulas Australia, about the emergence and impact of the dementia doula role. Wendy shares her journey from nursing and paramedicine into dementia care, and how her experiences led to the creation of a role that supports families from diagnosis through to end of life. This conversation explores how dementia doulas offer continuity, emotional support, and practical guidance in a system that often leaves families feeling overwhelmed and alone.

Together, Coral and Wendy discuss how dementia doulas differ from end-of-life doulas, how the role is being integrated into aged care services, and why early intervention and long-term support are critical. They also talk through training pathways, telehealth access, and the importance of boundaries and sustainability for practitioners. This episode is a valuable listen for families, carers, aged care professionals, and anyone interested in improving dementia care.

In this episode:

• The origins and purpose of the dementia doula role
• Differences between dementia doulas and end-of-life doulas
• People with dementia often die alone, despite being surrounded by others
• The importance of early engagement, sometimes years before end of life
• How dementia doulas support families across the entire dementia journey
• Challenges within the aged care system and how doulas help bridge gaps
• Dementia doulas slow down decision-making and reduce overwhelm
• The concept of “bungee cord” support – families returning when needs arise
• Training and membership through Dementia Doulas International
• The need for practitioner self-care and boundary setting
• Plans for a national register of dementia doulas
• Telehealth access and multi-state support for families
• Integration of the role for in-home care and emerging interest from residential aged care

Resources mentioned:

• Dementia Doulas International website
• Dementia Doulas Australia website
• Book - The Dementia Doula by Wendy Hall

Connect with Wendy Hall:

• Wendy Hall LinkedIn

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

In this insightful episode, Coral Wilkinson sits down with physiotherapist Amanda Burnby to explore Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), a powerful, evidence-based approach that supports people living with dementia to stay engaged, confident, and connected.

CST is more than just a therapy. It’s a philosophy that celebrates strengths, fosters social interaction, and builds cognitive resilience. Amanda explains how CST can be delivered in homes, group settings, and residential care facilities, and how families can use its principles to enrich everyday conversations.

Whether you're a carer, clinician, or someone seeking practical ways to support a loved one with dementia, this episode offers hope, clarity, and actionable tips to help people live well, no matter where they are on their dementia journey.

 In this episode:

• CST is an evidence-based therapy developed in the UK to support cognitive health in people with dementia
• It enhances memory, thinking, language, mood, and quality of life
• It’s the only non-pharmacological intervention recommended in UK dementia guidelines
• CST is most effective when started early, but can benefit people at all stages of dementia
• Therapy can be delivered one-on-one at home, in small group settings, or in residential aged care
• Group CST sessions offer therapeutic benefits plus valuable social interaction
• Therapy is based on neuroplasticity and the “use it or lose it” principle
• CST can be funded through Home Care Packages - families are encouraged to ask providers
• Amanda shares practical tips for families: focus on confidence, not correctness
• Everyday conversations can become CST moments - use old photos, ask opinions, and explore change
• CST helps reduce loneliness and builds stronger relationships through meaningful engagement

Resources mentioned:

• CST Australia website

Connect with Amanda Burnby:

• LinkedIn
• Absolute Care Therapy website

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

In this episode of Your Aged Care Compass, Coral is joined by psychiatrist Dr Kailas Roberts to discuss three often-confused conditions that affect older adults: dementia, delirium and depression. These conditions can present with overlapping symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, and mood changes, but their causes, trajectories, and treatments differ significantly. Understanding these nuances is critical for families, carers, and professionals supporting older people through health transitions.

Dr Roberts brings decades of clinical experience and a deep commitment to brain health to this conversation. He explains how each condition manifests, how they can coexist, and why accurate diagnosis is essential, especially when symptoms fluctuate or appear suddenly. Coral also shares personal reflections from her father's experiences with delirium during hospital stays, adding warmth and real-world context to the discussion.

In this episode:

• Dementia is a clinical syndrome caused by various diseases, including Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia
• Delirium is an acute confusional state that can be reversed if the underlying cause is treated
• Depression is a mood disorder that can mimic dementia symptoms, especially in older adults
• Cognitive symptoms such as memory loss and attention difficulties can appear in all three conditions
• “Depressive pseudodementia” refers to cognitive impairment caused by depression rather than neurodegeneration
• Sudden changes in cognition or behaviour often point to delirium rather than dementia
• Delirium symptoms fluctuate throughout the day, while dementia tends to be more stable
• Depression symptoms may be worse in the morning, unlike dementia, which often worsens later in the day
• A thorough history of the patient is essential to distinguish between these conditions
• Medication changes, infections, and electrolyte imbalances are common triggers for delirium
• Hypoactive delirium, marked by withdrawal and quietness, is often missed but just as serious as hyperactive forms
• Non-drug interventions like reorientation cues and good lighting are key to managing delirium
• Antidepressants can be helpful in depression but should be considered alongside lifestyle and psychological therapies
• Carers are often the first to notice changes. Trusting and acting on their observations can lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.

Resources mentioned:

• Book – Mind Your Brain; The Essential Australian Guide to Dementia

Connect with Dr Kailas Roberts:

• LinkedIn
• Your Brain in Mind clinic

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

Caring for someone with dementia or other cognitive decline can be challenging. There are some home care providers who empower their staff to excel at this. Today Coral chats with Amy Devlin, a registered nurse and Client Experience Manager at home care provider Dovida, about how they have tackled this. Amy’s journey from hospital nursing to community care has shaped her passion for supporting older Australians.

In the sometimes difficult area of providing dementia care, Dovida delivers. Their relationship-based approach, their in-house staff training, support and ongoing mentoring ensure Dovida caregivers provide continuity of care, dignity and respect for all clients and their families. And they offer 24-hour local support.

 In this episode:

• Meaningful experiences that go beyond a clinical setting
• Ensuring clients receive high-quality, person-centred care in their homes
• The role of a Client Experience Manager in supporting care quality
• How Dovida is preparing for Support at Home
• The benefits of being a registered training organisation (RTO)
• Dovida trains caregivers to support people with dementia
• Use of immersive dementia rooms for hands-on learning
• The importance of caregiver coaches and on-the-ground mentoring
• Strategies for matching caregivers to clients
• Special considerations when supporting someone living with dementia
• A positive caregiver-client connection supports other family too
• Why continuity of care is essential for both clients and their loved ones
• How Dovida’s localised, 24-hour support model builds trust and reassurance
• Responding to challenging behaviours with empathy and tailored strategies
• Collaborative care planning with GPs, geriatricians, and Dementia Australia

Resources mentioned:

• Dementia behaviour management advisory services (DBMAS)

Connect with Amy Devlin and Dovida

• Amy Devlin LinkedIn
• Dovida website

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

Loneliness is more than a feeling. It’s a public health issue. In this powerful and deeply insightful episode, Coral speaks with internationally recognised researcher Dr Rosanne Freak-Poli to unpack the real-world impact of loneliness and social isolation on our health, especially as we age. From cardiovascular risk to dementia, Rosanne shares compelling evidence that social health is just as vital as physical and mental wellbeing.

Connection shapes our lives, no matter who we are. Whether you're a family member, aged care provider, health professional, or simply a member of the community, this episode describes strategies that are already changing lives across Australia. If you’ve ever wondered how many close connections you really need, or how volunteering could transform someone’s health, this conversation is for you.

In this episode:

• The difference between loneliness, social isolation, and social support
• The surprising health risks linked to loneliness
• Social isolation affects lifestyle behaviours, while loneliness triggers biological stress responses
• How many social connections you need to protect your health
• Gender differences in how loneliness is experienced and reported
• The different effects informal caregiving has for women and men
• Resources to help people connect locally
• Challenges and creative solutions for connecting people with mobility or cognitive limitations
• How volunteering benefits both recipients and volunteers
• Social prescribing, how it works, and why it’s gaining traction in Australia
• Where to find support
• How ASPIRE is leading the way in social prescribing research and education
• Quality of life, not just longevity, should be available to everyone

Resources mentioned:

• Ending loneliness together
• Heart foundation walking groups
• Men’s sheds
• My community directory
• Australian neighbourhood houses and centres association
• U3A
• Beyond blue (phone 1300 224 636)
• Friendline (phone 1800 424 287)
• Lifeline Australia (phone 131114)
• ASPIRE website
• ASPIRE LinkedIn

Related episodes:

• Episode 53 - Pharmacy addressing loneliness and social isolation
• Episode 54 – What is social prescribing?
• Episode 55 – The aged care volunteer visitors scheme

Connect with Dr Rosanne Freak-Poli

• LinkedIn

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

In this heartwarming episode, Coral sits down with Philippa O'Donnell from FNQ Volunteers to explore one of Australia's most quietly transformative programs, the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS). Philippa brings positive stories that highlight the real impact of human connection, especially for older Australians whose social circles have diminished over time.

From matchmaking volunteers based on shared passions to overcoming the challenges of remote communities, the conversation is packed with insights and inspiration. This government-funded program benefits everyone involved, not just the people receiving visitors. Here’s an episode that will leave you with a renewed sense of what’s possible when we provide companionship and care to our older community.

 In this episode:

• What the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS) is and why it matters
• Matching clients and volunteers based on shared interests
• The importance of one-on-one engagement for older Australians
• Real stories of connections and benefits
• Who is eligible for a visitor
• Volunteer training, police checks and ongoing support
• What volunteers can and can’t do
• The sorts of activities volunteers undertake with their clients
• Potential models for engagement in remote areas
• How you can get involved, either as a volunteer or by referring someone

 Resources mentioned:

• FNQ volunteers ACVVS program website
• The national ACVVS website

Related episodes:

• Episode 53 - Pharmacy addressing loneliness and social isolation
• Episode 54 – What is social prescribing?

Connect with Philippa O’Donnell:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

When we think about prescribing, it’s often in relation to medication. However, the magic of social prescribing is unfolding, and it’s providing connection and purpose for older Australians. This week we again welcome Kathryn Ewen from Dovida and introduce Carly Thomson, a pharmacist involved in social prescribing.

During this episode, Coral, Kathryn and Carly explore how social prescribing is transforming lives beyond the consulting room. Their conversation dives into the benefits of face-to-face connection. It’s a heart warming and informative episode that reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful prescription isn’t medication. It comes with a conversation, a listening ear, and a feeling of belonging.

In this episode:

• What is social prescribing, and how does it benefit older people?
• It’s all about helping people live well and not just treating them when they’re unwell
• The value of personal interaction for older people
• Pharmacists know their clients well and can recognise when social prescribing is appropriate
• Older people are receptive to suggestions for community connection
• Lifestyle and community-based outcomes are just as important as medication
• Loneliness is common among older adults, even when they live in residential aged care facilities
• Being available to talk to people breaks down barriers
• The evolving role of pharmacists in community wellbeing

Related episodes:

• Episode 53 - Pharmacy addressing loneliness and social isolation

Connect with Kathryn Ewen and Dovida:

• Kathryn Ewen LinkedIn
• Dovida website
• Facebook Dovida Perth Metro
• Instagram Dovida Perth Metro 

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.