I am a passionate believer that aged care is about choice. Ageing is a natural part of life and we hope that we will all see our parents reach their senior years. However, with the ageing process comes the need for aged care. For many of us, a role reversal happens where we begin to give our elderly parents the care they often gave us while we grew up. This is

An insider’s advice on how to negotiate thousands off aged care fees If you are in the process of helping a family member transition from their own home to residential aged care, it can often be daunting for both you and your loved one. It seems like overnight you have to enter a whole new world, while trying to understand what aged care means for them financially, particularly when it comes

Don’t rule out aged care – it could be the best option, expert says There is a common belief in our society that the elderly prefer to remain in their own home rather than live in aged care. While this is an understandable presumption, and choosing to stay within your own home as you age is a genuine and legitimate choice, it’s not always the best option when our health declines

Christmas can be a time of mixed emotions for many of us. While there are times of joy, there can also be times of overwhelm and stress – particularly if you are celebrating Christmas with a loved one in aged care. If this is your first Christmas with a loved one living in care, whether it’s your mum, dad or partner then it will be a time to consider how you

How real Australians cover aged care costs I remember Jan phoning me looking for help to finance the cost of placing her 86-year-old father in aged care. While she had found an aged care home her dad was happy to move into, she was overwhelmed by the home’s refundable accommodation deposit (RAD), which was more than $500,000. “How on earth are we going to afford that without selling the family home?”

How do you cope when you’re overwhelmed by the aged care options? The need for aged care services can happen quickly, especially if Mum or Dad has a fall and you’re suddenly navigating hospital visits, doctor appointments and social worker recommendations. It’s normal to feel emotional and overwhelmed at times. My CarePath CEO Dana Sawyer has helped more than 5000 families navigate the aged care process and has helped them with

What do I do if I suspect mum or dad is not being treated well in an aged care home? What do you do if you suspect your loved one is not being treated well in an aged care home? Or if you need to make a complaint? What is the correct process and how do you ensure your voice will be heard? In her latest blog post, aged care expert

What questions should I ask an aged care home? Last month, we covered how to approach the aged care conversation with an ageing parent. If you are now at the stage where you need to choose an aged care home, you may be overwhelmed by how to choose the best home for your loved one. In this blog post, aged care expert and My CarePath CEO Dana Sawyer, outlines the key

How to start the conversation about aged care with mum or dad For those with ageing parents, it is common for the child to experience role reversal. Soon it is the daughter or son who is checking in on mum or dad, concerned for their welfare and starting difficult conversations about their parents’ care needs. If you have an ageing parent, you will likely need to start the conversation about the

Can families expect more investment into services that will help care for our elderly as they age? Aged care expert and My CarePath consultant Dana Sawyer breaks down what the Coalition win will mean for people entering aged care. The Federal Election delivered a surprising win for the Coalition, with the party comfortable forming a majority government. While the government didn’t make sweeping reforms and big promises for the aged care