The Aged Care Royal Commission and COVID-19 have revealed some glaring gaps in the aged care system, a major one of which is the lack of consistency across facilities when it comes to minimum staffing levels. In Australia, there is no legislated, mandated staff ratio – most facilities operate on a consumer-directed care model, meaning that they have enough staff to care for individual people. It is becoming evident that many

Making decisions around aged care is emotional, stressful and confusing. This is the first time I have had to navigate the aged care system, and I had no idea where to start. I tried Centrelink, but soon realised I may need another degree to understand the system. I have a young family, work full-time and my Dad has an aggressive form of dementia. While he is still largely independent, my mum

Over the holiday period, some families may need to go away and leave an elderly person behind, or a carer may need to take a break. The options are either to get respite care at home or at a facility. Respite residential aged care is a good way to ensure that an elderly person gets the care they need while their family is away. It also presents an opportunity to trial

There are many myths and misconceptions within the aged care industry, which often make it difficult for people to access the right information for what they need. As a team of expert aged care coordinators, My Care Path is here to dispel misinformation and help you navigate the system with ease and clarity to get the best results for your circumstances and requirements. MYTH: Residents are locked into one facility  There

  We are now firmly in the midst of an aged care crisis. Looking forward beyond the Royal Commission into Aged Care and the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector will have to deal with lack of trust from the general public in the aged care industry across the board. To rebuild trust in the industry, transparency and clear communication will be key. Transparency within aged care starts with navigating the system and

COVID-19 has exposed flaws in the aged care sector. Together, we can craft a solution.   The challenge of COVID-19 has made its way into all industries, and the aged care sector is no different. The impacts of the virus have added a new layer to existing issues that must be addressed within our industry, including numbers of staff, the training process and the findings of the Royal Commission into aged

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