Talking about your own, or a family member’s, aged care can be hard. But the sooner you start talking about aged care and planning ahead, the more choices you’ll have and the better the outcome for you and your family.
“Sometimes, people don’t think about their aged care needs until an unexpected event or health problem occurs,” says myagedcare.gov.au, The Federal Government’s aged care portal.
“If this happens, it can be a confusing and emotional time and trying to find information and support to help you understand your options can be difficult.”
My Aged Care has trained professionals available to talk through options.
Here, The Weekly has outlined some tips to help prepare a loved one for help at home or in an aged care facility.
APPOINT AN ENDURING GUARDIAN
An enduring guardian can assist with making personal health and lifestyle decisions if assistance is required (for example, where parents live and what medical and dental treatment they are to receive).
LOCATE AND SECURE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
Ensure you know where important original documents – such as wills, power of attorney, appointment of enduring guardian, title deed to the family home and any other real estate, insurance policies, superannuation documents – are kept, and ensure they are safe.
MAINTAIN KEY PERSONAL DETAILS
Ensure you keep an up-to-date list of details for:
Bank accounts
Credit cards
Medicare
Private Health Fund
Centrelink
Insurances
Superannuation
Pensions
Medications, medical conditions and allergies
Local GP and any other treating medical practitioners or specialists
FINANCIAL ADVICE
Obtain independent financial advice regarding the best available option to fund aged care costs (such as whether to sell or lease the family home) and to undersatnd what the impact will be on assets, superannuation and entitlements.
DON’T WAIT!
Be proactive in ensuring your parents’ affairs are in order. Encourage them to take charge of their affairs sooner rather than later. Delay will only cause unnecessary stress when circumstances create an urgent need to move quickly.
The appointment of a guardian can only be made when one has capacity to do so.
The more organised you are the less stressful the transition will be.
Thinking about moving a parent into aged car?
You can find out more about at home support services by going to myagedcare.gov.au.
Caring for a parent can be demanding. To access respite services, call carer support respite information service on 1800 052 222.
To arrange a free assessment of your parent’s needs before transitioning into the aged care system, go to myagedcare.gov.ay/acat-assessments.
Can’t afford the fees? You can find out more about getting a reduction or waiver at myagedcare.gov.au.
Brought to you by myagedcare.gov.au.
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