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Is Mum still safe driving to the shops? Is Grandpa making himself nutritious meals? Should Aunty Greta have a few less glasses of brandy in the evening? Wouldn’t Dad be less stressed if he had someone to care for him? Dignity of risk is another way of saying you have the right to live the life you choose, even if your choices involve some risk. Dignity of risk does not mean turning a blind eye and ignoring any dangers to your loved one’s health or wellbeing. Dignity of risk does mean having respectful, supportive conversations – identifying risks and creating plans together. In today's episode, I talk about how we can apply the 'dignity of risk' framework to conversations with our loved ones: 1.       Make sure they understand the risks to themselves and others 2.       Work with them to manage those risks 3.       Respect their decision 4.       Revisit as needed  In next weeks episode, I'll be talking about how we manage risk for people living with dementia or other cognitive decline.  As always, you can find me on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing, on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or at my website www.navigateagedcare.com.au :)

In the last episode of the podcast we talked about the concept of an 'Annual Check-in'. A time to pause and take stock on how your ageing loved one is progressing and if they need any additional support. In episode 73, we're talking about what to do if they are declining. Number 1 - don’t panic! Depending on the severity of the decline, there are so many different paths we could go down. Sometimes it doesn’t require the initial ‘panic stations’ that it might feel like when you realise their condition has changed. CALL ME Seriously, I work with a lot of families who notice their loved ones declining and don’t know what to do next. I’d be more than happy to talk you through your options. This doesn’t mean you have to become a paying client - for some people I can give them some pointers over the phone and they’re set. For others, it’s helpful for me to take the lead and guide them through the process. ACAT ASSESSMENT If your loved one hasn’t been assessed by ACAT, now’s the time to do so. When you start noticing even small changes in abilities, e.g. difficulty changing bed sheets or pulling up weeds, it’s worth getting them assessed. All assessments are arranged through My Aged Care. SPEAK TO HOME CARE PROVIDER If your loved one already has access to a home care package, speak to their provider about your observations and concerns. They may be able to work with you to gradually increase services and further support your loved one. SEEK RESPITE IF NEEDED If the situation is more urgent and you are concerned for your loved one’s immediate safety at home, you can seek respite until a more permanent plan is created. They will need to be assessed and approved for respite care (again, through My Aged Care), but if they have the codes, you can begin contacting facilities for vacancies. Again, this is often something I do for clients - because knowing who to contact or where to start can feel overwhelming. Feel free to give me a call if you’re not sure what to do. If you'd like more information or want to have a chat about your loved ones needs, please head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au :)

HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON FRIENDS! We are well and truly into the silly season, so this episode is all about how to check in on loved ones over this festive time. The idea of an annual check-in is a yearly reminder to pause and take stock of how your ageing loved ones are progressing. You might look back on the past 12 months and be impressed at how independent they've been! You might compare to Christmas last year and realise there are quite a few changes in their overall wellbeing.  In today's episode I break down 8 key categories to look out for, probing questions you could use to learn more and what this could potentially be a sign of: Personal appearanceWeight changeMobilityEngagementSocial/community participationMemory/recallMedication managementHome maintenanceFor more information on this topic, you can head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au/post/annual-check-in-december-newsletter  As always, you can find me on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or in Instagram @thetruthaboutageing Happy Festive season!!

E71 is one of my passion topics... Advance Care Directives. These documents have slightly different names and formats in each state and territory, but they're essentially a document that details your wishes for future health care, end of life planning, living arrangements and other personal matters . In today's episode I discuss: - What is an Advance Care Directive? - How do I find out what it's called in my state/territory? - Why should I have an Advance Care Directive? - What if my family already know what I want? For more details on Advance Care Planning please head to www.advancecareplanning.org.au.  If you want to know more about me and the services I offer, you can head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au or find me on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing or on Facebook @navigateagedcareau :)

Welcome back to The Truth About Ageing podcast! Today we're talking all things Advance Care Planning. In South Australia, there are three key succession planning documents that can help your family as you are ageing and once you die - a will, Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and Advance Care Directive (ACD).** In case you’re wondering what the difference between these documents is and what roles they play… a very high level, simple summary is: WILL A legal document with instructions for who you want to inherit your estate, care for your children and be the executor of your estate. ENDURING POWER OF ATTORNEY A legal document which allows you to appoint an Attorney to make decisions about your financial and legal matters. ADVANCE CARE DIRECTIVE A legal document which allows you to appoint a Substitute Decision Maker and documents wishes for your future health care, end of life, preferred living arrangements and other personal matters. **Now Advance Care Directive's will have different names in different states and territories. If you're unsure what your state's equivalent is, you can head to www.advancecareplanning.org.au, which details the various different forms. For more information, head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au :)

The theme for October is 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' and in last fortnights episode I discussed how to know when it might be time to move. In today's episode I unpack what those next steps might be. In Australia we're incredibly lucky to have many housing options available to Seniors, each with varying levels of support. Today I discuss: Independent Living Units / Retirement VillagesServiced apartmentsSemi-support livingIf you would like to have a chat about which option might work best for you or your loved one, please head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au/services and book a free 15 minute consult.  As always, you can find me on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or on Instagram @thetruthaboutageingpodcast - can't wait to talk again soon! :)

Choosing to move from the family home can be an incredibly difficult decision. 80% of  ageing Australians, would like to remain there for as long as possible. And the majority have negative views of Residential Aged Care facilities (what used to be called nursing homes).   What I find most people don't fully understand, are the are many alternatives between 'home' and Residential Aged Care. Whilst it might not be the family home they're staying in, an Independent Living Unit, Serviced Apartment or Semi-Supported Living arrangement may allow them to stay in the community for longer, before moving to a Residential Aged Care home. In today's episode I talk about re-defining 'home' and when you know it might be time to consider alternate living arrangements. In next fortnight's episode, I'll be diving deeper into the different options available and when/where you might access them. As always, you can find me at www.navigateagedcare.com.au, or on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or on Instagram @thetruthaboutageingpodcast

The podcast theme for September is 'Living Longer, Living Better', so with my own Grandma turning 90 on the 17th September it seemed like the perfect time to sit her down and soak up all her wisdom.  For those who have listened to her previous episodes or who know her personally, her no nonsense approach to life will come as no surprise. Her reminder to not take life too seriously, to trust in the good in others and the importance of family are lessons she's passed down the family for many generations. I hope through this episode that she gets to spread those lessons a little further.  If you want to get in touch with me, please head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au.  You can find me on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing.

We are all living longer, so how can ensure we spend our days living with a sense of purpose, fulfilment and enjoyment? The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released a report in June 2023 that identified from 1967-2021, life expectancy increased by 13.7 years for males (to 81.3) and 11.2 years for females (to 85.4). During 2016-2018 Indigneous Australians life expectancy was 72 years for males and 77 years for females. What these statistics show us is that a) we have a long way to go in bridging the gap with First Nations healthcare and b) we are living increasingly longer. In today's episode I discuss the rise of depression in ageing Australians and how social connection can help overcome that. Small steps to increase connection can go a long way. A check in text each morning or a weekly chat with a neighbour can make a big difference to someones feeling of connection and value. Below are some simple ways to get more connected: Social Groups - book club, gardening group, Seniors choir, U3AGetting out in the community - shopping, appointments, exercise classFamily and Friends - regular contact and visitsVolunteering - local library, school groups, Meals on WheelsTalking to a neighbour - small conversations can make big connections You can read the full Black Dog Institute Article on depression in older people here - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Depression-in-older-people.pdf To read Professor Catherine Haslam's article titled 'Social connectedness and health in later life', click here - https://psychology.org.au/inpsych/2016/december/haslam To sign up to the monthly Navigate Newsletter head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au/newsletter.  As always you can find me at www.navigateagedcare.com.au, on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing and on Facebook @navigateagedcareau Until next time! 

Convincing a loved one to see a doctor or access home care services can be hard at the best of times... throw dementia or a cognitive impairment in the mix and it can be an incredibly delicate situation to manage.  In todays episode I discuss how to support loved ones living with dementia in the community, including: What a cognitive assessment isHow to encourage someone with a cognitive impairment to seek assessmentWhat to do if someone refuses assessmentSupports available for those living with dementia in the communityHow to create a community support network for your loved oneWhat to do if all else failsIf you would like to look further into the wonderful resources available from Dementia Australia you can do so at www.dementia.org.au or contact the National Dementia Hotline on 1800 100 500. As always, you can find me at www.navigateagedcare.com.au, on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing and Facebook @navigateagedcareau :)

Hard Conversations in ageing can take many different forms. It might be encouraging your loved one to accept some help at home. It could be broaching discussions about moving permanently into a residential care facility. It may be gently assessing if the individual has insight into their own cognitive decline. So what can you do about this? In my experience the keys to productive and positive Hard Conversations are: CuriosityEmpathyGoal-focused discussionIn this episode we unpack how to use those three pillars to work alongside your loved one and ensure they achieve their ageing goals.  If you'd like to subscribe to the monthly Navigate Newsletter you can do so here - www.navigateagedcare.com.au/newsletter If you'd like to book a free 15 minute phone consult to discuss your loved ones needs (Australia only) you can do so here - www.navigateagedcare.com.au/services If you'd like to follow me on socials you can find me at @navigateagedcareau on Facebook or @thetruthaboutageing on Instagram. Talk soon! x

In today's episode I thought I'd unpack a very regular conversation I have with clients about how to access home care services.  There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to starting your aged care journey, so today I discuss what flags to look out for, what services are available, what fees you might have to pay and how to get started with services. Flags you might need support - specific areas of decline to look out forGovernment funded services in the home - Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages and hospital discharge programsFees - charges to your Home Care Package for care and package management and fees that you may personally payHow to access services - contacting My Aged Care, what to request, in home assessments and wait timesThank you as always for tuning into todays episode. If you have any questions or would like to seek individualised advice, please feel free to contact me at www.navigateagedcare.com.au :)