Christmas and the festive season
Historical article – pre-1 November 2025 aged care changes
The festive season provides families with the chance to slow down and spend time with loved ones, particularly elderly parents.
Often during this time, you might notice your parent’s health and independence declining. This might trigger an imminent need to consider what help is available to manage their everyday needs.
Or, this may be a time for parents to take control over their future with advice and family discussions.
The signs of ageing can be distressing and worrying for many people, but they are a natural part of life, especially with our increasing longevity.
Not having an effective plan for how to grow old safely can be a problem. This plan needs to consider strategies to ensure the home environment and care supports are appropriate, as well as how to fund quality levels of care.
It might be time for a family meeting
If you have older parents, take the time this year to raise the issue with them and your siblings or other family members and seek advice to start building a family action plan. If you are that older person, the festive season provides you with an opportunity to bring your adult children together to discuss your care needs. Make yourself heard whilst you are still able to maintain your control and independence and put strategies into place.
The value of a family meeting
A well-run family meeting can allow parents, children and other family members to discuss issues and preferences, express concerns and make decisions that work for your family as a whole.
As an Accredited Aged Care Professional™ I can assist with running a family meeting to help your family see the big picture more objectively. Together we can consider the options for your parents’ care, security and happiness.
The earlier you take this step, the better. Planning ahead ensures that parents are fully involved in the decision-making and removes some of the stress from other family members. With a well organised plan in place, your family can respond more quickly and effectively when an event requiring a move to aged care occurs.
Talk to me today.
Financial advice from an Accredited Aged Care Professional™ can help you to decide what you can afford and show you some tricks to make what seems unaffordable more affordable. We have the expertise to help you make an informed decision.
As an Accredited Aged Care ProfessionalTM I have helped many clients to make this choice. I help to find a choice that is affordable, as well as works best for the family and protects the value of the estate.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so it is important to speak to someone like myself who is a licenced financial adviser (I am an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited AFSL 227232).
Call me on 0431 414 799 to discuss how I might help yours or a loved one's own position.
