Your Aged Care Compass

Coral Wilkinson & Michelle Brown
Your Aged Care Compass

Are you supporting an older loved one at home and ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is aimed at anyone who is caring for an older loved one who still lives at home and is wondering what support is available to them. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is now the client care manager for our business. Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. We reached a point however, of needing extra support and we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well, we knew what programs could assist us and our parents. This podcast, Your Aged Care Compass, brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our own ageing parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system, from your first contact with My Aged Care through to the different funding streams and assessment workforces, management options for home care packages and extra funding that people might be eligible for. There's so much more. Topics relating to dementia and legal and financial considerations will be covered, as well as real-life stories of where it went wrong for people and how we guided them to get it right. Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.

  1. Ask me more about SaH

    JUN 16

    Ask me more about SaH

    Here's more about Support at Home (SaH). It's a big, confusing topic. People want to know what it will cost them, what services they will receive, how will they be assessed, and many other queries. This week, Coral and Michelle answer more questions that they’ve been asked directly or that have been asked through the different social media groups they’re on. A reminder also that the rollout of both the new Aged Care Act and SaH have been deferred to November 1st, 2025.  In this episode: Home care package recipients will merge into SaHBasic daily fee, income tested fee and co-contributionsUnspent funds and how they’re usedThe end of life (palliative) pathwayDo assistants in nursing come under the clinical pathway? Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)Scope of nurses for education and specialist service linkage Resources mentioned: Aged Care Specialist officer Dept of health website – Support at Home program Connect with Coral Wilkinson:  Instagram  LinkedIn  Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram    More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:  Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.  Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents. Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.  We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.  Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.  Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

    10 min
  2. Ask me anything about SaH

    JUN 9

    Ask me anything about SaH

    Support at Home (SaH) is still causing confusion for so many home care recipients. We're frequently asked questions about how the new program will affect those already in the system and those who are yet to enter. Coral and Michelle have put together the questions they are most commonly asked and answered them for you in this episode. Note also that last week the government announced that it was deferring the start of both the new Aged Care Act and SaH to November 1st, 2025. We touch on this also.  In this episode: Support at Home deferred until Nov 1st, 2025Home care packages (HCP) program to stay in place until thenMy Aged Care is the starting pointUnspent HCP funds and how they will be treatedRollover of unspent funds under SaHCommonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)Keeping preferred workersWho will have to pay the co-contributionHow the co-contribution is determinedThe assessment processShort Term Restorative Care (STRC)Care management and admin fees for self-managed providers  Resources mentioned: Aged Care Specialist OfficersDept of health website – Support at Home program Connect with Coral Wilkinson:  Instagram  LinkedIn  Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram    More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:  Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.  Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents. Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.  We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.  Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved...

    22 min
  3. SaH for the non-grandfathered participants

    MAY 26

    SaH for the non-grandfathered participants

    Join Coral and Anna as they discuss what SaH will look like for the non-grandfathered participants. That’s anyone who was assessed as eligible for a home care package (HCP)after Sept 12, 2024, and before July 1st, 2025. Learn about services, co-contributions and unspent funds and how they will affect this group of participants. In this episode: The three different groups who will enter Support at HomeWho are the non-grandfathered participants (the hybrids)?Hybrids will blend both the home care packages and SaH programsUnder SaH, the hybrid participants will have automatic approval for every category of serviceFlexibility of services will be the same as the grandfathered participantsThe hybrid group will not be protected by the “no worse off principle” for financial contributionsFlexibility of services applies even if the HCP isn’t assigned until after July 1stQuarterly budget can be used for home modificationsHow unspent funds can be usedCo-contributions for this groupWhat statements will look likeSpecial needs groupsPrimary supplementsFinancial hardship supplementDementia and cognition supplement arrangements Resources mentioned: Podcast episode 41 – Grandfathering under SaH Dept of health website – Support at Home program Connect with Anna Millicer: Get Smart Aged Care ConsultancyAnna Millicer LinkedIn Connect with Coral Wilkinson:  Instagram  LinkedIn  Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram    More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:  Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.  Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents. Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our...

    39 min
  4. How GPs support older people

    MAY 19

    How GPs support older people

    General practitioners (GPs) support older people in several important ways. It’s not just about diagnosing illness. Coral is joined today by a Cairns GP, Dr Garry Hartrick, who has been a GP for 40 years. Coral and Garry discuss the different ways a GP can help the older person to remain well and able in their own home through not only monitoring their health but also by helping them to access other supports and services.  In this episode: The more common reasons family members raise concerns about their elderly loved onesCognition dysfunctionGP management plansTeam care arrangementsChronic disease managementMental health care plansDisability parking permitsInvestigating a person’s ability to continue drivingCarer’s allowance and carer paymentMedication monitoringHome medicines reviewWebster packs for medicationsThe importance of a regular review with your GP  Resources mentioned: Blog: Is there financial support for carers?Disability parking permitsHome medicines reviewWebster packs Connect with Coral Wilkinson:  Instagram  LinkedIn  Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram    More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:  Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.  Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents. Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.  We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.  Your...

    43 min
  5. Preparing for Support at Home with Flexi Care

    MAY 12

    Preparing for Support at Home with Flexi Care

    With July 1st fast approaching, Flexi Care is preparing for Support at Home (SaH). Providers are still waiting for all the information they need from the government. Flexi Care has adopted a proactive approach to preparing both their staff and their clients for the changes that are coming. Coral and Adrian discuss how Flexi Care is preparing and the challenges they can see. Adrian highlights the aspects of SaH that he feels could present obstacles to both providers and participants.  In this episode: Providers still don’t have all the details for Support at HomeHCP levels vs SaH classificationsFunding levels under SaHInterim funding Being approved for services at assessmentDiscussion about the need for nursing and allied health services for everyoneService categories under SaHCo-contributions for different service categoriesCo-contributions for grandfathered participantsCare managementFees under Support at HomeNew funding pathwaysHow Flexi Care is preparing for SaH Connect with Adrian Morgan and Flexi Care: Flexi Care website Adrian Morgan LinkedIn Facebook Connect with Coral Wilkinson:  Instagram  LinkedIn  Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram    More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:  Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.  Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents. Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.  We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.  Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved...

    56 min
  6. Meet home care provider Flexi Care

    MAY 5

    Meet home care provider Flexi Care

    Home care provider Flexi Care supports people in the southern areas of Brisbane to live independently, safely and confidently in their own homes and communities. Adrian Morgan is the General Manager of Flexi Care, an independent, not-for-profit provider of in-home services and support. Coral and Adrian discuss Flexi Care’s approach to providing older people with practical help to continue to live well in their own homes, while respecting their rights to make their own choices about the services they receive. In this episode: Recognising that older people’s needs can change quickly and significantlyFlexi Care employs “home care partners” to work with people to best meet their needsCommonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) explainedFlexi Care delivers both CHSP and HCPWait times for HCPs are, on average, 11 monthsPeople currently receiving CHSP funded services will not be grandfathered under Support at HomeFlexi Care does not sign people up over the phoneFace to face meetings are the best way of sharing informationUnderstanding what a person needs to enjoy their best quality of lifeFlexi Care’s community adventures programFunding availability once a person signs up with Flexi CareChanging providers to Flexi Care and transfer of fundsCare plan reviews are done as often as neededRequesting a support plan reviewNeeding approval for service types under SaH will reduce flexibility for participantsCare management and fees under SaHQuarterly budgets and unspent funds under SaHHow Flexi Care is preparing for Support at Home Connect with Adrian Morgan: Flexi Care website Adrian Morgan LinkedInFlexi Care Facebook Connect with Coral Wilkinson:  Instagram  LinkedIn  Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram    More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:  Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.  Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s...

    1h 4m
  7. Grandfathering under SaH - What it means for you

    APR 28

    Grandfathering under SaH - What it means for you

    Depending on when you entered the aged care system, you may be grandfathered under SaH. Learn what this means for you and how you will be affected. Grandfathering relates to financial contributions only. It does not relate to the level or number of services you may receive. If you need to be reassessed into a higher classification, you’re still protected financially but you may lose the flexibility you currently enjoy within your home care package. In this episode: The importance of the date Sept 12, 2024Who is grandfathered?Grandfathered participants will be treated differently under SaHChanges in terminologyThe three different groups of participants when SaH beginsNo worse off principle and how it appliesCo-contributions for grandfathered participants explainedHow unspent funds are treatedQuarterly budgetsHow much funding can be rolled over per quarterFlexibility with care plans for grandfathered participantsCare management feesCost of services to include administration fees Resources mentioned: Summary of indicative Support at Home prices Connect with Anna Millicer: Get Smart Aged Care ConsultancyAnna Millicer LinkedIn Connect with Coral Wilkinson:  Instagram  LinkedIn  Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram    More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:  Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.  Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents. Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.  We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.  Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and

    49 min
  8. How your support plan informs your care plan

    APR 21

    How your support plan informs your care plan

    Understand how your support plan informs your care plan and therefore the support and services you may be able to get from your service provider. The support plan and the care plan are two separate documents yet they are both linked to the in-home support you may receive. It’s important that each one is as detailed as possible to ensure you get the level of in-home support that’s right for you.  In this episode: What is a support plan?Information in a support planWhat is a care plan?How the care plan is developedInformation in a care planWhen a care plan should be reviewedCare plans for people assessed after July 1stSupport plan reviews for additional services under SaHWhen and how to get a support plan review Resources mentioned: Blog – What’s the difference between a support plan and a care plan? Connect with Coral Wilkinson:  Instagram  LinkedIn  Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram    More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:  Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.  Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents. Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.  We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.  Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.  Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

    13 min

Trailer

About

Are you supporting an older loved one at home and ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is aimed at anyone who is caring for an older loved one who still lives at home and is wondering what support is available to them. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is now the client care manager for our business. Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. We reached a point however, of needing extra support and we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well, we knew what programs could assist us and our parents. This podcast, Your Aged Care Compass, brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our own ageing parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system, from your first contact with My Aged Care through to the different funding streams and assessment workforces, management options for home care packages and extra funding that people might be eligible for. There's so much more. Topics relating to dementia and legal and financial considerations will be covered, as well as real-life stories of where it went wrong for people and how we guided them to get it right. Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.

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