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. Preparing for Support at Home with Flexi Care

    22H AGO

    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...

    57 min
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. How you're assessed for in-home-support

    APR 14

    How you're assessed for in-home-support

    Having an assessment for in-home support requires preparation on the part of the older person and their family/carers. The assessment tool, the IAT, gathers the information given by the participant and works out a level of support for that person. If the information given is incomplete or lacking in detail, you, as the participant, may miss out on the in-home support you need. Ensure you know what your limitations and difficulties are and articulate those every time you speak to staff at My Aged Care or any assessment organisation.  In this episode: It’s essential that people understand how they are being assessedThe integrated assessment tool (IAT)How the IAT worksUnderstand the reasons you’re requesting an assessmentWhat the assessment coversWho can provide information at assessmentWhat assessors are looking at during assessmentThe importance of conveying all your informationService categories under Support at HomeYou must be approved for services within those categories to be able to use your funding for themThe support plan Resources mentioned: Blog - Getting an assessment under Support at HomeBlog - Understanding Support at HomeBlog - When should I contact My Aged Care? 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...

    38 min
  6. Understanding Support at Home with Dovida

    APR 7

    Understanding Support at Home with Dovida

    With all the changes coming on July 1st, understanding Support at Home is crucial. Coral and Kathryn discuss how Dovida is preparing to meet this challenge. Unfortunately, providers still need more information about how the program will look once it’s implemented. Regardless of all this, vulnerable older people need continuity of care. They need to be reassured that their services and support won’t be affected. Learn about the changes that Dovida and their clients are likely to be affected by once Support at Home takes effect. In this episode: Understanding what will Support at Home (S@H) look like for current recipients of home care packages?How Dovida is preparing for July 1stThe three service categories under S@H and their co-contributionsProviders are expected to do more for less so efficiencies must be improvedThe restorative care pathway and a reablement approachClinicians bring value to a person’s wellbeing and independenceCare management explainedQuarterly budgets and caps on unspent fundsAssistive technology and home modifications programs End of life pathway explainedAdvantages and disadvantages of S@H Resources mentioned:Dept of health and aged care website - classification and budgets for ongoing servicesDept of health and aged care website - short term supportsBlog - what's the difference between a support plan and a care plan? Connect with Kathryn Ewen and Dovida: Kathryn Ewen LinkedInDovida websiteFacebook Dovida Perth MetroInstagram Dovida Perth Metro 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...

    1h 12m
  7. Meet home care provider Dovida

    MAR 31

    Meet home care provider Dovida

    Good home care providers want their clients to be well supported and have their needs met. This leads to greater independence and better outcomes for the older person. Dovida (formerly Home Instead) is one such provider. Coral has a chat with Kathryn Ewen, a networker with Dovida Perth Metro, about Dovida’s processes for supporting their clients and how they fulfil their motto of “Your life, your way.” In this episode: Dovida, formerly Home Instead, is a home care providerKathryn’s role as a networkerHelping people navigate a complex aged care systemThe kinds of clients that Dovida supportsThe questions that potential clients askWhat's important to know when you’re looking for a providerEligibility for services and identifying unmet needsWhat makes a good provider?Investing in staff trainingThe process of signing up with DovidaThe importance of working with the client based on their goalsHow quickly a care plan is to be providedSupport plan vs care planHow Dovida develops the client’s care planWhen does funding start?Transitioning to Dovida from another providerUnspent fundsWhen and how Dovida requests a support plan review for a clientTransitioning to Support at HomeSupport under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) won’t be affected from July 1st, 2025. Kathryn’s key points for getting support Resources mentioned: My Aged Care phone number: 1800 200 422 My Aged Care website Connect with Kathryn Ewen and Dovida: Kathryn Ewen LinkedIn Dovida website Facebook Dovida Perth Metro Instagram Dovida Perth Metro 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...

    50 min
  8. Aged care essentials 2025

    MAR 24

    Aged care essentials 2025

    Welcome back for our first episode of 2025. The aged care sector is undergoing huge changes with the implementation of Support at Home on July 1st. Those changes started last year. Coral and Michelle discuss the topics that we’ll be exploring further on the podcast this year and the guests we’ll invite to join us. We have some very knowledgeable speakers lined up. They’ll be helping us and you, our listeners, to better understand Australia’s aged care system. In this episode: Changes coming to the aged care sectorThe integrated assessment toolThe new Aged Care ActSupport at HomeEpisodes coming with aged care providersOther topics we’ll be covering this year Resources mentioned: Blog - Understanding Support at Home Blog - Getting an assessment under Support at Home 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.

    19 min

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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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