Did you know families are waiting 245 days for Support at Home? Co-contribution can make even basic care unaffordable. Financial hardship applications are complicated. These are adding stress to families who are already stretched. Some even cut back on essential services such as showers just to manage the financial challenge. If you’re struggling, contact OPAN; they guide families through complaints and advocacy. Raise your concerns with Ageing Australia and your local MP. Get your voice heard through the right channel. OPAN - 1800 700 600 Ageing Australia - 1300 222 721

"Money talks" matters when planning ageing at home. 60 % say honest conversations about parents’ finances relieve stress. If you’re juggling tuition and aged care, let’s chat budgeting, government funding, and planning. How do you navigate the money talk? Everyone says ‘plan ahead’ for aged care, but what does that actually mean? 7 in 10 sandwich caregivers feel financially exhausted. One 47-year-old told me she lies awake worrying about what happens when her parents’ savings run out. The stress isn’t just money, it’s uncertainty. Here’s what planning ahead actually looks like: Have the honest financial conversations early, before care becomes urgent. Understand eligibility for government support programs such as CHSP and Support at Home. Map out how long assets will realistically last, instead of hoping they’ll be enough. Planning won’t remove responsibility, but it replaces uncertainty with strategy. Have you had these conversations yet? Consult a Financial Planner early to avert future worries. Save this as a reminder and follow to plan early, not in crisis.

Ever feel like you’re running on an empty tank? You’re not alone. What’s one thing you do to recharge? No one talks about how exhausting it is to raise kids and parent your parents. I’m part of the sandwich generation and 86% of us are emotionally exhausted. 80% are physically drained. I’m one of them. The constant worry ‘Is Mum okay alone?’ ‘Did I miss my son’s school play?’ never really turns off. If this is you, hear me: you’re not failing. You’re stretched. Here’s what helped me: I take 10 minutes a day that belong to no one else. No fixing. No caregiving. it is called priming. I sit in my car/ backyard, and just breathe before I become what everyone needs. You deserve 10 minutes too. Save this for the days you forget you’re doing your best. And follow for more real conversations about surviving the sandwich generation

Lately I’ve had a lot of honest conversations with families about Assistive Technology funding. And I want to speak openly about something: Yes AT approvals are taking time. And no, it’s not because your provider isn’t acting. Let me explain what actually happens behind the scenes. What Goes Inside an AT Application When we apply for AT funding under Support at Home, it’s not just a purchase request. It includes: • A formal AT-HM request form • Evidence that the item matches the participant’s assessed needs • Clinical justification (if under advice or prescribed) • A formal supplier quote • Alignment with funding thresholds and category rules • Risk and safety considerations • Submission via the My Aged Care Provider Portal Once submitted, the request goes to the Commonwealth for review. Providers do not hold or control these funds. Why It’s Taking Time Right Now? We’re in the early stages of a major aged care reform. What that means in practice: • Higher volume of applications • Centralised review processes • Tightened documentation requirements • Greater scrutiny around funding allocation This creates a backlog while the system stabilises. It’s not personal. It’s structural.