"I just need to know what's normal"
Your mum's forgetting things more often. Your dad's sleeping through lunch. They've lost weight, or they're not driving at night anymore. You're worried - but you don't know if this is just ageing or something more serious.
You call, and everything seems fine. Then two days later, something else happens and that worry creeps back in. You're second-guessing yourself constantly: Am I overreacting? Am I ignoring warning signs? Should I be calling the doctor about this?
This is for you if:
- You're noticing changes but can't tell if they're concerning
- You're stuck between "just aging" and "something's wrong"
- You need help tracking patterns, not just isolated incidents
- You want to trust your instincts but don't know if you're right
What you'll get: Clear guidance on what's typical ageing versus actual red flags. A way to track patterns over time so you can see what's really happening. Practical scripts for when (and how) to raise concerns with the GP. Less anxiety, more confidence - because you'll know what you're looking at.
That nagging worry is telling you something. Let's figure out together if this is something to watch or something to act on.
Articles in this journey
There's a way forward (let us show you)
You've noticed changes in your parent but don't know what they mean or what to do. There's a way forward - we'll help you understand what you're seeing and show you exactly where to start.
Normal ageing or something more? The green, orange, red framework
You've noticed changes in your parent. But you don't know if what you're seeing is normal ageing, temporary decline, or something requiring urgent action. This article gives you a simple framework. 🟢 GREEN = Normal ageing. Monitor and plan ahead. 🟠 ORANGE = Concerning patterns. Act within weeks or months. 🔴 RED = Urgent concerns. Act within days. By the end, you'll know exactly which category your parent falls into - and what to do about it.
I think it might be dementia: What you're seeing and why it matters
You've been watching. Noticing. Probably for months. Your parent asks the same question three times in one conversation. They got confused about what day it was. They couldn't remember where they parked at the shopping centre - a place they've been going to for twenty years. Each time, you explain it away. They're tired. They've been stressed. Everyone forgets things sometimes. But the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. And the word you've been avoiding is starting to surface: dementia. Here's what you need to know: thinking it might be dementia doesn't mean you're catastrophising or being disloyal. It means you're paying attention. This article helps you understand what you're actually seeing, why early assessment matters (even though it's scary), and what dementia actually means in the early stages - which is very different from the worst-case scenarios playing in your head.
When is the right time to start planning? (Hint: it's just after your parent's 75th birthday)
Only 14% of Australians have a plan in place for the later stages of life. The best time to start? Just after your parents' 75th birthday - when Medicare already recognises this as a significant health milestone, and when having "the conversation" becomes easier because it's about age, not illness.
What your parent actually needs you to know right now (and what can wait)
Your parents are fine right now - so what does "being prepared" actually mean? Here's what you need to know now, what can wait, and how to tell the difference.
Most people want to age at home. Here's what that actually means.
The overwhelming majority of Australians want to stay in their own homes as they age. But wanting it and planning for it are very different things.
You don't have a plan. Most people don't. Here's where to start.
No care plan for your ageing parent? You're not alone. Here's how to start planning for the conversations and decisions ahead. Without the overwhelm.
The new Support at Home Program explained
Support at Home is the new Australian Government program helping older people stay home longer. Here's how it works, what it covers, and how much funding you can get.
What happens when you don't plan - the real costs of winging it
Think you'll figure it out when the time comes? Here's what "winging it" actually looks like when your parent needs care—and why it's harder than you think.