"We need more help than I can give"
Your parent needs more care than you can physically or mentally provide. You know "aged care services" exist somewhere out there, but the system is utterly bewildering. ACAT assessments? Home Care Packages? Support at Home? My Aged Care portal?
You've Googled yourself into a hole, and you're more confused than when you started.
You need professional help. You just have no idea where to start, what's available, what it costs, or how long any of this takes. And you're terrified that asking for help means you're giving up or failing them somehow.
This is for you if:
- You've hit the limit of what you can do yourself
- The aged care system feels like a deliberately confusing maze
- You don't know what level of care your parent actually needs
- You're stuck between "we need help" and "I have no idea how to get it"
What you'll get: The aged care system demystified in plain language - every acronym translated, every step explained. A clear path through the assessment process and what happens next. Help figuring out what level of care is actually needed (not just what exists). Real talk about costs, wait times, and what services actually do. Support navigating the "we need outside help" conversation with family.
Needing help doesn't mean you're failing. The system is deliberately confusing - let's break it down into what you actually need to do this week, not everything at once.
Articles in this journey
Types of care: A simple guide (before you need it at 2am)
A clear guide to care options for ageing parents - from basic home support to full-time care. Understand what's available and what might work for your situation.
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.
CHSP, HCP, NDIS, DVA: Decoding the alphabet soup of home care
Confused by CHSP, HCP, NDIS, and DVA acronyms when seeking home care help for your ageing parents? This guide translates the alphabet soup of Australian home care into clear next steps during crisis moments.
Remember when you had a village to raise your kids? Your parents need one too.
You knew how to build a support network when your kids were young—other parents, neighbours, friends who helped each other without keeping score. Your parent needs that same village now. This article shows you how to create a people-first safety net using the skills you already have: being specific about what helps, making it reciprocal, and knowing you can't do this alone. Whether your parent is at home, in independent living, or residential care, the principle is the same - build the network before you desperately need it. And when you do, you'll probably end up helping someone else's parent too. That's how villages work.
"Safety measures that don't scream 'I don't trust you anymore'"
Practical ways to keep your parent safe at home - without being patronising. Technology, check-ins, and solutions that respect independence while giving everyone peace of mind.
The conversations that need to happen at your kitchen table (not a hospital corridor)
The last stage of life deserves the same thoughtful planning we give to careers, raising children, and retirement. But only 14% of Australians have a plan in place for end-of-life care which means most families are making these profound decisions in hospital corridors under stress. This article guides you through the conversations that need to happen now - at your kitchen table, while everyone's calm - about future care preferences, what matters most, and who speaks on your behalf if you can't speak for yourself.
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.
You're not just tired. This is what burnout actually feels like.
Caregiver burnout hits hardest after a crisis. Recognise the warning signs and access free support through Carer Gateway before you crash completely.
The siblings who disappeared all year suddenly have opinions about Mum's care
When a crisis hits, distant siblings often emerge with strong opinions but little context. How to manage family conflict when decisions need to happen fast.