When do we start the aged care conversation?

When should the aged care conversation commence? At what age should you start thinking about your care needs? The answer is simple; any age is the right time. Whether you find yourself in the early stages of retirement or experiencing health concerns, planning for care is important.

Why start the aged care conversation early?

If you have aging parents, starting the aged care conversation while your loved ones are still in good health and especially while they still can make their own decisions is a smart approach. Focus discussions on what support may prove beneficial or alleviate potential challenges in the future such as what happens if they can no longer drive or need help to live independently. While the subject may be awkward, it provides your loved one the opportunity to share their priorities and provide instructions. These instructions provide guidance if you later need to make choices on their behalf in the future.

Recognising the Signs: When Care Might Be Needed

Sometimes, the aged care conversation arises not from planning, but from noticeable changes in a loved one’s health, behaviour, or living situation. These signs can emerge gradually and may indicate that additional support could improve safety, wellbeing, or independence. Recognising these changes early can help families start important conversations and explore care options before a crisis occurs.

Health and wellbeing changes

• Noticeable decline in physical health or mobility
• Recent hospital stay or multiple falls
• Unexplained weight loss or poor nutrition
• Increasing forgetfulness or confusion
• Missed medications or difficulty managing them
• Chronic illnesses becoming harder to manage

Safety and daily living

• Home becoming cluttered, unsafe, or in disrepair
• Difficulty with personal care (bathing, dressing, hygiene)
• Unopened mail, unpaid bills, or disconnection notices
• Food spoiling in the fridge or lack of fresh food
• Changes in driving ability or car accidents

Emotional and social wellbeing

• Withdrawal from friends, family, or social activities
• Noticeable mood changes or depression
• Signs of loneliness or anxiety
• Loss of interest in hobbies or self-care

Care stress and fatigue

• Spouse or family member feeling overwhelmed or exhausted
• Carer neglecting their own health or wellbeing
• Relationship strain due to caregiving pressures

Financial or administrative red flags

• Difficulty managing finances or making decisions
• Unopened correspondence from government departments or banks
• Misplaced or missing important documents

Five things to consider when planning aged care

• Addressing financial, family, and personal aspects early on can open up a range of options and help reduce stress when navigating future care decisions.
• Before residential aged care, consider the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Support at Home (previously called Home Care) Packages. These options offer increasing support, allowing individuals to remain in their homes while maintaining independence.
• Explore short-term respite options or alternatives to support family and friends in need of a break from the care and support they provide, allowing them focus on their personal wellbeing. As I say, ”When the carer breaks, two people need care, the person being cared for and the person doing the caring.”
• Review the enduring power of attorney, enduring guardianship, and Will to ensure the right people are appointed and that these remain appropriate and valid. This minimises confusion and delays, along with any unexpected outcomes when these documents are required.
• Our Aged Care Specialist Advisers provide more information around the various care options and support available. They will also help to clarify the various financial considerations, helping you to understand initial and long-term financial outcomes.

Seeking assistance

Making an informed decision about care, particularly residential care is important. Poor decisions can have far-reaching consequences for the entire family, potentially leading to conflicts. To learn more about how we assist families in making informed choices at every stage of their care journey and achieve their preferred outcomes during emotional and stressful times, please contact our Lifestyle and Care team.

Download our guide to aged care

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