If you are worried about the need to access aged care, you are not alone. When the time comes, it can be daunting, with a lot of new information to take in and many decisions to make. The responsibility to make the right decision for yourself or a loved one may weigh heavily on your…
The COVID-19 pandemic gave us all a sneak peek into what life might be like if we lost independence and mobility. But what if the limitations were not due to an international pandemic and were not affecting everyone in your street, but just you? What if it was your own personal capacity (physical or mental…
Many people think they can’t afford to get aged care advice, but the reality is you probably can’t afford not to get advice. RADs, DAPs, MPIRs, MTAs and ACATs !! These are just a few of the acronyms you will face when navigating aged care decisions. It might even feel like you’ve landed in a…
If you are feeling a bit like the meat in the sandwich you are not alone. The ‘sandwich generation’ is a growing social phenomenon that impacts people from all walks of life, describing those at a stage of their lives where they are caring for their offspring as well as their elderly parents. The phenomenon…
Having a legally valid will can go a long way to avoiding disputes over the division of your assets. What did the artist Picasso, musicians Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin, and billionaire entrepreneur Howard Hughes have in common? You would be correct if you think they had amassed large fortunes before their deaths. But another…
Cashflow planning is important when moving into aged care, but plans can be thrown into chaos if your first invoice shows much higher fees than expected. This article sheds light on interim fees. The first statement you receive when you move into residential aged care can be a shock, as fees might be far higher…
Moving into residential aged care can be stressful with complicated rules, family conflicts and rushed timeframes. This can easily lead to mistakes, which can be costly and difficult to rectify. This article highlights three common mistakes and tips to avoid traps. Rushing your decision The biggest expense you will face is the cost of your…
Why it’s so important to talk about your finances According to this research1, one in two Australians don’t sit down regularly to look at their finances and one in three say that money is a source of conflict in their relationship. To put conversations about money back on the table, Australians should sit down for…
Life is filled with changes. But with preparation and good advice, you may be able to manage the changes more effectively to minimise the stress. Watching your spouse’s health decline can be difficult and stressful. And if this decline results in a move to aged care, you will both be faced with a lot of…
Second marriages may present additional financial challenges when balancing day-to-day expenses with implications for aged care funding. You may not share finances equally, but Centrelink/DVA will assess your obligations as if you do. Life is full of ups and downs. You might have been unlucky and lost a spouse but then been lucky to find…