Attwood Marshall Lawyers Accredited Aged Care Professional and Paralegal Bindy Marshall explains how to support elderly relatives if a Christmas visit this holiday season reveals they are struggling to care for themselves at home or if they may need to consider moving into an aged care facility.
The Christmas season often brings families together, with loved ones travelling from near and far to reconnect and celebrate. However, for many, the joy of visiting elderly relatives at Christmas time can be overshadowed by the discovery of a parent’s or grandparent’s declining health and living conditions.
After all, you can’t see the mess, what’s in the fridge, or lack of hygiene over the phone.
These moments can be confronting and are sensitive matters to navigate.
If you discover that your loved one’s health has deteriorated since you last visited them, here’s a guide on the steps to take to ensure elderly relatives receive the care and support they may require.
Recognising the signs of decline
For family members who haven’t seen their elderly loved ones in some time, the reality of their situation can be surprising and concerning. From unopened mail piling up on tables to poor hygiene and cluttered living spaces, these are some tell-tale signs that additional support is needed.
In extreme cases, relatives may discover unsafe or unsanitary conditions that demand immediate intervention.
How to approach difficult conversations
Starting a conversation about an elderly relative’s health and potential need for care can be daunting, and it may be met with resistance and resentment. It’s essential to approach the subject with empathy and sensitivity.
Here are some tips to get the conversation started:
- Choose the right time and setting: Avoid raising concerns during busy or stressful moments. A quiet, private setting is best.
- Express concern, not criticism: Frame your observations as care and concern rather than judgment.
- Involve other family members: Where possible, include other family members or close friends the individual trusts in the discussion to provide support.
- Be patient: You must accept that your loved one may feel defensive or resistant initially. Understand that there can be a lot of fear around losing control of their autonomy, living arrangements, or personal preferences. Give them time to process and revisit the conversation later if necessary.
Transitioning to aged care and ACAT assessments
An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment is critical in determining eligibility for government-subsidized care services, whether at home or in a residential facility.
A qualified health professional conducts the assessment at your own home. An ACAT assessment is designed to evaluate an individual’s health and medical history, living situation, daily needs and challenges, and care needs.
To check your eligibility and apply for an assessment, you or someone on your behalf can complete a simple online questionnaire on the My Aged Care website.
Given the current wait times for ACAT assessments, families can take proactive steps to ensure their loved ones receive support in the interim.
Private home care services are available to provide immediate support and offer flexible options to suit different needs and budgets.
Preparing for the later stages of life
Planning ahead can make a big difference in easing the transition to aged care.
Everyone should consider having an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA). An EPOA is a legal document that allows an appointed individual to make decisions on behalf of a person if they lose the capacity to do so themselves.
Enduring Powers of Attorney can cover financial decisions, health and care decisions, and lifestyle matters.
If you have been appointed as an attorney for an elderly relative, it is crucial to understand your responsibilities. Before stepping into the role, check the scope of the role and what type of decisions you have been given the power to make. An attorney must also know when the role commences. Some Enduring Power of Attorney appointments are immediate, while others may take effect only if the person loses capacity.
There may be more than one attorney appointed to act for the individual, so it is important to identify whether an attorney can make decisions solely or is required to act jointly with another person.
Attorneys play a key role in supporting an elderly relative’s transition into aged care. They may be the ones who register the individual with My Aged Care, assist with paperwork for government departments and aged care facilities, and ensure the person’s finances are managed appropriately to cover care costs.
The attorney must also support the person they are acting for in making their own decisions, even if they are cognitively impaired.
Navigating the transition to a residential aged care facility
If a loved one can no longer safely remain in their home and their care needs are more complex, it may warrant a move to a residential aged care facility, which can be an overwhelming process.
From finding the right facility that will feel like home, to completing mandatory paperwork and working through the extensive agreements the facility will need to sign, each step requires careful attention and consideration.
Families should seek guidance from Accredited Aged Care Professionals and Aged Care Lawyers before signing any agreements. This will ensure a smooth transition into a facility, and protect the individuals’ best interests.
The focus must remain on supporting the individual emotionally during this time, ensuring they are part of the decision-making process, and feeling comfortable and confident with the decisions being made.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers – supporting people through every stage of life
By understanding the signs of decline, approaching conversations with care and empathy, and planning for the future, families can confidently support their aging loved ones and navigate transitioning to aged care together with confidence.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers is one of the few law firms with a dedicated Aged Care team that practices exclusively in this area.
With three Accredited Aged Care Professionals on our team, we represent many clients who need someone to advocate for them during difficult times. Our lawyers and aged care professionals know the aged care sector inside out and can provide guidance, advocacy, and assistance to protect your best interests.
Whether you need assistance with estate planning, including drafting an Enduring Power of Attorney, or if you need access to attorney services, or advice when transitioning to aged care, we can help.
To discuss your unique needs, please contact our Aged Care and Wills and Estates Department Manager, Donna Tolley, on direct line 07 5506 8241, email dtolley@attwoodmarshall.com.au or free call 1800 621 071.
