Guides
Plain-language explainers on aged care, the NDIS, and community support in Australia. Each guide is written by our editorial team and reviewed against current government guidelines.
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ACAT assessment: what to expect and how to arrange one
Plain-language guide to the aged care assessment (ACAT, called ACAS in Victoria): who needs one, how to arrange it, what happens, and the approvals it gives.
Advance care directives explained: putting your health wishes in writing
An advance care directive records your future health care wishes in case you cannot speak for yourself. What it covers, how it differs from a power of attorney, and how to make one.
Aged care fees explained: what you actually pay
Plain-English guide to aged care costs in Australia: home care contributions, the basic daily fee, means-tested fees, and accommodation deposits (RAD and DAP).
Allied health for older people: physio, OT, podiatry and more
Plain-language guide to allied health for older Australians: what physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, dietitians and speech pathologists do, why it helps you stay independent, and how it is funded.
Carer Payment vs Carer Allowance: what is the difference?
Plain-language guide to the two main Centrelink payments for carers in Australia: Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. How each works, who qualifies, whether you can get both, and how to claim through Services Australia.
Choosing a retirement village: contracts, fees, and what to check
Plain-language guide to retirement villages: how they work, contract types, the deferred management fee explained, the cooling-off period, and getting advice.
Dementia care options in Australia: support at every stage
Plain-language guide to dementia care in Australia: support at home, day programs and respite, residential memory support, the key helplines, and why planning ahead legally and financially matters.
Dementia vs Alzheimer's: what is the difference?
Plain-language explanation of how dementia and Alzheimer's disease differ: dementia is the umbrella term for a group of symptoms, Alzheimer's is the most common disease that causes them, plus the other main types and what a diagnosis involves in Australia.
Downsizing options for seniors: how to choose the right move
A plain-English comparison of downsizing options for seniors: smaller homes, retirement villages, land lease living, granny flats and staying put.
Enduring power of attorney explained: what it is and how it works
An enduring power of attorney lets someone you trust manage money or health decisions if you lose capacity. What it covers, and how the rules differ by state.
Falls prevention for older people
Plain-language guide to preventing falls in later life: why falls matter more than people expect, the main risk factors that can actually be changed, practical steps at home, and who to ask for a falls assessment in Australia.
Guardianship and administration explained: when an enduring power of attorney isn't in place
Plain-language guide to guardianship and administration in Australia: what happens when an adult loses capacity without an enduring power of attorney, who a tribunal can appoint, and why planning ahead avoids it.
Home care package vs CHSP: what is the difference?
Plain-language guide to home support in Australia: how the new Support at Home program replaces home care packages, where CHSP still fits, how to access each, and what to do while you wait.
Home care vs residential aged care: what is the difference?
Plain-language guide to home care versus residential aged care in Australia: how the settings, assessments and fees differ, and how to weigh which one fits.
Home modifications for older people: what they are and how to get them
Plain-language guide to home modifications in Australia: the difference between minor and major changes, how an occupational therapist assessment works, and the aged care and NDIS pathways to getting them funded.
Hospice care vs palliative care: what is the difference?
Plain-language guide to hospice care versus palliative care in Australia: why hospice describes a place rather than a separate program, why American advice does not apply here, and how to access either.
How long is the wait for aged care support?
Plain-language guide to aged care wait times in Australia: the stages that take time, why waits vary by region and need, and what support you can get while you wait.
How to apply for the NDIS: eligibility, access requests and evidence
Plain-language guide to applying for the NDIS in Australia: the eligibility rules (age, residence, disability), how to make an access request, what evidence you need, and what happens after you apply.
How to find and choose an NDIS provider
A practical guide to choosing NDIS providers: registered versus unregistered, how plan management affects your choice, service agreements, worker screening, and the questions to ask.
How to get a parent into aged care in Australia
A step-by-step guide to the aged care entry process: from the first call to My Aged Care through choosing a facility and understanding the costs.
How to join a bowls club: a beginner's guide to lawn bowls in Australia
How to join a bowls club in Australia: what lawn bowls involves, social versus pennant play, accessibility, costs and finding a club near you.
How to talk to a parent about accepting help
Plain-language guide to raising care and support with an ageing parent who is reluctant: why it is hard, how to start the conversation, what to avoid, and how to move forward together without a fight.
NDIS budget categories explained: Core, Capacity Building and Capital
Plain-language guide to how an NDIS plan is structured: the three budget types (Core, Capacity Building, Capital), what each funds, and which parts of your funding are flexible and which are locked.
NDIS plan management explained: self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed
Plain-language guide to the three ways to manage an NDIS plan in Australia: self-managed, plan-managed, and NDIA-managed. How each works, who can use non-registered providers, the trade-offs, and how to change.
NDIS plan reassessments explained: reviews, changes and how to prepare
Plain-language guide to NDIS plan reassessments in Australia: the difference between a scheduled reassessment, requesting a change, and disputing a decision, plus how to prepare so your next plan reflects your real needs.
Nursing home vs aged care home: what is the difference?
Plain-language guide to nursing homes versus aged care homes in Australia: why both terms describe the same thing today, where hostel, low care and high care fit, and how a care home differs from a retirement village.
Questions to ask when choosing a residential aged care home
A practical checklist for visiting and comparing aged care homes in Australia: what to ask about care, staffing, fees, food, safety and culture, and the warning signs to watch for.
Respite care explained: a break for carers and the people they support
Plain-language guide to respite care in Australia: the types (in-home, day, overnight and residential, emergency), how to access it through My Aged Care, the NDIS and Carer Gateway, and what it costs.
Signs an elderly parent needs help at home
Practical signs an elderly parent needs help at home, from falls and unpaid bills to memory changes, plus how to raise it and what to do next.
Staying connected: community and social options in Australia
Ways for older Australians and people with disability to stay socially connected: Men's Sheds, U3A, neighbourhood houses, community centres, bowls clubs, libraries, and funded social support.
The Age Pension and aged care means testing, in plain English
How the Age Pension income and assets tests work, how aged care fees are means tested separately, and how the two interact, including the family home.
The NDIS and turning 65: your choices as you get older
Plain-language guide to how the NDIS works as you approach and pass 65 in Australia: why you must apply before 65, what choices existing participants have, and how the NDIS compares with aged care.
The NDIS explained: eligibility, access, and how plans work
Plain-language guide to the NDIS: who is eligible, how to apply, what a plan covers (core, capacity building, capital), plan management, and how it differs from aged care.
Transition care after a hospital stay: recovering before deciding
Plain-language guide to the Transition Care Programme in Australia: short-term care and therapy after a hospital stay for older people, how to access it before discharge, what it costs, and why it buys time to decide.
Understanding aged care Star Ratings: what the numbers really mean
How Australia's aged care Star Ratings work: the overall rating, the four sub-categories (residents' experience, compliance, staffing, quality measures), how to read them, and their limits.
What does the NDIS cover, and what does it not?
Plain-language guide to what the NDIS funds and what it does not: the reasonable and necessary test, the support categories, and where health, aged care and everyday costs sit.
What is a carer's assessment, and how do you get one?
Plain-language guide to carer support in Australia: what a Carer Gateway assessment involves, what support can follow including respite and counselling, who counts as a carer, and how to arrange one.
What is a community or senior centre?
What is a community or senior centre? A plain-English guide to local hubs run by councils and community groups, offering activities, exercise, outings and company, and how to find one.
What is a geriatrician, and when should you see one?
Plain-language guide to geriatricians in Australia: what this specialist does, how they differ from a GP, when a referral is worth asking for, what happens at an appointment, and how to get one.
What is a Men's Shed?
What is a Men's Shed? A plain-English guide to community sheds where men gather to make, mend and talk shoulder to shoulder, why they help wellbeing, and how to join.
What is a Neighbourhood House?
What is a Neighbourhood House? A plain-English guide to community-run local centres offering classes, groups, support and activities for people of all ages, and how to find one.
What is an NDIS support coordinator and do I need one?
Plain-language guide to NDIS support coordinators: what they do, how they differ from a local area coordinator, whether you need one, and how to choose well.
What is an RSL sub-branch, and what does it do?
What is an RSL sub-branch? A plain-English guide to what RSL sub-branches do, how they differ from RSL clubs, and who can join as a member today.
What is elder abuse, and where do you get help?
Plain-language guide to elder abuse in Australia: the main forms it takes, the warning signs, why it is so often hidden, and the free, confidential help available including the national Elder Abuse phone line.
What is end of life care?
Plain-language guide to end of life care in Australia: what it means, how it relates to palliative care, where it can happen, what it involves practically, and the support available to families.
What is Meals on Wheels?
What is Meals on Wheels? A plain-English guide to the volunteer meal-delivery service for older people and people who cannot easily cook, how to access it, and what it costs.
What is My Aged Care, and what does it do?
Plain-language guide to My Aged Care, the Australian Government's entry point for aged care: what it does, the steps from first call to services, and who it is for.
What is palliative care? A gentle guide for Australian families
What is palliative care? Clear, reassuring guide to comfort-focused support for serious illness in Australia, who it helps, and how to start.
What is Probus? A guide to social clubs for Australian retirees
What is Probus? A plain-English guide to Probus clubs: friendship groups for retired and semi-retired Australians, how they work and how to join.
What is sundowning?
Plain-language guide to sundowning in dementia: what late-afternoon confusion and agitation look like, why it happens, and practical things families and carers can do to make the end of the day calmer.
What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)? An NDIS guide
Supported Independent Living (SIL) explained: what it funds, what it does not, how it differs from SDA, who it suits, and how it gets into an NDIS plan.
What is U3A? Lifelong learning in later life
What is U3A? A plain-English guide to the University of the Third Age: volunteer-run learning groups for retired Australians, with no exams, no qualifications and low fees.
What support is available for carers in Australia?
A practical guide to support for unpaid carers in Australia: Carer Gateway, financial entitlements, respite, NDIS and aged care pathways, and carer wellbeing.
What support is available for elderly people living alone in Australia?
A plain-language guide to support for older Australians living alone: home care, community connection, safety, health, and financial help.
Who is eligible for a Home Care Package?
Plain-language guide to Home Care Package eligibility in Australia: the age and care-need tests, how the single assessment works, residency, and how Support at Home changed things.
Wills and estate planning basics for older Australians
A plain-English guide to wills and estate planning in Australia: what a will does, what happens without one, executors, super, and the documents that go with it.