In My Place SA

06/03/2025

Did You Know? - Physiotherapists can prescribe equipment and minor home modifications too...... in aged care (yes, in home care packages!) in CHSP, in NDIS and in Occupational Rehab.
As long as it is in scope of practice - which means that just because someone has a certain qualification, does not mean it is automatically within their scope of practice.
In My Place SA have over 20 years experience in home assessments and how humans move, conduct tasks and interact with their environments. This experience includes equipment prescription, minor home modifications, home safety assessments, task adaptation and aides, mobility and falls prevention, dementia-friendly environments, comprehensive health assessments, manual handling training (of staff, carers and train the trainer) prescription of manual handling equipment and ergonomics.
(I even did 18 months of interior design at TAFE and have renovated a number of properties)
We also know the aged care funding system for home care inside out and can assist clients to get their equipment funded, via GEAT (CHSP) or HCP.
Our clients LOVE our attention to detail, thorough planning and consideration of funding models to align with recommendations.
If you have clients who need everything done in one efficient assessment, need to get creative in facilitation of independence at home (I love a good challenge) or know someone who could use a holistic assessment to plan their ageing journey - well, here we are!
Not just 'navigating' the aged care system - creating detailed plans for independent (or assisted, as need be) ageing.
www.inmyplace.com.au

27/02/2025

"I want to stay in my home forever - I am NEVER going to go to residential care" - says, well, pretty much everyone.
As people age they often make retirement plans, financial plans, wills, advanced care directives and plans to 'get some help in'.
But what happens when you get a punch in the face?
When a loved one becomes unsafe to leave at home, or violent, with cognitive changes?
When a sudden medical episode leaves you too fatigued to complete your normal day-to-day activities?
Or you fall and suffer a life-changing injury doing something you have done everyday, forever?
Have you had the discussion of what you would do - if you get that 'punch in the mouth'?
Successful ageing in place requires planning - and a back-up plan for when all doesn't go to plan.
www.inmyplace.com.au

19/02/2025

Are you a self-funded retiree or part pensioner? Check NOW before June 30 to SAVE YOURSELF HUGE $$$.
Have you previously been assessed by My Aged Care? Is there a possibility you were previously approved for a Home Care Package but declined it due to the cost.
It's time to revisit!
If you were approved for a home care package prior to Sept 12, 2024 you will be considered under 'grandfathering' - which means the most you will pay ongoing for your home care will be 25%.
Do nothing and when you get around to picking up your home care, that maximum will be 80%
Act quickly and check where you sit....
For other advice about upcoming changes or beginning the aged care process, feel free to reach out.
www.inmyplace.com.au

18/02/2025

Now more than ever people are going to have to be able to advocate for themselves from the very beginning when looking to access in-home aged care.
INTRODUCING - 'A Step-By-Step Guide to Navigating In-Home Aged Care'
A simple, follow the bouncing ball guide to take you step-by-step through the process, starting BEFORE that initial call to My Aged Care.
Increasingly I either have families call who have just had a loved one assessed and not received anywhere near enough, or people being told to 'get in the system' and then given only cursory approvals if anything at all.
Without clear knowledge of what you need, what is available and what it might cost, what are you asking for?
With the assessment soon to dictate not only how much you can access, but also exactly what you can use your funding for when you can finally access it, support needs to be available to help people right from the start.
Providers soon will be working on extremely tight budgets and are unlikely to be able to offer the time to assist enquiries to navigate, leaving it all on the success (and gamble on quality) of that initial phone call to My Aged Care.
This Guide includes Support At Home updates and the chance to book into a live Q&A webinar to run through the main points and new information as it comes to hand.
Not just for people seeking care for themselves and loved ones, also a handy guide for professionals who need to or want to know more.
https://inmyplace.com.au/step-by-step-guide/

13/12/2024

The move to Support at Home, and what it means to consumers from all financial situations has been rolling around in my head - so it was time to get out the calculator and lay it all out.

Will you, your family or clients be better or worse off?

Is it time to look at taking up any parked packages to see if it will be better on a grand-fathered system? Will CHSP be a better option until it gets cut?

You might want to check this out......

I have been mulling over this in my head a fair bit lately, so it was time to put numbers down on paper and run some scenarios. If you find this all a bit confusing, imagine how hard it will be to understand week to week if you have cognitive decline, no family support, are

09/12/2024

Why pay for someone to help you find a home care provider when there are free provider finder services?
What are the differences?
Read our latest post outlining how both methods work.

Finding a Home Care Package provider can be a difficult and stressful process, particularly if you do not have your head around the system or are under duress. Today, let’s take a look at your options to get some assistance, and the key differences between getting a service for ‘free’ or payin...

27/11/2024

DID YOU KNOW?.....Walking speed is a predictor of falls risk.
Studies have found that a walking speed of 0.6 to 1.0 meters per second correlates with a 51% increase in one-year fall risk.
A gait speed of 0.6 m/s or less correlates with a 145% greater chance of falling.
So, perhaps the message to our older friends is not 'slow down' in case you fall, but 'let's go!'

13/11/2024

The client I saw yesterday had been advised by her financial advisor to consider spending some money on a small renovation so that she would not need to reapply for the pension after her husband passed.
We consulted on considerations for the new kitchen design, given her chronic pain - how she might consider setting up the new space to incorporate a wall oven and microwave to reduce bending, where to place frequently used items, where she might need pull out drawers and a number of other ideas to ensure her home remains functional and she can remain independent as she ages.
The renovations weren't extending to the bathroom, but we discussed rail options that do not look like 'support' rails and how to incorporate the items seamlessly into her bathroom, including how to minimise it looking like things have just been bolted on.
Years of work on how humans interact in spaces and the way their bodies move when healthy and in pain, plus a side interest in renovation and having been very hands on in a number of renovation activities in my own homes (did you know that I also studied interior design for 2 years!?) - I love this type of consulting work. Can't wait to see the finished result!

07/11/2024

Dignity of Risk....
There have been more than a few occasions lately when my physio, OT and medical friends have given me the 'tut tut' about continuing to play netball.
I mean, we all know that it is terrible for the joints.
I am carrying too many extra kgs and hosting a number of long term -itis's
But -
I love it
It might be bad for the joints, but for me it is the only way I will sprint around for 40 minutes and get my cardio.
It is excellent for reflexes, speed, agility, single leg balance, bone strength and fitness
Afterwards we have a coffee and a chat.
Today I woke up in a fair bit of a funk. If I had any other form of exercise I probably would have skipped it. But I don't skip netball. As long as I can walk relatively pain free I will play.
And I feel SO much better this afternoon for it.
I know one day someone might be right. I know the risks.
I accept them and will probably continue to play until it is physically impossible (and maybe for a bit longer after that too - I'm stubborn like that!).
Accepting this risk brings so much to my life.
Dignity of risk is important.

06/11/2024

Often when I have discussions with clients or their families about being unhappy with their current home care providers, it turns out they simply don't understand what they can and cannot ask for within the scope of their funding.
The Government has just updated the inclusions/exclusions list:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/HCP-inclusions-exclusions-faqs?language=en
Sharing or getting to know what is on this list can save frustrations and upset when there is so much else taking up your time and energy.

To accompany recent updates to the HCP Program operational manual: A guide for Home Care Providers, this frequently asked questions fact sheet will support providers and care recipients to clarify what is included and excluded under the HCP Program.

24/09/2024

Changes are coming to aged care - here's my take on what you need to consider.....
Aged Care reforms are now in front of parliament, so nothing is set in stone just yet. But here are a couple of my takeaways relating to things we pretty much know for sure will change.
1. The Assessment teams are changing soon - the system is moving from two assessment teams (RAS - basic level, ACAT - more complex) to a single team. The sheer numbers required mean that there will be less qualified and experienced clinicians and assessors overall. It will be more important than ever to know what to ask for and to present it clearly so that you get what you need from your assessment.
2. Costs will increase for part pensioners and self-funded retirees. There will be an expectation for recipients to contribute more if they have funded their own retirement. Contribution assessments are also likely to move from 'income' to 'means' testing.
3. Those with existing services under the current system will be 'no worse off'. When bringing in new systems Governments don't change the rules for those who entered Agreements under different terms and won't leave people forced into 'worse off' situations.
What I think people need to consider:
I anticipate a rush on assessment requests early next year so that people who are self-funded can choose which system works best for them to be funded under. I expect that for while in the transition of both a different assessment system and a new aged care system, things will be messy, will take longer, and the correct level and type of care will be harder to ensure.
My Recommendation:
If you have family or clients who are part pensioners or self- funded retirees, who have been avoiding looking at their home care options or getting care in place it would be highly advised to look to get assessed before the end of this year.
www.inmyplace.com.au

10/09/2024

From 'Let's Make a Plan' to 'Crisis Mode' and everything in between.
With 27 years of experience as a physiotherapist and a good part of 5 years of this also working with home care providers setting up and managing home care packages - I like to think I have developed some helpful skills to create a plan that helps people balance both their independence and their need for assistance to keep them living in their own homes as long as possible as they age.
Consultations have now opened up for shorter 'pick my brain' sessions which can be booked via my website https://inmyplace.com.au/book-a-special-call/