From 1 November, the new Aged Care Act will give older Australians more power to make their own care and life decisions. The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has launched a free Supported Decision-Making Toolkit to help older people and families understand their rights, start conversations and plan ahead together.
Learn what’s changing and how to use the toolkit in our story.
From 1 November, older Australians gain stronger rights to make their own care choices. OPAN’s toolkit helps families...
14/10/2025
📈 The number of seniors waiting for approved Home Care Packages has surged by 26% in just three months - now topping 121,000 people. While reforms stall, there are still steps families can take to stay supported and prepared.
Home Care Package waitlists have jumped 26% in three months, leaving 121,000 seniors waiting for support. Learn what you...
08/10/2025
An 18% surge in demand for aged care advocacy has exposed deep cracks in Australia’s reform efforts. OPAN’s new Presenting Issues Report shows that long waits for Home Care Packages, poor communication, and a lack of support for older people’s decision-making continue to dominate complaints - five years in a row.
With the new Aged Care Act coming into effect on 1 November, OPAN says it’s time to ensure reforms finally reach those they’re meant to protect.
Aged care advocacy demand has soared 18%, with OPAN warning that persistent issue – long wait times, poor...
07/10/2025
Thousands of older Australians with blindness or low vision could soon lose access to the very supports that help them live safely and independently. Vision Australia says the new Support at Home reforms will cut critical early intervention services like mobility training and assistive technology support, leaving many “out to dry.” With World Sight Day approaching, advocates are calling on the government to rethink the changes before they take effect.
Older Australians with vision loss could lose access to essential early intervention supports under the new Support at...
06/10/2025
A new national framework is setting the benchmark for how families and practitioners support children with developmental delay or disability. It outlines the principles and practices that help every child get the best start in life.
The National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention sets a national standard for supporting children...
27/09/2025
Rehabilitation isn’t just for stroke or hip injuries. The new World Alzheimer’s Report 2025 shows how it can help people with dementia stay independent and connected for longer.
In Australia, support is available through programs like the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, Home Care Packages and dementia helplines.
👉 Find out how to access these services:
The World Alzheimer’s Report 2025 highlights how rehabilitation helps people with dementia stay independent. Learn...
25/09/2025
Big news for regional communities: the Government is investing $300 million to improve aged care outside the big cities. That means new homes, more beds, better facilities and housing for staff. Broken Hill will see the biggest project, with a brand-new 94-bed aged care home on the way.
👉 Read more about what’s planned:
Aged care in regional Australia is set for a major boost, with $300 million in new Government funding to build and...
24/09/2025
From November, home care will come with new out-of-pocket fees. For some families, that could mean $50 for a shower or $70 for cleaning. Advocates warn this may force people to skip essential care.
New co-payments for home care could leave older Australians paying up to $80 an hour for basic help, raising fears some...
18/09/2025
Hospitals are under strain, with thousands of older Australians stuck waiting for aged care or home care. While governments promise more funding, experts say the real solution is prevention — keeping people supported at home for longer.
Hospital overcrowding is worsening as older Australians wait for care. Experts say more home care and prevention are...
17/09/2025
This Dementia Action Week (15–21 Sept), Dementia Australia is calling on all Australians to reconnect with someone impacted by dementia. With isolation a daily reality for many, even a small gesture can make a big difference.
Dementia Action Week urges Australians to reconnect and reduce isolation for people living with dementia and their...
16/09/2025
The Government has announced a major funding boost for aged care, with higher daily payments to improve staffing, food and services. While welcomed, experts caution the increases may still fall short of real costs.
💞 69 years of love, laughter and family 💞
From a chance meeting in 1952 to a life filled with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Frank and Shirley’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Their story is a reminder that love grows stronger when you choose each other, every single day.
Happy anniversary to this wonderful couple, and thank you to Belvedere Aged Care for sharing such a beautiful milestone with us.
Belvedere Aged Care celebrates Frank and Shirley’s 69 years of love, family and resilience — a story that continues...
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Talking Aged Care is dedicated to creating quality content and newsworthy articles about the things that matter most to people with a personal or professional interest in aged care.
We share stories from real people and work with experts in the industry providing a fresh perspective to aged care, presenting a wide range of topics including Government announcements, positive ageing, health and wellbeing, home and community, elder abuse, seniors housing, technology and innovation, dementia, palliative care and much more.
Talking Aged Care is part of DPS, Australia’s leading independent multiplatform media company, providing vital resources for senior Australians and people living with a disability.
Our mission is to empower consumers, their family and carers with information that’s easy to understand, relevant and necessary when trying to find appropriate care for themselves or their loved ones.
DPS provides the gateway to connect senior Australians with aged care providers through our industry-leading suite of resources including AgedCareGuide.com.au, DPS Guide to Aged Care, DPS Guide to Home Care and Your Retirement Living magazine.
We are relied upon daily by consumers, their family and carers, allied health professionals, placement providers, financial advisors, aged care facilities and a host of government agencies.
