Ageing Well Sorted

28/08/2025

🚨 Demand is soaring, but access to aged care is still broken.

We see many families who have been waiting for over one and in some cases two years for aged care support in the home.

These cases aren't isolated and are a symptom of a system under immense strain.

📊 2023–24 saw a staggering 283% increase since 2017* in Australians relying on home care, with families facing more delays, confusion, and distress when trying to access support.

💬 If you or someone you know needs help, we’re here to help navigate the aged care system, from assessments to services.

☎️ 1300 923 201

* AIHW Gen – People using aged care [www.gen-agedcaredata.gov.au/topics/people-using-aged-care]

27/07/2025

23/06/2025

Supporting Penny & David: A Call for Change and Common-sense

Last month, we helped a couple who faced a situation they should never have been in. Penny was no longer able to help her husband up after another fall in the space of a few weeks. This led them to seek respite care, but they quickly realised they needed permanent residency. Unfortunately, they were only assigned respite codes in their last assessment and would have to apply to be re-assessed for permanent residential codes. Penny called My Aged Care to arrange yet another Support Plan Review to be scheduled when there was an opening available. After two weeks respite, they had no choice but to return home, as the respite period had ended and assessment had yet to occur.

Seeing Penny and David's struggle firsthand when visiting them at home was worrying and highlighted their urgent need for care. We were able to:

✅ Facilitate another 30-day respite stay elsewhere
✅ Called assessment team repeatedly explaining the urgent code needed
✅ Attended the Support plan review via 3-way call to ensure outcome
✅ Completed Centrelink and onboarding applications in readiness for permanent entry.

The inefficiency of not providing both Respite and Permanent residential codes simultaneously is baffling, a waste of precious time and resources, and as this case showed can compromise safety and wellbeing. We must advocate for better processes and a common-sense approach for support available when needed, not based on assessor resourcing and waitlists. 💙

12/06/2025

Want to have control over and independence long into your retirement years and not sure where to start? If you’re 65+ and thinking about plans for downsizing, relocating and accessing aged care services to set yourself up for support in later life - this seminar is for you.
We’ll run through your options, to maintain independence in later life, and how to make smart choices that protect your lifestyle and wellbeing.
Join aged care specialists Stacey Tryon and Lyn See, and property Vendor Advocate Kathryn Fantov for an easy-to-understand, informative afternoon event.
📍 Gymea Bay Bowling Club (just behind Gymea Tradies)
https://goo.gl/maps/J3cibcWHbbZLwtux6
🗓️ 26th June 2025 1:30pm-3:30pm
Free to attend but seats fill fast!
REGISTER NOW! 👉https://sydneyvendoradvocates.au/retirementreimaginedeve.../

09/06/2025

Often our first task with clients is to find out where things in accessing aged care services have stalled or seem to have ended up in a black hole...

Thats when we help get them back on track to and on their way to receive support.

Here are two cases of the confusion clients found themselves in at the very start of and how we helped:

1️⃣🔸I have already been assessed, and so help is on its way🔸
A client had contacted My Aged Care and answered a series of questions over the phone. He assumed that the call was the assessment, and that service providers would contact him with co-ordinated services ready to go.
➡️This initial phone screening is just to register with My Aged Care. There are a few more steps and some time to go to before services are approved and can commence.
✅We explained the process and aim of the assessment
✅Helped trigger a faster assessment via a GP e-referral
✅Provided My Aged Care with additional information to support the assessment
✅Attended assessment to help convey the specific needs in detail
✅Client was approved for over ten interim codes and a confirmed referral for a clinical assessment for a Home Care/Support At Home Package.

2️⃣🔸I haven't heard back from CHSP service providers, and it's been a year🔸
A lovely lady was asking why the providers she was referred to after her assessment had yet to call back. Unfortunately, nothing had progressed in that year...
➡️ It's important to follow up with My Aged Care, track progress and understand if anything else needs to be done. Even if assessor sends out referrals, these may be rejected if there is no capacity i.e. funding for that provider to deliver services at that time. You then need to call around to other providers to look for capacity. Codes may be approved but there is still research and co-ordination to establish a service.
✅ We clarified the status of the referrals
✅ Requested new codes where required
✅ Researched providers with available capacity
✅ Facilitated the onboarding and signing of service agreements.

These examples highlight the importance of aged care literacy, and the co-ordination that is required, and having a family member and advocate certainly helps.

Older Australians and their families deserve better, and we are here to help get you back on track if needed.

☎️1300 923 201
✉️ sorted@ageingwellsorted.com.au

31/05/2025

Looking forward to present at Wesley Mission's Living Well Forum soon.

Come along for:
💡Fresh information on what the government’s new Support at Home program means for you
🎯No-nonsense guidance on managing your retirement choices
🗣️The chance to chat with the friendly Wesley Home Care team and enjoy refreshments!

Event Details: 📍Frank Vickery Village Community Centre, 101 Port Hacking Rd, Sylvania 🗓️Tuesday 17 June ⏰10.30am - 1pm

Book your spot here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gbffJUSE

We hope to see you there. 😊

03/03/2025

📢 There are many great local Senior's Week events over the next two weeks, with the NSW Seniors Festival Expo home to the biggest array of stands, entertainment and giveaways under the one roof. An excellent way to peruse services and products, ask questions and boost your knowledge by talking directly to services, government agencies and product providers.

📅 12-13 March 2025
⏳ 9-4pm
📍 Sydney International Convention Centre (ICC)

✅Free Entry! Bring along parents, friends and loved ones! There’s something for everyone at this year’s Seniors Festival Expo. Find out more here:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/seniors-festival/whats-on/nsw-seniors-festival-expo

The NSW Seniors Festival Expo will feature over 100 exhibitors and be held at the ICC Sydney in halls 4 and 3 on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 March 2025

24/02/2025

Come join us at this week's My Aged Care Information Session hosted by Carer Gateway-Benevolent Society and Kogarah Community Services to learn all about age care services and support for you or your loved ones.
Registration is essential at info@kcs.org.au or scan QR code below.

📅 Date: Thursday, 27th February 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
📍 Venue: Kogarah Community Services - 49 English St, Kogarah, NSW 2218

We hope to see you.

16/02/2025

Caregiving & Love

During a recent visit, Lucy whispered, “He thinks I am his sister, and it breaks my heart.” She explained that when Michael, her husband of nearly 60 years, recognises her, he holds her hand, kisses her constantly, and won’t let go. To help him remember her, she sometimes changes outfits or restyles her hair, surprising him with, “Hi honey, I am here!” He reacts with joy and never lets her go. Bedtime is the hardest when he asks, ‘When is Lucy coming? Can you call her?’ She texts herself, shows him the message, and he can then go off to sleep with a smile.

Michael lives with advanced dementia is wheelchair-bound and can walk only a few steps with support. His Level 4 Home Care Package provides just 2 hours of service per day, leaving Lucy responsible for the remaining 22 hours. Despite his condition, thanks to Lucy’s unwavering care and inventiveness, Michael is safe, clean, chatty, and joyous, with no falls, open wounds, or infections in the past year. She embraces the new Michael, allowing him to express his wishes to live with dignity and happiness. Their story highlights the immeasurable love and understanding family caregivers provide. Lucy’s tenderness touched me deeply, and I left their home with uplifted spirits.

Thank you, Lucy and Michael, for this valuable lesson.

15/12/2024

Did you know? 🚒 Your local NSW fire station offers a fantastic community service for those over 65. They conduct home safety visits to check and replace smoke-alarm batteries or alarms often by the very next day and can answer your fire safety questions.

Don't be alarmed if you see the firetruck and whole squad arrive, as they are still on call for emergencies. Remember that only working alarms save lives so get them updated soon for a safe and happy new year.

Check your local fire station for more information.
NSW find your local station at https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9205 and
Learn more about Home Safety Visits at https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9316

08/11/2024

START NOW to secure aged care services over the holiday season, with less than 7 weeks to go.

Last year we saw a huge influx of enquiries in December for when families and carers were going away on leave. At a time when staffing may be limited don't leave arrangements too late.

For home care services, respite, permanent residential care and anything in between reach out to discuss your December/January plans to help secure the support you and your loved ones need.

📞1800 923 201
📧sorted@ageingwellsorted.com.au
🔗Request a Call Back https://ageingwellsorted.com.au/contact-us.html