How Does a Doula Help you Navigate the Aged-Care System?

Knowing when and how to begin conversations about a move into aged care can be an emotional and challenging time.  A doula can be that person in the room that is a perfect intermediary between family members and aged care specialist navigators. Sometimes the need for this conversation is identified by the family and carers and other times, by the person themselves contemplating and/or needing access to more care. 

The aged care system can be daunting and confusing to navigate. A doula can help by bringing a calm and supportive approach to these discussions as you weigh up the pros and cons of different care models.

Doulas are experienced in helping families to navigate emotional decisions. A proactive doula-led approach will bring the opportunity to have a considered review of all options so you can make a confident and informed choice. 

For families living with a member with Dementia, these conversations can be even more challenging. Our Dementia Doula team can offer specialised support. One of our Best Practice Principles is to know when to bring our colleagues and experts in the field.  We partner with and recommend Ageing Well Sorted. You can see their full range of services here .

Stacey Tryon and Lyn See are compassionate, experienced aged care navigators and the directors of Ageing Well Sorted. The pillars of their service include:

1. End to end aged care service - listening to your needs and wishes, they do the heavy lifting in research, liaison with government agencies (My Aged Care, Centrelink, etc) and aged care services so that focus remains on you and your loved ones.  They pull together all services and deal with all the moving parts in the one place.  This could involve either, or sometimes both of the following where there are different needs for each person needing assistance:      

• Home care services - Securing the best mix of home care services to maintain independence and suit your needs, wishes and budget, and optimise your eligible funding from multiple government agencies.  Help can also be arranged when transitioning from hospital or rehabilitation back home.

• New living arrangements - Securing and facilitating preferred respite and aged care, or retirement independent living options.

2. Experts on your side - Engaging their services means you have experts on your side who have experience in streamlining the process and navigating the aged care system to achieve what you want.  Keeping the providers focused on you and your loved one to achieve the best possible care is their main priority. They offer both Urgent Care Assistance, and/or Planning ahead

3. Government agency applications and eligibility - they complete, submit and track your government applications right up to completion, for Aged Care Fees, Age Pension, Carer payments and more.

Beginning conversations about engaging the services of My Aged Care, increasing home care or possible moves to residential aged care are best begun before you are in immediate need or crisis. Too often it is a fall or a rapid decline in health that necessitates these very important and emotive conversations. 

If you would like to explore ways to investigate aged care options including dementia care, and along with end of life planning and preparation, we are here to support you and your loved ones.

You can book a consultation with us at Life Rites or call us on 0421 200 250. 

Ageing Well Sorted also offer a 15-minute obligation free conversation. You can access that here.

The Life Rites Doula Team: (L-R) Sonja, Sarah, Kim, Victoria and Vicki.