"Honestly, I don't know where to start"
Most people land here feeling the same way: overwhelmed, underprepared, and honestly just exhausted.
You're juggling work deadlines, your kids' schedules, your own life that barely has room to breathe ... and now you're noticing changes in your parent that you can't quite ignore anymore. But you don't know if what you're seeing is normal ageing, temporary, or something that actually needs your attention right now.
Vera can help you start noticing what's actually happening - not through a clinical checklist, but through thoughtful reflection on what you've observed over the past year. Then we'll help you figure out which path forward makes sense for your situation.
Articles in this journey
There's a way forward (let us show you)
You've noticed changes in your parent but don't know what they mean or what to do. There's a way forward - we'll help you understand what you're seeing and show you exactly where to start.
The conversations that need to happen at your kitchen table (not a hospital corridor)
The last stage of life deserves the same thoughtful planning we give to careers, raising children, and retirement. But only 14% of Australians have a plan in place for end-of-life care which means most families are making these profound decisions in hospital corridors under stress. This article guides you through the conversations that need to happen now - at your kitchen table, while everyone's calm - about future care preferences, what matters most, and who speaks on your behalf if you can't speak for yourself.
When is the right time to start planning? (Hint: it's just after your parent's 75th birthday)
Only 14% of Australians have a plan in place for the later stages of life. The best time to start? Just after your parents' 75th birthday - when Medicare already recognises this as a significant health milestone, and when having "the conversation" becomes easier because it's about age, not illness.
Types of care: A simple guide (before you need it at 2am)
A clear guide to care options for ageing parents - from basic home support to full-time care. Understand what's available and what might work for your situation.
You don't have a plan. Most people don't. Here's where to start.
No care plan for your ageing parent? You're not alone. Here's how to start planning for the conversations and decisions ahead. Without the overwhelm.
Remember when you had a village to raise your kids? Your parents need one too.
You knew how to build a support network when your kids were young—other parents, neighbours, friends who helped each other without keeping score. Your parent needs that same village now. This article shows you how to create a people-first safety net using the skills you already have: being specific about what helps, making it reciprocal, and knowing you can't do this alone. Whether your parent is at home, in independent living, or residential care, the principle is the same - build the network before you desperately need it. And when you do, you'll probably end up helping someone else's parent too. That's how villages work.
Normal ageing or something more? The green, orange, red framework
You've noticed changes in your parent. But you don't know if what you're seeing is normal ageing, temporary decline, or something requiring urgent action. This article gives you a simple framework. 🟢 GREEN = Normal ageing. Monitor and plan ahead. 🟠 ORANGE = Concerning patterns. Act within weeks or months. 🔴 RED = Urgent concerns. Act within days. By the end, you'll know exactly which category your parent falls into - and what to do about it.