"They're living alone and I'm worried"
Your parent is managing solo after your other parent died or moved to care. Maybe you're in another city. Maybe another state. Every phone call, you're listening for signs that something's wrong. You lie awake wondering: What if they fall and no one knows? What if they forget to eat? What if something happens and I'm too far away?
You want them to be safe, but you don't want to take away their independence. You're trying to figure out the line between helping and hovering - and the distance makes everything feel more frightening than it probably is.
This is for you if:
- Your parent is newly solo, and you're not nearby
- You're struggling to separate real risk from distance-driven anxiety
- You want practical safety measures that don't feel patronising
- You need a monitoring plan that respects their independence (and your sanity)
What you'll get: Help in distinguishing actual risk from worry amplified by distance. Practical safety options that don't involve bubble-wrapping your parent or treating them like a child. A realistic monitoring plan and connections to local services or check-in systems. Scripts for having the "what if" conversation before a crisis forces it.
The distance makes everything scarier. Let's figure out what real safety looks like - not wrapping them in bubble wrap, but giving you both peace of mind.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When your family avoids 'the talk': How to start anyway.
When your family resists talking about ageing and care planning, your approach matters as much as your timing. Find your communication style and get practical strategies to start the conversation—whether you're the organiser, peacekeeper, or managing care from across the country.
When both parents need help: Dual care planning after a crisis
One parent has fallen, but now you're realising both parents need support. Here's how to assess and coordinate care for two people when everything just got complicated.
When you're far away and can't see what's really happening
Distance makes everything harder when your aging parent lives interstate or overseas. How to get accurate information, build remote oversight, and know when to act - whether you're managing from Sydney to Perth or Melbourne to Mumbai.
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.