"I don't know what I don't know"
Your parent is managing OK at the moment, but you can see things slipping. Maybe they're forgetting appointments. Maybe the house isn't as tidy as it used to be. You know you should be planning ahead, but you don't even know what questions to ask - let alone where to find the answers.
You're stuck between "everything's fine" and "I should be doing something" - but what? ACAT assessments? Home Care Packages? Power of Attorney? The terminology alone is overwhelming, and every article assumes you already understand the basics.
This is for you if:
- You can see change happening, but don't know what it means yet
- You're overwhelmed by information that doesn't match your situation
- You need someone to ask you the right questions (not hand you generic checklists)
- You want to build your knowledge without drowning in jargon
What you'll get: A guided conversation tailored to your actual situation - not someone else's. Plain-English explanations of unfamiliar terms as you need them. A clear sense of what to tackle now versus what can wait. You'll build confidence through understanding, not through cramming everything at once.
You don't need to figure this all out today. Let's start with what's actually happening right now, and I'll help you see what's around the corner.
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.
The three conversations to have before everything changes
Most families wait until a crisis to talk about care - 2am in a hospital corridor, trying to guess what "I never want to be a burden" actually means. But 86% of Australians don't have plans for this stage of life, not because they don't care, but because these conversations feel impossible to start. This guide breaks down the three essential conversations to have with your parent before everything changes: what matters most to them if they need care, what medical decisions they'd want if they can't speak for themselves (including who should speak for them), and how your family will actually make it work without destroying each other. You'll get specific questions to ask, scripts for starting each conversation, strategies for handling resistance, and guidance on documenting what you learn. These conversations are hard - but having them now means making decisions later that actually align with what your parent wants, not just what seems practical in a crisis.
What happens when you don't plan - the real costs of winging it
Think you'll figure it out when the time comes? Here's what "winging it" actually looks like when your parent needs care—and why it's harder than you think.
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.
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 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.
The siblings who disappeared all year suddenly have opinions about Mum's care
When a crisis hits, distant siblings often emerge with strong opinions but little context. How to manage family conflict when decisions need to happen fast.