My parents are fine... for now"
Your friend just moved their mum into care. Another colleague is juggling hospital visits and work calls. You watch them struggle and think: My parents are independent now, but for how long? What should I be doing before a crisis hits?
You're watching others struggle and thinking ahead. That's not pessimistic - it's practical. Here's where to start.
Articles in this journey
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.
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 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 your parent actually needs you to know right now (and what can wait)
Your parents are fine right now - so what does "being prepared" actually mean? Here's what you need to know now, what can wait, and how to tell the difference.
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.
The documents you need (before you need them)
Here's the uncomfortable truth: only 11% of Australians have an enduring power of attorney in place. About 60% don't have a current will. And 86% have no plan at all for what happens if they need care as they age. Which means most families are heading toward a crisis they could have avoided. Here's the thing nobody tells you about legal documents for your ageing parents: by the time you desperately need them, it's often too late to get them.