Ensure you have the right aged care plan in place.
The truth is, most of us avoid thinking about our own future aged care needs, delaying our decisions until perhaps they’re taken out of our hands.
Life expectancies are increasing. This means not only might we expect to live longer than our parents and grandparents, but we might also expect longer and more active retirements. However, this does not remove the possibility that we may need help with daily living and medical care in our golden years.
Planning for our retirement <internal link to retirement> as we dream of travel, as well as more time playing with the grandkids, can be exciting. Perhaps that’s why we put off planning for our aged care needs – it’s not as much fun to think ahead to a time when we might need more support. But with the right advice, planning for that day offers many benefits and can be easier than you think:
- Peace of mind for you and your family
- Taking pressure off family when a crisis occurs
- Allowing you to make that decision
- Avoiding costly mistakes.
Creating a plan that will work for you includes consideration for what sort of life you want to live and what makes a good life for you. This should consider options for where you could live, but also how to continue your interests and stay connected to family, friends and your community. Understanding the costs and planning your finances is a key component of making the plan work effectively.
At FuturePoint Wealth, our specialist aged care advice helps our clients navigate the conversation, which can often be a challenging time for families. Many people simply don’t know where to start. Our goal is to make the decision-making process clearer, ensuring you have all the facts on the table before committing to any of the options.
To get a better understanding about your situation and your needs, we ask you and often your family members a series of questions in an initial consultation. This discussion allows us to get to know you and sometimes remove the anxiety and stress that can accompany this process. FuturePoint Wealth is equipped to objectively present the aged care process and all your options.
When it comes time for a move into residential aged care, choosing the right service can be a difficult, but important, decision such as:
- Location – is it where you want to be?
- Service options – do the facilities meet all your needs?
- Affordability – does it fit with your budget and current assets?
- Payment strategies – how can you structure financing it?
Aged Care funding options
Once you have made the decision that aged care is the path you want to take, we need to understand your financial position and what funds you may need for each of your options. We will help you manage your assets and estates to ensure your financial situation is secure, whilst clearly explaining your options and how to structure the finances.
We thoroughly investigate the most suitable options based on budget, your personal eligibility and the level of care required. Costs and fee structures can often be complex, so we’re here to clarify all this for you in a stress-free and comfortable setting. You shouldn’t make any decision until you are completely aware of the options.
Financial advice from an Accredited Aged Care professional can help you decide what you can afford and show you strategies to make what seems unaffordable, more affordable. We have the expertise to help you make an informed decision.
Adam Niewidok is an ACS Accredited Aged Care Professional™ and helps families navigate the complexity of accessing and funding aged care support. Adam will provide you with a clear understanding of the options available to fund care, lifting the burden from your shoulders during what can be a stressful and emotionally sensitive time.