Age Old Problems: New Aged Care

Social connection is one of the most powerful contributors to health and wellbeing, yet around one in five older Australians experience social isolation. As people age, changes in health, mobility, relationships, and lifestyle can make it harder to stay connected, even when the desire to engage remains.In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, host Kate Holland speaks with Maria Chabrel, Group Manager, My Life & Social Connections at Helping Hand, about the risk factors for social isolation and the supports available to help older people stay connected. We’re also joined by Tony Borrillo, a Helping Hand client, who shares how joining a social connections group has enriched his daily life.We explore:Why older people are more vulnerable to social isolationThe health impacts of loneliness — even when someone doesn’t feel lonelyHow life events, mobility, health and environment influence social connectionWhat funding is available through CHSP and Support at HomeHelping Hand’s approach to building meaningful, interest based social groupsReal experiences from Tony about taking the first step and finding communityHelping Hand’s Social Connections Programs are designed around people — their interests, their stories, and the things that bring them joy. From craft to cinema, walking groups to shared cuppas, these programs help older people build genuine relationships and a sense of belonging.Useful Resources:Helping Hand websiteHelping Hand phone number - 1300 653 600My Aged Care websiteMy Aged Care phone number - 1800 200 422Episode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford

1 November 2025 marked the most significant shift in aged care in more than three decades. With the introduction of the new Aged Care Act, Strengthened Standards, and the Support at Home program, older Australians now have clearer rights, stronger protections, and a system designed around dignity, safety and independence.In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Company Secretary Luci Badge joins host Kate Holland to unpack what these reforms mean for residents, clients, families, and providers.We explore:The key reforms introduced on 1 November 2025How the new Aged Care Act embeds a rights-based frameworkWhat the new Statement of Rights includes, and how it differs from the old CharterWhat the strengthened standards require from providersHow whistleblower protections have changed – and who can now make a disclosureThe new registered supporter system and the three supporter typesWhat these changes mean for older people receiving careWhere to go for reliable information during this transitionHelping Hand has long championed person centred care, and these reforms further reinforce the importance of choice, respect, and transparency for older Australians.Useful Resources:My Aged Care websiteAged Care Quality and Safety CommissionHelping Hand websiteHelping Hand phone number: 1300 653 600Episode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford

Loving someone who is living with dementia is a journey filled with both love and heartbreak. You’re still holding on to the person you’ve always known, but slowly, parts of them begin to change or slip away. It can be painful, confusing, and emotionally exhausting.In this third episode of our dementia-focused series, host Kate Holland is joined once again by Tanya McIver, Group Manager of Residential Services at Helping Hand, along with special guest Sharon, whose mother, Jan, lived at Helping Hand North Adelaide.Together, they explore:The emotional toll of loving someone with dementiaCommon challenges faced by carers and family membersSupports available for people living at home with dementiaWhat to expect when visiting a loved one in residential careThe value of dementia support groups for familiesWhy dementia is often called “the long goodbye”Sharon shares her personal experience, offering insight, empathy, and advice for others walking a similar path. She is also a member of Helping Hand’s North Adelaide dementia support group. Useful Resources:For help and support try your GP first.The National Dementia Helpline is also available 24/7 for free and confidential expert information, advice and support. (1800 100 500)Dementia Support Australia can also assist – www.dementia.com.au Helping Hand website – www.helpinghand.org.auHelping Hand general number - 1300 653 600Episode hosted by Kate Holland: www.ktbcommunications.com.auEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford: www.podtalk.com.au

When the needs of someone living with dementia become more complex, moving into a residential care home can become a matter of necessity. While this can be an emotionally challenging process for everyone involved, the shift can help people to live their best lives and allow carers to regain their relationship with that person.But how do you know when it’s time? And is there an ideal way to broach the subject? In this episode, Tanya McIver, Group Manager of ResidentialServices at Helping Hand, explains all this and more.As someone who has delivered clinical and operationalcare to older people for over 20 years, she has a wealth of insight and understands the importance of supporting carers too. In conversation with host Kate Holland, Tanya talksabout:Signs it may be time to consider a residential care homeBenefits of a care home for the person living with dementiaBenefits of a care home for loved onesHow to access a care homeMemory Support Units and how they workMoving examples of person-centred care for people living with dementia Useful Resources:For help and support, try your GP first.The National Dementia Helpline is also available 24/7 for free and confidential expert information, advice and support. (1800 100 500)Dementia Support Australia can also assist. Helping Hand websiteHelping Hand general number - 1300 653 600 Episode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford

It’s estimated that in Australia, there are currently more than 400,000* people living with dementia. No, it’s not a normal part of ageing, but its prevalence is significant.And while everyone’s experience of dementia is unique, there are some early warning signs to look out for, and some important things to keep in mind when you spot them.Tanya McIver is Group Manager of Residential Services at Helping Hand. She has worked with older people for over twenty years now and is passionate about delivering respectful and dignified care. Her insights and advice regarding dementia – its impact on individuals and their carers – is invaluable.She shares her wisdom with host Kate Holland. Listen in and learn more about:What dementia isEarly signsBroaching the topic with loved onesWhether it’s safe to stay at homeHow to make a home saferWhere to turn to for help*⁠https://www.dementia.org.au/news/new-dementia-prevalence-data⁠Useful Resources:For help and support, try your GP first. The National Dementia Helpline is also available 24/7 for free and confidential expert information, advice and support: 1800 100 500.Dementia Support Australia can also assist. Helping Hand websiteHelping Hand general number - 1300 653 600Episode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford

The Federal Government is reshaping how home care services are delivered to older Australians, aiming to support more people to live independently and safely in their own homes for longer.Initially flagged as a 1 July change, the new Support at Home Program will instead come into effect on 1 November 2025.With new features, funding models and service pathways, this transition can feel complex. So, in this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Aged Care Connector, Mel Bassham, unpacks the upcoming changes. In conversation with host Kate Holland, she covers:What Support at Home is and why it’s being introducedKey differences from existing Home Care PackagesWhat current clients can expect during the transitionWhat new clients should know about assessments and service eligibilityWhere to find support if you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmedNo matter your situation, rest assured that your current services will continue in the lead up, and support is available to help you through the change.Helping Hand has established a dedicated Support at Home hotline to help clients understand how the changes affect them. All questions are welcome.Useful Resources:Helping Hand websiteHelping Hand general number - 1300 653 600Helping Hand Support at Home hotline [email protected] 1300 050 435Federal Government ResourcesSupport at HomeFee Estimator (Calculator)My Aged Care - 1800 200 422 Episode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford

Allied Health services play a powerful role in helping older people live well, safely and independently. Sitting under that banner is Exercise Physiology, an incredibly valuable service that is often confused with Physiotherapy. Not any more… In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we explore the role of Exercise Physiologists (EPs) with the ultra-enthusiastic Harry Beresford, who is the Exercise Physiology Manager in Home Care at Helping Hand.As Harry explains to host Kate Holland, EPs are specially trained health professionals who design tailored exercise plans to support strength, balance, memory, and recovery. Together, they also discuss how EPs differ from physiotherapists, and explore:What Exercise Physiology is and how it benefits older peopleHow EPs help manage chronic conditions like diabetes and osteoporosisWhat a first appointment typically involvesReal examples of how EPs have helped clients achieve meaningful goalsWhat advice to give if someone isn’t sure they need allied health supportAllied health might not be on everyone’s radar, but it should be. The right kind of support can make life easier, safer and more joyful.EPs at Helping Hand offer group programs (including Age Well Fitness), one-on-one sessions at our Wellbeing Centres, and home visits to help older people maintain independence and improve quality of life. For instance, an EP might help someone walk to the shops, get back in the garden, or move safely around the house.Unlike some providers who outsource, Helping Hand has its own team of qualified, insured and uniformed staff, so clients always know who's walking through the door.Useful Resources:Helping Hand websiteHelping Hand phone number - 1300 653 600Helping Hand allied health informationHelp at home with Helping HandEpisode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew RadfordAge Old Problems: New Aged Care is recorded and edited on Kaurna land.

Receiving nursing at home has so many benefits. There’s no need to make an appointment, no sitting around in waiting rooms, and for Helping Hand clients it means seeing familiar faces in familiar uniforms.Clients receiving home care services can often access nursing services through their government funding, or there is always the option to self-fund. You might not know it, but nurses can do quite a lot without the need for a GP on-site. So, in this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care Kate spoke to Jessica Bryant, a nurse and Clinical Manager with Helping Hand, to discuss:Eligibility for nursing at homeThe many services available to you (which include everything from health assessments, medication management and wound care, to chronic disease management, post-surgery care and more)The important reporting and interaction between GPs and NursesThe benefits at home nursing can also bring to carersChanges that are on the way, including Support at Home, and other initiatives to keep people living at home longer.Useful Resources:Helping Hand website Helping Hand phone number - 1300 653 600MyAged Care websiteMyAgedCare number - 1800 200 422Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Episode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew RadfordREMEMBER: You understand your needs better than anyone. Take the time to discuss them with one of our friendly team members to ensure the care you get is the right fit for you.

Leaving behind one life to start another, in a retirement village or residential care home, can be hard. Often people grieve the life they knew. It’s a point that Helping Hand’s coordinating chaplain Paul Hodgson always acknowledges when meeting new residents, that they’ve been through a big change and it’s not always an easy one.Another part of his job is to help clients and their families through bereavement – losing someone they love. This includes working with family members of people living with dementia.In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Paul normalises the process of grieving. He talks through the physical and psychological responses to grief and what we can do as friends and family to support those experiencing it. We cover:The difference between grief and bereavementSome common experiences people have in response to lossSuggestions for things that might help the grieving processHelping Hand services to support residents and clientsWhere else to turn for assistance And emphasise that everyone’s experience is different and that no one should be left to grieve aloneUseful Resources:Helping Hand website www.helpinghand.org.auHelping Hand phone number 1300 653 600We can supply you with a Grief and Bereavement resources guide which includes an extensive list of organisations and support options including, but not limited to: 24/7 telephone support:Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636Grief and bereavement counselling and support services:Griefline: 1300 845 745 8am to 8pm, 7 days (AEST), grief.org.auBeyond Blue: 1300 224 636, beyondblue.org.auEpisode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford

Residential Aged Care is for people who can no longer live safely and independently in their own homes. Often the need for this care comes up quite suddenly and it can be hard for families to navigate the system and work out what they have to do.The good news? A quality Admissions Team can help you.In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we talk with two warm and wonderful Helping Hand staff members about the steps you need to take and how they can assist you along the way.Chanie Slater is Helping Hand’s Customer Engagement Officer and Emma Jericho is a Consultant on the Admissions Team. In conversation with Kate Holland, they talk through: Calling My Aged Care to find out if you have the approval codes for permanent care.Receiving the referral code and starting the process to find the right home.Talking to the Admissions Team and asking lots of questions.The importance of navigating waitlists.And the benefits of taking tours and having your affairs in order early.The key messages: All questions are welcome and the earlier you prepare, the better!Useful Resources:Helping Hand website – how to access residential careHelping Hand phone number - 1300 653 600My Aged Care websiteMy Aged Care number - 1800 200 422Episode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew RadfordREMEMBER: You understand your needs better than anyone. Take the time to discuss them with one of our friendly team members to ensure the care you get is the right fit for you.

A group known as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers has been identified as having many challenges as they face the possibility of aged care. Forced into institutional and out-of-home care as children, many experienced significant physical and emotional trauma that can still impact them today. We respect that not everyone will identify with the terminology ‘Forgotten Australians’.When carers understand trauma, they can recognise signs, know the impact of triggers, and reduce the risk of re-traumatisation. In fact, understanding the impact of trauma is beneficial to us all.Helping Hand has developed several free training resources regarding trauma and trauma aware care, in conjunction with Flinders University, Relationships Australia and, most importantly, people with lived experience. Host Kate Holland and Chelsea Lewis, Manager Engagement and Partnerships at Helping Hand, are joined in this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care by Jan Schaffarz, who identifies as a Forgotten Australian. Her involvement in the latest training program was invaluable as is her contribution to this podcast.Listening to this episode will give you an insight into:The traumatic experiences of Forgotten Australians and Care LeaversHelping Hand’s commitment to trauma-aware care, including the provision of free online training resources Why trauma aware care is so important to people with a background of traumaHow people with a background of trauma would like to be treated in aged careTrust building and how that takes timeVerification for residential care homes via Helping Hand’s trainingPLEASE NOTE: Hearing stories of trauma can trigger strong emotions or cause us to recognise lived experience within our own family and community. Listen with care and seek help if you need it.Useful Resources:Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers on Helping Hand's websiteHelping Hand's phone number – 1300 653 600Trauma Training – an introduction to understanding the impacts of childhood trauma for people now entering aged care Sensitive Intake Conversations Training – a course that will assist aged care professionals to engage in respectful and inclusive conversations with older adults who have a history of traumaThe Real Care Toolkit – a ten-step program for implementing trauma aware, healing informed aged care for Forgotten Australians and Care LeaversEpisode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford REMEMBER: You understand your needs better than anyone. Take the time to discuss them with one of our friendly team members to ensure the care you get is the right fit for you.

While it might feel like an awkward conversation to have, discussing early on how we want to live as we age can ensure that our personal wishes and desires are met. In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we discuss Advance Care Planning and the benefits of creating an Advance Care Directive – a legal document available to anyone over the age of 18 which can be used to state your values, preferences and details of a substitute decision-maker. Zara Freeman is a Palliative Care Nurse with Helping Hand, and this is a subject she is very passionate about. When speaking with Kate Holland she explains: Advance Care Planning: what it is and how beautiful the conversations can be The definition of an Advance Care Directive (ADC): how you can get one and who signs off on it The things to include in your (ADC). Yes, songs for your funeral are a valid inclusion Benefits of planning for the individual (this includes nominating a substitute decision-maker in case of incapacity) Benefits of planning for the family (less guessing and decision making at a stressful time) Advice for getting the conversation started. (Relaxed and casual is good!) Useful Resources: SA Health – Advance Care Directives For more information on creating an ACD and to download a form or fill one in electronically. Helping Hand website Helping Hand phone number - 1300 653 600 Episode hosted by Kate Holland: www.ktbcommunications.com.au Episode recorded and edited by Drew Radford: www.podtalk.com.au

If you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity with real impact, this episode is for you. Helping Hand’s volunteer Kaye is living proof of the joy and purpose volunteering in aged care can bring. You may even need a tissue… She joins Rachel Carson, Lifestyle Coordinator at our residential care home at Golden Grove, in this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care to discuss the ins and outs (and countless ups) of being a volunteer with host Kate Holland. Helping Hand is lucky to have more than 150 volunteers across our residential care homes, a large portion of which help with lifestyle activities, providing residents with social interaction, exercise, mental stimulation, and enjoyment. Listen in and find out how you might be able to help. As Rachel points out: Your availability is up to you. And there is no typical volunteer. It is for everyone. Kaye’s advice: “Just give it a go! You’ll find that you will absolutely love it.” Useful Resources: To volunteer with Helping Hand please visit Helping Hand’s website careers section Helping Hand phone number - 1300 653 600 Episode hosted by Kate Holland Episode recorded and edited by Drew Radford

In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care we get to the bottom of what an Occupational Therapist (OT) does and how they can help you to remain safe and independent in your own home. Joining us with all the expertise is Amanda Bailey, Occupational Therapy Manager in Home Care at Helping Hand. Chatting with Kate she explains: What are the different allied health services available to older people at home? What is an OT, and what are the reasons someone might need one? What are the types of things an OT can help with around the home? Who is eligible for OT services at home, and how is it funded? How OT services can keep you living safely and independently at home for longer. Small changes can make a BIG difference. Useful Resources: Helping Hand website Helping Hand phone number - 1300 653 600 MyAgedCare website MyAgedCare number - 1800 200 422 Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Episode hosted by Kate Holland Episode recorded and edited by Drew Radford REMEMBER: You understand your needs better than anyone. Take the time to discuss them with one of our friendly team members to ensure the care you get is the right fit for you.

In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we discuss the benefits of residential respite care. With the help of Lisa Brewer, who works in Admissions and Customer Service at Helping Hand, and Kerry Carlson who is Resident Liaison Coordinator for Helping Hand in North Adelaide, we discover: What is residential respite and what are the benefits for carers? Who is eligible to use it and how best to start the process. Typical reasons why carers may need respite and why not to fear it, it’s a great way to try out residential care! That no question is a silly question. Staff are focused on putting you at ease. The process of settling in and choosing what activities to participate in. How you might even become a ‘frequent flyer’ - respite can be life changing for both carer and recipient. And that taking a tour first is highly recommended. This episode explores residential respite, however we also offer community respite for eligible home care clients in their own homes. Please speak to your Home Care Coordinator if you are interested in finding out more. Useful Resources: Helping Hand website Helping Hand phone number - 1300 653 600 MyAgedCare website MyAgedCare phone number - 1800 200 422 Episode hosted by Kate Holland Episode recorded and edited by Drew Radford DISCLAIMER: Please note that in order to be eligible for respite care you will need to be clinically approved prior to admission. AND REMEMBER: You understand your needs better than anyone. Take the time to discuss them with one of our friendly team members to ensure the care you get is the right fit for you.

Finding the right age care service is really important. This podcast was created to help people do just that by providing information and advice from people both delivering and receiving quality age care.In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care we are discussing Home Care. With the help of Jo Carter Jones, Group Manager of Retirement Living and Housing at Helping Hand, and one of our Home Care clients Reg, we’ll help you learn:The difference between Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme Who is eligible for Home Care What sort of services are availableHow best to start the process The documentation you need ready, and other tips for making the process run smoothly Where to seek the best adviceWhy you should be open to helpAnd how accessing Home Care can make a happy life even happier!Useful Resources:Helping Hand website – www.helpinghand.org.auHelping Hand Home Care number - 1300 444 663Helping Hand general number - 1300 653 600MyAgedCare website - www.myagedcare.gov.auMyAgedCare number - 1800 200 422Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) - https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/chsp Episode hosted by Kate Holland: www.ktbcommunications.com.auEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford: www.podtalk.com.auREMEMBER: You understand your needs better than anyone. Take the time to discuss them with one of our friendly team members to ensure the care you get is the right fit for you. Age Old Problems: New Aged Care is recorded on Kaurna land.