One of the most difficult things we have to face, and one which I have had the unfortunate experience of is having to arrange aged care for a parent. I found this to be not only an emotional situation, worrying about the future well being of my loved ones and feeling guilt at the obvious reluctance of my parents to enter care but also a very confusing and at times frustrating experience in trying to work out what was best financially.

This is a very stressful time for a family. The biggest contributing factor to the stress is that decisions need to be made so quickly.

Very often little preparation or thought is given to what might happen when this arises. Most older people are quite firmly of the view that they have no desire to enter care of any kind, but sadly their state of health can take any alternative away from them and us.

Many of your friends colleagues and peers will have a bundle of good advice, based on what they have experienced or what their friends have told them about when Auntie Beryl went into the nursing home. Having the right advice for the circumstances of the time is essential because the rules change frequently and significantly.

We can help you answer some questions like (not an exhaustive list)

• How much is the accommodation bond required for the facility I am considering?
• Which assets are and which are not included for Aged Care purposes?
• Should I consider disposal of assets to pay bonds?
• Should I consider the retaining of assets to generate income to pay daily accommodation charges?
• What about the gifting of assets without falling foul of Centrelink?
• Do they really want to charge us that much?

Trying to find an answer to these and other questions can leave you tearing your hair out, if you have any. Getting some advice can at least give you the answers you need to the monetary issues, leaving you free to deal with the emotional ones.