by Julia McCarthy | Jun 10, 2026 | Articles
Daily, I speak with primary carers supporting much-loved older people — husbands, wives, adult children, and friends. Many juggle paid work, their own health challenges, family life, and other commitments. Their tenacity to keep going in such trying circumstances is...
by Julia McCarthy | May 26, 2026 | Articles
As I write this on Anzac Day, I find myself reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of all those who have served with deep gratitude. I think of my Dad, a WWII veteran, and the brave young men and women serving now, including one of my family. We owe them, and the...
by Julia McCarthy | Apr 8, 2026 | Articles
The barometer of how well an aged care system is working is found in the lived experience of those needing or receiving care – not how well the government thinks it’s working. Not long ago, Australia had a system that worked quite well: access was straightforward;...
by Julia McCarthy | Mar 19, 2026 | Articles
For many Australians, the journey into the aged care system doesn’t begin with a proactive plan; it starts at the “breaking point”. As a professional navigating this space, I see the same story daily: individuals and families who have tried to do the right thing, hit...
by Julia McCarthy | Feb 12, 2026 | Articles
Most of us instinctively avoid thinking about growing older. It is human nature to dodge the topic of aged care until a crisis strikes. However, waiting until an emergency occurs often means being thrust into a system that is complex, confusing, and notoriously brutal...
by Julia McCarthy | Dec 16, 2025 | Articles
As the new Aged Care changes came into force on November 1, there have been significant issues – as predicted. The system has become more complicated to navigate, access, and use, and increasingly unaffordable. Combined waitlists for assessment and approved funding...
by Julia McCarthy | Nov 17, 2025 | Articles
By the time you read this, 1 November 2025 will have passed, marking the most significant change to Australian aged care we’ve ever seen. On that single day, a perfect storm of reforms hit, including a new Aged Care Act 2024, strengthened Quality Standards, and a...
by Julia McCarthy | Oct 10, 2025 | Articles
The long-term delay in new home care package funding has created a disastrous domino effect trapping thousands of older Australians and driving a national aged care crisis. When an older person admits to hospital, their care needs often change and increase. To return...
by Julia McCarthy | Sep 16, 2025 | Articles
A major change is coming to aged care, and it could cost pensioners dearly. On November 1, 2025, the new Support at Home program replaces the existing Home Care Packages program. This new system forces everyone to co-contribute for things that previously were paid...
by Julia McCarthy | Aug 13, 2025 | Articles
Who does aged care affect? Everyone. Forget the quiet whispers and the stigmatised label. Aged care isn’t a niche issue for someone else’s family; it’s for all of us. Look around. You already know someone over 65, right? It might be you, or maybe you’re...
