For most people this is an exciting time, but it can be challenging and stressful!  Below are a few tips and things to avoid when selling up and moving:

When getting started, the most important things are to:

1. Begin speaking with Real Estate Agents as soon as you start thinking about downsizing.  Even if you are not planning to make the move soon. When ready, pick a good Agent with  a proven track record & good reputation and work with them to set realistic goals (i.e. what, when & how)
2. Set realistic timeframes for putting your property on the market and allow a bit of extra time to get ready.
3. Set a realistic budget for any sprucing up or presentation and set aside an extra 10% contingency.  Minor repairs may be required, but avoid unnecessary and expensive renovations unless there is a strong financial case as agreed with the Agent
4. Create a plan of works, de-cluttering* and cleaning.  A calendar format in an easily accessible place works well.  Be careful not to underestimate the amount of time needed.
5. Get started, stay consistent and execute your plan
6. Treat the process like a business with the goal of achieving the best sale price
7. Get help when you need it.  Family and friends can help to pitch in.  A professional service provider like Elder Assist 0477 30 60 61 can also help.

* Every situation is different, but for many the biggest hurdle will be de-cluttering.  This is important for presentation when selling a home, but also as people move into a smaller space they will have less room to move everything with them.  Often we have collected many years of possessions and de-cluttering can be emotional, exhausting and time consuming. 

We will look at de-cluttering in more detail in my next blog Downsizing Tips 2. De-cluttering

Our postal address remains PO Box 372 Camperdown 1450

New clients are welcome anytime and we service Sydney City, Inner West and Eastern suburbs.  We expect to expand further at a later date yet to be decided.

A great big thank you to our wonderful staff and clients for all their support and we can’t wait to get into our new space and get working.

Caregiving from a distance requires good planning and coordination. Even if your parent is not unwell having important information at hand and an understanding of the services available to you will save you valuable time and energy in the future.

Most older people prefer to remain in their home as they age. If a parent is living with a chronic disease over time they will require more help at home.

Assessing a loved one’s health over the phone can be impossible. On your next visit make sure you or a health professional assess how well your parent is coping.

How do I know if a family member needs help?
Some common signs that a family member needs help at home include:

• Difficulty with personal care and toileting
• Problems shopping, cooking and housekeeping
• Missing medications
• Problems paying bills, banking and shopping
• Unable to get to medical appointments
• Lack of social contact
• Recent falls, trips or accidents in the house
• Showing signs of confusion or memory loss

If you’re unsure of the care needs of a parent you can organise an assessment from the aged care assessment team. ACAT assess older people’s needs and help organise care in the home or a nursing home. You must have an ACAT assessment before you can access many government services. Simply call the local hospital and arrange an appointment.

Before your next visit look up home nursing care agencies in the local area and make an appointment in advance. Give plenty of notice and plan to meet a provider personally. Ideally you want to choose a service where you are dealing one on one with a manager not a number of different service providers.  Find out what services are on offer both government and private. There can be long waiting lists for government services so it’s best to talk to both.

Gather other people who can help. What can the neighbours do? Are their other siblings who live nearby? Old friends that can help?  Make sure neighbours have your contact number in case of an emergency and perhaps a spare key to the house.

You may not be able to do the practical tasks involved in caregiving from a distance but you can help with finances, documentation and organising services from home.  Remember to ask your parents where important documentation is kept. To organise many services you may need documents on Power of Attorney, Guardianship, pension, private health fund information and more!  In case of an emergency you may be contacted, make photocopies and keep a folder of important papers in a known spot

It can also be beneficial to have a quiet conversation with your parents about their future care needs and what they would want for themselves if anything were to happen to them? What are their values? How would they like to be cared for in the future?

Helpful Contact Numbers

Aged Care Information Line 1800 200 422

Time has started to fly as we head into the busy holiday period.  Is it really only 5 weeks until Christmas!?!

The Elder Assist Elves have already started putting together our hamper for the St. Vincent de Paul collection and we have been busy helping clients to get organised for the holidays, including helping with cards, stamps and postage.

Service Update

We have updated the Services page on our website to better highlight one of our most popular services DE-CLUTTERING.

We can assist with sorting, organising and removing small items.  Where possible these are donated to charity or recycled.

Please also see my blog on De-cluttering and disposal tips.

Holiday Coverage

Will you be out of town over the holidays?  Do you or someone you know need some support during this busy time?  Elder Assist can help, but bookings over December and January are filling up fast.  Please call 0477 30 60 61 or email info@elderassist.com.au to discuss your individual requirements.

Events

Better Homes & Gardens
Many thanks to our friends at Ezyline for donating tickets to us and our clients!  It was lovely to stop by and meet you in person.   What an interesting and busy show, we are sure to be back next year.

Girls Night In
We were honoured to participate in Girls Night In at Crunch Female Fitness Centre and support the Cancer Council.  It was a fabulous night and we will share how much was raised when it becomes available.  A great big thank you to CA who donated a beautiful bottle of Moet which was used as the door prize.

Guest Blogs

Everyday seniors are connecting to the Internet to experience the vast online world. Seniors are one of the largest groups of people using the Internet.  This article includes some great internet security tips to ensure seniors stay safe online. A big thank you to Daniel Troy from Southmicro who wrote this very timely blog which you can access here: www.elderassist.com.au/guest-blog-internet-security-tips-for-seniors/

The hip is one of the most common joints in the body that is affected by degenerative Arthritis. This article includes some great tips and treatment advice for seniors suffering from Arthritis.  A big thank you to Chiropractor George Prorellis who wrote this blog which you can access here: www.elderassist.com.au/guest-blog-sydney-chiropractor-advice-tips-treatment-for-hip-arthritis/

Current Specials

Are you thinking about getting some help for yourself or a loved one?  Still unsure and not wanting to commit?  Why not try out our Spring / Summer SPECIAL of 50% off a first visit!?  Also, we always offer a free no obligation consultation to discuss your individual needs.  Call us on 0477 306 061 to take advantage of these savings!

Recycle That Second Fridge and SAVE!

Do you have a second fridge that you no longer need?  The fridge buyback service can assist with removal, recycling and offer you a $35 rebate if it was built before 1996.  This could save you up to $300 a year in energy bills!  Please see www.fridgebuyback.com.au or call 1 800 708 401 for more information.

Connect With Us!

We’ve been working hard on our Social Media presence, and would love to connect with you on the following pages:

LinkedIn: *NEW* – www.linkedin.com/company/2729630?trk=tyah

Pinterest: *NEW* – www.pinterest.com/elderassist/

Facebook – www.facebook.com/elderassist

Twitter – www.twitter.com/elder_assist

 Feedback

We would love to hear from you with any feedback or suggestions that you may have.  Please don’t be shy!  Email Ricarda directly at ricarda.atherton@elderassist.com.au

We wish you, your family and friends a safe and happy holiday season.  It’s hard to believe that the next time I write this newsletter it will be 2013!  Have a happy and healthy New Year!  Thanks and regards,

Ricarda Atherton Operations Manager 0477 306 661 ricarda.atherton@elderassist.com.au

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, please email info@elderassist.com.au or call 0477 306 661.

At Elder Assist we are passionate about de-cluttering and home organisation.  It is one of our most popular services and we are often asked if we can assist to remove items.  The answer is yes!  We are happy to assist in the removal of all smaller items and for larger items please contact us on 0477 30 60 61 to discuss your requirements.  Where possible we strive to either recycle items or donate them to charity.

The most important thing if you are thinking about doing some de-cluttering is to get started.  Don’t feel that everything has to happen at once!  Instead set realistic goals that suit you and get help where you need it. Below are some tips that you might find useful:

1. THINK CRAFT:  Local Playgroups, Schools, Day Care Centres, After School Care, Community Centres and Parents are often happy to receive anything that can be used by children for craft.  The options are endless, but may include – paper (all kinds including gift wrap), cardboard (all kinds including toilet rolls and egg cartons) calendars, cards, fabric, yarn, paper & plastic plates, CD’s, and so on.  Men’s business shirts also make great painting smocks when the sleeves are shortened and many things can be used for dress ups!
2. CHARITY:  Many charity organisations accept clothing, linen, toys and household items that are in new or good used condition.  For clothing the rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t wear it yourself please do not donate it.  Old towels and other clothing can instead be cut into rags and used around the home. Some charities also accept furniture and may also collect it from your home.  Old glasses and mobile phones are also welcomed.  Charities do ask that broken or soiled items not be donated as they are forced to then pay for their disposal.
3. SELL IT: It’s never been a better time to sell unwanted items!  Antiques, collector’s items and jewellery in particular can sell for considerable amounts. A few ideas include selling online with eBay or Gumtree, posting a classified in your local paper, hosting a garage sale or contacting an auction house.  Another option that is effective is to post a note and/or picture on local bulletin boards in schools, hospitals, cafés, shops, churches and community centres.
4. LOCAL COUNCIL:   Check with your local council to take advantage of rubbish collection, garden waste collection, recycling programs, council clean-ups, e-waste disposal, white good disposal and how to get rid of toxins like old paints and cleaning supplies.  Councils may also offer a pick up on request or offer events like “Second Hand Saturday”.  Hiring a skip privately or contacting a scrap metal dealer are other options that you could consider.
5. MEDICATIONS:  Take care when disposing of old medications.  Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.  Community pharmacies will assist to dispose of these items for you.  For more information, please visit the Department of Health and Ageing website.
6. UNWANTED GIFTS: Unwanted gifts can also be given away and many people politely request that gifts not be exchanged for birthdays or holidays. It is also an option to request a charitable donation in lieu of a gift. Most people will be grateful!
7. GIVE IT AWAY: Sometimes things marked free in front of your house will be picked up by strangers.  Just make sure that unclaimed items are not left out!

And remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day!  Do what you can, when you can and you will get there.  One bag a week is 52 bags a year and one box a month is 12 boxes in a year.  Avoid buying unnecessary items and don’t hesitate to part with items that you haven’t used in a year.  Don’t forget to ask for help where you need it and know that you are not alone.   Most people have too many things and if you stick with it, you will see real progress!!

Welcome to our first Elder Assist newsletter!

As a relatively new company I’m really excited about how far we have come since we launched six months ago and I would like to say a great big thank you to everyone who has supported us!

Expansion to Service Area

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our services to the Lower North Shore and Eastern suburbs!

Our services are now provided to Sydney City, Inner West, Lower North Shore and the Eastern Suburbs.

Not in your area yet?  We’re committed to providing our services throughout Sydney and will be announcing some further expansions in 2013.  Stay tuned!

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m thrilled with the response to our new website! We have added a FAQ tab to further define our services, areas, service times and more.  Check it out at: www.elderassist.com.au/faq/

Events

In May I was delighted to participate in the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk at Leichardt Oval.  Elder Assist sponsored a small team that included three generations of my own family, as well as some very special friends.

A great time was had by all and we were all happy to help raise some funds and awareness of such an important cause.

In June I was honoured to join my mum at the Sydney Quilt Show where she exhibited in one of the professional categories.  It was a beautiful show with a great range and some very stiff competition.

Guest Blogs

Travel insurance can be very important.  My dad had an accident while on holiday at the beginning of the year and we were grateful that the insurance covered all of the medical bills.  A big thank you to Amanda Smith at Optimum Insurance for her guest blog which you can access here: www.elderassist.com.au/guest-blog-travel-insurance-tips-for-seniors/

This winter has been tough with many of our family, friends and clients having been through at least one illness.  I know that I had my worst fever in many, many years!   A big thank you to Jenny Waldie for her guest blog which you can access here: www.elderassist.com.au/guest-blog-nutrition-beating-colds-flu-tips-for-seniors-and-carers/

Current Specials

Our current Monday to Wednesday special is still in effect until September and we are also offering 50% off a first service to anyone with one of our fliers.  This is valid until the end of the year.  Also, we always offer a free no obligation consultation to discuss your individual needs.
Call us on 0477 306 061 to take advantage of these savings!

Sneak Peak: Referral Awards

We’re thrilled to announce that from September we will begin offering official referral awards! Keep in mind though that we will happily offer this now to anyone who would like to refer a friend or family member. Please call 0477 30 60 61 for more information or email info@elderassist.com.au

Connect With Us!

We’ve been working hard on establishing our social media accounts and filling them with useful information for you.   We would love to connect with you here:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elderassist

Twitter: www.twitter.com/elder_assist

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/pub/ricarda-atherton/37/a0b/a60

Feedback

We would love to hear from you with any feedback or suggestions that you may have.  Please don’t be shy!  Email Ricarda directly at ricarda.atherton@elderassist.com.au

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, please email info@elderassist.com.au or call 0477 306 661.

Ricarda Atherton
Operations Manager
0477 306 661
ricarda.atherton@elderassist.com.au

Q: can someone with dementia live at home?when will  my parent need my help.

A: Yes. A person with dementia can live at home, but it is realistic to expect that they will need support and help which will likely grow and change over time.  It is impossible to give a timeframe and circumstances can change quickly.  I would recommend planning ahead, doing some research and reviewing your options sooner rather than later.  It is also important to discuss this with other family members as opinions can vary.  As a starting point I would suggest:

1.  Speaking to your parent’s doctor if possible

2. Contacting Centrelink & local HAAC officer.

3. Calling the National Dementia Helpline on 1-800-100-500

4. Reaching out to family members, neighbours, friends, place of worship if applicable, local community centres etc . to determine if additional help is available.

Tip – it is a good idea to leverage skills within a network i.e. someone might be good with finances, another with housekeeping or errands etc. and share responsibilities where possible.

5. Reviewing finances and speaking to a solicitor to review any legal issues including power of attorney if needed.

Tip – when caring for a parent it can be beneficial to create a short info doc that includes things like doctor’s names & numbers, medications taken, short medical history, bank accounts, insurance policies, solicitor name & number etc.

It is also possible to hire a nurse or carer direct or via a specialist company to support your parent in their home.  Services vary and they can support other care types or help where there are waiting times.  When hiring someone it is important to review them carefully to ensure that they can provide the right care for your parent.

Tip – I would either choose a reputable company or at a minimum, check qualifications & references, request a police check and review any insurance needs.

Isolation can also be an issue when a person with dementia is living at home so it is important to ensure that as part of your parent’s care that they have enough contact with family, friends and the outside world as well as regular outings.

We provide customised non-medical in home care for Senior’s.  Our trusted carers provide the highest levels of privacy, confidentiality and security.

Look out for further expansions later in 2012 or 2013.

Please contact us for details and to discuss your individual requirements. We offer a free no obligation consultation by phone or email.

info@elderassist.com.au

0477 30 60 61

Thank you to everyone who has provided such wonderful feedback to our new website.  We are currently working to update the site, but wanted to provide our FAQ’s in the interim.  Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call 0477 30 60 61 if you have any questions about us or the services that we provide.

What services do you provide?

Elder Assist provides customised non-medical in home care for seniors.  Please see our Services tab for some examples which include appointments, errands, administration including correspondence, light housekeeping including meal preparation, simple home maintenance, respite and companionship.  Other examples might include de-cluttering, internet support, organising gifts or accompanying someone for a walk or outing.

These are just a few examples and we would consider many other services that would fall under the non-medical category.

We also welcome family members or friends from interstate and overseas who might like assistance with Sydney based seniors.

Please contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call us on 0477 30 60 61 to discuss your individual requirements for in home senior care.

What services don’t you provide?

Elder Assist is unable to provide any type of medical service or nursing type care.  This includes the dressing of wounds or any type of therapy or rehabilitation.  By law we also cannot administer medication, however, we can offer friendly reminders.

For more information about our services please contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call 0477 30 60 61.

What are your rates?

Elder Assist provides customised non-medical in home care for seniors and no two clients are alike, therefore, we can only provide a quote after a no obligation and free discussion by phone or email.

Included in our rates is insurance.  Our carers are carefully screened and fully insured. We also pride ourselves on our ethical standards and high levels of privacy and security.

Please contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call us on 0477 30 60 61 to discuss your individual requirements for in home senior care.

Which areas do you service?

Elder Assist currently provides services in Sydney’s Inner West and Lower North Shore.  From April 2012 we will be expanding to cover City Sydney and Eastern Suburbs.  We hope to expand further at a later date.

We also welcome family members or friends from overseas, interstate or outside of Sydney who would like to organise our services for someone in Sydney.

Please contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call us on 0477 30 60 61 to discuss your individual requirements for in home senior care

What times do you offer services?

Elder Assist typically provides services during business hours during the week, however, we can also do some work evenings and weekends on request.  Please note that we cannot offer over night or 24 hour care at this time.

Please contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call us on 0477 30 60 61 to discuss your individual requirements for in home senior care.

Do you only support seniors?

Elder Assist specialises in providing non-medical in home care for seniors, however, we would also welcome people with a disability, recovering from an accident or following the birth of a child, provided, however, that any services would have to be non-medical in nature.

Please contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call us on 0477 30 60 61 to discuss your individual requirements.

What are your Terms and Conditions?

Please contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call us on 0477 30 60 61 to request a copy of our Terms and Conditions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@elderassist.com.au or call us on 0477 30 60 61 if you have any other questions that have not been covered by these FAQ’s.

Please contact us for details and to discuss your individual requirements.

Note:  offer is valid until December 31^st 2012, but is not valid with any other offer and limit of one per customer.