Case Studies
We're privileged to work with our clients, and we respect the confidential nature of their experiences and challenges. Each of these case studies is shared with the client's consent. Names are changed for privacy.
Bernard's challenges with Lewy Body Dementia | Strong advocacy
Clients: At 67 years of age, Bernard had been living with Lewy Body Dementia and waiting for a residential care placement for more than 9 months.
Situation: Bernard suffered a particular type of dementia characterised by challenging behaviours. Bernard's particular behaviour was that he became aggressive and hit out at carers when he needed his incontinence pads changed. This was very problematic for Bernard's carers and, as a result, his residential care facility could not meet his needs and transferred him to hospital. From there Bernard was transferred to a geriatric assessment unit. His behaviours continued and he was then admitted to a psychiatric campus for management. This was not an appropriate fit for Bernard, being an older person who did not experience a psychiatric condition. However, he had no other option for long-term accommodation. An additional obstacle was that his family lived on the other side of the city from the campus he was staying at, which meant a journey of approximately one hour each way to visit him.
Evaluation: We became involved to help Bernard find a permanent residential care placement. As there is no treatment for this kind of behaviour, the only option was to wait until Bernard's symptoms progressed and his aggression subsided. We kept in contact with Bernard's family and about 8 months later, his challenging behaviours were no longer evident.
We revised all of Bernard's documentation and lodged his applications to quality residential care facilities that were located close to his family. We spoke to the clinical staff, requesting a summary of how to best care for Bernard so that the facility selected could meet his needs. When a vacancy arose that would suit him very well, we advocated strongly on his behalf.
Outcome: Following our liaison with the facility admission staff, Bernard was offered a placement. We immediately contacted the family so they could view the room. They were thrilled with what they saw and accepted the offer, and we arranged for Bernard's admission for later that week.
When we checked how Bernard's admission was progressing, we learned that there was a delay because of problems with his discharge medications. We contacted the campus and advised that if Bernard wasn't transferred on the following day, he would no longer be offered the room. As a result, he was admitted the next day. Bernard settled in very well and his family were very pleased with the outcome.
Takeaways: Advocacy and follow-up are often critical in achieving a successful outcome. Through our experience, know-how and advocacy, we guided Bernard and his family through a very complex and stressful situation.
We offer our residential care placement service where we can find you a good quality facility to move to. If difficulties arise and the placement isn't straightforward, we can advise and guide you through the process, and advocate on your behalf until a successful outcome is achieved.
From respite to residential care | Dealing with carer's stress
Clients: Married couple Jeanie and Tom were living in a retirement village unit, when their son Simon noticed Jeanie was struggling to manage Tom's care needs.
Situation: We met with Jeanie and Tom, together with Simon and his wife. Tom was suffering from dementia. Jeanie had been his carer for a couple of years but was not coping and needed a break. She was seeking respite care for Tom for a couple of weeks.
We undertook a medical review of Tom and found he required a lot of assistance with his daily care needs. Although the family had some In Home Care assistance, it was inadequate, and Jeanie was suffering from extreme carer's stress.
Evaluation: We discussed the care options with the family and eventually it was agreed that respite care would not effectively alleviate the situation, and that permanent Residential Care was needed. We explained the process to the family, outlined the fees and charges, and recommended facilities through which to lodge applications, with a focus on their location and the quality of care provided. We also assisted them with completing the Assets and Income Assessment.
The following morning, Simon told us that Jeanie had suffered from a collapse and had been admitted to hospital. While he could look after Tom for a short period of time, his Residential Care placement was urgent.
Outcome: We lodged the applications, advised the facilities of the situation and the urgency for placement, and found a suitable facility for Tom to move to within a few days. The family were happy to accept the offer of placement and were very pleased with the outcome.
Takeaways: Carer's stress is an insidious disease which can harm the health of the carer. Through our experience, know-how and advocacy, we were able to assess Tom's care needs and also the impact on Jeanie's health. We were able to recommend an appropriate course of action to the family, then respond promptly when the situation became more urgent.
We offer our Residential Care placement service where we can find you a good quality facility to move to. If difficulties arise and the placement becomes more urgent, we are able to act promptly, advise and guide you through the process, and advocate on your behalf, until a successful outcome is achieved.
Good care, better health | Choosing the best option
Clients: Lauren's father Scott had been admitted into a residential care facility, but they weren't sure they could afford the accommodation cost.
Situation: Scott had been admitted to hospital and was unable to return home. When Scott was ready to be discharged from hospital it became urgent to find him a placement in residential care. Lauren was happy with the facility, and said Scott's health had improved since he was admitted. She was hopeful that he could stay there.
However, due to the urgent placement, Lauren was not fully aware of the costs that were payable by Scott or the options available for payment. An accommodation cost of $499,000 was payable, which Lauren felt was unaffordable.
Evaluation: We found that a request for an assets and income assessment had not been lodged, meaning Scott may be assessed as having to pay for the full cost of his care. Additionally, Lauren's sister Kelsey was living in the family home, meaning it could not be sold.
We were able to provide assistance by
- helping Lauren complete and lodge the assets and income assessment
- providing a summary of the facility's costs, and a comparison of costs at nearby facilities
- explaining the options available for payment of those costs, especially the accommodation cost
- contacting the facility where Scott had been admitted and discussing options, including a reduction in the accommodation cost or relocating to another room with a cheaper cost.
As Scott had settled well in the facility and his health had significantly improved, we recommended that he remain there, and the family meet with the facility to discuss a discount to the accommodation cost. Relocating to another facility would be unsettling for Scott. Returning home would likely lead to a deterioration in his health, and lead to a recurrence of carer's stress for Kelsey.
Outcome: By asking some key questions, it was evident Scott's health had improved significantly since his admission to the facility, and that the preferred option would be for him to remain there. Lauren agreed and felt it would be affordable for him to remain at the facility. They were able to explore a practical alternative accommodation option for Kelsey.
Takeaways: Through our experience, know-how and advocacy, we were able to inform Lauren of the fees and charges so that she and Scott were aware of his care and accommodation options.
Setting boundaries in new places | Finding a resolution
Clients: Adam's mother Doreen had been admitted into a residential care facility.
Situation: Both Adam and Doreen were very unhappy because a resident in an adjoining room who had dementia was very intrusive and constantly entering Doreen's room.
Evaluation: We met Adam and Doreen at the facility to discuss further and assist them with finding a solution. While Doreen was otherwise happy with the facility, the wandering resident led them to feel that she would need to relocate to another facility. Following discussion, it was agreed that Doreen would prefer to remain at the facility.
Outcome: We advised Adam and Doreen to arrange a meeting with the facility manager and express their concerns. We felt confident a solution could be found. While were discussing this, a staff member became aware of our meeting. As a result, the manager met with Adam and Doreen immediately afterwards, and coordinated for resident to move into a room with no access to Doreen's room. The family was very pleased with the outcome and Doreen was happy to remain at the facility.
Takeaways: As part of our residential care placement service, you can contact us to ask any questions or to discuss any concerns – even after placement has been completed. If the situation is more complex, we can offer our Pathways Information service, where we discuss the issues of concern and provide advice on how they may be best resolved.
Sasha's dilemma | Making the best choice
Clients: Sasha was offered a placement at two residential care facilities. She could afford the cheaper option, but her family preferred the more expensive facility.
Situation: After lodging applications for Sasha, she was offered placement at two facilities. The accommodation cost at one facility was $550,000 and at the other facility it was $400,000. After looking at both facilities, Sasha's family (including her daughter Celeste) preferred the one with the higher accommodation cost. However, Sasha didn't have enough money to pay for this facility, having approximately $400,000 to spend.
Evaluation: We explained to Sasha and her family that it would be possible to afford the more expensive facility by paying a part Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) of $400,000, and paying the residual $150,000 through a part Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) of approximately $25 per day. We also explained that another possibility was to ask the facility to deduct the DAP amount from the RAD amount, meaning any refund to Sasha's estate would be slightly lower. Celeste said that she and the family wanted what was best for Sasha, and didn't mind if getting the best possible residential care placement would have a diminishing effect on any inheritance.
Outcome: Sasha and her family thought this was a wonderful solution, and so she accepted the offer of a placement at the facility with the $550,000 room.
Takeaways: By using a different payment option that suits your financial situation, you're likely to be able to consider most facilities that suit your needs - even if their accommodation cost is significantly higher than others.
Through our financial knowledge we are able to explain fees to families, provide them with an estimate of the fees and how they are calculated, and assist them with completing the Assets and Income Assessment. We are not licensed to provide financial advice, however we are able to refer you to financial advisers who specialise in aged care.
We offer our residential care placement service where we can find you a good quality facility to move to, and we also will explain the costs and the options available for payment.
Planning for the unknown | Making a team decision
Clients: Married couple Chris and Rebecca were in their early 80s when they moved from interstate, and were considering future accommodation options.
Situation: Chris and Rebecca were considering two options for their future accommodation. The first was to buy a two-bedroom home that was near completion. The second was to move into a retirement village. Neither Chris nor Rebecca had any significant health issues, but Rebecca suffered from anxiety and was worried about the possibility of having to live alone.
Evaluation: We met with Chris and Rebecca, and their son Matthew. We conducted a health assessment to gauge Chris and Rebecca's ability to live independently, and to see if they needed in-home care. Then we discussed the pros and cons of the two options they were considering. Chris preferred moving into a house and wasn't worried if the situation arose that he would be living there alone. Rebecca was very anxious about the prospect of living alone. If they moved into a house and Rebecca was in a situation of living alone, she would need to relocate somewhere more suitable for her needs. This would create additional costs and stress from moving again.
Outcome: After weighing up all the circumstances, Chris and Rebecca agreed that moving to a retirement village would be the preferred option. The best time to move is in your 60s or early to mid-70s, which meant they were relatively old for this option. However Chris and Rebecca were both in relatively good health, so it was reasonable to assume that this option would be suitable for the medium term, and that they would not need to move again in the foreseeable future. If Rebecca did find herself living alone, the community living nearby would help allay some of her concerns.
Takeaways: If you're considering your accommodation options when you are in your retirement years, it's wise to plan ahead. Don't leave a move into a retirement village too late. If you are no longer able to live independently, it is likely a Retirement Village is no longer a suitable option for you. It's important to select the accommodation that meets both your short- and longer-term needs. Think about what services and amenities you may need in 10 to 20 years from now. By planning ahead then choosing wisely, you may only need to move once, and this is likely to also be beneficial financially. We offer our Pathways Information service where we can discuss your accommodation requirements, then provide you with information about suitable options, how to access them, and their costs.
