Most families don't have a plan. They're working it out in real time – after a quiet moment where they noticed something felt different. Maybe your parent seemed more forgetful than usual. Maybe the house was a bit messier than it used to be. Maybe they mentioned they hadn't been out much lately.
Those smaller shifts are what this guide is for. There's no handbook for navigating this. No one sits you down and explains what to do. Most families find themselves figuring it out under pressure – often after something has already gone wrong.
The good news is that the first 30 days don't need to be overwhelming. You don't need to have everything sorted. You just need to take the right steps in roughly the right order.
Before you start: Take a breath. You don't have to solve everything at once. The goal of the first 30 days is simply to get clear on what you're dealing with – not to have all the answers.
Week one – understand what's actually happening
Before you can make any decisions, you need a clear picture of your parent's current situation. This sounds obvious, but most families are working from incomplete or out-of-date information.
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1Have an honest conversation with your parent Ask how they're feeling, what they're finding difficult, and what they want. Their wishes matter and should guide everything that follows. This conversation is also a good moment to gauge how aware they are of the changes you've been noticing.
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2Speak to their GP Book an appointment (your parent should attend if possible). Ask the GP directly: what's the current situation, what do they anticipate changing, and what support would help? GPs can also be a useful starting point for referrals.
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3Do a quiet assessment of the home Are there trip hazards? Is the fridge stocked? Are medications being managed correctly? Note what you see without making it feel like an inspection – you're gathering information, not making judgements.
Week two – get the information organised
One of the most common problems families face is that critical information is scattered. Medications on the fridge, documents in a drawer, appointments in someone's head. Start pulling it together in one place.
- Write down (or photograph) all current medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
- Note upcoming appointments and who the key health professionals are
- Locate – or start asking about – important documents: Power of Attorney, Advance Care Directive, insurance policies, Medicare and DVA cards
- Start capturing all of this in one place you can share with your family
Not sure what information to collect? The free NAVO check-in walks you through exactly what to look for – and you'll get a printable checklist at the end to start filling in. When the NAVO app launches, you'll be able to store all of this directly in the app so your whole family can access it.
Don't have Power of Attorney in place? This is important to sort sooner rather than later, while your parent can still make the decision themselves. A solicitor can help, or contact your state's Public Trustee office for lower-cost options.
Week three – understand what support is available
The Australian aged care system is genuinely confusing, but the starting point is simple: My Aged Care is the government's entry point for accessing support. Call them on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au.
If your parent needs support at home, the process typically starts with a basic assessment (called a RAS assessment) which can lead to Commonwealth Home Support Programme services. For more complex needs, an assessment opens the door to Home Care Packages and residential care.
Don't be put off by the jargon. The My Aged Care phone line is genuinely helpful.
One thing I can't stress enough: get your parent assessed as early as possible – even if they don't need much help right now. Wait times for Home Care Packages can be 12 months or more. The earlier you're in the system, the better positioned you'll be when things do change. Read more about how Home Care Packages work and why early assessment matters →
Week four – have the family conversation
If there are siblings involved, week four is a good time to bring everyone together – even virtually. Share what you've learned, discuss what your parent wants, and start working out who can take on what.
The goal isn't to have everything decided. It's to make sure no one person is carrying all the information and all the responsibility alone. If that conversation feels hard – it often does – we've written a guide specifically for this: How to talk to your siblings about caring for your parents →
We've also put together a printable Family Care Conversation Guide with a simple framework, conversation scripts, and a responsibility-sharing template – coming very soon at $9.
Feeling overwhelmed? That's completely normal. The free NAVO check-in takes 15 minutes and gives you a clear picture of what you know, what you're missing, and what to focus on next.
What comes after the first 30 days?
A reminder: this guide is for those earlier, quieter shifts – when you have a little time to think and plan, rather than react. If things feel more urgent than that, please don't wait on these steps – reach out to My Aged Care directly on 1800 200 422.
After 30 days you should have a clearer picture of your parent's situation, the key information in one place, and a sense of what support might be available. That's a solid foundation.
From here it becomes about staying organised, keeping the family informed, and navigating the system as your parent's needs evolve. That's exactly what NAVO is being built to help with.
This post is based on personal experience and contains general information only. Every family's situation is different. For advice specific to your circumstances, speak with a qualified professional or contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.