Aged Care Updates October 2026

Welcome to our latest Aged Care newsletter.

As we enter spring, we hope you enjoy the warmer weather the season brings as well as the articles we have put together to ensure you are up to date.

If you or a loved one is currently getting help using the government’s Support at Home program, or waiting on approval to receive assistance, you need to be aware of the changes to the program that are being introduced on 1 October.

Moving into retirement comes with a lot of considerations, and where you live is one of the most important. There are some key questions you need to ask yourself, which we’ve outlined in this article.

When you think of the process of grieving, you usually think of someone passing away; however, research shows that grief can begin when a family member transitions into aged care. This article provides some helpful support in navigating this profound change.

And finally, we explore the world of ‘Blue Zones’. As the myth fades, a clearer and more practical picture of healthy aging comes into focus that can provide some inspiration for all of us.

In this issue

Support at Home personal care contribution changes

The Support at Home program was introduced in November 2025 and replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-term Restorative Care Programme. This completely changes how older Australians access in-home care.

Additional changes have been introduced since, which means that the Australian Government will fully fund personal care services if you have been assessed and approved for Support at Home funding.

You will not pay out-of-pocket costs for personal care services if you:

Personal care includes services that help you with daily tasks, such as:

If you are not sure if a service you receive is part of the personal care service type, speak with your provider or view the Support at Home service list.

You can also learn more about Support at Home’s costs and contributions.

What’s changing?

You will not pay contributions for any approved personal care services you receive from 1 October 2026.

You should see this change reflected in your statements and invoices after this date.

If you want to increase the amount of personal care you receive from 1 October 2026, your provider can help you update your care plan and budget.

What’s not changing?

You will keep receiving your personal care services as usual, as long as you are approved and have available funding.
What is considered personal care will stay the same. This includes support such as showering, dressing and continence support.
Your eligibility for personal care services will not change. If you have been assessed and approved for personal care services, you will not need to be reassessed to access personal care services.
Your provider and existing care arrangements will stay the same. You will continue receiving services through your provider as you do now.
Contributions for other Support at Home services will not change. If you receive other services that have contributions, these will continue to apply as usual.
Your level of care should not be reduced or limited by this change. You will continue to be able to determine how much personal care you want to receive based on your goals, preferences and budget.

What do you need to do?

You do not need to do anything to be eligible for this change.

Your provider may contact you to update any documents with them, such as your service agreement or care plan.

Get support

If you have any questions, feel free to speak to us.

Source: My aged care

Reproduced with permission of Care & Co Media. This article was originally published on https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/news-and-updates/support-home-personal-care-contribution-changes. Important: This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person. Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business. Our business does not take any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

Your home in retirement

Retirement is an opportunity to assess where you live and how you want to live.

Questions to help you decide where to live

Retirement may be a time to think about whether you want to stay where you are, downsize or move into a retirement home.

Your children may have moved out, and the family home now seems too big. Perhaps you no longer want to be responsible for running a house.

Or your health may not be as good as it used to be, and you need a bit more help. You might see an opportunity to reduce rent or loan payments.

Whatever your circumstances, you could consider your living arrangements by asking yourself some key questions, including:

What is my present financial situation? (For example, do I own or rent, do I have debt, am I financially responsible for someone else?)
How is my health now, and should I plan for future health care needs?
Do I want to stay near family and friends?
How much room do I need?
What kind of lifestyle do I want?

If you own your home

Staying in your home

Staying in your own home, at least in the early years of retirement, has plenty going for it. You know your community and it might mean you stay close to family and friends. You are likely to have an emotional attachment to your home and the geography. Familiarity can be very comforting.

If this is your choice, things to consider include:

Do you, or will you in the future, need renovations or upgrades to bathrooms, kitchens, or other areas of the house to make living easier? It might be replacing steps with ramps or installing more rails in the bathroom to help with your independent living.
Do you need help with daily chores such as cleaning and shopping? The government provides services such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.
Are you considering refinancing your home, or using your home equity, to help fund your retirement?

Some of these questions are complex and your decisions could affect your partner, family and anyone you live with. Consider speaking to us before you make big financial decisions.

Downsizing in retirement

There are many reasons you may consider downsizing, including being closer to health services, or if your home needs costly improvements.

Downsizing is also a way to free up cash for your retirement. But it does come with costs and may impact your Age Pension and government benefits.

Maureen and Gary downsize their home

With their five kids out of home, Maureen and Gary were starting to think four bedrooms and a big backyard was more than they wanted to maintain.

They worked together to figure out their options. Using online tools and checking in with their super fund and bank, they looked at what they owned and what they might need when they stopped working.

After weeks of discussion, they decided to sell their home and buy a smaller apartment with no stairs. Even after transaction costs, they felt they would be in a stronger position and better off financially and emotionally.

If you rent your home

Rent is a big, ongoing expense for many retirees. If you rent your home, think about whether you can afford the rent when you stop working. You may have less income in the future.

If the private rental market is too expensive, there are lower rent options. Community organisations sometimes offer cheaper rooms or units for retirees who do not own their home.

If you receive a Centrelink payment, you might be eligible for Rent Assistance.

For advice about staying in your rented home, contact your state or territory tenants union:

If you need help with housing or other support, see get help in retirement.

If you need to move into residential care

Help at home and aged care options

If you need help in your home, or can no longer live independently, the Australian Government provides a range of subsidised aged care services. There are also many privately run retirement homes and villages, but you pay the full amount yourself.

Before you sign up, check all the fees and charges, and how they may increase over time.

If you’re buying a unit in a retirement village, get advice. Make sure they have experience with retirement village contracts and the Retirement Village Code of Practice in the state or territory.

Key takeaways

If you own your home, consider your wants with your needs – a different lifestyle, close to family, health needs – to free up your capital.
If you rent, see if you’re eligible for rent assistance and include rent in your budget.
Create a budget for ongoing household expenses, matching it to your income sources. Remember to include inflation (price rises) of products.
If you’re looking to downsize, consider the costs involved to make sure you will be financially better off.

Source: MoneySmart
Reproduced with the permission of ASIC’s MoneySmart Team. This article was originally published at https://moneysmart.gov.au/plan-for-your-retirement/your-home-in-retirement
Important note: This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns.
Important
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

Navigating grief in the aged care system: why support must start long before end-of-life

New research shows grief in aged care begins long before death, starting at the moment a loved one enters residential care. Families describe a long, evolving journey shaped by loss of role, communication, and meaningful rituals – pointing to the need for grief support across the entire aged care experience.

Grief in aged care doesn’t begin at the bedside in someone’s final days. According to new research from Flinders University, it often starts the moment a loved one enters residential care – long before death is imminent – and continues to evolve throughout the entire care journey.

The study, led by Dr Priyanka Vandersman from the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying (RePaDD), challenges long-held assumptions about bereavement. Rather than grief being a discrete event tied to death, families described it as a prolonged, shifting experience shaped by loss of role, communication with staff, and the culture of care within facilities.

Early grief starts with the loss of role and identity

For many family caregivers, the deepest shock wasn’t anticipatory grief about future death – it was the sudden loss of their identity as the primary carer and advocate.

“We found the grief wasn’t in anticipation of potential death, but from losing their person into the system and having their identity as their carer, protector and advocate taken away,” Dr Vandersman says. “That loss of identity is profound.”

This transition into residential care brought an emotional strain that often went unrecognised. Families described feeling sidelined or unsure of their place, even while still deeply involved in their loved one’s life.

Grief evolves across the entire aged care journey

Through interviews and focus groups with families and staff across nine South Australian aged care facilities, researchers identified grief as a long arc shaped by:

Instead of a single moment, grief unfolded from entry into care, through decline, and into bereavement – highlighting why support must be continuous, not reactive.

Communication can soften or compound emotional distress

One of the clearest findings was the central role of communication. Families who received timely, honest updates about health changes were more able to prepare emotionally and practically. Poor or delayed communication, however, left some feeling blindsided and distressed.

Dr Vandersman shared one example of a daughter who didn’t realise her father was dying until a manager clearly explained what was happening. “That conversation, though painful, helped her begin to process what lay ahead,” she says. “It’s a reminder that communication isn’t just about information, it’s care.”

After-death rituals provide meaning, connection, and validation

Small but intentional rituals around death made a striking difference for families. Staff forming a guard of honour, attending funeral services, or even offering a simple goodbye were described as deeply meaningful acts.

“These rituals offer more than closure; they validate the emotional journey of families and staff alike,” Dr Vandersman says. Families felt reassured that their loved one mattered – not only to them, but to a community of care.

Rethinking grief support in aged care

Traditional bereavement models typically focus on post-death support. This research argues that approach is too narrow for the realities of aged care. Grief is present throughout the resident and family experience, and systems need to reflect that.

Professor Jennifer Tieman, co-author and Director of RePaDD, says support should be embedded from the beginning: “Timely end-of-life planning, support, post-death rituals, and ongoing ties with the care facility can help family caregivers cope with grief.”

Key recommendations include:

Grief as part of the aged care experience

What this research makes clear is that grief isn’t a separate chapter – it’s woven through the entirety of aged care. Families, staff, and communities all experience it in different ways, and each plays a role in shaping how it unfolds.

“Ultimately, if we want to support families well, we need to see grief as part of the whole aged care experience,” Professor Tieman says.

The study, “I thought he had longer than that”: Family caregivers’ experiences of grief, loss, and bereavement in residential aged care, is published in BMC Palliative Care and funded by the South Australian Department of Health and Wellbeing.

Source: This article was originally published on https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/talking-aged-care/navigating-grief-in-the-aged-care-system-why-support-must-start-long-before-end-of-life

Important:
This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

Blue Zones: lessons for living longer

For years, the idea of “Blue Zones” captured the world’s imagination. Certain regions such as Okinawa, Sardinia, Ikaria and Nicoya were said to be places where people routinely lived past 100 years old in good health. The promise was simple and compelling: follow their lifestyle, and a long, vibrant life might follow.

In recent years, however, that story has become more complicated.

A necessary reality check

New research has raised questions about the original Blue Zones claims. Demographic researcher Dr. Saul Newman, who won an Ig Nobel Prize, suggests that many reported longevity hotspots overlap with regions of poverty, low literacy, weak birth record systems and clerical errors.ⁱ In some cases, people may not have been as old as records claimed, or ages may have been exaggerated for social or financial reasons.

The idea that these areas uniquely produce extraordinary numbers of centenarians is far less certain than once believed.

And yet, even if Blue Zones are not proven longevity hotspots, they may still point toward habits that support longer and healthier lives.

Longevity as a side effect of living well

One insight that remains remarkably consistent across cultures is that people who live long, healthy lives rarely make longevity their primary goal.

A strong sense of purpose has been repeatedly linked to lower mortality, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and better mental health. Whether described as ikigai, plan de vida, or simply feeling useful and needed, purpose appears to be protective regardless of geography and it does not require a grand mission. It can come from caring for others, creating something meaningful, contributing to a community, or continuing to learn and grow.

Movement is part of daily life

Blue Zones popularised the idea of natural movement, and while the framing may have been romanticised, the underlying principle is supported by science.

Large population studies consistently show that frequent, low intensity movement throughout the day is associated with lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and early death. Long periods of sitting, even among people who exercise regularly, are linked to worse health outcomes.

The lesson is not that formal exercise is unnecessary. It is that health is supported most reliably by movement that is regular, functional, and woven into everyday life.

Simple approach to diet

The diets associated with Blue Zones vary widely, but they share some broad characteristics that align well with modern nutritional science. These patterns emphasise whole foods, especially vegetables and legumes, limited intake of ultra processed products, and moderate calorie consumption.

Just as important as what people eat is how they eat. Meals are often social and treated as a meaningful part of the day rather than a task to get through. This approach supports metabolic health, digestion, and long-term weight stability without relying on restriction or obsession.

Social connection as a foundation for health

One of the strongest and most consistent findings in health research is the impact of social connection.

Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risk of early death, depression, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular disease. Strong relationships, on the other hand, support immune function, emotional regulation, and resilience during periods of stress.

Humans thrive when they are connected to others and people feel they matter to others.

Stress is inevitable, recovery is essential

The idea that people in so called Blue Zones lived stress free lives is almost certainly inaccurate. Many of these regions faced economic hardship, uncertainty, and physical demands.

What appears to matter is not the absence of stress, but the presence of regular recovery. Rest, social time, spiritual practices, time outdoors, and predictable daily rhythms all help regulate the nervous system and reduce the long-term damage caused by chronic stress.

Health is shaped not just by what challenges we face, but by being able to return to a state of balance.

Beyond the myth

We can let go of the myth that there are magical places where people effortlessly live to extreme old age because of secret habits or perfect lifestyles. What we can keep is a grounded, evidence-based understanding of what supports health across cultures.

Living well for longer is not about chasing an extraordinary lifespan. It is about staying engaged with life, maintaining connection, and preserving physical and mental capacity for as long as possible.

That goal does not depend on where you live.

It depends on how you live.

i https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/704080v3

Kauri Wealth Management is a Fee for Service investment advisory business and as such my advice is built around ongoing personal relationships with my client base. Personalised independent advice is backed up by a breadth of industry knowledge.

I accept a limited number of new clients each year and would be happy to discuss this further with you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Russell Lees
Senior Adviser
Phone: +61 439 852 963
Email: russell@kauriwealth.com.au

This information is provided by Kauri Wealth Management Pty Ltd ABN 32 633 817 204, Corporate Authorised Representative of the Leaders Investment Manager Pty Ltd, holder of AFSL 240776. Kauri Wealth Management Pty Ltd make no representations about the content and suitability of this information for any purpose. It may not be complete or accurate for your purposes. This newsletter contains general information only. It does not take into account your circumstances. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although this newsletter contains information from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person. It is not intended as financial advice or as an offer or recommendation of securities or other financial products. You should obtain independent financial advice that addresses your particular investment objectives, needs and financial situation before making investment decisions.

Aged Care Newsletter – October 2026