Getting your affairs in order after moving into aged care living

Moving into aged care is a big step, and while getting settled into HillView Care is important, it’s just as crucial to sort out personal affairs. It might feel overwhelming at first, but with some planning, you can ensure everything is organised, giving peace of mind to both your loved one and their family.

From updating their will and finances to setting up a power of attorney, this guide will help you navigate the essential steps. Let’s walk through what they need to do to get everything in place, so they can focus on enjoying their new chapter at HillView Care.

Update your will

Is your loved one’s will up to date? A will is crucial in ensuring their assets are distributed after their passing, and having this document will take the responsibility off their loved one’s shoulders. If they’ve already got a will, make sure it reflects their current wishes. 

For example, have their circumstances changed? Do they need to update their executor, or has their financial situation shifted? If they don’t have a will yet, this is a good time to reach out to a lawyer or a trusted financial advisor to get one drawn up.

Appoint a power of attorney

Appointing a power of attorney (POA) ensures someone they trust can make legal, financial, and medical decisions on their behalf if they’re unable to do so. This could be a close family member or friend, and it’s important to have a conversation with them about what this responsibility entails. They can choose to appoint multiple people if that makes them feel more comfortable.

There are two types of POA, an Enduring Power of Attorney, who can make decisions on their behalf, if they lose capacity, and a Medical Power of Attorney which is specifically related to decisions about health. 

Organise your finances

Once your loved one has made the decision to move into residential aged care it’s important to get their financial situation sorted. This may involve consolidating accounts, automating bill payments, or ensuring they have enough funds available for ongoing care expenses.

Your loved one could also sit down with a financial planner who specialises in aged care and review options like government support and pension entitlements, and can tell them what subsidies they might qualify for. 

Health and personal care directives

Your loved one can outline their preferences for medical treatments in a document known as an advance care plan. This document lets them specify the types of medical care they want – or don’t want – if they’re unable to make those decisions for themselves in the future.

But it’s not just about medical care. They can also include their personal preferences, like whether they’d like certain comforts in their room, how they’d like their daily routine to go, or if there are any religious or cultural practices they want respected.

Keep important documents accessible

It’s easy to lose documents when they’re not used regularly, so having a system to organise important papers is crucial. This includes everything from their will and power of attorney to financial and medical records. Make sure their next of kin knows where to find these documents, so they can be easily accessed when needed.

They might also want to consider storing digital copies in a secure online space, like a password-protected cloud service. This way, they’re readily available for the appointed family member or power of attorney in case of an emergency.

Communicate with loved ones

Remember to keep the lines of communication open with loved ones. Moving into aged care can be emotional, and it’s easy to avoid some of the more difficult conversations. But ensuring your loved one talks through their wishes with family members now can save a lot of confusion – and potential disputes down the line.

Getting your loved one’s affairs in order after moving into aged care might feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be difficult. By doing things one step at a time, they can take control of their future and ease the burden on their loved ones.

At HillView Care, we’re here to support your loved ones through every step of this transition. Whether it’s providing advice, helping them get in touch with professionals, or simply listening, they’re never alone in this process.