A True Partner in Care: Finding a Consultant Who Navigates Aged Care For You Feat. Michelle

Feeling overwhelmed by the new Support at Home changes? You aren't alone. This week, Giselle and Giovanni are joined by Michelle, a Client Care Consultant at Dovida Geelong with 25 years of experience in the Geelong region. ----more----

This episode of Conversations with G&G is sponsored by Dovida Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast. Dovida is a trusted local provider of in-home aged care, supporting adults across Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast to live safely, independently and confidently at home. To learn more, head to www.dovida.com.au/local-office/geelong or call the local Geelong office on 03 5201 9090.

Visit our website for expert resources and insights to support and enhance your caregiving journey: 🌐 www.conversationswithgandg.com

🎙️ In this episode, you will learn:

• The Power of Rapport: Why building a trusting relationship with a consultant is the first step to feeling comfortable with care in your home.
• Deciphering the "Support at Home" Program: Understanding the new reforms, including the 10% cap on care management fees.
• Managed vs. Self-Managed Care: Why professional oversight can relieve the administrative burden and safety concerns for family carers.
• Navigating Contributions: How individual co-contributions work for "Grandfathered" and "Hybrid" clients.
• Local Impact: The benefit of working with providers who have deep roots in Geelong, the Bellarine, and Torquay.

👥 Who is this episode for?

• Family carers balancing life while making decisions for parents or partners.
• Older Australians looking for independence while navigating the complexities of aged care.
• Referrer networks (GPs and Allied Health) seeking resources to humanise the system for patients.
• Care professionals wanting to understand the client journey from the first consultation.

🌐 Learn more and trusted resources:

• My Aged Care — practical guidance on services, assessments, and finding providers. Call: 1800 200 422 Website: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au
• Carer Gateway — support, counselling and respite options for family carers. Website: https://www.carergateway.gov.au
• Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission — feedback, complaints and quality standards for providers. Website: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au
• Support at Home program — official info and program details. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/su...

ℹ️ Who is Conversations with G&G?

Conversations with G&G is dedicated to supporting the people who support others. We are a podcast and content hub focused on in-home aged care, carer wellbeing, allied health, and disability support. We share real stories, practical education, and evidence-informed insights from the caregiving community, especially in the Geelong/Victoria regional context. Our mission is to inform, support, and empower those navigating the aged care system.

📺 What will you see?

• Updates and insights on the Support at Home Program
• Caregiver health and burnout prevention
• Mental health support for carers in Australia
• Fall prevention, mobility, and quality of life strategies
• Practical steps for due diligence when choosing a quality provider in the Geelong/Ballarat regions.

💬 LEAVE A COMMENT to share your experience: Have you found it difficult to navigate the new aged care reforms? What questions do you have for a care consultant?

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL to stay up to date with new episodes supporting carers and the people they care for. New episodes are released monthly.

📲 Follow our other platforms!

• Instagram: @Conversationswithgandg
• Facebook: Conversations with G&G
• YouTube
• Website