Latest news with #atHome
7NEWS
25-06-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
New Aged Care laws keep parents home longer - but will it ease the housing crisis?
There is a quiet shift underway in how aged care will be delivered in Australia and it's going to change the way many older Australians live out their final years - whether in their own homes or through multigenerational living. If you have elderly family members, now is the time to get across these changes and understand the implications. Only weeks before its intended launch date of July 2025, the federal government's new Support at Home program was pushed back to 1 November 2025 to give providers more time to prepare. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today It is a key part of the government's aged care reforms and aims to improve how people access in-home care. This includes nursing and personal assistance, cleaning, medication support and home modifications. On the surface, it is a win for independence. But look a little deeper and questions emerge about whether we are simply entrenching the current system. One that already struggles to keep up with demand and often leaves families filling the gaps. One that will see higher costs for Aged Care services moving forward and, frankly, will continue to put pressure on an already tight housing market (a controversial, yet uncomfortable truth). What is the Support at Home program? Support at Home will replace several current aged care offerings, including the Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care, into one streamlined program. The idea is to simplify a fragmented system, speed up access to care, offer more flexibility and transparency in what people receive and pay for. Key changes include: Increased funding for those with high care needs (up to $78,000 per year) A means-tested contribution model based on income and assets Greater access to equipment and home modifications A system that allows recipients to opt in and out of services more easily For many, the appeal is clear - stay in the comfort of your own home and community for longer, while receiving the support you need. As Natalie Yan-Chatonsky, Founder of Full Time Lives and author of The Art of Full Time Living, explains, "Ageing-in-place can be an excellent option for older Australians who wish to stay in their longstanding homes and communities. Remaining in their familiar surroundings where they have established routines for their physical activities and connected social networks allows people to maintain their independence, reduce risk of loneliness and significantly improve their overall quality of life and wellbeing." But the reality is more complicated While the new system promises more support at home, there are concerns about whether that support will arrive on time and in full. Delays to the rollout and long-standing backlogs mean there are tens of thousands of older Australian's currently waiting for services. And as Yan-Chatonsky points out, there is a crucial caveat to ageing in place. "If they choose to remain in their homes, they need to ensure it's modified to prevent falls. Particularly important since 6 out of 10 falls for older people happen at home. Good design means they don't have to sacrifice style for functionality." For many, home maintenance becomes a burden - as mobility declines, people may go out less, withdraw socially, or struggle with daily tasks. This is often where families are often expected to step in. A role that can be emotionally, physically and financially taxing - especially if they do not live nearby. And all of this is unfolding in a housing market already under immense pressure, with not enough supply of homes, let alone purpose-built aged care options to meet the needs of an ageing population, who want genuine independence and easy access to community and connection. Nathan recently had to put an elderly family member into aged care stating: "Unfortunately, despite having access to some in-home support services, his dementia got to the point where we weren't confident he would be safe living alone at home. He also needed a lot of additional emotional support, most days included dozens of phone calls from him". Nathan also acknowledged the heavy workload that wasn't fully covered by in-home support. "Whilst support services were available, I found that because of the gaps and my other commitments of full-time work and young children, it unfortunately meant he had to move out of his home". Navigating the complex aged care system was also something he was unprepared for. "I was overwhelmed by the processes, all whilst I was trying to care for him," he said. Nathan sought expert Aged Care Advice after receiving an unexpected $40,000 bill from the Aged Care home. "Once I met with an Adviser it set a path for me, with a clear direction on what financial actions I needed to take and the implications for his RAD payments and continued support." What about Residential Aged Care? While Support at Home focuses on in-home support, there are also important financial changes coming to residential Aged Care from 1 November 2025. These changes relate to means testing and accommodation payments. Kerri Mendl, Managing Adviser, Lifestyle and Care at Alteris, notes: "The means tested portion of the care fees is changing - which means more people will now pay the maximum co-contribution towards their cost of care. The maximum means tested fee under the current system is just over $34,000 a year / $82,000 lifetime, but now the maximum is almost $42,000 a year / $130,000 lifetime." This shift affects those entering permanent residential aged care, where the cost of accommodation and care is split between the resident and government, based on a means test. Currently, maximum payments are required if you have more than $2 million in assets, however the new threshold will be significantly reduced, anyone with over $1 million in assessable assets will be required to make the maximum payments - meaning many more people are likely to pay the maximum under the new reforms. On top of that, new rules from 1 November 2025 will also introduce a retention amount on the Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD). "New agreements from 1 November 2025 will introduce a retention amount. 2 percent of the RAD balance will be retained each year for the first five years," says Mendl. That means a maximum of 10 percent could be withheld if someone stays in care for 5 years, which is a substantial change to consider when planning their estate or managing cashflow. For those considering residential care soon, locking in the current arrangement and thresholds could have considerable financial benefits. What families should do now Whether your parents are fiercely independent, or starting to need more help, there is a strong case for having the uncomfortable conversation earlier rather than later. Kerri suggests: Request an Aged Care Assessment, especially if there are changes in their health status At least annual reviews of assets recorded with Centrelink or Department of Veteran Affairs (or if you need to add, or remove assets) Confirm your family member has valid Enduring Power of Attorney and Guardianship documents (that you know where to find when needed!) Getting advice before downsizing or gifting assets, as these have consequences if within five years of care needs She adds: "Care costs can be considerable when health declines, especially if you are paying these costs out of pocket and have missed out on accessing Support at Home care." It's also worth reviewing whether their home is fit for ageing. Not just structurally, but emotionally. Are they isolated? Are the stairs, garden, or upkeep wearing them down? Could there be a better quality of life in a purpose-built environment with social support built in? My own stubborn Grandfather will tell you he is much better at home - but I'm not sure that's true. He, like many, can no longer easily potter in the garden, or even brave the three small steps at his front door to get his own mail. His house is too large for his frail 97-year-old frame to manage. His days of being connected to his local community are too long gone, he barely even speaks to the neighbours now. All the reasons he's stated he wants to stay at home are no longer realities of his life. His self-imposed house arrest is one he is happy with, but how long can it last? It can be emotionally taxing to try and figure out which option may suit a loved one best... There is emotional safety and security in the known for a person, but there can be real physical risks that can keep family members up at night. Families are complex at the best of times, when the time comes to make big decisions for a family member, tensions and conflicts can flare fast. If you need assistance weighing up the options, an Aged Care Specialist can help you understand the financial implications before any decisions are made. A bigger question for the sector While the reforms aim to buy time for the system to catch up, it is hard not to feel that we are still avoiding the real structural and funding issues needed to improve the sector at large. Aged Care professionals work tirelessly to provide the best care they can with the resources they have, but there is much work to be done. The Royal Commission into Aged Care made this clear. Our system needs facilities and models that are dignified, community focused and future ready for our aging population. One that people would be delighted to have their family members enter into. One that improves health outcomes, social connection and longevity - so when a mischievous and stubborn elderly gentleman, like my Grandfather, is given the option to go into care - it's a decision that doesn't worry him financially and actually sees him reconnect with the world around him (without the worry of collecting mail). I fear that even with these proposed changes, that is still a way off. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jessica Brady is a qualified Financial Adviser and leading money expert. She is on a mission to educate and empower everyday Australians to be better with money through her online money programs and via the Financially Fierce Podcast. You can learn more at This article is general advice only, all of the comments above do not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Jessica is licenced through Paragem Pty Ltd - AFSL 297276. ABN 16 108 571 875, Authorised Representative Number 001259972.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
People horrified after disabled woman claims NHS sent her to be weighed at a pet shop
A disabled woman has claimed she was left in a state of disbelief when NHS staff told het to go to a pet shop to be weighed. Shropshire-based Sarah Rennie, who documents her life as a 'proud' disabled person on TikTok, told viewers she had been directed to a Pets at Home store to be weighed by The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. Fellow TikTokers were outraged by the NHS's blithe advice, with one branding Sarah's experience 'horrific'. The accessibility and inclusion specialist and trainer, who goes by 'sarahvbarriers' on the platform, explained she's often asked for her 'accurate weight' by medical staff. Wheelchair user Sarah is required to report her weight so doctors and nurses can make sure that she is on the correct medication at the right dose and that her lifting equipment is able to properly support her. In the clip, which has been viewed more than 200,000 times, Sarah said: 'I can't believe this just happened. 'The NHS has just referred me to a pet shop. 'As a disabled person [on] medication [and with] lots of lifting equipment, I'm often asked my accurate weight. 'I need to get weighed because I can't stand or walk.' Sarah explained that because she is unable to stand or walk, finding out her weight is slightly more complicated. She added: 'This means that I either need to have a hoist that's got weighing scales or I need to be able to roll onto a scales in my wheelchair and subtract the weight of the wheelchair.' In the minute-long video, Sarah, a member of the West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, tells viewers she's been unable to find any NHS facilities in her area that are equipped to weigh her. 'The wheelchair service no longer offers a weighing facility,' she said. Sarah was shocked when 'a very nice lady' associated with her surgery suggested she go on local radio to see if any local factory owners might have the kind of equipment that would allow her to be weighed - but worse was still to come. Explaining that she was advised to go to The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry, which is a 40-minute drive from her home, Sarah thought it was worth checking that the hospital would be able to help her before setting off. But, in a typed response which Sarah added to the TikTok video, she was told to 'access community-based weighing options, including facilities such as "Pets at Home".' Sarah, who was clearly in a state of disbelief, added: 'I've just had this response: "We advise patients to go to Pets at Home". Do I look like a chipmunk?!' The clip amassed 580 comments in a matter of three days, with the majority of fellow TikTok users sharing Sarah's shock and disappointment. One person wrote: 'That is horrific.' The TikToker advised: 'Although if you are stuck, Shropshire Council have a list of public weighbridges which are very accurate.' Another outraged user said: 'I work in a nursing home, does the NHS hospital not have a SINGLE hoist sling in the entire hospital?' A third person added: 'What? That's awful! I go to my local gym, they have a big platform weighing scales which I transfer onto'. While a fourth said: 'That is incredibly dehumanising! Being referred to Pets at Home or a factory like you're an animal or some kind of good to be sold?! Also, how can a wheelchair service work without being able to weigh people?' A fifth person commented: 'Outrageous! Shropshire-based myself, this is just... I'm lost for words. Reposted to raise awareness!' Fellow TikTokers were quick to comment on Sarah's experience, with the vast majority sharing her dismay at the NHS's directive Yet not everyone agreed that Sarah was right to be dismayed by the NHS hospital's suggestion that she go to a Pets at Home store to be weighed. One person said: 'At least they've found you somewhere'. Yet another user disagreed, writing beneath the comment: 'They haven't though. Pets at Home do not have roll on scales and she's not a dog'. Someone else added: 'Honestly don't get the issue here, it's a convenient and cost--effective alternative. 'You presumably live in a rural area where they don't have the facilities, or money for the facilities, locally, so either travel hours out your way to a major care centre or improvise'. When approached for comment, a spokesperson from NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, on behalf of the local health and care system, said: 'We would like to apologise to Ms Rennie for any upset or offence caused. 'Although we are unable to comment on individual cases, we are continuing to look into her experience to fully understand the wider issues and identify what can be done for her, and others, in similar situations.'
Cision Canada
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
LET CREATIVITY BLOOM! THE LEGO GROUP CONTINUES FREE 2025 CREATIVITY WORKSHOP SERIES WITH BOTANICALS-THEMED EVENTS
The Second Workshop of the Year Will be Held at Select LEGO Stores Across North America from 6/28-6/29 & is Available Online ENNFIELD, Conn., June 2, 2025 /CNW/ -- On the heels of a successful first event in April, The LEGO Group today announces its second iteration of the free, ongoing Creativity Workshop series for 2025, centered around the theme of Botanicals. The offerings uphold the LEGO Group's mission to ignite imagination and nurture valuable social skills through engaging online and in-store experiences for young creators aged 6 - 12. The upcoming workshops present options for both virtual and in-person participation, all free of charge. The online workshop, hosted by popular New York-based content creator Christopher Griffin, AKA Plant Kween, will live on the LEGO Group's website, and offer creative inspiration for making a variety of LEGO botanical structures on users' own terms. This is coupled with two live, in-store workshops where LEGO Brick Specialists will help young creatives put their own spin on a LEGO butterfly garden. Both guided, interactive experiences are designed to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and foster a deeper appreciation for the beauty of plants and nature. Here are more details on the two ways to get involved: Creativity Workshops – Held at select LEGO Stores on Saturday, June 28 th and Sunday, June 29 th, this workshop invites young creators to explore the wonder of nature and botanicals by building their own butterfly garden, with expert guidance from LEGO Brick Specialists. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance at T&Cs apply. Creativity at Home Online Workshops – Led by content creator Plant Kween AKA Christopher Griffin, the Creativity at Home Workshop is now available to watch online. Christopher will demonstrate how to create nature-themed builds - a plant pot, vase, and desk plant that celebrate the beauty of botanicals. Join the fun starting today at Plant Kween, AKA Christopher Griffin, comments: "I've always felt a deep connection to nature, and love decorating my home with botanicals. I'm so excited about this opportunity to celebrate the joy and beauty that plants bring into our lives, one brick at a time. What makes this especially meaningful is seeing young people get involved, using their imaginations to build, explore, and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. It's hands-on, joyful learning that truly plants the seeds for creativity and connection." The Creativity Workshops are part of the LEGO Group's commitment to championing and standing up for girls' creativity, with different themes throughout the year including Friendship, Botanicals and Summer Fun. About the LEGO Group The LEGO Group's mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine. The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words Leg Godt, which mean "Play Well".
India Today
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Captain America: Brave new world streaming on Disney+ starting May 28
After months of anticipation, Marvel's newest blockbuster Captain America: Brave New World is finally set to stream on Disney+ starting Wednesday, May 28 at midnight ET, according to USA film has already grossed over $415 million worldwide since its theatrical release on February 14, according to Box Office the movie has been available for digital purchase or rental, many fans have been eagerly waiting for its arrival on Disney's streaming For those who don't want to wait until May 28, the film is currently available for purchase or rental on several digital platforms. Prices were lowered in recent weeks to improve accessibility for fans:Amazon Prime Video: $19.99 to buyFandango at Home: $19.99 to buyGoogle Play Movies: $19.99 to buyApple TV+: Available to buyPhysical copies such as 4K Blu-ray and DVD releases are available through Walmart, Amazon, and Disney+ New User Free TrialThose expecting to watch Captain America: Brave New World on a Disney+ free trial will may be disappointed. Disney+ official help center confirms that no free trial is currently offered for new Cast for the 2025 ReleaseThe film features a powerful ensemble led by Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America. The cast includes:Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" RossDanny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/FalconShira Haas Ruth Bat-SeraphCarl Lumbly Isaiah BradleyXosha Roquemore Leila TaylorGiancarlo Esposito SidewinderTakehiro Hira Prime Minister OzakiLiv Tyler Betty RossTim Blake Nelson Samuel SternsadvertisementAs the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, Captain America: Brave New World is poised to become a fan favorite on both the big and small READ: Why The Wheel of Time won't return for Season 4
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Yolanda Androzzo and Paul Nestadt: Safe storage of firearms would save Illinois teens' lives
There's a quiet moment — a pause — that can mean the difference between life and death. We have watched too many families suffer devastating losses; we've learned how powerful that pause can be. It's the moment between a fleeting, impulsive thought and a permanent, irreversible action. And when a firearm is locked, unloaded and stored separately from ammunition, that small pause becomes a chance to think, to breathe and to live. One of us is a psychiatrist specializing in suicide prevention; the other is an advocate working to keep children safe from gun violence. We see the consequences every day in our communities and emergency rooms. We know a moment of anger can end in murder. We know an impulse can end in suicide. And we know an effective policy can help prevent these situations and protect young lives. That's why Illinois must pass the Safe at Home bill (Senate Bill 8). The measure is an improved child access prevention law that would increase the age of children, from 14 to 18, that would require their parents or guardians to store firearms securely. The law would reflect what we already know: Teenagers are kids. They act on impulse. When a gun is left unsecured, that impulse can turn fatal. The examples seem endless. A 15-year-old Aurora boy was arrested by police after authorities say he stole his mother's car and gun. The 10-year-old daughter of a Cook County corrections officer brought her mother's loaded gun to school. A 14-year-old left their parents' loaded handgun in the bathroom of a DuPage County high school. An 8-year-old boy was killed and his 5-year-old brother shot when they got ahold of a loaded gun in Chicago. These stories prove that the problem is not theoretical. It's urgent. And the research shows the solution is safe storage. Paul is a psychiatrist specializing in suicide prevention who has studied this issue closely. In a recent study, he found that child access prevention, or CAP, laws, especially those expanded to apply to older teens, significantly reduce suicide, unintentional shootings and even homicides. When states require parents to safely store firearms for kids 16 and younger, youth suicide rates drop by up to 14%. Raising that age to 18, as the bill would do, has the potential to save even more lives. In Illinois, we desperately need that protection. The state has the third-highest Black homicide victimization rate in the country, and 91% of firearm homicide victims are Black. Firearm suicide rates are rising among Black teens, while Black children and teens already die from gun violence at a rate 18 times higher than their white peers nationwide. These are not abstract statistics: They are lives cut short, futures stolen and families shattered. We know how this happens. One in three children live in a home with a gun, but over half of gun owners don't lock all their firearms securely. And more than 80% of adolescent firearm suicides involve a gun belonging to a family member. This is not just about access. It's about a moment — a pause — and the chance to survive it. Too often, families believe it won't happen to them. That their child isn't struggling. That their firearm is out of reach. But there is no immunity to impulsive decision-making, especially in adolescence. No family is immune from the public health crisis of gun violence. Everyone needs to store guns safely. Safe at Home is about protecting our children and communities. It's a straightforward, evidence-based bill that reflects the values we all share. But we need action, not just awareness. That's why Yolanda and others are heading to Advocacy Day in Springfield on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The impact of this law would be felt in every neighborhood in Illinois. Especially the ones already grieving too many young lives lost. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children in Illinois and the U.S. We can't accept that. We don't have to. By safely storing firearms, we create a pause, a breath between impulse and tragedy. We offer every child, and every family, the chance to keep their story going. Yolanda Androzzo is executive director for One Aim Illinois. Dr. Paul Nestadt is a core faculty member at the Center for Gun Violence Solutions and medical director of the Center for Suicide Prevention at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
