July 8, 2024 • 62 mins
When the road ahead seems shrouded in the complexities of aged care, fear not, for Maree Polsen, the visionary behind Aged Care Choices Australia, joins me, Amy Bennett, to shed light on navigating this challenging landscape. Together, we unravel the emotional and fiscal threads of transitioning loved ones into care, from the significance of early planning to the comfort offered by compassionate workers. Prepare to be enlightened by tales of transformation within aged care facilities, and the enduring power of personalized spaces, as we tackle the misconceptions surrounding the industry and the impact of recent reforms.
In the heartfelt fabric of aged care, every thread tells a story. Join us as we weave through the intimate narratives of elderly couples striving to stay together and the poignancy involved in upholding their independence. We share insider tips for a smooth admission day, stress the importance of communication with care staff, and empathize with the emotional toll these transitions take on families. The chapter on senior living amenities and activities promises to stir both laughter and reflection, as we traverse the role of pets in aged care and the challenges of adapting to new lifestyles.
Finally, Marie takes us beyond the corridors of care homes to her dream vacations and the wisdom accumulated from a 49-year partnership with her husband, Mike. As we indulge in a lighter note, savor the joy of cruising, Italian cuisine, and the beauty found in enduring relationships. We invite you, our listeners, to share your thoughts on this journey through the intricacies of aged care. Your engagement fuels our conversation, and we eagerly await your contributions for future discussions. Thank you for joining us on 'Beyond the Signboard,' where each episode is a step towards understanding the tender dance of aged care.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to Beyond the Signboard, where you get the
opportunity to learn all thereis to know about your real
estate journey fromprofessionals who are passionate
about property.
I'm Amy Bennett, your host, andI look forward to providing you
with education, inspiration anda behind-the-scenes look at the
world of real estate.
Well, good morning.
(00:29):
I am delighted to have who Icall our aged care angel, the
amazing Marie Paulson.
She is the founder of Aged CareChoices Australia and an
amazing human being Welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Thank you, Amy.
I'm very privileged to have theopportunity to chat with you.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Oh, it is honestly so exciting.
This is your first podcast everit is.
Have you ever listened to apodcast?
Yes, amazing.
What kind of podcast do youlike?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
I like Mia.
Oh, mama Mia, yes, yeah, youlike that inside.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Yeah yeah.
The first one I startedlistening to was a true crime
podcast which I enjoyed.
I think we did a road trip andI listened to like 12 episodes
in a row or something like that.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I don't know whether to be happy about it.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Well, you've just recently travelled yourself.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
We have.
We've just come back last nightfrom Western Australia.
Our first time over there.
My husband and I had threebeautiful weeks, amazing,
wonderful weather.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Yeah, beautiful.
So two weeks in Margaret River,you tell me.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Yes, two weeks we stayed in a town called
Dunsborough, okay, and weexplored the Margaret River, we
did caving, lots of walks.
We actually went to the WorldSurfing Championship down there.
How amazing yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Was the surf up.
Yes, okay.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So we got to watch the finals, the surfing comp,
and then on the last week we hadin.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Perth Awesome.
Now, when you were in MargaretRiver, you said that you enjoyed
the Shiraz and chocolate.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Chocolate yes, I think I have a frequent flyer
card at the Margaret RiverChocolate Factory.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
I didn't even know there was one there.
There's two.
Well, I'm sort of more leaningto the Shiraz.
My husband used to live in WAand there's a particular brand,
xanadu.
He loves their Shiraz and along time ago I organised a case
of them as a surprise.
Very nice.
I always ask with people withred wine do you like it?
(02:39):
Room temperature or cold Cold?
Yes, me too.
Yes, ah, controversial.
Yes, yes, marie, me too.
Yes, controversial.
Yes, marie, we are going tohave a really lovely
conversation, you are, as I said, an absolute angel in your
industry.
For those that are listening in,marie just shook her head.
We would love to learn yourjourney, of how you ended up
(03:04):
with your incredible businessthat's now been going for 11
years and recently relocatedback to the Sunshine Coast.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Yeah, thanks, amy.
So I actually grew up aroundnursing homes and they were
called nursing homes back in the60s and 70s and that was in
Sydney and my stepmum was anurse and the cook as well and
my dad was the handyman and itwas a 24-bed mum and dad nursing
(03:37):
home and it was looking back,it was a happy place, but so
very, very different to whataged care homes are today.
Yeah, I don't, or I try not touse the term nursing home and I
(03:59):
will always try and say carecentre or care home.
try and say care centre or carehome.
After school I was a secretaryand then, after the children, I
moved into insurance.
Okay.
And I worked for NRMA and herein Brisbane also, and that was I
(04:23):
loved what I did.
Until I saw the damage frombushfires and floods and people
losing everything and I thoughtthese people have just they have
nothing.
Now who's there to help them?
And also road crash victims thefamilies after losing someone.
I left insurance and thought Ican make a difference in another
(04:51):
area and that's when I decidedto try aged care.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Yes, isn't it amazing that you had that connection as
a child?
And you mentioned to me off airtoo, that you had a really nice
connection with the residentsspending that time and tea and
tidy.
Did you say yes?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
yes, I was the tea and tidy girl in my school
uniform yes and actuallysomething I didn't mention.
There was some one lady thathad been at the home for many
years and her daughter lived incountry New South Wales.
It was northern New South Wales, but she'd heard that I was
(05:27):
getting engaged and she actuallymade our engagement cake and
brought it down to Sydney.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Isn't that incredible ?
Yeah, look, I think in thattime frame, you know, when you
have loved ones in care, youknow there's such a pivotal role
that the team there play.
You know they're often spendingso much more time with your
loved ones and you know they'resuch a pivotal role but the team
they play.
You know they're often spendingso much more time with your
loved ones and you know I fondlyrecall when my gran was in care
at Estia at Mount Coolum, shehad the most beautiful carer,
(05:54):
geoffrey, and he would sing tomy gran and honestly, I just
always felt such a comfortknowing that she was safe and
had that care and love.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Always felt such a comfort knowing that she was
safe and had that care and love.
I think it takes a very specialperson to work in aged care.
I personally have not had anystories of cruelty and I think
that's what scares people.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
It does.
Yeah, we're going to talk aboutmyths and misconceptions with
the industry and also, obviously, there's been radical changes
as well.
We'll talk about the RoyalCommission as well, but
ultimately, your role with BlueCare.
Do you want to chat through?
Speaker 2 (06:34):
that, because that's really interesting.
I worked for Blue Care in anadmissions capacity, so people
that would ring in and say, oh,you know, we're needing mum or
dad to go into a home.
And back then, so 15, 16 yearsago, it was hard to get into a
(06:55):
home.
There were long wait lists andpeople were desperate and being
bound and employed by Blue Care.
I thought I want to help thesepeople but I can't because all I
can say is yes, you're on ourwait list.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Yeah, and it's interesting, isn't it?
It's a bit like being a bankmanager or a mortgage broker,
isn't it?
You have such a wider access.
What were the reasons?
And I know now with yourclientele, but what were the
reasons sort of back then thatpeople were needing to admit mum
and dad Was it a kind of acrisis time point.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Yes, yes, I don't think that has changed over the
years, particularly with bluecare being quite a, or covering
quite a regional, a largeregional area as well.
We were seeing a lot of folksin northern Queensland and
(07:57):
northern.
New South Wales that wereneeding care.
Traditionally, they're the onesthat will stay at home the
longest.
Quite often they're on farms orproperties.
Yeah, of course, and it's notuntil the very end when they
need to go into care, and that'sthe tough part, because quite
(08:18):
often it was too late.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
And I think that's something we're really going to
delve into and really that sortof ignited a passion within you.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yes, it did.
It was I needed to know that Icould offer more, not knowing
whether I could, but I wanted to.
So I decided I was actuallygoing to retire, made a flippant
(08:47):
comment and the general managerof Blue Care suggested I go out
and try being a placementconsultant.
And I thought, oh, I couldn'tdo that.
But to this day he is stillsomeone that I would go to to
ask a question.
Yeah, you said he was a reallygood guide Very, very good.
(09:08):
And I made the decision to throwmy hat in the ring and give it
a go.
I spent 12 months getting toknow the homes and getting to
know the people that run thehomes, and I think one of the
most important lessons I learnedis that you can walk into a
home and if the staff have asmile on their face, it's a good
(09:33):
sign.
If they chat to you not knowingwho you are.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Yeah, of course that's a good sign yeah and um,
because it comes?
Speaker 2 (09:42):
it stems from management.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
And there has to be someone, not just sitting behind
a desk, because managers ofaged care homes do not have to
be a registered nurse.
They can be the businessmanager.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
It's an interesting thing and I think you know.
Let's delve a little bit deeperthere as well, because I'm sure
a lot of our listeners may nothave knowledge around.
You know, government-funded,private-owned.
Are you able to sort of?
Let us know what options areout there?
Speaker 2 (10:13):
for residential the next stage.
So government-funded aged carehomes.
So this is actually a myth.
A lot of people think, whenthey hear the term
government-funded aged care,that they believe that you can
just go in and only pay apercentage of your pension.
(10:33):
The difference between agovernment-funded aged care home
and private aged care is quitesignificant.
So private aged care doesn'tfall under the same legislation.
It falls under the RetirementVillagers Act.
So the likes of someone likeSeasons or Freedom Aged Care and
(10:55):
what someone does then is theywould purchase a property
usually a unit or a villa,usually a unit or a villa and
the provider or the schemeoperator would instigate a home
care package, but you're stillliving independently, yes, and
(11:18):
then, when the time comes, ifyou have to leave, then there's
usually the deferred managementfees or the exit fees.
Government funded aged care arerun by not-for-profit
organisations as well assyndicated and family owned
(11:38):
operators Great, All new for me.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
So I'm sure our listeners are also learning.
And that's exactly why you'rehere, Marie, because it's
something that is just I feel, areally big not mine feel, but
there's just so much to know.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Yes, so government-funded aged care
homes.
What you have on your side isthe fact that if someone has to
pay an accommodation charge andin this day and age most of
these are quite high if someonepays that money and the provider
(12:13):
, for whatever reason, has toclose its doors, you will never
lose your money.
Okay, because it is protectedby the Commonwealth Government.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
So that's an initial fee when you're moving in.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Yeah, there's four ways.
So there's several fees.
There's two that are set by thegovernment, sure, and those
fees apply wherever you go, andyou could be in a home in WA
Northern Territory or here.
So everyone pays what we call abasic daily care fee and that's
(12:47):
all your nursing care andthat's the fee.
That's equivalent to 85% of afull pension.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Okay, because we hear that so often.
You know that there isn't muchleft of the pension.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
That's correct, okay and the other fee.
So the government has said thatthose that can will contribute
a little more to their care.
So that's called a means-testedcare fee.
Sure, and once you submit yourpaperwork to Services Australia,
they'll determine how much thatfee is.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
So we haven't delved too much into what your current
role is, but the good news isthat this is everything that you
help people navigate, yes, andthat's why you're such a vital
part of my business.
But also, coming onto thepodcast, because we had an
opportunity to meet, we had somebeautiful mutual clients and,
if you don't mind, I'd love toshare how we got to know each
(13:43):
other clients and, if you don'tmind, I'd love to share how we
got to know each other,absolutely yeah.
So I had been asked by abeautiful older couple, a
different couple than we workedtogether.
They were really stuck on youknow where to next?
So living independently,beautiful.
You know marriage of 50 plusyears, but knew that that next
stage was coming veryoverwhelmed plus years, but knew
(14:07):
that that next stage was comingVery overwhelmed inability to
be able to drive by that stage.
So you know, being the kind ofperson I am, I thought, look,
I'm going to try and navigatethis space, I'm going to do my
own research, due diligence,education.
I think it was one day Marie,seven different properties I
visited.
Then the next day, I went to anetworking BNI breakfast and
(14:28):
somebody said oh, you know, whatdo you need from the group and
I said look, would anybody know?
And lo and behold, it was yourson-in-law, ryan was literally
sat next to me and he said Iknow exactly the person and so I
was able to connect with you,learn what you did and you know
as a placement consultant.
And then you know, gosh, it'sgone on to you.
(14:49):
Know anybody I know in thatscenario, but we had a beautiful
shared experience with someclients.
It was just a dream to see youin action.
I mean, I have had, you know,personal experiences with loved
ones being admitted into care,but certainly as a grandchild.
Personal experiences with lovedones being admitted into care,
but certainly as a grandchild,to see the level of paperwork
(15:13):
and questions.
You know, phone calls with ACAT, like just so many things.
And I think that's the mostimportant thing for any
listeners and viewers certainlyis to know that there are people
that can help navigate thisjourney.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
Yes and again, people living at home and, as they age
, quite often they have somehome help through a home care
package, so they've had an ACATassessment.
If something happens, though,and they're told that they need
(15:41):
to go into permanent residentialor respite care, they think, oh
yes, I've got an ACAT, but whatthey often don't realise is
that they don't have the correctapprovals.
Okay.
So that's when we have to geton to ACAT and sadly at this
time it's taking quite some timein community.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
That's to get somebody to come into the home
and to assess the person's levelof care that they're required.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
That's exactly right.
So it's not a bad thing toperhaps, if you feel that you
know mum or dad or a loved oneis getting on and that they
might be fine for the time being, but try and broach the subject
get them to have an ACATassessment Now.
(16:37):
From a medical or clinicalpoint of view, the ACAT summary
is probably only good for aboutthree months because as we know,
as we age, our needs change.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
And that deterioration can happen quite
rapidly.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Correct, but at least the approval is in place.
So someone like myself I know.
If I see an ACAT that's morethan three months old, I know
exactly what I need to do, andthat is to either get on to a
doctor, get a health summary andget things up to date.
I also have my own littletemplate that I use.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Yes, you're very organised.
I love it.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Looking at the care needs of someone.
So these are all things that weput in place because there's
not a lot of vacancies in agedcare homes.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
I think that's a really common.
That's kind of where I hadheard a lot of frustration
around literally on the phoneringing, you know, 10, 20
waiting lists, all of thosethings that you know.
In that particular scenario, ortwo times in that scenario, it
was, you know, a beautifulhusband and wife that wanted to
stay together as well.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
You know a beautiful husband and wife that wanted to
stay together as well.
Yes, it's hard when a husbandand wife want to go into care
together because no one wants toseparate them.
There's some implications,though, around the financial
side of it, and quite oftenwithout the knowledge they could
(18:18):
be losing quite a bit of money.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Yeah, you definitely.
You know you advocate forpeople having a, you know
financial planning support.
Yes, I think what you know overthe time we've got to know each
other.
What I really love about you,marie, is you know you kind of
want to prevent people, you know, rather than at that critical
moment, more upstream, you knowplanning.
(18:41):
You mentioned about you knowbeing able to, I guess, forecast
what's ahead, and what you said, which I loved, is that it may
never happen.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I think that's important to you know, get
across to families, because it'sjust about being prepared.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
It's just about being prepared, absolutely.
It's just about being prepared.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
We hear things you know, particularly living on the
Sunshine Coast.
I'll be storm prepared, yes,but we may never get a cyclone.
That's exactly right, but atleast if we know what to do, if
we've got that little box packedand we think, okay, well, now's
the time.
Because if someone ends up inhospital unexpectedly and more
(19:26):
unexpectedly they're told well,you can't go home.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Yeah, let's chat about that, marie, because that
was something we spoke about offair, because that's often.
You've established yourself inyour business.
You're obviously very good atwhat you do, you're a trusted
professional.
You are that first point ofcall with the hospital discharge
team to be able to help peoplenavigate that.
But you were just saying aswell that that could be somebody
(19:52):
that's been in their home for anumber of years and they have a
fall or a heart attack and thenthey can't return to the home.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
No, that's exactly right.
So they go into hospital.
They think, oh okay, thedoctors, nurses, they'll get me
better and.
I'll be home in a week, yes.
And then particularly followinga fall, because it might be a
hip or a knee.
Because it might be a hip or aknee or there are high falls
(20:19):
risk, and particularly ifsomeone is living alone or if
their partner is elderlythemselves.
If either one was to have afall, it's not necessarily safe
for the partner to be able toget them off the floor or
wherever.
(20:40):
So by being prepared, knowingwhat the financial implications
might be, of course, having yourACAT assessment.
There's two mandatory documents.
One is the ACAT this is forgovernment-funded aged care ACAT
(21:01):
assessment codes and anenduring power of attorney, and
this is a document that a lot ofolder folks again are very
reluctant to draw up becausethey feel that that's the last
bastion of their independence.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
It's a bit like the driver's licence, isn't it?
I remember my granddad, oh dear.
I remember us begging hisdoctor to take it off him
because, yeah, but it was.
It was just that independence,correct.
And I mean we just spoke aswell.
You know, when people are intheir 80s, 90s, you know, and
that generation as well, there'sso much fear about losing it
(21:41):
all we spoke about.
You know that they've workedeverything you know for that
nest egg for the kids.
They fear that that's gone aswell.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Yeah, so just on the enduring power of attorney.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Oh yeah, please, sorry, no, go for it.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
What I would recommend is have a clause put
in there just saying it can onlybe invoked upon a capacity
letter from a doctor.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
So it just means that Mary can't just walk in and
sell off everything or make thedecisions while mum or dad still
has that capacity to do so Onthe financial side.
So we're very fortunate since2014, when the last lot of
(22:29):
reforms came about.
If you have to pay anaccommodation charge, these days
there's actually four methodsof payment, so you can pay the
accommodation in full, you canpay it in part and the balance
by interest payments.
(22:49):
In that scenario, if it's paidin full, once you pass or leave
to transfer, the money isrefunded in full.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Wow, that's a huge misconception, would you suggest
?
Speaker 2 (23:03):
That's probably one of the biggest ones.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
So a lot of older folks, you know they may only
have their home and in this dayand age the home's probably
quite considerably, you know,dollar-wise it's a lot more.
So the accommodation chargesare quite high as well, and they
think.
But I'm not leaving anything tothe kids, but I think it's so
(23:29):
important for them to understandit all goes back.
It all goes back, and whensomeone passes, the money is
paid into the estate to bedispersed as per the principal's
wishes.
Okay, sure, so you?
Speaker 1 (23:45):
still have the last say, you still make that
decision Absolutely.
Look, I think that is yeah,that's a huge, I guess, myth.
One thing as well you mentionedabout the reforms as well.
One of the observations I hadwhen going through that process
is there is a standard documentthat all homes must have it's um
, there's a residentialagreement now.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
When I first, even back in my blue care days, we
had our own residentialagreements and it would have
been very different to JoeBlow's.
Yes, since 2014, I've found Ialways like to look at the
agreements on behalf of myclient, but I also tell them
(24:29):
that they can have a lawyer havea look at it.
Excellent, I'm not a legalperson, but I know what I'm
looking for, so I still like tomake sure that they're all
correct.
Now, these documents are verystandard, but because they are a
legal document, they'll haveall the terms and conditions
(24:50):
where a home can ask for paymentor when they can ask someone to
leave.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Okay, so these are all important things for the
families to understand, and thatis you know, that's your
superpower really is not onlynavigating that, the differences
, but then also being able toexplain that.
Yes.
And the implications for thepotential resident.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Yeah, yes.
And the implications for thepotential resident?
Yeah, I think too, because itis legal jargon and I know
myself if I'm looking at adocument and I think, oh, that's
all too hard yeah, I'm sureit's correct.
I'll just sign it, I'll justsign it Absolutely.
But being on the other side,because I do understand it, I
can break it down into layman'sterms and what it means.
(25:39):
For example, when someone goesinto care, the room that they go
into that is theirs for tenureof care.
They cannot just be movedreally nilly Okay.
So the times that someone can beasked to move would be if their
care needs change and they needto go into a more sensitive
(26:03):
care area, or if someone wouldlike a room with a better view,
they can ask the home when thatbecomes available and absolutely
they will be moved.
Yeah, amazing, but the staff,the home, can't just move
someone because they feel likeit.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
And do you think that's an important, or I guess
a vital component is having whatfeels like home, your own space
, absolutely, because I thinkyou know it's so hard to fathom
going from a home, and I meancertainly you know, in the
experiences that you've had, Ihave no doubt be sort of you
know, 20, 30, I'm imagining 40,50 years in the same home,
potentially as well, the comfortof having, you know, the
(26:45):
grandkids to stay, the memoriesthere, and then how do you
transfer that into a smallerspace?
Speaker 2 (26:52):
correct.
So that's what I think I hear alot of, and is this what my
life has come to?
One room and the way I explainit is that's just your bedroom.
Yes, it is just your bedroom.
And if it's someone thatperhaps has come from a home
(27:12):
with a nice garden, they mighthave potted in the garden.
I'm not going to put them intoa high rise on the top floor.
I think it's important for themto, or for me to, find a home
that's got a lovely outdoor area.
Perhaps the room opens out ontoa courtyard and again, just
(27:34):
reinforcing that, it's just thebedroom, the lounge room, the
lounge room, the dining room,the common areas, they're yours.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
The gardens are yours .
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
You can potter, you can do whatever.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
And what's the general consensus?
I mean, no, two people are thesame.
It's the same with no.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
I'd have to say I have very few clients that go in
willingly.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
Well, I mean, I was quite surprised when you said
that to me, but it makes sense,doesn't it?
I mean, we kind of sometimes, Imean I love lifestyle villages.
I obviously sell in somebeautiful villa complexes and I
kind of think, oh, when I get to55, I'm going to enjoy the
bingo.
But let's chat about that,Marie, because what is the
perception of that next stage?
Speaker 2 (28:24):
So when we're speaking with folks, perhaps in
their 80s or 90s, they may havehad a loved one or visited an
old-style nursing home, and itwas usually four people to a
room with just the curtain inbetween Shared bathrooms, Shared
(28:46):
bathrooms Wow, Marie.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
Communal bathrooms yes.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Wow, most homes today , even the older homes and we've
got some aged care homes thatwould be 30, 40 years old
they've been refurbished andthey've done away with a lot of
the shared rooms and they'vebeen converted to single rooms
(29:09):
with their own bathroom Great.
So the things that you can'tchange.
There's really only one thing,and that's the bed.
Okay, but in saying that, I'vehad homes that have said you
know what, if we've got a coupleand they want to be together,
(29:30):
we'll do what we can.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Yeah, lovely.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
But the idea is to personalise the bedroom to mum
or dad's likes photos, anything,you can put anything in the
room as long as it doesn'timpede the staff You've got to
be able to move around.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
I think that was my gran's problem.
She had a lot of things, therewas a lot going on.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Look, I had a lady going.
She went into care last yearand the funny thing was she
didn't come from her own home.
She had been living with herson and daughter-in-law.
Well, when she turned up at theaged care home, she turned up
in one of the small movingtrucks.
Yes, yes, and she had boughteverything but small moving
trucks.
Yes, yes, and she had boughteverything but the kitchen sink.
(30:20):
Yes, yes.
And I think, if she could haveunplumbed that she would have
taken that.
Speaker 1 (30:24):
I know my gran had those plastic storage tubs.
Yes, probably oh I wouldn'teven be exaggerating like six of
them, marie, mega ones, likejust needed all her things there
.
Yes, it was a reallyinteresting journey too.
I mean this was going back alittle while.
It was funny because my grandmawas quite a heavy smoker and
obviously that was a hugetransition.
(30:45):
So you know, any time she wouldbe literally at her door as
soon as we arrived take me out.
She'd have her cigarettes ready, because obviously you couldn't
smoke back then in the room andso we'd have to wheel her out
basically onto the road.
But you know it's ready,because obviously you couldn't
smoke back then in the room andso we'd have to wheel her out
basically onto the road.
But you know, it's those things, it's those habitual things.
I mean she'd smoked in herhouse, for I mean we lost her at
(31:07):
nearly 95.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
So like she'd smoked wherever she goddamn wanted to
for 80-odd years, smoking canstill be one of the hardest
things to accommodate, becauseyou can't smoke on aged care
premises.
Speaker 1 (31:23):
That's right, yeah, Much to the dismay of the nurses
.
I'd say Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
And pre-COVID, when staffing wasn't as low as what
it has become, although it isimproving.
You'd usually find that a carerwould be able to go out with a
resident or they'd have asmoker's apron on or something
like this, and they could stillhave their little sneaker.
(31:51):
Yes, yeah, yeah, but these daysthe staffing levels just don't
allow for that.
It's very hard because, again,it's taking that independence
away from someone.
One of the best things I findwith a smoker is if they've come
(32:11):
from hospital because theycan't smoke in hospital.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
That's right, that's exactly right.
Well, in saying that, I didhave a phone call.
This is so funny that I'msaying this.
I did have a phone call whenGraham was at SKU.
I think it was before thepublic hospital.
So it was when the publicpatients could go to the private
hospital.
Phone call here at the officeto say that my grandma's caught
smoking in her room Brand newhospital, I think they had 100,
(32:34):
was it something like $1.6million of artwork.
She just couldn't wait till mylunch break.
So anyway, but yes, then fromthen on, she did have a nicotine
patch.
Yes, yes, she was a tough woman.
I was just thinking then aswell when we spoke about smoking
.
What about pets?
Speaker 2 (32:53):
Pets.
This is a really, really goodone.
There are homes around, believeit it or not, maybe not so much
on the sunshine coast, butcertainly in brisbane, where you
can have a pet.
But the implication of having apet is that the resident has to
be able to look after it, yes,yes.
(33:13):
So it usually rules it out.
Yeah, but pet therapy is huge.
Of course I'd say 99% of homeswill have pets coming in
regularly within the home.
So a lot of them.
They might even have a chookpen.
Yeah, lovely Things like this,and some of the residents can go
(33:35):
down and collect the eggs andyou know that type of thing.
But pet therapy is a big thing.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
It's huge.
I remember my granddad.
He was in a high-care dementiaward here in Caloundra and so it
was like a locked facility, butthey had a beautiful garden and
pathway and we used to take ourdog and I'll never forget there
was a lovely resident there andshe would always say why have
you got my dog?
Anyway, I'd always let her playwith the dog, but the joy that
(34:03):
he brought to everybody it wasso lovely, absolutely so.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
If there's been a pet , the pets can visit as often,
you know as wanted.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
And also let's chat about because I think, think you
also really important for youto dispel that myth about you
know, because the perception is,you know it's like jail I can't
go out or I can't go back to myhome.
We just sort of spoke about theability for people to get that
closure.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Yeah, absolutely so.
One of the first things that Iwould say to one of my families
is, when you go to look at ahome, ask to see the lifestyle
calendar.
That's first and foremost, soyou can see what goes on.
Now, people, residents, aren'tlocked up.
(34:50):
Yes, they are definitely notjails.
They are not hospitals.
It's just their new home, thenew chapter, and if they like to
go out, there might be a friend.
It doesn't have to be a familymember.
They might have a friend thatsays I'm going to the bowling
club, I'll come and pick you up.
(35:11):
They take them out for a fewhours or the day.
Then they take them home.
They also can go out overnightand it just depends on the
person's situation.
For that one and families areencouraged to keep it to a
minimum amount of time, butfamilies that might work for
(35:32):
Christmas or special birthdays.
Most of the newer homes thesedays have a private dining room.
I know you wouldn't want toleave.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
No, honestly, where you placed our clients?
Oh my gosh, I just coincided avisit with Happy Hour.
I couldn't believe it, my word,my word.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Look, that's why the lifestyle calendar is really
important.
I think a lot of people think,oh, they'll just be a person
that comes in and plays piano.
Speaker 1 (36:04):
No, no, no.
Isn't it amazing though?
Absolutely.
Or you think oh, you see thebus head off, oh, the buses, I
love the buses.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
I do remember in my blue care days when families
would say you know, oh, do theyhave bus outings?
Yeah, isn't it funny.
Yes, and even when it's wet.
I remember there was one yearand we just had continual rain,
a bit like it's happening now,yeah.
And the Blue Care buses wouldjust go for a drive and coming
(36:36):
home through the Macca'sdrive-through.
That's classic and your 50 centcone.
I think they were only about 30cents.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
Oh, my God, like 20 of them.
Oh, absolutely, isn't thatgorgeous, what a vision.
And I think I love that because, you know, living here in
Caloundra and you know,obviously, like walking along
the beach in the morning, I'dquite often see some of the, you
know, lifestyle villagers willhave their bus.
And it makes sense, and it'sthose things that we forget,
isn't it?
Speaker 2 (37:02):
when we've got the ability to drive and have our
independence, a typical calendar, weekly calendar, they would
have.
Not all homes have their ownbuses.
The majority do.
There's only a couple thatdon't.
But those that do they'll dotrips to shopping centres, and
(37:23):
the residents that are able toindependently walk around
they'll be given a time to meetback.
Perfect.
But they're free then to go andbrowse in the shops, but
lifestyle carers will alwaysaccompany those.
Yeah, great.
Now the buses aren't big enoughso that all the residents can
(37:45):
go at the same time.
So you might see an outing.
Oh, this one, they're goingdown to Redcliffe, you know,
down to the foreshore down there.
Oh, dan, you might like that.
Yes.
Because they're going fishing,yeah, so there's all these
different things.
Quite often, it's the men thatwe forget about.
Speaker 1 (38:06):
So true, isn't it my word, that need that connection.
Yes, so the men in the home.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
If I've had a family say to me, oh look.
If I've had a family say to me,oh look, dad was.
You know, he was just a hardworker and he still wants to do
those things, I'll look for ahome that's got perhaps a men's
shed yes great or a men's group.
Yes and think first andforemost.
(38:33):
It's always about the care soI've got to meet those care
needs.
Yeah, First and foremost it'salways about the care, so I've
got to meet those care needs.
Yeah, but very close.
Second is how are we going toengage them within life?
Speaker 1 (38:46):
Absolutely, because it's actually a renewed.
It can actually.
It's just that next chapter,yeah, and let's chat as well too
.
I think one thing that youmentioned too, marie, which was
kind of a surprise to me, wasabout malnourishment.
You know that that was a reallyinteresting thing because I
know personally.
I, you know my nana, um wentinto care.
We just lost her on Saturday,um, and then thankfully she was
(39:09):
in care, but, um, you know, shewas living independently, um,
leaving the oven on and and allof those horror stories.
Unfortunately, during COVID,where um were in a you know, her
two kids were in differentstates we actually thought, look
, having been independent for solong, when she'd move into care
?
In fact she flourished, becauseI would suggest she was
(39:30):
probably just having littletidbits of food, correct?
Speaker 2 (39:33):
They.
Quite often they can't get outto shop, so unless a family
member or a close friend, isshopping for them, then they
don't have the food in the home.
But it's all well and goodhaving the food in the home if
they know how to operate a stoveor a cooktop or a microwave and
(39:57):
nutritious food as well.
Yes, and I won't say it happensa lot, but I've certainly had
clients where this has happened.
Food has gone off, and this wasprevalent during COVID.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
That someone living with dementia may not fully
understand the implications ofkeeping food refrigerated.
Yes, yep, and so we were havingpeople that were becoming quite
ill because, A they weren'teating or, B they were eating
food and ending up with foodpoisoning, consequently ending
(40:36):
up in hospital and not beingable to go back home such a
tough cycle too, because Iremember where's my gran was
still living independently, butI mean she would.
Speaker 1 (40:46):
This was in prigent beach, she would catch the bus
to cool them and then she'd have.
I mean she was, yeah, well intoher 80s and have to carry the
shopping bags of groceries.
It was a big undertaking, likeI think it's all of those things
that there is.
That real missing piece isn'tthere.
I mean, now you've got a lotmore support with you know aged
care packages and things likethat.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
Yes, you do A lot of people.
They're not on the rightpackage either and because you
might have had someone that'sturned 70 or so, they were
assessed.
And they might be, because withthe home care packages they go
from level one through to levelfour and they might have been
(41:27):
assessed as, say, a level two.
So very low or low care, alittle bit of domestic help.
Is that cleaning, or yeah, yeah,sure so you'd have someone come
in and do a weekly clean,perhaps put some washing on, but
no nursing care.
But no one has.
And suddenly the person isforgetting to take their
(41:49):
medications or mixing up theirmedications.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
Yeah, I know that from my pharmacy days.
I used to deliver Webster packsand I'd go and you know.
So that's pre-done medicationfor those listening, and you
know it was heartbreaking.
I'd go in a week and not onehad been taken.
So I know all about that.
Speaker 2 (42:07):
Yes, very common, and so people don't realise,
families don't realise that youneed to keep on top of the home
care packages.
There's still a long wait,unfortunately, for a Level 3,
because with the packages thehome care is not my area but
(42:29):
what I do know of home care.
Level 3 and Level 4 are yourhigh care areas, but Between 12
to 16 hours a week is still notenough.
Speaker 1 (42:43):
That's the maximum on level four.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
That's the maximum on level four.
Now the wait time for thesepackages.
I remember a couple of yearsago, and I can't even remember
which government was in but asthe public, we were told no one
will wait more than a month fora home care package.
Level fours we're still waitingup to 12, 15 months.
(43:06):
Level 3 is probably the same.
Speaker 1 (43:09):
It's just such a.
Is that just because thereisn't the staff?
Yes, correct.
Speaker 2 (43:14):
Yeah, sure, and we might find that someone that's
been assigned a Level 3 or a 4,that the home care provider can
provide a Level 2 package hours,which is only four hours, yeah
gosh.
Speaker 1 (43:28):
There's a huge gap there and I can see where this
is going, Marie, becauseobviously waiting that 12 months
without getting that care,missed medication falls, they
end up in hospital, that's right.
Speaker 2 (43:40):
When you know it's very hard for someone that is
not expecting to have an unseenor unplanned medical incident
and suddenly they're told theycan't go home.
Speaker 1 (43:54):
I just, yeah, and so to that point, chat to me about
you know why that's a huge partfor you about this forward
planning.
Chat about that, and I thinkthat's a huge part for you about
this forward planning.
Chat about that, and I thinkthat's.
I mean, there's so much youlove about your job and I am
getting you back because we haveso much to talk about, because
I know this is going to besomething that so many people
(44:14):
will appreciate and certainlysomething I see you know all the
time, because obviously I getto the stage where you know all
the time, because obviously Iget to the stage where you know
we'll meet and generally I'massisting in the sale of a
property and the downsizing andeverything.
But, yeah, chat about howpeople can, you know, sort of
preempt this stage.
Speaker 2 (44:32):
So I think it's important for all parties to be
involved.
So I get asked when I'm meetingwith a family, does mum or dad
need to be there?
I always.
There's two different scenarios, and one of them is if it's
future planning, yes, absolutelyyeah, because we're talking
(44:55):
about down the track that maynever eventuate.
Yes, but while ever mum or dadhas a say, I think it's so
important.
So, with myself at that point,what we're talking about is what
does an aged care home looklike today?
What can you do, what can't youdo?
(45:16):
And there's not a lot that youcan't do apart from drive.
Speaker 1 (45:20):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (45:20):
And I drive.
Yeah, okay, yeah.
But it's about what does agedcare look like?
What documentation is needed sothat could be having the
correct ACAT referrals andenduring powers of attorney in
place?
Do you need an advanced healthdirective?
(45:41):
All these documents you can putin place While you're fit and
well Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (45:48):
Yeah, what age Marie?
What does that?
Look like in your sort of idealscenario.
Speaker 2 (45:53):
Yeah, look, I'd say from about, if someone's in good
health, I'd say 75.
Speaker 1 (45:59):
Oh, I was just seeing my mum's 73 and I think she'd
stomp her feet up and down andsay I'm not ready for that.
Speaker 2 (46:05):
Well, I'm nearly 70.
No way, yeah, and it's likedon't even think about it.
Speaker 1 (46:12):
Well, yes, I've heard that if you're not performing
as a mum, oh, I have to be niceto my middle child particularly,
apparently.
Speaker 2 (46:25):
all three, but the middle child particularly
because she knows exactly whereI don't want to go.
Speaker 1 (46:28):
Classic and she threatens Look, I have no doubt
we are going to have so manyquestions that arise.
You know, I feel your passionand energy for what you do.
What we love most is yourtenacity and fight for your
clients.
But also just chat about too,because for you the journey
doesn't end with the admission.
I think that's really important.
(46:50):
You share that.
Speaker 2 (46:51):
No, it's definitely not, because no one.
Even if someone goes into carewillingly and accepts that this
is their journey, it still takesa good six to eight weeks for
someone to settle in.
Absolutely.
It's a long time yeah.
And we have to be they have tobe aware of what can happen.
(47:17):
Quite often the most placidperson can become very angry
with their nearest and dearestand think why have you done this
to?
Speaker 1 (47:29):
me.
Done this to me.
I knew you'd say that yeah.
Speaker 2 (47:32):
So it's very important to be able to support
the family and walk them throughhow to manage it, because, as a
daughter or a son, our firstthing is I must visit as much as
possible.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (47:50):
And.
Speaker 2 (47:50):
I'm sure that most staff in aged care homes would
say if it's upsetting theresident, you know what the best
thing is.
Don't visit every day.
But you can phone and you canhave a chat either to mum or dad
or to the staff.
(48:12):
Just find out how they're going.
There's a real guilt there,isn't there.
We beat ourselves up.
Speaker 1 (48:18):
And you know you spoke about it off air, about
that carer fatigue.
It's real.
Even just my own personalexperience, you know the family
being like we can do it.
And I mean we had my granddad,you know, prior to his admission
, just for a weekend, and he hadLewy body dementia and he was
up down, he was out, he was outthe door, he was down the street
, he was pants off, pants ontoilet.
(48:46):
And so you know, my heart, justyou know it just beams for
those people that can do it.
Speaker 2 (48:49):
But my gosh, it's full on, yeah.
So I always make sure onadmission day that everything
has gone as planned, and I likefor families to have admission
day where they don't have toworry about paperwork because
there's still so much that hasto be done that I can't do
anyway.
(49:09):
You can do almost all of it,right, yeah?
Then you come to this doorwaywhere the door is closed.
So I like homes, if they can, todo a pre-admission meeting, so
on admission day it's just aboutsettling in, so always checking
(49:30):
that everything's gone as itshould have.
Now, quite often that meanssomeone's come from hospital in
an ambulance and they do awonderful job, but we're at the
mercy when that ambulance turnsup.
Yeah, of course.
Speaker 1 (49:45):
I never even thought, isn't that funny?
I just well, not funny, but Ijust made a presumption that
they would just be, the familywould take people of course
there's um.
Speaker 2 (49:54):
It's always nice for family to be able to take them,
but quite often it's notpractical and again, again.
Speaker 1 (50:01):
Like I said, I had this misconception that you,
literally it was our experiencewhich was doing the paperwork,
not so much the hospitalcomponent.
Yeah, Quite clinical, yes, very.
Speaker 2 (50:14):
And so I then checked back in within two weeks' time.
But as long as the family knows, they can call me or email me
any time.
That's fine, because two weeksis actually a long time.
But at two weeks, you know,they might say, oh no, they're
not settling, or this hasn'thappened, or I was told that
(50:36):
they would do this every day.
And so as long as they'reasking the right person as to oh
look, mum's mentioned that shehasn't had a shower for three or
four days.
Speaker 1 (50:51):
Well, you know the language, Marie, and you did say
that people are a bit worried.
They don't want anymistreatment, yes, so it's who's
the right person.
Speaker 2 (51:01):
Always the clinical manager.
Speaker 1 (51:03):
Okay, great.
Speaker 2 (51:04):
Clinical managers.
So one of the things that's oneof the most common things that
we'll hear oh, mum or dad hasn'tbeen showered, yes, so two
things around this.
One of the documents that hasto be signed is called the
Charter of Rights, and the veryfirst principle on this document
(51:25):
is that the resident isencouraged to maintain their
independence as long as possible.
Okay, so you've got the lovelylady or gent that has come into
the room, woken Mary up at 7o'clock and it's a freezing cold
morning and said are you readyfor your shower?
(51:47):
Yeah.
If I was Mary, I'd go away.
Speaker 3 (51:50):
Yeah, and so they do because they can't force someone
to have a shower.
Speaker 2 (51:55):
Yeah, great, and they might come back in an hour's
time.
Speaker 1 (52:00):
Time depending really with their schedule.
Speaker 2 (52:03):
Are you ready for your shower?
No, so consequently, they don'tget showered, they'll have a
wash.
Yes, it's all about letting theperson in charge know.
Speaker 1 (52:18):
Well, perhaps you could just say to mum Mary,
we're going to have a shower,yeah so it's all about the
approach and education, and Ithink that's that's what I'm
just consistently blowing awayevery time we catch up.
It's it's just all those littlethings, isn't it that you've
got?
You know years and years andyears of knowledge and years of
your due diligence and checkingout.
(52:40):
I think, ultimately, like loudand clear, the message is to
engage somebody of your duediligence and checking out.
I think, ultimately, like loudand clear, the message is to
engage somebody of your caliber.
Let's shift gear a little bit.
I know we did say we were goingto get into some more juicy
stuff, but there is plenty oftime for our next visit on that.
What I loved most importantlyis that you did say that every
(53:00):
home that you have an experiencein and I love that because you
are advocating for your clientsand I know you're really good as
well at negotiating and gettingthe best package for them as
well.
Speaker 2 (53:14):
Yeah, it's again when we're looking at negotiating
the costs.
Speaker 1 (53:22):
Which people wouldn't know.
You can do right, Marie,Exactly.
Speaker 2 (53:26):
Now, sometimes because we all love a bargain,
we all love a bargain, butsometimes it's not in the
person's best interest becauseaccommodation costs.
So when you're living in yourhome, your home is exempt for
pension purposes.
When you pay an accommodationcost, that is treated like your
(53:50):
home, so it too is exempt forpension purposes.
In this day and age whereproperty prices, homes are
selling for so much, it's oftennot the ideal thing to negotiate
a lower cost, because thatperson might then lose part of
their pension.
(54:10):
But this is where a specialistfinancial advisor, aged care
financial advisor comes intoplay, and they should be able to
give you two or three differentscenarios?
Speaker 1 (54:22):
Great, I think.
Look able to give you two orthree different scenarios, great
, I think.
Look.
Ultimately you know that's themessage loud and clear is
there's help available?
Yes, this is such a big path tonavigate and, like I said to
you, off air, you need to doyour own podcast because you
would just honestly help themasses, which is great.
But you know, you justmentioned your dream holiday.
You've just had your holiday.
(54:44):
Where would be your dream?
Let's learn a little bit aboutMarie oh.
Speaker 2 (54:47):
Marie Italy.
Speaker 1 (54:49):
Beautiful.
Speaker 2 (54:50):
Italy would be it yes , or a cruise.
Actually, I'm a real cruiseaddict.
Speaker 1 (54:56):
Bingo on a cruise.
Speaker 2 (54:57):
Yeah, no.
Speaker 1 (54:59):
I love it.
I'm such a.
That was my thing with my grangrowing up.
She'd even smoke in the bingohall, marie, god bless her.
She'd give me one little card.
She had a big thing.
But yeah, that's.
It's a nice, relaxing holiday.
Speaker 2 (55:14):
Yes, love cruising.
So we've been fortunate to doseveral, but I'd love just to.
I'd actually love to spend sixto 12 months in Italy.
Speaker 1 (55:25):
Beautiful yeah, just crampsing around.
Speaker 2 (55:27):
Well, you do it.
Speaker 1 (55:29):
So I was going to.
My next question would be yourfavourite food and drinks.
Are we Italian?
Speaker 2 (55:35):
Italian and seafood oh nice but it doesn't matter,
it could be a snag on thebarbecue if someone else is
cooking it.
Speaker 1 (55:43):
I've always said I've never met a salad I've made
that I've liked.
Someone else makes a salad.
I love it, honestly.
It's such a treat, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (55:52):
I love being cooked for.
Speaker 1 (55:54):
Your life has been full of beautiful memories.
You've been with your husband,Mike, for 49 years.
Speaker 2 (56:01):
Well, married for oh married, for we went to school
together.
Speaker 1 (56:06):
You are just.
You genuinely are an angel.
No, he's the angel.
Good for him.
But look, you even just saidtoo, you know you've had a
holiday, you're kind of gettingto know each other again.
It's a new phase of your life?
Yeah, absolutely it's, andphase of your life?
Speaker 2 (56:21):
Yeah, absolutely, and I think this is important well
for anyone, any couple, becauseI think you know if you're going
to grow old together, geez, andlive in the same house, it
would be nice to get on withthem.
Speaker 1 (56:35):
Probably a good start .
Good start Probably a reasonwhy there's a lot of.
The divorce rate is through theroof.
I think a lot of people aren'tin loving who they're married to
and so it is fun.
Speaker 2 (56:47):
And look, we laugh a lot.
He mainly laughs at me and thekids.
Ryan will tell you some storiesand they just shake their heads
with myself.
But I think it's important forcouples when they're going or
considering going into care andone is still healthy and fit and
(57:12):
the other one needs that careand they think, no, no, I can do
it.
One thing that I do say to myfamilies is that and we'll use
the scenario of the husbandbeing the one that needs to go
into care and I would say to thewife it's time to go back to
being a wife and not a nurse.
Speaker 1 (57:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (57:35):
Spend whatever time you have sitting, talking, doing
things together.
It's beautiful, Because that'swhat it's all about.
You don't need to be worryingabout cleaning up a mess because
you know it happens, it does.
Speaker 1 (57:52):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
That's, I mean certainly,scenarios I've seen as well.
Oh gosh, you are just honestlyone of my favourite, favourite
people.
I just have loved that theuniverse has put us together.
I would love our conversationto come.
I don't want it to come to anend, but I would love to close
(58:12):
our conversation with yousharing a little bite of wisdom.
Speaker 2 (58:16):
Your favourite quote or saying I read this quote I
think it was the week I startedmaking phone calls to homes to
go and visit them, so around 11years ago and it goes along the
(58:38):
lines of your smile is your logo, your personality is your
business card, but how you leavesomeone after they've met you
is just everything.
Speaker 1 (58:55):
Isn't that amazing.
Speaker 2 (58:56):
So, and then the other one that I like is the
ironing board one, and we've allgot stomachs like ironing
boards, it's just some have muchbigger piles.
Ah, I love it.
Speaker 1 (59:13):
Yeah, I'm definitely never a flat ironing board.
I love it.
Oh, that is so funny.
Well, look it has been.
You have been an amazing star,by the way, for your first
podcast Absolutely amazing.
You have so much to give theworld.
You have obviously made a hugeimpact in so many people's lives
(59:34):
.
I hope that our podcast can beshared wide and far for those
that need help in that next stepand just knowing how to begin
and navigate, and you've givensome really good insight and,
like I said, to dispel some ofthe myths and fears.
Speaker 2 (59:50):
Yes, yeah, I think that's the important thing, and
sometimes it's just a matter ofa phone call, it's just about no
, you can do this or you can dothat, and I never, ever want to
think that someone is notengaging because they feel that
(01:00:13):
they can't.
Yeah.
Whether that's due to you knowit, not being affordable, it is.
I mean, there's differenthorses for courses.
Yeah, we can make it work.
And if I can help over thephone, I can guide you.
Speaker 1 (01:00:32):
Yeah, amazing.
Well, look, I am going to makesure that all of your details
are shared so that people canreach out, and I know that, yeah
, you have already made a hugeimpact.
But it has been such a lovelycatch up.
Marie, you are my final guestfor series one of Beyond the
Signboard.
It has been an amazing journeyof dispelling I guess you know
(01:00:56):
the perception that real estateis easy.
This just gave us a reallygreat platform, I guess, to
share a bit of a behind thescenes of just one experience,
but also just the ability tohave, you know, a really strong
professional network, referralpartners and just always having
the client in mind first andforemost.
Speaker 2 (01:01:16):
Yes, yes.
And what I've found, Amy, isthat the people that I have
worked with that have come myway because of yourself.
For them, it's been about theempathy that has stemmed from
selling a home, which you don'toften see in real estate.
(01:01:38):
So I think McGraths areexceptional.
Speaker 1 (01:01:43):
Thank you.
Well, yeah, we look forward toworking together.
You know well and truly intothe future, the Sunshine Coast
is greater.
For you being back, you have anamazing day, day one of back to
work.
Thank you, marie, you've been ablessing, you're very welcome
and thank you for having me.
My pleasure.
Thank you for listening to thisepisode of Beyond the Signboard
(01:02:06):
.
We trust you enjoyed it as muchas we enjoyed making it for you
.
If there are any topics youwant covered in the future, make
sure you reach out and let usknow.
Also, feedback and suggestionsare appreciated almost as much
as like shares and downloads.
Welcome to Beyond the Signboard, where you get the
opportunity to learn all thereis to know about your real
estate journey fromprofessionals who are passionate
about property.
I'm Amy Bennett, your host, andI look forward to providing you
with education, inspiration anda behind-the-scenes look at the
world of real estate.
Well, good morning.
(00:29):
I am delighted to have who Icall our aged care angel, the
amazing Marie Paulson.
She is the founder of Aged CareChoices Australia and an
amazing human being Welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Thank you, Amy.
I'm very privileged to have theopportunity to chat with you.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Oh, it is honestly so exciting.
This is your first podcast everit is.
Have you ever listened to apodcast?
Yes, amazing.
What kind of podcast do youlike?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
I like Mia.
Oh, mama Mia, yes, yeah, youlike that inside.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Yeah yeah.
The first one I startedlistening to was a true crime
podcast which I enjoyed.
I think we did a road trip andI listened to like 12 episodes
in a row or something like that.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I don't know whether to be happy about it.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Well, you've just recently travelled yourself.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
We have.
We've just come back last nightfrom Western Australia.
Our first time over there.
My husband and I had threebeautiful weeks, amazing,
wonderful weather.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Yeah, beautiful.
So two weeks in Margaret River,you tell me.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Yes, two weeks we stayed in a town called
Dunsborough, okay, and weexplored the Margaret River, we
did caving, lots of walks.
We actually went to the WorldSurfing Championship down there.
How amazing yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Was the surf up.
Yes, okay.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So we got to watch the finals, the surfing comp,
and then on the last week we hadin.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Perth Awesome.
Now, when you were in MargaretRiver, you said that you enjoyed
the Shiraz and chocolate.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Chocolate yes, I think I have a frequent flyer
card at the Margaret RiverChocolate Factory.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
I didn't even know there was one there.
There's two.
Well, I'm sort of more leaningto the Shiraz.
My husband used to live in WAand there's a particular brand,
xanadu.
He loves their Shiraz and along time ago I organised a case
of them as a surprise.
Very nice.
I always ask with people withred wine do you like it?
(02:39):
Room temperature or cold Cold?
Yes, me too.
Yes, ah, controversial.
Yes, yes, marie, me too.
Yes, controversial.
Yes, marie, we are going tohave a really lovely
conversation, you are, as I said, an absolute angel in your
industry.
For those that are listening in,marie just shook her head.
We would love to learn yourjourney, of how you ended up
(03:04):
with your incredible businessthat's now been going for 11
years and recently relocatedback to the Sunshine Coast.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Yeah, thanks, amy.
So I actually grew up aroundnursing homes and they were
called nursing homes back in the60s and 70s and that was in
Sydney and my stepmum was anurse and the cook as well and
my dad was the handyman and itwas a 24-bed mum and dad nursing
(03:37):
home and it was looking back,it was a happy place, but so
very, very different to whataged care homes are today.
Yeah, I don't, or I try not touse the term nursing home and I
(03:59):
will always try and say carecentre or care home.
try and say care centre or carehome.
After school I was a secretaryand then, after the children, I
moved into insurance.
Okay.
And I worked for NRMA and herein Brisbane also, and that was I
(04:23):
loved what I did.
Until I saw the damage frombushfires and floods and people
losing everything and I thoughtthese people have just they have
nothing.
Now who's there to help them?
And also road crash victims thefamilies after losing someone.
I left insurance and thought Ican make a difference in another
(04:51):
area and that's when I decidedto try aged care.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Yes, isn't it amazing that you had that connection as
a child?
And you mentioned to me off airtoo, that you had a really nice
connection with the residentsspending that time and tea and
tidy.
Did you say yes?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
yes, I was the tea and tidy girl in my school
uniform yes and actuallysomething I didn't mention.
There was some one lady thathad been at the home for many
years and her daughter lived incountry New South Wales.
It was northern New South Wales, but she'd heard that I was
(05:27):
getting engaged and she actuallymade our engagement cake and
brought it down to Sydney.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Isn't that incredible ?
Yeah, look, I think in thattime frame, you know, when you
have loved ones in care, youknow there's such a pivotal role
that the team there play.
You know they're often spendingso much more time with your
loved ones and you know they'resuch a pivotal role but the team
they play.
You know they're often spendingso much more time with your
loved ones and you know I fondlyrecall when my gran was in care
at Estia at Mount Coolum, shehad the most beautiful carer,
(05:54):
geoffrey, and he would sing tomy gran and honestly, I just
always felt such a comfortknowing that she was safe and
had that care and love.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Always felt such a comfort knowing that she was
safe and had that care and love.
I think it takes a very specialperson to work in aged care.
I personally have not had anystories of cruelty and I think
that's what scares people.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
It does.
Yeah, we're going to talk aboutmyths and misconceptions with
the industry and also, obviously, there's been radical changes
as well.
We'll talk about the RoyalCommission as well, but
ultimately, your role with BlueCare.
Do you want to chat through?
Speaker 2 (06:34):
that, because that's really interesting.
I worked for Blue Care in anadmissions capacity, so people
that would ring in and say, oh,you know, we're needing mum or
dad to go into a home.
And back then, so 15, 16 yearsago, it was hard to get into a
(06:55):
home.
There were long wait lists andpeople were desperate and being
bound and employed by Blue Care.
I thought I want to help thesepeople but I can't because all I
can say is yes, you're on ourwait list.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Yeah, and it's interesting, isn't it?
It's a bit like being a bankmanager or a mortgage broker,
isn't it?
You have such a wider access.
What were the reasons?
And I know now with yourclientele, but what were the
reasons sort of back then thatpeople were needing to admit mum
and dad Was it a kind of acrisis time point.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Yes, yes, I don't think that has changed over the
years, particularly with bluecare being quite a, or covering
quite a regional, a largeregional area as well.
We were seeing a lot of folksin northern Queensland and
(07:57):
northern.
New South Wales that wereneeding care.
Traditionally, they're the onesthat will stay at home the
longest.
Quite often they're on farms orproperties.
Yeah, of course, and it's notuntil the very end when they
need to go into care, and that'sthe tough part, because quite
(08:18):
often it was too late.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
And I think that's something we're really going to
delve into and really that sortof ignited a passion within you.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yes, it did.
It was I needed to know that Icould offer more, not knowing
whether I could, but I wanted to.
So I decided I was actuallygoing to retire, made a flippant
(08:47):
comment and the general managerof Blue Care suggested I go out
and try being a placementconsultant.
And I thought, oh, I couldn'tdo that.
But to this day he is stillsomeone that I would go to to
ask a question.
Yeah, you said he was a reallygood guide Very, very good.
(09:08):
And I made the decision to throwmy hat in the ring and give it
a go.
I spent 12 months getting toknow the homes and getting to
know the people that run thehomes, and I think one of the
most important lessons I learnedis that you can walk into a
home and if the staff have asmile on their face, it's a good
(09:33):
sign.
If they chat to you not knowingwho you are.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Yeah, of course that's a good sign yeah and um,
because it comes?
Speaker 2 (09:42):
it stems from management.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
And there has to be someone, not just sitting behind
a desk, because managers ofaged care homes do not have to
be a registered nurse.
They can be the businessmanager.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
It's an interesting thing and I think you know.
Let's delve a little bit deeperthere as well, because I'm sure
a lot of our listeners may nothave knowledge around.
You know, government-funded,private-owned.
Are you able to sort of?
Let us know what options areout there?
Speaker 2 (10:13):
for residential the next stage.
So government-funded aged carehomes.
So this is actually a myth.
A lot of people think, whenthey hear the term
government-funded aged care,that they believe that you can
just go in and only pay apercentage of your pension.
(10:33):
The difference between agovernment-funded aged care home
and private aged care is quitesignificant.
So private aged care doesn'tfall under the same legislation.
It falls under the RetirementVillagers Act.
So the likes of someone likeSeasons or Freedom Aged Care and
(10:55):
what someone does then is theywould purchase a property
usually a unit or a villa,usually a unit or a villa and
the provider or the schemeoperator would instigate a home
care package, but you're stillliving independently, yes, and
(11:18):
then, when the time comes, ifyou have to leave, then there's
usually the deferred managementfees or the exit fees.
Government funded aged care arerun by not-for-profit
organisations as well assyndicated and family owned
(11:38):
operators Great, All new for me.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
So I'm sure our listeners are also learning.
And that's exactly why you'rehere, Marie, because it's
something that is just I feel, areally big not mine feel, but
there's just so much to know.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Yes, so government-funded aged care
homes.
What you have on your side isthe fact that if someone has to
pay an accommodation charge andin this day and age most of
these are quite high if someonepays that money and the provider
(12:13):
, for whatever reason, has toclose its doors, you will never
lose your money.
Okay, because it is protectedby the Commonwealth Government.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
So that's an initial fee when you're moving in.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Yeah, there's four ways.
So there's several fees.
There's two that are set by thegovernment, sure, and those
fees apply wherever you go, andyou could be in a home in WA
Northern Territory or here.
So everyone pays what we call abasic daily care fee and that's
(12:47):
all your nursing care andthat's the fee.
That's equivalent to 85% of afull pension.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Okay, because we hear that so often.
You know that there isn't muchleft of the pension.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
That's correct, okay and the other fee.
So the government has said thatthose that can will contribute
a little more to their care.
So that's called a means-testedcare fee.
Sure, and once you submit yourpaperwork to Services Australia,
they'll determine how much thatfee is.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
So we haven't delved too much into what your current
role is, but the good news isthat this is everything that you
help people navigate, yes, andthat's why you're such a vital
part of my business.
But also, coming onto thepodcast, because we had an
opportunity to meet, we had somebeautiful mutual clients and,
if you don't mind, I'd love toshare how we got to know each
(13:43):
other clients and, if you don'tmind, I'd love to share how we
got to know each other,absolutely yeah.
So I had been asked by abeautiful older couple, a
different couple than we workedtogether.
They were really stuck on youknow where to next?
So living independently,beautiful.
You know marriage of 50 plusyears, but knew that that next
stage was coming veryoverwhelmed plus years, but knew
(14:07):
that that next stage was comingVery overwhelmed inability to
be able to drive by that stage.
So you know, being the kind ofperson I am, I thought, look,
I'm going to try and navigatethis space, I'm going to do my
own research, due diligence,education.
I think it was one day Marie,seven different properties I
visited.
Then the next day, I went to anetworking BNI breakfast and
(14:28):
somebody said oh, you know, whatdo you need from the group and
I said look, would anybody know?
And lo and behold, it was yourson-in-law, ryan was literally
sat next to me and he said Iknow exactly the person and so I
was able to connect with you,learn what you did and you know
as a placement consultant.
And then you know, gosh, it'sgone on to you.
(14:49):
Know anybody I know in thatscenario, but we had a beautiful
shared experience with someclients.
It was just a dream to see youin action.
I mean, I have had, you know,personal experiences with loved
ones being admitted into care,but certainly as a grandchild.
Personal experiences with lovedones being admitted into care,
but certainly as a grandchild,to see the level of paperwork
(15:13):
and questions.
You know, phone calls with ACAT, like just so many things.
And I think that's the mostimportant thing for any
listeners and viewers certainlyis to know that there are people
that can help navigate thisjourney.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
Yes and again, people living at home and, as they age
, quite often they have somehome help through a home care
package, so they've had an ACATassessment.
If something happens, though,and they're told that they need
(15:41):
to go into permanent residentialor respite care, they think, oh
yes, I've got an ACAT, but whatthey often don't realise is
that they don't have the correctapprovals.
Okay.
So that's when we have to geton to ACAT and sadly at this
time it's taking quite some timein community.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
That's to get somebody to come into the home
and to assess the person's levelof care that they're required.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
That's exactly right.
So it's not a bad thing toperhaps, if you feel that you
know mum or dad or a loved oneis getting on and that they
might be fine for the time being, but try and broach the subject
get them to have an ACATassessment Now.
(16:37):
From a medical or clinicalpoint of view, the ACAT summary
is probably only good for aboutthree months because as we know,
as we age, our needs change.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
And that deterioration can happen quite
rapidly.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Correct, but at least the approval is in place.
So someone like myself I know.
If I see an ACAT that's morethan three months old, I know
exactly what I need to do, andthat is to either get on to a
doctor, get a health summary andget things up to date.
I also have my own littletemplate that I use.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Yes, you're very organised.
I love it.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Looking at the care needs of someone.
So these are all things that weput in place because there's
not a lot of vacancies in agedcare homes.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
I think that's a really common.
That's kind of where I hadheard a lot of frustration
around literally on the phoneringing, you know, 10, 20
waiting lists, all of thosethings that you know.
In that particular scenario, ortwo times in that scenario, it
was, you know, a beautifulhusband and wife that wanted to
stay together as well.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
You know a beautiful husband and wife that wanted to
stay together as well.
Yes, it's hard when a husbandand wife want to go into care
together because no one wants toseparate them.
There's some implications,though, around the financial
side of it, and quite oftenwithout the knowledge they could
(18:18):
be losing quite a bit of money.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Yeah, you definitely.
You know you advocate forpeople having a, you know
financial planning support.
Yes, I think what you know overthe time we've got to know each
other.
What I really love about you,marie, is you know you kind of
want to prevent people, you know, rather than at that critical
moment, more upstream, you knowplanning.
(18:41):
You mentioned about you knowbeing able to, I guess, forecast
what's ahead, and what you said, which I loved, is that it may
never happen.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I think that's important to you know, get
across to families, because it'sjust about being prepared.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
It's just about being prepared, absolutely.
It's just about being prepared.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
We hear things you know, particularly living on the
Sunshine Coast.
I'll be storm prepared, yes,but we may never get a cyclone.
That's exactly right, but atleast if we know what to do, if
we've got that little box packedand we think, okay, well, now's
the time.
Because if someone ends up inhospital unexpectedly and more
(19:26):
unexpectedly they're told well,you can't go home.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Yeah, let's chat about that, marie, because that
was something we spoke about offair, because that's often.
You've established yourself inyour business.
You're obviously very good atwhat you do, you're a trusted
professional.
You are that first point ofcall with the hospital discharge
team to be able to help peoplenavigate that.
But you were just saying aswell that that could be somebody
(19:52):
that's been in their home for anumber of years and they have a
fall or a heart attack and thenthey can't return to the home.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
No, that's exactly right.
So they go into hospital.
They think, oh okay, thedoctors, nurses, they'll get me
better and.
I'll be home in a week, yes.
And then particularly followinga fall, because it might be a
hip or a knee.
Because it might be a hip or aknee or there are high falls
(20:19):
risk, and particularly ifsomeone is living alone or if
their partner is elderlythemselves.
If either one was to have afall, it's not necessarily safe
for the partner to be able toget them off the floor or
wherever.
(20:40):
So by being prepared, knowingwhat the financial implications
might be, of course, having yourACAT assessment.
There's two mandatory documents.
One is the ACAT this is forgovernment-funded aged care ACAT
(21:01):
assessment codes and anenduring power of attorney, and
this is a document that a lot ofolder folks again are very
reluctant to draw up becausethey feel that that's the last
bastion of their independence.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
It's a bit like the driver's licence, isn't it?
I remember my granddad, oh dear.
I remember us begging hisdoctor to take it off him
because, yeah, but it was.
It was just that independence,correct.
And I mean we just spoke aswell.
You know, when people are intheir 80s, 90s, you know, and
that generation as well, there'sso much fear about losing it
(21:41):
all we spoke about.
You know that they've workedeverything you know for that
nest egg for the kids.
They fear that that's gone aswell.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Yeah, so just on the enduring power of attorney.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Oh yeah, please, sorry, no, go for it.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
What I would recommend is have a clause put
in there just saying it can onlybe invoked upon a capacity
letter from a doctor.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
So it just means that Mary can't just walk in and
sell off everything or make thedecisions while mum or dad still
has that capacity to do so Onthe financial side.
So we're very fortunate since2014, when the last lot of
(22:29):
reforms came about.
If you have to pay anaccommodation charge, these days
there's actually four methodsof payment, so you can pay the
accommodation in full, you canpay it in part and the balance
by interest payments.
(22:49):
In that scenario, if it's paidin full, once you pass or leave
to transfer, the money isrefunded in full.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Wow, that's a huge misconception, would you suggest
?
Speaker 2 (23:03):
That's probably one of the biggest ones.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
So a lot of older folks, you know they may only
have their home and in this dayand age the home's probably
quite considerably, you know,dollar-wise it's a lot more.
So the accommodation chargesare quite high as well, and they
think.
But I'm not leaving anything tothe kids, but I think it's so
(23:29):
important for them to understandit all goes back.
It all goes back, and whensomeone passes, the money is
paid into the estate to bedispersed as per the principal's
wishes.
Okay, sure, so you?
Speaker 1 (23:45):
still have the last say, you still make that
decision Absolutely.
Look, I think that is yeah,that's a huge, I guess, myth.
One thing as well you mentionedabout the reforms as well.
One of the observations I hadwhen going through that process
is there is a standard documentthat all homes must have it's um
, there's a residentialagreement now.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
When I first, even back in my blue care days, we
had our own residentialagreements and it would have
been very different to JoeBlow's.
Yes, since 2014, I've found Ialways like to look at the
agreements on behalf of myclient, but I also tell them
(24:29):
that they can have a lawyer havea look at it.
Excellent, I'm not a legalperson, but I know what I'm
looking for, so I still like tomake sure that they're all
correct.
Now, these documents are verystandard, but because they are a
legal document, they'll haveall the terms and conditions
(24:50):
where a home can ask for paymentor when they can ask someone to
leave.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Okay, so these are all important things for the
families to understand, and thatis you know, that's your
superpower really is not onlynavigating that, the differences
, but then also being able toexplain that.
Yes.
And the implications for thepotential resident.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Yeah, yes.
And the implications for thepotential resident?
Yeah, I think too, because itis legal jargon and I know
myself if I'm looking at adocument and I think, oh, that's
all too hard yeah, I'm sureit's correct.
I'll just sign it, I'll justsign it Absolutely.
But being on the other side,because I do understand it, I
can break it down into layman'sterms and what it means.
(25:39):
For example, when someone goesinto care, the room that they go
into that is theirs for tenureof care.
They cannot just be movedreally nilly Okay.
So the times that someone can beasked to move would be if their
care needs change and they needto go into a more sensitive
(26:03):
care area, or if someone wouldlike a room with a better view,
they can ask the home when thatbecomes available and absolutely
they will be moved.
Yeah, amazing, but the staff,the home, can't just move
someone because they feel likeit.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
And do you think that's an important, or I guess
a vital component is having whatfeels like home, your own space
, absolutely, because I thinkyou know it's so hard to fathom
going from a home, and I meancertainly you know, in the
experiences that you've had, Ihave no doubt be sort of you
know, 20, 30, I'm imagining 40,50 years in the same home,
potentially as well, the comfortof having, you know, the
(26:45):
grandkids to stay, the memoriesthere, and then how do you
transfer that into a smallerspace?
Speaker 2 (26:52):
correct.
So that's what I think I hear alot of, and is this what my
life has come to?
One room and the way I explainit is that's just your bedroom.
Yes, it is just your bedroom.
And if it's someone thatperhaps has come from a home
(27:12):
with a nice garden, they mighthave potted in the garden.
I'm not going to put them intoa high rise on the top floor.
I think it's important for themto, or for me to, find a home
that's got a lovely outdoor area.
Perhaps the room opens out ontoa courtyard and again, just
(27:34):
reinforcing that, it's just thebedroom, the lounge room, the
lounge room, the dining room,the common areas, they're yours.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
The gardens are yours .
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
You can potter, you can do whatever.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
And what's the general consensus?
I mean, no, two people are thesame.
It's the same with no.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
I'd have to say I have very few clients that go in
willingly.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
Well, I mean, I was quite surprised when you said
that to me, but it makes sense,doesn't it?
I mean, we kind of sometimes, Imean I love lifestyle villages.
I obviously sell in somebeautiful villa complexes and I
kind of think, oh, when I get to55, I'm going to enjoy the
bingo.
But let's chat about that,Marie, because what is the
perception of that next stage?
Speaker 2 (28:24):
So when we're speaking with folks, perhaps in
their 80s or 90s, they may havehad a loved one or visited an
old-style nursing home, and itwas usually four people to a
room with just the curtain inbetween Shared bathrooms, Shared
(28:46):
bathrooms Wow, Marie.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
Communal bathrooms yes.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Wow, most homes today , even the older homes and we've
got some aged care homes thatwould be 30, 40 years old
they've been refurbished andthey've done away with a lot of
the shared rooms and they'vebeen converted to single rooms
(29:09):
with their own bathroom Great.
So the things that you can'tchange.
There's really only one thing,and that's the bed.
Okay, but in saying that, I'vehad homes that have said you
know what, if we've got a coupleand they want to be together,
(29:30):
we'll do what we can.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Yeah, lovely.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
But the idea is to personalise the bedroom to mum
or dad's likes photos, anything,you can put anything in the
room as long as it doesn'timpede the staff You've got to
be able to move around.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
I think that was my gran's problem.
She had a lot of things, therewas a lot going on.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Look, I had a lady going.
She went into care last yearand the funny thing was she
didn't come from her own home.
She had been living with herson and daughter-in-law.
Well, when she turned up at theaged care home, she turned up
in one of the small movingtrucks.
Yes, yes, and she had boughteverything but small moving
trucks.
Yes, yes, and she had boughteverything but the kitchen sink.
(30:20):
Yes, yes.
And I think, if she could haveunplumbed that she would have
taken that.
Speaker 1 (30:24):
I know my gran had those plastic storage tubs.
Yes, probably oh I wouldn'teven be exaggerating like six of
them, marie, mega ones, likejust needed all her things there
.
Yes, it was a reallyinteresting journey too.
I mean this was going back alittle while.
It was funny because my grandmawas quite a heavy smoker and
obviously that was a hugetransition.
(30:45):
So you know, any time she wouldbe literally at her door as
soon as we arrived take me out.
She'd have her cigarettes ready, because obviously you couldn't
smoke back then in the room andso we'd have to wheel her out
basically onto the road.
But you know it's ready,because obviously you couldn't
smoke back then in the room andso we'd have to wheel her out
basically onto the road.
But you know, it's those things, it's those habitual things.
I mean she'd smoked in herhouse, for I mean we lost her at
(31:07):
nearly 95.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
So like she'd smoked wherever she goddamn wanted to
for 80-odd years, smoking canstill be one of the hardest
things to accommodate, becauseyou can't smoke on aged care
premises.
Speaker 1 (31:23):
That's right, yeah, Much to the dismay of the nurses
.
I'd say Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
And pre-COVID, when staffing wasn't as low as what
it has become, although it isimproving.
You'd usually find that a carerwould be able to go out with a
resident or they'd have asmoker's apron on or something
like this, and they could stillhave their little sneaker.
(31:51):
Yes, yeah, yeah, but these daysthe staffing levels just don't
allow for that.
It's very hard because, again,it's taking that independence
away from someone.
One of the best things I findwith a smoker is if they've come
(32:11):
from hospital because theycan't smoke in hospital.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
That's right, that's exactly right.
Well, in saying that, I didhave a phone call.
This is so funny that I'msaying this.
I did have a phone call whenGraham was at SKU.
I think it was before thepublic hospital.
So it was when the publicpatients could go to the private
hospital.
Phone call here at the officeto say that my grandma's caught
smoking in her room Brand newhospital, I think they had 100,
(32:34):
was it something like $1.6million of artwork.
She just couldn't wait till mylunch break.
So anyway, but yes, then fromthen on, she did have a nicotine
patch.
Yes, yes, she was a tough woman.
I was just thinking then aswell when we spoke about smoking
.
What about pets?
Speaker 2 (32:53):
Pets.
This is a really, really goodone.
There are homes around, believeit it or not, maybe not so much
on the sunshine coast, butcertainly in brisbane, where you
can have a pet.
But the implication of having apet is that the resident has to
be able to look after it, yes,yes.
(33:13):
So it usually rules it out.
Yeah, but pet therapy is huge.
Of course I'd say 99% of homeswill have pets coming in
regularly within the home.
So a lot of them.
They might even have a chookpen.
Yeah, lovely Things like this,and some of the residents can go
(33:35):
down and collect the eggs andyou know that type of thing.
But pet therapy is a big thing.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
It's huge.
I remember my granddad.
He was in a high-care dementiaward here in Caloundra and so it
was like a locked facility, butthey had a beautiful garden and
pathway and we used to take ourdog and I'll never forget there
was a lovely resident there andshe would always say why have
you got my dog?
Anyway, I'd always let her playwith the dog, but the joy that
(34:03):
he brought to everybody it wasso lovely, absolutely so.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
If there's been a pet , the pets can visit as often,
you know as wanted.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
And also let's chat about because I think, think you
also really important for youto dispel that myth about you
know, because the perception is,you know it's like jail I can't
go out or I can't go back to myhome.
We just sort of spoke about theability for people to get that
closure.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Yeah, absolutely so.
One of the first things that Iwould say to one of my families
is, when you go to look at ahome, ask to see the lifestyle
calendar.
That's first and foremost, soyou can see what goes on.
Now, people, residents, aren'tlocked up.
(34:50):
Yes, they are definitely notjails.
They are not hospitals.
It's just their new home, thenew chapter, and if they like to
go out, there might be a friend.
It doesn't have to be a familymember.
They might have a friend thatsays I'm going to the bowling
club, I'll come and pick you up.
(35:11):
They take them out for a fewhours or the day.
Then they take them home.
They also can go out overnightand it just depends on the
person's situation.
For that one and families areencouraged to keep it to a
minimum amount of time, butfamilies that might work for
(35:32):
Christmas or special birthdays.
Most of the newer homes thesedays have a private dining room.
I know you wouldn't want toleave.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
No, honestly, where you placed our clients?
Oh my gosh, I just coincided avisit with Happy Hour.
I couldn't believe it, my word,my word.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Look, that's why the lifestyle calendar is really
important.
I think a lot of people think,oh, they'll just be a person
that comes in and plays piano.
Speaker 1 (36:04):
No, no, no.
Isn't it amazing though?
Absolutely.
Or you think oh, you see thebus head off, oh, the buses, I
love the buses.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
I do remember in my blue care days when families
would say you know, oh, do theyhave bus outings?
Yeah, isn't it funny.
Yes, and even when it's wet.
I remember there was one yearand we just had continual rain,
a bit like it's happening now,yeah.
And the Blue Care buses wouldjust go for a drive and coming
(36:36):
home through the Macca'sdrive-through.
That's classic and your 50 centcone.
I think they were only about 30cents.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
Oh, my God, like 20 of them.
Oh, absolutely, isn't thatgorgeous, what a vision.
And I think I love that because, you know, living here in
Caloundra and you know,obviously, like walking along
the beach in the morning, I'dquite often see some of the, you
know, lifestyle villagers willhave their bus.
And it makes sense, and it'sthose things that we forget,
isn't it?
Speaker 2 (37:02):
when we've got the ability to drive and have our
independence, a typical calendar, weekly calendar, they would
have.
Not all homes have their ownbuses.
The majority do.
There's only a couple thatdon't.
But those that do they'll dotrips to shopping centres, and
(37:23):
the residents that are able toindependently walk around
they'll be given a time to meetback.
Perfect.
But they're free then to go andbrowse in the shops, but
lifestyle carers will alwaysaccompany those.
Yeah, great.
Now the buses aren't big enoughso that all the residents can
(37:45):
go at the same time.
So you might see an outing.
Oh, this one, they're goingdown to Redcliffe, you know,
down to the foreshore down there.
Oh, dan, you might like that.
Yes.
Because they're going fishing,yeah, so there's all these
different things.
Quite often, it's the men thatwe forget about.
Speaker 1 (38:06):
So true, isn't it my word, that need that connection.
Yes, so the men in the home.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
If I've had a family say to me, oh look.
If I've had a family say to me,oh look, dad was.
You know, he was just a hardworker and he still wants to do
those things, I'll look for ahome that's got perhaps a men's
shed yes great or a men's group.
Yes and think first andforemost.
(38:33):
It's always about the care soI've got to meet those care
needs.
Yeah, First and foremost it'salways about the care, so I've
got to meet those care needs.
Yeah, but very close.
Second is how are we going toengage them within life?
Speaker 1 (38:46):
Absolutely, because it's actually a renewed.
It can actually.
It's just that next chapter,yeah, and let's chat as well too
.
I think one thing that youmentioned too, marie, which was
kind of a surprise to me, wasabout malnourishment.
You know that that was a reallyinteresting thing because I
know personally.
I, you know my nana, um wentinto care.
We just lost her on Saturday,um, and then thankfully she was
(39:09):
in care, but, um, you know, shewas living independently, um,
leaving the oven on and and allof those horror stories.
Unfortunately, during COVID,where um were in a you know, her
two kids were in differentstates we actually thought, look
, having been independent for solong, when she'd move into care
?
In fact she flourished, becauseI would suggest she was
(39:30):
probably just having littletidbits of food, correct?
Speaker 2 (39:33):
They.
Quite often they can't get outto shop, so unless a family
member or a close friend, isshopping for them, then they
don't have the food in the home.
But it's all well and goodhaving the food in the home if
they know how to operate a stoveor a cooktop or a microwave and
(39:57):
nutritious food as well.
Yes, and I won't say it happensa lot, but I've certainly had
clients where this has happened.
Food has gone off, and this wasprevalent during COVID.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
That someone living with dementia may not fully
understand the implications ofkeeping food refrigerated.
Yes, yep, and so we were havingpeople that were becoming quite
ill because, A they weren'teating or, B they were eating
food and ending up with foodpoisoning, consequently ending
(40:36):
up in hospital and not beingable to go back home such a
tough cycle too, because Iremember where's my gran was
still living independently, butI mean she would.
Speaker 1 (40:46):
This was in prigent beach, she would catch the bus
to cool them and then she'd have.
I mean she was, yeah, well intoher 80s and have to carry the
shopping bags of groceries.
It was a big undertaking, likeI think it's all of those things
that there is.
That real missing piece isn'tthere.
I mean, now you've got a lotmore support with you know aged
care packages and things likethat.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
Yes, you do A lot of people.
They're not on the rightpackage either and because you
might have had someone that'sturned 70 or so, they were
assessed.
And they might be, because withthe home care packages they go
from level one through to levelfour and they might have been
(41:27):
assessed as, say, a level two.
So very low or low care, alittle bit of domestic help.
Is that cleaning, or yeah, yeah,sure so you'd have someone come
in and do a weekly clean,perhaps put some washing on, but
no nursing care.
But no one has.
And suddenly the person isforgetting to take their
(41:49):
medications or mixing up theirmedications.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
Yeah, I know that from my pharmacy days.
I used to deliver Webster packsand I'd go and you know.
So that's pre-done medicationfor those listening, and you
know it was heartbreaking.
I'd go in a week and not onehad been taken.
So I know all about that.
Speaker 2 (42:07):
Yes, very common, and so people don't realise,
families don't realise that youneed to keep on top of the home
care packages.
There's still a long wait,unfortunately, for a Level 3,
because with the packages thehome care is not my area but
(42:29):
what I do know of home care.
Level 3 and Level 4 are yourhigh care areas, but Between 12
to 16 hours a week is still notenough.
Speaker 1 (42:43):
That's the maximum on level four.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
That's the maximum on level four.
Now the wait time for thesepackages.
I remember a couple of yearsago, and I can't even remember
which government was in but asthe public, we were told no one
will wait more than a month fora home care package.
Level fours we're still waitingup to 12, 15 months.
(43:06):
Level 3 is probably the same.
Speaker 1 (43:09):
It's just such a.
Is that just because thereisn't the staff?
Yes, correct.
Speaker 2 (43:14):
Yeah, sure, and we might find that someone that's
been assigned a Level 3 or a 4,that the home care provider can
provide a Level 2 package hours,which is only four hours, yeah
gosh.
Speaker 1 (43:28):
There's a huge gap there and I can see where this
is going, Marie, becauseobviously waiting that 12 months
without getting that care,missed medication falls, they
end up in hospital, that's right.
Speaker 2 (43:40):
When you know it's very hard for someone that is
not expecting to have an unseenor unplanned medical incident
and suddenly they're told theycan't go home.
Speaker 1 (43:54):
I just, yeah, and so to that point, chat to me about
you know why that's a huge partfor you about this forward
planning.
Chat about that, and I thinkthat's a huge part for you about
this forward planning.
Chat about that, and I thinkthat's.
I mean, there's so much youlove about your job and I am
getting you back because we haveso much to talk about, because
I know this is going to besomething that so many people
(44:14):
will appreciate and certainlysomething I see you know all the
time, because obviously I getto the stage where you know all
the time, because obviously Iget to the stage where you know
we'll meet and generally I'massisting in the sale of a
property and the downsizing andeverything.
But, yeah, chat about howpeople can, you know, sort of
preempt this stage.
Speaker 2 (44:32):
So I think it's important for all parties to be
involved.
So I get asked when I'm meetingwith a family, does mum or dad
need to be there?
I always.
There's two different scenarios, and one of them is if it's
future planning, yes, absolutelyyeah, because we're talking
(44:55):
about down the track that maynever eventuate.
Yes, but while ever mum or dadhas a say, I think it's so
important.
So, with myself at that point,what we're talking about is what
does an aged care home looklike today?
What can you do, what can't youdo?
(45:16):
And there's not a lot that youcan't do apart from drive.
Speaker 1 (45:20):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (45:20):
And I drive.
Yeah, okay, yeah.
But it's about what does agedcare look like?
What documentation is needed sothat could be having the
correct ACAT referrals andenduring powers of attorney in
place?
Do you need an advanced healthdirective?
(45:41):
All these documents you can putin place While you're fit and
well Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (45:48):
Yeah, what age Marie?
What does that?
Look like in your sort of idealscenario.
Speaker 2 (45:53):
Yeah, look, I'd say from about, if someone's in good
health, I'd say 75.
Speaker 1 (45:59):
Oh, I was just seeing my mum's 73 and I think she'd
stomp her feet up and down andsay I'm not ready for that.
Speaker 2 (46:05):
Well, I'm nearly 70.
No way, yeah, and it's likedon't even think about it.
Speaker 1 (46:12):
Well, yes, I've heard that if you're not performing
as a mum, oh, I have to be niceto my middle child particularly,
apparently.
Speaker 2 (46:25):
all three, but the middle child particularly
because she knows exactly whereI don't want to go.
Speaker 1 (46:28):
Classic and she threatens Look, I have no doubt
we are going to have so manyquestions that arise.
You know, I feel your passionand energy for what you do.
What we love most is yourtenacity and fight for your
clients.
But also just chat about too,because for you the journey
doesn't end with the admission.
I think that's really important.
(46:50):
You share that.
Speaker 2 (46:51):
No, it's definitely not, because no one.
Even if someone goes into carewillingly and accepts that this
is their journey, it still takesa good six to eight weeks for
someone to settle in.
Absolutely.
It's a long time yeah.
And we have to be they have tobe aware of what can happen.
(47:17):
Quite often the most placidperson can become very angry
with their nearest and dearestand think why have you done this
to?
Speaker 1 (47:29):
me.
Done this to me.
I knew you'd say that yeah.
Speaker 2 (47:32):
So it's very important to be able to support
the family and walk them throughhow to manage it, because, as a
daughter or a son, our firstthing is I must visit as much as
possible.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (47:50):
And.
Speaker 2 (47:50):
I'm sure that most staff in aged care homes would
say if it's upsetting theresident, you know what the best
thing is.
Don't visit every day.
But you can phone and you canhave a chat either to mum or dad
or to the staff.
(48:12):
Just find out how they're going.
There's a real guilt there,isn't there.
We beat ourselves up.
Speaker 1 (48:18):
And you know you spoke about it off air, about
that carer fatigue.
It's real.
Even just my own personalexperience, you know the family
being like we can do it.
And I mean we had my granddad,you know, prior to his admission
, just for a weekend, and he hadLewy body dementia and he was
up down, he was out, he was outthe door, he was down the street
, he was pants off, pants ontoilet.
(48:46):
And so you know, my heart, justyou know it just beams for
those people that can do it.
Speaker 2 (48:49):
But my gosh, it's full on, yeah.
So I always make sure onadmission day that everything
has gone as planned, and I likefor families to have admission
day where they don't have toworry about paperwork because
there's still so much that hasto be done that I can't do
anyway.
(49:09):
You can do almost all of it,right, yeah?
Then you come to this doorwaywhere the door is closed.
So I like homes, if they can, todo a pre-admission meeting, so
on admission day it's just aboutsettling in, so always checking
(49:30):
that everything's gone as itshould have.
Now, quite often that meanssomeone's come from hospital in
an ambulance and they do awonderful job, but we're at the
mercy when that ambulance turnsup.
Yeah, of course.
Speaker 1 (49:45):
I never even thought, isn't that funny?
I just well, not funny, but Ijust made a presumption that
they would just be, the familywould take people of course
there's um.
Speaker 2 (49:54):
It's always nice for family to be able to take them,
but quite often it's notpractical and again, again.
Speaker 1 (50:01):
Like I said, I had this misconception that you,
literally it was our experiencewhich was doing the paperwork,
not so much the hospitalcomponent.
Yeah, Quite clinical, yes, very.
Speaker 2 (50:14):
And so I then checked back in within two weeks' time.
But as long as the family knows, they can call me or email me
any time.
That's fine, because two weeksis actually a long time.
But at two weeks, you know,they might say, oh no, they're
not settling, or this hasn'thappened, or I was told that
(50:36):
they would do this every day.
And so as long as they'reasking the right person as to oh
look, mum's mentioned that shehasn't had a shower for three or
four days.
Speaker 1 (50:51):
Well, you know the language, Marie, and you did say
that people are a bit worried.
They don't want anymistreatment, yes, so it's who's
the right person.
Speaker 2 (51:01):
Always the clinical manager.
Speaker 1 (51:03):
Okay, great.
Speaker 2 (51:04):
Clinical managers.
So one of the things that's oneof the most common things that
we'll hear oh, mum or dad hasn'tbeen showered, yes, so two
things around this.
One of the documents that hasto be signed is called the
Charter of Rights, and the veryfirst principle on this document
(51:25):
is that the resident isencouraged to maintain their
independence as long as possible.
Okay, so you've got the lovelylady or gent that has come into
the room, woken Mary up at 7o'clock and it's a freezing cold
morning and said are you readyfor your shower?
(51:47):
Yeah.
If I was Mary, I'd go away.
Speaker 3 (51:50):
Yeah, and so they do because they can't force someone
to have a shower.
Speaker 2 (51:55):
Yeah, great, and they might come back in an hour's
time.
Speaker 1 (52:00):
Time depending really with their schedule.
Speaker 2 (52:03):
Are you ready for your shower?
No, so consequently, they don'tget showered, they'll have a
wash.
Yes, it's all about letting theperson in charge know.
Speaker 1 (52:18):
Well, perhaps you could just say to mum Mary,
we're going to have a shower,yeah so it's all about the
approach and education, and Ithink that's that's what I'm
just consistently blowing awayevery time we catch up.
It's it's just all those littlethings, isn't it that you've
got?
You know years and years andyears of knowledge and years of
your due diligence and checkingout.
(52:40):
I think, ultimately, like loudand clear, the message is to
engage somebody of your duediligence and checking out.
I think, ultimately, like loudand clear, the message is to
engage somebody of your caliber.
Let's shift gear a little bit.
I know we did say we were goingto get into some more juicy
stuff, but there is plenty oftime for our next visit on that.
What I loved most importantlyis that you did say that every
(53:00):
home that you have an experiencein and I love that because you
are advocating for your clientsand I know you're really good as
well at negotiating and gettingthe best package for them as
well.
Speaker 2 (53:14):
Yeah, it's again when we're looking at negotiating
the costs.
Speaker 1 (53:22):
Which people wouldn't know.
You can do right, Marie,Exactly.
Speaker 2 (53:26):
Now, sometimes because we all love a bargain,
we all love a bargain, butsometimes it's not in the
person's best interest becauseaccommodation costs.
So when you're living in yourhome, your home is exempt for
pension purposes.
When you pay an accommodationcost, that is treated like your
(53:50):
home, so it too is exempt forpension purposes.
In this day and age whereproperty prices, homes are
selling for so much, it's oftennot the ideal thing to negotiate
a lower cost, because thatperson might then lose part of
their pension.
(54:10):
But this is where a specialistfinancial advisor, aged care
financial advisor comes intoplay, and they should be able to
give you two or three differentscenarios?
Speaker 1 (54:22):
Great, I think.
Look able to give you two orthree different scenarios, great
, I think.
Look.
Ultimately you know that's themessage loud and clear is
there's help available?
Yes, this is such a big path tonavigate and, like I said to
you, off air, you need to doyour own podcast because you
would just honestly help themasses, which is great.
But you know, you justmentioned your dream holiday.
You've just had your holiday.
(54:44):
Where would be your dream?
Let's learn a little bit aboutMarie oh.
Speaker 2 (54:47):
Marie Italy.
Speaker 1 (54:49):
Beautiful.
Speaker 2 (54:50):
Italy would be it yes , or a cruise.
Actually, I'm a real cruiseaddict.
Speaker 1 (54:56):
Bingo on a cruise.
Speaker 2 (54:57):
Yeah, no.
Speaker 1 (54:59):
I love it.
I'm such a.
That was my thing with my grangrowing up.
She'd even smoke in the bingohall, marie, god bless her.
She'd give me one little card.
She had a big thing.
But yeah, that's.
It's a nice, relaxing holiday.
Speaker 2 (55:14):
Yes, love cruising.
So we've been fortunate to doseveral, but I'd love just to.
I'd actually love to spend sixto 12 months in Italy.
Speaker 1 (55:25):
Beautiful yeah, just crampsing around.
Speaker 2 (55:27):
Well, you do it.
Speaker 1 (55:29):
So I was going to.
My next question would be yourfavourite food and drinks.
Are we Italian?
Speaker 2 (55:35):
Italian and seafood oh nice but it doesn't matter,
it could be a snag on thebarbecue if someone else is
cooking it.
Speaker 1 (55:43):
I've always said I've never met a salad I've made
that I've liked.
Someone else makes a salad.
I love it, honestly.
It's such a treat, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (55:52):
I love being cooked for.
Speaker 1 (55:54):
Your life has been full of beautiful memories.
You've been with your husband,Mike, for 49 years.
Speaker 2 (56:01):
Well, married for oh married, for we went to school
together.
Speaker 1 (56:06):
You are just.
You genuinely are an angel.
No, he's the angel.
Good for him.
But look, you even just saidtoo, you know you've had a
holiday, you're kind of gettingto know each other again.
It's a new phase of your life?
Yeah, absolutely it's, andphase of your life?
Speaker 2 (56:21):
Yeah, absolutely, and I think this is important well
for anyone, any couple, becauseI think you know if you're going
to grow old together, geez, andlive in the same house, it
would be nice to get on withthem.
Speaker 1 (56:35):
Probably a good start .
Good start Probably a reasonwhy there's a lot of.
The divorce rate is through theroof.
I think a lot of people aren'tin loving who they're married to
and so it is fun.
Speaker 2 (56:47):
And look, we laugh a lot.
He mainly laughs at me and thekids.
Ryan will tell you some storiesand they just shake their heads
with myself.
But I think it's important forcouples when they're going or
considering going into care andone is still healthy and fit and
(57:12):
the other one needs that careand they think, no, no, I can do
it.
One thing that I do say to myfamilies is that and we'll use
the scenario of the husbandbeing the one that needs to go
into care and I would say to thewife it's time to go back to
being a wife and not a nurse.
Speaker 1 (57:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (57:35):
Spend whatever time you have sitting, talking, doing
things together.
It's beautiful, Because that'swhat it's all about.
You don't need to be worryingabout cleaning up a mess because
you know it happens, it does.
Speaker 1 (57:52):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
That's, I mean certainly,scenarios I've seen as well.
Oh gosh, you are just honestlyone of my favourite, favourite
people.
I just have loved that theuniverse has put us together.
I would love our conversationto come.
I don't want it to come to anend, but I would love to close
(58:12):
our conversation with yousharing a little bite of wisdom.
Speaker 2 (58:16):
Your favourite quote or saying I read this quote I
think it was the week I startedmaking phone calls to homes to
go and visit them, so around 11years ago and it goes along the
(58:38):
lines of your smile is your logo, your personality is your
business card, but how you leavesomeone after they've met you
is just everything.
Speaker 1 (58:55):
Isn't that amazing.
Speaker 2 (58:56):
So, and then the other one that I like is the
ironing board one, and we've allgot stomachs like ironing
boards, it's just some have muchbigger piles.
Ah, I love it.
Speaker 1 (59:13):
Yeah, I'm definitely never a flat ironing board.
I love it.
Oh, that is so funny.
Well, look it has been.
You have been an amazing star,by the way, for your first
podcast Absolutely amazing.
You have so much to give theworld.
You have obviously made a hugeimpact in so many people's lives
(59:34):
.
I hope that our podcast can beshared wide and far for those
that need help in that next stepand just knowing how to begin
and navigate, and you've givensome really good insight and,
like I said, to dispel some ofthe myths and fears.
Speaker 2 (59:50):
Yes, yeah, I think that's the important thing, and
sometimes it's just a matter ofa phone call, it's just about no
, you can do this or you can dothat, and I never, ever want to
think that someone is notengaging because they feel that
(01:00:13):
they can't.
Yeah.
Whether that's due to you knowit, not being affordable, it is.
I mean, there's differenthorses for courses.
Yeah, we can make it work.
And if I can help over thephone, I can guide you.
Speaker 1 (01:00:32):
Yeah, amazing.
Well, look, I am going to makesure that all of your details
are shared so that people canreach out, and I know that, yeah
, you have already made a hugeimpact.
But it has been such a lovelycatch up.
Marie, you are my final guestfor series one of Beyond the
Signboard.
It has been an amazing journeyof dispelling I guess you know
(01:00:56):
the perception that real estateis easy.
This just gave us a reallygreat platform, I guess, to
share a bit of a behind thescenes of just one experience,
but also just the ability tohave, you know, a really strong
professional network, referralpartners and just always having
the client in mind first andforemost.
Speaker 2 (01:01:16):
Yes, yes.
And what I've found, Amy, isthat the people that I have
worked with that have come myway because of yourself.
For them, it's been about theempathy that has stemmed from
selling a home, which you don'toften see in real estate.
(01:01:38):
So I think McGraths areexceptional.
Speaker 1 (01:01:43):
Thank you.
Well, yeah, we look forward toworking together.
You know well and truly intothe future, the Sunshine Coast
is greater.
For you being back, you have anamazing day, day one of back to
work.
Thank you, marie, you've been ablessing, you're very welcome
and thank you for having me.
My pleasure.
Thank you for listening to thisepisode of Beyond the Signboard
(01:02:06):
.
We trust you enjoyed it as muchas we enjoyed making it for you
.
If there are any topics youwant covered in the future, make
sure you reach out and let usknow.
Also, feedback and suggestionsare appreciated almost as much
as like shares and downloads.
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