Common Questions

I don't even know where to begin. My mum / dad has just been diagnosed — what do I do first?

Who does the aged care assessment — what happened to the ACAT?

My mum is in hospital after a fall. They say she can't return home. What happens now?

My client won't take his medications. What do I do?

I want to learn about a specific type of dementia. How do they differ?

What is dysphagia? My client/relative is having trouble swallowing.

What is aphasia? My family member has stopped being able to find words or speak clearly.

I don't know what Power of Attorney means or why it matters for dementia.

I've heard about ABC charting — what is it and how do I do it?

I'm not sure where to find specific information in Cassandra's Compass — how is it organised?

What new clinical tools and trackers has Cassandra's Compass added recently?

Is that morphine killing my grandfather? — is it time for palliative care medications?

Why is Mum on so many medications? Can we stop some? (Polypharmacy & deprescribing)

The doctor wants to put Dad on antipsychotics — is that safe?

Can I crush Dad's tablets and put them in his food?

Mum was given something to calm her down — was that chemical restraint?

Is the medication causing Dad's sudden confusion? (Medication-induced delirium)

Dad is on warfarin — what do we need to know?

What is the Support at Home program? I've heard it's changed.

What is the difference between Home Care and Residential Aged Care?

My parent refuses any help. What can I do?

How often should an elderly person bathe or shower?

How do I know if my loved one is in pain if they can't tell me?

How much water should an elderly person drink each day?

What should I do if my loved one is not eating well?

Constipation seems to be a constant problem. What helps?

What is considered "normal" for bowel movements in an older person?

What is a pressure injury and how do I prevent one?

The skin around my father's heels is looking very red. What should I do?

A resident won't shower. What do I do?

A resident or client refuses to take their medication. What should I do?

A resident wants to eat something they can't have — either a dietary restriction or a choking risk. What do I do?

What is BPSD and how should I respond to it? (Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia)

What is sundowning and how do I manage it?

A resident or client is making sexual comments or inappropriate advances. What do I do?

A client with dementia doesn't recognise me and becomes frightened when I arrive. What do I do?

A staff member I'm working with isn't following the resident's care plan. What should I do?

A colleague is attempting a two-person hoist transfer alone. The care plan requires TWO staff — what do I do?

I witness a co-worker using restraint on a resident without a care plan or clinical order. What do I do?

What is the difference between physical and chemical restraint? Is giving someone a sedative to calm them down always chemical restraint?

I'm a student on placement and I see practices that don't seem right. What can I do?

What do I do if the fire alarm sounds in a residential aged care facility? (RACE procedure)

What is an ambulant and non-ambulant resident, and why does it matter in an emergency?

There is an armed hold-up or robbery at my facility or client's home. What are the steps?

A tree has fallen on the building or there is major structural damage. What do I do?

What are the most common slip, trip, and fall hazards in a residential aged care facility?

A resident has just fallen in front of me. What do I do step by step?

What are my obligations as a community care worker or home carer if I notice fall hazards in a client's home?

I arrive at a client's home and they — or a family member present — is clearly intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol. What do I do?

I arrive at a client's home and there are visible needles, drug paraphernalia, or evidence of illicit drug use. What do I do?

A client's home has unsafe conditions — extreme clutter, animal faeces, pest infestation, or filth. What are my obligations?

I witness illegal activity in a client's home — including family members dealing drugs or acts of violence. What do I do?

What is the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, and why is it so important?

What are standard precautions and when do I apply them?

What are the WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene?

What PPE do I need for different infection types in aged care?

There is a suspected outbreak of gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea) in the facility. What do I do?

My client is incontinent of urine. What are the best approaches for their dignity and health?

A resident has an indwelling urinary catheter (IDC). What are my responsibilities for catheter care?

What is the IDDSI framework and how do I use it at mealtimes?

A resident has a leg brace or AFO (ankle-foot orthosis). What do I need to know about applying and caring for it?

I just found out my parent has Alzheimer's disease. What are the most urgent things I need to do in the first week?

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) and why is it so urgent in dementia?

What is the difference between the NDIS and the aged care system for someone with younger onset dementia?

What is a "life story" or "This is Me" document, and how do I create one?

What is anticipatory grief, and why do I feel like I'm already losing my parent even though they're still alive?

Can the person with dementia still make decisions about their own care? When does that change?

My siblings and I are fighting over whether to resuscitate Dad. How do we navigate this?

Who gets Mum's car / her house / Dad's tools? We're already fighting and she's still alive.

My sibling is trying to stop me visiting our parent in the nursing home. Can they do that?

I'm a nurse and a family is demanding I do something outside my scope (override an ACD, mediate an inheritance fight). Where do I draw the line?

What are restrictive practices and when are they legal in aged care?

Can the facility restrain my parent? What are my rights as a family member?

What is the difference between physical, chemical, and mechanical restraint?

My parent has bed rails — is that a restraint?

The facility wants to use a lap belt on my parent's wheelchair — is that allowed?

How do I report inappropriate use of restraint or restrictive practices?

What are the least-restrictive alternatives to restraint that should be tried first?

I've given up work to care for Mum. Can Centrelink replace my income?

What can't Centrelink help me with? I don't want to waste weeks applying for something I'll never get.

I'm losing so much money caring. How do I be smart about it financially?

What is the difference between the Support at Home program, CHSP, and HCP — and which one applies now?

What is the aged care star rating system and how do I use it to choose a facility?

What happens if we cannot afford the RAD at a residential aged care facility?

What is the SIRS (Serious Incident Response Scheme) and when should a family use it?

What is advance care planning and how do I start the conversation with my family?

My parent is waiting for a Support at Home classification. Is there anything I can access while waiting?

I feel guilty for putting my parent in a nursing home. Is this normal?