Helping your loved one plan for the future starts with an honest, respectful conversation. This guide shows you how to talk about home care, recognise early signs of support needs, handle resistance, share caregiving roles, and plan ahead with confidence.

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Why Start the Conversation Early?

Talking about ageing and support needs early — before a crisis — gives your loved one more choice and control. It helps families plan calmly and respectfully, ensuring that any decisions made truly reflect the older person’s wishes.

Starting early also means:

  • More time to explore home care options
  • Less stress during sudden health changes
  • Understanding your options with time to make decisions
  • Clearer expectations for family and carers
  • Better long-term wellbeing for everyone involved

Tips for a Positive Family Conversation

These seven principles keep conversations open, respectful and productive:

1. Get the conversation started

Choose a calm moment to share your concerns and ask about theirs.

2. Talk it out

Use observations — not accusations — to encourage open discussion.

3. Don’t wait

Address changes early before they become urgent.

4. Show respect

Treat your loved one as an adult, honouring their preferences and autonomy.

5. Focus on independence

Frame care as a way to provide assistance to help them remain an individual

6. Consider the whole picture

Talk about health, mobility, social connections and emotional wellbeing.

7. Ask for help

You don’t have to do this alone — professional support from your local Just Better Care eases stress for families.

Signs Your Loved One May Need More Support

If you’re unsure whether additional help is needed, watch for these red flags:

  • Trouble keeping up with daily tasks (cooking, cleaning, personal care)
  • Missed bills or appointments
  • Noticeable weight loss or changes in hygiene
  • Driving difficulties or frequent near-misses
  • Increased falls or mobility challenges

These signs offer natural entry points for conversation.

Working Together as a Family

When a loved one needs support, family communication becomes crucial.

Discuss together:

  • Who can help and how?
  • What tasks feel manageable for each person?
  • Expected changes in care needs over time
  • Whether to bring in professional home care

Clear communication avoids conflict and strengthens support systems.

Handling Resistance to Home Care

It’s natural for older adults to resist help — often due to fear of losing independence.

Try these approaches:

  • Understand the “why” behind their hesitation.
  • Listen fully before responding.
  • Emphasise shared goals, such as staying independent.
  • Bring in a neutral professional to help explain options, such as a team member of your local Just Better Care office
  • Respect their choices, even when they differ from your own.

Helpful Conversation Starters

Use these prompts to begin gently and respectfully:

  • “What would help make your life at home easier?”
  • “What’s most important to you as you get older?”
  • “If you ever needed help, how would you want that to look?”
  • “Would you like to stay living here as long as possible?”
  • “If there was an emergency, who would you want making decisions?”

These questions uncover preferences while reinforcing autonomy.

Planning Ahead for Later Life

Once conversations begin, consider documenting key choices.

Important planning steps:

  • Discuss an Advance Health/Care Directive
  • Reviewing how care will be funded
  • Discussing where they want to live as needs change

Having these conversations early avoids rushed decisions later.

Why Choose 
Just Better Care?

Just Better Care supports older Australians to live independently at home for longer.

We offer:

  • Personalised, respectful home support
  • Flexible care plans that grow with your needs
  • Skilled, compassionate carers
  • Collaboration with families to ensure continuity and comfort
  • Guidance through assessments, funding and next steps

You stay in control — we simply provide the support that makes independence possible.

Speak With Just Better Care Today

If you’re ready to talk about home care — or need help starting the conversation — our team is here to support you.  Get started online or contact your local Just Better Care office.