Planning for Peace with Morgans Noosa
John Caruso knows that getting aged care sorted can be tough. Morgans Noosa offers clear advice and real support to help you navigate every step.
Navigating aged care is a reality that almost everyone faces at some point. Whether it’s a partner, a parent or even for ourselves, the journey can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to dealing with government departments and the complex red tape involved.
For many, this is a lonely path, however, one local business does more than crunch numbers – they also extend a guiding hand through what can be a complicated and stressful time.
Jonathon Laird, Financial Adviser with Morgans Noosa, has seen firsthand the challenges clients face.
“When people come to us, generally it’s when their partner’s going into care. They ask, ‘How much is this going to cost me?’ because they’re often receiving a fixed income and can’t easily see how it will all work out.”
Morgans Noosa offers financial modelling to take clients through every step and question that an aged care facility would ask.
“But the support doesn’t stop there,” Jonathon says. “We liaise with the aged care provider and Services Australia on behalf of the client.”
For those who haven’t previously interacted with government departments, this part can be daunting and Jonathon acknowledges it can be frustrating.
“Dealing with Government departments can be an environment with complicated rules and quite often, high staff turnover, so clients often get inconsistent information. That’s where we come in. We take the burden off our client’s shoulders.”
The landscape changed with new aged care reforms implemented in November which Jonathon noting that the costs of aged care facilities were generally going up for most Australians.
“One key change is the refundable accommodation deposit, or RAD,” he shares. “In the past, when a client left a room, they’d get 100% of their deposit back. Now there’s a 2% fee charged annually for five years, which means you’ll get back at least 90%, but not the full amount.”
Other tweaks include the breakup of fees into a basic daily care fee, a hoteling contribution and a non-clinical care fee, which are both means-tested.
“It’s a complicated area,” Jonathon admits. “And it’s stressful for families, especially if it’s urgent or unexpected.”
Urgency is a big part of this process and families can often feel pressured to make quick decisions about funding accommodation deposits.
Jonathon urges people to remember that they have time.
“If you’re not ready to pay a big lump sum for a room deposit, you can continue paying daily accommodation payments until you’re ready to decide which option to take,” he advises.
This kind of counsel can be invaluable as he says there is often a sense that the financial side of the transaction has to be sorted immediately.
“But really, the focus should be on finding the right care for your loved one first,” he says.
It’s important to note that aged care here means nursing and supportive care, not retirement villages.
“Many people enter aged care when it becomes hard to look after themselves,” Jonathon said. “Someone may be starting to show signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Sadly, it’s the great equaliser, regardless of wealth.”
Nearly everyone confronting this stage, whether they have millions or just enough, faces a similar hurdle: “Many have never dealt with this situation, which makes it overwhelming when you’re thrust into this situation. We’re here to cut through the noise.”
Morgans’ role extends beyond the initial financial advice.
“We help clients understand the linear progression, from the first assessment that says ‘yes, they’re eligible for permanent care’, all the way through moving into the facility and managing the assessments and payments,” Jonathon says. “We can manage that end-to-end process, which takes an enormous weight off families.”
This hands-on approach offers more than just clarity. It brings peace of mind at a difficult time.
“Most clients come in stressed. It’s a huge life change; you’re dealing with your loved one losing independence and adjusting to new realities,” Jonathon emphasises. “We want clients to know they aren’t alone. They don’t need to navigate this maze by themselves or be rushed into decisions. We provide the support, advice and time clients need to feel comfortable.”
Locally, many aged residents prefer to stay close to home, and Morgans Noosa offer a lifeline.
“There’s big demand for this kind of support here. Families want to get it right, but it’s such an involved process that advice and experience matter.”
For those facing aged care decisions, that’s a reassuring message: you don’t have to handle the confusing red tape on your own. There’s someone beside you, with expertise and genuine care, ready to guide you through the steps, making what feels overwhelming just a little easier to manage.
Disclaimer: The advice in this story is of a generic nature. You should seek your own personalised advice before making any financial decisions.
