“We Just Wanted to Be Ready”
How Jane Gently Planned Support for Her Mum — Before Crisis Hit
Not an Emergency — Just a Gut Feeling
Jane had always described her mum, Carol, as fiercely independent. At 82, Carol still lived in her own home, cooked her meals, and insisted on doing her own shopping.
But over the past year, Jane noticed a few changes. Nothing major — but enough to cause concern and set off a tiny niggle of doubt.
“The dishes would stack up longer than usual. She wasn’t as confident behind the wheel. And she started forgetting things — like whether she’d taken her morning pills.” Nothing major, but a slow shift from the usual.
Jane and her family didn’t want to wait for a crisis to start figuring things out. They wanted to plan gently, respectfully, and with Carol involved every step of the way.
“Mum has always been strong-willed. I didn’t want her to feel like we were taking over her life.”
Enter Brightway
When Jane contacted us at The Brightway Company, she said:
“We’re not in a crisis. But I just have this gut feeling it’s time to get ready but I have no idea where to start.”
That’s exactly the kind of call we love to receive. Together, we took the pressure off and created a clear plan.
What We Did:
1. Simplicity First
We started with a relaxed consultation to understand Carol’s health, values, and what the family hoped to achieve. Carol was involved from the beginning.
2. Explained the sticky web that is Aged Care
We walked through how the aged care system works — from CHSP and HCP to ACAT assessments and wait times — so Jane and Carol could make informed decisions.
3. Took Early Action
We helped arrange an ACAT assessment and connected Carol with entry-level support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. She started with just a cleaner and some transport help after only a couple of weeks wait.
4. Planned for the Future
Together, we mapped out a 12–18 month roadmap in case Carol’s needs increased, including what steps to take and when.
Carol’s View: “This Is Still My Life”
Carol was hesitant at first. It’s not surprising. I’m still to meet someone who is positively enthralled by the idea of needing Aged Care support.
“I didn’t want strangers in my house. I’ve done things my way for a long time.”
But being involved in the process made all the difference. She wasn’t pushed. She was part of the plan.
“It never felt like something happening to me. It felt like something happening with me.”
She chose what supports to accept. She remained in control — just with a little more backup.
“Now I feel like I’ve got a bit of help — but I’m still living my life on my terms. And I know what I can ask for in the future. I’m not too proud now to ask for a little bit more help if I need it”
Jane’s View: Time Back, Mental Load Lifted
For Jane, the biggest relief was having someone guide the process.
“I’m a mum, I work full-time, and I was spending hours Googling aged care — it’s so confusing and conflicting.”
Instead of struggling through government websites and forms alone, Jane received clear, personalised guidance from Brightway.
“It saved me so much time. And even more importantly, it saved my mental energy.”
Despite handing over the research, she still felt informed and in control.
“They didn’t just tell us what to do — they explained it in a way that made us feel empowered, not dependent.”
The Outcome
Carol feels supported — not side-lined
Jane feels confident and less anxious
The whole family has a clear plan and peace of mind
“It was the first time I’d felt calm about the future in months.” – Jane
Every family is different.
If your situation feels more urgent or like a crisis, read how we helped Sam’s family respond quickly after things escalated.
