Virtuous Aged Care

31/10/2025

Change ahead – home support!

If you receive help through a Home Care Package, now’s the time to learn what’s changing. From 1 November, all packages will move to the new Support at Home program — with updates to how your care is managed, how fees work, and what happens to any unspent funds.

💡 Key changes:

New fee structure: your contribution will depend on your financial situation and services accessed.
“Use it or lose it” budgets: you’ll only be able to carry over a small portion of unspent funds each quarter.
Grandfathering concessions: existing package holders may pay lower rates.
Letters have been sent from Department of Health, Disability & Ageing explaining what these changes mean for you — keep it safe and share it with your financial adviser.

Need help understanding your options or what your new fees might look like?

👉 Talk to your care provider or call us on 07 5356 9200 — we’re here to help you prepare with confidence.

Click here to read our article Now’s the time to learn about your Support at Home changes on our www.virtuouscommunity.com.au

28/09/2025

Big changes are coming to Home Care

The Home Care Package system is being replaced by Support at Home – a new way to deliver aged care services in your own home.

What’s changing?
✔️ New fee structure based on your finances
✔️ 8 levels of care instead of 4
✔️ Quarterly “use it or lose it” budgets
✔️ More packages to reduce wait times.

Importantly, fees for some services may increase – so be informed and plan ahead.

What you should do now:
✅ Review your care needs
✅ Talk to your current provider, if currently receiving services
✅ Book an aged care assessment if you need care and don’t already have one

Need help understanding what this means for you or a loved one? We offer specialist aged care advice to help you make informed decisions and manage the financial side of care.

📞 Reach out today – we’re here to help you make the most of your care options.
📖 To read the full article visit our website www.virtuouscommunity.com.au or Google our name Virtuous Aged Care



Disclaimer: The information in this post is general only and does not consider your personal circumstances. Please seek advice from a qualified professional before making any decisions. Current as at 9 July 2025

25/09/2025

Top 5 things to know about 1 November Aged Care Changes!

Here are 5 key things to know for the upcoming changes to residential care:

✅ It will cost more – but still heavily subsidised
✅ New fee names & calculations
✅ Lifetime cap rises to $130,000 but with a 4 year limit
✅ Room payments may have a 2% annual retention
✅ Mistakes can be costly – advice matters more than ever

📞 Talk to us today. Call our office on 07 5356 9200.

Click here to read our article 5 key things to know about the new Aged Care fees on our website www.virtuouscommunity.com.au or Google "Virtuous Aged Care"

Disclaimer: The information in this post is general only and does not consider your personal circumstances. Please seek advice from a qualified professional before making any decisions. Current as at 27 June 2025.

22/09/2025

What’s Happening to Aged Care Room Prices? 📈

If you have been looking at aged care, you might have noticed prices going up – and it’s not just your imagination.

Since January 2025, the average aged care room price has increased by $46,000 – from $526,859 to $572,589. And from 1 November 2025, a new rule means that if you pay a lump-sum Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), you’ll lose 2% of it each year for up to 5 years (up to 10% total).

You could choose a daily payment (DAP) instead, but these fees will rise with inflation every March and September and are impacted by the room price increases and interest rates.

What can you do?
• Moving before 1 November 2025 could help you avoid the new RAD deductions, but time is running out and competition for rooms is high.
• Getting advice now can help you understand your options and help to protect your finances.

📞 Call us on to book an appointment and discuss the best approach for your situation.
📖 To read the full article, visit our website www.virtuouscommunity.com.au or Google our name "Virtuous Aged Care"



Disclaimer: The information in this post is general only and does not consider your personal circumstances. Please seek advice from a qualified professional before making any decisions. Current as at 18th August 2025

18/09/2025

Deeming rates on the rise!

After a 5-year freeze, the Government has announced that deeming rates will increase by 0.5% from 20 September 2025:

Lower threshold: 0.75% (up from 0.25%)
Upper threshold: 2.75% (up from 2.25%)

💡 What this means for you:

Most pensioners won’t notice a big change, as the assets test usually has a bigger impact than the income test.

Some Centrelink/DVA recipients and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, may see higher assessable income and potentially higher fees for support at home or residential care.

On the upside, for those leaving residential aged care, the interest payable on refundable deposits will increase, which could mean more money back.

👉 If you’re unsure how the change might affect your pension or aged care costs, now is a good time to check in with a financial adviser.

📖 Read the full article on our website www.virtuouscommunity.com.au or Google our name "Virtuous Aged Care".

Disclaimer: The information in this post is general only and does not consider your personal circumstances. Please seek advice from a qualified professional before making any decisions. Current as at 1st of September 2025.

11/09/2025

💛 Today is R U OK? Day 💛

Staying connected is so important at every stage of life, and especially as we get older. Sometimes a simple “How are you going?” can make all the difference.

By just checking in with a friend, neighbour, or even someone you haven’t spoken to in a while can brighten their day—and yours too. A cuppa, a phone call, or a friendly chat at the shops could be the conversation that helps someone feel less alone.

The Virtuous Community is always ready for a conversation, Cuppa Tea or just to be around if you are ever feeling lonely, or just wanting to build a strong community!

Let’s remind each other that it’s never too late to start a conversation that matters. 💬

Together, we can look after our wellbeing and each other.

👉 So today, and every day—reach out, listen, and ask: R U OK?

21/01/2025

Watch this video to help gather the necessary and important documents and identification before a move to aged care.

16/01/2025

Juggling too many balls and older parents

If you are in the sandwich generation, stuck between caring for older parents and your young grandchildren, you are bound to be juggling lots of balls. And this can be overwhelming.

Taking some time to stop and put in place a plan for the future might not be on your radar, but it might help to reduce your workload and take away some stress.

Apart from the emotional side of supporting ageing parents, there are many practical issues to consider including assessing care needs, deciding where to live, legal issues, moving or modifying the home and making it all affordable.

Need help with the juggling? Call us on 07 5356 9200 to make an appointment. Click here to read our article Worried about ageing parents? on our website www.virtuousadvice.com.au

12/01/2025

Easing the Transition into Aged Care:

Change can be tough, especially when it feels out of our control. For many, the idea of growing older and moving into residential aged care brings fears of loss, uncertainty, and overwhelm — not just for the older person but for their families too.

But this transition doesn’t have to be filled with fear. With early planning and preparation, families can ease the process and reduce anxiety. Waiting until a crisis hits only makes things harder.

With early planning, the transition can be a lot less stressful. Ask us how.

Call us on 07 5356 9200 to make an appointment. Click here to read our article Embracing change to ease a transition into aged care on our website www.virtuousadvice.com.au

09/01/2025

Unravelling Aged Care Fee Changes

Aged care fees are set to change from 1 July 2025. For many people this may mean higher fees but the aim is to ensure that aged care services improve and are more accessible.

Grandfathering rules apply to ensure no financial disadvantage for existing clients (those who move into residential care before 1 July 2025 or Home Care Package clients as at 12 September 2024) and fees will still be means-tested and heavily subsidised by Government.

Three key changes:

* Accommodation deposits will not be fully refundable (up to 10% will be retained by provider)

* Client contributions for ongoing care expenses will be capped at $130,000 (or four years in residential care)

* Home care packages will cover eight levels and fees will be means-tested based on whether you are a pensioner or self-funded retiree.

Need help to unravel the changes? Call us on 07 5356 9200 to make an appointment or visit our website for the full article Aged care fee changes – what you need to know on our website www.virtuousadvice.com.au

07/01/2025

This video gives you the top tips to get your estate planning in place before a move to aged care.

17/10/2024

🎉YOU’RE INVITED 🎉

We're thrilled to invite you to our “Cuppa Time” Morning Tea!

⭐️When: 11am 24th October
⭐️Where: 1 Main Creek Road, Tanawha 4556

It would mean the world to us if you could join us for this special event to Support and Raise Awareness for Dementia.

It's a fantastic opportunity to catch up, indulge in some scrumptious treats, a selection of mouthwatering pastries, refreshing teas, and complimentary coffees from our café to show support for a cause that's very close to our hearts.

We kindly ask for a gold coin donation at the door.

Please let us know if you can attend by our event page below, or emailing me [email protected] by the 23rd of October.

Your presence will truly add to the warmth and joy of the gathering.

Warmest Regards,

The Virtuous Aged Care Team

Are you ready to have some fun and stay social while enjoying your golden years? Look no further than the Virtuous Senior Centre! Our well-equipped facility offers a range of activities and programs specially designed for eligible individuals aged over 65 years. And the best part? These activities a...