Your Aged Care Compass

Our feet carry us through life, yet they’re often overlooked until problems arise. In this episode, host Michelle sits down with senior podiatrist Krissy McKenzie from Flexi Care to explore why foot health is central to ageing well. From simple daily habits to the impact of chronic conditions, Krissy shares practical insights that can help older adults maintain independence, mobility, and comfort.This conversation highlights the small, everyday steps that make a huge difference. Krissy explains how podiatry goes far beyond toenails, touching on systemic health, falls prevention, and the role of footwear. You’ll come away with actionable advice and a deeper appreciation for the critical role podiatrists play in supporting older people.In this episode:Why foot and lower limb health is critical to aging wellThe most common foot issues seen in older adultsAge-related changes in skin, nails, circulation, and musclesThe impact of chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis on foot healthDaily foot checks are vital for early detection of problemsFoot health influences balance, mobility, and falls riskThe importance of footwear and what to look for in supportive shoesThe benefits of simple interventions like toenail trimmingWhat to expect from a typical podiatry appointmentTips and tricks for self-care, including mirrors and long-handled devicesPreventive habits like washing and drying between toesSee a podiatrist early, even for small issuesFind a podiatrist:https://www.podiatry.org.au/find-a-podiatristConnect with Flexi Care: Website Connect with Coral Wilkinson: Instagram LinkedIn Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional...

Dental care is often overlooked in elderly care, yet it plays a critical role in overall health, dignity, and quality of life. In this episode, Leonie Short brings decades of clinical, academic, and advocacy experience to discuss the barriers older Australians face and what we can do about it. From dry mouths to denture neglect, Leonie shares practical, compassionate insights that every carer, family member, and health professional should hear.You’ll learn why oral health is more than just clean teeth. It’s about preventing hospitalisation, improving nutrition, and restoring confidence. Leonie doesn’t just highlight the problems; she offers simple, effective solutions that can be implemented at home, in residential care, or through mobile outreach. Leonie’s call for a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme is a rallying cry for equity and a reminder that oral health must be part of the aged care conversation.In this episode:Why oral health is often the most neglected aspect of aged careHow wealth impacts access to dental treatmentThe role of shame, trauma, and fear in avoiding dental careCommon oral health issues in older peopleThe impact of menopause and medications on saliva productionDentures that are decades old and why that’s a problemPoor oral health affects nutrition, speech, and social confidenceThe links between oral health and heart disease and diabetesIncreased risk of aspiration pneumonia and infective endocarditisHow often older adults should see a dentist Challenges with transport and accessibility for dental appointmentsTips for daily oral care: soft toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste, tongue scrapersWhy toothpaste shouldn’t be used on dentures and what to use insteadHow integrated care between dental, medical, and allied health professionals can improve outcomesResources mentioned:Aged care quality standards – clinical carePublic dental services - see belowTo help improve dental health, state and territory governments provide public dental services. Visit the website of your state or territory dental service to see if you’re eligible:Australian Capital Territory – ACT HealthNew South Wales – NSW HealthNorthern Territory – Department of HealthQueensland – Queensland HealthSouth Australia – SA DentalTasmania – Oral Health TasmaniaVictoria - Department of HealthWestern Australia –

Your local pharmacist does more than dispense medication. They can help you age well, stay out of hospital, and manage chronic conditions with confidence. In this episode, Coral speaks with Professor Trent Toomey, National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, about the once-in-a-century transformation underway in community pharmacy. From expanded clinical services to home medication reviews and vaccination leadership, pharmacists are stepping up as frontline partners in healthy ageing.Trent shares how pharmacists across Australia are retraining to diagnose and treat conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and COPD, especially in communities where access to GPs is limited. He explains how the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS (RPBS) work, including safety nets, concession cards, and the impact of 60-day dispensing. It’s a hopeful, energising conversation that reframes pharmacists as proactive, accessible allies in aged care.In this episode:The Pharmacy Guild represents 6,000 community pharmacies across AustraliaCommunity pharmacy is evolving into a holistic health hubPharmacists are retraining to expand their scope of practiceComparison with nursing’s evolution and scope expansionCommunity pharmacies are often the only health access point in rural areasShort-term concession cards available via CentrelinkHome Medicines Review explainedResidential Medication Management Review (RMMR) for aged care facilitiesThe pros and cons of 60-day dispensing for elderly patientsImportance of pharmacist monitoring post-hospital dischargeCommunity pharmacists now lead vaccination delivery in AustraliaPharmacy Board of Australia to list pharmacists with extra qualificationsResources mentioned:Pharmacy vaccination servicesFacebook - find a pharmacyConnect with Trent Twomey and the Pharmacy Guild: LinkedIn - Trent TwomeyFacebook - Trent TwomeyThe Pharmacy Guild of Australia websiteLinkedIn - Pharmacy Guild of AustraliaFacebook - Pharmacy Guild of AustraliaConnect with Coral Wilkinson: Instagram LinkedIn Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: Do you support an older loved one at

What does it take to build a digital platform that empowers older Australians and people with disability to choose their own support workers? In this episode, Coral speaks with Emma Clark, CFO and COO of Attain Healthtech, about the evolution of Mable and HomeMade, two platforms reshaping how care is delivered across Australia. As Support at Home rolls out, digital platforms like Mable are stepping into a newly defined regulatory space. Emma explains what this means for providers, support workers, and consumers, and how Mable is adapting to meet new obligations around worker screening, training, and incident reporting. Coral and Emma also explore the impact of these platforms in rural and remote communities, where access to care has long been a challenge and where local partnerships are now creating real economic and social change. In this episode: The personal story behind Mable’s founding Why choice, control, and continuity matter in home careThe impact of the new Aged Care Act on digital platformsThe three provider categories under Support at HomeWhat obligations digital labour platforms now carryThe rollout of NDIS worker screening across aged careMable’s Learning Hub and the five new competency modulesHow HomeMade supports self-managed clients with low-cost, high-value careThe launch of HomeMade’s fully managed product with fixed hourly pricingHow technology and human-led processes combine to ensure safety and qualityUse of analytics to monitor wellbeing and spending trendsMable’s Community Partnerships model for rural and remote townsWhat’s next for Mable and Homemade as Support at Home continues to roll outConnect with Emma Clark: LinkedInAttain HealthtechConnect with Coral Wilkinson: Instagram LinkedIn Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our...

What happens when a biomedical engineer with a heart for community care stumbles into the aged care sector? In this episode, Coral sits down with Jim Moraitis, founder and CEO of VillageLocal, to explore how one neighbourly act sparked a national movement. From helping his elderly neighbour Lillian navigate the aged care maze to building a platform that now supports over 40,000 Australians, Jim shares the deeply personal story behind Village Local’s mission, and why it matters now more than ever. As Support at Home rolls out across Australia, families and providers alike are grappling with uncertainty, complexity, and change. Jim and Coral dive into the real-world implications of the reform, the growing tension between consumers and providers, and the urgent need for clear, compassionate communication. They discuss what’s working, what’s worrying, and how peer-led communities are becoming a lifeline for those falling through the cracks. With warmth, honesty, and practical insight, Coral and Jim reflect on the emotional toll of advocacy, the power of lived experience, and the importance of looking after ourselves while we look after others.In this episode: How a neighbour named Lillian inspired a national movementAged care navigation is so complex and VillageLocal is making it simplerThe Silent Generation and the risks of social isolationWhat VillageLocal does and who it’s forThe three pillars of Village Local’s support: learning, coaching, and communityHow peer networks empower both new and experienced carersThe role of industry professionals in community forumsWhat’s causing the most confusion and fear under Support at HomeTransparency in pricing could be a game-changer for consumersThe importance of clinical insight in assessments and support plan reviewsHow families can advocate effectively using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT)What to do when a loved one’s condition changes and needs escalateThe emotional toll of being a navigator and how to stay resilientConnect with Jim Moraitis and VillageLocal:LinkedInVillageLocalConnect with Coral Wilkinson: Instagram LinkedIn Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:See Me ACN websiteFacebook Instagram More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care...