How this financial adviser saved their client $100,000 on their residential aged care costs

Making the decision to place an ageing parent into residential care because they can no longer live independently at home is not an easy one – and is often complicated by the finances involved. It’s a good idea to consider obtaining financial advice – here, we share a case study where the family saved thousands of dollars, but only after seeking professional help.

Shaun Ganguly, of Aged Care Financial Planning and Retirement Village Financial Advice, provides advice to people about to enter or who are in aged care, or retirement living, about to enter residential aged care.

Here he reveals how he helped an 87-year-old woman living with dementia in residential care, whose funds were running out.

She had a meagre UK pension and was unaware of what entitlements she could claim in Australia.

“I was contacted by the daughter-in-law, a widow, who was juggling the responsibilities of a multi-million-dollar business and five children under 12, who was the woman’s Power-of-Attorney,” said Shaun.

 

“As her mother-in-law’s savings depleted due to high aged care costs, her daughter-in-law was desperate for a solution.

“I discovered that the elderly woman had been in Australia long enough to be eligible for an Australian pension.

 

“The correct paperwork was submitted and we secured a full Australian aged pension of over $27,000 for the 87-year-old woman and a $70,000 refund from overpaid aged care fees, a process which we initiated immediately but took over six months of regular chasing up from our team.

“I also initiated hardship claims to ensure future care costs are covered, while protecting her finances.

“Services provided led to a benefit of over $100,000 for the resident, much to the relief of the daughter-in-law.”

Shaun stresses that the aged care provider did nothing wrong – they just followed the steps involved. But families are often unaware of what they may be entitled to.

 

The lesson? Seeking financial advice from a qualified professional can ensure that you or your loved one are paying the correct costs.

“Entering into aged care is an emotional and stressful time for everyone, long Centrelink forms aren’t appealing, but it’s considerably easier with someone guiding you through it who knows the ins and outs,” Shaun said.

[email protected] – 1300 000 243

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

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Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

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Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.