Helpful Resources for Older Australians

Why Resources Matter

Let’s face it — navigating retirement, aged care, financial planning, and health services in Australia can feel like learning a new language. That’s why we’ve created this central “Resources” hub on Silver Lifestyle. Whether you're looking for a clear definition, a handy checklist, a quick calculator, or just a trustworthy link to government info, this is the place to start.

This page is a launchpad. We’ll be breaking down key support tools into separate, easy-to-navigate pages over time. But for now, here’s an overview of the essential resources every older Australian (and their loved ones) should know about.

Useful Links You Can Rely On

There’s so much information online — some of it great, some of it… not so much. We’ve hand-picked the links that genuinely help you make informed decisions about ageing well in Australia.

My Aged Care – www.myagedcare.gov.au
The Gorilla in the Room - Everything you need to know about aged care services, eligibility, assessments, home support, and residential care.

Services Australia – www.servicesaustralia.gov.au
For Age Pension information, Centrelink services, Carer Allowance, Medicare, and more.

NDIS (for people with disability under age 65) – www.ndis.gov.au
If you or someone you care for lives with a disability, this site explains how funding works and how to apply.

Department of Health & Aged Care – www.health.gov.au
Government information on aged care policy, healthcare planning, and wellbeing initiatives.

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) – www.opan.org.au
Need help understanding or challenging an aged care decision? OPAN provides free advocacy and support.

MoneySmart – moneysmart.gov.au
Run by ASIC, this site helps with budgeting, investment, retirement income streams, and avoiding scams.

We’re always adding more links and pages to our site — and we welcome your suggestions! Let us know if there’s a resource you think we should include.

Glossary: Making Sense of the Jargon

Have you ever heard a term like "deferred management fee" or "income stream" and thought… what does that even mean? You’re not alone.

Our glossary (coming soon!) will explain commonly used terms in plain English. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the entries:

• Deferred Management Fee (DMF): A fee you pay when leaving a retirement village, based on the time you've lived there. It’s deducted from the sale or refund of your unit.
• Home Care Package (HCP): Government-funded support that helps older people live independently at home. Includes services like cleaning, nursing, and personal care.
• Means-Tested Care Fee: A contribution towards your aged care costs, based on your income and assets.
• Income Stream: A regular income payment during retirement, often from superannuation or annuities.
• ACAT Assessment: A face-to-face meeting with an Aged Care Assessment Team to determine the kind of care support you need.

Understanding these terms can take a lot of the fear and confusion out of making big decisions. That’s why our glossary will be available from every page of Silver Lifestyle — so you can always click and clarify, without breaking your flow.

Online Calculators to Help You Plan

Sometimes, seeing the numbers makes all the difference. We’re developing a range of simple calculators to help you plan for retirement, home care, and lifestyle decisions. These tools won’t replace financial advice, but they’ll give you a practical starting point.

Coming soon to Silver Lifestyle:

• Age Pension Estimator: Estimate how much you could receive from the Australian Government based on your age, income, and assets.
• Home Care Contribution Calculator: Work out how much you may be expected to pay for in-home care services.
• Retirement Budget Planner: Create a realistic monthly budget based on your needs, preferences, and income sources.
• Downsizing Cost Comparison Tool: Weigh up the true costs of staying in your current home versus moving to a smaller one, including selling fees, stamp duty, and moving costs.

We’re building these with real-world scenarios in mind — not just numbers, but peace of mind too.

Helpful Checklists You Can Download

Love a good checklist? So do we! They help you stay organised, ask the right questions, and feel in control. Here’s a sample of what’s coming to your downloadable library:

• Moving to a Retirement Village: What to Ask – Get clarity on contracts, fees, services, and lifestyle.
• Home Care Readiness Checklist – Know when to seek help, how to apply, and what services you might need.
• Preparing for an ACAT Assessment – What to gather, who to involve, and how to feel confident in the process.
• Healthy Ageing Checklist – Tips and reminders to keep you active, connected, and supported at every stage.
• Financial Planning Checklist – A practical overview of super, pensions, property, wills, and Centrelink obligations.

All checklists will be printable and mobile-friendly. They’ll also include extra tips and questions to discuss with your family or financial adviser.

How to Use These Resources

You don’t have to read or use everything all at once. In fact, we encourage you to take your time and visit the resources you need as life unfolds.

Here’s how some of our readers are using this section:

• “I needed help understanding what my mum’s Home Care Package actually covered.”
• “I was about to sign a retirement village contract — thank goodness I read the checklist first!”
• “I’m not ready for aged care yet, but knowing what’s involved has helped ease my mind.”

Whether you're a planner, a list-maker, or just curious — our goal is to support your journey with the right tools at the right time.

Final Thoughts

Getting older doesn’t mean giving up control. In fact, with the right information and resources, it means stepping into this next stage of life with clarity, freedom, and confidence.

Bookmark this page, share it with family, and come back anytime. New tools, links, and guides are added regularly — all designed with older Australians in mind.

Silver Lifestyle is your home for retirement planning, aged care support, healthy ageing, and — of course — helpful resources that make life just a little bit easier.

More About Resources: