Julie Crawshay on Navigating My Aged Care After a Brain Tumour Diagnosis
When a brain tumour arrives later in life, families in Sydney and across Australia often find themselves facing a second maze at the same time as treatment: the aged care system. I am Julie Crawshay, and after years caring for someone I love, I have learned that a little early knowledge about My Aged Care can save a great deal of stress. None of this replaces personal advice, but it can help you know where to begin.
Where My Aged Care fits in
My Aged Care is the Australian Government's main entry point for older people who need help at home or with daily living. For someone recovering from surgery, managing fatigue, or living with changes to mobility or memory, the right supports can make staying at home safer and calmer. The usual first step is registration, followed by an assessment that looks at what a person can manage and where they need a hand.
Assessments generally fall into two streams. A lower level of support is often arranged through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, while more complex needs may lead to a Home Care Package. Because eligibility, waiting times and the exact program names are reviewed regularly, please confirm current details directly with My Aged Care and your treating team rather than relying on what a neighbour experienced.
Getting ready for the assessment
The assessment can feel daunting, but preparation helps enormously. A few things I found worth doing:
- Write a plain list of the everyday tasks that have become harder, such as showering, cooking, driving or managing medications.
- Note any recent falls, confusion or fatigue, because these paint a realistic picture of daily life.
- Have a support person present, since a brain tumour can affect concentration and it helps to have a second set of ears.
- Keep a folder of medical letters and contact numbers so nothing is hunted for at the last minute.
It is worth remembering that aged care and disability supports do not always overlap neatly. Someone younger may be directed toward other systems, while older Australians usually go through My Aged Care. If you are unsure which door is the right one, a hospital social worker in NSW can point you in the correct direction and sometimes start the referral for you.
I would gently encourage any family reading this not to wait until a crisis forces the issue. Registering early, even before help feels urgent, means the assessment and any waiting period are already underway when you need support most. When Julie Crawshay finally understood this, the difference to our household was real.
Please treat everything here as a general starting point. Rules, thresholds and program names change, so always check the current position with My Aged Care, Services Australia and the relevant service before making decisions. Julie Crawshay simply hopes this makes the first phone call feel a little less overwhelming.
By Julie Crawshay, Sydney, Australia