When it comes to their health, how are your parents faring? If they’re in their late 60s, 70s or 80s, you might have noticed a few physical and mental changes, or perhaps an increase in the number of healthcare appointments they need to attend. Helping your parents keep on top of it all can be a daunting and challenging journey—for all of you. Performer, author and host of ‘Parenting Up with Australian Unity’, Jean Kittson's mother and father are 99 and 96, respectively. And although they've each experienced their share of health concerns, they're still living independently, thanks in part to the dedication of their personalised care team. But it hasn’t always been easy. In this episode, Jean and Dr Jeannie Yoo, Chief Medical Officer at Australian Unity, swap tips on how to help our older loved ones stay as well as possible for as long as possible.  To learn more about parenting up, visit: https://www.australianunity.com.au/wellbeing/community-and-relationships/talking-to-your-parents-about-in-home-help

Conversations about finances are rarely easy, even in families where money is talked about openly. And, as your parents get older and end-of-life planning comes into play, it can become even trickier. But while it can require tact and diplomacy to discuss your parents’ financial position and future wishes, it’s absolutely essential that you do so. In this episode of the Australian Unity podcast Parenting Up, our experts Nicole Woodward, Head of Trustees Services at Australian Unity, and Jean Kittson AM, author, performer and host of ‘Parenting Up with Australian Unity’, share insights and advice on how to start the process with your parents. To learn more about parenting up, visit: https://www.australianunity.com.au/wellbeing/community-and-relationships/helping-ageing-parents-plan-their-finances 

Ageing happens even to the best of us, and our research into the wellbeing of Australians tells us that the state of our finances can affect how content we are in our golden years. It may be tough to talk to your parents about how they'll fund their care as they age, but it's an essential discussion, and the best way to ensure their post-retirement financial planning is set-up correctly. Talking to your parents about their financial plans now, while they’re relatively fit and healthy, can help to smooth the way for any hard decisions you may have to make later on down the track. In this episode of ‘Parenting Up with Australian Unity’ podcast, the CEO of Australian Unity Bank, Matthew Ricker, and performer, author and podcast host, Jean Kittson AM, share the key considerations for funding post-retirement care, and explain why ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to money.   To learn more about parenting up, visit: https://www.australianunity.com.au/wellbeing/community-and-relationships/helping-parents-plan-for-post-retirement-care 

As your parents get older, you might notice some changes around their house. The laundry is stacking up, food in the fridge is going off, or the carpet needs a good vacuum.   Perhaps you’ve noticed a change in your parents themselves—the shopping is getting harder to carry, they’re eating less, or not going out as much.  These could all be signs they need some extra help—but getting your parents to accept that they need help might be a different question altogether. Putting it bluntly, suggesting that your parents need some extra help can be a minefield.  In this episode Australian Unity's CEO of Home Health, Prue Bowden, and General Manager of Service Delivery, Elizabeth Albury, join performer, author and 'Parenting Up with Australian Unity' host, Jean Kittson AM, to discuss how to navigate these conversations, and how in-home help can be used to help your parents stay independent for longer.  To learn more about parenting up, visit: https://www.australianunity.com.au/wellbeing/community-and-relationships/how-to-help-ageing-parents-with-their-health 

Have you noticed your parent becoming increasingly repetitive, forgetful, or acting out of character? While these can be signs of normal cognitive decline and part of the natural aging process, they could also be symptoms of dementia. A dementia diagnosis is scary, but early intervention is key, and there are a number of simple things your parent can do to maintain their wellbeing and independence for as long as possible. Senior geriatric expert Professor Peter Gonski has a wealth of experience in managing older people’s conditions and progressing models of care. He joins performer, author and host of ‘Parenting Up with Australian Unity’, Jean Kittson AM, to explain how to recognise the signs of declining cognitive health, when to raise your concerns, and what to do after a dementia diagnosis. To learn more about parenting up, visit: https://www.australianunity.com.au/wellbeing/community-and-relationships/recognising-cognitive-decline-in-your-parent 

Do you know much about your parents’ social life? Do they regularly catch up for coffee with friends, head out on social outings, or take part in a club? Or are they spending a lot of time alone? Humans are highly social creatures, and we depend on strong personal relationships with family, friends and our community to support and sustain us through life. Unfortunately, as we age, our social circles can shrink. But what can we do about it? Prue Bowden, CEO of Australian Unity Home Health, and Jean Kittson AM, performer, author and ‘Parenting Up with Australian Unity’ host, discuss loneliness and aging, and provide tips for helping our parents stay connected. To learn more about parenting up, visit: https://www.australianunity.com.au/wellbeing/community-and-relationships/helping-your-parents-with-loneliness 

When we get to that point in our lives when we have to move out of our family home and find accommodation that's easier to manage, how do we create a "home away from home"? And how can the family and children of older people have a calm and supportive discussion about what to do when the time comes? Australian Unity's National General Manager of Residential Care, Brett Lafranchie, joins  performer, author and ‘Parenting Up with Australian Unity’ host, Jean Kittson AM, to discuss helping a parent chose the most appropriate supported accommodation option and strategies to make the transition as smooth as possible.