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 

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

"Mum, Dad... we need to talk."

Is it time to talk with your parents about their health, care, finances or plans for the future?

The ageing process is full of tricky conversations with loved ones. This is particularly true for those of us faced with the prospect of taking responsibility for the health and wellbeing of our parents—in effect, parenting our parents.

Hosted by performer, author and podcaster, Jean Kittson AM, 'Parenting Up with Australian Unity' is a new series that will take you through the taboos and the tough conversations. We'll ask the experts and people who have been through it themselves, so you can feel confident about broaching some of these topics with care and compassion.

"Mum, Dad... we need to talk."
Is it time to talk with your parents about their health, care, finances or plans for the future?
The ageing process is full of tricky conversations with loved ones. This is particularly true for those of us faced with the prospect of taking responsibility for the health and wellbeing of our parents—in effect, parenting our parents.
Hosted by performer, author and podcaster, Jean Kittson AM, 'Parenting Up with Australian Unity' is a new series that will take you through the taboos and the tough conversations. We'll ask the experts and people who have been through it themselves, so you can feel confident about broaching some of these topics with care and compassion.

Parenting Up with Australian Unity

Episode 6 - Building Bridges: The Power of New Friendships and Community

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/ec475695-a0ab-4b92-bea1-b165000bffd1/clips/3dd1c7a0-e300-417c-a41e-b178002b9f9a/transcript

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.

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.

Episode 7 - Embracing Change: Understanding Care Options and Transitions

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/ec475695-a0ab-4b92-bea1-b165000bffd1/clips/97fb5f3a-ccaf-47c1-a0ae-b178002e462f/transcript

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 

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

Episode 5 - Mind Matters: Cognitive Wellbeing in Ageing Parents

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/ec475695-a0ab-4b92-bea1-b165000bffd1/clips/497df51a-70dc-4077-9ffd-b178002114d6/transcript

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 

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

Episode 4 - Exploring Assisted Living: Balancing Independence and Support

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/ec475695-a0ab-4b92-bea1-b165000bffd1/clips/648962f4-1920-4eb6-b5e9-b178001e7c6e/transcript

Episode 6 - Building Bridges: The Power of New Friendships and Community

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