Your Aged Care Compass

About Your Aged Care Compass

Are you supporting an older loved one at home and ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is aimed at anyone who is caring for an older loved one who still lives at home and is wondering what support is available to them. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is now the client care manager for our business. Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. We reached a point however, of needing extra support and we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well, we knew what programs could assist us and our parents. This podcast, Your Aged Care Compass, brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our own ageing parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system, from your first contact with My Aged Care through to the different funding streams and assessment workforces, management options for home care packages and extra funding that people might be eligible for. There's so much more. Topics relating to dementia and legal and financial considerations will be covered, as well as real-life stories of where it went wrong for people and how we guided them to get it right. Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.

Publisher

Coral Wilkinson & Michelle Brown

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Apr 2024

Latest episode

22 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

76 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Dec 2025

   Communication and swallowing in older people

   In today’s episode, host Michelle sits down with hospital-based speech pathologist Cassandra Agius to explore the vital role speech pathologists play in supporting older adults. From communication challenges to swallowing difficulties, Cass shares her expertise in neurological rehabilitation and sheds light on how ageing impacts everyday functions we often take for granted. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke affect speech and swallowing, and how speech pathologists work alongside families and healthcare teams to improve quality of life. Cass explains the science behind swallowing, the importance of communication for independence, and the strategies that can make a real difference for older people and their carers. In this episode: The role of speech pathologists in supporting older adults Swallowing difficulties explained Communication challenges: clarity, comprehension, and word-finding How natural ageing impacts speech, voice, and cognition The sensory experience of eating and talking Impact of dementia and Parkinson’s disease on communication and swallowing Early warning signs of swallowing difficulties Speech changes in Parkinson’s disease Cognitive communication challenges in dementia Strategies for families to assist communication Swallowing assessments Proactive steps older adults can take to maintain communication and swallowing Connect with Cass Agius: LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/cassandra-agius-254311271) Connect with Coral Wilkinson: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/coral_wilkinson_rn/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coral-see-me-aged-care-navigators/?originalSubdomain=au) Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN website (https://seemeacn.com.au/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/seemeacn/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/seemeagedcarenavigators/) More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much...

2. 

   15 Dec 2025

   Healthy feet support healthy ageing

   Our feet carry us through life, yet they’re often overlooked until problems arise. In this episode, host Michelle sits down with senior podiatrist Krissy McKenzie from Flexi Care to explore why foot health is central to ageing well. From simple daily habits to the impact of chronic conditions, Krissy shares practical insights that can help older adults maintain independence, mobility, and comfort. This conversation highlights the small, everyday steps that make a huge difference. Krissy explains how podiatry goes far beyond toenails, touching on systemic health, falls prevention, and the role of footwear. You’ll come away with actionable advice and a deeper appreciation for the critical role podiatrists play in supporting older people. In this episode: Why foot and lower limb health is critical to aging well The most common foot issues seen in older adults Age-related changes in skin, nails, circulation, and muscles The impact of chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis on foot health Daily foot checks are vital for early detection of problems Foot health influences balance, mobility, and falls risk The importance of footwear and what to look for in supportive shoes The benefits of simple interventions like toenail trimming What to expect from a typical podiatry appointment Tips and tricks for self-care, including mirrors and long-handled devices Preventive habits like washing and drying between toes See a podiatrist early, even for small issues Find a podiatrist: https://www.podiatry.org.au/find-a-podiatrist (https://www.podiatry.org.au/find-a-podiatrist) Connect with Flexi Care: Website (https://www.flexi.org.au/) Connect with Coral Wilkinson: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/coral_wilkinson_rn/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coral-see-me-aged-care-navigators/?originalSubdomain=au) Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators: See Me ACN website (https://seemeacn.com.au/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/seemeacn/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/seemeagedcarenavigators/) More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you. We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators. Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system. Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents. Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional...

3. 

   8 Dec 2025

   Dental care for older people

   Dental care is often overlooked in elderly care, yet it plays a critical role in overall health, dignity, and quality of life. In this episode, Leonie Short brings decades of clinical, academic, and advocacy experience to discuss the barriers older Australians face and what we can do about it. From dry mouths to denture neglect, Leonie shares practical, compassionate insights that every carer, family member, and health professional should hear. You’ll learn why oral health is more than just clean teeth. It’s about preventing hospitalisation, improving nutrition, and restoring confidence. Leonie doesn’t just highlight the problems; she offers simple, effective solutions that can be implemented at home, in residential care, or through mobile outreach. Leonie’s call for a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme is a rallying cry for equity and a reminder that oral health must be part of the aged care conversation. In this episode: Why oral health is often the most neglected aspect of aged care How wealth impacts access to dental treatment The role of shame, trauma, and fear in avoiding dental care Common oral health issues in older people The impact of menopause and medications on saliva production Dentures that are decades old and why that’s a problem Poor oral health affects nutrition, speech, and social confidence The links between oral health and heart disease and diabetes Increased risk of aspiration pneumonia and infective endocarditis How often older adults should see a dentist Challenges with transport and accessibility for dental appointments Tips for daily oral care: soft toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste, tongue scrapers Why toothpaste shouldn’t be used on dentures and what to use instead How integrated care between dental, medical, and allied health professionals can improve outcomes Resources mentioned: Aged care (https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/strengthened-quality-standards/clinical-care/safety-clinical-care-services) quality standards – clinical care (https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/strengthened-quality-standards/clinical-care/safety-clinical-care-services) Public dental services - see below To help improve dental health, state and territory governments provide public dental services. Visit the website of your state or territory dental service to see if you’re eligible: Australian Capital Territory – ACT Health (https://www.health.act.gov.au/services/dental) New South Wales – NSW Health (https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/oralhealth/Pages/default.aspx) Northern Territory – Department of Health (https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/hospitals-health-services/dental-services) Queensland – Queensland Health (https://www.qld.gov.au/health/services/oral-eye-ear/dental-services) South Australia – SA Dental (https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/services/dental+diagnostic+and+pharmacy+services/dental+services) Tasmania – Oral Health Tasmania (https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/dental-health/dental-health-services) Victoria - Department of Health (https://www.health.vic.gov.au/dental-health/access-to-victorias-public-dental-care-services) Western Australia – <a...

Who has been a guest on Your Aged Care Compass

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• David Melloy
• Lesley Bryce
• James Whitelaw

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

66

Social presence

91

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Your Aged Care Compass

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.