Common Questions
If you're not sure whether I can help, or you just want to understand a bit more about how this works, you're in the right place.
These are the questions I hear most often. I've done my best to answer them honestly and in plain language.
If you don't find what you're looking for here, please don't hesitate to get in touch. There's no obligation, and no question is too small.
General Questions
What does an advocate do? An advocate helps people understand their options, navigate complex systems, and ensure their voice, wishes, and preferences are heard and respected. My role is not to take over or make decisions for you. Instead, I walk alongside you, helping you understand information, prepare for important conversations, communicate your needs, and make informed decisions that reflect what matters most to you. Advocacy can be particularly helpful when navigating systems such as the NDIS, My Aged Care, health services, end-of-life planning, or other situations where processes and decisions can feel overwhelming.
How can advocacy help me? Advocacy can provide clarity, support, and confidence during times of change, uncertainty, or complex decision-making. Support may include helping you understand information, prepare for meetings and assessments, explore options, communicate your needs, understand your rights, and ensure your preferences are considered in decisions that affect your life. My aim is to help reduce confusion and overwhelm so you can feel informed, supported, and confident in the decisions you make.
What happens during the free 15-minute consultation? The complimentary 15-minute consultation is an opportunity for us to discuss your situation and determine whether my services are the right fit for your needs. During the call, I will take time to understand your circumstances, explain how I may be able to help, discuss fees and funding options where relevant, and provide some initial guidance about possible next steps. There is no obligation to proceed with services following the consultation.
Do I need a referral? No. You do not need a referral to access my services. Individuals, family members, carers, service providers, and other professionals are welcome to contact me directly to discuss their situation and explore whether my services may be helpful.
Do you offer in-person and online appointments? Yes. I offer appointments in person, by phone, and via video conferencing. I primarily provide face-to-face services within the Adelaide metropolitan and hills area and may be available for regional appointments depending on location and availability. For people outside these areas, phone and video appointments provide a flexible way to access support. Please note that additional travel fees may apply where significant travel is required.
What areas do you service? I primarily support individuals and families throughout Adelaide and surrounding areas. Regional appointments may be available depending on location and availability. I also provide support Australia-wide through phone and video appointments. If significant travel is required, additional travel fees may apply. Please contact me to discuss your location and support needs.
How are your services funded? Funding options vary depending on the type of support being provided and each person's individual circumstances. Services may be funded privately, and some supports may be available through NDIS funding or aged care funding depending on eligibility and funding arrangements. If you are unsure whether funding may be available, this can be discussed during your complimentary 15-minute consultation.
Can family members be involved? Yes. Family members, carers, and other important people can often play a valuable role in providing support and helping with decision-making. Where appropriate, and with the consent of the individual receiving support, I encourage the involvement of family members and trusted supporters. My approach is always centred on ensuring the person's wishes, preferences, and voice remain at the heart of discussions and decisions.
NDIS Support and Advocacy
Can you help me access the NDIS? Yes. I can support you through the NDIS access process by helping you understand the eligibility criteria and identify the information needed to support your application. This may include reviewing existing reports, clarifying diagnosis and functional evidence, completing the NDIS Access Request Form, and preparing an impairment report that outlines how your disability impacts your daily life in a way that aligns with NDIS criteria. My aim is to help ensure your circumstances and support needs are clearly understood and accurately represented.
Can you help me understand my NDIS plan? Yes. NDIS plans can sometimes be difficult to understand, particularly when funding categories and budgets are unfamiliar. I can help you understand what your plan includes, how funding is intended to be used, what supports may be available to you, and how your plan aligns with your goals and support needs. My role is to help you feel confident and informed so you can make the most of the supports available to you.
Can you attend NDIS meetings with me? Yes. I can attend NDIS-related meetings where appropriate, including pre-planning meetings, planning meetings, review discussions, and meetings with providers. My role is to support you to feel heard, help clarify information being discussed, and ensure your goals, needs, and preferences are communicated clearly. Many people describe these meetings as overwhelming. Having an independent person present can help ensure information is understood by everyone involved and that important concerns are not overlooked.
Can you help me prepare for a plan review? Yes. If you do not have a support coordinator, I can help ensure your current circumstances, goals, and support needs are clearly communicated. I can assist you to reflect on what is working well, identify areas where additional support may be needed, gather relevant information, and prepare for discussions with the NDIS. The goal is to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident going into the review process.
Can you help me identify my goals and support needs? Yes. Developing meaningful goals and clearly identifying support needs is an important part of accessing and using the NDIS effectively. I can help you explore what is important to you, identify challenges you may be experiencing in everyday life, and develop goals that reflect your individual circumstances, values, and aspirations. I can also help translate day-to-day experiences into clear descriptions of functional impact and support needs, ensuring they are communicated in a way that aligns with NDIS processes and decision-making.
Do you replace my support coordinator? No. Support coordination and advocacy are different roles. A support coordinator helps you implement your NDIS plan and connect with services and supports. My role as an advocate is to help you understand information, clarify your options, communicate your needs, and ensure your voice is heard during decision-making processes. Where appropriate, I can work alongside support coordinators, family members, and other professionals to support positive outcomes.
My Aged Care
Support and Advocacy
What is My Aged Care? My Aged Care is the Australian Government's gateway to aged care services and support. It helps older Australians access services that may assist them to remain independent, safe, and connected to their community. Depending on a person's circumstances and eligibility, support may include help with household tasks, personal care, transport, social support, home modifications, and other services. Understanding the aged care system can feel overwhelming. My role is to help make the process clearer, explain your options, and support you to make informed decisions about your care and support needs.
Can you help me prepare for an aged care assessment? Yes. Preparing for an assessment can help ensure your needs, challenges, and goals are clearly understood. I can help you understand what to expect, identify the areas of daily life that may require support, prepare questions, and feel more confident going into the assessment. If requested, I can also attend the assessment to provide support and help ensure your voice is heard throughout the process.
What happens during an aged care assessment? An aged care assessment is designed to help determine what supports may assist you to remain safe, independent, and well. The assessor will usually discuss areas such as your health, mobility, personal care needs, cognition, safety, home environment, social supports, and ability to manage daily activities. The assessment is also an opportunity to talk about what is important to you and the type of support you feel would be most beneficial.
What is the difference between CHSP and Support at Home? The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) generally provides entry-level support for people who need a small amount of assistance to remain living independently. Support at Home is designed for people who have more complex or ongoing support needs and require a coordinated package of services. Understanding which program is most appropriate can sometimes be confusing. I can help explain the differences and support you to understand the options available to you.
Can you help me choose a provider? Yes. Choosing a provider is an important decision and should reflect your individual needs, preferences, and circumstances. I can help you identify what is important to you, understand the services available, compare options, and ask the right questions when speaking with providers. My role is not to make decisions on your behalf, but to help you make informed choices that feel right for you.
Can you attend meetings with me? Yes. I can attend meetings where appropriate, including assessments, provider meetings, care planning discussions, reviews, and family meetings. My role is to provide support, help clarify information, and ensure your needs, preferences, and concerns are clearly communicated and understood.
Can you support family members during the process? Yes. Family members often play an important role in supporting older people through aged care decisions and transitions. With the consent of the person receiving support, I encourage the involvement of family members and other trusted supporters where appropriate. My focus is always on ensuring the person's wishes, values, and preferences remain central to discussions and decision-making.
What if I don't agree with decisions being made by My Aged Care or a Provider? If you feel your concerns are not being heard or you are unhappy with decisions being made about your care and support, advocacy may help. I can support you to better understand your options, communicate your concerns, and advocate for your wishes and preferences with providers and other services. My goal is to help ensure you feel informed, respected, and heard throughout the decision-making process.
End-of-Life Care and Support (Death Doula)
What is a Death Doula? A Death Doula is a non-medical support person who provides emotional, practical, spiritual and advocacy support to individuals and families navigating end-of-life experiences. A Death Doula works alongside existing supports, including family members, medical professionals, palliative care teams, and other service providers. The role is focused on helping people feel informed, supported, and empowered while ensuring their wishes, values, and preferences remain central to decisions and care. Every person's journey is unique, and support is tailored to their individual needs and circumstances.
What does a Death Doula do? As a Death Doula, I provide practical, emotional, advocacy, spiritual and presence-based support before, during, and after death. Support may include facilitating conversations about wishes and preferences, assisting with advance care planning, attending appointments and care meetings, supporting communication between family members and services, providing practical guidance, and offering companionship and reassurance during difficult times.
How is a Death Doula different from palliative care? Palliative care and Death Doula support complement one another but have different roles. Palliative care is provided by healthcare professionals and focuses on managing symptoms, comfort, and medical care. A Death Doula provides non-medical support, focusing on emotional wellbeing, practical guidance, advocacy, communication, planning, and helping individuals and families navigate the broader personal and social aspects of dying and death. Many people find that having both palliative care and Death Doula support creates a more holistic support network.
When should I contact a Death Doula? There is no single right time to engage a Death Doula. Some people seek support after receiving a life-limiting or terminal diagnosis, while others reach out when beginning advance care planning, supporting an ageing parent, navigating serious illness, or preparing for future decisions. You do not need to wait until the final stages of life to access support. Many people find it helpful to start conversations early, allowing time to explore wishes, preferences, and options before decisions become urgent.
Can you support family members as well as the person who is dying? Yes. End-of-life experiences affect not only the individual but also the people who care about them. I provide support to individuals and families before, during, and after death. This may include helping families navigate difficult conversations, understand available options, communicate more effectively, and feel more prepared for what lies ahead. My goal is to support everyone involved while ensuring the wishes and preferences of the person at the centre of care remain respected.
Can you help with advance care planning? Yes. I provide support with advance care planning and discussions about future wishes and preferences. This may include assistance with Advance Care Directives, guidance regarding Enduring Powers of Attorney, documenting wishes and preferences, and facilitating conversations with family members and other important people. I also offer a self-paced Advance Care Directive program for people who prefer to work through the process independently. While I can provide information and guidance, I do not provide legal advice.
Can you attend medical appointments or care meetings? Yes. I can attend medical appointments, care planning meetings, family meetings, and discussions with service providers where appropriate. My role is to help you understand information being discussed, take notes to support information recall, ensure your questions are heard, and support communication between everyone involved. Having an additional support person present can often help people feel more confident and less overwhelmed when navigating complex information and important decisions.
What support do you provide after a death? Support does not necessarily end when a person dies. I can provide practical guidance around immediate next steps, emotional support, and opportunities for family members to reflect on their experiences and ask questions. Many families find it helpful to have a supportive person available to help them process what has happened and navigate the transition following a death.
Can I engage your services before a terminal diagnosis? Yes. End-of-life planning is not only for people with a terminal diagnosis. Many people choose to engage support while they are well, when caring for ageing parents, when thinking about future wishes, or when they want to have important conversations before a crisis occurs. Early planning often creates greater clarity, reduces stress for families, and provides peace of mind that wishes and preferences have been considered and communicated.