Support > Family Carers Information Toolkit
Financial, legal and work issues
Caring for a loved one with a life limiting illness can create a range of financial, legal and work issues that you may not have had to manage before.
Your social worker or MND Advisor and Support Coordinator can help refer you to community services.
There are a number of Government Benefits available for Carers:
Money Smart is a national website for information regarding money management, debt, low income and investment. They can connect you to free and confidential financial counselling services.
MND Victoria is also supported by the Probono Financial Advice Network (PFAN) where you can be connected to a Financial Advisor for free financial advice. Financial Advisors donate their time to support this network. Speak to your MND Advisor/Support Coordinator to get the contact details.
If you are working as well as caring, explore your entitlements for leave and make use of it to support your caring role. Most workplaces will be understanding when you explain the situation and allow you to use your annual leave, carers leave, sick leave and even long service leave to support the person for whom you are caring. Don't make permanent changes to your work hours before using your leave as there may be advantages in using your leave first. Seek advice before making changes.
If the person diagnosed with MND was working at the time of diagnosis don't forget to explore entitlements through their employer. Most Superannuation lawyers will give free initial advice when seeking to access superannuation, TPD (Temporary or Permanent Disability) payments or insurance connected to superannuation. If you need support, contact the MND Education team for a list of law firms to approach.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) supports and protects the rights of older people throughout Australia. They can connect you to local services who support older people to make informed choices and make sure they understand their rights. They can help you resolve any issues you have with aged and home care service provision.
Advance Care Planning involves having conversations with your loved ones and finding out their wishes ... sooner rather than later. Advance Care Planning tools include wills, advance health directives, enduring power of guardianship, enduring power of attorney and advance care plans. Download your own forms to start the conversation.
In Victoria, The Office of the Public Advocate can provide information and advice regarding enduring power of attorney, medical treatment decision making, advanced care directives, guardianship and administration. They hold regular information sessions where you can ask more questions.
In Tasmania, the Office of the Public Guardian Tasmania can provide guardianship, enduring guardians and enduring powers of attorney. They also have a range of Fact Sheets on their website.
Experiences
David's experience
David has created a spreadsheet to help him keep on top of financial and house running matters. It records all the information he needs in one place - e.g., passwords, account numbers, etc.
Josie's experience
Josie wants to keep working whilst caring for her husband Lewis, but she is finding it difficult to juggle both. She sat down with her MND Advisor to work out a plan on how to manage everything. Her plan includes talking to her work manager about reducing her work hours. She's also organised free counselling through her employee assistance program.
George's experience
George realises his will is out of date and he has no other legal documentation in place. He and his wife have not had any discussions about advance care planning/end of life. George has booked into a free community workshop on Advance Care Planning to find out more and to start putting in place the relevant paperwork.
