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Final message from doomed Titan sub revealed

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, a chance to explore the Atlantic depths and visit the wreck of the Titanic. But last year, a dive by OceanGate's Titan submersible went horribly wrong when the vessel imploded as it neared the sea floor, killing all five people onboard. Now, the US Coast Guard has revealed the final words communicated by the crew, on the first day of what will be a two week hearing examining why the disaster occured. A visual animation of the Titan journey before it imploded was revealed, and one image showed the final words from the crew to those on the support ship Polar Prince. "All good here," they said. The audio became more spotty as the vessel descended, with the Polar Prince asking if they could see the Titanic on their on-board display. The Titan was reportedly still able to send one message an hour-and-a-half into it's journey saying they “dropped two wts” before they were pinged for a final time at a depth of 3,346m. There was no communication between the Titan and the Polar Prince that indicated any trouble or emergency on board the sub. It was only when there was no response to their repeated attempts of communication when they realised that the worst had happened. US authorities said a “catastrophic implosion” occurred, killing all on board instantly. On board the Titan were British explorer Hamish Harding, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, OceanGate’s CEO Stockton Rush and French deep-sea explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The US Coast Guard also revealed the first image of the Titan sub after it imploded, which showed the vessel's tail cone eerily resting on the ocean floor. Four days after the Titan vanished, the vessel's wreckage was found about 500 metres from the bow of the Titanic, and a few months later, divers found human remains among debris. It was also revealed that OceanGate was plagued with equipment problems years before the disaster, and they even fired an engineering director who would not approve a deep sea expedition, according to a testimony at the hearing. Investigators said in 2018 the vessel was struck by lightning which left “significant blow to the structure” and caused it to fail a test by a wide margin. Less than two weeks before the ill-fated voyage, the Titan was tested and found "partially sunk". According to the testimony, Rush, the OceanGate CEO onboard the sub, had "no desire" to gain certification or meet regulatory standards for the vessel. Two dozen witnesses will testify before the board over the next two weeks. Images: OceanGate Expeditions

Travel Trouble

"Just one snowfall away": Aussie ski resorts dismiss doom and gloom warnings

Australian ski resorts have dismissed warnings about the possibility of a below-average snowfall this season as they prepare for opening weekend. Meteorologists have warned that if a number of climate factors combine this winter, the 2023 snow season could be one of the worst in decades. Although images have shown poor snow coverage at NSW and Victoria’s biggest ski resorts, staff have rejected concerns the season won’t pick up. Michael Fearnside, operations director at Perisher Ski Resort, the largest in the southern hemisphere, told news.com.au it is “certainly not doom and gloom” for the industry. According to Fearnside, only time will tell. “This is my 38th winter working in the snow industry and some of our best seasons have begun with low snowfall at the start,” Fearnside said. “Our business is weather dependent but we’re always just one snowfall away, it’s no different to a farmer waiting for the weather to break.” Similar to other resorts, Fearnside added Perisher had made significant investments in snow-making and as a result, they haven’t had to rely on snowfall, with snow guns ready to be deployed “as soon as the conditions are right”. “Our snow-making covers 53.4 hectares across the resort and sets us apart for having the most reliable ski and board experience all season long,” “It’s certainly not doom and gloom, we’ve seen this before and we’re just waiting for the weather pattern to settle down.” Snowy Mountains ski resort Thredbo will need to rely on its own snow-making, despite it and Perisher being the first to see snow in April. Meanwhile, in Victoria’s Alps, the Mount Buller Alpine Resort has been steadily producing a mass amount of snow since the beginning of May and has a network of 341 snow-making guns ready to “kick into action” when necessary. Resort spokeswoman Rhylla Morgan said it is “all hands on deck” to finalise preparations. “In recent seasons there have been bumper early snowfalls and we’ve been spoiled with plenty of natural snow from the beginning,” she said. “And as much as we love to see snowfall at any time, we are taking comfort in the fact that early snow doesn’t translate to a better snow season.” Morgan noted two of the best snow seasons on record at Mt Buller, 1956 and 1958, “had no snow for the season start in June”. “But we’ll leave the forecasting to the professionals and, like all snow enthusiasts, we’ll be watching the forecast closely and hoping for the best.” Victorian resorts, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek are hoping to repeat the record-breaking 2022 snow season, the first full return after the Covid lockdowns. Mt Hotham’s general manager of operations Len Dobell said the mountaintop resort had its “best season on record” in 2022. Falls Creek Alpine Resort head of marketing Andrew Eckersley said the resort had “more than 500,000 visitation days” in 2022, and was already expecting similar numbers of bookings in 2023. “Last year there was massive pent-up demand from people not being able to ski as much as they want over the last few years in,” Eckersley said. “The fact there’s not a huge amount of difference shows there’s still the appetite to visit the snow.” Although those numbers could be attributed to earlier snowfalls leading to an earlier season opening, Eckersley said he was hopeful the cold front ahead would bring some snow. Sky News Australia meteorologist Alison Osbourne confirmed that despite there being a cold front shifting across the alpine regions, it is not guaranteed to bring snow. “The best weather systems for good snowfall have the most precipitation after a cool change, so it's cold enough for heavy snow,” she said. “This is the opposite, heavy rain is coming before the cold weather does. The freezing level is far too high. “This rain is very likely to wash away the existing cover and while it remains warm, windy, and wet, conditions for snow-making are unfavourable.” Cooler westerly winds are expected to push over the Alps on June 16, lowering the freezing level in time for the June 10 snow season opening, but not enough for significant snowfall. “The silver lining is that snow-making conditions improve for the rest of the weekend.” Image credit: Getty

Travel Trouble

If you keep lying about these 10 things, your relationship is doomed

<h3>You say you’re available, but you’re not…legally</h3> If you’re waiting for the ‘right time’ to tell the person you’re dating that you’re married, both of your relationships are probably doomed to failure. And typically, it doesn’t matter if you’re separated, planning to (someday) divorce, or none of the above. “Lying about availability for a relationship is devastating for partners who discover their significant other has been dishonest. Sometimes people lie, and say they are single when they are not, or they may lie about whether or not they have children. This is never fair to the person being lied to, or to the people being lied about,” says marriage and family therapist, Shadeen Francis. Francis recommends telling the truth about your external romantic, and familial relationships up front, before you get involved. <h3>You say you’re available, but you’re not…emotionally</h3> True emotional availability requires honesty, to both yourself, and your partner, Francis says. Pretending to be ready to take it to the next level, and then either stopping short, or self-sabotaging the relationship, can be confusing and heartbreaking. If you can’t figure out how to make your relationship grow, some honest soul-searching can help. Maybe you’re trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, and just don’t want to let the person go, even though you know you won’t go the distance together. It’s also possible that you’re hauling around some baggage that is making it hard for you to fully commit. If so, a therapist can help. Either way, be honest with your partner, so that they can make the right decision for their own life – either with you, or without you. <h3>You’re not fessing up about your past</h3> Relationships thrive on trust. That doesn’t mean you have to spill your guts about every skeleton in your closet on the first date, but letting someone in, over time, is imperative, if you want to have a relationship that can withstand the bad times that inevitably come to everyone. “Things you should never lie about include why your last relationship ended,” says therapist, Kimberly Hershenson. “It’s important for your partner to know what went wrong for you in the past, and if you’re still continuing the same behaviours. And, that includes cheating.” Hershenson also includes mental health issues in this list. “Knowing if you’ve struggled with depression, anxiety, or substance use is important, because it gives your partner information about potential triggers which might arise for you,” she adds. It’s also important to let your partner know if you’ve done jail time, declared bankruptcy, dropped out of school, or have any other deep, dark secret you’d rather not share. Chances are, once you fess up, you’ll feel a new freedom, and the kind of emotional vulnerability needed to be truly loved, and loving. <h3>Money matters</h3> “Combining finances takes a lot of trust, and that trust is betrayed in a really painful way when partners have hidden, or outright lied, about their ability to contribute to financial stability in their relationship,” Francis says. The money conversation is integral. Without it, you can’t realistically plan for a future together. The best way to tackle this conversation is head on, whether you have debt or wealth. It’s better to come clean, and come up with a pre-nup, or other financial plan, than to lie about your bank account. <h3>You really want (or don’t want) kids</h3> This is a biggie. If you know that your partner wants or doesn’t want kids and your desire is the exact opposite, you’ve got to fess up about it. “Sometimes, partners overtly tell untruths about their goals, wants, and needs, in order to be flexible. This form of dishonesty can create fear, resentment, and anxiety in a relationship. When a partner does not feel free to be himself/herself, this builds up frustration over time,” says clinical psychologist, Dr Carla Marie Manly. <h3>You cheated</h3> “One of the worst lies couples can tell each other has to do with the single most lethal relationship threat: The Other,” says Dr Wendy L. Patrick. “Lying about spending time with another person is a death knell to a relationship, and a lie partners should never tell,” she adds. Not only do they need to know for the health of your relationship but also for their physical health, as cheating puts the other partner at risk for STDs. This honesty policy applies to emotional affairs as well as physical affairs, she adds. <h3>You’re not ill, and pretending to be</h3> “Couples should always be honest with one another about health. Telling your partner you are sick, injured, or terminally ill when it isn’t true (yes, this happens) is cruel and manipulative,” says Francis. “These lies are often told in order to evoke pity or guilt, ultimately with the intent of being nurtured, or taken care of, more than is warranted,” she explains. Francis suggests thinking about your motives for this behaviour. “Ask yourself, why am I doing this? What am I hoping to gain? Am I being fair to the other person? If you are struggling to make these decisions, or find yourself telling similar lies in different relationships, recognise that this is a pattern of behaviour that can make you an unsafe person to partner with, which likely does not feel very good for you, either. Most people do not lie if they believe they have other options,” she adds. <h3>You’re ill, and pretending not to be</h3> Almost as bad a lie is hiding your failing health from your partner, Francis says. Many people do this to protect their significant other from the pain of dealing with a bad diagnosis, or from fear about the future. Either motive is ill-founded, according to Francis. Lying about an illness you have, even if it is terminal, robs your partner of the ability to support, and care for you, which may come back to haunt them and create guilt, later on. Whether you’re married or not, it’s ‘in sickness and in health,’ remember? <h3>You’re pretending it’s OK with you, but it’s not – especially in bed</h3> “Couples should never lie about anything that bothers them in the relationship, or any topic of significance,” says clinical social worker, Dr Marni Feuerman. Lying about your feelings can range from where you want to eat dinner, to sexual satisfaction. Pretending to enjoy a less than satisfactory sex life is bound to sabotage your relationship eventually. “Lying often becomes a slippery slope that becomes easier to do than telling the truth. Some people may also start to ‘compartmentalise,’ and the norm becomes to keep secrets about certain aspects of their life,” Dr Feuerman says. If you are lying about your sex life (or anything else), it’s time to get honest with your partner about your needs and desires. <h3>It’s not me, it’s you</h3> Your partner may feel that something is wrong and grasp at clues to try to figure out what it is. The lack of communication between the two of you may push them into behaviours such as spying, going through your wallet, or looking for information any way that they can find it. Lying, especially long-term, about any behaviour or action is wrong and unfair to your partner, Dr Feuerman says. Image credit: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/if-you-keep-lying-about-these-10-things-your-relationship-is-doomed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Relationships

11 conditions that trigger a feeling of impending doom

<div class="slide-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> </div> <h3>Understanding the feeling of impending doom</h3> Feeling like something very bad is about to happen might seem like it falls under “intuition.” Or, given the fact that you’re living in the middle of a pandemic, it may be a result of constant stress. But a feeling of impending doom can also precede life-threatening medical events like a heart attack. It may be a symptom of psychological conditions like anxiety or depression. Here’s what you need to know about the conditions that may trigger a feeling of impending doom. <div> </div> <h2>What is a feeling of impending doom?</h2> Describing a feeling is often tough, but “impending doom is an overwhelming sensation that something terrible or life-threatening is about to happen to you or others,” says Sanam Hafeez, PsyD, a neuropsychologist. “Someone might feel like they are dying, their house is about to burn down, or their plane is about to crash even if there is no apparent danger.” <div> </div> <h2>Psychological causes</h2> Impending doom can be a tough-to-parse symptom. You feel as if something is very wrong – but what exactly is it? “To determine whether this sensation results from anxiety or a medical emergency, there are a few factors to weigh,” says Hafeez. “If someone is in no imminent danger, no physiological symptoms accompany the sensation, and if the anxiety is present, it is likely the result of a mental health issue or trauma.” In fact, it would be very unlikely for someone experiencing a feeling of impending doom not to have accompanying physiological symptoms. These are some of the potential psychological candidates. <h3>Depression</h3> When you have depression, you look at the world in a different way. “Depressive thoughts are like putting on dark glasses: Things look gloomy and unpredictable,” says psychologist Susan Albers-Bowling. Symptoms of a depressive episode may also include feeling hopeless or pessimistic, thoughts of death or self harm, and decreased energy and fatigue. <h3>Anxiety</h3> There are several types of anxiety disorders that can lead to a feeling of impending doom, says Hafeez: <ul> <li>Panic disorder and panic attacks</li> <li>Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)</li> <li>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</li> <li>Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)</li> </ul> Why? Consider panic disorder, for instance, which is a type of anxiety disorder. People having a panic attack may feel an overwhelming sense that anxiety and fear is bubbling up and ready to spill over. That can go hand-in-hand with a feeling of impending doom. You may also feel physical symptoms as well, like a racing heart, sweat, chills, dizziness and nausea. Many of these can overlap with symptoms of a heart attack. <h3>Bipolar disorder</h3> Impending doom may also be a feature of bipolar disorder, says Hafeez. People who have bipolar disorder experience often extreme changes in mood, energy and activity levels. This is marked by manic highs and depressive lows. During a depressive episode, you may feel convinced catastrophe is imminent. You may also feel slow, worthless, hopeless, have trouble sleeping, and have little interest in doing much of anything. <div> </div> <h2>Conditions that can cause the feeling</h2> “Impending doom” can be a psychological symptom that signals an emergency event. The physical symptoms, like a sudden drop in blood pressure, may signal to the brain that something is very wrong, says Hafeez. It may also be the release of hormones from the adrenal glands (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) into the bloodstream during times of stress. Or it may be a response from your nervous system, she says. A medical event will also likely accompany other symptoms, like hot flashes, nausea, sudden sweating, shortness of breath, tremors or heart palpitations, she adds. Impending doom may be a symptom of certain emergency medical conditions, including: <ul> <li>Heart attack</li> <li>Aneurysm</li> <li>Seizure</li> <li>Anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction)</li> <li>Jellyfish sting (only certain types)</li> <li>Pulmonary emboli (clots that break off in the legs and flow to the lungs)</li> <li>Blood transfusion (reactions may cause a combination of anaphylaxis with hemolysis – the breakdown of red blood cells transfused)</li> <li>Anaesthesia awareness (“waking up” during surgery)</li> </ul> Note that the likelihood of one’s feeling of impending doom being a symptom of any particular medical disorder lies hugely in that person’s other symptoms at the time, as well as in their own personal risk of specific medical illnesses, too. <div> </div> <h2>How to treat feelings of impending doom</h2> Medical professionals will look to treat the underlying cause rather than the symptom itself. If the driver is anxiety, panic disorder, or depression, you may be treated with psychotherapy or medication. If the cause is physical, like a heart attack, and accompanies other related symptoms – chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, breaking out in a cold sweat – call emergency services for an ambulance. If you know that these feelings are related to anxiety, you can take control by taking a deep breath, holding it for three to five seconds, and then slowly exhaling, says Hafeez. “Repeat this while reminding yourself that everything is okay, and there is nothing to worry about,” she adds. A deep breath lowers your blood pressure and heart rate and shifts your nervous system from fight-or-flight to calm. Identifying triggers as well as participating in activities you enjoy for daily stress management can also be helpful. <div> </div> <h2>When to see a doctor</h2> If you feel a sense of impending doom, are convinced something bad is going to happen, have a heavy, sinking feeling, and/or physical symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, or nausea, don’t hesitate to get help from your doctor. “If a patient walks in saying, ‘I feel like something bad is going to happen,’ doctors will take it very seriously,” says Hafeez. This article originally appeared on<a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/11-conditions-that-trigger-a-feeling-of-impending-doom" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Reader's Digest</a>. Image: Getty

Caring

“Human race is doomed”: Model slammed over pose at her father’s funeral

An Instagram model has been <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/instagram-model-slammed-for-disrespectful-pose-at-fathers-funeral-c-4336312" target="_blank">called out</a> online after posting a “disrespectful” image from her father’s funeral. US influencer Jayne Rivera sparked a heated discussion on Reddit after she posted a photo of herself posing beside her father’s casket. “Butterfly fly away,” she captioned the photo in what was meant to be a heartfelt tribute. She went on to describe her dad as her “best friend” and said his life was “well lived”. But, it was the image she shared alongside the tribute that prompted it to go viral. In the snap, the influencer is wearing a black strapless dress, casting her eyes downward, and posing with her leg bent in a “foot prop” pose that has become popular on social media. In a second image, Ms Rivera was captured in a close-up shot with her hands together and standing right in front of her dad’s open casket. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> this Instagram model’s father passed away,,,, and she did a photo shoot with the open casket…. <a href="https://t.co/u1EVNxaajz">pic.twitter.com/u1EVNxaajz</a> — Mac McCann (@MacMcCannTX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MacMcCannTX/status/1453030106528632836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2021</a></blockquote> Initially, her followers urged her to take it down - but its emergence on Reddit sparked further outcry. “Holy crap, is this so incredibly disrespectful,” one commenter shared. “Hey my dad died, let’s get 5000 likes!” another fumed. “I found her on Instagram and started following her, because one day I’ll have kids of my own, and I need to see where all these parents went wrong,” a third commented. “I can’t have my future kids grow up like this.” Ms Rivera’s Instagram account has since been deleted. <img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845135/funeral1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/21fbd12e84124d0a95ce8b2bd1cd6cf7" /> Image: Reddit Another commented on the changing attitudes towards funerals in general. “Last funeral I went to everybody just wanted it to be over so we could go to the bar and tell funny stories about the deceased,” they shared. “Human race is doomed there’s no way it will last till 3000, we need a hard reboot,” another wrote.

Beauty & Style

Just two minutes of “doom-scrolling” can worsen your mood

Just two minutes of exposure to COVID-19 content can leave you feeling less optimistic and feeling worse, according to new research. A team of scientists from the UK and Canada exposed 1000 participants to COVID news, COVID-related acts of kindness, or nothing at all, to determine whether negative news or kind acts would affect mood. When compared to the group exposed to nothing at all, those who were exposed to COVID-related news experienced an “immediate and significant” reduction in happiness. The team found that this drop in mood could occur after just two to four minutes. As for those who consumed content about COVID-related acts of kindness, the study found they didn’t experience the negative consequences. The researchers, led by psychologist Dr Kathryn Buchanan, claim that exposure to negative content can be particularly problematic on social media as they make “passive consumption of news almost unavoidable”. “Even a few minutes of exposure to COVID-related news on social media can ruin a person’s mood,” the team wrote. “Given that many people spend five to 10 times the amount of time interacting with COVID-related news each day, this likely offers a conservative estimate of the emotional toll.” They also argued that additional work would be needed to confirm that the effect would be felt after exposure to content about other large-scale threats, such as climate change. The study, published in <a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0257728" target="_blank">PLOS One</a>, also had some advice for those looking to avoid these negative effects. The team offered several solutions: the increase in positive stories produced by media outlets, seeking out positive content, or engaging in other activities that can bolster happiness. They concluded: “We would all do well to be mindful of these effects and consider balancing our doom-scrolling with some kindness-scrolling.” Image: Getty Images

Mind

Rare Titanic letter offers insight into life on doomed ship

A rare letter written on-board the Titanic recently went up for auction, giving a glimpse of what life was like on the historic ship. According to auction house Henry Aldridge & Son, the letter was written by Second Class passenger and survivor Kate Buss. The letter, written on April 10, 1912, is addressed to her brother Percy James and was in response to a letter she had received from him while on the historic ship. “I’ve been quite alright — but now feel dead tired and more fit for bed than anything,” Ms Buss wrote. “Have to go to dinner-tea in half an hour.” The letter reveals more about everyday life on the Titanic, which sank on April 15, killing 1503 passengers. “Mr Peters spent about an hour on the vessel and they might easily have spent another without waste of time,” Ms Buss wrote. “The first class apartments are really magnificent and unless you had first seen them you would think the second class were the same.” Ms Buss said the ship had not yet reached Cherbourg, France, but the mail had cleared. “I think I’d best try and get some postcards of the vessel,” she wrote. She also said that the passenger she was sharing her stateroom with had not yet turned up. She was also told by two clergymen sitting opposite her at the table to eat a good lunch. Ms Buss finished her letter by informing her brother that she was putting her letter in the post. “Must clear and have a wash now,” she wrote. “Will pop this in the [mail] in case I’m sea sick tomorrow. PW brought a box of chocolates — shouldn’t wonder if I’m like Jim Buss and get it the other way. Give my love to all enquirers — must go. Much love, Kate.” Ms Buss was travelling to America to marry her fiancé Samuel Willis. She survived the Titanic sinking when the <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-trouble/2018/04/the-call-that-sealed-the-fate-of-titanic-victims/" target="_blank">Carpathia picked her up</a> along with 705 other passengers. Kate Buss and Samuel Willis married on May 11 as planned. She passed away on July 12, 1972 at the age of 96. Image credit: Henry Aldridge & Son

Cruising

Haunting last words of pilots on doomed flights

Chilling recordings of the final seconds before some of the world’s major plane crashes have revealed the haunting last words of pilots on doomed flights. With every word captured on the in-flight recorder, the tapes providing a sombre look at what it means to be in the cockpit moments before disaster. 1. “Goodnight, goodbye, we perish!” When an engine shaft exploded on a Polish Airlines flight to New York in 1987, pilots quickly realised they had lost control and said the famous words of the crash. 2. “Don’t do that!” The 2016 FlyDubai flight that crashed just short of the runway in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don provides a chilling inside into the mindset of the pilot moments before disaster. 3. “F**k, we’re dead!” Sometimes there’s nothing else you can say. This are the words the pilot of the doomed Air France flight in 2009 said before the plane plunged into the Atlantic. 4. “That’s all guys! F***!” Vladivostok Air flight 352 lost control on its approach to Russia in 2001, and according to the recording recovered from the flight, those were the pilot’s last words. 5. “Actually, these conditions don’t look very good at all, do they?” These are the famous last words of a pilot on a 1979 Air New Zealand flight en route for a sightseeing trip of Antarctica, that failed due to a technical error. 6. “Ah, here we go” After struggling with a jammed stabiliser, an Alaska Airlines flight nosedived into the Pacific Ocean, with the pilot issuing those famous last words above. 7. “Ma, I love ya” Just before Pacific Southwest Airlines flight 182 collided with a private light aircraft in 1978, the caption said, “brace yourself” while another crew member said the above. 8. “Goodbye everybody” These are allegedly the last words spoken by Captain Karl Berlinger on Swissair flight SR 330 from Zurich to Tel Aviv in 1970 that crashed in Zurich airport.

Travel Tips

Varying aged services available – it’s not all doom and gloom

Are you considering help but not sure where to get it? This is where My Aged Care can assist. The Australian Government’s aged care system provides services that can support older people with a range of needs. Here’s some information that might help you make your decision. What types of care are available? <ul> <li>Staying in your own home</li> </ul> Most people prefer living in their own home, but might not be able to keep up with tasks like cleaning, cooking, or house repairs. If you find yourself in this situation, there are services available to give you extra help around the house. They range from basic support like help with housework or meal preparation to more complex care like nursing help with bathing and getting dressed. <ul> <li>Care in an aged care home</li> </ul> If staying at home isn’t a possibility anymore, you can move into a supported environment like an aged care home (sometimes called a nursing home). There are varying levels of care available depending on your needs, with options for 24-hour care if needed. Aged care homes generally include all accommodation-related services as well as personal care services and allow you to still be part of a community. <ul> <li>After-hospital care (or transition care)</li> </ul> For people who are ready to be discharged from hospital after an illness or injury, but may still need support to get back on their feet, My Aged Care can help. After-hospital care, which includes such services as physiotherapy, access to social worker, or nursing support, focuses on your individual goals to help you return to a state of independence. <ul> <li>Short-term care (respite care)</li> </ul> If you are being cared for by a loved one and they need to take a break (for example, to undergo a medical procedure), you might benefit from short-term care. These services ensure you are still being cared for while your carer takes a break from the usual arrangement. How much will it cost? The Australian Government subsidises a range of aged care services in Australia. There are eligibility requirements and you will be assessed to determine your aged care needs. It is expected that you will contribute towards the cost of your care if you can afford to do so. To find out if you’re eligible,<a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/01/eligibility-for-government-subsidised-care/"> visit our article on the criteria for government-subsidised aged care here. </a>You can discuss possible fees and eligibility for Australian Government aged care services with My Aged Care Home support services The fees will vary depending on services and the service provider. Contact My Aged Care and your preferred service provider for more information about specific costs. <ul> <li>Home care packages</li> </ul> Your service provider may ask you to pay either a basic daily fee (of up to 17.5 per cent of the single basic Age Pension) or an income-tested care fee if your income is over a certain amount. It’s a good idea to have some information about your finances, such as annual income, value of financial assets and debts, and details about the family home before you contact My Aged Care. <ul> <li>Aged care home</li> </ul> You could be asked to pay a basic daily fee (covering the cost of meals, laundry and so on), a means-tested fee, an accommodation payment or fees for additional optional services. To get an estimate of the costs for home care packages or residential care, you can use <a href="http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/personal-stories/aged-care-fee-estimators" target="_blank">My Aged Care’s fee estimator here.</a> How do you access the services? You will need to contact My Aged Care directly on 1800 200 422. The staff at the contact centre will ask you a range of questions to get an idea of your needs and direct you to the next step of the process. <a href="http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/" target="_blank">To find out more information, visit the My Aged Care website here.</a> Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/12/community-key-to-happy-retirement/">The importance of community in retirement</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/12/how-to-mentally-prepare-yourself-for-retirement/">8 steps to mentally prepare yourself for retirement</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/11/what-to-consider-before-downsizing-in-retirement/">6 questions you must ask yourself before downsizing</a>

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