An unexpected conversation at The Greenhouse introduced me to Tim Donlea and his work helping families make sense of aged care – an often tricky subject to discuss.
One of the benefits of The Greenhouse is discovering more about the people who come through the door. A conversation starts with something simple, then takes a turn you weren’t expecting.
When Tim Donlea visited Greenhouse from Kiama, we began talking about how much easier it can be to focus and be productive in a calm environment. That led us to meditation, then longevity and what living longer might mean for us and our families.
Before long, we were discussing finance and ageing parents. How are Mum and Dad managing? What happens if one becomes unwell? How do you help without taking over?
For Tim, these are familiar conversations. Through his business, Artemas, he helps people understand their aged care options and work through the practical and financial implications.
Someone to call when circumstances change
Tim spent more than 30 years in financial planning, building relationships with clients that often continued for decades.
The part of that work he returns to is being available when life changes. An illness, the loss of a partner or a change in circumstances can leave people unsure what to do next. Having someone who knows them and can help work through the issues matters.
“They could pick up the phone and say, ‘Tim, we need help.’”
That commitment to service led Tim towards aged care which is a natural transition from advising thousands of people about retirement planning. He undertook specialist study, began helping clients with aged care matters and eventually made it the focus of Artemas.
His approach remains personal: listen, understand the circumstances and help people make informed decisions.
When the children become the ones asking questions
Often, the person contacting Tim is an adult son or daughter.
They may have noticed a parent struggling at home or facing a more immediate decision following illness or a hospital stay. Alongside their own work and family responsibilities, they’re suddenly trying to understand an unfamiliar system.
There are emotional questions as well as practical ones. A parent wants to stay at home, but how much support will they need? What happens if their partner can no longer look after them? Do family members agree about the next step?
These concerns were a natural extension of our conversation about longevity. Thinking about living longer also means considering how our needs might change, and who might help us when they do.
Tim encourages people to make space for that conversation earlier.
“If you understand the issues now, you can make the decisions in good time.”
What does Artemas do?
Tim starts by understanding the person or couple, their circumstances and their preferences when it comes to where they want to be in their golden years.
He asks about the support already in place, what they would like to happen if care is needed and how their family might be involved. That includes exploring possibilities they may not yet have discussed.
“I will ask you questions you haven’t thought about.”
Once the scope of work is agreed, he gathers the relevant information and models different aged care scenarios. These can include care and accommodation costs, ongoing cash-flow requirements and Centrelink implications.
The findings come together in a written strategy, simply laid out and in plain English, which Tim talks through with the client and family. His aim is to help them understand what the choices could mean in their circumstances.
Depending on the engagement, Artemas can also assist with relevant aged care administration and documentation.
Where financial product or investment advice is needed, Tim works with an appropriately licensed financial adviser to assist and where needed, a solicitor for Legal matters.
A conversation worth having
Planning ahead doesn’t mean deciding every detail of your future care today. It can begin with understanding what matters to a parent or partner, sharing concerns and finding out what options might be available. For families already facing an urgent decision, Tim starts with the situation in front of them and helps work through the priorities.
What came through very clear in our conversation was how strongly Tim is driven by service: listening carefully, explaining the options and helping families work through difficult decisions. I look forward to seeing Tim at The Greenhouse again soon.
If you’re considering your own future care or helping an ageing parent, get in touch with Tim at Artemas to discuss how he can help.