December 20, 2014

Vol 4 Ed 12

Vol 4 Ed 12

Volume 4 Edition 12 Newsletter

Online at Permalink: http://www.financialcareservices.com.au/newsletters/vol-4-ed-12/ ‎

FINANCIAL CARE SERVICES
Independent aged care, lifestyle and financial advice for seniors
Volume 4 Edition 12 –20 December 2014

Hello

Gifting

As we celebrate the great gift of Christmas, you could be thinking of gift giving within your family. The good news is that you may give away as much as you choose whenever you choose. Then again you might choose to arrange your larger gifts after considering the impact of gifting on your potential DVA or Centrelink benefits and aged care costs.

You might be considering transferring ownership of the family beach house to the next generation. Before you sign the transfer documents, you might like to think about how DVA, Centrelink, Australian Taxation Office and your State Revenue Office would treat the transfer.  Remember that at DVA and Centrelink, ‘gifting’ is the disposal or transfer of any asset for less than its market value.  Read more about gifting at Centrelink and DVA at http://www.financialcareservices.com.au/christine-hopper-insights/centrelink-gifting/

A New Year Resolution to provide additional support to your parents and elderly relatives.

How are the elders coping at home now?  Is there a lack of executive function and an inability to carry through with a plan of action?  Are the finances in muddle with unpaid bills scattered about or hidden in a drawer?  Is the fear of falling or a personal problem restricting their movement? Maybe it is time to start thinking about a more supported home environment for your senior family members.

Please take a moment during the family gatherings to consider the level of activity and involvement of the elders now compared with last year’s gathering.  If anyone is noticeably frailer in body and/or less mentally agile then your New Year Resolution might be to assist them towards a more supported home environment.

But don’t wait until New Year to seek medical help if anyone is clearly unwell or dehydrated. Serious illness or injury warrants prompt attention even on a public holiday.

Holiday opening

Financial Care Services will not be ‘closing for the holidays’ ; we are  just not taking calls on Christmas Day.

Our telephone message and email accounts will be checked regularly because we understand that seniors have challenges all through the year.  Our aim is to call you back on the next business day if we do miss your call.

Christine will be available for consultations with seniors and families during January.
You are welcome to contact Financial Care Services for help with financing any seniors in transition.

Thank you for your support in 2014. The team at Financial Care Services look forward to working with you in 2015.

May this holiday season be a joyous and safe celebration for you and your family.

If you would like further confidential, independent and professional advice about DVA, Centrelink, lifestyle or financial advice, please contact Christine Hopper (03) 9808 0338.

____________________________________________________

Financial Care Services

Christine Hopper

Director
Financial Care Services Pty Ltd
Independent aged care, lifestyle and financial advice for seniors in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Australian Financial Services Licence Number
299570 (check this at www.search.asic.gov.au/fsr/flb.html)
Authorised Representative Number
252529 (check this at www.search.asic.gov.au/fsr/far.html)

Telephone – call +61 3 9808 0338
Email – contact info@financialcareservices.com.au
Address – mail or meet at 172 Warrigal Road, Camberwell Victoria 3124
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this newsletter is of a general nature only and does not constitute “financial advice”. You should obtain your own personal financial advice before investing any money or moving in to any retirement village, lifestyle community or aged care facility. Financial Care Services is licensed to provide financial advice to individual clients based on their personal situations.

© 2014 Financial Care Services Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.