CASE STUDY
How an adviser created meaningful outcomes for a client
Nicole Christie
Nicole Christie, Financial Planner at IF Group ™, recently undertook and completed the Accredited Aged Care Professional™ program through Aged Care Steps, and soon after had the opportunity to implement her new knowledge in a real-world situation.
“A huge thank you for your expert assistance on the DAP from RAD strategy and for clarifying for me how providers of aged care must, under law, consider this when requested.
This is a wonderful example of your expertise assisting an adviser upskilling and a great outcome for our client.”
The challenge
Working with a client in need of a compliant aged care funding strategy that was able to support cash flow, Nicole was able to use her newly acquired accreditation and knowledge to assess available options to make her recommendation.
Nicole recommended a DAP from RAD strategy to her client, based on paying part of the accommodation cost as a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), while instructing the aged care provider to deduct the remaining Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) from the RAD balance over time.
As a practical and common strategy in the industry, this technique was structured to help preserve her clients’ liquidity during the transition to aged care.
The roadblock
The proposed strategy was sound and effective, but a roadblock emerged when the aged care provider refused to allow it.
As an adviser, especially one newly accredited to the aged care speciality, this pushback could easily have caused uncertainty in the advice you were recommending, and proved a challenge to the client getting the outcome they wanted.
Navigating provider resistance can feel daunting without the right support behind you, so Nicole reached out to Aged Care Steps for guidance.
Finding the right support
Aged Care Steps’ team listened to Nicole’s situation and provided a clear reference to section 294(2)(e) of the Aged Care Act, which states that providers must allow residents to choose the proposed payment arrangement.
This situation helped Nicole understand and build experience in confidently advocating for her client and communicating the legislation effectively.
Once she was armed with the right technical support and practical guidance, Nicole was able to advocate for her solution and successfully resolve the issue for her client.
This experience highlights an important point for all Australian advisers. Aged care advice is not just about technical knowledge, but also about developing the confidence and skills for advocacy when complex situations or challenges arise.
Many advisers choose to complete our Accredited Aged Care Professional™ program with the knowledge that they will receive current information and skills that will help them in the industry.
For advisers looking to strengthen their aged care capability, confidence and self-assurance matter just as much as compliance. Aged Care Steps’ training and support services are designed to help you deliver better outcomes for clients and families facing aged care decisions.
Learn more about our accreditation and workshops to grow your own industry knowledge.