Free resources for caring from the middle.
Sometimes you do not need the full guide yet. You just need a practical place to start. These free resources are designed to help you steady the moment, organise your thoughts and take one useful next step.
Small starting points for hard moments.
Each free resource gives you a simple starting point for a different stage of caring.
They are helpful, practical and intentionally lighter than the paid toolkits.
If you need deeper guidance, printable worksheets, trackers, prompts and templates, the related toolkit gives you the fuller support.
Choose the situation that sounds most like yours.
Each guide is designed for a different point in the caring journey.
Start with the one that feels closest to your current situation. You can always come back for another guide later or choose the complete bundle if you want support across the full journey.
RESOURCE 1
Free Starter Checklist: When you’re starting to worry about an ageing parent
Best for when: When you are starting to worry, noticing changes or trying to work out what may need attention first.
What it helps with: Noticing changes, gathering first details, preparing gently and deciding what question to ask next.
Related toolkit: Toolkit 1: I’m starting to worry about my parent (70+ pages). Contains conversation guides for respectful conversations on legal and health planning documents, questions to ask, emergency needs, self care guides, helpful further contacts.
RESOURCE 2
After a fall or hospital visit: first things to check.
Best for when: When your parent has had a fall, hospital visit or sudden change and you need to steady the first moment.
What it helps with: Immediate safety, useful information to gather, home checks, first hospital questions and next safe steps.
Related toolkit: Toolkit 2: Their care needs are increasing (120+ pages). Contains conversation guides for respectful conversations on help at home and with life administration, practical support at home options to consider, questions to ask, helpful contacts, My Aged Care navigation Q&A and tips, practical consideration for when change is quick such as responding to falls, decision making capacity, self care guides.
RESOURCE 3
Palliative care questions: a gentle starting list
Best for when: When palliative care or end-of-life care has been mentioned and you need plain-English questions for the next conversation.
What it helps with: Understanding what palliative care means now, who is coordinating care, what to watch for and who to call.
Related toolkit: Toolkit 3: Time may be becoming limited (50+ pages). Important conversations, making care manageable, know what the final days may bring, understanding services available, self care guide.
RESOURCE 4
First hours after a death: a steady place to start
Best for when: The first hours after a death, when you need to know who to call first and what can wait.
What it helps with: Confirming the death, first contacts, urgent home or pet needs, and reducing the pressure to do everything at once.
Related toolkit: Toolkit 4: My parent has died (50+ pages). Explains what may happen and who is responsible for what, what may need to be acted upon sooner rather than later, who to notify, what steps can wait, respectful conversations with different grief responses, helpful contacts and next steps.
