For many Australians in their 60s, 70s and beyond, retirement or the slowing of daily routines can bring unexpected challenges.
One day you are juggling work, family and community roles; the next, questions arise: “Who am I now?” “How do I stay active and connected?” “What if I need help but do not know where to start?” Long waiting lists for Support at Home packages, conflicting advice about “taking it easy”, and the very real issues of loneliness, fear of falling or financial uncertainty can quickly turn what should be a rewarding chapter into a confusing one.
Enter Planwise Australia, a referral and planning service that is quietly reshaping the conversation around ageing. Rather than accepting the stereotype that later years are about decline and limitation, Planwise believes older Australians should remain ambitious, purposeful and in control of their own story.
The service was founded by small business owner Terry and financial adviser Allan as founding directors, in partnership with Nicky, a nurse, and Bridie, a psychologist. Together they recognised a critical gap.
Most support systems treat ageing in isolated silos, with health addressed here, housing addressed there, and finances addressed elsewhere, even though life simply does not work that way.
Planwise’s solution is refreshingly holistic. It rests on four interconnected pillars that address the full picture of what it means to age well: PURPOSE, FINANCIAL AND LEGAL, MIND AND BODY, and WHERE AND HOW YOU LIVE.
This framework is not just common sense; it is grounded in decades of rigorous research, including the landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development. Running for nearly 80 years, the study has repeatedly shown that strong social connections, a continuing sense of purpose and the ability to adapt are the most powerful predictors of a happy, healthy later life, more important than wealth, fame or even genetics.
Factors such as ageism, both internal and societal, fear, and loneliness can seriously undermine health and functioning, while finances, living arrangements and self-esteem play equally vital roles.
The process at Planwise begins with a respectful, no-pressure conversation with one of their experienced Care Navigators. They listen carefully to understand exactly where someone feels stuck, perhaps after finishing paid work, while waiting for government support, or when an adult child notices a parent becoming withdrawn.
From there, Planwise builds a personalised roadmap with tailored recommendations for trusted service providers, practical prompt questions to ask at appointments, and access to a growing library of free resources including tip sheets, articles and short videos.
Clients move forward at their own pace, with the reassurance that every recommended provider is regularly audited and client feedback is actively sought to maintain the highest standards.
With flexible membership options, Planwise can also be “in your back pocket” when you need it most, whether that is during a crisis, when exploring new opportunities, or simply to sense check decisions and ensure you are not in a vulnerable position personally, financially or physically.
The four pillars in action
Under the PURPOSE pillar, Planwise helps people rediscover meaning once familiar roles change. Questions explored might include: What activities make you feel connected and alive? Who are you becoming now? How can you share your knowledge and skills while staying socially engaged? The team connects clients with new pursuits, including volunteering, mentoring, creative groups or community activities, that combat loneliness and rebuild confidence.
The FINANCIAL AND LEGAL pillar brings clarity to complex matters such as superannuation, retirement budgeting, updating wills and powers of attorney, advance care directives, protecting against elder financial abuse, and planning for long-term healthcare costs. Many clients arrive feeling overwhelmed by options, and Planwise equips them with the right questions and trusted referrals so decisions feel secure rather than stressful.
MIND AND BODY challenges outdated myths head-on. Pain and stiffness are not inevitable at your age. Care Navigators guide people toward realistic, evidence-based support including allied health referrals such as physiotherapy, exercise physiology and dietetics, chronic disease self-management, medication reviews, sleep strategies, stress management and preventive health checks. The focus is always on what your body and mind can achieve now, not what society assumes.
Finally, WHERE AND HOW YOU LIVE ensures the physical environment supports independence and enjoyment. This might involve home modifications, fall prevention technology, transport alternatives, downsising options or simply making current living spaces more engaging and accessible. The goal is to help people stay in the places and communities they love for as long as possible.
Because these pillars influence one another, Planwise never treats them in isolation. A change in housing can restore social connections. Improved mobility can rebuild purpose. Financial peace of mind can reduce stress that affects physical health. This whole person approach sets Planwise apart from services that focus on just one domain.
The experts behind the plans
Leading the Care Navigators are Nicky McGrath and Bridie Scanlon, two professionals whose combined experience and passion shine through in every interaction.
Nicky began her nursing career in 2002 in an orthopaedic neurosurgical ward before moving into a Care Coordinator role in a Hospital Admissions Risk Program at a major Melbourne public hospital. She later worked directly in residential aged care and as a Care Advisor for a Home Care Package provider, now Support at Home.
That frontline experience gives her deep insight into the real frustrations people face when trying to access help. At Planwise, her focus is reducing confusion and stress so clients can move forward with confidence.
Bridie is a psychologist with more than 15 years in a multidisciplinary clinic, specialising in chronic pain, adjustment to health changes, and mental health for older adults. She works within the biopsychosocial model, recognising that biological, psychological and social factors are all connected.
Bridie has seen time and again that addressing only one part of life rarely creates lasting change, which is why her training shapes the holistic way Planwise supports every client.
Together with their team, Nicky and Bridie ensure every interaction is guided by six core values: respect, openness, clarity, enjoyment, quality and ease. Trust is paramount when people are making important decisions about their future, and Planwise places it at the centre of everything they do.
Who benefits and how
Planwise is already supporting a diverse group of Australians. Some are older adults who simply feel stuck in one area and want clear next steps.
Others are adult children helping a parent who is unsure about downsising, managing finances or staying socially active. Many are people already in the queue for government support packages who want to keep momentum and avoid unnecessary decline while they wait.
Even health professionals are taking notice. A physiotherapist working on balance and mobility might refer a client who is also struggling with social withdrawal or unsuitable housing. Planwise steps in to address those other domains, creating better overall outcomes.
The service also offers different levels of membership support, allowing people to choose the intensity that matches their needs and stage of life, from quick guidance on a specific issue to more comprehensive ongoing planning, always with the reassurance that support is there when needed.
A new way forward
In an aged care landscape often dominated by bureaucracy and one size fits all advice, Planwise stands out by putting the individual first. It challenges ageist assumptions, confronts fear with practical solutions, and tackles loneliness through meaningful connection.
Most importantly, it reminds every client that their later years can still be rich, ambitious and entirely on their own terms.
To discover how Planwise Australia can help you, a parent, or someone you support, visit www.planwiseaustralia.com.au and connect with the Care Navigators for an obligation free conversation. Practical inspiration is also shared regularly on social media.
