New research highlights care gap facing Australian families

New research has revealed a significant gap between Australians’ intentions to support older family members and their confidence in recognising when care is needed, prompting calls for families to use the holiday period as an opportunity to check in on ageing loved ones.

The research, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by in-home aged care and disability support platform Mable, found that while almost all Australians aged 35 and over (95%) believe it is important to help relatives aged 70 and above maintain their independence at home, only one in three (33%) feel confident identifying what care or support their older relative may need.

Mable said the findings point to a national “Care Gap”, where families are emotionally committed but practically unsure how to recognise changing needs or start conversations about support.

Mable Chief Growth Officer Matthew Cavalier said the research highlighted both strong intentions and growing uncertainty among families.

“Families are deeply committed to helping older loved ones remain independent at home, but this care gap leaves many unsure how to spot evolving needs and how to begin what can feel like a difficult conversation,” Mr Cavalier said.

He said family gatherings, particularly during holiday periods, often provide valuable insight into changes that may not be obvious over the phone or during brief visits.

“The research confirms that when families come together at times like the holidays, people are more likely to notice whether there have been changes in mum or dad,” he said.

More than 60% of Australians surveyed said they had noticed a decline in an older relative’s physical health, cognitive ability or overall wellbeing after a period of not seeing them. The most commonly reported signs included reduced mobility (67%), a greater need to rest or sit down (58%), and memory loss (44%).

Supporting families to take the next step

To help families bridge the care gap, Mable has partnered with clinical psychologist Melissa Levi, who has supported more than 1,000 families navigating aged care decisions.

Together, they have developed the “Holiday Check In”, a set of practical resources designed to help families recognise early warning signs and approach conversations about care with confidence and empathy.

The resources include an early warning signs checklist, guidance on having supportive conversations, advice on navigating GP appointments, and tips for introducing care and support in a way that feels positive for older people.

Mr Cavalier said while concern for older relatives was widespread, confidence in what to do next often lagged behind.

“While 79% of Australians say they care deeply about the wellbeing of their older relatives, confidence in how to act on that concern is often lacking,” he said.

“We see the upcoming holidays as a real opportunity to check in on a loved one. Noticing change can be confronting, but our aim is to make the next steps feel positive and achievable.”

He said families who identify a need for extra support can also access independent support workers through the Mable platform to help with tasks such as home maintenance, gardening or day-to-day assistance to support independent living.

Normalising conversations about care

Ms Levi said reluctance to talk about future care needs remained a major barrier for many families, with the research showing 81% of people experience difficulty starting these conversations.

“Older relatives may not want to admit they need help, which can make these discussions emotionally challenging,” she said.

“The Holiday Check In resources are designed to reduce hesitation and offer a warm, respectful way forward. The goal is to help families act with love and confidence, turning anxiety into positive outcomes for everyone involved.”

The Holiday Check In resources are now available, offering families practical tools to help older Australians age safely and comfortably in their own homes.