Archie Mursalin on Aged Care Navigation, Family Decision-Making and Leading With Care

When I connected with Archie Mursalin, what came through strongly was how personally he understands the aged care journey.

Archie is the Care Journey Consultant behind agedcarewitharchie and is also connected with Salveo HomeCare. His work sits in a space many families only enter when they are already overwhelmed: aged care applications, support-at-home options, provider decisions, care planning and the emotional reality of supporting ageing parents.

For Archie, this work is not only professional. It is personal.

He describes sitting around a table with his brothers, having serious conversations about their parents' future. At the same time, he was navigating similar conversations professionally as the CEO of a Support at Home organisation. That overlap became a turning point.

It is a reality many families know quietly. Archie believes too many people are carrying it in silence.

"So many of us are going through this silently," he says. "I decided it was time to make some noise. The world doesn't change if we all stay quiet."

Making Aged Care Clearer

For people just beginning to understand aged care, Archie wants families to know that ageing should not be seen as losing value.

agedcarewitharchie was created to help families make sense of a system that can feel complex, emotional and difficult to navigate. Archie describes the approach as direct and plain-speaking.

"We translate government jargon into plain English and hold your hand through the process," he says. "We show you how to apply, what to say, and what to look for, because care is never a one-size-fits-all."

That independence of thinking matters to him. Even though he represents Salveo HomeCare, he says the goal is not to push one option onto every family.

"Even though I represent Salveo HomeCare, we might not be your perfect fit. We offer up to three options based on your preferences, give you the independent pros and cons, and let you choose."

The Cost of Waiting Until Crisis

One of the strongest themes in Archie's perspective is the importance of planning before aged care decisions become urgent. He sees many families wait until the moment of need, only to be met with complexity, waitlists and pressure.

For Archie, the overwhelm often comes from not having a framework in place earlier. He believes families should begin by talking through options before an emergency forces the conversation.

In Australia, government-funded aged care assistance begins at 65. Archie says that, at a minimum, families should understand My Aged Care and early supports such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

"Reaching out for a little extra help doesn't mean you're 'old'," he says. "It's about re-ablement. It's an extra pair of hands to help keep you independent."

Too often, he says, families make contact when someone is already in their 80s and a crisis has occurred. "The options are there, but the waitlist for services is heartbreakingly long if you haven't planned ahead."

A Shared Journey

When asked what ageing parents, carers and adult children most need others to understand, Archie's answer is simple.

He sees aged care as a shared journey across generations — one that requires respect, honesty and recognition that today's younger people will one day be the older generation needing support.

For Archie, meaningful support is not about avoiding difficult truths. It is about giving families clear information so they can make empowered choices.

"Don't sugar-coat the tough stuff and don't leave families clinging to false hope. Give them the facts."

Independence, Identity and Fear

Archie believes families often misunderstand two key things about aged care.

The first is timing. Many people assume that once they apply, services will begin quickly. In reality, wait times can be much longer than expected.

The second is emotional. Many older people worry that accepting support means losing their identity, usefulness or independence.

"Many older individuals believe that accepting aged care means they are no longer useful to society," he says, "that the identity and independence they spent 50 years building will just vaporize."

That fear can cause people to wait until support is absolutely necessary. By then, options may be more limited and the transition more difficult.

Archie often thinks of his own father when he considers why this work matters. He describes him as stubborn, strong and resistant to age-related challenges — but also recognises the fear that can sit beneath that.

"Beneath that tough exterior, I often see someone who is quietly terrified of losing their independence."

For Archie, that personal connection remains part of his reason for doing this work.

"One day, I will be in his shoes. I want to look back and know that I took every opportunity to make a genuinely positive impact on the lives of others."

Leading With Care

At Salveo HomeCare, Archie points to the value of CARE: Compassion, Advocacy for wellbeing, Respect, and Empowering individuals to live life their way.

His message for families is practical: start earlier, ask for help, and engage with the resources available before decisions become urgent.