Care finders support access to aged care

A network of care finders is being established in Gippsland to provide support for people accessing aged care services.

The initiative has been funded by the Federal Government in the wake of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and will complement existing ways of accessing My Aged Care with face-to-face support.

Care finder in Gippsland will be delivered by three service providers, Latrobe Community Health Service, Housing for the Aged Action Group, and MiCare.

Gippsland Primary Health Network acting chief executive officer Angela Jacob said some older people needed extra support to navigate the aged care system and to access My Aged Care.

She said there could be a number of reasons for people needing extra support.

“Some people have communication and language barriers, difficulty processing information due to cognitive decline or they may be reluctant to engage with support including government services.”

“Care finder will help people understand and access aged care services and connect with other relevant supports in their community.”

Mrs Jacob said the program targets older Australians eligible for aged care services who had one or more reasons for requiring intensive support - including those who are or are not yet, receiving aged care services.

“Care finder assists people who don’t have family, friends, a carer, or a representative they are comfortable receiving help from and who is willing and able to help them access aged care services,” she said.

“We know there are people who need this extra support and that’s what care finder can provide.”

For more details visit https://gphn.org.au/whatwe-do/programs/programsaged-care/