Aged care services provide support to a large and growing number of older Australians. During 2019–2020, over one million people received support from aged care services in Australia[1], however the aged care system is complex. Some people find it more difficult than others to navigate and access the services they need, particularly those who are reluctant due to past trauma, communication barriers or cognitive concerns[2]. Vulnerable older people, who would not be able to arrange services without intensive support and do not have family members or friends who can help, require more localised support to navigate and access aged care services.
The Care Finder program was announced in the Australian Government’s 2021-22 Budget as part of the Connecting Senior Australians to Aged Care Services measure and will be delivered through Primary Health Networks. As the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, we welcome the opportunity to support older people in Western Sydney by providing free access to Care Finder services.
The Role of a Care Finder
Care Finder gives support to vulnerable older people who need intensive support to access aged care and other local services by connecting them with a care finder. Care finders provide direct face-to-face outreach locally, and intensive assistance to help people understand and access aged care and connect with other relevant supports in the community.
Care finders can assist their clients with:
- Talking to My Aged Care on their behalf and arranging an assessment
- Helping them understand what aged care services are available
- Accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports
- Completing forms and understanding aged care service agreements
- Solving other challenges and connecting to support in the community
Eligibility Criteria
To access Care Finder services, a person must be eligible for Government-funded aged care services and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as having no carer or support person to help them, and key factors must apply.
Care Finder Organisations
Aspire4Life and Your Side have successfully become Care Finder service providers for Western Sydney. HammondCare and Wesley Mission are Transitioning Assistance with Care and Housing providers that cater to older people experiencing homelessness or risk of homelessness in Western Sydney.
Those who are contacting a Care Finder organisation on behalf of someone must ensure there is consent from the person to provide their information to the organisation. If a person is eligible for Care Finder services, a Care Finder organisation will connect them with a care finder.
To find out more about the Care Finder program, eligibility and the available Care Finder service providers, please visit our website.
Thursday 4 April 2023
[1] The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020), Aged Care Data Snapshot. Accessed by: https://www.gen-agedcaredata.gov.au/resources/access-data/2020/october/aged-care-data-snapshot%E2%80%942020
[2] Department of Health (2022), Care Finder Policy Guidance. Accessed by: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/04/care-finder-policy-guidance-for-phns_0.pdf