Helping vulnerable older Australians navigate and access aged care services
Care finder is a specialised face-to-face support program for vulnerable and at-risk older people in the community.
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Some older people living in south east Melbourne require extra support to navigate the aged care system for varying reasons including; not having a carer or relatives to help, language barriers, difficulty processing information due to cognitive decline and/or reluctance to engage with services.
Funded by the Australian Government and managed by Primary Health Networks across Australia, the care finder program was launched in January 2023 to address these challenges and respond to the unique needs of older people. The need for this service was highlighted in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2021).
How does care finder work?
Care finder is a specialised face-to-face support program for vulnerable and at-risk older people in the community who require assistance with navigating, understanding and accessing aged care services, as well as connecting with other relevant community supports.
Within the SEMPHN catchment, eleven organisations provide care finder services; Bayside City Council, Better Health Network, Better Place Australia, Care Connect, Council on the Ageing Victoria, Housing for the Aged Action Group, MiCare, Monash Health, Peninsula Health, Sacred Heart Mission and Wintringham.
If someone requires care finder support, they can contact one of the local organisations who will connect them with a dedicated coordinator referred to as a care finder. The care finder will meet with them at their home or other place where they are comfortable. To better understand the person’s situation, the care finder will ask questions and work through steps to address their needs. The support provided is tailored but often includes liaising with My Aged Care on their behalf and arranging an assessment, attending assessments, finding suitable local services, helping complete forms and providing assistance to access additional community support (such as health, mental health, housing and homelessness, alcohol and other drugs services).
Care finder’s impact in south east Melbourne
Since it began, care finder has helped 360 vulnerable older people living in south east Melbourne to access tailored and intensive support. The face-to-face personalised approach has been very well received, with clients reporting that they feel less confused and more confident in the type of care they need and can access.
Experienced improved understanding of aged care services and how to access them
Say care finder was appropriate for their needs
Felt more open to engaging with the aged care system after contact with a care finder
Sally finds a place to call home
Sally*, a 70 year old woman, contacted care finder organisation Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) after searching the internet for housing assistance. After she was widowed nine years ago, she had been living between the homes of family and friends before moving in with her step daughter and paying rent to her. Recently her step daughter had asked her to leave the property, giving her two months notice and resulting in a relationship breakdown. Sally had no savings, and although she lived with arthritis and hearing loss, she was managing well and did not feel the need for any aged care services.
The HAAG intake service referred Sally to a care finder, who booked a home visit. The care finder discussed her housing needs and lodged a Victorian Housing Register application. While waiting for housing, Sally declined an offer to move temporarily into a women’s-only rooming house, as she preferred to stay with friends until she got a more permanent housing offer. The care finder upgraded the housing application, as Sally was now homeless, and put in expressions of interest to a number of housing providers in case a vacancy became available. One of these providers contacted the care finder to inform them that they had a vacancy, and the care finder arranged a site visit with Sally, who was overjoyed at the apartment and its location.
The care finder continued to assist Sally by arranging the move. They also introduced her to the local community health centre and registered her for local transport subsidies.
Sally has settled in her new home and is connected with aged care supports to live well. She has expressed heartfelt thanks to the care finder for her support.
*A pseudonym has been used in this story to protect the identity of clients.
Sally’s story is one of many highlighting the benefits of listening and responding to the needs of older people to offer tailored support that improves access to aged care services. The care finder program is helping vulnerable older Australians make educated decisions about their care, maintain their independence and live healthy lives.
To find out more about Care Finder services in south east Melbourne, visit our dedicated webpage.
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While the Australian Government Department of Health has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.
South Eastern Melbourne PHN acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land our catchment covers, the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people. We pay respect to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future, and uphold their relationship to this land.