Care finder is a vital service supporting older people to navigate and connect with aged care services and relevant community supports. They help those eligible with both accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports.
Our care finders are here to:
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Identify and understand people’s needs
Care finders visit older people at home or where they feel most comfortable. They take the time to listen and build connection, learning about people’s needs and goals to determine the best supports.
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Navigate the aged care system
Care finders help people interact with My Aged Care, whether they’re just starting their journey or ready to find suitable supports. They help people understand and guide them through the care assessment process.
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Connect with services and community
Care finders help older people find and access essential aged care and community services, which can include community connections for those living alone and housing assistance for those at risk of homelessness. Care finders stay in regular contact to ensure service and support needs are met.
Who can use the care finder service?
The care finder service is for older people who need extra support due to vulnerability, to access aged care and other community services. It is not available to everyone.
To receive care finder support a person must:
- not have a carer or support person who can help them, or
- not have a carer or support person they feel comfortable or trust to support them
- be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples), or
- be 50 years or older on a low income and homeless, or at risk of being homeless (45 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples).
In addition, a person should have one or more of these reasons for needing intensive support:
- have difficulty communicating because of language or literacy difficulties,
- be reluctant to engage with aged care or the government, or
- be in an unsafe situation if they do not receive services,
- find it difficult to understand information and make decisions.
Why are care finders important?
The aged care system in Australia is complex. It can be hard to understand and navigate for some older people. The care finder program was created to help these individuals access the care and services they need.
Care finders aim to improve older people’s:
- understanding of care services and how to access them,
- willingness to engage with the aged care system,
- access to services and connections with other relevant supports, and
- rates of staying connected to the services they need.
Where does Care Connect provide care finder services?
Care Connect offers care finder services across seven local government areas. For more information, call us at 1800 940 633.
Care finder services are provided at no cost as they are fully funded through the Primary Health Network (PHN). The care finder service is supported by funding from the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network and South Eastern Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.
Making a referral
Referrals can be made to our care finder service on behalf of an individual, or an individual can self-refer.
Referrals are accepted from a broad range of professionals including, but not limited to, GP’s, hospital workers, social workers, assessors, ACAS assessors, allied health professionals and service providers.
Fill out the referral form, link below.
We will contact you for more information about the person being referred.
We will then make contact with the person you’ve referred.
We conduct a detailed assessment to understand their needs and goals.
We support them to navigate and connect with the service(s) that best suits them.
We walk alongside them, ensuring services and supports meet their needs and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Refer someone for care finder support now
For more information, call us at 1800 940 633.
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