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Some older Australians need additional support to access the help they need to remain in their own home. Some of the barriers are:
- communication and language barriers
- difficulty in navigating complex information and systems
- difficulty processing information due to cognitive decline
- reluctance to engage with a need for support
- reluctance to engage with government services.
In response to a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the DoHAC implemented the care finder program nationally, following the successful trail of the Aged Care System Navigators program.
The care finders program provides tailored intensive support to older people in the target group to:
- help people understand and access aged care services and connect with other relevant supports in their community
- target people who have one or more reasons for requiring intensive support to interact with My Aged Care and access aged care services and other relevant community supports
- resolve homelessness or reduce the risk of homelessness.
CHN commissioned 5 care finder providers within the ACT to deliver these services:
- ADACAS
- Community Services # 1
- Meridian
- Northside Community Services
- Woden Community Services.
Client story
Care finder met with Jacob* (not his real name) at the hotel he lives at and took extra time to reassure Jacob that all actions and decisions would be led by him, as Jacob was concerned about engaging with someone that would try to make him move to a nursing home. Jacob has a few health issues which impact his breathing and mobility. He is diagnosed with anxiety and depression, which is managed by his GP. Jacob mentioned his very difficult separation from his ex-wife and the subsequent breakdown in relationship with his children.
Jacob identified that he required assistance with transport, an aid for showering and assistance with shopping. Care finder explained services were available through My Aged Care and Jacob agreed that care finder could help with the process. Jacob was contacted by My Aged Care RAS Assessor who completed an assessment with Jacob and approved him for transport, individual support, and for goods and equipment.
Jacob advised his Medicare was not functioning as it should be, and he also needed to call Centrelink to update his address. Jacob advised he finds it very difficult to complete these tasks and required assistance with this. Care finder assisted Jacob to contact Medicare and reinstate his services and to call Centrelink to update his address.
