The Care Finder program provides eligible older people who don’t have family or trusted carers with free, localised, face-to-face support to help them navigate the aged care system, engage with services and stay connected.
Murray PHN funds seven local organisations to deliver Care Finder Services:
Care Finders work with My Aged Care. They give free, face-to-face help to older people who need support to access aged care services.
A Care Finder meets the person, usually in their home or another place they choose. They listen, ask questions, and help the person take the next steps to get the support they need.
Care Finders are trained workers who understand aged care services and local community supports.
Care Finders can help by:
talking to My Aged Care for the person, if needed
going with them to their aged care assessment
helping choose and contact aged care services
helping fill in forms and understand service agreements
checking in after services start to make sure things are going well
helping connect to other local support, such as health care, housing, mental health services, and community groups
Care Finders are not advocates, but they can help sort out simple problems with services they have helped the person access.
People may be able to get help from a Care Finder if they:
need help with one or more everyday tasks
are:
65 years or older, or
50 years or older if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or
50 years or older (45+ for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) on a low income
homeless or at risk of homelessness
assessed by the Care Finder service as frail or ageing earlier than expected
find it hard to use My Aged Care or to get the aged care or community supports they need without extra help.
Reasons may include:
Do not have a support person
communication barriers, such as limited English language or literacy skills
find it hard to understand information to make decisions
have found it difficult to engage with aged care services
mistrust of government and institutions
People do not need a referral to use Care Finder services.
People who need support — or their family member, carer, or representative (with permission) — are encouraged to call a local Care Finder organisation. This helps staff check whether the service is right for a person.
Care Finders also work in the community to reach out to people who may need extra help but are not yet connected to services.
The following services are available to assist older adults who need aged care or other community supports:
My Aged Care to discuss needs and arrange an assessment:
Call 1800 200 244 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-4pm Saturday
Visit any of the 70 Services Australia centre for face-to-face help, Services Australia website or call 1800 227 475 8am-5pm Monday to Friday for their locations
Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).
We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.
We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Leadership