By Rochel Lazarus, Care Advisor, South East Sydney Catholic Healthcare, Bulletin 6/2023, August

In January 2023, the Government initiated a new program to support vulnerable people to interact with My Aged Care by funding a workforce of care finders to provide face-to-face support to help people navigate and access aged care.

The program is in response to a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Care finders help people understand and access aged care (Image: Catholic Healthcare)

Care finders help people understand and access aged care and connect with other relevant supports in their community. Care finders support people who have one or more reasons for requiring intensive support to interact with My Aged Care and access services. Care finders can complete high-level check-in on a periodic basis and follow up support once services have commenced, while building a rapport with clients and service providers.

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are responsible for commissioning and managing care finder services.  Catholic Healthcare has been commissioned to cover the Sydney Metro area, including Glebe and Forest Lodge.

Once My Aged Care has assessed a person for help at home or residential care, then he or she is free to choose an aged care service provider. A list of care finder organisations and more information about the care finder service is available on the My Aged Care website. 

If you would like assistance with contacting My Aged Care or would like to know more about the care finder service,  please contact us on 1800 225 474.