The Care finder program is an important part of Australia’s aged care system.
In a system that emphasises people’s choice and control over their care, it is the program that stops people falling through the gaps. Not everyone has access to a website or a call centre to choose their own care. This program is an essential part of making the aged care system fair, accessible, and kind.
Care finders do the work to ensure nobody misses out on the aged care services to which they are entitled. They reach out to the excluded and marginalised. Their clients may be excluded by language, digital literacy, past trauma, limited literacy, cultural difference, sexuality or for any other reason.
Care finders build relationships with communities and individuals who otherwise would miss out, helping people on their own terms, and ensuring everyone’s experience of ageing is one of quality care with respect and dignity.
If you, or someone you care about is looking for assistance finding aged care, visit MyAgedCare.gov.au
Services are commissioned through the Primary Health Networks (PHNs). If there is nothing available in your area, contact your local PHN here.
The resources below were created in 2022 as part of the Aged Care Navigation Trail to inform and assist Care Finders in their work.
Care Finder Competency Frameworks
Service-level Resources
- LGBTI Service delivery models
- Addressing service gaps: Responses to common problems encountered by navigators
- Service Intake and engagement models
Skills for Person-centred Approaches
Resources
- Assertive outreach
- Working with older people from diverse communities
- Working with interpreters
- Supporting complex customers
- First time phone contact: Engaging vulnerable clients on the phone
- Referrals
- Navigator Roles and Boundaries
- Supporting older Veterans
Policies and Procedures