A new program, care finders, has arrived in central western New South Wales to support senior members of the community struggling to find suitable care services.
The Social Futures care finders program is funded by Western NSW Primary Health Network and delivered across Greater Dubbo, Narromine, Gilgandra, Warrumbungle and the Mid-Western regional local government areas.
A new program, care finders, has arrived in central western New South Wales to support senior members of the community struggling to find suitable care services.
The Social Futures care finders program is funded by Western NSW Primary Health Network and delivered across Greater Dubbo, Narromine, Gilgandra, Warrumbungle and the Mid-Western regional local government areas.
Linda Hayes, Social Futures General Manager Disability Inclusion, said as part of the program ‘care finder’ coordinators meet with vulnerable older people to discuss their needs and help them to connect with community and mainstream services and My Aged Care providers.
“This program will focus on the most vulnerable older community members. Some older people need extra support to find their way around the care system and the government’s My Aged Care service,” Ms Hayes said.
“This is often true of older people who don’t have family nearby, or friends or helpers who fully understand the care or aged care sector.
“Care coordinators listen to your story and explain all the options, then help to set up the best combination of health, aged care and other local services to meet needs.”
Ms Hayes said the central western care coordinators had strong community connections and expert skills supporting senior community members to find aged care services and other resources.
“The care finder service team has a specialist understanding of care supports and can help people work with the federal My Aged Care program, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and locate other care services and supports in the community.”
Ms Hayes said the care coordinators tailor support around individual needs. Anyone can refer an older person to our services. To be eligible, the older person needs to be 65 years or older, or 55 years or older for our indigenous seniors.
“As we age, it’s vital to remain connected to others and the community and feel safe and cared for – and have choices.
“Our care coordinators can support many different people. It may be that some senior community members need a bit of help to overcome language barriers, others could be reluctant to ask for support, or deal with a government service.
“And some older people may also be dealing with cognitive decline. That’s where the care finders can help, and yes, we definitely support people who are not yet receiving aged care services.”
“The care finder’s goal is to provide every individual with the right supports for them,” s/he said.
Remember Care Finders can help you:
To get in touch with care finders, phone 1800 719 625, email [email protected], socialfutures.org.au/service-category/seniors-in-community/