The Australian Government has funded Gippsland PHN to establish a network 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 support vulnerable older people who would not be able to arrange services without intensive support and do not have a family member or friends who can help. Care finder services are provided at no cost as they are fully funded through Primary Health Networks. See this factsheet for more information on when someone should be connected to a care finder and how the service works.
Some older Australians need extra support to navigate the aged care system because of:
The care finder program offers tailored, intensive support and will improve outcomes for people in the care finder target population, and integration between the health, aged care and other systems at the local level.
The care finder program targets older Australians who are eligible for aged care services and require intensive support to:
This includes people who are, or are not yet, receiving aged care services or other relevant supports. Care finders support people who don’t have family, friends, a carer or a representative they are comfortable receiving help from to access aged care services and supports.
Latrobe Community Health Service (Gippsland)
Phone 1800 242 696
Email carefinders@lchs.com.au
HAAG – Housing for the Aged Action Group (Gippsland)
Phone 1300 765 178
Email intake@oldertenants.org.au
Micare (Baw Baw and East Gippsland)
Phone 0499 885 043
Email gippslandcarefinder@micare.com.au
To find out more please go to www.health.gov.au/our-work/care-finder-program
Call My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 (Freecall*).
Aged Care Specialist Officers are now based in both Bairnsdale and Morwell to provide in-person support to older people in Gippsland with greater choice in how they access the aged care services they need.
Main office
11 Seymour Street, Traralgon, Gunaikurnai Country
13 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, Bunurong Country
119 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Gunaikurnai Country
Gippsland PHN is committed to providing inclusive services and work environments where people of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, cultures, spiritual beliefs, age, bodies and abilities are valued, supported and celebrated.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s as the traditional Custodians of Country across the Gippsland region.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s continuing connection to Land, Water and Community.
We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People/s, Cultures, and their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.
