Aged Care Navigators

PHN Commissioned

Aged care navigators assist and guide older Australians with particular needs for intensive support to access aged care.

To receive care finder support, a person must:

• have no carer or support person who can help them, or

• not have a carer or support person they feel comfortable or trust to support them, and

• be eligible for government-funded aged care (use the Eligibility checker to learn more).

In addition, they should have one or more of these reasons for needing intensive support:

• have difficulty communicating because of language or literacy problems

• find it difficult to understand information and make decisions

• be reluctant to engage with aged care or government

• be in an unsafe situation if they do not receive services.

The aged care navigator trail was undertaken in Queensland by COTA Qld and ended on 31 December 2022. Care finder services are now managed by Primary Health Care Networks. Care finder services for Queensland are listed below and at https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-care-finder

As an example, one provider of care finder services is Communify Queensland:

• Aged Care Services Navigation: Communify Queensland's care navigators focus on helping specific older individuals access a wide range of aged care services, including in-home care, respite care, and community-based programs.

• Home Modifications and Safety: They assess home environments for safety hazards and suggest modifications to enhance older individuals' safety and independence.

• Community Connection: Care navigators at Communify Queensland encourage community engagement, connecting older Australians with social activities, support groups, and community services.