Navigating the aged care system

Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) recognises that aged care can be complex, and so we’re supporting older people to navigate the system through a local network of care finder services.

On this page:

What is the care finder service?

The care finder service helps to identify disconnected older people in our community, and then provides them with specialist and intensive assistance to understand and access aged care services.

More specifically, it helps older people to:

• Navigate the aged care system and engage with My Aged Care
• Understand and progress through the care assessment process
• Access essential aged care services and other relevant community supports, including housing assistance for those at risk of homelessness
• Maintain regular check-ins to ensure ongoing needs are being met

A care finder will personally meet with each older person accessing the service, either at their residence or in another chosen location. The goal of this meeting is to listen and understand the each person’s individual needs and requirements.

Who can access the service?

To receive care finder assistance, the older person accessing the service must:

• Have no caregiver or supportive person (or feel uncomfortable or unable to trust their current caregiver or support person)
• Be eligible to receive government-funded aged care

An individual may also be able to access the care finder service if they:

• Have had difficulties engaging with aged care or government before
• Are in an unsafe situation without help
• Have difficulty understanding information and making decisions
• Are experiencing loneliness (especially those who are renting, living alone with disabilities and/or are on a low income)
• Belong to a culturally and linguistically diverse population (CALD)
• Identify as LGBTI+
• Are facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness

Getting started

The care finder service network in eastern and north-eastern Melbourne is delivered by our partner organisations (outlined below).

To get started, please contact these organisations directly, or ask a GP for assistance. Please note that no assessment or referral form is necessary.

Partner organisations

• Care Connect: Care Finder Program
• DPV Health: Aged Care Assist
• healthAbility: Service Connector
• Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG): Care Finder Program
• Merri Outreach Support Service: Housing Support for the Aged Program (HSAP)
• Migrant Information Centre: Aged Care Navigation Program (ACNP)
• The Salvation Army: Home Care
• Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH): Housing and Care Connections
• Wintringham: Outreach Services