MPHN seeks help to develop new aged care finder program

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) are inviting older people, their family members and carers to a series of face-to-face consumer and community consultations in July and August to help develop a new aged care program designed to assist older people better access services.

Consultation events will take place in Corowa, Hay and Berrigan from Friday 29 July to Wednesday 10 August 2022 and will aim to gather experiences and feedback on navigating through the aged care system.

MPHN Acting CEO Julie Redway said the Care Finder Program will provide specialist and intensive assistance to help people requiring support to access aged care services.

“Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, MPHN received funding to support the provision of a range of initiatives to support aged care across the region,” Ms Redway said.

“One initiative is to commission services to deliver the Care Finder Program to support senior Australians and their families and carers accessing aged care services and connecting with other relevant health and social supports.”

MPHN Healthy Ageing and Palliative Care Manager Stacey Heer said the consultations will allow community members the opportunity to contribute valuable insights into aged care service needs.

“We are keen to co-design the Care Finder program with local people and organisations to ensure we better support seniors and their families and carers to access the right aged care services for them and connect with other relevant health and social supports,” Ms Heer said.

“We are encouraging people who are currently accessing local aged care services to participate in one of these four consultation session to help us better understand their experiences in accessing local aged care services and how the Care Finder program could ensure best access to these services.

“If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, there will be an online survey opportunity available shortly, and consultation with service providers will be undertaken as well to ensure we gather information from a wide range of people who interact with the aged care system.

MPHN is inviting all interested consumers, carers and organisations to participate and will be holding consultations at the following venues:

·        Corowa RSL Club – Friday 29 July 2022, 12am to 12pm – register here.

·        Hay Services Club – Wednesday 10 August 2022, 10am to 12pm – register here.

·        Berrigan CWA rooms – Wednesday 3 August 2022, 2pm to 4pm – register here.