New initiative ensures vulnerable older residents find care

Our region’s most vulnerable older people will now have help accessing aged care and community services and support with the launch of Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN’s) new care finder initiative.

READY TO CARE: (from left) Matthew, Ash, Kylie, Kavita and Anna are part of the friendly team ready to help our older community members access aged care services and support for Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s new care finder initiative.

The free care finder service will connect older Australians living without a support network, and who may be experiencing significant language, literacy, or other barriers, with caring professionals who can help them find the care that best suits their individual needs.

MPHN Chief Executive Officer Melissa Neal said the new care finder program was created in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

“The Australian Government provided us with funding to help support healthy ageing for people in our community and in residential aged care facilities,” Ms Neal said.

“We met with community members across the Murrumbidgee in 2022 to find out exactly what it’s like to navigate the often-complex world of aged care services.

“We’ve taken that feedback and designed a program that will help ensure eligible older Murrumbidgee residents are able to access those services.”

MPHN is working with Marathon Health and the Berrigan and District Aged Care Association, who will provide a team of care finders to assist older people in need.

Marathon Health General Manager, Operations Southern Danielle Scoullar said she was proud to be part of the care finder initiative.

“Our team are some of the kindest, most patient and caring people you’ll ever meet,” Ms Scoullar said.

“Our care finders will be able to meet with older community members face-to-face, reach an understanding of their situation, and make a plan to get them the help they need – they’ll be by their side throughout the whole process.”

Berrigan and District Aged Care Association General Manager Christine Symmons said she was hoping the local community would help connect older people in need with the care finder initiative.

“We welcome your assistance in getting the word out to older people who need help but may not be online or able to read the paper,” Ms Symmons said.

“We’d love our community to work together in helping us support our local older residents.”

For more information about care finder, visit mphn.org.au/care-finder