Care finder program for seniors extended another four years

OLDER people in Northern NSW will receive ongoing support to navigate aged care services and the My Aged Care system over the next four years.

Healthy North Coast announced the extension of the care finder program to 2029 on Thursday, September 18.

The national service came about in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and identified as an essential element of the new aged care system, commencing on November 1.

Providers of care finder services in the region are Footprints Community in Kyogle, Tweed, Byron and Ballina, and Each in Richmond Valley and Lismore.

Footprints Community CEO Tanya Bell said that for two years, care finders had seen firsthand the hardships, barriers, and issues older people faced.

“The launch of four more years of the care finder program in the region means Footprints Community will still be there on the ground, assisting older people to connect and navigate often complex support systems and services during what tends to be times of high stress in their lives,” Bell said.

CEO of Each Natalie Sullivan said the organisation was proud to continue delivering the care finder service.

“We see the difference it makes when someone has a care finder by their side – when forms become less overwhelming, when connections to housing or health services are finally made, and when dignity and independence are restored,” Sullivan said.

This initiative is free and funded by the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network, with almost $14 million for the North Coast over the next four years.

Healthy North Coast CEO, Monika Wheeler, said the opportunity to operate the care finder services was highly contested.

“The ageing population in our region means it’s essential that all older people can access care and services to allow them to live independently at home for as long as they wish,” Wheeler said.

For information, contact Footprints Community on 1800 366 877 or visit footprintscommunity.org.au, or contact Each on 1300 003 224 or visit each.com.au