Our Care Finder program supports vulnerable older people who are living with a disability or who are from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background that live in the Cairns Local Government Area.
This program assists people who would not be able to arrange Aged Care services without intensive support and do not have a family member or friend who can help.
Who can receive assistance from the Care Finder service?
Our Aged Care Navigators specifically help vulnerable older people who need intensive assistance to access aged care and other supports.
To receive care finder support, a person must:
- Not have a carer or support person who can help them, or
- Not have a carer or support person they feel comfortable to trust to support them, and
- Be eligible or government funded aged care services
What help can an Aged Care Navigator provide?
Our Aged Care Navigators can support people with:
- Understanding what aged care services are available
- Registering for My Aged Care
- Arranging an assessment and supporting them at this meeting if necessary
- Accessing services for the first time or changing and finding new supports
- Talking to My Aged Care of their behalf’
- Finding and short-listing Aged Care providers in their area
- Completing forms and understanding aged care service agreements
- Connecting to other supports in the community such as health, mental health, housing and homelessness, social supports and other community groups
How Can I Refer Myself or Someone I know to the COTA Queensland Care Finder service?
Contact COTA Queensland on 1800 716 696 or email agedcarenavigator@cotaqld.org.au
What if the Care Finder service isn’t right for someone?
Most people who need Aged Care services should contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website to arrange for an assessment of their needs.
There are also Aged Care Specialist Officers (ACSOs) who give face-to-face help. A person can make an appointment to speak to an Aged Care Specialist Officer by calling 1800 227 475
COTA Queensland delivers the Care Finder service in the Cairns area. If you live outside of Cairns, you can find a Care Finder organisation near you by visiting Help from a Care Finder which lists all Care Finder organisations by state and territory.
Other supports for older people include:
- Advocacy Support – call OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) on 1800 700 600
- Carer Support – call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737
- Dementia Australia – 1800 100 500