A new aged care specialist officer will now be able to offer face-to-face support at the Woy Woy Services Centre for locals wishing to access aged care services.
The free service will be able to provide in-depth information on different types of aged care services, check eligibility for government-funded services, provide financial information about services, help appoint a My Aged Care representative, and connect residents to local support services.
After starting five weeks ago in the role, Ann Lions said she has had a great introduction to the role.
“It’s been an exciting introduction and I feel like we’ve been able to assist a lot of people already,” Lions said.
“Often when someone is looking at needing care, they may be referred to by as someone such as a GP, a family member, neighbour, a friend – it’s a matter of providing the information so that people can assist someone to get the care that they need.”
As the only aged care specialist on the Central Coast, Lions said she has already been fully booked up with people travelling from across the Coast to access the service.
“I’ve had residents come from about an hour north at the top end of the Coast, I’ve also had someone come up from Sydney,” she said.
“[But] across the Services Australia network, any staff member can provide them with general information about accessing aged care and can help them call the My Aged Care Service Centre.”
Lyons is able to see up to four individuals or families a day with sessions ranging from 90 minutes to two hours.
“A customer I had last week summed it up – I had a lady who is moving into aged care interstate and selling her home here on the Peninsula.
“She came with her daughter and son-in-law and at the end of our interview, which took nearly two hours, her son-in-law said he had been online a number of times and spoke to numerous people over the phone (but that) this was the first time he’s been able to get all the information they need so they can make the right decision.”
The local service, which is just one of 80 positions across Australia, was introduced in response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care which found there is “very limited information available about the quality of services provided” to people.
The Commission stated the function of care finders should be to assist older people seeking aged care services with information about the aged care system and case management services.
“From my understanding of the outcome of the Royal Commission, the Government has introduced this service purely because it was identified that there needed to be a face-to-face service,” Lions said.
“Prior to this role, people could only connect with the My Aged Care Services online or via phone and for some people that is not appropriate.
“I feel like this is a fantastic improvement and I’m certainly sure that it’s something that is going to be valued by our senior Australians and their families and carers.”
The service forms part of the Federal Government’s $18.3B aged care reform package.
Appointments with an Aged Care Specialist Officer can be made by visiting the Blackwall Rd Service Centre or by calling 1800 227 475.
More information is available at servicesaustralia.gov.au/myagedcarefacetoface
Maisy Rae