Connecting older Australians in country South Australia to aged care services and other community supports
The care finder service (the service) provides a network of staff across country South Australia, to assist people 65 years or older, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
This service is supported by funding from Country SA PHN through the Australian Government's PHN Program.
To be eligible for the service, people should require individual and intensive help to understand, access and connect with aged care services and other community supports.
This may be due to:
This service is available for both:
A care finder will contact, meet, listen and begin to provide expert support, guidance and practical help to those they assist. This assistance can range from:
The care finder will keep in contact and support until services are in place.
The care finder service is free.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's final report in 2021 made 148 recommendations on a wide range of areas in aged care. It heard the aged care system is complex, with some people finding it more difficult than others to navigate and access the services they need.
While My Aged Care is the starting point to find out about and access aged care services for most people, there have long been calls for more localised and face-to-face support, especially for people who require intensive help. The care finder service helps address this need.
In January 2023, the care finder program commenced when Country SA PHN and the other 30 PHNs across Australia established a network of care finders within each of their regions.
In line with the care finder Policy Guidance provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Country SA PHN has commissioned care finder services in our region.
The organisations below can be contacted directly. No formal referral to the services is required but each organisation will ask for some information to make sure the service is applicable.
If you are contacting the service on behalf of someone else, please ensure they have provided permission for you to do this for them.
care finder | area service provided | phone number | online referral form/ Further information |
---|---|---|---|
Country & Outback Health | All of country SA | (08) 8644 4900 | cobh.com.au/care-finder/ |
AgedCare Alternatives | South East, Riverland and Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island | (08) 8408 4600 | agedcarealternatives.net.au/care-finders/ |
Centacare Catholic Country SA | Ceduna | (08) 8628 7600 | www.cccsa.org.au/services/care-finder/ |
This education module was created and funded by Country SA PHN for care finders and other interested professionals to understand the navigation of this sector in country South Australia. The module is free to register and complete.
The Elder Care Support program is designed to deliver Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care support, connection and coordination.
Through this progra, NACCHO is working with the Aboriginal community-controlled sector to ensure older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families are supported to understand, navigate and access aged care services they are entitled to.
Country SA PHN and their care finders are well connected with the Elder Care support program at a state and local level.
To learn about, register, and connect with the aged care systems, get in touch with My Aged Care's contact centre.
You can also find care finder services for metropolitan Adelaide and interstate locations through this service.
Visit or contact your local Services Australia office for assistance with general aged care related matters.
Published on: November 12, 2020
Last updated on: April 4, 2025