Fairfax will become one of the first locations in Australia to receive a new My Aged Care face-to-face service dedicated to supporting senior Australians to access and navigate the aged care system.
Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien said the service forms part of the Government’s commitment to helping senior Australians and their families connect to the aged care system and get access to the best personalised support and care available.
“The addition of face-to-face services in Maroochydore is great news for the local community,” Mr O’Brien said.
Maroochydore is one of the initial 15 Services Australia sites to offer the aged care specialist face-to-face service, which will expand to 80 sites by December 2022. This includes 10 Aged Care Specialist Officers providing outreach support to senior Australians in rural and remote areas.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Greg Hunt, said the local service will make it easier for senior Australians and their loved ones to make decisions about care as they age.
“Planning for aged care can be overwhelming for many senior Australians and their families. This new face-to-face service allows seniors and their representatives to sit down with a service specialist and talk through their aged care needs,” Minister Hunt said.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, the Hon. Richard Colbeck, said the expanded service offering would give people greater choice in how they accessed aged care information, and complements existing online and phone services.
“New face-to-face service is designed to work together with the government’s My Aged Care website and call centre,” Minister Colbeck said.
“It also means senior Australians can access information about aged care, health and social services all in the one location. It creates a one-stop-shop for information.”
Minister for Government Services, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC, said Services Australia’s Aged Care Specialist Officers can help with providing in-depth information about aged care services, offering financial information, registration and referral for aged care assessments, and connecting senior Australians with local support services, social workers, interpreters and advocates.
“In addition, all Services Australia service centre staff can provide general information about aged care and assist with connecting people to more specialised assistance, including My Aged Care’s online or phone services,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Whether you are looking for help at home or you are considering a move to residential aged care, our staff can assist you and step you through the process.
The new service offering is part of the Australian Government’s $17.7 billion aged care reform package in response to the Royal Commission.
It comes as the Government extends another successful program to help senior Australians engage with the system. The aged care navigator trials will now operate until December 2022 and will focus on individual and intensive support for isolated clients.
Appointments to see an aged care specialist officer can be made by visiting the Maroochydore Service Centre or by phoning 1800 227 475.