Help to access services, supports and housing
An Age Matters Coordinator will provide intensive face-to-face support for older Australians who might otherwise ‘fall through the cracks’. Program services are targeted at older community members who may be socially isolated, have communication barriers, have difficulty processing information or those who are hesitant to engage with aged care.
Our team of experienced and skilled Coordinators can help vulnerable seniors access aged care, health services and social support.
While care services are not provided directly, Coordinators will help clients to:
- identify goals and connect with relevant supports in the community
- interact with My Aged Care
- prepare and complete service assessments
- access suitable and appropriate housing and accommodation, if needed
- sustain a connection with services
Limitations
The program cannot help with:
- support with Hoarding and Squalor
- assistance outside the Illawarra or Shoalhaven region of NSW
- crisis support
- clients who don’t meet the eligibility criteria
- direct provision of housing or accommodation
- individuals who have the means or capability to resolve their situation without intensive support
- clients who are already being case managed by another service
This service is provided under the care finders program and is supported by funding from COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.
Not eligible? Please consider contacting:
Eligibility
Age Matters care finders program is available to seniors who are:
- Over the age of 65 (50 if Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander)
- Residing in the Illawarra or Shoalhaven
- Isolated with no trusted or capable support person
and need intensive assistance to access services due to:
- Facing significant barriers to access available services
- Difficulty communicating (language, hearing loss, vision impairment, cognitive, etc)
- Difficulty making decisions
- Homelessness/risk of homelessness
- Background of institutional mistrust/reluctance to engage with services
Additional characteristics that may support eligibility include:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
- LGBTIQA+
- Financially / socially disadvantaged
- Veteran
- Care leaver
- affected by forced adoption or removal
Applicants who are homeless/at risk of becoming homeless who are aged 50+ and prematurely ageing (eg. people who have aged more quickly due to their life experiences or physiological factors) may also be eligible for assistance.
Access
All applications will undergo a short screening process to determine eligibility and we may contact you for additional information. If eligible, there is usually a waiting period before a Coordinator can be assigned.
CURRENT WAIT TIME FOR NEW REFERRALS IS 4-6 WEEKS
