Aged Care

The care finder program provides support for vulnerable older people to interact with My Aged Care, access aged care services and access other relevant supports in the community. Care finders is a free service. It exists to support vulnerable people – who have no one else who can support them – to learn about, apply for and set up support services such as. 

• interact with My Aged Care
• access aged care services
• access other relevant supports in the community. 

This includes people who are, or are not yet, receiving aged care services or other relevant supports. Care finders support people who don’t have family, friends, a carer or a representative they are comfortable receiving help from and who is willing and able to help them access aged care services and supports.  

Eligible population: 

• need help with one or more everyday tasks
• be aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) OR 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) on a low income and homeless or at risk of being homeless
• be eligible for government funded aged care support. 

How do care finder services work? 

Care finder services will connect the older person with a local SA based care finder for intensive support. The care finder will meet with the older person, often at their home or another place they choose. The care finder will ask questions to understand the person’s situation and support them to work through the steps to assist navigating and accessing aged care.  

Who delivers care finder services in metro Adelaide?  

The organisations listed below provide care finder service in the Adelaide PHN region.  
For further care finder program information please contact - ageingwell@adelaidephn.com.au 

Organisations and Areas of Cover 

What is the The Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist (ACOP) Program?

The Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist (ACOP) Program is an Australian Government initiative from the Department of Health, Aged Care and Disability (DHAD). Since 1 July 2024, funding has been available for community pharmacies and aged care providers to employ on-site credentialed pharmacists in residential aged care homes. The ACOP measure is a direct response to Recommendation 38 of the  Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.  

The program supports safer, more effective use of medicines to help improve residents’ health and wellbeing. These pharmacists regularly review medications, resolve issues quickly, and help staff manage medicines safely. They also provide residents, families and carers with clear, trusted advice.  

Eligible Residential Aged Care Homes can receive up to $141,323.52 per year (full-time equivalent per 250 beds, scaled in 50-bed increments) to help cover salary and employment costs.   

Please note: Residential Aged Care Homes with an on-site pharmacist will not receive Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) or Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR). RACHs without an on-site pharmacist will continue to receive these services.  

To learn more about who can apply and how to get started, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website  Aged care on-site pharmacist | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing or contact Adelaide PHN for guidance and support at  ageingwell@adelaidephn.com.au  

Adelaide Primary Health Network (Adelaide PHN) is commissioning telehealth services through the Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) program to improve access to health care for the elderly in its region.  

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, telehealth has been transformational and critical to the continuity of care of thousands of Australian patients living in rural and remote areas and in the cities. It is cost effective, convenient, safe, and reduces the risks of infections among immune-compromised population, including the elderly. 

Adelaide PHN’s telehealth program in residential aged care homes supports RACH teams to implement telehealth solutions and train staff to use telehealth confidentially and effectively to support access to care for residents.  
 
The program further supports the findings of Adelaide PHN’s data which identified four key barriers that limit older people’s access to quality health care.  They are.  

• limited access to information and uncoordinated care models. 
• lack of skilled and empowered workforce. 
• lack of timely, accessible, and coordinated primary care services; and
• lack of access and support from palliative care services.   

This program seeks to build the capability of RACFs, GPs, allied health, and specialists to provide telehealth services which prevent, diagnose, and treat a variety of health conditions. Resulting in improved health outcomes among the elderly, reducing pressure on hospitals by preventing hospitalisation and use of emergency care services.  

To find out more about how APHN can support your RACH to implement telehealth for your residents contact us via ageingwell@adelaidephn.com.au  or call 08) 8219 5900.