Navigating Aged Care: Providers Join Forces with Advocates for Smoother Transition

The ongoing issues consumers face when researching aged care are widely known, with the process know as costly, complex, time consuming and emotionally draining. Much like any other high cost, potentially complex decision, like buying or selling a house, most of us now utilise professional support in the form of an advisor or advocate. It makes sense that the same principal should be applied to aged care.

In recent years there has been a significant shift in the aged care market place, with the introduction of private aged care coordination and advocacy services. These coordination services include national operators such as My Care Path, which have been active in the Australian market for over 20 years.

In a huge win for consumers, the majority of My Care Path's coordination services are paid for by aged care providers, rather than consumers.

Traditionally, consumers have had to fund any professional support required to assist them in accessing aged care. Aged Care Online has partnered with My Care Path, with CEO Ben Hannemann saying the rapid change in the marketplace meant aged care providers were seeing the benefits of partnering with aged care coordinators and advocates.

“We have seen a rapid change in the marketplace, with aged care providers seeing the benefits in partnering with experienced private aged care coordinators. Their support has seen the cost of our coordination service cost drop by around 80%, which is a great result for consumers,” he said.

Many of Australia’s largest aged care providers are supporters of this new model with groups such as Bupa Aged Care, Arcare, Infinite Care, Calvary Health Care, Mercy Health, Bolton Clarke, Regis Aged Care, Opal Healthcare, TLC Aged Care, Prestige Inhome Care, and Uniting AgeWell all partnering with My Care Path in this offering to consumers.

“By aged care providers supporting our business model we are very encouraged about the service levels we are able to deliver to consumers at a hugely reduced cost. If the outcome is a win for both aged care providers and most importantly consumers, I have every confidence more and more consumers will utilise our offering,” Mr Hannemann stated.

Aged care providers are seeing the benefit of partnering with these private coordination services because the services assist with occupancy rates and also improve admission efficiencies. Aged care placement coordinators pre-qualifying potential clients ensuring they are a fit in terms of care needs and financial suitability.

Prestige Inhome Care CEO Nick McDonald said “My Care Path educates and prequalifies consumers on the aged care services we provide, so we can focus our admission process time with clients we know we are able to help.”

Families interested in aged care coordination services such as My Care Path can click here or call 1300 197 230.