Navigating aged care services
We help older Australians understand, access and navigate the aged care system. Our support brings clarity to a complex process so people can get the care they need, on their terms.
Understanding aged care services
Getting older can feel overwhelming and make daily tasks harder to manage. Many seniors need support at home long before they reach out for help, let alone when they are able to access it. The aged care system is often confusing, with long wait times, complex paperwork, multiple assessments and lacks continuity of care. Since 2022, we have supported more than 2000 people to access services, care and secure safe housing or transition into residential aged care with clarity and confidence.
How we can help
We guide seniors and their families and support networks through each step of the aged care process. Whether someone wants to stay at home with extra support or needs help transitioning into residential care, we ensure the process feels manageable and respectful. Our service is person-led, compassionate and grounded in the belief that every older Australian deserves safety, dignity and choice to age well, on their terms.
Our support includes:
Initial consultation and needs assessment
We take time to understand each person’s health needs, goals, support network and daily challenges so we can recommend the right pathway forward.
Home care support services
We help seniors apply for and access government-funded home care so they can remain at home safely with the right supports in place.
Transition to residential aged care
When living at home is no longer safe or feasible, we guide clients through the transition into residential care. This includes preparing belongings, completing the necessary admission documentation, ending tenancy agreements, organising utilities and completing applications to the Public Guardian or Trustee where needed.
Case management and ongoing support
For clients with complex needs, we can provide more dedicated assistance. This includes advocacy, coordinating appointments, navigating health and government systems and helping with documentation for people with cognitive or physical challenges.
Our role is to make the system easier to navigate while ensuring each person remains respected, heard and well supported.
Clients
Maria’s story
Clear guidance and gentle support helped Maria access the aged care services needed to live safely.
Maria was largely unaware of her cognitive decline and had no formal diagnosis. She believed she was managing well and resisted in-home support. However, it became clear she was no longer safe living independently. Maria had been living without electricity, food in her fridge had spoiled and her home showed signs of declining daily living skills. She was struggling with basic tasks such as using appliances and maintaining personal care, creating an urgent need for intervention.
During the My Aged Care registration process, several red flags emerged, including Maria being unable to spell her full name. In line with duty of care, Elder Folks arranged for Maria to be admitted to hospital for a full medical review, cognitive screening and assessment for additional safeguards to support her safety. Maria was discharged against medical advice and returned home by family, but several weeks later her family recognised she needed more support than they could provide and asked Elder Folks to continue coordinating services.
Through strong advocacy and collaboration with allied health and medical specialists, Maria was approved for a Support at Home Level 4 package and granted a residential respite code within weeks — outcomes that typically take much longer without coordinated support. We are now supporting Maria to find a culturally appropriate aged care home close to family, where she can be safe and supported.
Frequently asked questions
These questions help explain how we support seniors to access aged care services, maintain independence and transition with confidence when needs change.
Navigating the aged care industry can be a minefield. It can be difficult to understand, especially for people with limited support networks or cognitive challenges. Long wait times, complex forms and multiple assessments often delay essential care. Our navigation service removes these barriers so seniors can access the right support sooner and more confidently.
We help clients apply for home care packages, understand eligibility and connect with trusted providers. This support helps people remain in their own homes with services such as personal care, domestic assistance, nursing support, social connection and mobility aids that make daily life safer and easier.
We guide clients through the entire process, from assessing needs to finding a suitable home. We help with applications, prepare belongings, end tenancy agreements and coordinate utilities. For those requiring additional support, we assist with applications to the Public Guardian or Trustee to ensure their rights are protected.
Yes. If a client is experiencing homelessness and has high care needs that make independent living unsafe, Elder Folks can help. We support the person through the residential aged care assessment process and guide them every step of the way. We then help identify and secure an aged care home that best suits their care needs, lifestyle preferences and financial situation, ensuring the right fit within their budget.
We provide hands-on case management, including advocacy with hospitals and government agencies, coordination of appointments, assistance with documentation and support navigating guardianship or trusteeship processes. This ensures no one has to manage these challenges or navigate the process alone.
Timelines vary depending on the person’s needs, assessment wait times and availability with aged care providers. We help speed up the process by preparing documentation, coordinating applications and ensuring all requirements are met early. We leave no stone unturned to help reduce delays and we make sure to keep clients informed at every stage so they’re clear and in control.
No two people’s needs are exactly the same. We combine deep aged care expertise with a warm, person-led approach. Our work centres dignity, choice and clear communication, ensuring each client feels respected, supported and understood. With more than 2000 people supported since 2022, our experience helps remove barriers and create smoother pathways into the right care.