New Aged Care Service Set to Save Australian Families Thousands

A new aged care navigation service is set to cut the cost of aged care consultations by thousands of dollars, with families saving on average $2000 – or 80 per cent below current market rates – to help them navigate the complex world of aged care.

My CarePath is a complete end-to-end aged care navigation service, which offers an affordable third party that can provide independent, unbiased advice about aged care.

My CarePath works by arranging an initial face-to-face meeting with the family and person looking to access aged care, which is followed by an assessment of suitable aged care providers, including aged care services available, vacancies, location and financial capacity.

My CarePath then presents a short-list of suitable providers, either residential or homecare depending on the person’s needs, and arranges 30-minute tours of each facility in a single day.

If a potential resident selects one of the short-listed providers, My CarePath will facilitate all of the paper work and coordinate the admission, by liaising with any other parties involved including the family, hospital, financial planner and aged care providers.

Once a resident chooses and is accepted by an aged care provider, 80 per cent of the cost ($2200) is paid by the facility and the remaining 20 per cent ($550) is paid for by the resident.

Director of My CarePath Ben Hannemann said the service aimed to not only make aged care consultations more affordable for the average Australian family, but would also alleviate the pressure that overwhelm families when entering aged care.

“Ask any family currently placing or looking to place their loved one into aged care, they will tell you how overwhelming and complex the aged care system initially appears, on top of it being a stressful time emotionally.

“This is why families seek out an independent aged care consultant, but find that it often costs anywhere from $2000-$3000, which some families simply cannot afford.

“My CarePath has an agreement with the largest aged care providers in Australia, which means the bulk of the cost will be paid by the provider and the consumer only pays $550, or 80 per cent below current market rates,” he said.

Australia’s largest aged care providers have already partnered with My CarePath ahead of its official launch, including residential and home care providers such as Bupa Aged Care, Arcare, Japara, Prestige Inhome Care, Five Good Friends and Oxley Home Care.

My CarePath will also work to address a key issue in the aged care industry, where providers are forced to turn families away, once it’s clear the facility cannot meet a family’s specific, aged care needs.

“We know a big problem in the aged care industry is that providers are conducting tours for families and then finding out afterwards they are not able to help them, due to either care or costs needs. It’s a matter of ‘sorry, we want to help you – but we can’t.’

“This is not only inefficient and stressful for the family, but for the provider as well.

“My CarePath will tick off all of the client’s care needs and financial capacity in advance, and will present about three providers for the client to choose from. This means the provider knows they are giving their time to families they know they can help, while families know the providers they see are suitable for their situation,” he said.

My CarePath partner and Prestige Inhome Care CEO Nick McDonald said the aged care provider had partnered with My CarePath due to its innovation, as well as how it would help both families and the aged care industry.

“We have partnered with My CarePath ahead of the launch, due to how it will help consumers to identify and engage aged care providers that best fit their needs. 

“My CarePath 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,” he said.

Families interested in the My CarePath service or would like more information can visit www.mycarepath.com.au or phone 1300 755 702.