For many, understanding how to register with My Aged Care, preparing for assessments, or even knowing where to start can create anxiety, delays and unmet needs.

That’s where Care Finder is making a real and tangible difference in our community.

Delivered locally by Community Options, Care Finder is a free, personalised support service that helps older Canberrans access the aged care services and community supports they need to live safely and independently in their homes.

Whether it’s helping someone register with My Aged Care, preparing for or attending assessments, completing forms, or simply connecting them with appropriate local services, Care Finder walks alongside people every step of the way.

Importantly, Care Finder is designed for people who have no one else, such as trusted family or friends, who can assist them through the system, or who face additional barriers like language challenges, digital exclusion, social isolation or reluctance to engage with government systems.

These are often the most vulnerable in our community yet they are exactly the people who deserve the most compassionate and human-centred support.

Community Options brings decades of local experience and deep community connections to this work.

As an independent, not-for-profit Canberra organisation, Community Options focuses on people before profit, tailoring support to each person’s unique situation and building trust along the way.

This personalised approach not only empowers individuals but strengthens community resilience and inclusion.

This service is supported by funding from the ACT PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.

In a region where connections really matter, Care Finder is more than a support service; it’s a bridge to independence, dignity and belonging.

For many older Canberra residents, it’s the difference between feeling alone in the system and being truly supported through every step of their aged care journey.

See Canberra Times Feature Article