The Aged Care System Navigators Trial is an initiative of the Australian Government that started in early 2019 and has been extended to December 2022.   COTA Australia is the lead organisation in the trial, and information about the trial and a range of resources is available on their website.  https://www.cota.org.au/information/aged-care-navigators/

COTA Tasmania has been engaged to provide:

• two Information Hubs (in Southern Tasmania and Greater Launceston, North West and West Coast), providing tailored information and support about the aged care system
• specialised support and assistance to navigate the aged care system (statewide).

As part of the trial, group information sessions will be delivered.  One-on-one support is also available to help older people, their family, friends and other supporters to respond to any queries or concerns they may have navigating the aged care system. This support is free and can be provided over the phone, online or face-to-face.

In this video meet the staff at COTA Tasmania (Alexis Martin, Alison Smith and Margarita White-McColl) who explain what they are doing as part of this trial.  Since the video was made we have welcomed an additional staff member, Heather Ross, who will be located in South Burnie to cover the North West and West Coast as part of an extension to our northern trial site which covers Greater Launceston.

We have also made short video presentations on different aspects of the aged care system including:

The first step to access aged care services:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFVMOTaquAs&t=18s

Preparing for an assessment of your needs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQouKPBT89k

A tour of the My Aged Care Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_9qRxGA64I&t=5s

Home Care Packages: Part 1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0w6xjjghNY

Home Care Packages: Part 2:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pnjzNF0XjI

Call COTA Tasmania on 6231 3265 or email admin@cotatas.org.au for more information.