Aged Care Employee Day (August 7) is an important day that recognises and celebrates the supportive, professional work of Australian aged care staff. Across different areas of support, including home care, these employees work tirelessly to make the lives of older Australians better.
The Care Finder Program form a key part of aged care in Australia. Through the Care Finder Program, Care Connectors support eligible older Australians who require specialist and intensive support to understand and access aged care services and connect with other relevant community support.
Meet Jacqui
To mark Aged Care Employee Day, we met with Jacqui Andres, a Care Connector from our Care Finder Program based in Liverpool.
Image: Care Connector Jacqui.
Jacqui joined The Benevolent Society in July 2023. She discusses more about her work as a Care Connector and the important support that the Care Finder Program delivers.
Being a Care Connector
What is a day in the life for you as a Care Connector?
Navigating the aged care system can be overwhelming. Older Australians are often doing this while also managing a range of medical, social, and emotional challenges.
As a Care Connector, I ensure older Australians know what support they are eligible for and help them obtain this.
One side of my role is to research, lobby, and advocate for the services our aged care clients need to reach these goals.
The other side of my role involves liaising with stakeholders and service providers to connect our clients to the services they need. This includes close communication with social workers at hospitals, assessors, aged care service providers, community representatives, allied health providers, mental health support programs, and housing providers to make this support a reality.
What made you want to become a Care Connector?
I strongly believe in the philosophy behind this program of assisting those most in need. Having worked in the disability and aged care sector for many years, across both not-for-profit organisations and local government, I also have a wealth of knowledge to help support our clients.
Care Connectors play a crucial role assisting senior Australians in need of intensive support who could otherwise fall through the cracks. This includes those who are not yet receiving aged care services, as well as those who are. I’m passionate about addressing inequality and this program helps address access and equity issues.
Caroline Belden’s quote - ‘Equality is leaving the door open for anyone who has the means to approach it; equity is ensuring there is a pathway to that door for those who need it’ - has always rung true with how I approach being a Care Connector.
I love empowering individuals that need assistance to have their voices and needs heard.
What do you find are the most common and frequently sought-after home care options you assist people with?
With many older Australians seeking Care Connector services to remain living at home, domestic assistance, which includes services like lawn mowing, is the most commonly requested by those seeking our support.
We also find that older Australians may not be aware of the assistance offered through short restorative care programs following hospital admissions. A lot of our work is focused on helping educate these people on the full range of support these programs provide, so they know about the help that is available to them.
We also receive referrals for clients with very complex care needs, which include issues like homelessness and accessing the right mental health support.
What do you enjoy the most about your work?
I love meeting and learning from amazing elderly people that teach me about life, resilience, and what really matters! I’m genuinely in awe of my clients, and it’s so rewarding to help them access the support they need and see their quality of life improve.
I also love learning and brainstorming with my Care Connector colleagues who are committed to making a difference in people’s lives with their skills and knowledge. Combined, we have a wide mix of knowledge, skills, and experience to share, which helps guide the support we all deliver as Care Connectors. We’re also a very diverse, multicultural team, which helps us understand the needs of those who request support in southwest Sydney.
The Benevolent Society is also always investing in training and mentorship to make we are a leader in best practice. We walk the talk, and I love all the learning opportunities that have come through this.
Do you have any tips or guiding words of wisdom for those who may be considering pursuing a career in aged care and specialising in support like Care Connectors?
The Care Connector role provides individuals with a chance to expand their communication skills, problem solving, trauma-informed and client-centred practices through supporting those most vulnerable.
This intensive, short term case management provides variety and a challenge.
It is a demanding role, but one that is equally rewarding. It’s a role that you can be proud of as you see the improvements to quality of life delivered to older Australians.
For more information on our Care Connector support and other aged care services, click here or call 1800 236 762.
Watch the video below to find out more about our Aged Care services below!