The ongoing issues consumers face when researching aged care are widely known, with the process know as costly, complex, time consuming and emotionally draining.

Much like any other high cost, potentially complex decision, like buying or selling a house or a large investment, most of us now utilise professional support in the form of an advisor or advocate. It makes sense that the same principal should be applied to aged care.

 In an interesting development there has been a significant shift in the aged care market place, with the introduction of private aged care advisory and advocate services. These advisory services include national services such as My Care Path, Care About (backed by iSelect) and the Victorian-based Care Guidance, which are three such organisations recently launched in the Australian market.

In a significant win for consumers, the majority of the costs of these support services are being covered by the aged care providers themselves.

 Traditionally consumers have had to fund any professional support required to assist them in accessing aged care. My Care Path CEO Ben Hannemann said the rapid change in the marketplace meant aged care providers were seeing the benefits of partnering with aged care advisors and advocates.

“We have seen a rapid change in the marketplace, with aged care providers seeing the benefits in partnering with experienced private aged care advisors. Their support has seen the cost of our advisory service cost drop by around 80%, which is a great result for consumers,” he said.

Many of Australia’s largest aged care providers are supporters of this new model with groups such as Bupa Aged Care, Arcare, Japara, TLC Aged care, Prestige Inhome Care, Five Good Friends, Hall and Prior and Craigcare all partnering with My Care Path in this offering to consumers.

“By aged care providers supporting our business model we are very encouraged about the service levels we are able to deliver to consumers at a hugely reduced cost. If the outcome is a win for both aged care providers and most importantly consumers, I have every confidence more and more consumers will utilise our offering,” Mr Hannemann stated.

 Aged care providers are seeing the benefit of partnering with these private advocacy services because the services assist with occupancy rates and also improve admission efficiencies. Advocates pre-qualifying potential clients ensuring they are a fit in terms of care needs and financial suitability.

Prestige Inhome Care CEO Nick McDonald said “My Care Path 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.”

Families interested in advisory services such as My Care Path service or would like more information can visit:

www.mycarepath.com.au or phone 1300 755 702.

-ENDS-

For media enquiries, please contact:

Samantha Lenkic

Media Manager

M: 0401 225 443

E: samantha@agedcareonline.com.au

Editor’s Notes:

My Care Path is a joint partnership between online aged care directory Aged Care Online and aged care consultants Millennium Aged Care Consultants.

www.agedcareonline.com.au

www.millenniumagedcare.com.au