My Aged Care Navigation
Help to contact My Aged Care, understand the process, prepare for assessments, understand your options and connect with suitable aged care services.
Helping you navigate aged care, support & community services.
H.A.N.S. provides personalised, practical guidance to help individuals and families understand their options, navigate My Aged Care and connect with the right services and supports.
What H.A.N.S. stands for
Four words that describe how I work with every person and family.
Holistic
Looking at the whole person, not just one issue: their goals, family, culture, wellbeing and other supports that may help.
Advocacy
Helping people understand their rights, options and choices, and have their voice heard.
Network
Connecting people with the right services, providers and community supports.
Support
Practical guidance, reassurance and help with next steps, or simply knowing where to start.
Not sure where to start?
Finding the right support can feel overwhelming. You may not know who to call, what you are eligible for or what is available. I will help you understand the next steps.
Aged Care Navigation & Support
Personal help to navigate My Aged Care, explore your options and know what to do next.
Read moreHelpful Resources
Easy links to useful services for aged care, carers, wellbeing, finances and community.
View Support ServicesAbout H.A.N.S.
This is my brother, Hans.
H.A.N.S. was created in his memory.
Hans was kind, caring and deeply community-minded. Some of his most meaningful years were spent working as a youth worker at the Flemington and North Melbourne Community Centre, where he supported young people and the local community.
Hans also experienced personal struggles and sadly passed away in 2013 at the age of 34. His life and experiences are part of why compassion, wellbeing, connection and access to the right support are so important to the values behind H.A.N.S.
H.A.N.S. is my way of carrying his name and values forward.
Today, H.A.N.S. focuses on providing practical guidance to older people and families navigating aged care, while also helping individuals connect with other community and support services when they are unsure where to turn.
The long-term vision is for H.A.N.S. to become a trusted place for support, guidance and connection across community and social services.
The Helpful Resources page is part of that vision, bringing together useful links and information across areas such as aged care, carer support, mental health, dementia and financial assistance.
Meet Rebeka
My name is Rebeka and I am the founder of H.A.N.S., Hans’ younger sister. I am an experienced care and support professional with a background across aged care, disability services and government environments.
My experience includes Home Care Package Care Management, NDIS Support Coordination, service navigation, care coordination, referrals, advocacy and supporting individuals and families to understand and navigate complex service systems.
I have also worked within government environments, which has given me experience navigating formal processes and working alongside service providers, health professionals, community organisations and other stakeholders.
I currently work as a coordinator for an NDIS provider, where I manage a team of support workers and support families with their services. This gives me a practical, everyday understanding of what families need and how services work in practice.
I also have personal experience of mental health challenges and of going through the support process myself. This gives me a genuine understanding of how overwhelming it can feel to ask for help, and it shapes the empathy, patience and respect I bring to my work.
Beyond my professional experience, I am genuinely passionate about helping people feel heard, supported and less overwhelmed when trying to find the right help. I believe in taking the time to understand each person’s situation, looking at the bigger picture and providing practical guidance that is clear, respectful and personal.
Through H.A.N.S., I bring together my professional experience, genuine care for people and personal connection to Hans’ legacy. My focus is on practical guidance, clear communication, community connection and helping individuals and families feel more confident about where to turn for support.
Aged Care Navigation & Finding the Right Support
Personal support to help older people and their families understand and navigate My Aged Care, explore their options and know what to do next. Whether you are just getting started, waiting for an assessment or choosing a provider, I can help at each stage. H.A.N.S. is a navigation service. My experience is mainly in aged care, but I can also help you find other community and support services, or point you in the right direction.
Home visits across all of Melbourne.
You may be eligible for free Care Finder support
Care Finder is an Australian Government-funded program for older people who find it hard to navigate aged care on their own, for example because of language, literacy, difficulty understanding information or no suitable person to help. It is free, so please explore it before paying for private support. H.A.N.S. is separate from Care Finder. I offer an affordable private option for people who do not qualify, prefer more personalised support, or simply want someone to guide them.
Check Care Finder EligibilityFamily & Carer Support
Support is not only about the person receiving care. I can help family members and carers find information, services, respite, wellbeing support and practical assistance.
Community & Service Navigation
Helping you find and connect with other useful community, government and support services when you are unsure where to turn.
You may not need support today, but it helps to know what is available
You may have noticed everyday tasks becoming a little harder, or perhaps your mum, dad, grandparent or another older relative could use some extra support.
Sometimes people put off contacting My Aged Care because they feel they are not ready or do not need enough help yet. You do not have to wait until things become urgent.
From my experience working in aged care, I often encouraged the husband or wife of a client to consider registering with My Aged Care too. Their needs may have been small at the time, but circumstances can change, and having already started the process can make things much easier later.
Adult children and carers are also often juggling work, children, appointments and other responsibilities. Finding the time to understand the system, make calls and work out what to do next can feel overwhelming. That is where I can help.
Learn More About My Aged CareHow I can help
You do not need to use every step. I can support you from the beginning, or step in later if you have already registered, completed an assessment or received referral codes.
Step 1: Getting Started & My Aged Care Registration · $50
I will visit you at home, take the time to understand your situation and talk through the support you may need. Together, I will help you contact My Aged Care to get registered and begin the process. I will explain what to expect, help identify the important information to discuss and make sure you understand what happens next.
Step 2: Assessment Preparation & Support · $100
I can help you prepare for your aged care assessment so your needs, goals and circumstances are clearly understood. With your permission, I can gather relevant information from your GP, specialists, allied health professionals or other supports, and attend the assessment with you.
- Gathering relevant information and supporting evidence
- Identifying your current needs, concerns and goals
- Preparing for the assessment
- Attending the assessment with you for support
- Making sure important information is not overlooked
If extensive additional preparation or follow-up is required, I will always discuss it with you beforehand.
Step 3: Understanding Your Outcome & Next Steps · $50
Once you receive your assessment outcome, I will go through it with you so you understand what has been approved, any referral codes you have received and what your next steps are. If you would like help finding a provider, I can also research suitable local options, make initial enquiries and help you compare what is available.
- Explaining your assessment outcome
- Reviewing referral codes and approved services
- Researching suitable local providers and checking availability
- Preparing a shortlist of options
- Helping you compare your choices before you decide
How payment works
You only pay for the steps you choose. I will let you know the cost before I start, and I will send a simple invoice once each step is done.
Already started the process?
That is completely fine. You may be registered, waiting for an assessment, have referral codes or be looking for a provider. Let me know where you are and I can help you work out the most suitable next step.
Looking for another type of support?
I focus on aged care navigation, but sometimes people simply need help knowing where to start. If you are unsure which service to contact, I am happy to point you in the right direction. There is no charge for general information or signposting, including carer support, mental health and wellbeing, dementia support, financial assistance, disability services, community programs and local support services.
Finding the right support can be overwhelming
I created this page to make it easier to find trusted information and free support services in one place. This page will keep growing, with new resources added over time.
Support for older people & families
My Aged Care
The Australian Government's starting point for government-funded aged care. It provides information, assessments and referrals.
- myagedcare.gov.au · 1800 200 422
Care Finder
Free, face-to-face support for eligible vulnerable older people who need extra help accessing My Aged Care and other community services.
- Find a Care Finder · 1800 200 422
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
Free, independent and confidential advocacy for people receiving or seeking Australian Government-funded aged care, and their families.
- opan.org.au · 1800 700 600
Seniors Rights Victoria
Free, confidential information, advice and support for older Victorians who are experiencing or at risk of elder abuse. In an emergency, call 000.
- seniorsrights.org.au · 1300 368 821
Dementia Australia
Information, education and support for people living with dementia, their families and carers, including counselling and support groups.
- dementia.org.au · 1800 100 500
Carer Gateway
A free Australian Government service for people who care for a family member or friend, including counselling, peer support, coaching and respite.
- carergateway.gov.au · 1800 422 737
Mental health & wellbeing
Older adult mental health services
Specialist public services for older adults with significant or complex mental health concerns. Catchments vary, so your GP or the service can guide you.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals
Free support for Victorians aged 26 and over. No GP referral, Medicare card or mental health care plan needed.
The Peer Healing Space
Short-term support in a home-like, less clinical setting for some people who may benefit from an alternative to hospital-based care.
Financial & practical support
Utility Relief Grant Scheme
Helps eligible Victorian households in unexpected financial hardship with overdue electricity, gas or water bills. Available to renters and homeowners.
Ask Izzy
A free, anonymous online directory to find nearby help with food, housing, money, counselling, legal and everyday needs.
Cannot find what you are looking for?
If you are not sure which service is right for you, contact H.A.N.S. and I will do my best to point you in the right direction.
These are external websites and details can change, so please check with each service. In an emergency, call 000. For urgent emotional support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Privacy Statement
Your privacy matters. This page explains how H.A.N.S Social Services handles your personal and health information.
What I collect
I collect the information needed to support you, such as your name, contact details, My Aged Care details, your goals and circumstances, and, with your permission, health information from your GP, specialists, allied health professionals and other supports.
Why I collect it
Only to help you understand your options, prepare for assessments, and connect with services. I do not use your information for marketing and I never sell it.
Health information
- I only ask for health information when it is needed for the support you have asked for.
- I ask for your consent before contacting your GP, specialists or other professionals, and I tell you who I am contacting and why.
- I only collect what is relevant, and I will show you what I have gathered if you ask.
- I keep it secure and use it only for your support.
Who I share it with
I only share information with people involved in your support, such as My Aged Care, assessors or providers, and only with your consent. The exceptions are where the law requires it, or where I believe someone is at serious risk of harm.
How I keep it safe
I keep records in password-protected systems and devices, share only what is needed, and do not discuss your details with anyone you have not agreed to. I keep records only as long as needed to support you or as the law requires, then delete or destroy them securely.
Your rights
You can ask to see or correct your information, withdraw your consent, or ask me to stop collecting information at any time. Just contact me.
Website and email
Please do not send sensitive health details by email unless you are comfortable doing so. I can talk through them by phone or in person instead.
Questions or complaints
Contact me first on 0466 255 052 or rebeka@hanssocialservices.com.au and I will do my best to fix any concern. If you are not satisfied, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au or 1300 363 992.