Staff Profile: Meet Jade, our Service Connection Manager

Have you heard about our Service Connectors?

As a not-for-profit community based health service, our Service Connectors and many other services are available, ongoing at no cost and no commitment for those most in need.
We have a team of Service Connectors who support older people unable to arrange aged care and other services without intensive support. Please pass this information on if you know someone who could benefit from this support.

Meet Jade, our Service Connection Manager and find out more about the service

Hi Jade, how long have you been working at healthAbility?
About 2 months

Can you explain what the new Service Connection program is, and what you do in your role?
The new Service Connection program is a network of care finders who support older people unable to arrange aged care and other services without intensive support, and don't have family or friends who can help. Our Service Connection program can help people understand what aged care services and other services are available, set up an assessment and find and choose services. They can help with both accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports. I am responsible for leading the service connectors and manage our day-to-day service operations.

What kind of support can Service Connectors provide?
We can provide older people in our community the following:

• talking to My Aged Care on their behalf and arranging an assessment
• attending and providing support at the assessment
• finding and short-listing aged care providers
• completing forms and understanding aged care service agreements
• checking-in once services are up and running to make sure everything is okay
• solving other challenges and connecting to supports in the community, such as health, mental health, housing and homelessness, drug and alcohol services and community groups

The dedicated Service Connector will meet the older person, usually face to face. This can be at their home or another place they choose. The Service Connector will ask questions to understand the person’s situation and support them to work through the steps to address their needs.

How do I support someone to speak with a Service Connector? How can they make contact?
At every opportunity, please encourage a vulnerable older person to contact a Service Connector, who can provide Service Connection at no cost.
You can refer them through to our friendly team, and they can email service.connection@healthability.org.au or call our mobile 0414 272 411. They can also find more information on our Service Connetors webpage.
The person must give consent for you to provide any information about them. It is best if the person is with you or included, if you are to make contact.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy being able to support older people most in need in my community.

How do you enjoy spending your time outside of work?
I enjoy camping, taking our kids skiing, socialising with friends and going to the golf range.

What is something about you that would surprise others?
I have a blended family with 7 children aged 21 down to 9!