A 76-year-old Cairns widow, feeling lonely and on the verge of homelessness, has found a home and happiness thanks to Ozcare and the care finder program.

Gary Boot* moved to Cairns from Western Australia following his wife’s passing to be closer to his only son.

However, after a few months of living in northern Queensland, Mr Boot’s son was offered a job in the mines in Western Australia and was relocated for work.

Feeling depressed and lonely, desperately missing his wife, and with his only accommodation in jeopardy, Mr Boot was at high risk of homelessness and sought help from Ozcare.  

Ozcare care finder Coordinator Kesa Strieby said within a matter of weeks, Mr Boot had a home in East Trinity and was receiving ongoing mental health support from a general practitioner and social worker.

“He is enjoying his new home, gets along with the owners, and has taken to walking along the beach. He’s also keen to go fishing one day,” she said.

“This was a positive and successful outcome, not only because we were able to find suitable and affordable accommodation by the beach for Mr Boot, but also because we were able to link him with other support services, which he also really needed.

“He’s extremely thankful and is happy that the care finder service was able to help him so quickly. He also said he’d highly recommend care finder to seniors on low income, who are stressed about their housing situation, and who need support services for independent living.”

The care finder program is funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) and delivered by Ozcare to connect vulnerable older people to quality and appropriate aged care and other local services, including those experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and alcohol or drug dependence.

It is a free service and exists to provide intensive, face-to-face support for older persons who are isolated, or have no support person, and who are experiencing barriers to receiving the necessary support.

Mrs Strieby said through care finder, Ozcare helped older persons live their best life via compassionate, professional, and personalised community and health services.   

“We helped Mr Boot by personally viewing properties, which included independent living, supported accommodation, and hostels for seniors to find him accommodation that would best suit his needs,” she said.

“It was a great feeling when we could offer this older person accommodation at East Trinity in a two-bedroom fully furnished unit by the beach for a reasonable weekly rent that was suitable. We also assisted with the paperwork and relocation to his new home.

The care finder program helped Mr Boot register with My Aged Care to receive aged care and other supports on top of his tenancy.

Mrs Strieby said sadly Mr Boot’s story was not uncommon for older persons in the community.

“Every day through care finder we make a difference in people’s lives and help turn their vulnerability into happiness and a positive outcome,” she said.

“We help people who need assistance to reconnect and feel supported to continue to live independently and with dignity in a safe environment.”

* Name has been changed to maintain privacy.