Are you a case manager or considering a career in this field? Have you ever considered working in aged care?
Case management refers to the planning and coordination of care necessary to meet the individual’s needs. It is a service generally delivered in the community rather than a residential aged care facility. It can involve advocating for the needs of older Australians and their families. Case management is also commonly used by those living in their own home to help them maintain independence for as long as possible.
As a result, a career as an aged care case manager can be highly rewarding.
So, what are the benefits of case management in aged care?
Benefits of case managers in aged care
Case managers can provide older Australians with many different types of support. They can:
Provide tailored, holistic support
Case managers provide support that is tailored to each individual. They take into account individual needs, preferences and health conditions. Case managers work with multidisciplinary teams, including doctors, nurses and therapists. By doing so, they help individuals meet their physical, social and emotional needs.
Monitor client budgets
Case managers are responsible for managing the budgets of their clients, ensuring they do not overspend on services.
Help clients access financial support
Case managers can help clients to apply for government assistance as required.
Help organise supports
Case managers are responsible for researching and organising new supports. For example they may help organise allied health, meal preparation and support work services as required. They can also help clients undertake assessments that might be required to access new supports.
Increase access to community services
As we age, accessing community services can become more challenging. Case managers can work with individuals to help them access community services.
Enhance early interventions
Case managers specialise in early intervention to help ensure that issues do not escalate. For example, they may notice changes in a client’s health and take action to help prevent this from deteriorating.
Reduce social isolation
As we get older, it is quite common to experience social isolation. Mobility issues may make it more difficult to visit family and friends. By increasing community participation, case managers can help reduce social isolation in their clients.
Assist with dementia care
Case managers often support individuals living with dementia and their families to help ensure their needs are being met.
Provide ongoing monitoring to ensure client needs are met.
As we get older, our circumstances can change quickly. Case managers continually monitor services over time to ensure that they are delivering the outcomes desired.
Enhance risk mitigation
Studies indicate that most older Australians prefer to remain living in their own home as they age. Case managers can identify risks within the home and develop strategies to mitigate these.
Help clients to maintain their independence
Case managers provide support to help older Australians maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Advocate for each client’s needs
Navigating aged care systems can be challenging. Case managers can advocate on behalf of the interests of older Australians and provide support to help them navigate these challenges.
Case managers can play a vital role in the lives of older Australians, helping to maximise their quality of life.
Have you ever considered a career in case management? Working in aged care offers the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
If you are considering a career in aged care, Aged Care Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services, including case manager resume writing and case manager interview skills coaching.
Article References
ARIIA (n.d) ‘Case management ’, ARIIA, accessed 7 April 2025.
Plan Care (n.d) ‘What does a care manager do?’, Plan Care, accessed 8 April 2025.