My Aged Care is a federal government website aimed to help elderly people and their friends, family and carers to access aged care services, as well as further information on aged care services.

Council’s community services and development manager Gavin Blinman said the shire gained access to the online service on July 1.

He said health services in the region would be able to receive referrals through the network.

“The aim of the My Aged Care portal is all people would have to register for services online or ring up a number,” he said.

“Then our staff will receive a referral to meet up with them.”

After registration, healthcare providers can provide home support assessment or more comprehensive assessment to determine what services can be organised.

Mr Blinman said initially the service was going to include faceless assessment.

“We hope for the face to face aspect to be retained,” he said.

Mr Blinman said at this stage. face to face services would continue in Yarriambiack.

He said another concern was face to face registration.

He the nearest face to face registration points were on either end of the municipality at Centrelink offices.

The nearest Centrelink offices for Yarriambiack residents are in Swan Hill and Horsham.

Yarriambiack Councillor Terry Grange said he was also concerned about how accessible the technology-driven service would be for the shire’s elderly.

“My fear is people who need the services don’t know how to register,” he said.

Mr Blinman said council would look into utilising Wimmera Home and Community Care to inform the public of the changes.

He said because the shire’s use of the service was in its infancy, only time would tell if it would be successful within the shire.