Aged Services and Community Care
Community Aged Care Packages
The aim of this program is to maintain the independence of aged people living in the community for as long as possible.
Who is eligible?
Elderly Italians living in the Melbourne metropolitan region, assessed as requiring hostel level of care but who prefer to remain in their own homes. These people require assistance to maintain independence and include those who:
Have been assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team
Are frail or confused and/or elderly
Are living alone or are supported by a carer who now needs assistance
Require coordination of services
What services are provided?
Assistance with personal hygiene
Dressing and undressing
Light housework and laundry
Meals delivery, preparation or assistance
Dressings or injections
Respite
Companionship
Other services may be available to meet your special needs
Who can refer?
Staff within Aged Care Assessment teams
Who do I contact for further information?
CACP Coordinator
Carlton
Tel. 9349 9000
Fax.9349 9077
CACP Coordinator
Wangaratta
Tel. 5722 3957
Fax. 5722 4519
Email: cgarcuri@bigpond.com
CACP is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing
Linkages
The aim of this program is to maintain the independence of aged Italian people living in the community for as long as possible.
Who is eligible?
Elderly Italians who reside in the Northern metropolitan region (Darebin, Moreland, Whittlesea) and have been assessed as having low to medium level of care needs. These people require assistance to maintain independence and include those who:
Are frail or confused and/or elderly
Are living alone or are supported by a carer who now needs assistance
Have complex needs that require case management and service coordination
What services are provided?
Assistance with personal hygiene
Nursing
Light housework and laundry
Meals delivery, preparation or assistance
Transport for shopping or appointments
Home maintenance
Respite
Companionship/monitoring
Other services may be available to meet special needs.
Who can refer?
Yourself
Other Community organizations
Your Local Doctor
Who do I contact for further information?
Linkages
Coordinator
Tel. 9349 9000
Fax.9349 9077
Linkages is an initiative of the HACC program funded by the Department of Human Services
National Respite for Carers Program (Flexible Respite)
This is a carer focused program that provides flexible and culturally appropriate respite to carers of older persons of Italian background, including those who have dementia.
Who is eligible?
Support is available to carers residing in the Northern, Western and Eastern metropolitan regions of Melbourne. The program is specifically targeted to the needs of family carers and offers the carer a choice of respite options.
What type of respite is available?
The carer has a choice of having a trained personal care worker to provide in home respite or if preferred the option of having access to a centre based weekend Planned Activity Group. This group is held at the CO.AS.IT. Day Care Centre at 'Assisi' in Rosanna every Saturday. A care coordinator is available to discuss any specific needs.
Who can refer?
Yourself
Family or friends
Doctor
Other community service providers
Who do I contact for further information?
Flexible
Respite Coordinator
Tel. 9349 9000
Fax.9349 9077
Email: debc@coasit.com.au
Flexible Respite for Carers Program is a Commonwealth Funding initiative
Planned Activity Groups (Adult day centres)
The Planned Activity Groups (Day Centres) are an Italian specific service that provide a warm, caring, friendly environment where people can enjoy socialising and participating in various culturally appropriate activities. The primary aim of each of our Centres is to enhance and maintain the independence of frail older Italians including those with dementia, through a planned program of activities. During their time at the Centre our clients are assisted by qualified bilingual staff.
Activities
The programs are conducted in Italian and include:
Exercise and Movement
Sensory stimulation
Hand massage
Aromatherapy
Craftwork
Cooking
Story telling
Games and Entertainment
Occasional Mass
Meals
The daily program also includes morning and afternoon tea and a nutritious Italian meal for lunch.
Transport
If required, taxi transport to and from the Centre can be provided and is arranged by centre staff who will also ensure that they accompany the clients to and from the vehicle
Who is eligible?
The program is for clients with family carers who work and are in need of respite.
Carlton: Participants must reside in the areas of the City of Port Phillip, Glen Eira and Stonnington.
Kensington: Participants must reside within the areas of Moonee Ponds, Kensington, Essendon, Ascot Vale, Keilor and East Keilor, Avondale Heights and Strathmore.
Rosanna: Participants must reside within a 7km radius from Rosanna.
Clients outside these Local Government areas are more than welcome to attend however at full cost. For further information please contact your nearest coordinator.
Who can refer?
Carers
Other family members
Doctors
Health Professionals
Case Managers
Days and Times of Operation
Carlton: 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday
Kensington: 8.30am to 2.30pm Friday only
Rosanna: 8.30am to 5.00 Monday to *Friday and *Saturday*
* Friday: Dementia specific at Rosanna only
* Saturday Flexible Respite program
Planned Activity
Coordinators:
Carlton
Sonia Muraca
189 Faraday St
Carlton 3053
Tel. 9349 9081
Fax. 9349 9024
Email: sonia@coasit.com.au
Kensington
Rosa De Maria
Kensington-Flemington
Neighbourhood House
13 Anthony St
Kensington 3031
Tel. 9376 9743 (Friday only)
Rosanna
Sr Silvia Campo
CO.AS.IT
230 Rosanna Road
Rosanna 3084
Tel. 9457 4430
Fax. 9455 1065
Email: rosannadc@bigpond.com
Carrers Support Link
The Carers' Support Group is available to anyone who is involved in caring for a person with dementia. The group meets for about one hour at the Rosanna PAG on the second Friday of each month. The purpose of the group is to provide mutual support as well as information about dementia and the services available to ease the caring role. The group offers help, information and social outings for the carers. Members also receive a newsletter in Italian and the meetings are held in both Italian and English.
Telelink
Telelink is service provided for people who find it difficult to go out, to still belong to a group who can speak with each other, take part in friendship, learning and gain necessary information in order to maintain independence from the comfort of their own homes.
Telelink allows up to 10 people in different places to join a group discussion by telephone. There is no charge for this service and you do not need special equipment to join in. Once you have booked in, you will be connected at a prearranged time, to a group of people who can all hear and speak with each other on their telephone for 45 minutes per session.
Who do I contact for further information?
Sr Silvia Campo
CO.AS.IT
230 Rosanna Rd
Rosanna Vic 3084
Tel: 9457 4430
Fax: 9455 1065
Email: rosannadc@bigpond.com.au
Visitation Program
The Visitation Program has been established to provide friendship and support to elderly or socially isolated Italians who request the service, either in their own homes or in Aged Care facilities. Clients are usually referred by their families, doctors, social workers, clergy.
The volunteer visitors provide friendly companionship to the 'matched client' for one hour per week on a regular basis to clients living in their own homes. Volunteer visits to Aged Care facilities are usually on fortnightly basis.
Our volunteer visitors attend regular training sessions and receive continuing and ongoing support both at an individual and group level during the course of their visiting. This is service is free of charge and is conducted according to Government guidelines.
Who do I contact for further information?
Sarina Cassino
CO.AS.IT Visitation Program
230 Rosanna Road
Rosanna 3084
Tel. 9455 0288
Fax. 9455 0299
Email: visitation@bigpond.com
Italcare Home Support Agency
CO.AS.IT.'s fee for service home support agency. Italcare Home Support Agency
