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

EACH PACKAGES

North & West Metropolitan Regions

The EACH program provides individually tailored packages of care to assist elderly Italians remain living in their own homes for as long as possible, if this is their preferred option.  A Case Manager assists the older person and the family carer to develop a flexible care plan with input from a registered nurse.

How do  I make a referral?

Referrals to the EACH program require an Aged Care Assessment.  This can be arranged by contacting the relevant regional ACAS.  Your family, a friend, local doctor or health professional may arrange this on your behalf.

For further information you can contact:

The Duty Worker - Aged Services Department
Tel. 9349 9000
Fax. 9349 9077

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 funded 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.

Moreland:

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: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday

Kensington: 8.30 am to 2.30 pm Friday only

Rosanna: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to *Friday and *Saturday*

Moreland: 9.00 am to 3.30 pm Monday only

* Friday: Dementia specific at Rosanna only
* Saturday Flexible Respite program

PLANNED ACTIVITY COORDINATORS:

Carlton (Employed Carers Program) - Rocchina Di Giuseppe
189 Faraday St
Carlton 3053
Tel. 9349 9081
Fax. 9349 9024
Email: carltondc@bigpond.com

Kensington - Rosa De Maria
Kensington-Flemington Neighbourhood House
13 Anthony St
Kensington 3031
Tel. 9376 9743 (Friday only)

Moreland - Leonardo Santomartino
C/- Lucania Club
Coburg

Rosanna - Pierre Martini
230 Rosanna Road
Rosanna 3084
Tel. 9457 4430
Fax. 9455 1065
Email: rosannadc@bigpond.com

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?

Francesco Pascalis
Coordinator - CO.AS.IT Visitation Program
189 Faraday Street
Carlton  3053
Tel. 9349 9033
Fax. 9349 9077
Email: francesco@coasit.com.au

Italcare Home Support Agency

CO.AS.IT.'s fee for service home support agency. Italcare Home Support Agency