Ageing well in our community 

Older people in Australia make up a considerable proportion of our population — in 2017, over 1 in 7 people were aged 65 and over. In 2016 one in three older people were born in non-English speaking countries.

As the number and proportion of older Australians is expected to continue to grow, in 2015 the Australian Government introduced aged care reforms in order to create a better aged care system and give more choice, control and access to a range of aged care services.

In particular older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds prefer to stay and aged in their own homes. However older people from CALD backgrounds face number of barriers regarding accessing services which may explain their under‐utilisation of community aged care services.

Some of these barriers include

  • A lack of understanding of the aged care system and how to navigate it in order to receive services for which they are eligible.
  • A lack of awareness and knowledge of the services that are available
  • System complexity and simple information in language

And need information provided in a culturally appropriate manner. 

3 women talking at ECCNSW stall on ageing well

In partnership with the Inner West Sector Support Development Officer, ECCNSW  facilitated seven information sessions in language including two consumer forums. These sessions were expedited across the region to several CALD groups in Cantonese, Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, Greek, and Korean. The presentations focused on the Australian Aged Care System and included information topics on:

  • The Australian Aged Care System
  • Access to Aged Care  services in the Inner West Region
  • Assessment required to access these services
  • How to use the interpreting service
  • How to plan for your future so that you can stay in your home longer and safer.
  • How to keep healthy and active
  • What does positive wellbeing of an older person look like
  • General Information on the WestConnex

Feedback from the sessions and forums indicated that 90% of the participants (including carers and older people) were not aware of the new Australian Aged Care System and how to navigate it. Therefore, the information sessions clearly demonstrated the lack of familiarity with the Australian Aged Care System and the aged care reforms, and the huge need for information to be disseminated to CALD communities.

At the completion of each session participants were provided with language specific information packs as a future reference to the information provided during the session. These packs enabled participants to act as “go to” people in their community. 

During the sessions and expos participants were also asked questions relating to the WestConnex and their projects. 50% of participants indicated that they were familiar with the new motorway tunnel and were very appreciative of it as it allows for shortened travel times between suburbs. However, some expressed their concerns that due to cost of the toll many older people on a pension would not be able to access it regularly.

Community Based Aged Care

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is funded by the Australian Government and it provides a range of entry/basic level of community aged care services for older people who need assistance to keep living in their own home independently.

The program is for older people aged 65 years and over and 50years and over for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.

There are a number of different services that are provided under this program include:

  • Transport
  • Allied Health
  • Domestic Assistance
  • Personal Care
  • Home modification and maintenance
  • Nursing
  • Social Support
  • Food Services
  • Respite Care
  • Aids and Equipment

How to access the CHSP

My Aged Care is a contact centre that provides information on aged care services.  My Aged Care call centre can be contacted by ringing 1800200422 or via the website (www.myagedcare.gov.au).

Home Support Assessment

Once you have contacted My Age Care call centre clients are referred for a home assessment. A Regional Assessment Service assessor will assist the clients to obtain the aged care services.

Home Care Packages Programme

The Home Care Packages (HCP) are funded by the Australian Government and they are packaged aged care which help older people to live who need assistance to keep living in their own home independently.

The benefits of the Home Care Packages are that if the client’s health deteriorates and requires more assistance and support while living at home the service providers can assist the client to choose suitable services to best meet the client’s needs.

How to access the Commonwealth Home Support Program 

My Aged Care is a contact centre that provides information on aged care services.  My Aged Care call centre can be contacted by ringing 1800200422 or via the website (www.myagedcare.gov.au).

Home Care Package Assessment

Once you have contacted My Age Care call centre clients are referred for a home assessment. The Aged Care Assessment Team from the local hospital assessor will assist the clients to obtain the aged care services

There are four different levels of care within the Home Care Packages. During the assessment and according to client needs a suitable level is determined.

man pushing elderly woman in wheelchair
Elderly man looking out window

Residential Aged Care

An Aged Care Home sometimes known as Nursing Home or Residential Care Facility is for older people who can no longer remain at home due to their health requirements and need full time care.

Residential care home can be provided on a permanent basis or short term. Short term is called residential respite care. For example if  a carer  is unable to care for the recipient for whatever reason the recipient can have a short stay in aged care home.  The recipient can access respite care up to 63 days each financial year with a possible extension of additional 21 days

How to access Residential Aged Care

If the client has not being assessed for aged care home including respite care they can contact My Aged Care call centre.  My Aged Care can be contacted either via the website (www.myagedcare.gov.au) or by ringing 1800200422.

Residential Aged Care Assessment

Once you have contacted My Age Care call centre clients are referred for a home assessment. The Aged Care Assessment Team assessor from the local hospital will come at the client’s home and discuss with them their situation.

The Australian Aged Care Information sessions for the CALD seniors provided in language proved to be extremely valuable as they have in facilitated information regarding the aged care system, understanding of what are  various levels of care and provided community members with relevant resources. We would be happy to facilitate a similar project in the future with any new motorways WestConnex is responsible for.