Reaching out to our older community members (Armidale)

International Day of Older Persons – Wednesday 1 October

Hunter New England Health is helping raise awareness of the International Day of Older Persons by outlining a range of its services aimed at older people and their carers.
Members of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) based at Armidale Community Health Centre can help community members work out what kind of care will best meet their needs when they are no longer able to manage at home without assistance.
Hunter New England Health’s Julie Really said ACAT assessments can be carried out in a person’s own home or in hospital, free-of-charge.  “Members of the ACAT group will ask a series of questions in order to find the best care options for a person’s particular situation,” Mrs Really said. “These questions are designed to work out how much and what type of help that person needs with daily and personal activities.”
ACAT team members approve older people for Federal Government-subsidised aged care such as respite care, residential aged care, Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs), or flexible care such as the dementia-targeted Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) package.
Once the Aged Care Assessment Team has a clear understanding of a person’s care requirements, they will recommend or approve the services most appropriate to meet those needs. 
International Day of Older Persons on 1 October gives the whole community an opportunity to recognise and applaud the achievements and ongoing contributions made by seniors in Australia.
The event’s 2008 theme is Rights for Older Persons, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“October 1 is an opportunity to recognise the contributions older Australians make to their families and communities, and to encourage participation by older people in community activities,” Mrs Really said.
“From Hunter New England Health’s perspective, the day also offers us a chance to remind older people in our communities that a range of services are available to help them when they most need it.”
Community members wanting more information should contact the Northern Tablelands Aged Care Assessment Team on 6776 9688.

Contact: Carisa Josephs

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183