Reaching out to our older community members (Hunter)

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 Hunter Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) – who provide services throughout the Local Government Areas of Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie - can help community members decide what kind of care will best meet their needs when they are no longer able to manage at home without assistance.
Acting Senior Manager of Community Chronic Disease and Aged Care Services,  Louise Lazic, said ACAT assessments can be carried out in a person’s own home or in hospital, free-of-charge. 
“The ACAT service consists of skilled aged care clinicians who will as part of the assessment ask a series of questions in order to access the best available care options for a person’s particular situation. These questions are designed to determine what type of help that person needs to remain at home for as long as possible,” Mrs Lazic said.
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-specific  Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) package.
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 Lazic 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.
“Early intervention, prevention and innovative treatment strategies in aged care provide an important pathway in helping older community members achieve improved quality of life.”
Community members wanting more information should contact the Hunter Aged Care Assessment Team on 4985 5700.

(HNE-1554)

Contact: Carisa Josephs

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183