Guyra MPS supports NSW Seniors Week

16 March 2009

Guyra Multi Purpose Service (MPS) is helping raise awareness of NSW Seniors Week by promoting its range of services aimed at older people and their carers.
Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) members – who provide outreach services to Guyra MPS from Armidale - can help people decide what kind of care will best meet their needs when they are no longer able to manage at home without assistance.
Guyra MPS Health Service Manager Tessa Capsanis said ACAT assessments can be carried out in a person’s own home or in hospital, free-of-charge. 

“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,” Ms Capsanis 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-targeted Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) package.
“Seniors Week is an opportunity to recognise the contributions older people have made to within our communities,” Ms Capsanis 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 Northern Tablelands Aged Care Assessment Team on (02) 6776 9688.

NSW Seniors Week runs from 15 to 22 March. With more than 500 events planned under the ‘Live Life’ banner, it is one of the biggest celebrations for seniors in the southern hemisphere.

Seniors Week is an initiative of State Governments, and in NSW the event receives support from DADHC. It also receives significant funding from Local Governments and their communities. The week is designed to thank and recognise older people across the state for the contributions they provide to the community. 

A photo of the ACAT team is available on request, by contacting Carisa Green.

(HNE-1781)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183