| Community Services |
Community Partner Program (CPP)The aims of the Community Partners Program: Identify specific barriers to access to aged care services for older people from a culturally and linguistically diverse community, ie: Italian More aged care support services delivering culturally appropriate care to older persons from a CALD (Italian) background Older persons from a CALD (Italian) background have greater capacity to make informed decisions about aged care support services Formalised arrangements made that will sustain the benefits of the Project and its strategies and continue to promote and facilitate increased access by CALD (Italian) community to aged care support services Target Group: Italian and Spanish speaking communities Funding Body: Department of Health and Ageing Centre Based Day Care (Frail aged)Centre based daycare offers a day to enjoy the company of others who share similar interest, culture and language. The participants are picked up from their home and returned by minibus. All participants are served a hot lunch and morning tea. The Centres operate from 10.00 am. to 2.00 pm. on weekdays. Target Group: This service targets the frail aged who because of their infirmity, disability and isolation find themselves house bound. At the same time the service also provides support for carers giving them the opportunity to spend some time to perceive other interests: shopping, visiting a doctor, seeing friends/relatives. Service Objectives: To provide a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated range of basic maintenance and support services for frail aged people. To support these persons to be more independent at home and the community, thereby enhancing their quality of life and/or preventing their premature or inappropriate admission to long term residential care. Description: Centre Based Day Care services refer to the provision of structured group activities designed to develop, maintain and support the capacity for independent living and social interaction, which are conducted in a day care centre setting. Centre Based Day Care also includes group excursions/activities conducted by centre staff but held away from the centre. Activities:
Fee: A small fee is requested from each client Referrals: Participants are usually referred by other welfare agencies, their doctor, a relative, a carer, or they can also refer themselves. As not all referrals are appropriate, the Coordinator is also able to assist the family and participants by providing information about other services and programmes. Other: The service is supported by a group of volunteers. Funding Body: NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and HomeCare under Home and Community Care Areas Covered: Wollongong, Balgownie, Dapto, Unanderra, Warrawong, Albion Park Eligibility: It is the policy of ItSoWel to assist clients who are Italian born, Italian speaking or identify as being Italian but it does not discriminate in relation to age, sex, religion or region of origin. Disability ProgramThe aim of this service is:
Target group: persons of an Italian background Funding Body: Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care Villa D'Este Housing ProjectVilla D’Este is a Community Housing Project. It consists of eight self-care units. The project aims to assist older, single, financially disadvantaged Italian persons by providing affordable accommodation. The core objective of the CPP program is to promote and facilitate increased and sustained access by culturally and linguistically diverse communities with significant aged care needs to aged care support services. Target Group: Italian Funding Body: Department of Health and Ageing Community Integration ProjectThe aim of this service is:
Funding body: Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care Mental Health ProgramA mental health service is offered fortnightly. The psychologist is Dr Charlie Pollicina. The service is by appointment only. A Mental Health Plan is required, this can be provided by your GP. Target Group: Italian speaking community who have a family member or themselves suffering from a mental illness. Overseas Pension AssistanceIn partnership with the Patronato Ital-Uil a pension consultancy service operates daily from ItSoWel. The service is offered free of charge. All types of Pension Applications, such as Aged, Survivor’s, Disability and Family Allowance, are processed for all countries with whom an accord exists, such as:
Assistance is also provided with documentation and declaration of income and assets. As of June 2011, the Patronato Ital-Uil, will also operate from Warrawong Community Centre every Friday from 9.00am to 12.00pm. Cemetery Visiting ProjectThis service provides monthly transport to the cemetery. The clients are picked up from their homes, taken to the cemetery and transported back home. The service is assisted by volunteers. There is a small fee. Community Outreach ProgramThis Program is funded by NSW Health and is in partnership with South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service. The program focuses on informing, educating and promoting good health amongst the ageing Italian community in the Illawarra. Information seminars are regularly organised with Italian speakers/interpreters. Dementia Centre Based Day Care ProgramThe program provides care for people living with mild to moderate dementia and is targeted to individuals who identify as Italian. Activities vary depending on the level of dementia of participants. Bilingual and bicultural staff and volunteers coordinate the program. Eligibility: An assessment will be conducted which will determine if the particular socialisation requirements of the individual can be met by the program. Once agreed a care plan will be developed with the client and attendance at day care can commence. Services provided are:
Funding Body: NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and HomeCare (DADHC) through the Home and Community Care Program Social Support ServicesThe service provides social support for the elderly and aims to:
Services provided:
Funding Body: NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and HomeCare (DADHC) through the Home and Community Care Program In-Home Respite ServicesThis service is targeted to carers of frail older people or persons with a disability who identify as Italian and live in the Wollongong or Shoalhaven local government areas. The aim of this service is:
Services provided: A respite worker will take care of a carer's family member in order to provide the carer with a break. The service enables the carer to pursue their own interests. The worker will provide companionship, emotional support and one on one activities including:
Broadband for SeniorsItSoWel now has a Broadband for Seniors internet kiosk. The kiosk features two computers with broadband access for use by the older members of our local community. We are providing training, so beginners are very welcome to call the office and put their names down on the waiting list. Broadband for Seniors is part of a $15m Australian Government initiative to increase the skills of older Australians using computers and the internet. The new internet kiosk offers the opportunity for older people to discover how the web can play a great part in helping them to stay in touch with friends and family, along with offering access to the wealth of information available online. This is their chance to find out what all the excitement is about. Legal AssistanceItSoWel now has a solicitor on hand to help members of our elderly community with any legal matters they may need assistance with such as a Will, Power of Attorney, Guardianship, etc. The solicitor, Joe Calabrese, is available on the first Monday of every month and the first consultation, up to 30 minutes, is free. To make an appointment or for further information please get in touch with our office. |
