Older Adults

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

The Royal Commission looks into the quality of aged care services including:

• Care for older people living at home;
• People living with dementia; and 
• People living in residential aged care including younger people with disabilities. 

The Commission will examine the care provided in cities, as well as in regional and remote areas. It will look at how aged care services can be improved in the future.The Commission wants to hear about your experiences, both good and bad. It also wants your suggestions for ways to improve the aged care system. You can tell your story to the Commission by:

• Calling: 1800 960 711 (between 8:00am-8:00pm AEDT Monday-Friday except on public holidays). Interpreter services are available.
• Writing to: GPO Box 1151, Adelaide SA 5001 (we will translate your letter)
• Filling in the online form
• Emailing: ACRCenquiries@royalcommission.gov.au

If you have a problem with an aged care service that requires immediate action

The Royal Commission cannot resolve individual disputes or complaints. It cannot order a care provider or person to take particular action or pay compensation. However, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission may be able to assist in this situation as it is the complaints agency for aged care services that are subsidised by the Australian Government. 

If you want to make a complaint about the quality of aged care services being delivered to a person right now, you can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822. Interpreter services are available.

Darebin Council provides a range of home support services to older people. These services are substantially funded by the Federal Government through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Current funding arrangements were due to end in 2020. Darebin Council had lobbied the Federal Government to extend these funding arrangements.
On 2 April 2019 the Federal Government announced that the funding would be extended until June 2022. 

In May 2018 Council commissioned a review of how to create an Age Friendly Darebin, which was conducted by an independent Panel. The extensive review has looked at various ways that Council could support older people. 
We are grateful to all the community members who provided their feedback to the review. The Panel is currently considering community feedback on their draft report, in order to prepare their final report which will be formally considered by Council at its meeting on 22 July 2019. 

Visit our Age Friendly Darebin page for more information and to read the full Age Friendly Darebin Review Draft Report and the Summary Report. The Summary Report is also available in 12 community languages.

Council wants to make sure that older people and their families: 

• Understand the changes
• Know how to get support as they age
• Know who they can talk to if they are not getting what they need.

Council has been holding free education sessions to explain how the new aged care system My Aged Care works.

Receive information about how to find the right support that helps you stay in your own home as you age. If you missed previous education sessions you can download the content here:

• English Education Session
• Greek Education Sesssion
• Chinese Education Session
• Macedonian Education Session

If you have any questions about these sessions or belong to a group that would benefit from this information call Nicola Johnson on 8470 8312.

"Aged care" is the name given to the services that support older people to stay independent and healthy as they age. This might include support with personal care, cleaning, meals, transport, and more. "Aged care" can also be residential care.

Changes to aged care and home support services 

On 1 July 2016 the Australian Government changed the way aged care works, now all people in Australia over the age of 65 who need support will go through My Aged Care.

The Home and Community Care program has been replaced by the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) . This will not change the level of support for most older people.

The CHSP is for people over the age of 65 who need a little bit of extra help at home or in the community. It is the first level of support in the aged care system.

For more information about aged care in Australia, download the My Aged Care brochure or read the brochure in your language:

• My Aged Care brochure (Greek)
• My Aged Care brochure (Italian)
• My Aged Care brochure (Macedonian)
• My Aged Care brochure (Vietnamese)
• My Aged Care brochure (Chinese)
• My Aged Care brochure (Arabic)

At Darebin, we support older people in their homes and the community through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). We also support people under the age of 65 who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

We offer:

• A care plan that we will make with you to meet your needs.
• High quality services delivered by friendly staff.

Personal Care
Help with a range of tasks as part of your daily routine.

Domestic Assistance
Help with tasks around your home and in your community.

Home Delivered Meals
Healthy and culturally appropriate meals brought to you at home.

Home Maintenance
Help with minor household repairs, safety and security maintenance.

Community Transport 
Help with transport for shopping, and getting to social groups or other activities. Our friendly drivers provide door-to-door services within Darebin for $4.60 return. 

More information
Call 8470 8828 and talk to us about your needs. You can call us yourself, or if you give consent to a family member, friend, doctor, or health service who can call us for you.

Information in Greek

Information in Italian

Our dementia services run from Tuesday to Friday at Yanada House.

• Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea 
• Safe and secure, door to door transport 
• English, Italian and Greek programs, as well as a mixed cultural group
• A range of activities and community outings
• A care plan that is made for each person to meet their needs and interests
• Services run by experienced staff

Our services are for people with memory loss. However, priority will be given to people living with dementia.

For more information about services at Yanada House, including service fees, call us on 9481 9570.

• Gentle activity groups
• Art and craft activities
• Social groups and outings
• Meals
• Dancing
• Games including bowls, bocce, trugo, cards and billiards
• Community bus

To help older people stay active in a way that interests them, Council has put together the Older and Active in Darebin 2017 – 2019. In this directory, you will find over 200 services, groups and programs that welcome older people. 

In the bimonthly Older and Active Newsletter you can find out about upcoming events that are suitable for older people. 

You can pick up a hard copy of the newsletter and the directory at a Darebin Customer Service Centre. For a word version or alternative format call Customer Service on 8470 8888.

To learn more about the directory, or to talk to us about ways that older people can get out and about in Darebin, call us on 8470 8312, or 8470 8063.

In Recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2019:
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
Darebin Council, Melbourne Playback Theatre and Seniors Rights Victoria invite you to come along to a performance piece celebrating the contribution of older people to our community. This is a conversation about respect and what it means to you. Light refreshments will be provided.
This free event raises awareness of the many forms of abuse that people may experience as they get older.

Where and When: Wednesday 3 July, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Preston Shire Hall, 286 Gower Street
Book online or phone 8470 8063 for more information and to arrange transport. 

Darebin Bus
The Darebin Bus is a nine seat mini bus that local incorporated not-for-profit community groups can hire. To find out about hiring the bus, call us on 8470 8634.

Darebin Seniors Month
Our Springtime Community Events brochures are a handy guide to some of the many community events and activities planned for spring, some which are in celebration of Seniors Month and Community Safety Month each October.

Council support:

Some carers live with the person they support. Other carers might drop by a few times a week to help out. Either way, we know that sometimes carers need some help, or a break from their caring role. 

Support For Carers Program
This program is funded by the Victorian Department Of Health and Human Services. At Darebin this program is focussed on support for those who care for older people, and especially (but not only) those who have memory loss or confusion. Staff can provide information, practical and general support and assistance. This can include anything from attending a carer support group, to targeted advice and assistance for carers to understand and navigate the service system. It can also help with the challenges of looking after someone who is frail or confused. There is support for you if you need short term respite or access to carer-related material aid.

Carer Support Group
This is a support group that focuses on social connection. A chance to have a chat with other carers, relevant information and occasional outings are all part of these monthly group meetings.Yanada House runs a carer support group for anyone in a caring role. This is a safe place for carers to talk with and support other carers. We also have guest speakers come to talk about things that are important to carers. For more information about services at Yanada House, including service fees, call us on 9481 9570.

Respite options
Under the Commonwealth My Aged Care system, Darebin Council provides:

Social Support Groups
These programs operate from our Northcote facility, Yanada House and offer activity programs for people needing care so that their carers can have a break. See brochure.

Flexible Respite
In-home respite: provides support for carers of clients needing assisted support in the home (e.g. older people with dementia)
Community access individual: Individual specified activities outside the home providing opportunities to socialise, recreate, participate in community life, whilst also providing respite for the carer. 

Further information:

Please call Darebin City Council’s  Aged and Disability Department on 8470 8828, if you would like to learn more about these.

Other support:

Victorian Government Carer Card
The Victorian Government has worked with businesses, the local government and community organisations to provide carers with the Victorian Government Carer Card.  You, or someone you know, may be eligible.
Benefits of the card include free public transport on Sundays along with two return off-peak rail vouchers for travel anywhere within Victoria. Carers will also be able to enjoy discounted entries to Government venues such as zoos, museums and various tourist attractions.
For further information or to apply visit the Victorian Government Carer Card Program website or call the Carer Card Information Line on 1800 901 958.

Counselling and Support through My Aged Care
Counselling and support services may help you to understand and manage situations, behaviours and relationships that can be a part of being a carer. This help could, in turn, reduce the stress you may be feeling in your caring role, and perhaps help you to continue in this role for longer. 
Further information: visit the My Aged Care website or call 1800 200 422. 

What if I feel like I’m not coping?
If you need to talk to someone immediately, contact Lifeline (24 hours a day) on 13 11 14.

Information in Greek

Information in Italian

What is the Windows and Gutter Program?
The program is a way for Council to help people living in Darebin pay the cost of window cleaning and gutter clearing. 

How does it work?
At Council, we do not do this work ourselves. You will need to:
1. Choose a business that you would like to do the work for you. 
This can only be: gutter clearing and/or window cleaning.
2. Pay the business the full amount for the work. 
3. Keep a tax invoice/receipt to show that you paid the full amount. 
4. Fill out the form below and send it to: Darebin Council, Aged and Disability Department. 
We will pay you back half of the cost of the work, up to a total of $120.00, once per year. 

Who is it for?
This program is for residents of Darebin who:
- Are aged over 65 years (or over 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
- Get support from, or are eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
- Do not get other Government funded supports for living at home. 

How can I get a claim-form?
You can download your claim-form or request your printed version on 8470 8828.

What work will it cover?
Council will only pay part of the cost for:
- Gutter clearing, and/or 
- Window cleaning

How often can you get a claim-form?
A household can only make one claim per year, and cannot split the $120.00 value over more than one claim. This means you will need to choose either gutter clearing or window cleaning, or both at the same time (up to $120.00). 

Can your claim be turned down?
Council can turn down your claim if:
- You have made a claim in the past twelve months, or
- Your tax invoice/receipt or your form are incomplete, incorrect or not eligible.   
If this happens we will call you to try and sort it out. If we cannot sort it out and your claim is turned down, we will send you a letter to let you know why.

Who can you get to do this work?
It is your choice. We cannot recommend or endorse any businesses. Whichever business you choose, you will need to make sure that they can give you a Tax Invoice/Receipt. 
The Tax Invoice/Receipt must clearly show:
- Name of business
- Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Business contact details and address
- Itemised work completed
- Address where the work was done, and resident name
- Date the work was done
- Acknowledgement that the cost of the work has been paid in full

What if you are not happy with the work?
You are responsible for choosing the business you would like to do the work for you. 
Council is not responsible for this, and we are not able to get involved in:
- Who you choose,
- How and when the work is done,
- Whether the work meets your needs.

What happens after you send us your form? 
If everything is ok with your form, we will pay you back half of the cost of the work, up to a total of $120.00, once per year. 
We will do this via the option you choose on your form (cheque or credit against an existing debt). This will take up to one month. 

What to do if you have questions?
Call the Darebin Council Aged and Disability Department on 8470 8828. We will do our best to answer your question.