Southcare :: Welcome Booklet

Welcome to Southcare

Your guide to aged care and community services www.southcare.org.au

Welcome to Southcare Empowering people, enriching lives.

Southcare is a Western Australian not-forprofit organisation that provides personalised aged care and community services that support you to live with dignity and respect in your own home and community.

We want to help you stay independent and make the most of your opportunities and potential. We work within the areas of community aged care, financial councilling, Aboriginal family support, leadership training and community amenity.

When navigating important life decisions, we want to be there to help provide you with options in a personal and caring way. We offer a wide range of aged care and community services which displays our commitment to creating strong people and strong communities.

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Welcome to Southcare

Who is Southcare?

Southcare first opened its doors to the people of South Perth on April 6th 1982 as the result of the dreams and ideas held by a group of caring individuals within the community for almost a decade.

The small but determined group of some 20 volunteers began helping people in need in the local area by providing emergency assistance in the form of baby and food hampers.

Members of nearby churches had then recommended the formation

of a senior citizen’s centre, Meals on Wheels and sporting facilities to bring the community together and assist those in need.

At its core, Southcare was established by a team of dedicated and caring people seeking to make a difference to the lives of the people within their community. Their passion for delivering quality, respectful and empathetic care still lives on in our values today.

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Why choose Southcare?

Southcare is an organisation that has provided valuable care services to the community of South Perth for over 37 years. We support and encourage everyone in the community to live their best lives. As you get older, we understand

you want to live a peaceful life and maintain your dignity. That’s why we offer our support services in a caring and respectful manner to help you stay living independently in your own home.

What sets Southcare apart from other aged care providers in Perth?

We value individuality

Community is important to us

We are always improving

Southcare recognises each and every person is unique.

We appreciate and nurture your special circumstances, talents and contributions.

That’s why we tailor our care services to suit your individual needs.

We understand the importance of connecting to each other and our communities. We build genuine lifelong partnerships with the people and the communities we serve, and we are committed to creating a positive future for all.

Our team is constantly transforming to provide you with better customer service.

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Welcome to Southcare

We are not-for-profit We are honest You can talk to us We offer guidance to help you navigate your senior years. Let’s sit down together with you, your family and your friends to talk through the options and tailor a plan that respects your choices and needs.

Our pricing policy contains no hidden fees. We offer flexible services which you can access for as little or as long as you need.

Southcare is unique because the profit we receive from our products and services go back into funding our emergency relief, financial counselling and Aboriginal family support services.

You can belong with us Belonging is an important part of living a fulfilled life.

Just like you, we’re local and proud to be part of the community for over 37 years.

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Welcome to Southcare

What home care services are available?

At Southcare, we exist to support you. We want you to live an enriched, empowered and enjoyable life. Accepting help with daily tasks does not mean you have to lose your independence. Rather, we provide day-to-day services and products to help you live independently in your own home. You have the freedom to choose which services you would like to help you feel happy and safe at home.

While Southcare services are available to everyone, there are three different home care funding possibilities. Depending on your personal circumstances, you can either receive services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, Home Care Packages or privately funded care.

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Am I eligible for home care services funding?

The government offers funding to help support older Australians to live independently in their own home. To determine which home care program will best suit you, you will need to book an assessment with the government agency called My Aged Care. My Aged Care will thoroughly assess your care needs and determine your level of funding. You can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

Alternatively you can call us 6117 3089 and we can arrange an appointment for you.

There are two types of assessments that help work out your care needs and eligibility for funding: 1. A home support assessment with a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) to work out your aged care service needs and refer you to appropriate Commonwealth Home Support Programme services.

2. A comprehensive assessment with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) if you have care needs that are greater than what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides.

What is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme?

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a government programme providing support for older Australians requiring assistance to keep living independently at home and in their own community. The CHSP helps senior Australians access entry-level support services to live safely at home.

Rather than doing things for you, the aim of the CHSP is to work with you to maintain your independence. You may require 8

Welcome to Southcare

low level assistance with tasks such as cleaning, shopping or garden maintenance.

To be eligible for this program, you must be aged: • 65 or over (50 or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or • 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.

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What is a Home Care Package?

Home Care Packages (HCP) are designed to support those who require more complex aged care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides. HCP offer a coordinated approach to the delivery of your in home care and can be tailored to suit your individual needs.

There are four levels of HCP support, and your level will be assessed by a professional assessor using a nationally consistent assessment framework.

The four levels are: • Home Care Level 1 – basic care needs • Home Care Level 2 – low level care needs • Home Care Level 3 – intermediate care needs • Home Care Level 4 – high care needs

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Welcome to Southcare

With Home Care Packages at Southcare, you have the freedom and flexibility to choose which services you wish to receive and when.

Depending on the level of your care package and your individual needs, you may receive a range of supports, below are some examples: • Home Help - house cleaning, garden/lawn maintenance, shopping, home cooked meals, transport, medical services, house maintenance ( gutter cleaning, minor repairs)

• Health - Personal Care, Podiatry Nursing, Physiotherapy • Happiness - Pet Care, Social Outings, Companionship, Transport.

What are private services?

Southcare’s private services can provide you with fasttracked, quality assistance in your own home to ensure you can continue to enjoy your favourite activities.

Private home care services are services which are not subsidised by the government. This means you will have to pay the full cost to access these services, which can be

matched to your care needs or financial situation.

You may require private home care services if you are assessed as eligible for government funding but are waiting to receive government funded services. Private services allows you to access services much faster because you are paying

with your own funds. These services can help you stay in your own home and not have to move to residential aged care.

Refer overleaf to the services Southcare offers.

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What services does Southcare offer?

At Southcare, we pride ourselves on providing a wide range of high quality, respectful aged care services. Our home care

services are flexible, and can change to suit your individual support needs. Our services include:

Personal care:

Social centre:

Dressing, grooming, medication and welfare visits

Events, movies, day trips, activities

Domestic assistance:

Dementia services:

Meal delivery, washing, vacuuming etc

Specialised care and attention

Garden maintenance:

Gardening services:

Minor maintenance to keep you safe in your garden

Respite: A break for your carer from their regular role

Transport: Medical appointments, shopping and community activities

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Welcome to Southcare

Major garden clean-up Lawn mowing and edging Reticulation Skip/bulk bins Tree lopping

Medical services: Nursing services on call Podiatry at home Occupational Therapy at home Physio/rehab programs at home Exercise programs at home

Special home care services: Blind and curtain cleaning Carpet, tile and rug cleaning Gutter cleaning Spring clean Laundry services (pick-up/drop-off) Window cleaning

Trade and maintenance contractors: Air-conditioning and refrigeration Electrical Locksmith Pest control Plumbing Vacuum cleaner service and repair

Other services: Car clean / detail Continence and wound aids Dog grooming Health and mobility aids – hire and purchase Key safe and medical lock box Personal alarms and safety devices

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Strong people, strong communities.

Community is important to us here at Southcare. We recognise the rewarding impacts that a strong community can bring to its people. As part of the vibrant Southcare community, we strive

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Welcome to Southcare

for you to have the freedom to meet new friends, embrace rewarding activities and stay in control of your life choices.

We are also here to provide assistance and support you in times when you need it most.

Southcare’s Social Centre Maintaining a sense of belonging is an important part of living a fulfilled life. We all need spaces where we can be social, have a laugh and feel acknowledged and included.

Southcare’s vibrant Social Centre welcomes clients and carers of all ages and abilities to join in on our range of fun activities in a caring and relaxed setting. It is a space where you can meet new friends as well as enjoy the company of familiar faces and enjoy delicious food.

At our Social Centre, you will always have something to look forward to. Each month, our friendly staff coordinate outings to your favourite restaurants, shopping centres and shows. So whether you feel like visiting a delightful cafe, participating in a game or craft activity or taking part in some chair yoga, our Social Centre offers you the space to do it all.

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Southcare’s Community Services

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Welcome to Southcare

Financial Counselling

Aboriginal Family Support Service

Southcare provides a free and confidential financial counselling service to help you manage during difficult financial situations.

We provide our financial service in a caring and nonjudgmental manner which is discreet and protective of your privacy. Our free financial counselling advice provides you and/or your family with assistance, information, options and support to explore and implement strategies to overcome your hardship.

Southcare acknowledges the Whadjuk Noongar people as the traditional owners of the land on which our buildings stand. Our Aboriginal Family Support Service offers information, support, advocacy and referral services to Aboriginal families and single people seeking assistance within the community of South Perth.

Emergency Relief

Opportunity Shop

Meeting Facilities

When difficulties present themselves in life, it can be scary not knowing what to do or what help is available.

At Southcare, we want to help you get back on your feet during an immediate financial crisis by providing food relief, counselling and moral support. We help in a non-judgemental way that maintains your privacy and dignity and upholds your personal responsibility and choice.

We all need a little bit of retail therapy sometimes.

Southcare’s Op Shop has a range of traditional, vintage and contemporary clothing, homewares and books for sale at an affordable price.

The shop is staffed by our friendly Southcare volunteers who create a personal and pleasant shopping experience for you. The profits raised in our Op Shop go back into funding our community services.

Strong communities are all about sharing resources. That’s why we offer community groups and other not-for-profit organisations in Perth the use of our meeting /board rooms and community hall.

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Empowering people, enriching lives.

We welcome you to our community of care.

To find out more about our aged care and community services, please contact us.

Address Southcare

53 Bickley Crescent, Manning, WA, 6152 Phone 08 6117 3089 Email enquiries@southcare.org.au www.southcare.org.au