Aged care ‘opens its doors’

The sector celebrated Aged & Community Services Australia's (ACSA) National Open Day, to match similar celebrations held across the UK, Europe and South Africa. The idea behind Open Day is to give the wider community an opportunity to see what aged care services – both residential and home care – are available locally.

Hundreds of aged care providers in Australia registered their events for Open Day on the national website, including 30 sites in South Australia, both in the city and in regional areas such as Mount Gambier, Booleroo Centre, Meningie and Tanunda.

Members of the community were invited to a variety of events such as morning teas, tours of sites, art and craft sessions, information sessions on how the aged care system operates and promotion of home care support programs.

Carolanne Barkla, acting chief executive of Aged & Community Services SA & NT, says: “It is a lovely opportunity for staff to show their families and friends the work they do every day, caring for some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.

“Many Australians will never need assistance but the numbers of people who do are increasing as the older population increases.”

About one million Australians receive some form of aged care and there are 342,800 Australians living with dementia.

“We want people to have a conversation with each other and with their elderly parents about the available options for care in the future should they need it, instead of leaving it until a health crisis, such as a fall or stroke, occurs,” Ms Barkla says.

“Open Day is also a wonderful time to highlight and promote the positive experiences of older Australians. We are delighted that [the sector] has again embraced the opportunity to open their doors and show people the excellent work they do.”

Southern Cross Care (Vic) was just one provider to open the doors of its Wellness Centre in Eaglemont to the local community as part of ACSA's National Open Day to promote the positive experience of ageing.

In keeping with the theme of the day, guests also took part in a Tai Chi exercise class, giving everyone the opportunity to experience this gentle martial art.

“National Open Day has been a huge success for the Southern Cross Care Wellness Centre. It’s fantastic to see so many people who are interested in learning more about our exercise programs and the benefits to their health and overall wellbeing,” says Gavan Leonard, regional manager, Southern Cross Care Northern Region Community Services.

The Wellness Centre aims to maximise quality of life for people over the age of 65 years by maintaining their independence, increasing fitness, improving confidence and preventing social isolation.

It conducts personalised and social programs which include Tai Chi to improve balance and concentration through gentle mind and body exercise; strength and balance to gain muscle tone; stability and coordination through personalised gym based exercise; and a walking group to improve cardiovascular endurance and confidence in walking outside.

For people with complex health care needs, individual physiotherapy sessions are also available.

Classes at the Wellness Centre are offered to older people living independently or in Commonwealth funded aged care homes in Melbourne’s northern or eastern suburbs.

Other partipating organisations included Resthaven, Helping Hand Aged Care, RSL Care, Anglicare, James Brown Memorial Trust and Linsell Lodge.

Find out more information on Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) National Open Day or for details on the Southern Cross Care Wellness Centre, call (03) 9244 0900.