OLDER PEOPLE
If you are an older person and need assistance, or care for an older person who lives at home but needs assistance with some of their day-to-day tasks, we can help. Our staff are committed to working with people in Melbourne's East to provide the assistance you want and need.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
If you, or someone you care for, need assistance of some sort, then UnitingCare Community Options has a range of options that may be able to provide the help you need. Some of our services, like information, respite brokerage and coordination, and some home-care services can be arranged immediately. Many of our other services require an assessment for eligibility and that you are assigned a longer-term funding package.
IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
Do you need immediate assistance? Perhaps you've injured yourself or become ill and need help with activities that you previously took care of by yourself.
UnitingCare Community Options auspices two services designed to provide quick support to older people. Our Direct2Care service can provide detailed information about the types of services available in your area and can arrange guided referrals for things like home services. Direct2Care can be contacted on 1300 121 121.
Click here for more about Direct2Care
If you need emergency or short-term respite we also have a Commonwealth Respite and Carelink (CRCC) team that can help to arrange immediate assistance and respite. You can call the team on 1800 059 059. Our Commonwealth Respite and Carelink team focus on supporting carers and not only have a great deal of knowledge and experience in this area, they can also help you access brokerage for services if appropriate.
Click here for more about the CRCC.
LONGER-TERM SUPPORT
Do you need longer term support? Are you having difficulties coping at home? You may have health or mobility issues that make it harder for you to take care of day-to-day activities like gardening, shopping, or cooking.
Our longer-term packages for older people use government funding to provide the support and assistance you need so that you can remain living in your community. A number of different levels of funding are available depending on your needs. To speak to someone about our government funding packages, please call 1300 651 463.
Click here for more information about Aged-Care Packages.
LINKAGES
The Linkages program is an extension of the Home and Community Care program and provides more intensive service coordination as well as additional brokerage funds. The program is supported by financial assistance from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments and provides individually tailored packages of services to people who are in need of a higher level of assistance. The program is for frail older people and people of any age with disabilities, including children and their carers. To learn more about the Linkages program please contact us directly on (03) 9239 2500 or info@ucco.org.au
CONSUMER-DIRECTED CARE
Are you interested in exercising more control over your care? Do you think you might be able to coordinate your own care needs? Perhaps you care for a partner or family member and would like to assist them in arranging services.
Over the last eight years, UnitingCare Community Options has been involved in a range of projects and initiatives that put people in control of their services and able to make real choices about their lives. Most recently our work around Consumer-Directed Care has focused on new options for older people and, through the Consumer-Directed Respite Care program, for the carers of older people. Consumer-Directed Care is well on the way to becoming the major approach that underpins the way services and support are provided.
For more about Consumer-Directed Care, please click here.
WHY CHOOSE US?
At UnitingCare Community Options, we work with you to help you get the assistance you need so that you can remain living in your community and pursuing your dreams and goals. Our services focus on your strengths and abilities as well as your needs. We help you imagine the life that you want and then work towards that goal.