UnitingSA has announced that it will expand aged care services in the Riverland. The organisation will begin offering the Support at Home program from November.

Support at Home is designed to help older people live independently at home for as long as they can by offering a range of wrap-around supports.

The new services that will be available through UnitingSA’s Support at Home program include nursing and allied health, personal care and respite, as well as support with everyday living such as domestic cleaning and home maintenance.

UnitingSA is well known in the Riverland as a provider of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). The not-for-profit has operated in the region for over 35 years and has provided aged care services since it commenced Ethnic Link Services in 1989.

Each year, UnitingSA supports more than 600 people across its community aged care services throughout the State. In the Riverland, UnitingSA currently supports almost 100 clients through CHSP including group activities, social support and assistance with transport.

Government data indicates that there are over 140 people waiting for the release of additional Support at Home packages in the Riverland and UnitingSA is ready to help support those people.

The expanded services come as the Federal Government rolls out significant Aged Care Reform to improve the quality, safety, and transparency of aged care services for older people and to meet the growing demand for aged care.

By 2034, the number of Australians aged 70 and over is projected to increase from 3.35 million (12.4% of the population) to 4.58 million (14.9%). This figure is expected to rise further to 5.5 million (16.2%) by 2044.

Ferda Sen and Yasemin Al will remain the local leaders of the program and will be supported by a team of committed Support Workers. The new program will operate from 2 Murtho Street, Renmark, co-locating with UnitingSA’s existing Community Aged Care, Mental Health, and Parent Pathways services.

If you’d like to know more about how to access Support at Home, please reach out to our Care Connect team on 8440 6280 or homecare@unitingsa.com.au

 

Quotes attributable to Rob Heinjus, Senior Executive Aged Care, UnitingSA

Support at Home provides people with higher-level or more complex needs access to a wider range of home care services compared to the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) which UnitingSA already offers in the Riverland.

We’re very much about choice and dignity and providing services that support people to live their best lives. Sometimes all we need is a little extra support at home and that’s where our team can help.

We’ve built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable home care packages across Adelaide and we’re excited to bring this same standard of care and client experience to the Riverland.

 

Quotes attributable to Ferda Sen, Care Partner, UnitingSA

We already support close to 100 people in the Riverland. We’re known throughout the community and I think it is excellent that we’ll now be able to offer ongoing support to local people as they age.

We’re keen to provide safe, individualised care for clients in their homes so if you’ve been approved for a Support at Home package, our team are happy to guide you through the next steps and create a care plan tailored to your needs.

 

To arrange an interview please contact:

Shannon Short
Communications and Media Lead, UnitingSA
0466 419 528