healthAbility has centres in Box Hill and Eltham and provides a range of community services including health therapies, in home and community support, dental care and mental health support.
Its My Aged Care program provides support to older people living at home, helping them navigate the aged care system and providing the best possible value for their Home Care Packages. The program enables older people to live well in their own home while accessing the care and support they require as they age.
The team at healthAbility provides quality services in care coordination and management, nursing, personal care, community access, respite, carer support and domestic assistance. The service is also part of a consortium of Stepped Care services in the eastern and north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, funded by Eastern Melbourne PHN (EMPHN).
Physical health and safety has been top of mind for everyone in the community over the past two years, and none more so than older people. With the significant impact of self-isolation and loss of social connections healthAbility’s support team are very cognisant of the need to support their clients with social and emotional wellbeing, as well as their ongoing physical needs.
This care includes not just medical appointments, hospital admissions and specialist treatments but also the services an older person may need to live well; transport to appointments, arranging someone to help them take a shower, installing safety rails, lawn mowing and more. This care can only be achieved by being centralised, coordinated, and responsive as people’s needs change.
Edmond Wong, General Manager Aged Care and Disability Services at healthAbility says that accredited care management, including GP liaison and in-home care services are central to supporting people to live well at home and in their community.
“As a community health organisation, our Care Managers are also able to integrate and directly access other health services such as counselling, occupational therapy, dental treatment and more. We truly put the person at the heart of what we do.” Compassion is also a key ingredient of person-centred holistic care. Karen, a support worker at healthAbility penned this moving poem which demonstrates the value of such an approach, which ends with, “What a wonderful service healthAbility provide, With all three departments working side by side. Home Care Packages, In Home Community Support and Social Support Groups. Caring for people in our community!”