Aged Care and Disability Support Services
VASS has many programs and activities across the State under its Aged Care and Disability Support Services banner. There have been a variety of events and resources produced in our Aged Care Programs, such as a dance-exercise DVD for older people, and contributions to research, such as the Moving Pictures Dementia research project.
Planned Activity Group (PAG) / Social Support Groups
VASS Planned Activity Groups (PAGs) and Social Support Groups assist disabled and frail aged individuals or their carers, who are socially isolated. PAGs assist in maintaining clients’ personal independence and connections with the community. VASS is funded to work with people of Arabic Speaking Background, inclusive of Assyrian and Chaldean Communities. VASS PAGs are culturally and linguistically appropriate. PAGs undertake a variety of social activities ranging from going on outings, having guest speakers, undertaking exercise classes and celebrating special occasions such as International Women’s Day.
VASS runs PAGs for a women’s group in Newport, women’s and men’s groups in Dallas, and a Lebanese women’s group for Coburg residents (venue about to change).
PAG members benefit in a variety of ways from the program including through:
- Having their social, cultural, emotional, physical and recreational needs met.
- Education and enhancement of physical and mental health, including healthy ageing strategies.
- Provision of respite and support for carers.
- Developing and maintaining skills for everyday living, thereby maintaining independence and preventing admission to long term residential care and hospital.
Meeting times:
Broadmeadows and Dallas Group: Thursdays from 9.30am – 1.00pm
Lebanese Women’s Group: every second Tuesday from 10.00am – 12.30pm
Melbourne West Women’s Group: every second Monday from 10.00am – 1.00pm
Funding:
The PAGs and Social Support Groups are funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and the Commonwealth Department of Health respectively.
Eligibility:
Aged over 65 years, or under 65 years with a disability, or carer.
Costs:
All VASS programs and activities are free of charge.
Small fees may be incurred in relation to recreational activity of excessive costs.
Those on a Home Care Package are required to pay a contribution as per the CHSP Program Manual.
Contact information:
Broadmeadows and Dallas area:
Farah Abdyashoa
Aged Care and Disability Support Worker
Phone: (03) 9359 2861
Email: mail@vass.org.au
Lebanese Women’s Social Group
Lina Hassan
Phone: (03) 9359 2861
Email: lina.hassan@vass.org.au
Melbourne West Women’s Group
Manal Teffaha
Phone: (03) 9359 2861
Email: Manal.teffaha@vass.org.au
Volunteer Co-ordination
The Volunteer Coordination Program provides mutual companionship through home visits and social outings for those who may be socially isolated, living with a disability, or their carers. This program provides valuable connections for community members from Arabic, Assyrian and Chaldean speaking backgrounds. Links are established with volunteers who share similar languages and cultural backgrounds. VASS provides volunteers who are culturally and linguistically competent, and educated in community service information. Volunteers play an integral role in passing knowledge on to clients and linking them with other programs they are eligible for.
Volunteers play a vital role in encouraging community involvement as well as providing accessible social support for clients. Clients feel encouraged to attend community events as they are accompanied by a volunteer helping them calm initial nerves and doubts that may be associated to joining social groups. The program is vital in assisting people living with disabilities to maintain their independence. In many cases it also provides much needed respite for carers.
The program also serves a second purpose providing empowerment to volunteers involved, who are members of the Arabic, Assyrian and Chaldean communities themselves. Through training, being trusted with the responsibility of being a source of support to other community members, volunteers reported that their self –esteem and confidence increases.
Both groups involved gain an increased knowledge of other services available to them and other information provided at information sessions including, nutrition, how to vote in elections, legal aid, HACC services, along with a range of other topics.
Funding:
The Volunteer Coordination program is funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
Costs:
All VASS programs and activities are free of charge. Small fees may be incurred in relation to recreational activity of excessive costs.
Contact information:
For more information please contact Lina Hassan for more information at VASS Head Office`
Phone: (03) 9359 2861
Email: mail@vass.org.au
Access and Support Program / Specialised Support Services
The Access and Support program supports clients who are over 65 years, under 65 with a disability and carers from Arabic Speaking Background (ASB), inclusive of Assyrian and Chaldean communities, that experience barriers to accessing HACC and Aged Care services. The Access and Support workers also work more broadly in the HACC and Aged Care service systems to provide information and advice, cultural knowledge and assisting generic agencies in developing culturally appropriate service responses for ASB specific clients.
The Access and Support program is very beneficial for the ASB community as a major barrier to accessing services include cultural stigma around aged care and a lack of knowledge of what is available, which this program is dedicated to addressing.
VASS supported people who have a disability or are aging and their carers by:
- Enriched client knowledge and awareness of the services available.
- Enhanced communication between clients and local councils (HACC providers) through community forums.
- Increased engagement with Aged Care services through support to access My Aged Care.
Who is eligible for VASS Access and Support Activities?
- 65 years or over; or
- On a disability pension
- An unpaid carer of one of the above; and,
- Eligible for HACC or CHSP services
- Socially isolated and disadvantaged
- Experience barriers to accessing HACC or CHSP services
- Of ASB or Assyrian Chaldean communities/backgrounds
- Living in the regions: Hume, Moreland, Darebin, Whittlesea, Banyule, Nillumbik, Yarra, Hobson’s Bay (over 65 year olds only)
Funding:
The Access and Support program is funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
Costs:
Support from an Access and Support worker is confidential and free of charge.
Contact information:
For more information please contact Lina Hassan at VASS Head Office
Phone: (03) 9359 2861
Email: mail@vass.org.au
