Karen’s involvement in the community services sector spans thirty-five years including as a parent, worker, manager, and teacher in the areas of Disability, Aged Care, and Community Development.
Karen’s qualifications and experience include orientation for workers, managing consumer-directed care, Dementia, Bachelor of Social Science- Community Services, Social impact assessment. Karen specialised in cultural diversity and indigenous studies. She also holds a Diploma in Disabilities along with a Diploma in Community Services.
Home Care in Shoalhaven & Illawarra Region
The Shoalhaven/Illawarra region is a narrow coastal strip from the south/south-western outskirts of Sydney down to Durras. With a population of 500,000+ the region includes three local government areas of Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama.
Aged Care Assessment – Shoalhaven / Illawarra Region
ACAT assessment is an eligibility requirement to access Commonwealth-funded residential aged care, residential respite care, transition care and home care packages.
ACAT undertakes a comprehensive assessment of care needs for older people needing access to residential and/or home (community) care, and helps the elderly and their carers to determine what kind of support will best meet their needs.
Target group are older people, typically over the age of 65 or for indigenous Australians, people over the age of 50, or people who have an age-related condition.
Often comprises of a doctor, nurse, social worker and occupational therapist, the team will recommend services deemed to be the most appropriate to meet care needs through a series of questions, and with the client’s consent will liaise with families/carers and health care providers.
Referral Procedure, by care recipient themselves or others:
- The care recipient, carer, family must be aware of and consent to the referral
- All referrals are to be made via My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
Shoalhaven/Illawarra ACAT
David Berry Hospital – Tannery Rd, Berry, 2535
02 4464 6951
or
Port Kembla Hospital – Cowper St, WARRAWONG, NSW, 2502
02 4455 1333
Local Information & Initiatives for Seniors
Every year the 4 local councils put on the Seniors Festival with free and discounted events and activities held across the Shoalhaven/Illawarra. Previous festivals have included a wide range of events and activities including art, sport, music, entertainment, technology, recreation to provide opportunities for seniors to try new things and keep active.
Local Libraries, Neighbourhood Centres or Tourist Centres are a great resource for activities in the local area.
All 4 councils have a ‘What’s On’ on their respective websites:
Shoalhaven https://www.shoalhaven.com/events/
Wollongong https://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/my-community/events
Kiama https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Events
Shellharbour https://www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/living-here/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander/events-calendar
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