The ageing process is different for all us, but in general, our older community members need health and aged care services that are accessible, affordable, connect them with the community and can adapt to changing needs. 

Most of us want to maintain our independence for as long as possible and aged care services are generally structured to help older people live independently at home.

‘We can provide specialist care to help the older person live at home, they might include adaptions to the house such as rails in the bathroom, ramps to the garden or footpath, or exercises to develop strength and reduce pain and many other tailored services,’ Rhys Duncan, Manager of Primary Care Services at Stawell Regional Health said.

However, there are some important services that can make a great difference to the life of older people and their carers that are not as well known or understood. 

Stawell Regional Health has a Memory Nurse, one of a handful of such nurses in the state, these nurses often work with people who have dementia or similar conditions. 

Memory Nurses can help with strategies to support memory, make referrals to doctors, or other services and work with your carer or family member to support you.

Another service available to people who live at home is residential respite care. Respite is available at nursing homes to support older people and their carers to have a break.

‘If someone needs the daily support of a carer to stay at home, but the carer is going away, or needs a break themselves, the older person may be eligible for residential respite. 

“This is where they stay in a nursing home for up to 63 days in a financial year, it is possible to extend this time if necessary,” Director of Clinical Services at Stawell Regional Health, Kate Pride said.

Even though we live in a regional area, there is a great deal of support for us through the ageing process. 

A good place to start is with the website My Aged Care, or you can give Jenny Priest at Stawell Regional Health a call on 5358 8587.