At Ryman Healthcare, we believe that life gets richer and more fulfilling as we age. That’s why we’re creating communities that challenge the expectations of ageing, while bringing joy and meaning to every moment. Our approach offers a range of support services to our residents in Australia including:
• Facilitating community engagement through social and recreational activities within the village and beyond. Whether it's art workshops, gardening, fitness classes, or book clubs, our goal is to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment where residents can thrive.
• Providing counselling services for support and guidance, addressing issues such as adjustment to community living, grief and loss, family dynamics, and emotional well-being. These services help empower our residents and help them better navigate these changes.
• Fostering social connections through events like our Family Fun Days, Happy Hours, music performances and exciting excursions throughout the community.
• Offering respite services, which assist you in maintaining your home lifestyle until you decide it’s time for a change.
What are support services in aged care?
Aged care support services are designed to help elderly people preserve their autonomy and enhance their life quality. These services encompass:
• From assisted living in a retirement village to assistance with everyday chores like grocery shopping and meal preparation.
• Low Care, High Care and Specialist Dementia Care.
What programs are there to provide assistance for older Australians?
There are several programs designed to assist older Australians including:
• Home Care: The Australian government subsidises aged care services under the Aged Care Act. You may be able to access Commonwealth Home Support Program, and Home Care Packages.
• Seniors Connected Program: to address loneliness and social isolation experienced by elderly Australians They provide a free national phone support service.
• Services Australia also provides different payments for carers depending on the level of care you’re giving, including Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, and Carer Supplement.
How can we give support to older Australians?
You can provide support for older Australians by:
• Visiting to prevent loneliness: make a real difference in someone’s life by paying regular visits to elderly people, preventing social isolation.
• Providing home care help: such as meal preparation or cleaning assistance.
List of support services for older Australians
Community support services include:
• Red Cross: which offers a range of supportto older people, such as being matched one-on-one with a friend, receiving regular caring welfare calls, being driven to appointments, or being delivered a healthy meal.
• Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia: is an advocacy organisation that lobbies for action at a national level on issues affecting elderly people.
• National Continence Helpline,
• National Dementia Helpline, and
• Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.
At Ryman Healthcare, we provide things such as transport to appointments, healthy meals and social support to alleviate loneliness in our communities - so that you’re never far from what you need.
Counselling and support services
Counselling and support services for the elderly are available to help manage particular conditions and to maximise independence at home. These services for the elderly include:
• Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), which provides free, confidential, and independent support for older people.
• Better Place Australia, which offers counselling support for older people seeking to manage difficult life circumstances and conflict with family, carers, or friends.
Social support services
Social support services for the elderly help to alleviate loneliness and social isolation including:
• The Seniors Connected Program: provides a free national phone service that offers older Australians an opportunity to have an anonymous, friendly chat with a volunteer over the phone.
• Village Hubs: provides members with an informal peer support network to help them age well in their community for as long as possible.
Home support services
Support services the elderly can access at home help them live independently and safely. They include:
• Home care,
• Meals on wheels,
• Personal safety alarms,
• Community Visitors Scheme,
• Carer Gateway,
• Continence Assistance, and
• Dementia Support.
At Ryman Healthcare, we also offer respite care options, providing temporary relief for primary caregivers, and allowing them to take a break from their caregiving duties while ensuring that their loved one is still receiving proper care.
Whether it’s assistance with daily tasks, specialist care, or social support, there are a variety of support services available for the elderly in Australia, designed to help them maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. These services play a crucial role in supporting the well-being of our ageing population.
Contact us today to join one of our thriving communities and find out how you can access many of these services in one place at Ryman Healthcare’s vibrant villages.
