Ageing Well Launches in South Australia

Recently Deaf Services and the Deaf Society’s aged care program Ageing Well celebrated its official launch in South Australia with a morning tea at Adelaide’s Goodwood Community Centre.

The launch was attended in-person by 60 people, along with Ageing Well Senior Support Planner Caroline Conlon and Auslan Programs Coordinator at TafeSA Katrina Parker. 

Along with delicious refreshments (including two incredible cakes from Torrensville Cheesecake Shop) and an opportunity to catch up as a community, attendees enjoyed short presentations from Deaf Society CEO Brett Casey, Chief Impact Officer Brent Phillips and Ageing Well General Manager Dr Leena Vuorinen who joined via video link.

We were privileged to also receive presentations from Alan Sandon from Deaf Southern Group and Jan Mobbs from South Australian Deaf Senior Citizens Group. Both Alan and Jan expressed the importance of access to information in Auslan on topics relevant to healthy ageing and the benefits of receiving in-home care and support in Auslan.

Dr Vuorinen said that despite not being able to be there in person due to travel restrictions, she was so encouraged by the strong spirit of community and belonging she could see in the room.

“Now more than ever, it’s so important that we travel the road together with our Deaf seniors, wherever they live,” Dr Vuorinen said.

As part of her presentation, Dr Vuorinen explained the reason for Ageing Well’s launch in South Australia. 

“We launched our services here because there is a high number of deaf seniors who don’t have access to home care services in their preferred language of Auslan, or approved providers who understand their culture, identity and language,” said Dr Vuorinen. “We want to close that gap and respond to the demand the community has expressed.”

Ageing Well aims to provide high-quality home care services for eligible consumers, helping them to stay in their own home for as long as possible, living independent, meaningful and active lives.

As well as this, Ageing Well can help consumers to access government funded aged care services, understand the aged care system and their service entitlements, and provide practical support and services meeting their unique care needs.

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