Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care/Home & Community Care (HACC)
Target Group
Financially disadvantaged and socially isolated older aged people.
What is the aim of the program?
The main aims of CBDC are to:
Assist clients to develop, maintain and support their capacity for independent living and social interaction.
Assist with meeting clients’ basic nutritional, exercise, recreational and health care needs.
Reduce psychosocial problems such as anxiety, insecurity, depression and loneliness.
Provide carers of clients using CBDC programs with respite.
Prevent clients from premature or inappropriate admission to long term residential care.
What service does the program provide?
CBDC refers to assistance provided to the client to attend and participate in group activities and is conducted in a centre based setting. Services included are as follows:
Social support provided in a group setting through structured and diversionary activities.
Group excursions/outings conducted by centre staff but held away from the centre.
Light refreshments as well as a full lunch.
Transport associated with getting to and from the centre as well as for outings/excursions.
What is the program’s assessment and review process?
All referrals are assessed against HACC guidelines and within the contract agreement between the funding body and Catholic Community Services (CCS). Assessment of clients aims to occur within a fortnight of the coordinator receiving the referral from the Intake & Assessment centre at CCS. Once a client is accepted for CBDC 6 monthly reviews are performed to evaluate the service as well as look at the client’s ongoing needs and goals.
When does the program operate?
CBDC operates from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays. Mon/Wed - at Green Square Community Hall, 3 Joynton Avenue, Zetland. Tues/Thurs - The Mercy Arms Bar, 663 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo. Hours of operation are 9am-1pm, however on outings and excursions the program runs until 2pm. Outings and excursions are scheduled to occur twice a month.
What partnerships does the program have?
CBDC works with South Sydney Community Transport to provide transport for clients to and from the day centre, as well as for outings and group excursions. CBDC also has a partnership with Reclink. Reclink is a charitable organisation whose mission is to provide sporting, social and arts activities to people experiencing disadvantage. Centre Based Day Care works with Reclink and other Reclink member organisations to provide group recreational activities and outings for clients.
Program Fees
Clients contribute $5 towards the cost of their meal each time they attend the centre.
Who can refer to the program?
Referrals come from a large variety of sources including self or carer referrals, Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT), other HACC service providers, Commonwealth Carelink, Carer Respite Centres, NSW Health workers and doctors & Department of Veteran Affairs. Anybody in the community is welcome to make a referral.
How do you refer to the program?
Referrals can be discussed with the Day centre Coordinator, Rachel McNair anytime during the working week on (02) 8306 2908, however all referrals must be received by the Intake & Assessment Centre on 1800 225 474 (fax number 1800 032 136). Referrers from other organisations will be asked to complete a CIARR.
Any other information
Younger clients with disabilities are not exempt from CBDC as long as it is not a substitute option for specialist education, training, rehabilitation and recreation that is appropriate to the age of the client.
Referral Criteria:
Who is eligible?
Financially disadvantaged and/or socially isolated older aged people in the community are eligible. As mentioned younger people with disabilities who are financially disadvantaged and/or socially isolated may also be eligible pending assessment to see if appropriate for centre based day care.
Who is not eligible?
Younger people are not eligible for centre based day care, unless they have disabilities or other complex needs and have been assessed as appropriate for CBDC. In some cases, CBDC support may be appropriate and beneficial due to a client’s disability, isolation and/or frailty; however it is not to be a substitute option for other specialist education, training, rehabilitation and recreation that is appropriate to the age of the client. Clients who live in residential facilities are not eligible.
Is priority access given?
Priority will be given where CBDC may:
Increase the capacity of the client to live independently in the community, and promote social interaction; Alleviate carer burn out and stress from client care; Prevent clients from premature and/or inappropriate admission to long term residential care.
