Social Work Services: Elder Care and Support
Growing old is a privilege of life. But as people age, they may find it harder to live independently because of health issues, less confidence, poor mental health, or general weakness. Everyday tasks become more difficult due to pain and frailty, and family members are often busy with their own lives and may not be able to help enough.
Older people often do not ask for help because they want to stay independent, don't want to burden others, or worry about having to move into care - which is a common worry among out Elder communities.
Thoughtful Connections offers help through practical assistance, emotional support and counselling. We can help you to adjust to change, loss, grief and bereavement. We can also help you to connect with My Aged Care for some home help or, if staying at home is no longer a safe option for you, we can help arrange the transition into residential care.
Referrals can be made by you or your decision-maker, case manager, guardian, or enduring power of attorneys. Social Work services can be funded directly or through programs like Medicare, My Aged Care, DVA, or even private health funds.
Please click below to contact us to know more about how we can help with any of the topics indicated below:
Systems navigation, connection and advocacy
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Arrange My Aged Care assessments, make referrals to home service providers
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Help you navigate systems like My Aged Care, Department of Housing, Centrelink / Services Australia, QCAT - for guardianship or administration orders
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Give information and advice on Advance Care Planning: Will, Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA), Advance Health Directive (AHD), or Statement of Choices (SOC) documents
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Support hospital admissions or discharges, retirement, access respite care or transition into permanent residential care
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Organise meetings, or mediation sessions with family, neighbours, formal agencies
Social issues - we work to:
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Ease financial, legal or social stress
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Eliminate accommodation or tenancy issues
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Foster emotional strength and resilience after someone experiences ill health or life change
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Build interpersonal skills and enhancing relationships
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Problem-solve and work to find solutions with you
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Reduce social isolation by promoting community connection
Emotional and mental health support - we provide:
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Adjustment counselling for life transitions
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Therapeutic counselling and adjustment to change, loss, grief and bereavement
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Advocacy and support for a person who is feeling powerless, or overwhelmed
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Mental and emotional health support, and referrals to other professionals if required
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Relationship counselling with family members, intimate and non-intimate partners
Our social worker follows a strict ethical code - Please reach out to us if you are concerned or worried about an elderly person not managing at home, not getting proper care, being harmed or abused by someone, or if they are socially isolated. Our social worker will work with them and any interested parties to complete a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, identify support needs and put in place safe and appropriate community supports for them.