New Horizons manages a community aged care service for 45 people who have an intellectual disability.

To qualify for this service the people with a disability must live in community accommodation (group home) in Northern Sydney funded by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC). They must also be approved by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) as qualifying for entry into residential aged care. This assessment is based on aged care needs and not disability needs. In addition to the formal assessment it is necessary that the person requiring this aged care support can reasonably continue to live in the community accommodation. There is usually no fee for this service.

The purpose of the service is to:

• Provide additional aged care outcomes above the disability outcomes funded by DADHC
• Prevent the inappropriate or premature entry into residential aged care
• Train staff in aged care needs
• Inform the Commonwealth and State Government of the value of this type of service so that it may be considered for Australia wide application.

The service consists of a consortium of the Department of Health and Ageing, DADHC, New Horizons and six other non-government organisations.

Aged care specific services provided include dementia care, skin integrity, wound management, nutrition management, social and recreational activities, mobility, equipment, support on discharge from hospital, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

The target group is people who:

• Have a disability
• Live in DADHC funded group home accommodation in Northern Sydney
• Have aged care needs

For further information:

Sydney Region:

Phone: 02 9490 0028

Fax: 02 9887 2823

Raelene McCarthy - DACS Manager

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