Villa Maria Aged & Community Services - Ageing with a Disability

Mature Choices Program

What is it? |
What can it offer? |
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What is the Mature Choices Program?

The Mature Choices Program (MCP) offers support and assistance to families providing care for a person with a disability over the age of 30 years.

The program recognises that the current situation for many individuals or families caring for an older person with a disability at home, may not be able to continue into the future and is able to help all involved with planning and preparation for change.

The program will adapt the type of support and assistance for each family to suit their individual needs.

People with a disability over the age of 30 years of age who do not live with family are also eligible to receive support and assistance from the program.

Mature Choices Program is governed by the Disability Act 2006.

What does the program offer?

Case Management

Case Management provides information and support to the person with a disability and their family to assist in identifying their immediate and future support needs. Also assistance with planning, coordinating and linking individuals and their family members with appropriate general or specialist services within their local community

Community Options

Community Options assists people to access activities of their choice in the community including recreational, leisure, education, skill development and social opportunities. This support and assistance can be offered on an individual or small group basis, i.e. men’s groups depending on the preference of the participants.

The program also offers carers retreats, supported holidays and one off group recreational activities.

Support and Choice

This initiative aims to assist a person and their networks to identify their needs, aspirations, set goals and develop strategies to achieve them.

Transitional Accommodation

Accommodation Transition support is offered through Villa Maria’s respite house which is available to assist individuals and families make the break and prepare for the person with a disability to move to alternative accommodation. This can result in respite for the carer. Regular planned stays are a feature of this program. To assist with the change carers are able to stay with the person with the disability during the initial stage.

Referral to the house can be made directly to the service or via Case Management.

All MCP support is provided with the following principles as a guide:

Engagement and Relationship Building: Building a strong rapport with the person and a focus on working towards realistic goals and outcomes. Also building on support networks.
Skill Development/Education: Staff provide developmental support and opportunities tailored to the persons needs. Staff also assist to source appropriate education opportunities.
Reduce Isolation: Plans are developed to introduce the person into supportive, meaningful and sustainable social and educational activities to stay connected.
Resources: Where possible support arrangements are linked into community services and networks to assist the person to re-engage and develop a sense of community.