My Aged Care in Warracknabeal

Warracknabeal residents have an opportunity to find out more about the Federal Government’s My Aged Care program tomorrow.

Rural Northwest Health wellbeing co-ordinators Karen Miller and Katrina Rosser will be available outside the town’s IGA supermarket between 1pm and 3pm to answer any questions and to make appointments to help people complete registration.

The Federal Government introduced My Aged Care, MAC, in 2013 to help Australians aged over 65, their families and carers to access services in the community and information about aged-care services.

Ms Miller said the name My Aged Care had caused confusion over the years.

“Many people believed that it meant you were getting sent to aged care. This is not the case,” she said.

My Aged Care registration involves creating a client record and a screening to identify needs.

“To access the services of district nursing, day program, allied health such as physiotherapy, podiatry and occupational therapy, and shire services such as home help, meals-on-wheels and shower assist, aged care and respite, you must be registered with MAC,” Ms Miller said.

“Registration with MAC also assists Rural Northwest Health in accessing funding to deliver services.”

Yarriambiack Shire mayor Graeme Massey and his wife Mary recently registered for My Aged Care.

“This is the first step in getting into the system as you never know when you might need to access any of the services, Cr Massey said. “Now that I’m registered it won’t be a problem in the future.”

Rural Northwest Health is aiming to get as many people as possible aged over 65 in Warracknabeal district registered during the coming months.