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 |  |  | MALTESE AGED CARE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED |
Mrs Lilian Falzon MACASA CHAIRPERSON 2004 marked the tenth anniversary of the establishment of MACASA. MACASA was founded in 1994 with the intent of establishing culturally appropriate aged care services for our Maltese elderly in South Australia. The development of MACASA over these last few years has been rewarding and at times challenging. Here is a brief look at our achievements. On the left is Mrs. Lilian Falzon - Chairperson of MACASA, and one of the founding members. Fourteen years ago, a group of Maltese volunteers recognised the need for some form of residential care for our Maltese elderly. A committee was formed, met on a regular basis and incorporated our association under our present name. In 1995, we undertook a survey of 100 Maltese families in South Australia, who were interviewed in their own homes. An extensive list of questions was put to these people regarding their health. This survey presented an opportunity for MACASA members to speak directly to our older people and discuss their needs with them. It also was an opportunity to inform them about the activities of MACASA and to supply them with information about aged care services that were currently available to them and possible future options. The results from the survey were many. We recognised the need for help at home, help with Maltese meals, transport, and Residential Care. MACASA members volunteered their time for this, since no financial assistance was received specifically to conduct this survey. Present Services Home Care. The information from this survey has been extremely useful to establish a Home Care service, with Senior Care Worker Lilian Camilleri. Lilian works with a group of trained and dedicated Maltese carers who look after our elderly in their own home. Due to this home support, our older people are now able to remain in the comfort of their home, living independently for as long as they possibly can. The fact that these carers are Maltese, is very important because only then are they able to understand our Maltese culture such as food, customs, religious needs etc. Clients on Home Care may receive a range of services, which may include transport, assistance with cooking, domestic help etc. Lilian Camilleri is the person to contact if you have any questions regarding Home Care Packages.
In 1998, funding was made available to Multicultural Aged Care to provide a culturally appropriate meals service. Thanks to the survey previously conducted, we knew where the majority of the elderly Maltese were located and we were able to plan our kitchen in a central area. In collaboration with the Maltese Guild of SA we opened our first kitchen in Beverley at the Maltese Cultural Centre, in the Western area. As this was a new venture for us, it was no easy task. It is thanks to the resilience and persistence of our Maltese staff, volunteers and MACASA that we have managed to deliver this service. The demand for Maltese meals grew. In 2003, due to further expansion of the Meals' service, it was necessary to look for a bigger kitchen. We located one in Croydon and are currently operating from the RSL in West Croydon. We are proud that MACASA in South Australia, is the only Maltese Association providing this Maltese Meals Service in the whole of Australia. Our Maltese manager is Madeliene Scicluna who works with a dedicated group of Maltese volunteers who deliver these meals to our clients. The fact that our community owns this service is invaluable - a little Malta is created in the busy buzz of our kitchen, as the cooks, kitchen hand and volunteers happily participate in the preparation and delivery of approximately 50 meals per day. The value of Maltese volunteers delivering the meals, lies in the fact that our clients look forward to chatting with them on a regular basis. Hot meals are delivered fresh each day from Monday to Friday in certain areas - meals such as Mqarrun, Ross il-forn u Pulpetti. For many people who would like meals but live outside our delivery areas we have developed a Frozen Meals Program. This program is also available Monday - Friday and any number of meals can be picked up from our West Croydon kitchen either on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Many clients also collect frozen meals each month when they attend our Monthly Activities Group. This is another new development for us in 2004. At this centre-based Meals program, in the western area clients and volunteers of MACASA share a three course meal with entertainment and other activities available on the day especially our favourite past time, Bingo.  In 2006 we introduced another centre-based meals program in the northern area in Salisbury and in 2007 we initiated a Monthly activities group in the southern region at Marion. Our aim was to establish activity groups in various regions to encourage community participation and reduce levels of social isolation in our community. In 2005, MACASA sought and received assistance from the State Government - Home and Community Care Program to expand our services. Funding was now given directly to MACASA and for the very first time we became a service provider. The Committee took this responsibility very seriously and began to put in place the necessary organisational structure, policies and procedures necessary to fulfill our funding obligations. Four staff members were employed and we moved into appropriate office premises.The Committee set about improving its skills and knowledge and that of its staff and volunteers through various training.This expansion would mean developing meal delivery runs in the Northern, Eastern and Southern regions of Adelaide and hopefully expanding our volunteer base to also provide in-home support services such as domestic assistance, transport, visiting and garden maintenance in these regions. In 2006, MACASA developed a transport service to take clients to medical appointments, shopping, community activities and our monthly activities groups.Residential Care. Meanwhile, we had been on the lookout for opportunities regarding Residential Care. Negotiations with one particular home had fallen through, but in 2003 an opportunity arose with Uniting Care Wesley, at Regency Green. Funding was being offered to provide a residential house for ethnic communities. We met and discussions started, the result of which is our present Maltese house, called -Melita House.. We have six Maltese residents at present. MACASA members visit the residents on a monthly basis and monitor the service to make sure it is ethnically appropriate. MACASA volunteers visit and give Holy Communion to our residents regularly. Father Gabriel Micallef OFM, the Maltese Chaplain in South Australia, also performs Mass for all the residents of Regency Green regularly. The residents find comfort in the fact that they are within their own culture, company and appropriate food. We have also been successful in negotiating the regular delivery of Maltese meals to our residents. Every year MACASA organises a Xmas party for the residents and guests during which the teachers anbd students of the Maltese Language School of Adelaide provide a culturally appropriate musical concert, followed by a supper and a visit from Father Christmas. The Role of MACASA
As you can see at MACASA we are constantly planning and monitoring all services to continue improving and expanding, particularly seeking where we can develop new services that meets the needs of our community. The evolution of MACASA over these years has been beyond our expectations. We are proud of our achievements. The foundations have been well laid and we can only look to the future as we implement our strategic plan for 2005-2010. MACASA: PO Box 109 Ingle farm SA 5098 Website: www.malteseagedcare.org.au Secretary email: [email protected] Maltese Home and Community Service 7 Ninth St, Bowden 5007 - Tel. 83467422 - Mobile: 0412014313 Fax 83467466 Email [email protected] Contact Madeliene Scicluna
 Mr and Mrs John and Lillian Falzon with the Prime Minister of Malta Dr Lawrence Gonzi during his visit to Melita House 2 August 2007 On June 26th 2004 was the grand opening of the complex of which Melita House is a part of with the other communities. The facility was opened by the Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Mike Rann MP. Present for the ceremony were the Honorary Consul for Malta Mr. Frank Scicluna and Mrs. Scicluna and Honorary Vice Consul Mr. John Farrugia and Mrs. Farrugia Melita House, is a residential home with priority of access given to the Maltese aged who need residential care. The home is at Regency Green Aged Care Facility, Days Road, Regency Park. All residents have their own room with an en-suite and with access to the living area with the other residents in the house. On August 2, 2007 the Hon Dr Lawrence Gonzi MP Prime Minister of Malta and his wife Mrs. Catherine Gonzi paid a visit to the Cemtre and they were welcomed by the Administraytors and residents of the Multicultural Aged Care Facility on Days Road, Regency Park. The President and the Committee of MACASA were pleased and honoured that such dignitaries from Malta took time from their heavy schedule to visit the Maltese residents at Melita House. The Prime Minister and his wife were accompanied by His Excellency Francis Tabone Malta High Commissioner and Mrs Tabone and Mr Frank L Scicluna, the Hon Consul of Malta in South Australia and Mrs. Scicluna.
Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide in partnership with The Maltese Aged Care Association provides home care services for 33 Maltese clients to assist them remain in their homes for as long as they possibly can. To be eligible for this service, a client needs to be assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team. The Senior Caseworker would visit them to assess their needs, and in collaboration with the client draws up a Care Plan tailored to meet the individual's special needs. These may include domestic assistance, language assistance, transport to medical appointments, assistance with cooking, social activities to alleviate isolation, shopping and installation of a personal alarm system. Not all clients get the whole range of these services. The Care Plan is formulated with the client to address their specific needs as each individual's needs are different. Currently, five trained Maltese Care workers ensure that clients under their care receive a culturally appropriate service to enable them to maintain an independent lifestyle of their choice. For more information on this program. For assistance please contact: Lilian Camilleri - Senior Caseworker on: Mobile: 0409 281 834 Office: 83751193 Fax: 83751190
MACASA has a network of dedicated and committed volunteers who help us to provide the following services to our clients:
 Our volunteers also assist in the office, kitchen in the preparation of meals throughout the week and at our Monthly Activities Group. We offer training and information sessions to all volunteers and above all have a lot of fun when working together. We aim to be flexible in the delivery of our services to accommodate client needs and preferences and be flexible in our rostering system of our volunteers as we appreciate we all have commitments and families. Many volunteers deliver meals on a regular weekly basis and have a helper who goes along and assists on the delivery by navigating and taking the meals into the client's home. Volunteers receive a small reimbursement towards petrol costs and are insured whilst completing their tasks.
MACASA would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all volunteers and staff for their dedication and hard work this year. You are all a great group to work with and thank you for all the laughs and good times we have shared! Your efforts and contribution to MACASA are greatly appreciated and valued. Volunteer Vacancies: Driver to deliver meals one day per week or per fortnight. Deliveries usually only take approx 1- 2 hours a week. Office Assistant (hours and days are negotiable) for data entry. Contact Madeliene on Ph: 83467422 during business hours or Mobile: 0412 014 313 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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