NEW federal aged care legislation has changed the way Lake Macquarie residents access a vital support service.
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The Commonwealth Home Support Programme aims to offer streamlined access to aged care support services and a standardised national assessment referral process.
This affects new Lake Macquarie Support Services clients. Based at Swansea Combined Pensioners Centre, the service has about 360 clients from Warners Bay in the north to Nords Wharf in the south.
It offers transport to medical appointments, home visits, weekly and fortnightly shopping services, art and craft groups and monthly social outings.
Previously, clients accessed the service through the government's Home and Community Care scheme.
However, as of July 1, all assessment and referral is done through Ageing, Disability and Home Care's My Aged Care service and its toll-free phone number 1800 200 422.
Residents can request a referral to the Lake Macquarie service, or go into an assessment pool to be referred to another service.
Lake Macquarie Support Services manager Ruth Peacock said residents could phone the service directly and staff would take them through the process.
Mrs Peacock said the process was slightly different but the service had not changed.
"We still offer all the same great programs and we are constantly looking to improve them," she said.
■ Lake Macquarie Support Services, Swansea Combined Pensioners Centre, 4972 1318.
Elderly helped to find their feet
LAUGHTER, happiness and friendships to last a lifetime.
That's what Lake Macquarie Support Services has given 85-year-old Dulcie Langford.
Mrs Langford was referred to the Swansea-based aged care support service in 2008 a few months after she lost her husband Neville to prostate cancer.
She did not know anyone in the area as the couple recently moved to Marks Point from Taree, so Mr Langford could be close to specialists.
Mrs Langford met her first friend, Bev Smith, at a barbecue co-ordinated by the support service. She is now a regular face at the service's lunch outings, concerts, and art and craft workshops.
Mrs Langford said the service was wonderful.
"It's my life," she said.
"Here, you're among friends from the word go. You might come here feeling like you don't know anyone but you're soon part of the crowd."