Day Care

What is the Multicultural Day Care Program?

The Multicultural Day Care Program was developed to meet the needs of older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who are housebound or isolated. It provides a centre-based social support and respite service for frail older people who live in the St. George area. Groups usually meet once a week for outings/excursions, centre based activities and information sessions occurring throughout the year. Transport and culturally appropriate meals are provided for the day. The program is funded by the Ageing, Disability and Home Care Department (ADHC) under the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program for the St George region.

Our Groups

Our current Day Care Groups include Cantonese and Mandarin, Egyptian, German, Greek, Arabic-speaking (general), Macedonian, Maltese, Muslim women (Arabic-speaking), Italian, Russian, Spanish and Indian sub-continent. Our team are all trained bilingual and bi-culturally appropriate in conducting all programs.

What Services are provided?

The Multicultural Day Care Program offers transport to and from the client’s home on one of our buses. Delicious and nutritious multicultural meals are provided and cater to the client’s needs, for example halal, vegetarian etc. All services are planned and developed to ensure the linguistic, cultural and religious needs of our clients are met. Clients have access to a range of culturally-sensitive activities during the day, Occupational Therapy, including:

Craft activities, games, tai chi, gentle exercise, playing cards, music, movies, story-telling, information sessions and guest speakers; and
Excursions/outings to various attractions, parks, beaches, museums etc.

What are the Eligibility Criteria?

Participants in the following categories will be given priority in receiving the service:

65 years and over, or with a disability has difficulty with daily living, isolated or housebound due to health, language or cultural barriers
Reside in the St George area
Have limited contact due to geographical or social isolation
Have a major health condition or mild dementia
Have poor mobility
Live alone, with an elderly spouse or care
An assessment is conducted in the prospective client’s home to ensure they meet the criteria for the program and his/her needs can be met.

If, at the time of assessment, the nominated day care group is full, we will provide you with information on our rotating visitors system and other options available.

The Multicultural Day Care Program is committed to providing a high quality and appropriate service for all clients regardless of their culture, language, religion, gender, financial status or sexual preference.

Is there a cost?

Group participants/clients and visitors will be asked to contribute a set fee for this service, which is reviewed periodically by the Program Coordinator and St George MRC Management Committee. This small contribution is used for cost recovery of client expenses. In situations of financial hardship the fee may be negotiated.

Referrals may come from individuals, family members, service providers, general practitioners and community members. A CIARR form will be completed over the phone and then an assessment at the client’s home or another suitable location will be arranged and conducted by the Bilingual Group Facilitator and the Program Manager.

How do I obtain assistance?

Please contact the St George Migrant Resource Centre on 02 9597 5455 or our Multilingual Hotline on 02 9505 7601.

Clients who speak a language that we do not have available on our Multilingual Hotline, should contact the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) on 13 14 50.

Contact details:

Gorjana Naumovska Milosevski

Program Manager

Multicultural Day Care Program

email: dccscoord@sgmrc.org.au

The St George Migrant Resource Centre

552 Princes Highway, Rockdale 2216 NSW

Ph: 9597 5455

Fax: 9597 3326

The Multicultural Day Care Program direct services are located in Bexley Community Centre, however all enquiries, administrative and other program related issues are to be directed to our head office in Rockdale.

Multicultural Day Care Program (English)

Multicultural Day Care Program