Symposium looks at tailor-made aged care services

How to best tailor aged care and disability services to meet the needs of individuals is the focus of a two-day symposium being held in Coffs Harbour in September.

The symposium ‘Sharing Directions’ is an initiative of Southern Cross University’s Aged Services Learning and Research Centre (ASLaRC) and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

It will bring together carers, services providers and community representatives to showcase best practice and explore ways in which the individual approach to care can be implemented.

Professor Colleen Cartwright, director of ASLaRC, said there had been a shift away from a one-size fits all approach to aged services.

“What is happening now in many parts of the industry is that people are focusing on the individual and how best their needs can be met. It’s tailoring the care to meet their needs,” Professor Cartwright said.

“The symposium will include workshops and panel discussions with community and academic leaders and will provide practical new ideas for services providers and carers.”

The keynote speakers for the symposium will include Associate Professor Matthew Parson, co-director Older People Translational Research Agency at the University of Auckland; Maria Dimopoulous of Myriad Consultants who will lead an ‘Inspiration Workshop’; and Deb Watson, from Helen Sanderson and Associates who will speak on ‘Person Centred Planning’.

The symposium is being held at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, on September 8 and 9.

Photo: Professor Colleen Cartwright.