Healthy Ageing

Healthy Ageing Demonstration Project

The proportion of older persons is projected to increase globally from 6.9% in 2000 to 19.3% in 2050 (Lee et al, 2011). This expanding aged population has resulted in an increased need for long term and better integrated care services for the elderly, particularly vulnerable groups in public housing.

INW PCP is working in conjunction with Merri Community Health Services to build on an assertive outreach program that was conducted in a number of public housing estates in the City of Moreland in 2013. The aim of the current project is to build upon the previous model to create a more sustainable model which includes the development of referral pathways and direct assertive engagement across Moreland.

The project will:

• Promote healthy ageing to marginalised older people including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in public housing through the development of a sustainable model, including assertive outreach
• Engage the network of health and welfare providers working with clients in public housing, which will improve referrals between community allied health and other services
• Reduce delays caused by incomplete and/or duplicated service coordination and engagement practices
• Increase knowledge of current activity and plans in Darebin and Moonee Valley to investigate the feasibility of agencies within these LGAs adopting a similar model following the implementation in Moreland.
• Develop a model including resources that can be shared across the North and West Metropolitan Region.

An evaluation was undertaken to analyse the results to date of the Healthy Ageing in Public Housing project and the forum event which was used as a platform to share the Merri Health model with the North and West Metro Region. This evaluation captures both quantitative and qualitative data pertaining to the entire project and its future sustainable directions. Recommendations are based on project partner interviews and analysis of the data from service access datasets. Healthy Ageing in Public Housing Project: Final evaluation –Executive Summary

For more information about the project please contact Emily Buchanan