Gertie is the group manager for Chorus. Gertie's background is in aged care, having worked for Silver Chain and Southern Cross for 24 years.
Gertie is passionate about the aged acre and home care service delivery to people who are in need.
Three organisations merged in 18 month for reach and services to form Chorus. With 600 volunteers Chorus is the largest community care organisation with volunteers.
Chorus was formed in 2017 by the merge of three established WA care providers, Care Options, Community First International and Volunteer Task Force.
Care Options was formed in 1997 through the merger of three care organisations – Rockingham Home Support, South West Community Options and Rockingham Respite and Support Services. In 2014 they merged with Mandurah Community Care and in 2015 launched assessment services in three regions of metropolitan South Australia to compliment it’s Western Australian assessment services..
Community First International was established in 1984 as a Community Youth Support Scheme, an Australian Government employment project. The organisation initially grew slowly, with a focus on employment related programs. By the late 1990’s they expanded throughout the South West, with a couple of name changes to reflect expanding activities, such as Mandurah Community Support Group, then Peel Training and Employment.
In 2004 they became Community First; with a focus on helping more people, not only for their benefit, but to also build stronger communities.
Volunteer Task Force started operations in 1970. They started as a purely voluntary organisation thanks to the vision of the founders Drs Sandra and John Penrose who adopted the idea of helping those in need of a helping hand in the community from a similar UK based organisation when they spent some time in England. Over 40 years of operation, the organisation grew from strength to strength, with five locations across the Perth metro area, more than 100 staff members and 475 volunteers in 2015.
Chorus is different in being small compared to the large care packages organisations. This enables Chorus to engage on a individual level so as to to enable and empower for a purposeful life while keeping the recipient of Chorus' services connected to the community. Chorus goes beyond formal support to community connection. Chorus is constantly seeking feed back for those who use its services for change and improvement to its services.
The aim is to bring to applicant who requires the services to be connected to the right person at the right time who has the right skill. Be it from
personal care, to medication, to garden maintenance, to community and professional connections for support and assistance.
It is all about having and maintaining a client focus.
To help the applicant and receiver of Chorus' services navigate the aged care system, with their coordinator navigating for and with them.
Socially connect giving is essential for giving purpose to the clients. Also important is aiding the client with referrals.
Aged care reform came in February 2017 giving the choice and control the person needing care services and who can then pick their service provider. There is the co-contribution. So informed choice can be made by the person requiring the services.
Consumer directed care.
Before this reform the organisation was block funded on geographical location. Now funding is to the individual customer on their ACAT level of need based on the assistance required from level 1 to 4.
Level 1 basic low care $8000 choice and control to keep independent. Level 2 $15000, Level 3 $30000 then Level 4 $50000 when not able to be at home.
Best to be at home with network of known support, friendship and connection.
People can afford to contribute to their own care when they have 17.5 per cent of of the aged care pension. Chorus does a budget on subsidiary and cost. Sharing the information in easy to understand way with the applicant or client.
Chorus aims a proving a quality safe informative approach.
People under under 65 years of age receive funding from the NDIS if they qualify. Chorus informs them of their options and their journey at home in a planner. For it is all about giving choice and control to the recipient of the service.
The client's purpose, hope, identity, dignity and connection to community is what it is all about.
Recovery for mental health needs through a measured step progression with a mentor support program through government funding for people who qualify and who are over 16 years of age.
Rotary International Student Sophia
Sophia giving her activity update
Photo Ross Jones
Sophia's main focus and activity has been surfing lessons with the aim of standing up on the surf board.
Dates to keep in Mind
11 November, Sunday, Armistice Day will require 50 to 60 volunteers for that day.
7 November, Wednesday is the membership drive. Flyer drop early next week.
Herman Cartoon
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