By Mikayla van Loon
With Yarra Ranges Council set to transition out of some aged care services at the end of June, volunteers and residents were still without answers of the new services less than a month ago.
A meals on wheels volunteer, who spoke to Star Mail on the condition of anonymity, said their client base had dropped from 22 to five by March but barely any communication had been delivered on what was happening.
“We received a letter in September and then another in October but we haven’t heard anything,” they said in early May.
The volunteer said at that time it was rumoured the council was “trying to find someone to take over” the service which they said left “recipients stressed and unsure” about the future of their meals.
Receiving an email on Wednesday 22 May, the volunteer said that was the first lot of communication about the new service provider and the official end date of the council’s meals on wheels operation which would be 30 June.
The Australian Government’s Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) which has provided local councils with funding since 2015 to provide in-home care and other support was given an overhaul after the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
Yarra Ranges Council confirmed the Federal Government had now appointed the service providers for meals, transport and social support, all ceasing as a council service at the end of June.
Anglican Aged Care Services Group, better known as Benetas, will take over the delivery of meals.
EV Strengthening Communities, formerly known as Eastern Volunteers, Bridges Connecting Communities Limited (Bridges) and Healesville Interchurch Community Care Inc (HICCI) have been appointed as the transport service providers.
Bridges and Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged (Accent Home Care) will be the provider of social support group services.
“All providers are experienced in delivering the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) and have a good reputation in the aged care sector,” a council spokesperson said.
“This is a reassuring outcome for our current clients and ageing population as these providers can offer a range of services from entry level to high level complex care as people’s needs change.”
Each individual’s aged care package determines the type of service they receive, particularly for the meals.
Yarra Glen resident Noel Buchanon aired his worries with the Star Mail in October last year when the decision was made.
“Most human beings, men and women, as they age do begin to experience a preference for the familiar,” he said at the time.
“When you hear in a two page letter that this is all changing, I suggest, many older people begin to worry.”
Mr Buchanon told Star Mail recently that “people received letters saying they wouldn’t be getting meals from 1 March” and others were “scared to say anything in case their aged care package would be altered”.
Having sparked quite the friendship with his delivery driver, Mr Buchanon said he was told some recipients would start getting Lite n’ Easy meals instead which would be delivered in a box.
“It leaves out the welfare check. There needs to be a procedure to provide assistance,” he said.
The volunteer also raised concerns about the potential lack of communication between the volunteer and recipient under a new provider.
“It’s not just a meal, it’s a welfare check,” they said.
“They get to see someone for a chat and it’s really sad to think that may not happen anymore.”
The council spokesperson said Benatas delivery drivers would be trained to ensure social connection and contact with the recipient is made to offer that welfare check.
“Benetas manages meals services for many older people across Victoria offering a Lite n’ Easy range of meals nutritionally created for older Australians,” they said.
“This model has received high praise and reflects the increasing demand from older people for this service due to the wide range that is offered and the convenience.
“Benetas’ meals service is an adaptation of the meals-on-wheels model and continues to offer the three core principles of a meals-on-wheels model: a nutritious meal suitable for older people, social connection and welfare checks.
“Social contact calls from volunteers will take place at least weekly to ensure two opportunities per week for welfare checks and social interaction.”
More than that, the volunteer said it was the logistics of Lite n’ Easy that may not be suitable to individuals given their fridge space or ability to order meals, as they would “sometimes sit and order the meals” for their client.
Having chosen to volunteer because of their own “life threatening experience” which made them “want to give back”, the volunteer said they loved their volunteering but was unsure what it would look like come July.
Yarra Ranges Council confirmed each of the new service providers across transport, meals and social support would have volunteering opportunities available.
As for transport, the council said clients would receive letters in the coming weeks to confirm their new provider from July.
