Caring About Qld Seniors

AT THE heart of Centacare North Queensland (NQ) is the health and wellbeing of aged care people ingrained by a proven history of providing quality care through a myriad of services. Centacare began its operation in Townsville on April 17, 1979. Centacare’s 160 staff operate out of 10 sites across North Queensland and the Gulf Country with outreach to a further eight towns in the region. The provider services regional
areas such as Bowen, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Normanton and Townsville. In addition, it provides outreach services to Richmond, Julia Creek, Palm Island, Collinsville, Charters Towers, Ingham and Ayr. 

Mount Isa is Centacare’s second biggest regional centre and offers a range of family and individual counselling for gambling support programs, mental health coaching, community engagement, child rearing, domestic support and education and life skills programs. Centacare in Mt Isa is a registered housing provider. The Communities for Children funding has enabled staff to broker agencies to provide early intervention and preventative services for child protection and development. 

Centacare NQ manager of disability services and aged care Lee-Anne Whalley said Mt Isa staff undertake significant community engagement within the community and provides quality service delivery to seniors by professional staff inspired by Centacare’s mission. 

“Centacare NQ has recently expanded into aged care services providing a range of transport and domestic services throughout Mount Isa and Cloncurry to help people continue to live independently and socially connected lives,” she said. 

“Centacare’s aged care support programs are aimed to help people to remain independent at home with domestic services including general house cleaning, laundry and assistance with bills and shopping.” 

Ms Whalley said the organisation also assists with affordable and professional transport to and from appointments and social events in private vehicles or taxis (managed by the provider) to ensure people remain involved to the community. 

“This new service is an extension of Centacare NQ’s mission to provide professional and respectful support to individuals, families and the regional community,” she said. 

If you are assessed by a regional assessment service and deemed eligible for services under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, you can request to be referred to Centacare NQ to access their services. If not assessed, please contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. The Australian Government subsidises Commonwealth Home Support Services with a standard contribution.