OzPol Community Care Association Inc (Queensland)
OzPol Community Care Association Inc was established in 1999 and is one of the 'youngest' and most dynamic Polish welfare organisations. The agency has a strong Committee of Management, with the majority of members having extensive and successful private business, health and community knowledge.
Funding for the community aged care programme (CACPs) was first obtained in 2000. OzPol is now providing CACPs services to 125 culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) elderly throughout the regions of the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane North, Brisbane South (including Bayside) and the Gold Coast. These services are carried out by qualified bi-lingual care workers. Currently the program employs three coordinator, three Care Managers and 25 care workers who attend to125 clients.
Volunteers play an important role within the organisation and in 2003 OzPol obtained funding from the Dept of Health and Ageing through the Community Visitors Scheme for volunteers to regularly visit nursing homes and befriend elderly Polish persons so as to alleviate isolation from their community.
In 2005 OzPol was successful in obtaining 120 provisional bed allocations from the Federal Government and is in the process of negotiating on the conditions of the development approval with the Logan City Council. Once final approval is received OzPol will commencing building an ageing in place complex which will include a facility with 70 low care beds, 50 high care beds and 20 independent living units.
Funded by the Queensland Government in 2006 under the Culturally Appropriate Volunteer Services, a cross government project to reduce social isolation for the older person, the organisation undertook a new project Day Respite and Wellness Centre which currently employs a Volunteer Coordinator and 6 volunteers. The Respite Day Centre provides a program for the elderly who are seeking companionship and escape from their empty homes. These elderly bring with them talents and gifting which now have an avenue of expression. This creative 'unloading' is of immeasurable benefit to both the audience and presenters.
In 2007 Ozpol opened a self funded low care hostel for CALD people in Brisbane with the specific aim of providing culturally appropriate care for its residents. OzPol has a multicultural workforce including Polish background personnel.
OzPol provides other services such as Respite in-home or overnight at OzPol Villa, Telepol a daily reassuring telephone call and 24 hour care in the client's home as well as managing projects such as Falls Prevention for CALD Elderly and Eat Well Be Active.
For further information please visit www.ozpol.com.au