Abstracts & Presentation Summaries - Department of Health

Dianne Wiseman, Central Bayside Community Health Services,
Southern Psychogeriatric Activity Service
Panel Presentation
SPAS workers are in a unique situation. They get to see first hand the nitty gritty of
almost all of the Day Centres and Social Support Programs in the Southern Region.
We are forever amazed at the diversity of both our clients and the activities available
for them to attend. But we always need more – diversity that is, not clients.
SPAS’ vision for the future is more groups, more options for more people. No two
day centres need to be the same. There is no one best formula, no one best group.
Best practice is dynamic service provision meeting the changing needs of your
clients.
Groups don’t have to be centre based but they can be. They don’t have to be age or
disability based, but they can be. Look at the personalities in your groups – their likes
and dislikes. Think about how things can be done differently.
Respite doesn’t mean only giving the carer a break. The only respite that actually
works in the long term is that which provides a positive, enjoyable experience for the
client. If they are happy, then the carer really gets a break.
Staff at day centres need knowledge and experience and support. Their invaluable
work is hard work. Ongoing education, support from within and out of the centre is
crucial to keeping good and happy staff. Day centres need to start to be able to look
at the clients needs first and create ways of meeting them. Just deciding which group
they will fit into is not enough. We need to be daring and create new opportunities,
using partnerships to do this. Let’s try some new things.
Contact details
Diane Wiseman, Central Bayside Community Health Services, Address: 335 Nepean
Highway, Parkdale Vic 3195 –Ph: (03) 8587 0220 – Fax: (03) 8587 0210
– E-mail: spas@cbchs.org.au
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