Multicultural Aged Care Services Geelong Inc.

Winner - 'Excellence within Aged Care Services'

Opening in 1994, Multicultural Aged Care Services Geelong Inc. (MACS) is a community-based, non-profit organisation providing Commonwealth-funded residential and home based services for elders from the Geelong area’s many cultural groups.

MACS is dedicated to the provision of excellence in care meeting the diverse needs of the Geelong region’s multicultural community. Its values are based on providing excellence in care that promote dignity, integrity, religious and cultural diversity and freedom of choice. The organisation has clear leadership, operating from a sound financial base designed to ensure organisational sustainability and continuity.

In MACS’ rich cultural community over 40 different nationalities are represented. A high proportion of MACS’ residents and home care consumers have experienced social/financial disadvantage, but all receive the same quality individualised, culturally-sensitive and culturally-inclusive care appropriate to their assessed needs.

An extensive on-site and local program of individual and group activities is responsive to the cultural preferences, worship choices and general interests of MACS residents and consumers. Specialist programs include visiting various local events, performances, cultural activities, shops and dining venues using MACS community bus; on-site cultural dining and culture-specific activities; language-specific worship services in MACS’ on-site chapel; watercolour and multi-media workshops with MACS’ Artists in Residence; enjoyment of MACS extensive ornamental and productive gardens with the option of participation in gardening projects.

MACS’ three yearly strategic planning forums include resident/home care consumer representatives alongside community stakeholders. Strategically MACS addresses the needs of current as well as future residents/home care consumers, taking into account local demographics and issues relating to individual cultural communities. The current residential care service expansion and dementia-specific care unit creation for CALD elders, and MACS’ ‘Complete Care’ community service, are a response to clearly expressed local needs.

At MACS we’ve worked hard since 1994 to create and maintain a service where elders from each of Geelong’s cultural groups feel welcome and can live in harmony. There are always new possibilities and ideas to investigate and embrace – the challenge strengthens the organisation. But it is people who make MACS – an inspiring Board, cohesive leadership team, dedicated staff and enthusiastic volunteers. Everyone contributes to help each and every resident and home care consumer live the rest of their lives. And they do this respecting culture, history, diversity and difference and celebrating the richness that together we can create.