Aged, Disability and Chronic Care

    Improving health and wellbeing form the foundations of Tangentyere Council’s Health Sector. Aboriginal people have higher rates of smoking and risky alcohol consumption, exercise less, and have a greater risk of hypertension compared to non-Indigenous people. In addition to high mortality rates of Aboriginal people, some of the major chronic health concerns affecting community members include heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. 


    Aged and disability services have had significant changes over the past 5 years, with the introduction of Consumer Directed Care (CDC) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), allowing consumers to exercise choice and living life in their own way. 


    Tangentyere Aged & Community Services (TACS) and the Integrated Team Care program (ITC) have a long history of supporting Town Campers and community members in supporting positive health and wellbeing outcomes. 


    We address whole-of-life care with a focus on reablement. This is achieved by providing culturally safe responses that meet the physical, cultural, environmental, clinical and social needs of extremely vulnerable Aboriginal community members. Our aim is to ensure inclusive outcomes for senior Town Campers, people living with disability and those suffering from chronic illness and their families by providing an extensive range of holistic services. 


    We currently offer the following services: 

     

     

    Tangentyere Aged Care Services (TACS) 

    Tangentyere Aged & Community Services (TACS) formed in 1979 provides support to frail, aged and disabled Aboriginal community members. TACS is an approved home care service provider, funded by the Australian Government with programs ranging from entry-level support within the Commonwealth Home Support program (CHSP), while medium to high levels of care are provided via Home Care Packages (HCP).

    Services include;
    • Personal care and social support
    • Assistance with medications
    • Meals and Food Boxes
    • Laundry and cleaning
    • Shopping and banking
    • Allied Health & Therapy
    • Transport
    • Advocacy
    Additional services not funded and provided by TACS include; The TACS Shop – Household Goods.

    Maintaining cultural values and connection to family and country are important to TACS clients. With over 180 clients who choose TACS, services are designed to promote independence and are provided in an appropriate manner that respects Aboriginal culture and beliefs, while adhering to Commonwealth Government guidelines and Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission regulations. Up to 7 Aboriginal languages are spoken among TACS staff, some of whom are also Town Campers and TACS is proud to be able to create sustainable employment opportunities for Town Campers and community members. TACS is a unique service that is both innovative and adaptable, having developed strong relationships with local medical services and providers to enhance the lives of our elderly.

    To make a referral, please contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or at https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/make-a-referral. 


    View our Aged Care Standards in Arrernte and English below. 

    National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

    Although it was recorded in 2015 that people living with disability account for 11.6% of the NT population, it is important to be aware that the concept of disability is not always recognised within Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island cultures. There are also several people with disability who live rough or are homeless that may not have been included in the census at the time, so the number of people living with disability is likely to be higher.  

    Town Campers living with disability are among some of the most vulnerable people in Central Australia; where housing may not always be appropriate and accessibility for disabled people is limited.  

    Tangentyere Council has provided services to people living with disability within the TACS program. Currently, Tangentyere Council is an approved registered provider for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since its’ inception in 2018.  

    Currently, TACS provide the following services for NDIS participants;
    • Assist-Personal Activities
    • Assist-Travel/Transport
    • Household Tasks
    • Participate Community
    • Personal Activities High
    • Support Coordination
    Other registered services that Tangentyere will be providing soon include;
    • Assist-Life Stage, Transition
    • Community Nursing Care
    • Group/Centre Activities
    • Personal Mobility Equipment
    • Plan Management
    Tangentyere Council will continue to roll out remaining registered services over time.

    To find out more about NDIS, please contact National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on 1800 800 110 or visit the following website; https://www.ndis.gov.au/contact. 
    Call us on 8951 4222 Contact Us Online

    Integrated Team Care (ITC) – Chronic Disease 

    It is the experience of Tangentyere Council that many Central Australian Aboriginal people suffering from chronic illness rarely access primary health care until their chronic illnesses are seriously impacting on their health. In operation since 2015, the Integrated Team Care (ITC) – Chronic Disease is funded by the Primary Health Network (PHN) and provides outreach support and supplementary services to people suffering from chronic illness or disease.

    This program works closely with medical professionals, specialists and other relevant stakeholders to assist in the ongoing reablement of people who suffer from chronic illness in a non-clinical capacity. Outcome expectations of this program include;
    • Providing patients with access to specialists, GP’s or allied health services
    • Developing care plans with patients and their GP’s
    • Supporting patients to engage in healthy lifestyle activities
    • Providing a supportive environment to patients to improve self
    • Providing appropriate information to patients, their carer and/or their families to improve their understanding of the patients’ illness
    • Developing knowledge of strategies to assist in the improvement of health outcomes
    • Addressing social determinants of health relevant to patient and provide advocacy
    Some of the positive patient outcomes achieved within the ITC program that have led to self-efficacy include the development of insulin self-administration prompt techniques and using appropriate communication techniques for patients to better understand their chronic illness.
    Call us on 8951 4222 Contact Us Online