Cafe caters to old friends

An exciting new program for older people will commence on Pako this month.
The Geelong West Neighbourhood House has joined forces with Gateway Support Services to create Cafe Care Connect – a place where the elderly and their carers can go to socialise.
The program is in the form of a cafe-style support group where older people and their carers can have a cuppa, cake and meet people in similar situations.
Neighbourhood House president Pam Virgona has been working alongside program co-ordinators Stella Groves and Chris McGrath to revamp last year’s take on the program.
“It’s in its second year, but it has a new name, change of day and change of venue,” Pam says.
“It’s a program for carers and the person they’re caring for.”
Program co-ordinator Stella says the intention of Cafe Care Connect is to “give support, to have a good time and to meet people in similar situations”.
Stella has been involved in district nursing and community development in Geelong for many years.
Chris, on the other hand, has wide experience in mental health and aged care and especially enjoys working in community-based programs.
Stella says dementia in the local community is an “increasing problem”, but the trick is “knowing how to target it early”.
“This service is to prevent situations from deteriorating,” Stella says.
“When you’re in an institution, things come to you. But when you’re in the community experiencing early onset symptoms of dementia, you may not be sure what’s going on,” Pam adds.
Stella says that although socialising can be a “difficult thing” for older people, visiting the cafe will give them “confidence” and help them to “feel a part of the community”.
“They can share how they’re living and what they have to manage – they may even be able to form a network outside of this cafe support group.”
But it’s not just tea parties on offer at the program.
“We’ll be sharing and reminiscing, playing games, speaking about hobbies and we’ll help people express what they’re going through,” Stella says.
“People might just want to come for a chat and a cup of tea, or to find out information about other services – there is such a fragmentation of services in the community.”
The team at Geelong West Neighbourhood house plan to integrate local Geelong West businesses in their coffee, tea and cake selection.
“There is no cost for the service – all drinks and nibblies are complimentary,” Pam says.
“We look forward to making people feel a part of the community where they live.”
Those who know of a carer or older person in the community are encouraged to phone Chris or Stella at Geelong West Neighbourhood House on 0422 394 630. A brief assessment will then be carried out by Gateway Support Services.
Cafe Care Connect is open from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday afternoons at 89 Autumn Street, Geelong West.