Local Government Case Studies
City of Melville
Supporting a culturally diverse aging population
Goal
To ensure that all senior residents have access to activities and services to help maximise their quality of life, intellectually, physically and spiritually.
How?
Providing culturally appropriate centre-based day-care services to seniors in a safe and fun atmosphere.
More…
The Ethnic Melville Active Seniors Club (EMAS) caters for frail aged and socially isolated seniors. The delivery of ethno-specific services for seniors by the City of Melville began with the development of the Chinese (Asian) EMAS group in 1993 after a study conducted by Murdoch University. The study identified a significantly large culturally and linguistically diverse aging population and found that a key issue was social isolation.
In 2002 the City of Melville secured recurrent Health Department funding for this successful program. EMAS has expanded and is currently providing centre-based respite 4 days a week to an average of 120 frail aged or socially isolated Asian, European and South Asian seniors.
The program has been designed in consultation with the participants to ensure it is culturally appropriate. It continues to expand to reach new ethnic groups, and improve its services through collaboration with appropriate agencies. Evaluation of this program and feedback from participants, families, staff and volunteers indicates an increase in the capacity of the individuals as well as the cultural communities.
Contact
Luiza Hopkins
Cultural Development Officer – Multicultural
Melville City Council
Telephone: 08 9364 0660
Email: LHopkins@melville.wa.gov.au