The HCP program is a government-funded initiative designed to support older persons to remain living at home.
Burwood resident, Filippo Nastasi, who is 92 years old, receives assistance from CO.AS.IT. for gardening, personal care, domestic assistance and transportation to social gatherings.
Nastasi’s goal is to continue to live at home for as long as possible.
“It’s important for me to live here because I’ve been here 50 years, maybe more,” he said.
“It’s a nice place, close to the shops; I have a bit of a garden too.
“I don’t go much anywhere but I have outside, where I can sit for a little bit of sun.”
Nastasi’s wife, Pasqua, feels that her husband benefits from the services supplied by his aged care provider.
“When they come here they give him a shower because he can’t do it, so he’s happy,” she said.
“He enjoys being treated properly by the company.
“We’re happy that CO.AS.IT. can help us in these circumstances.
“They come over to give him a shower, and a cleaner comes to help me every second week.
“I have a big garden and they come and help out because I can’t do it, I have to look after Phillip.
“We’ve become friends, like a family.”
Pasqua also expressed how this service supports the couple to remain independent, while also providing her with some respite.
“It’s very important because I can’t do it and I know he won’t be able to do by himself, not anymore,” she said.
“I am so relieved that he’s in good hands and I have my freedom; when he is there at the group, I’ve got time for myself.
“When they come over to do whatever they have to do for him, I’m here but I can leave them and go shopping and they will stay and do whatever they have to do, and I know I can trust them.
“I would recommend them to my friends because I’m happy.
“I hope no one will have to need them, but if they do, I recommend CO.AS.IT.”
Pasqua and her husband have two children, Maria Nuzzo and Frank Nastasi, who are highly supportive of their parents’ needs.
Maria chose CO.AS.IT. as her father’s care provider.
“My mother enjoys having help from the people from CO.AS.IT. because they are very friendly and caring, and they’re also always calling to see how my parents are,” she said.
“We chose them because we hoped that there would be people that spoke Italian, which would make it a bit easier.
“These services help my mother to care for my father as she does not have the ability to do everything anymore but also gives her a friendly face to talk to and gives her a bit of company.
“I feel my parents are safe in their hands and would recommend them to anyone.”
As a result of the rapid growth of the HCP program, CO.AS.IT. has reviewed its services in an effort to continue to comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards.
“At CO.AS.IT., we aim to provide safe and quality care to all consumers who access our services and supports,” Thomas Camporeale, the general manager of CO.AS.IT., said.
“Meeting our clients’ needs, goals and preferences is our primary objective and many clients may attest to this.”
CO.AS.IT. has implemented new processes to ensure a high level of efficiency, quality assurance and compliance.
The organisation has restructured its HCP team with additional case managers, a Clinical Compliance Team (comprising registered nurses overseeing all clinical governance matters), and a quality and compliance manager.
CO.AS.IT. continues to offer a comprehensive education and training program for all staff and contractors, to ensure ongoing development and continuous improvement.
CO.AS.IT. also works closely with consumers, families and stakeholders to ensure quality care by conducting regular consumer satisfaction surveys.
“Prior to my role as general manager of CO.AS.IT. I worked as a social worker in the community services area of the business,” Camporeale said.
“I then became the community services manager and eventually the general manager.
“Over the 20 years I have been at CO.AS.IT. I have seen how the organisation has successfully evolved to meet the increased care needs of our older community, and will continue to do so long into the future.”
