Inside this issue :
Inside this issue :
3 . Preventing elder abuse
3 . Keeping you Well @ Heart
4 . Colourful toilets lighten dementia care
4 . Improved services for older people
Welcome .
A message from Chief Executive Officer
Tassia Michaleas
5 . Free homeless youth dental checks
5 . Merri Health aces aged care and mental health audits
Hello and welcome to MerriNews .
Late last year , we announced that Banyule Community Health and Merri Health are exploring a potential merger to improve community services and grow to meet future needs .
6 . No budget cuts to Community Health
6 . Now More Than Ever supporting reconciliation
7 . Tackling transphobia on IDAHOBIT
7 . Annual Report wins Gold
7 . More support for new parents
8 . Social groups for over 65s tackle loneliness
8 . Preventing diabetes with education
Merri-Health
Our two organisations share similar values , histories and great people . The exploration is tracking well and feedback from community , clients and staff has been overwhelmingly positive . Our members will vote on the merger later this year .
I am excited about the positive impacts and opportunities a merger will provide and we will continue to share updates as we move through the process .
Throughout this time , we continue to deliver high-quality care to our clients .
We have introduced an innovative dental outreach program bringing free dental checks direct to homeless youth in partnership with Melbourne City Mission ’ s Frontyard Youth Services .
Our evidence-based Family Foundations program is helping new parents , caregivers and families strengthen their relationship and baby bond . We ’ re delighted that the Victorian Government has increased funding into this program so we can support more people across the state .
Waiting for services gets harder as we age and can affect other areas like mental health . Recently we proudly hosted over 30 aged care professionals and consumers at a forum to research the evidence and impacts of waiting for services for older people , in partnership with the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration ( MARC ).
Read more in this edition including our work preventing elder abuse , dementia-friendly site upgrades , keeping your heart healthy , social groups for over 65s , preventing diabetes through education and much more !
Tassia Michaleas Merri Health CEO
@ MerriHealth Merri Health
© All applicable copyrights reserved for Merri Health . No part of this publication may be replicated in any manner or medium , without the permission of Merri Health , except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 ( Cth ).
Acknowledgment of Country
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land , water and skies where we work . We pay our respects to Elders past and present .
2 . | MerriNews June - July 2024