Project lead: Local authorities

• Local authorities

Older people’s involvement: Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: Yes

Was the impact positive or negative:
Positive

Please share with us what you found in detail:
AFMAF is a unique program built on the early Community Development approach at the City of Melville of identifying gaps in services and plugging them, avoiding duplication and competition for scarce resources. Based on a community benefit assessment, there is justification for ongoing support for this demographic group. AFMAF has historically been highly regarded by service providers, workers in the aged care sector, Aged Care Assessment Teams, and City of Melville Neighbourhood Development team members, and people who apply. However it appears less well known in the wider community. AFMAF is an effective and appreciated financial assistance program that assists a small number of residents to maintain their independence in their own home. For some people this assistance is used as a means to preserve their own assets. Many appear asset rich and cash poor and feedback from service providers has supported this view. However the introduction of proof of financial hardship and “funding of last resort” has gone some way in addressing this. Research is showing that health decline is not gradual but rather punctuated by medical events as the person progresses with age. Programs or services that are packaged around a person’s unique needs are better than those selected from a fixed list. Programs and services that teach seniors to maintain their independence through learned modifications have more success. (2014 Intergenerational Forum – Best Practice in Home Care for Seniors). AFMAF responds to these situations, in terms of changed circumstances arising from a health crisis or other deterioration in health due to age, and addresses a person’s unique needs.’ The challenge is to determine whether the fund should solely maintain a one to one focus (due to the transformative effects of AFMAF funding on some people’s lives, and recognising the inadequate funding provided by other levels of government), or to allocate a portion of the fund to explore potential value creation via other projects. Both focuses address social justice principles, and the goals in our neighbourhood and strategic community plans, however one to one funding on average has assisted less than 150 people each year under the current model.

Evaluation report: FINAL-Evaluation-AFMAF_2020.pdf

Expansion plans:
Use place making to develop places for seniors and others, where they are welcomed and supported across a range of issues. Complete further scoping activity re: utilising funding allocation for small pilot projects to continue to explore options such as developing relationships with the Men’s Shed, or creating a Befriend group, circular economy projects, initiating projects utilising volunteers to deliver gardening services. Etc. Via MAFAB develop relationships with businesses that will offer discounts to Melville senior ratepayers.

Challenges:
One challenge was the cost of outsourcing administration. This was addressed by simplifying the application process and bringing administration tasks in-house. This freed up significantly more funding. Another challenge was having the same people applying each year for $500. This was addressed by reducing the amount of funding per person to be able to assist more people and a marketing campaign was developed for greater community awareness which included direct liaison with retirement villages, pharmacies and medical centres in the local government area.