Older people

Meridian celebrates the extraordinary diversity of people’s bodies, genders, sexualities and relationships.

At Meridian, we acknowledge the elders of our communities for their resilience and determined struggle for social justice and human rights, which has improved the lives of all Australians.

While many older LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV lead healthy and fulfilling lives, others are dealing with the historical legacy of past systemic marginalisation and stigmatisation, having experienced judgment, prejudice and discrimination during their lives. As a result of their lived experience, they can be reluctant to reveal their sexuality or gender identity. Some older LGBTQ+ community members and people living with HIV choose to remain in or return to the closet to feel safe. This can be particularly true when accessing aged care services.

Unfortunately, we know that these groups have disproportionately negative mental health outcomes in comparison with the rest of the population.

Meridian is working to improve access and equity for the elders of our communities to aged care services. We support their wellbeing by:

advocating for government to provide health services and policies that meet the needs of older LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV
encouraging inclusive practice service delivery that not only respects diversity but embraces it
delivering LGBTIQ and HIV awareness training to health providers, so elders feel culturally safe and comfortable in the organisation’s service environment
establishing an evidence base to document the needs of our older community members and the difficulties they face in accessing appropriate services
providing professional counselling services
hosting social groups and programs to help reduce social isolation for older people.

Meridian is committed to supporting the elders of our community to live the life they choose and to ensure they have a respectful and dignified later life.

Meridian’s services for older people

In addition to our regular programs and services, our Healthy Ageing program provides services specifically for older people in the ACT and region.

Care Finder Service

Through our Care Finders, Meridian offers free, friendly and inclusive assistance for vulnerable seniors to connect with community supports, services, and/ or navigating My Age care.

We can support or assist with accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports.

This service is available for all older people in the ACT and Southeastern New South Wales; you do not need to be part of the LGBTQ+ community to access this service.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

Do you need some more social interaction? ACVVS is a free service where a volunteer is matched with an older person and visits them weekly or fortnightly to provide companionship and friendship. We use a person-centred approach to matching, based on interests, hobbies and each recipient's individual needs.

ACVVS is available to recipients of Australian Government subsidised residential aged care services and home care packages. This includes care recipients receiving or waitlisted for residential care or home care packages.

Other support services

Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS)

OPALS is Legal Aid ACT’s free and confidential specialist service for older people. It can help with legal problems related to older people, including:

elder abuse and your personal safety
guardianship
enduring powers of attorney
financial arrangements with family members
problems with adult children
neighbourhood disputes
consumer disputes or scams
aged care or home care packages/Support at Home program (limited advice)
wills and estates (limited advice).

OPALS can help by:

giving legal information and advice
advocating for you with your family or other services
writing letters on your behalf
representing you in mediation or court in some cases
referring you to other services.