Aged Care, Older People and Palliative Care - July 2026

Wendy and Lara from the Country SA PHN Ageing Well team recently travelled to the Yorke Peninsula region to connect with local residential aged care providers and general practices delivering GP services to Residential Aged Care Homes.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to meet face-to-face with healthcare professionals and aged care teams across the region. Discussions covered a range of topics, including digital health support, primary care initiatives, care coordination, and the latest Country SA PHN programs and activities. Conversations focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration and support the delivery of high-quality care, helping to improve health outcomes for older residents living in the region.

A highlight of the visit was attending the official opening of the newly upgraded facilities at Parkview Aged Care in Moonta. Supported by Federal Government Capital Grants, Parkview Aged Care has undertaken significant design, construction and renovation works across its four facilities.

The team was fortunate to tour the new and upgraded buildings with Donna, gaining firsthand insight into the improvements that have been carefully designed to enhance residents’ comfort, care and quality of life. The upgrades have created welcoming, contemporary living environments that support both wellbeing and independence. Among the exciting new additions is a three-hole golf course, providing residents with additional opportunities for recreation, social connection and wellbeing.

The Ageing Well team greatly appreciated the warm welcome they received throughout the Yorke Peninsula and valued the opportunity to connect with local providers face to face.

On Wednesday 17^th June, Palliative Care South Australia (PCSA), with funding support from Country SA PHN (CSAPHN), delivered a Last Aid course in Stirling, bringing together community members and health professionals at the beautiful Mount Lofty Golf Club to explore what really matters at the end of life.

The Last Aid course provides practical knowledge and encourages open conversations about death, dying, and end-of-life care. Designed for everyday community members, the course helps build confidence in supporting family, friends, neighbours, and loved ones during some of life's most important moments.

Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions about advance care planning, compassionate care, and the role that communities can play in supporting people to live well until the end of life. The welcoming environment fostered meaningful conversations, reflection, and learning, helping to break down barriers that can often make these topics difficult to discuss.

Country SA PHN Palliative Care Project Officer, Debbie, attended the event and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with both health providers and community members. The session provided valuable insights into community perspectives on end-of-life care and highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for these conversations to occur.

The Stirling session is part of a commitment by Palliative Care South Australia and Country SA PHN to increase community awareness, understanding, and confidence around end-of-life care across South Australia. By creating opportunities for people to come together and have these important conversations, we can help build compassionate communities where individuals and families feel supported to make informed decisions and receive care aligned with what matters most to them.

Country SA PHN is pleased to share the organisations commissioned to deliver the care finder program across country South Australia from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2029.

While there have been small changes to the areas some organisations will deliver the service, care finder program lead, Helen Morley said, ‘to have Country & Outback Health, Focus One Health, Resthaven and Summit Health maintain a consistent presence in the regions is pleasing. Many of the care finders have been in their roles since the inception of the program in 2023, so have well established partnerships, and strong community trust which is critical for the success of a program like care finder.’

To contact the care finder organisations please visit the Country SA PHN care finder webpage.

The care finder program is supported by funding from Country SA PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN program.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect community members against common winter respiratory viruses, including influenza (flu), COVID‑19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

Older adults are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill or needing hospital treatment from these respiratory illnesses, but staying up to date with recommended vaccinations reduces the risk. Peak winter virus season is usually June to September. It’s best for community members, including older adults to get vaccinated each year when the vaccines become available, to be protected before peak season – but it’s never too late to get vaccinated.

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AO, has called on older Australians who have not yet had their winter vaccinations to make the appointment and get protected. 

“Vaccinations save lives, and are important for older Australians in order to help keep people well and to prevent serious illness related to common respiratory illnesses,” said Professor Kidd. To help protect people at higher risk, the National Immunisation Program (NIP) offers free vaccinations to eligible people: 

• Flu vaccine is free for people aged 65 and over, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over.
• RSV vaccine is now free for people aged 75 and over, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is free for adults in Australia, regardless of Medicare or visa status.

Flu and COVID‑19 viruses continue to change over time, so vaccines are regularly updated to protect against the latest variants.

Annual vaccination is recommended, including a COVID-19 vaccine dose every 6 months for people aged 75 and over.  

Currently, a single dose of RSV vaccine is recommended, and protection is expected to last for at least 2 years.

Speak with your health professional and book your vaccinations today. For more information visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.