If you need emergency services, please contact 000
Are you feeling burnt out? Consider aged care respite.
Looking for a rewarding career in aged care and ready to start now?
View our current retirement living homes for sale.
Search
Contact Us
Close
14 locations across Victoria
Principles of Montessori
Tailored to individual interests
All your questions answered
Government or privately funded
Government-funded support
Entry-level home care services
Launching 1 November 2025
Services to keep you independent
One on one care and support
Support to help you stay at home
Allied health support services
Everyone deserves a break
Connect with others
Help to access support services
If you care for someone, we’re here
Maintain your quality of life
Here for people of all ages
Take a break and have some fun
Get all your questions answered
Independent living for over 55s
Welcoming and safe communities
Everyone deserves a home
Our latest properties available
Inner Melbourne communities
Camberwell
Deepdene
Kew
Hawthorn
Toorak
Suburban communities
Clayton
Point Cook
Bacchus Marsh
Pakenham
Greensborough
Torquay
Friendly and welcoming villages
Kyneton
Trentham
Eltham
Brunswick West
Support for children and adults
Take a step to paid employment
Work at a cafe
Gardening and maintenance
Learn woodwork skills
Work at a VMCH Op Shop
Centre and community programs
Skills, confidence and friendships
For children and teenagers
Supported co-living
Accommodation across Victoria
In your home and community
Get the best out of your plan
For babies, children and young people
Allied health practice
Participate in everyday tasks
Better communication skills
Address challenging behaviours
Shop from our social enterprises
Coffee with purpose
Pieces handcrafted by participants
Buy pre-loved goods
Helping people with disability
Independence and support
Funding to achieve your goals
Help us improve
Menu
Back
Enter your search term below
6 April 2016
Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) has been hailed as a leader in caring for culturally diverse seniors by the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs.
Mr Hong Lim MP, member for Clayton, made the comment at the official opening of the VMCH Multicultural Wellness Centre (MWC) in Wantirna on April 5 to an audience of around 50 clients, staff and board members and community leaders.
The centre, which has been running exercise groups, education sessions and social outings for around 60 seniors since October, already has a waiting list for clients to join its Chinese and Filipino social groups.
“There is a high demand for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)-specific social support services for older people, especially with the significant growth of the older Chinese community in the eastern metro region,” said VMCH Lifestyle and Respite Services Operations Manager Angela Ng.
The Migrant Information Centre reports many older Chinese Australians have become frustrated by their inability to speak or read English and rely on their children for transportation and communication with service providers. They say the existence of senior support services can help to reduce their social isolation.
Mr Lim commended VMCH for establishing the Victorian-first centre and meeting a “great need” in the community.
VMCH Board Chair Bill Scales said one in eight older people with dementia did not speak English and were more comfortable with people from a similar cultural background.
“We need to address the serious misconception in society that all people from migrant backgrounds have a family who can care for them,” he said.
MWC client Geok Hwa Low (pictured right), 81, gave a moving insight into how the service has helped he and his wife, Geck Ming Tan, who has dementia.
“My wife’s mood has changed a lot (since we joined). She’s become happier and the quarrels between us have decreased,” he said.
Guests at the opening were also treated to cultural performances by a MWC Chinese group who sang “Jasmine Flower” in Mandarin, and an uplifting rendition of “How Great Thou Art” by the centre’s Filipino group.
The MWC accepts people over the age of 65 from CALD backgrounds living in Melbourne’s eastern region. Priority will be given to those who have dementia, a disability, who are frail aged and socially isolated.
For more information about the MWC call 0437 076 187.
More news articles in At-Home Aged Care
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide. Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.
Not sure where to start?
Contact us
→
Who needs our services?
Our Digital & Marketing Agency - ID Digital Agency
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide.
Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.