mEN
are regional structures that facilitate service
reform and improve service cooperation and
coordination at a regional level. The projects
engage with services that support frail older
people, younger people with a disability and
their carers. The work completed by the
projects will lead to improved quality of life
outcomes for the target group, including
independence and participation in their
communities of choice.
Project (ECP) has identified the need to explore
some alternative men's activities within
the region as a way to connect with male
consumers of the community care system.
males are underrepresented in accessing
community services and community
based activities. A number of Men's shed
type activities have highlighted that the
development of "intentional" community
based activities better attracts men to engage
in such programs.
representation of males utilising main stream
care services. Contributing factors include
current urban planning practices and the
transition of males into new living and care
arrangements that involves the loss of familiar
social points of contact and associated valued
roles.
Men's Shed was developed from this data,
potential future consumers highlighted that a
`shed' type service was not attractive to them.
develop alternative models to Shed based
activities for older males. The forum identified
5 dimensions that are necessary for a
successful Male activity:
1. Activity
2. Connection
3. Leadership
4. Mateship
5. Space
Ageing Seminar and Expo, and hassince
contiunously explored the Space dimension
and it's relative meaning for both genders
when referring to a male environment. A word
art program was used to analyse the results
of the data and the implications for creating an
appropriate space for engaging males within
community care will be presented. Structural
Change to this identified need will be required
to better meet the needs of males within the
community care environment.
La Trobe University, Melbourne
of subjective experience of people suffering
from dementia. Embodying life style centred
care needs of dementia sufferers with rich
human-like communication modalities and
technological connectivity of Matilda can have