Gladstone Community Linking Agency is a locally owned and operated Gladstone not-for-profit provider of Aged Care and Disability Support through My Aged Care and NDIS funding. GCLA beyond ordinary Support Workers walk alongside people during some of the most difficult periods of their lives. The teams at GCLA are kind, helpful, and thoughtful. As an Approved Provider, GCLA has a track record of providing safe, high quality care and services. The GCLA teams are proud to offer a range of personal and clinical care services, domestic assistance, social support, capacity building and carer respite services. They also offer employment opportunities for people with a disability, short term accommodation, NDIS Individual Support and supported independent living (SIL).

The GCLA teams operate Port Curtis RnR Day Respite for Aged Care Customers; The Hub which is a social community space for their customers with a disability, Aquafit for Ground Control Ground Control lawn maintenance is a Social Enterprise that provides employment to people with a disability. It operates Monday to Friday, and the team of people there are available for commercial businesses and customers who have Aged Care and NDIS funding, as well as a fee-for-service. GCLA Ground Control maintain your garden throughout the year or clean-up your yard prior to the arrival of the colder months.

GCLA Ground Control provides the following services: • Pruning of shrubs and trees• Regular weed control• Lawn mowing• Edging patio areas, driveways, and walkways• Spring yard clean-up • Fall yard clean-up The Ground Control team is more than happy to help you bring your yard to life!

Aqua Fit is GCLA’s opportunity for anyone in the community (subsidised for those with a disability or over the age of 65) to engage in gentle, water-based exercise to increase physical fitness. Customers can benefit from improved mobility and increased physical freedom with individually designed programs. These programs harness the buoyancy of water to reduce compression stress on weight-bearing joints and muscles. The sessions run for 45 minutes, and will keep you cool all year round. They’re also followed up with a light refreshment for morning tea. If you would like to engage, register, or refer any friends or family for these services, please contact us on (07) 4972 8855.

Home Care Packages If your elderly parent or loved one is like most of our clients, he or she will be indecisive about the idea of going to a nursing home. They’d much rather stay in the home environment they’re comfortable in and remain independent. However, they will still need help as you can’t always be there. With a reablement and wellbeing focus, Home Care Packages support seniors to live independently at home longer. We can help your loved one keep their independence. We can design a customised care plan to meet your loved one’s specific needs. Whether they need some companionship, transport, help with cooking, cleaning the house, or in home nursing care, we have a team of experienced and professionally qualified staff who can assist. If you have been approved by My Aged Care or would like support to access My Aged Care, phone Gladstone Community Linking Agency (07) 4972 8855.

New Assistive Technology GCLA is proud to be chosen to be the only CQ provider of the ‘Care@ Home’ PERS Alarm range with its superior connectivity components. These are a fantastic item for the growing population living independently at home, providing extra confidence knowing that emergency teams will be alerted in the event of any unexpected incidents. The technology includes voice recognition and fall detection technologies, as well as camera monitors to ensure peace of mind for families. This technology is customisable, and individualised to each user. It will pick up deviations in the daily routine, and will notify families or medical care in the event of an accident. For more information, please contact us.

The Gladstone Community Linking Agency (GCLA) has recently received additional funding from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) to enhance aged care services in the Gladstone Region. This funding aims to address the increasing demand for aged care support in the area. GCLA will utilise the funding to provide a range of services, including CHSP overnight Cottage Respite, Flexible in-home Respite, Day Centre Respite, Nursing, and Allied Health Therapy services in the Fitzroy Aged Care Planning Region in Queensland.

Furthermore, the Department has granted one-time funding for the renovation of the Port Curtis RnR Centre and the implementation of Care at Home Smart Home Assistive Technology Alarms. These investments enable GCLA to expand its aged care services and establish clinical and allied health services. The primary objective is to enable seniors to maintain their independence and continue living in their own homes for a longer duration.

The overnight Cottage Respite service, funded through the CHSP, is scheduled to launch on July 1. This addition is particularly significant as there is a high demand for this type of respite in the local community. GCLA, as the only true local not-for-profit provider of Disability and Aged Care services in the Gladstone Region since 1977, is committed to supporting carers and ensuring they can continue their caring role for extended periods through planned respite services.

The Port Curtis Respite Centre currently operates from Tuesday to Friday, providing seniors aged 65 and above with a welcoming and inclusive environment where they can participate in social and recreational activities and enjoy delicious meals. Additionally, GCLA offers Home Care Packages to individuals residing in Gladstone, Turkey Beach, Miriam Vale, and Agnes Water.

The allocation of additional funding allows GCLA to expand its Aged Care services, complementing the existing Home Care Packages with the establishment of clinical nursing and allied health services. This holistic approach aims to support seniors in their evolving needs, fostering their well-being, and enabling them to age in place. Jenni, the CEO of GCLA, expressed her enthusiasm for the grant, emphasising how it will facilitate timely access to local clinicians through the rollout of nursing and allied health services.

To further enhance their services, GCLA is actively exploring local sponsorship opportunities to acquire three hybrid vehicles for their upcoming mobile nursing and allied health service, thus ensuring efficient and convenient care delivery.

Mike’s passion for gardening led him to start volunteering at the Port Curtis Centre in the Aged Care Industry after retiring at the age of 60. For over three years, he tended to the gardens at Eden Vale before meeting the previous PC RnR Coordinator, Leonie, about four years ago. Since then, he has added his own brand of love and care to the gardens at Port Curtis, making a positive impact on the community.

When asked about his favourite part of volunteering at Port Curtis, Mike shared that it wasn’t just the gardening that brought him joy. It was also the connections and relationships he formed with the customers and staff. For Mike, volunteering was a way to give back to the community and build meaningful connections with others.

Mike’s humility and kindness shine through in his dedication to volunteering. He takes great pride in what he does and gives his all to the gardens and the people he interacts with. Mike’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, as both the staff and customers appreciate his time and passion. The Gladstone Community Linking Agency (GCLA) recognises how fortunate they are to have someone like Mike giving back to their gardens.

Mike’s story is an inspiring example of the positive impact that volunteering can have on both the volunteer and the community they serve. His selflessness and generosity serve as a reminder of the importance of giving back to our communities. Without the support of volunteers like Mike, many community organisations would struggle to provide the services and programs that make a difference in people’s lives.

In the end, Mike’s story is one of dedication, generosity, and compassion. He has shown that volunteering isn’t just about giving back, but also about receiving joy and fulfillment from making a positive impact on the lives of others. For that, we can all be grateful.