the Aged Care Today magazine featured articles

It all began with Mrs Jessie Mary Vasey OBE CBE, the widow of Major General George Alan Vasey CB CBE DSO and Bar who was one of Australia’s most renowned World War II generals. He promised the men under his command that he would look after their wives if they didn’t make it out alive.

When his plane went down in March 1945, killing all on board, Mrs Vasey understood exactly what it was like to be a war widow herself. She made it her mission to help war widows both in practical ways and through advocacy on their behalf.

Mrs Vasey set up the War Widows Guild in every state to encourage widows to take up crafts to supplement their meagre pensions. At the same time, she lobbied government to increase the war widow pension, and she also set up Vasey Housing to provide rental homes for the young widows, adding aged care homes and home care services as widows aged.

In 2004, Vasey Housing (VIC) and RSL Care (VIC) merged to create the current organisation, which now manages around 250 home care packages and nearly 300 rental units solely for veterans (including those under 65) and their families, with 20 units in the planning stages, in addition to the four aged care homes.

“Our Australian Defence Forces are there to protect us, and right now, there are men and women all over the world who if needed, are ready to fight for our country and our freedom,” says Janna Voloshin, Chief Executive Officer, Vasey RSL Care.

“Our organisation has a long and proud history of serving those who served us: it is an honour to follow in the footsteps of Mrs Vasey and the RSL.”

The transition to civilian life
When veterans leave the service, the majority transfer their skills and expertise into the civilian workplace. However, some struggle with the transition and there are around 6,000 homeless veterans in Australia.

The rate of homelessness among veterans is 5.3 per cent compared to 1.9 per cent for the general population – nearly three times higher. Those who leave due to medical issues – mental or physical – are over-represented in this group.

The term ‘homeless’ covers all those who don’t have a permanent, safe home – in addition to rough sleeping, they may be ‘couch-surfing’, living in a car, caravan, tent or bungalow, or living in short-term boarding house accommodation.

One of our residents told us, “On the day I planned to end my life, I received a call from [a Vasey RSL Care staff member] to say they had a unit for me. I’ve been living there ever since. Vasey saved my life.”

Experience indicates that many younger residents move on quite quickly, with the units giving them the chance to overcome challenges. However, there are some who have significant challenges which aren’t ‘fixed’ by simply providing a secure home.

The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program
The V Centre is a new and unique initiative specifically for veterans. Program participants have safe accommodation combined with a personalised program of support. They set their own goals for their time at the V Centre and must demonstrate commitment to positive personal change.

“The V Centre Program is a ‘circuit breaker’,” says Chris Gray, General Manager Veteran Services at Vasey RSL Care. “Program participants are individually supported so they can take the steps they need to address whatever they are facing.”

“The intention is to stop the downward spiral before the veteran reaches a state of homelessness,” says Janna. “One homeless veteran is one too many.”

This ground-breaking initiative is being funded by Vasey RSL Care and has received $1.35 million from the Australian Government, plus some individual donations, but is still looking for significant funding to get through the first three years until it is self-supporting.

Veterans Home Care
The last piece of the Vasey RSL Care veteran support services is Veterans Home Care. Limited to low levels of care, it is funded by the federal Department of Veterans’ Affairs to provide essential home care services for the health, wellbeing and independence of eligible veterans and their families.

“We are extremely pleased to have been successful with our tender to be a provider of the Government’s Veterans Home Care,” says Janna. “This is perfectly aligned with our mission.”

“We are committed to responding to the changing needs of the veteran community with respect and dignity.”