Evergreen Community Inc. brief introduction

Evergreen Community is a non-profit organization established in February 2012, the primary aim is to provide aged care services for the Chinese senior citizens and people with disabilities in Brisbane and the surrounding communities. 

Many Chinese seniors with different backgrounds, cultures and customs who migrated to Brisbane had worked hard and contributed greatly to the development of the local Chinese community. However, they are often being ignored or forgotten by society as they aged. Due to the language barrier and cultural differences, most of these elderly people would find it hard to communicate with the outside world. Their children may not be able to attend to their needs due to work commitments or other reasons, resulting in a group of elders living in a life of loneliness and helplessness.

The Australian government has been promoting: “Let the elderly live longer, live better "and to develop a range of care, welfare policies and programs for the elderly, such as: personal care, household care, social support, funeral support and so on for all the elderly people in Australia, to provide appropriate and professional care and thus assist them to live independently at home. However, the welfare policy for the elderly was not widely promoted by the Australian government, together with the language, cultural as well as background indifferences, the majority of these Chinese elders are completely unaware or do not understand their rights and entitlements to these welfare benefits. The handful of elderly people who knew about the welfare often would not know who to turn to in order to apply for the welfare.

There are several aged care organizations that provide aged care services for Chinese elderly people in Brisbane. However, the organizers of these institutions come from different cultural backgrounds, they might not fully understand the Chinese cultural aspects and this results in the elderly not being able to receive the appropriate support and assistance.

The establishment of Evergreen Community is to help the Chinese seniors in Brisbane to settle in to the society and make this place their “second home”.

This is our motto:

 Our Belief:  “Caring with Dedication”

 the elderly will enjoy a longer

 and a meaningful life.

At present, there are more than 350 of members and 25 of professional staff and volunteers in Evergreen Community.

From April 2014, Evergreen Community is honoured to get the formal grant and support from Health and aged department of Australian Government and will be able to provide more diverse care services to the elder people in Brisbane and surrounding communities.

Services for the Elderly People

Build a “Second Home” for the Chinese Senior Community

 Social and Recreational services

The elderly people are able to develop self-confidence and self-realization through a wide range of group activities. In addition it helps them integrate into the society by actively participating in the community affairs and retiring in a caring community environment. 

Regular organised events: such as birthday parties, holiday celebrations, carnivals, sight- seeing events and health and safety seminar. 

Regular team activities: including educational, developmental, sociability activities for all seniors to enjoy

 The home care service

Provide appropriate support for the elderly people in need, help to resolve financial hardship, so they can continue to live in a familiar environment and receive appropriate care. We have a professional management team and experienced care workers which hold regular meetings and trainings in order to ensure the elderly people receive quality services. 

We will assess the individual needs and provide the appropriate services accordingly (such as meal delivery services, personal care, household cleaning, laundry service, shopping and delivery etc.) Encourage them to be self-sufficient and independent to slow down their aging process.

Elderly support service

Provide personal services for the elderly in need, promote the spirit of volunteerism and encourage volunteers to make regular visits to nursing homes and orphanages. 

Contact the seniors on a regular basis through home visits and telephone contact to provide emotional support, organize social and recreational activities to lift up their spirits.

Transport Services 

Provide transport services for the elderly in need, such as assist to attend medical appointment, assist to attend social activities or for other purpose. This service is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Commonwealth HACC Program. 

Although funding for Transport Services has been provided by the Australian Government, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of policies of the Australian Government.