MiCare - Providing Culturally Sensitive Care with Compassion
MiCare, short for Migrant Care, stands as Australia's most caring provider for individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. They possess a deep understanding of diverse cultures and languages, delivering comprehensive, culturally appropriate care with the utmost professionalism, compassion, and dignity. Their approach encompasses the holistic care of Elders, families, and clients, addressing their spiritual, physical, social, and psychological needs.
Range of Services: MiCare offers a diverse range of services, including Residential Aged Care, Retirement Living, Home Care, Migrant Services, Social Support Groups, Volunteers, Meals (MiMeals), and various community services. These services are thoughtfully designed to cater to the unique needs of their culturally diverse clientele.
History: MiCare's journey began as DutchCare, a provider of ethno-specific care to elderly Dutch migrants. Established in 1996 through an amalgamation of several organizations, DutchCare aimed to preserve the cultural and linguistic heritage of its clients. Over the years, it garnered recognition and awards for its innovative approaches, including the Polder Model of Care and the Eden Alternative philosophy.
The Polder Model emphasized cooperation between staff, residents, and families, while the Eden Alternative embraced an intergenerational and partnership approach to meet emotional, spiritual, and physical needs. These philosophies contributed to a significant increase in residents' longevity.
In 2010, DutchCare expanded its services by launching MiMeals, offering culturally appropriate food across Victoria. They became the first in Australia to be recognized for all 10 Eden Principles.
The journey continued with a merger between DutchCare and the New Hope Foundation in 2016, expanding their scope of service provision and community outreach. To reflect their broader focus on all migrant groups, they renamed themselves MiCare.
Further growth occurred in 2017 with a merger with the Netherlands Retirement Village Association Queensland (NRVAQ), solidifying its presence in Queensland.
In 2018, MiCare expanded further by merging with the Dutch Australian Community Centre in Sunshine, reinforcing its commitment to community spirit and making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Special Mentions: Among the mergers, the most impactful were with the New Hope Foundation and the Netherlands Retirement Village Association Queensland (NRVAQ). These collaborations have shaped the future direction of MiCare, enhancing its ability to serve and support culturally diverse communities across Australia.