One of Australia’s largest, not-for-profit providers, IRT, has teamed up with the community organisation, Men of League (MOL), to provide a partnership of care for around 7,500 of its older members in need of aged care.

IRT and MOL signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday, which outlined their agreement of mutual and continuing support.

One on hand the provider will help the League organisation to find appropriate care for its older members who, without help, find it extremely difficult to navigate the aged care system. In return, MOL will support the provider in any way possible, in addition to specifically raising funds for the IRT Research Foundation.

The League’s CEO, Martin Cook, said that, at the moment, there is no real support available to help older people to find a suitable facility.

“A person in their late 80s has to drive from facility to facility to fill out application forms. It’s a very difficult time and if they don’t have children or a family member nearby, it can be a stressful time,” Mr Cook said. 

“It’s already stressful if a partner is going into aged care and if the person is on their own, it is harder again.

“It’s a major problem. It’s pretty tough…That’s the main reason we’ve established this agreement with IRT. Now, when we’ve got someone who needs aged care, we’ve got a channel to work with it to help them find the best and most suitable facility.”

MOL is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to support past and present contributors to the sport, who have fallen on tough times. This covers all volunteers or paid members of staff, and includes players, coaches, administrators, referees, officials and their families.

The foundation helps its members out with medical operations, rehabilitation equipment, nursing home equipment, grants, counselling, social visits, promotions and fundraising.

MOL recently donated $2,000 to the IRT Research Foundation, raised through the organisation’s Illawarra members’ bowls day.

IRT’s chief executive, Nieves Murray, thanked the organisation for its donation and welcomed the partnership of mutual support.  

“The need to access aged care can be unnecessarily complex and confronting for our seniors – we hope that the MOU provides that additional peace of mind to the Men of League members and their families so they feel informed, comfortable and supported as they age,” Ms Murray said.

“It’s only fitting that this is reciprocated by MOL through our research foundation, meaning this donation will support the existing and future research into ageing and age-related issues that we pursue.

“We hope the MOU supports our members as they enter their twilight years, particularly in the Illawarra which has a strong rugby league family but also throughout NSW where IRT operates many facilities. We look forward to a strong future partnership with IRT.”