Geriatric Outreach Service that supports independence, dignity and wellbeing
29 June 2026
Older people in our community deserve care that supports their independence, dignity and wellbeing – and the Geriatric Outreach Service (GOS) at the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) is making that possible. NALHN’s new GOS brings specialist geriatric support directly into Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH), reducing the need for stressful and often unnecessary hospital transfers.
Registered Nurse, Simone, has spent 18 years caring for older South Australians and is now part of the NALHN GOS team. Having supported her own family members as they battle dementia, she understands how challenging behavioural changes can be for residents and loved ones alike. Simone explains, ‘For an older person and their family, a transfer to hospital can be very unsettling, even distressing, particularly for those in a RACH.’
Image: Registered Nurse, Simone.
GOS provides timely assessment and support for residents showing changes in behaviour or health that might otherwise lead to an emergency presentation. By treating people where they live, the service helps residents remain in familiar surroundings, close to their routines, carers and community.
“I’m committed to ensuring this vulnerable population is well supported in their place of residence,” Simone says.
Beyond providing care, “What I like most about being involved in NALHN GOS,” says Simone, “is building relationships with the community beyond the hospital walls.”
Similar outreach models operate elsewhere in Adelaide and regionally, reflecting a statewide commitment to helping older people stay well at home for longer. For the northern community, GOS strengthens that vision, offering compassionate, specialist care where it’s needed most.