Good Shepherd Aged Services was developed as an extension of the commitment of the Sisters to support and care for Sisters and other women who have lived as part of the Good Shepherd network for many years. As the girls became of age the Sisters of the Good Shepherd assisted them into the community. A number of women elected to stay within the Good Shepherd community and have been cared for by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd since they were infants. A significant majority of the girls had some form of intellectual disability. For this group of women the combination of early life disabilities and/or other disadvantages with more recent ageing related issues create extensive and complex care needs which are unique and generally not well understood or addressed by mainstream aged or disability fields.

Good Shepherd Aged Services continues to provide for and support residential care  for women  who  have  lived  within  the  Good  Shepherd  network  for  many  years. As these women have become older, some have developed other care needs related to ageing, including increased physical frailty, dementia, sensory losses and palliative care.
   
Community houses were initially established, and as the women and Sisters grew elderly a number of residential aged care facilities were established in the 1970's; which is now Good Shepherd Aged Services. In-conjunction an outreach program continues to  provide support for a small number of women who have been part of the Good Shepherd network for many years.  Over the past 15 years these women  moved  from  Good  Shepherd  community  hostels  to independent living situations supported by staff.

Related to Philosophy and Mission, Good Shepherd Aged Services focuses on providing care for people with demonstrated greatest need.  Admission policies ensure that  preference is given to those who are socially/financially disadvantaged, marginalised or have the greatest difficulty accessing appropriate care.The residential aged care facilities are located at Abbotsford (Nursing Home: 49 beds, Abbotsford Hostel 35 beds), and Boronia (Maryville Hostel 58 beds) and employs approximately 100 staff members. Good Shepherd Aged Services operates within legislated acts of parliament pertaining to residential aged care services; primarily Aged Act and Aged Care Principles 1997. All Good Shepherd Aged Services are required to be Accredited with the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency to maintain quality of care and ongoing Federal Government funding.

For more information about the Sisters of the Good Shepherd visit their website:
Sisters of the Good Shepherd - The Good Shepherd Story