Information on ageing well

Ageing Well newsletter

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Open Ageing Well survey

• we invite you to complete this 5 minute survey to help us fine-tune our Ageing Well newsletter. 
• this survey is for Cardinia Shire residents aged 55 years or over
• your responses are completely anonymous. To see our privacy policy please go to www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/privacy
• this survey is open until May 2024.

Request to get the newsletter sent to you

If you would like to request a printed copy of the Ageing Well newsletter to be posted to yourself or a friend, email us at ageingwell@cardinia.vic.gov.au or call our Customer Service team on 1300 787 624. We will also add you to the mailing list.

 

Maintaining social connections

Click on a link below to explore the large variety of social activities and events available. 

We have 8 community centres that provide people of all ages and backgrounds with places to meet, share, exchange information and learn together in supportive, nurturing environments. You will find the information below by location, venue or area of interest.
A wide range of activities and courses are offered. Find out what is available for you here.

• Retirement
• Council and community events
• Activities for seniors
• Arts,crafts and gardening groups
• Local seniors' groups
• Service clubs
• Whats on at Cardinia Cultural Centre
• Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre
  Phone: (03) 8768 4400
• Bunyip and District Community House 
  Phone: 0481 895 509
• Cockatoo Community House  
  Phone: 5968 9031
• Emerald Community House 
  Phone: 5968 3881
• Lang Lang Community Centre 
  Phone: 59975704
• Outlook Community Centre 
  Phone: 5941 1535
• Pakenham Living and Learning 
  Phone: 59412389
• Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre 
  Phone: 5944 3484

 

Library services

There are 2 libraries in Cardinia Shire. These are located in Pakenham and Emerald. There is also a mobile Cardinia Library Service for those who live in the outer regions of the shire.

If you or someone you know is housebound or having difficulty getting to the library, give the Home Library Service team a call.

• They can arrange a home visit to discuss your eligibility and reading interests.
• You can have books delivered to your home and exchanged on a regular basis. All library volunteers are police checked.

Of course you can visit your library service in Pakenham, Emerald and through the Mobile Library bus service.

The service offers: 

• large print books
• talking’ books
• short-term and long-term memberships

Ph: 1800 446 954
Email: volunteers@myli.org.au

More info

• Myli - My Community Library
• Home Library Service

Information and support for carers

• Alfred Health Carer Services is an advisory and support service for unpaid carers located in the south metropolitan region of Melbourne. More info: Alfred Health Carer Services - Explore Alfred Health Carer Services events here or call the events line directly on 03 9076 6644
• Carers Victoria - state-wide voice for family carers, representing and providing support to carers in Victoria. Their website includes details of local carer support groups, resources and events. More info: Carers Victoria
• Carer Gateway - practical advice and resources for carers with a wide range of help from counselling, peer support to respite care. More info: Carer Gateway or call on 1800 422 737
• VMCH provide a support program for carers. More info: VMCH Support for carers

Carers group at Outlook Community Centre

Outlook Community Centre Carers Group is a great opportunity for carers to get together and have some much-needed time out. The group offers Carers of people with a disability, mental illness or elderly people a chance to get together to have a chat and learn more about news, services and supports available to them. Includes occasional walks.

The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at Outlook Community Centre 10am to 12pm. Refreshments provided. No cost.

Outlook Community Centre Location:

24 Toomuc Valley Road
Pakenham, VIC 3810

For more information, please phone Outlook Community Centre on (03) 5940 4728 or email communitycentre@outlookaust.org.au

Upcoming date in 2023

• 7 December

View the flyer for the walking group here

New dates for 2024 will be added soon!

Support services

If you're in need of additional support, these services may be useful. 

Beyond Blue  

Speak one-on-one with a trained mental health professional. Completely confidential. 
Phone: 1300 224 636 

Carers Gateway  

Get practical advice and support. Carers can get a wide range of help from counselling, peer support to respite care. 
Phone: 1800 422 737

Council on the Ageing Victoria - COTA  

A not-for-profit organisation that represents the interests and rights of people aged 50+ in Victoria.
Phone: 1300 135 090  

Dementia Australia 

Representing Australians living with dementia and the almost 1.6 million Australians involved in their care.
Phone: 1800 100 500  

Lifeline   

Provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Phone: 131 114  

Scam Watch

Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Be alert and protect yourself from being scammed. 
Phone: 1300 432 273  

Seniors Rights Victoria

Seniors Rights Victoria provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people.
Phone: 1300 368 821

Stay Smart Online  

Gives advice and information about how to protect yourself, your family and your business online. 
Phone: 1300 292 371

Aged care services

 Where do you start?  

Please note: Council does not provide aged care services. These services listed below are provided by external service providers that operate within Cardinia Shire.    

There are a variety of resources offered through the Federal Government to assist you as you age. Watch the below presentation for details. 

If you need services to help you stay in your own home, the first step is to contact the relevant organisation. 

From your initial contact with that organisation, you can explore the types of services you may need. This may involve an in-home assessment. In this case, an appointment for an assessment will be made and an assessor will take you through the process. They can suggest different service providers which you can choose from, or you may prefer to choose your own.  

Home and Community Care for Younger People (HACC PYP)  

To be eligible, you must be: 

• under 65 years old and have a disability or care for someone with a disability 
•  or Aboriginal and under 50 years old and have a disability or care for someone with a disability

Services available

• In-home services such as personal care, domestic assistance and property maintenance.
• Community services include transport, activity groups, food services and respite. 
• To enquire / apply: Contact Mecwacare South East Region Service on 5941 5454
• Click here to visit the Vic Health website for more info

My Aged Care  

My Aged Care is the main centralised Federal Government aged care service. This service provides free information and advice to help people navigate the aged care system. It consists of a website and a call centre. You must register with this service before you can obtain an assessment that will allow you to access services and home care packages.   

• Phone: 1800 200 422
• Web: My Aged Care website  

My Aged Care Assessment Service Cardinia Region   

For advice and referrals for all home care support & packages for seniors. 

• Phone: 5945 0800
• Email: RASfeedback@mecwacare.org.au  

Community Home Support Packages (CHSP)  

Entry-level support services to live independently at home. You may only require one or two services.  

Eligibility:  

• 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people)
• 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.  

The main type of CHSP services available:  

• In-home services such as personal care, domestic assistance and property maintenance/ modifications.  
• Community services include transport for shopping or appointments and allied health services.  
• You will need a home support assessment to determine your eligibility and the level of support you need.  

More info: Contact My Aged Care 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website

Home Care Packages (HCP)  

For those who have more complex needs to support independence in their own home.   

You are eligible if you are over 65 years old; or 45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
An in-home assessment is required to assess if you are eligible for this type of funding and the level you require.  

Levels of funding:  

• Level 1– Basic care needs  
• Level 2– Low care needs  
• Level 3– Intermediate care needs  
• Level 4– High care needs   

The main type of HSP services available:  

• In home services such as personal care, domestic assistance, aids & equipment and property maintenance.  
• Community services include transport for shopping or appointments and activity groups.   

More info: Contact My Aged Care 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website.

Organisations that assist with packages

Mecwacare - Pakenham Office

Offering services for those not eligible for My Aged Care services including:

• domestic support
• community transport
• in-home support
• community programs
• disability support.  

For more info: Call 8573 4980, email intake@mecwacare.org.au or visit the Mecwacare website. 

Navigators Hub  

If you need help navigating or signing up with the My Aged Care system, you will find this local service helpful.
Cardinia Shire Council and Council of the Ageing Victoria (COTA) has a trained team of community members to support you

More info: Outlook Community Centre, 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham
Ph: 5941 1535

Southern Migrant Refugee Centre 

Southern Migrant Refugee Centre provides:  

• multicultural planned activity groups for seniors.
• aged access and support workers
• friendly home visiting services   

More info: call 9767 1900  or visit the Southern Migrant Refugee Centre website

Wintringham   

Access and support for seniors who require help with home care packages and financial disadvantage.

More info: Call 9769 0202   or visit the Wintringham website

Online safety and scams - how to protect yourself

 Keep safe while using technology. To learn more watch this video of the E-Safety Commissioner's presentation for Cardinia Shire Council. 

The E-Safety Commissioner (Australian Federal Government) hosts free online safety presentations to help older Australians stay safer online. Bookings are limited. To view all presentation topics and to book visit the Australian Government’s Be Connected website

Some of the presentations include:

• staying safe on Facebook
• all you need to know about data and public Wi-Fi
• safer online shopping and banking
• protect yourself against scams
• selling safely online
• connecting to others
• how to use smart home technology
• how to use zoom to make video calls
• helpful apps for your smart device
• how to use government websites

Protecting yourself against scams and cybercrime

Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Be alert and protect yourself from being scammed.

Scams
Call 1300 432 273 or visit the Scamwatch website

Cybercrime
Call 1300 292 371 or visit the Cybercrime website

Retirement sessions 2023

We hosted free information sessions on planning for a great retirement at Outlook Community Centre Pakenham in March 2023.

Topics included:

• The 6 resources required for a successful retirement
• Payments and services
• The age pension
• Income / asset limits
• Superannuation
• Concessions
• My Aged Care and more

View the flyer for the retirement sessions here

Watch our past presentation on retirement. 

Personal alarms

Council does not provide personal alarms.

Funded personal alarms

If you are over 65, you may be eligible for a subsidised personal alarm. To enquire about this you can: 

• contact Mecwacare for an assessment on 5945 0800
• speak to a community health nurse or occupational therapist 

If you are under 65, contact Monash Health on 1300 342 273

Unfunded personal alarms

Many private providers offer medical monitoring services which you need to pay for.  

What Council does to assist people to age well

Ageing Well Strategy

• Council has adopted the Ageing Well Strategy 2019-25.
• The strategy sets Council’s priorities over the next 5 years to support older residents to be healthy, active, stay socially connected and participate fully in the community. 
• It was informed and developed through extensive consultation with older residents and the broader community along with community groups, service providers and state and federal government agencies. |

Read the Ageing Well Strategy and Action Plan 2019-25

Age Friendly City

Questions?

For any questions about services, events and activities for seniors:

Contact our Ageing Well Facilitator
Ph: 1300 787 624
Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au