Pittwater Council Aged Services
  PO Box 882, Mona Vale 2103
  Angela Boyle, Community Development Officer
  Phone: 9970 1199   Fax: 9970 1197
  Email: angela_boyle@pittwater.nsw.gov.au

Older People

Older people in Pittwater make valuable contributions to the community including volunteering, grand parenting and education. Council's Community Development Team works with older people, local services and community groups to ensure that information and service provision in the area is accessible and appropriate for community members.

This area has been developed to provide information about services and activities available to older people living in the Pittwater area. We have provided brochures that can be downloaded and also helpful links for you to gain access to appropriate support. Please access this information at the bottom of this page.

For additional information please call Council's Community Development Officer on 9970 1199.

Seniors Week 2010

Each year Pittwater Council is proud to participate in the celebration of NSW Seniors Week in order to recognise the important contribution that older people make to the local community. Next year the official Seniors Week will be held from 21 March to 28 March, however Pittwater Council will be promoting events running during this week as well as either side of it! As usual, we will be producing a Seniors Week program for Pittwater and we would be delighted to include you in it.

An exciting program for 2010 will encourage people’s participation and attendance at the variety of activities during and beyond Seniors Week, so it is a worthwhile getting your group or organisation involved. If you are unsure about what to do, or would like some inspiration, please view the 2009 Guide.

Please contact Vienna Muller on 9970 1181 or vienna_muller@pittwater.nsw.gov.au to provide the information related to your activity or event so that we can ensure it gets publicised through our program. We will be finalising the program in December, so please contact us ASAP to secure your place.

Information for Older People

Pittwater, Manly & Warringah Councils work in partnership to produce annual Information Guides for older people. These documents include a Services Guide and Retirement Housing Guide.

The 2009 Seniors and Care Guide provides comprehensive information on services, leisure groups and facilities available for older residents. The Retirement Housing Guide contains information about local retirement villages and aged care facilities, along with details of alternative accommodation options and services.   Pittwater Council has also created the Pittwater Leisure Guide Flyer which outlines the activities available in the Pittwater area.

The guides can be downloaded or you can obtain copies from Councils Customer Service Centres at Warriewood or Avalon or the Community Centres.

Home and Community Care Services (HACC Services)

Home and Community Care is a joint Commonwealth and State funded program. The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program can help you and the person looking after you, so that you can continue to live at home safely, comfortably and as independently as possible.

There are a range of services available for older people, people with disabilities, their families and carers, to assist where possible to maintain independent living at home in the community. These include Home Support, Respite, Transport, Health, Advocacy and Food Services. Some services are free of charge, while others cost different amounts. Ask about costs when you call the service which you require.

One of the services funded by the HACC program is the Community Advisory Service provided by Community Care Northern Beaches. The Community Advisor can assist older people, people with disabilities and their carers on the Northern Beaches to find out about the different types of services provided through the HACC program and help with access to appropriate services. To speak with the Community Advisor phone 9979 7677.

View services provided locally through the Home & Community Care Program (HACC) brochure.

Community Transport

Community Transport is available to older residents and people with a disability who need to access services, attend appointments (e.g. medical, hospital) or other activities which assist in maintaining independence and contact with others. There are a number of non-government organisations which may provide community transport to Pittwater residents.

• Manly Warringah Community Transport
  MWP Community Transport provides a range of transport options for the aged, people with disabilities and those who are transport disadvantaged.
  Phone: 9971 5110
  
• Manly Warringah Community Aid
  Transport is provided in cars by paid staff and volunteers to the frail aged, those with high support needs and their carers.
  Phone: 9913 3244
  
• Kaddy Transport
  Kaddy is a voluntary organisation that provides bus transport for individuals using wheelchairs or permanently blind adults, to medical, hospital, dental appointments or meetings.
  Phone: 9972 0242
  
• Depending on your situation, you may also like to read about other information on Council's website include Parking and also Public Transport.

Shopping

Grocery shopping can be a challenge for all of us, but can prove particularly difficult sometimes for older people, carers, people with a disability and people with limited mobility. Manly Warringah and Pittwater Councils', along with Manly Warringah Pittwater Community Aid have developed a booklet entitled Shopping Made Easy in Manly Warringah and Pittwater  in attempt to point people in the right direction for more convenient shopping methods to suit their needs and lifestyle. 

Active Ageing

Staying active as you age is very important, as it has a positive impact on your Physical, Social, Emotional and Mental well-being. This section has a few ideas to get you started on Easy Care Gardening, Lifeball, The Wanderers Walking Group, Avalon Computer Pals, Avalon and Narrabeen Active Seniors Groups.

Connecting You - A Strategy to Address Social Isolation

Extensive consultations held in conjunction with Council's Social Plan reveal that a significant proportion (47%) of older residents living in Pittwater stated that they felt isolated or lonely some of the time with a further 6.9% indicating that they felt isolated or lonely most of the time. Manly, Warringah and Pittwater Councils along with local services are working together to develop strategies to identify and make connections to older people experiencing social isolation. The Manly Warringah Pittwater Social Isolation Working Party amongst a number of strategies have developed the following resources to assist family, friends, volunteer groups and local services respond effectively to this growing problem.

• Connecting Again Newsletter Edition 1 - Attracting and retaining members
• Connecting Again Newsletter Edition 2- Importance of buddy systems

The Connecting You Flyer   provides a checklist to services, family, friends and older people which may highlight that a person is socially isolated. The flyer also provides information about key contact points that can provide information about support services and recreational/leisure activities which may reduce this isolation.

The Neighbour Flyer provides helpful tips on ways to connect with older people in our community, for example bringing in the paper, watering plants or helping out with pets. The flyer also provides information about key contact points for any member of the community to call if they are concerned that an elderly neighbour could be lonely or isolated.

News & Events

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW offers a variety of free-of-charge education, information and activities for families, friends and others caring for a person with dementia. Our sessions and activities range from exploring the nature of dementia, strategies for maintaining effective communication, promoting independence, self esteem and enjoyment.  These events will be listed on Council's event calendar as the details are released from time to time along with many other events that might interest you.

Pensioner Rebate

Rebates on Council Rates and Waste Charges are available to owners who have a Pensioner Concession Card, or a TPI or EDA Gold Card. Please find more information on the Pensioner Rebate webpage including an application form.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to participate in your community and provides you and the community with many rewards. There are many organisations who are always looking for Volunteers to assist in Gardening, Recreation Assistants, Carers Support and many other interesting organisations in the local area.

Home Library Service

This service coordinates and supplies library items to people in their own homes who are housebound and unable to visit the library. Visit the Mona Vale Library web site or call 9970 1600 for further details.

Fire Safety and Smoke Alarms

The SABRE (Smoke Alarm Battery Replacement for the Elderly) program is designed to support the elderly, residing in their own homes and that have limited domestic support, to live independently and remain valuable assets in the community. The program sees the NSW Fire Brigades forming partnerships with other community organisations to assist senior citizens in the maintenance of their fire safety devices primarily their battery operated smoke alarms. This webpage will advise you on how to contact the local brigades for assistance and also provide you with Fact Sheets for your information.

Useful Website Links

Find a range of website links for organisations including the National Public Toilet Register website which you can locate a toilet by postcode and plan your trips by.