The Department for Communities runs a seniors information and referral telephone service which is operated by volunteers at the Seniors Card Centre in Perth. The volunteers are trained to provide referrals and information on issues such as accommodation options, education, finance, business, health and lifestyle. The service operates between 9.00am and 3.00pm weekdays.
Telephone: 6551 8800 (metro)
Freecall: 1800 671 233 (country)
Following is a list of community services and resources for seniors covering:
- Aged Care
- Education
- Finance
- General
- Health & Lifestyle
- Local
- Legal
- Retirement Villages
- Social Activities
- Technology
- Volunteering
Aged Care
- AdvoCare offers support and advocacy to people with concerns or complaints about services provided by organisations in areas of aged care facilities, home and community care, domiciliary nursing care benefit, aged care assessment teams and community aged care packages.
- AEGIS Health Care Group is a Western Australian company specialising in aged care service delivery. This site contains information relating to nursing homes and hostels in WA.
- Aged Care Australia offers an Aged Care Home Finder that enables you to look for the Australian Government-funded aged care homes that meet your particular needs. Please be aware that there are other accommodation options (e.g. retirement villages) available for older Australians that are not covered by this feature.
- Carers WA is a non-profit community-based organisation and registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of the estimated 200,000 family carers living in Western Australia. Part of the National Carers Association, it is recognised both state and federally as the voice of family carers, representing their interests in the Western Australian community.
- MercyCare is an organisation that provides services in the health, aged care and community services fields. It is based in Perth and delivers many services across the state as well as in the metropolitan area.
Education
- The University of Western Australia offers life-long education courses to the public, as well as a wide range of community courses through UWA Extension.
- U3A Online is a not-for-profit organisation, initially set up in 1996 by a group of volunteers who received funding from the federal government. U3A is a world-first virtual university of the third age, delivering online learning via the internet to older people located anywhere in the world.
Finance
- The Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) is a state government initiative that provides financial assistance to those people in genuine financial hardship in Western Australia to pay their utility accounts so as to avoid being disconnected or restricted.
- The Finance Brokers' brochure by the Department of Commerce provides information relating to dealing with finance brokers.
- National Information Centre on Retirement Investments Inc has been set up to improve the level and quality of advice provided to retired people with modest private savings. It provides free, independent information and a range of brochures and conducts seminars and education programs. It does not give investment advice, recommend financial products or planners or undertake casework.
- Seniors Card entitles older Australians to a range of benefits provided by government and businesses.
- The Australian Securities and Investments Commission offers financial information delivered online which helps consumers make informed decisions about financial products and services and identify and avoid scams.
General Seniors Information
- About Seniors offers a comprehensive Australia-wide guide to government departments and health organisations as well as lifestyle interests such as sport, computers, hobbies and travel.
- Aged & Community Services Western Australia is an independent body representing charitable, religious and benevolent not-for-profit organisations and provides a forum for information exchange at state and federal levels. Formerly known as Aged Care Western Australia Incorporated, Aged & Community Services Western Australia is the largest peak body in Western Australia representing 120 not-for-profit organisations which operate residential care facilities or community services for the elderly or people with disabilities.
- Council on the Ageing WA is an independent organisation offering a range of advocacy, advisory and other community services including computer classes for seniors.
- National Seniors Association is a not-for-profit membership-based community organisation that provides economic and social benefits for people aged 50 years and over and represents members views to government at all levels.
- Retirees WA formerly known as the Australian Pensioners League of WA, offers members information on all aspects of retirement and acts as a lobby group.
- The International Federation on Ageing is a private, non-profit organisation that links more than 150 associations across some 54 nations that seek to increase the participation and wellbeing of older people.
- World Health Organisation (Ageing and Life Course Unit) has facts, figures and information about ageing.
Health & Lifestyle
- An Advance Health Directive enables you to set out what medical, surgical or dental treatment and other health care you would, or would not, want to receive if you become unable to make decisions or communicate your wishes.
- Cancer Council Western Australia offers a range of information, practical and emotional support services for people affected by cancer. To access these services or to learn more about cancer call 13 11 20 to speak to a cancer health professional. We also offer a number of rewarding volunteering experiences to suit your availability, interests, and skills.
- FOODcents shows you how healthy eating can save you money.
- Healthy Parks, Healthy People is a Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) initiative to encourage people to get out and enjoy themselves in parks by promoting the physical, mental and social health benefits of spending time in nature. You can download a calendar of park walks and find more information on the website.
- Heartmoves - Most people know that regular physical activity is good for your health. But you don't have to exercise at a vigorous level to achieve health benefits. To help, the Heart Foundation has developed a low-to-moderate intensity exercise program called Heartmoves, designed for people who are living with health conditions.
- The Injury Control Council of WA (ICCWA) as part of the Stay On Your Feet® WA program has developed a Stay On Your Feet® WA e-Bulletin, to provide falls related information targeted towards health professionals and key stakeholders.
- National Disability Services (formerly ACROD) offers a special program for people who cannot use regular parking, either as a driver or passenger, because of physical limitations resulting from a disability.
- The Alzheimer's Association of WA has become a lead agency for people who experience progressive loss of brain function caused by conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple strokes, alcohol and drug related brain and other rare conditions. The association offers a range of services to people with dementia and their carers, including a variety of respite services, support services such as counselling, a program for people in the early stages of dementia, education and training for carers and care workers and information through a specialised resource centre.
- The Arthritis Foundation is a non-government organisation that aims to reduce the incidence and disabling effects of arthritis and osteoporosis and related disease through programs in care, education and research.
- St John Ambulance includes information on first aid training, community care, medic alert and history of the service.
- Seniors Recreation Council of WA Inc is a voluntary organisation that is the peak body for seniors in sport and recreation in WA. Promoting the ethics of 'healthy ageing through activity', current projects include Have a Go Day, Be Active Aged Care Games, Aboriginal Seniors Information/Activity Days and others. The council also publishes a directory of sport and recreation activities for adults called Add Life to Your Years.
- You're Welcome WA provides information on more than 2,300 accessible venues and facilities for people with disabilities living in Western Australia.
Legal Advice
- The Citizens' Advice Bureau is a non-profit organisation that can provide a range of information including probate and family law. You can also have your questions answered online.
- Council on the Ageing WA is an independent organisation offering a range of advocacy, advisory and other community services including computer classes for seniors.
- The Family Agreements guide produced by Department for Communities is designed to help guide older people and their families in making informed decisions before entering into family agreements. It provides 5 easy steps to take and lists key support agencies which help older people safeguard their rights
- The Public Advocate offers information and publications about an Enduring Power of Guardianship. This enables you to choose one or more people to make personal, lifestyle and treatment decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make or communicate them yourself. You can give your Enduring Guardian the power to make all, or some of these decisions. There is also a Telephone Advisory Service – 1300 858 455.
Local Services
Great Southern
- Albany Gateway offers a wide range of information on issues relating to the Great Southern Region of Western Australia from arts and agriculture to pets, seniors, travel and youth.
Peel
- Ac-cent, the City of Mandurah's website for seniors, tells you about resources for seniors in the region and includes PeelSeniorNet run by Mandurah City Senior Citizens Centre.
Retirement Villages
- It's Your Life Retirement Village Information provides searchable directories of retirement villages and experienced law firms, information about departure fees, a unique interactive departure fee calculator and a resource centre.
- The Retirement Villages Association was originally founded by developers, owners and managers of resident-funded retirement villages and other interested individuals and corporations. The aims of the association are to establish and maintain standards for all participants in the industry and to provide guidance to all tiers of government authorities, organisations and sponsors of retirement.
Social Activities
- Australian Sewing Guild Inc Meet with like minded people and rejuvenate your skills from basic to advanced. Perhaps you could teach us something. The Australian Sewing Guild Inc has nine groups in WA. Membership ages range from 9 to 90. It is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to further the art of sewing. The groups range from Albany to Joondalup and you can come along to a free meeting at any of the groups, just call our State Liaison Officer Jude Ewen on 0405 625 013 or email sewkidsoz@gmail.com
Volunteering
- Volunteering Western Australia promotes the concept of volunteering and provides a range of resources, services and support for volunteers, the community they serve and the community at large. The services the centre provides aim to enrich the lives of seniors by providing them with opportunities to participate more fully in their communities through volunteer work. Volunteering WA is also responsible for maintaining the electronic database, Skillsbank, to enable agencies to access volunteers with specialist skills ranging from financial managers, information technology experts, accountants and electricians to bricklayers and rose pruners.
Technology
- Find out about the Australian Government's Broadband for Seniors initiative at www.necseniors.com.au
- The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association is a public benevolent institution. Created for seniors who are interested in using a computer, it carries a wealth of information including data about seniors computer clubs. There are contribution pages and links to other sites of use and value.