COVID-19 update - 4 November 2021
Our seniors and disability services are committed to delivering high quality services in a living-with-COVID-19 world. As we emerge out of lockdown our approach will be to continue to follow state based guidelines and directives as they ease restrictions on day to day activities, including movement and gathering limitations, so we can reach a new way of service provision in an environment where the threat of COVID-19 remains.
We recognise we provide services to those most vulnerable to the virus so we have been diligently planning how we will safely reintroduce our popular programs ensuring both the safety and wellbeing of all our valuable customers. We have addressed how we’ll respond to COVID-19 to address work, health and safety responsibilities.
All our staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated and all our programs have COVID-safe plans including nutrition services, social inclusion program, volunteers and lifestyle and leisure links (disability).
We are ready to reintroduce our wellbeing services balanced against the precautionary approach to maintaining safety. This means services will return as follows:
Home visits
Sometimes it's hard to keep in touch with others, everybody is so busy. Our social inclusion program helps seniors to remain social even if it is in their own home. No need to feel isolated and alone.
Returning in January 2022, one of our friendly and trained volunteers will visit you to ensure we meet your own personal goals. For example have a chat, go for a walk, read the paper and discuss, search the web on the internet, sort of those photo albums, water the plants, help you zoom (stay in touch with the family).
Over the years we streamlined our process to keep you safe. All our volunteers and staff are trained, have been through stringent worker screening process including criminal record checks, NDIS worker checks, and are covered by insurance.
Over 55's program
Staying active in your 50's and beyond can be your best strategy to age well!
Exercise can enhance your energy levels, keep you at a healthy weight, and even possibly reduce some of the symptoms associated with aging. Exercise can be good for your brain and emotional state as well as your body. Whether you’re looking to maintain your current weight or to feel more energetic and healthy overall, we offer lots of options to help you remain healthy.
Our programs are offered at many locations. Half term programs will be held at:
- Greystanes
- Regents Park
- Merrylands
- Pemulwuy
- Berala (4 week program only due to elections)
- Granville Painting class will return for Term 1, 2022 when a full term can be offered. Cost is $26.70 for half a term (1hour class), $13.35 for the Berala class.
For more information, visit Over 55s Lifelong Learning Program
Shopping services
If you are no longer able to do shopping on your own or prefer that little bit of support we can organise a volunteer who can assist.
We know how important it is to get your shopping right! We understand we all have our preferred brands, cost saving strategies, preferences.
Our staff will pick up your shopping list and shop on your behalf. Both safe and productive. If you prefer to do it yourself, we also have a concierge shopping service where we will make available volunteers or staff to safely transport you to your chosen shops (geographical boundaries do apply). We pick you up, support you to undertake your shopping, carry those shopping bags for you and take you home.
Social outings
We can help you stay active in your community by helping you get out and about either one on one our friendly volunteers or staff or in a group social outing. Our team can help you get where you want to go. We regularly check in with you, our customers, to decide our next group destinations.
You can join our fun planned group outings to local community areas or places of interest you wish to explore! Our calendar is packed with options for you to choose from.
Meet new people, bring your friends, enjoy great company and exciting events. When was the last time you visited a beach, park you love, museum?
For more information, view our program calendar.
Transport
We offer transport to and from our activities, to our wellness centres, outings, individual shopping and more.
Limit of 8 to 10 customers on larger buses to allow customers to adhere to health restrictions and keeping COVID-19 safe.
We also have a bus that loops around our services. For more information, visit Accessible loop bus.
Wellness programs
Our Wellness programs at Guildford Community Centre have commenced, however in 2022, we will be reactivating all our senior’s wellness centres across our 5 wards.
At our popular wellness centres we provide structured activities, programs and delicious meals to promote wellbeing and enablement for all our senior residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We encourage independence, empowerment in a fun and safe environment. Refer to our Social Inclusion Program Calendar for October to December 2021 as to which sites are operating up to December 2021.
We provide transport to and from our centres for seniors living in Cumberland, providing them with opportunities to socialise with others who share similar interests and make new friends. Family members have expressed these services allow them to have a break or fulfill other commitments, including work, study, and other family commitments.
Nutrition services
Healthy, ready-made meals, delivered to your door with a smile.
We deliver high quality, nutritious, well priced meals for seniors and people with disability living in Cumberland and some surrounding areas.
We have a varied seasonal menu of main meals ready for you to heat in your oven or microwave at your convenience. You can choose as few or as many meals as you like, delivered hot or cold.
Hot meals are delivered daily Monday to Friday, frozen meals are a great option to cover you during the weekend. We also offer freshly made sandwiches. Some of our customers prefer a hot lunch and then a sandwich for supper or vice versa.
No contracts, no minimum orders. We’re all about what works best for you. We are very flexible, so you receive meals short term, cancel and resume as needed.
Not only does this service assist with your required daily nutritional intake/ needs but we also ensure our service provides a daily point of contact for our customers to decrease social isolation and assist in monitoring health and wellbeing.
Taste, visual appeal, cultural as well as dietary needs are catered for and considered at intake.
For more information, visit Diet and dining.
COVID-19 help for seniors
Translated information
Find translated Covid-19 information in 63 different languages, visit the SBS Coronavirus website pages.
Older persons COVID-19 support line
Some older people are vulnerable to COVID-19 but less connected to the internet and in need of ways to access information for their circumstances. The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line provides information and support.
Free call 1800 171 866 from 8:30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
For more details, view the Older persons COVID-19 support line poster.
Telecross - phone check-in service
Red Cross can provide you with a daily telephone call to check on your wellbeing through a service known as Telecross. This provides peace of mind if you are at risk of an accident or illness that may go unnoticed, such as falling and being unable to call for help. The volunteer will check to see that you are well and provide a friendly voice to wake up to each morning.
For more information and to register for this service visit Telecross
Seniors and Disability Team Service Fees and NDIS Fees Schedule
View Seniors and Disability Service Fees (PDF)
View NDIS Price Guide Fees Schedule (PDF)
Contact us
If you have any questions about subsidies or the services we provide, or would like our assistance to register with My Aged Care, please do not hesitate to contact us directly on 02 8757 9041 or email us at aged.disability@cumberland.nsw.gov.au.
These services are supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH). Visit DoH website, www.health.gov.au, for more information. Although funding for these service have been provided by the Australian government, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Australian government.