Council services

Depending on where you live, your local council can provide a range of supports to help you live more independently and engage with your community.

Some councils are approved providers to deliver the Government funded Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Package (HCP) services. They also run services, activities and events for local senior residents outside of Government funded supports.

Federal and State Governments often delegate critical service delivery, like home care services, to local councils. In many cases, councils are the first point of contact for older members in the community, even more so in rural and regional areas. Councils have a strong connection with their local community and providing basic home care supports is one way they do this.

Services run by local councils can include:

◆ Free community buses or subsidised transport

Many Councils offer free or low-cost taxi trips for seniors and their carers around the community including to local shopping centres.

◆ Men’s sheds

Men’s sheds are places where men, young and old, can work on projects, such as fixing or building furniture, at their own pace in their own time, while enjoying a cup of tea and a chat with other men in the community. They aim to improve the health and wellbeing of men by providing a friendly and inviting space for them to connect with others.

◆ Clubs

Local Senior Citizens and Probus clubs provide a relaxed environment where retirees and older residents can enjoy the company of others and participate in a range of social activities. Similarly, Rotary and Lions Clubs can be a great way of meeting new people and becoming more involved in your community. Contact your local council to find your closest club.

Some Councils provide a weekly, fortnightly or monthly shopping list service for older people, where staff will take your shopping order, purchase the goods for you and deliver the items to your home for a small fee.

◆ Community activities

Councils are a great first point of contact if you are looking to be more involved in your community, meet new people or learn a new skill. Local councils hold an array of activities at community centres, such as fitness groups, bridge clubs, dance groups, computer lessons and art/ craft groups.

◆ Home and mobile library services

Many local libraries in council areas operate a home delivery service or mobile library. They often work with local volunteers to provide a free delivery service to seniors who have difficulty visiting their local library. Items are selected to meet each customer’s individual needs and delivered directly to their door.

Mobile libraries visit residents in their local area. Generally a bus will drive around the council on a roster to be at set locations on specific days allowing residents to borrow library items close to home.

◆ General services

◆ Food services

While many councils provide Meals on Wheels services under Government funded programs, some councils also have their own food or meal services. They may offer weekly Centre Based Meal Programs, aimed to provide isolated elderly residents the opportunity to have a healthy, low-cost meal while interacting with other members of the community. The Council may also provide free transport to and from the program.

Some councils provide services to help make day-to-day living that little bit easier. They may offer assisted household bin services to help residents who are unable to physically move their bins to and from the kerbside.

Some Councils have set up a network of designated, free to use power points for people to safely recharge the battery of their electric mobility device.

Services like the above may differ from council to council, so get in touch with yours to see what services are available to you.