Seniors and Disability Services

International Day of People with Disability

For International Day of People with Disability 2022, Strathfield Council has partnered with Strathfield Superbowl to provide free bowling games for students in learning support units across Chalmers Road School, Strathfield South High School and Homebush Boys High School. For more information about this day, please visit International Day of People with Disability (idpwd.com.au)

 

Accessing Aged Care Services

If you are seeking assistance at home with housework, personal care, gardening, lawn mowing or home maintenance and modifications, community transport, meals on wheels, or aged care or dementia day care centres, these services are now accessible by contacting My Aged Care or via phone on 1800 200 422.

My Aged Care is a national online and phone service to help you find out about aged care services, and what services may be available to help you.

 

How to Make a Referral

To help make it easier for people to work out what services they might be able to access, an ‘intake’ system has been created by NSW Health.  This intake system means the person requiring care (or their carer) rings a central number and speaks to a single person who takes down all their details, discusses the full range of possible requirements and then refers the person to the services most appropriate to meet their needs.  This saves the caller having to make multiple calls to the same organisation, often repeating the same information over and over again.

Visit the website here. 

 

Community Care Register

Council in conjunction with Police and Volunteers in Policing from Flemington Local Area Command maintains a Community Care Register. The Community Care Register is a confidential register of elderly people living on their own in our area. On a fortnightly basis a Volunteer in Policing will contact the elderly person to check on their welfare.

For further information on the Community Care Register please telephone 9646 8691 to speak to one of Flemington Local Area Command’s Volunteers in Policing.

 

Companion Card

The Companion Card allows people with a significant and permanent disability, who require attendant care for the rest of their lives, to participate in community activities and events without discrimination.

Strathfield Council is a companion card affiliate, and will issue a second entry ticket at no charge to Companion Card holders at paid events and programs.

For more information or to apply for a companion card, visit the website or contact them directly on 1800 893 044 or companioncard@nds.org.au

 

Home Library Service

Council provides a Home Library Service to residents who are unable to visit the Library due to disability or lack of mobility.

Library staff deliver pre-selected materials on a monthly basis to the home or nursing home of the resident. To find out if you are eligible or for further information please contact Strathfield Library and Information Centre on 8762 0222.

Strathfield West Senior Citizens Club Inc

Strathfield West Senior Citizens Association (for people aged 50 years+) meets at the Strathfield Community Centre. Activities include bridge, indoor bowls, Tai Chi, folk art, crafts and outings.  Membership is $20 per annum and $25 for couples (i.e. husband and wife). A Birthday Party and Christmas Party is held annually.

Fees: $2.00 per day includes admission and morning tea
Location: Strathfield Community Centre, 1B Bates Street Homebush
Date and time: dates vary, please call, 9am-12pm
Disability access: The centre has disabled access (ramp, disabled toilets, disabled parking).
Contact: For more information contact Marlene on 9764 1037.

 

Strathfield School for Seniors

The Strathfield School for Seniors is a community of people aged 50+ who come together to socialise and learn new skills in a relaxed, safe and supportive environment. They meet every Friday of the School Term and everyone is welcome on a weekly or casual basis. Classes include Arts and Crafts, Computers, Current Affairs, Bridge and Scrabble.

Fees: General Classes: $10.00 per term; Computer Classes: $20.00 per term; Casual Classes: $1 per week; Visitors: Free
Location: Uniting Church Hall, 11 Carrington Ave, Strathfield (next door to Santa Sabina Junior School)
Date and time: 9:00am – 12:30pm on Fridays during the Public School Term
Disability access: The centre has disabled access (ramp, disabled toilets, disabled parking).
Contact:
Website: www.strathfieldseniors.org.au
Email: info@strathfieldseniors.org.au
Or call Ross, President on 0417 496 660

 

Strathfield Croquet Club

Croquet can help you get fitter and healthier, and it’s a great outdoor social activity for seniors.

The club is located at 50 Redmyre Road, Strathfield. New members and visitors welcome, for information contact Ruth on 9736 3410.

 

Disability Services

Mobility Map

A mobility map is an invaluable tool to assist those with mobility challenges to orient themselves to a particular environment and to identify the safest route of travel for themselves. It assists those with mobility challenges in being able to maintain their independence by enabling them to plan their movement in the mapped area and also assists in avoiding any known hazards.

Should you, as a user, encounter any inaccuracies or problems using the map which may be viewed below, Council would encourage you to report your experience so that we can continually improve the information we provide.

If you have any feedback please contact Strathfield Council Human Services on 9748 9999 or email council@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Strathfield Council has adopted its Disability Inclusion Action plan 2020 – 2024.

The strategies and actions to be implemented identify Council’s commitment to access and inclusion in consultation with the community.

This plan was formerly known as a Community Access Plan.

Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2020-2024(PDF, 2MB)

National Disability Helpline

The Disability Information Helpline is available for people with a disability who need help because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Helpline can help families, carers, support workers and services, too. The Helpline is free, private and fact-checked.

People can contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 to talk about their concerns in relation to COVID-19. For example, people can call the Helpline if their support worker has not turned up or their provider has stopped services; or if it’s hard to get essential items like food or medications.

The Helpline can provide information, and refer people to advocacy, counselling and other supports.

The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm (AEST). It’s not available on national public holidays.

Click here for More information.

Are you seeking disability support services?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a federal government program that has been implemented since 2013. The NDIS is similar to Medicare in that the costs for disability care are shared amongst the community. The NDIS  provides eligible people with funding based on their personal needs, goals and aspirations. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay.

If you are seeking support to meet your disability needs from the NDIS you will need to confirm that you:

  • Have a permanent disability
  • Your disability substantially affects you to participate effectively in activities without assistance from others or technology
  • You are likely to require lifelong support under the NDIS

To determine if you are eligible to access the NDIS to support your disability requirements you:

  • Will be under the age of 65 years
  • Are an Australian citizen or resident or permanent visa holder
  • Usually need support from a person because of permanent and significant disability
  • Use special equipment because of permanent and significant disability
  • Need some supports now to reduce your future needs

NDIS Website

Visit the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) website by clicking here.

Accessing the NDIS

Anyone who thinks they might be eligible for the NDIS funding for disability support, can download an Access Request Form (ARF), and a Supporting Evidence Form (SEF), work with their GP, allied health, and specialist medical professionals to prepare and provide the information required.

Anyone who thinks they are eligible for the NDIS can:

  • phone 1800 800 110 and make a verbal access request, or
  • download and complete the ARF on your computer and email it to the NDIA with supporting information, or
  • download the ARF on your computer, print it out, and mail it to the NDIA with supporting information, or
  • email NAT@ndis.gov.au and ask for an ARF to be mailed, or
  • contact your local NDIA office and ask for an ARF to be mailed to you.

Accessing disability support services for people who are ineligible for NDIS

If you are not eligible for the NDIS, you will still be able to connect with existing Commonwealth and state government disability services for your support needs.

The Australian Government Department of Social Services works with other government and non-government organisations to manage a diverse range of programs and services that support and improve the wellbeing of individuals and families in Australian communities.

For disability services in NSW please refer to https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/inclusion/disability

People with disability aged 65 years and over can receive support through the age care system. Find out more on the My Aged Care website or phone 1800 200 422.

 

Useful Links

Carers

A Carer is a partner (spouse), family member, friend, or neighbour, who provides care and assistance to another person. Care is most often regular and sustained over time without payment other than a Carer Payment or Carer Allowance from Centrelink – this is not considered a wage. Carers provide support to people:

  • who are aged/frail
  • withdisabilities
  • with mental illness
  • with dementia
  • with a terminal illness
  • living with HIV/AIDS
  • with alcoholor other drug dependency

Please see the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) webpage for further details and information on carers via SLHD – Carers Program – Home (nsw.gov.au)

  • CHAT Registry:

The CHAT registry is Sydney Local Health District’s main communication with carers so we encourage all carers to join.  This will ensure you are kept up to date with all new SLHD carer initiatives and general carer information. Carers can join CHAT either by contacting SLHD directly or via our webpage(https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/carersChat/registration.html).

  • CHAT Live:

Chat Live Sessions – Bi-monthly on Thursday, 11:00-11:30am.
Connect with carers just like you. During each 30 minute session, carers can connect and talk about carer support and issues. District staff and community services will join in to provide guidance on topics:

  • Support for you in your role as carer
  • How to stay healthy while caring for someone
  • Activities to help you feel connected to other carers, your community and local health district.

No bookings required. Join our free, online CHAT Live sessions for carers on Zoom slhd.zoom.us/j/62298732110. For more information or technical support call 02 9767 5876 or email SLHD-Carersprogram@health.nsw.gov.au

 

Digital Learning

Prefer to learn face-to-face but finding it difficult during the pandemic? Then an online presentation
could be a great way to learn for you. It’s a lecture you can stream online in real time – and ask
questions as you go.

The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) offers free online presentations for older Australians to help
you stay safer online and make the most of the web. They cover everything from how to set up your
myGov account, online banking and making video calls.

You can visit the Be Connected website for more information.