Age Concern Canterbury

Community Health

When things ‘go wrong’ the Community Health Officer is the person to contact. A troubled older person, a neighbour or a friend, may call about health, abuse, neglect, loneliness or social problems. One of two registered nurses, may visit the person involved and help them decide how the problem can be resolved. The team works closely with other organisations which also provide support.

Contact Lynne Gibbons or Kerry Howley on 366-0903
Email: lynne@ageconcerncan.org.nz or kerry@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Accredited Visiting Service

The Accredited Visiting Service provides companionship and support for older people who may be lonely or isolated. Volunteers also gain valuable friendships and community involvement.

The Visitors Scheme has been running for over 20 years and provides those older people in need in the community with a regular visitor.

A free orientation training session for volunteer visitors is run by Age Concern Canterbury over a morning or evening and regular contact is maintained via support group meetings.

There is a need for more people to be visitors and the time commitment need only be an hour or two a week.

Contact Nicola Hughes on 366-0903 or email nicola@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Information Centre

Ph: 366-6200 or Toll Free 0800 803344

Using the computerised database the information centre provides a single point of contact, and volunteers will direct callers to the precise agency or person on staff that can best help them. This service is free to the wider community, including health professionals and carers, as well as older people themselves.

A toll free line makes the information freely and easily accessible to the rural community, and the database is being constantly expanded as organisations provide relevant information.

Important strengths of the information line are the abilities of volunteers to refer callers, where appropriate, to community health workers, service co-ordinators or information co-ordinator on the staff to directly meet their needs.

Contact: Dayl Milne on 366-0903 or email dayl@ageconcerncan.org.nz or team@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Talks

Staff are available to give talks to groups. Subjects may include services available from Age Concern Canterbury and other agencies. Also available are subjects pertaining to older people and carers. Donations, petrol vouchers, or parking coupons are welcomed to meet transport costs.

Keeping On

Sponsored by advertisers to enable free distribution, Age Concern Canterbury’s quarterly magazine has a circulation of over 12,500 copies. The aim of the paper is to keep the needs of older people before the public and to maintain a bureau of information and advice for the assistance of older people. Papers are distributed through Senior Citizens Clubs, libraries, doctors’ waiting rooms and similar contact points for older people. Papers are available from Age Concern Canterbury at 64 Cashel Street and many members subscribe to the publication. To subscribe to the 4 copies per annum the cost is $5.00 per year.

Copies reach other cities and towns, both in New Zealand and overseas, by gift from local readers. Keeping On is very highly regarded by its readers for news and articles of interest to older people.

Keeping On is published entirely by Age Concern Canterbury and printed by the Christchurch Star. Anna-Marie Hunter is the advertising representative. Ph 3660903 email: anna-marie@ageconcerncan.org.nz

The paper is issued quarterly in February, May, August and November.

Contact: Dayl Milne - Editor on 366-0903.

Home Support Services

Age Concern Canterbury coordinates – it does not employ. Charges for home help services are kept as low as possible and payment is directly between client and provider. All people who offer their services are interviewed and referee and police checked. When a request is received from a client the client and provider are put in touch with each other.

The home help services were established in 1976 and include help with housework, meal preparation, shopping, laundry etc or as carers including overnight stays if necessary. Home help services are one of Age Concern Canterbury’s most positive contributions to the objective of keeping older people independent and in their own homes as long as possible. This service works in very closely with the Tradesmen and Handymen services. Hairdressers are also available to visit in the home.

Spring Cleaning by quote
General Housework $17.00 per hour
Day and Night Sitting $17.00 per hour
General Gardening $18.00 per hour
Lawnmowing with gardener's mower $20.00 per hour

Sleepover (up to 12 hours) $60.00 per night

Contact: Sharyn Anderson on 366-0903 or sharyn@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Tradesmen/Handymen

Age Concern Canterbury, at the clients request, arranges for a tradesman or handyman to contact the client. Where tradesmen are required, for example electricians or plumbers, we contact a qualified tradesmen who will give a professional service and supply a free written quote on request. Handymen are able to supply a wide range of skills at a reasonable charge.

Handymen $18.00 per hour, or by quote

Contact: Gary Fairbairn on 366-0903 or gary@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Public Relations Marketing and Funding

Marketing lets more people know about our services.

Public Relations raises awareness among the community of the outcomes we achieve.

Fundraising provides avenues and reminders for people to provide funds.

Contact Frank Morgan on 366-0903 or frank@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Minibus Service

4000 people each year have an outing in one of our two minibuses with volunteer drivers. For people no longer able to drive, the break in their routine and the chance to have a drive or visit to some attraction, and afternoon tea provided by a volunteer host/ess in a private home or hall, is valuable social contact.

There is a suggested minimum donation of $5.00 to support Age Concern Canterbury’s service.

This service is complemented by the Social Outings Committee. This group regularly organises outings in private cars for the very frail older people for whom even a minibus outing is too difficult. These volunteer services break down social isolation and are much appreciated by their clients.

Contact: Ahi Allen on 366-0903 or ahi@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Clinics