Age Concern Canterbury

Community Health

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.

Education sessions maybe available covering Elder Abuse and Neglect and other age related issues.

Contact: Lynne Gibbons, Beverley Mason or Kerry Howley on 366-0903
Email: lynne@ageconcerncan.org.nz ; kerry@ageconcerncan.org.nz or bev@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 Liz Reese on 366-0903 or email liz@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Social Network Coordinator

Isolation may be prevented by having the confidence to take that initial step to come together with others. This service helps people take that step by supporting them to meet people and share conversation and activities. The co-ordinator stays with the group until such time as they are self sustaining.

Contact Susie Milne on 3660903 or email susie@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Home Support Services

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 provider gets in touch and the work is completed.

The home help services were established in 1976 and include help with housework, meal preparation, shopping, laundry, footcare etc. Hairdressers are also available to visit in the home. 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 Gardening, Tradesmen and Handymen services.

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

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

Tradesmen/Handymen

When things brake down or are in need of repair, Age Concern Canterbury, 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 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
N.B.Age Concern Canterbury coordinates – it does not employ.

Information Centre

Ph: 366-0903 or Toll Free 0800 803344

Age Concern Canterbury provides a database of information about services, organisations and groups specifically for older people, their families and allied professionals. Traditionally access to the database has been through a staff member or a volunteer on Ph3660903. To make this information available to a wider community we recently launched the database on to our website so that it can be accessed by phone or directly under the heading INFO CENTRE.

The search machine works in a similar way to a Google search. Type the key words in as a cue in the space provided, indicate whether you want to search in the titles or titles and descriptions and press search. A list of organisations or groups will come up providing descriptions of service and contact information. N.B. To yield the greatest number of hits, choose titles and descriptions.

Alternatively you can search by location putting in the suburb. For example: ‘in Spreydon’ or ‘in Bishopdale’ to bring up organisations and groups in that area.
You can also explore the option of looking under a Topic list e.g. trips, social contact, housing.

Age Concern is very keen to get feedback from you about the database. Whether you are a user, explorer or a listing on it. There is a contact form on the website or you can email team@ageconcerncan.org.nz .

Every effort is made to keep the material as up-to-date and accurate as possible.

Please contact us if you are engaged in an activity or are involved in a service that meets the needs of older people and can’t find that information on the website. We are constantly expanding and updating material.

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,hospitals 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 year the cost is $10.00.

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 Guardian Print. 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 or email dayl@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

2000 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 $7.00 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 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. Call Gordon Richards Ph3891523

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

Courses Available

1) Confident Driving for Mature Drivers
A refresher course for mature road users.
Statistics show that from 60 onwards there is a steady rise in the incidence of crash involvement. This isn't due to deliberate flouting of the law, but from drivers making wrong decisions.

The course is free and lunch is provided. It is held between 9.30am and 2.30pm in a safe and enjoyable environment, provides work books for future reference, involves no tests or exams and provides an opportunity to share experiences and concerns.

Venues are either based in and around the community or at Age Concern Canterbury.

2) Home and Personal Safety
Age Concern Canterbury, in conjunction with Canterbury Police, NZ Fire Service, Neighbourhood Support and Civil Defence provide factual information and tips about personal safety. The course is designed to build confidence and offer practical ideas. Having attended one of these courses the participants receive a free home safety audit and the installation of a tamper free smoke detector.

The course is free, commences at 9.30am and finishes at 3.00pm. Morning tea and lunch are provided at no cost. Venues are in and around the community or at Age Concern Canterbury.

Ring to make a booking on either course.

Contact: Yvonne Palmer on 3660903 or yvonne@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Clinics

Work and Income Clinic – First floor, 64 Cashel Street. An appointment is essential. There is no charge. Contact Dayl Milne on 366-0903.

Footcare Clinic – We now co-ordinate footcare through our regular home services co-ordinator. Ring 366-0903 for an appointment.

Law Clinic – First floor, Age Concern Canterbury, 64 Cashel St. Held bi-monthly by the Community Law Centre. 30 minute appointment. There is no charge. Bookings on 366-0903.

The Jigsaw Library

A library of several hundred modern jigsaws of varying sizes and degrees of difficulty is housed at Age Concern Canterbury on the First Floor and is run by volunteers. The puzzles may be borrowed for a small fee of .30 cents per jigsaw and an unlimited time of borrowing.

Contact Upstairs Receptionist on 366-0903.

Alternative Meal providers, a list of entertainers and a list of speakers are available on the attachment list below.