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Older people living alone

More than 40 per cent of people in the City of Sydney were living alone. according to the 2006 Census.

Many of these residents live healthy, active lives, in touch with their neighbours and communities. But some may be at risk of becoming cut off from society because of advanced age, disability, ill-health, or fears for their own safety.

People who are socially isolated can easily become invisible to the rest of the community. This can affect their health and wellbeing. They may have an accident or fall at home and have no way of alerting anyone that they need help.

With our busy lives, we often don’t have time to check on or care for neighbours or relatives who live alone. If you are concerned about someone living alone there are a number of services which you can suggest to them.

Telephone Monitoring Services

Australian Red Cross

Telecross service
Tel: 02 9229 4222

Australian Red Cross volunteers provide free daily telephone calls to check on the wellbeing of older people who are at risk of an accident or illness. This service is available to people who are housebound, medically dependent or living alone. If the phone call is not answered, Red Cross starts an emergency procedure and arranges help if it is needed. If the cost of installing or reconnecting a telephone line is too high, Telecross can tell you how to get free or low-cost telephone access from various providers.

NSW Housing Tenant Connect service
Tel: 1800 827 677

Like Telecross, operated by the Australian Red Cross and available to NSW public, community and Aboriginal housing tenants who live alone and are aged 70 or more, to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander tenants aged 45 or more, and who are not in daily contact with someone.

Personal emergency alarm systems

These provide a way to instantly ask for help, even if you can't reach the phone.

Information about 24 hour personal alarm and emergency call systems is available here or contact:

Independent Living Centre
Tel: 02 9890 0940 or 1300 885 886

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Telephone discounts & allowances

Information about allowances and reduced rates for maintaining a home telephone line and service can also be obtained from:

Centrelink

Information about the Australian Government Telephone Allowance is available here or contact:

Centrelink
Tel:13 23 00

Telstra

For people on low incomes or experiencing financial hardship, information about Telstra’s HomeLine Budget, and InContact services is available here or contact Telstra and ask for “payment options”.

Telstra
Tel:13 22 00

If you have money problems and can’t pay your Telstra or other bills, you should go to a community agency for advice and help.

After assessment you may be given Telstra Bill Assistance Certificates to help you pay your account. Some of these agencies can also offer Telstra Phonecard™ and PhoneAway® cards to help you stay in touch with relatives in an emergency if you do not have a phone.

Participating Community Agencies include The Salvation Army, The Smith Family, Anglicare and St Vincent de Paul Society and others.

Home Support Services

Home and Community Care (HACC) Services

Provide low cost or free in-home care services to the frail aged, people with a disability and carers. Services include Meals on Wheels, Community Transport, Social Support, Home Help and Community Nursing. See below to download a copy of the Eastern Sydney HACC Services booklet 2011.

NSW Police ‘Next of Kin’ Register

The NSW Police Next of Kin Register is a free service for older people who live alone to record their personal details at the local police station. The register holds information about Next of Kin, doctors and dentists and any medical alerts. In an emergency, this information will help ambulance officers and police contact a relative or other named person.

The Crime Prevention Officer at your local Police Station can tell you about the Next of Kin Program. A copy of the Next of Kin registration form is available for download.

Kings Cross Police also produce a ‘City of Sydney Seniors Personal Information Kit’, specific to their Local Command, which provides helpful information, important telephone numbers and a Contact Information Sheet for recording important personal details. Kings Cross Police will keep a record of this information on their data base, and laminate and attach a magnet to this Information sheet for residents, free of charge, so that they can keep it at home on their fridge for reference by Police or others in the event of an emergency.

Locations of local Police stations and telephone numbers are available for download.

To obtain the Community Safety Contacts on a handy fridge magnet contact your local Neighbourhood Service Centre or One Stop Shop or telephone 02 9265 9333.

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Squalor and Hoarding

There are many reasons why some people neglect their personal health and immediate surroundings, to a point where their behaviour and living conditions can present a risk to themselves or others. This may include severe self-neglect, accumulation of rubbish, hoarding, and a home infestated by vermin.

For information about squalor and hoarding and a step by step guide visit Squalor and Hoarding Toolkit or contact:

Catholic Community Services
Tel: 1800 225 474

Multicultural Community Services

There are several local community agencies who can help isolated people whose first language isn’t English.

The Multicultural Services Directory is available in 10 community languages.

You can download the English version of our Multicultural Community Services booklet here for more information.

Downloads

More Information

If you would like more information about the services listed on this page, or would like to make an enquiry on behalf of a family member, neighbour or friend, contact:

Information Officer
Tel: 02 9265 9489
Email: over55@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

 

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Last Updated: Monday 29 August, 2011

Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.