Seniors

We have all heard about Australia's ageing population. It is good news! As a community, we are healthier and more active than any generation that has gone before us so we are living longer. 

Currently in NSW about 13 per cent of the population is over 65. The Australian Bureau of Statistics predicts that this will increase to almost 27 per cent by 2051. 

The City of Canada Bay has developed a Positive Ageing Strategy after a comprehensive consultation period. This consultation involved service providers and recipients, carers, community groups and residents. 

It is recognised that the consequences of the demographic change will be far reaching. Councils need to plan and advocate for different needs in areas such as housing, service provision and transport. Council's role is to protect public health by planning for a safe and healthy urban environment. This includes:

• A role as regulator for health protection
• Providing health promotion and prevention programs through community education focusing on key health issues
• Providing an environment that facilitates physical activity ensuring access to affordable, healthy food
• Providing good mobility and preventing injury in public places through urban planning. 

Council will now be working to meet the objectives of the Positive Ageing Strategy.

Seniors Directory 2024

Read our Seniors Directory 2024 for information about Council services, local clubs, community centres and local recreational activities.

You'll also find details of service providers to assist you at home, with legal and advocacy needs, computer and financial support, information about dementia, transport and volunteering opportunities.

Download a copy of the Directory or read it below.

Quick links to key services and programs:

• Access the range of services for seniors including book clubs and home library services using the links to the Concord and Five Dock Libraries.
• The Drummoyne Community Centre Inc Website showcases a range of programs and services for older residents.
• My Aged Care Services offers help at home and to support you living independently in the community if you are over 65 years of age using the My Age Care portal.
• Apply for the Aged Pension and access information webinars through Services Australia.
• The NSW Government provides seniors cards, deals and discounts as well as  range of benefits and you can access their concessions, rebates and assistance.
• Find information about being a carer and their services and programs you can use the  Carer Gateway portal to find out more.
• This Scamwatch  website has information about how to be safe and savvy and avoid scams
• Live up way is another way to find resources, product suggestions and exercise suggestions and activities using the Live Up Link.

Drummoyne Community Centre is a non-profit, non-government organisation that serves the City of Canada Bay. It acts as a focal point for the whole community to enhance their quality of life. It is an evolving, dynamic organisation that aims to nurture, develop, extend and respond to local needs and issues in a beneficial and enabling way. 

Programs are conducted at the Cometrowe Street facility in Drummoyne and at various other sites within the City of Canada Bay. Many programs are open to all members of the community, however, some focus on people with particular needs e.g. children, parents or older residents. 

Tea and Chat program

Topic: SCAMs presented by Services Australia and the ACCC

When: 30 May 2024

Where: 10 Cometrowe Street, Drummoyne (off Lyons Road)

Time: 11am to 12.30pm

Bookings essential using the phone and email contact details below.

Contact details:
Phone:  9719 8102
Fax:  9819 6116
Email: info@dcc.org.au
Website: Drummoyne Community Centre

The BayRider operates on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It is a bus shuttle service for those experiencing transport difficulties. 

The BayRider is able to collect passengers from their home and take them to places such as: 

• Five Dock and Concord libraries
• Concord Hospital
• Five Dock and Concord shopping centres
• Rhodes shopping centre for the movies or shopping
• A nursing home to visit a spouse or a friend
• Five Dock Leisure Centre
• Burwood medical appointments (Wednesdays only). 

Please check with us about other possible locations that we may be able to assist with. 

Bookings

Bookings are essential and must be made on the Tuesday of the week of travel between 9am and 12pm. A gold coin donation is requested for each trip. 

The BayRider is an innovative project run jointly by the Drummoyne Community Centre and the City of Canada Bay. To make a booking, or for more information please contact the Drummoyne Community Centre on 9719 8102.

The City of Canada Bay provides full-day bus outings to exciting locations around the Sydney metropolitan area and beyond. Active Adults bus trips are designed for people who: 

• Live in the City of Canada Bay local government area and are over 55 years of age.
• Are active and able to walk moderate distances.
• Do not require assistance getting on and off the bus.
• Can provide their transport to the bus pick-up locations. 

Trips operate on Mondays and Thursdays. Get in touch to know more about the dates and destinations.

Participants in programs are subject to eligibility criteria and the availability of places on scheduled trips.

The first step to join this service is to complete the "Application form" and "Trip Preference form" and send them to us.

The forms are available for download below; please send them both.

Active Adults Application Form

Active Adults Program 2 - 2024 (with all destinations)

Active Adults Trip Preference Form - June to December 2024 

* The Active Adults Program 2 (July to December 2024) has been mailed to the participants who are already part of the program. If you haven't received it, please get in touch with us. 

For more information, please contact us on via phone or email:

• 9911 6587 to speak to Lorna Jarvis, Bus Coordinator (please leave a voice message if she is unavailable).
• 9911 6595 to speak to the Community Development Support Officer (please leave a voice message if they are unavailable).
• 9911 6555 to speak to Council's Customer Service Team, who can direct you to an available staff member.

If you prefer, you can send an email to ccbcbustrips@canadabay.nsw.gov.au.

The City of Canada Bay runs Bay Connection bus outings for seniors who want to get out and about exploring the Sydney metropolitan area. Bay Connection bus trips are designed for people who:

• Live in the City of Canada Bay local government area and are over 55 years of age.
• Are active but prefer to walk short distances.
• Do require assistance getting on and off the bus (we provide light support to the participants during the Bay Connection outgoings).
• We pick you up from your residence. 

The trips operate on Tuesdays and Fridays. Get in touch to know more about the dates and destinations.

Participants must meet eligibility criteria. Light support is provided to all participants during the outings but we don't have the capacity to provide 1:1 support for the participants. Please note, the service is not available to nursing home residents.

The first step to join this service is to complete and send us your application form. 

Application form available for download below:

• Bay Connection Application Form.

For more information, please contact us on via phone or email:

• 9911 6587 to speak to Lorna Jarvis, Bus Coordinator (please leave a voice message if she is unavailable).
• 9911 6595 to speak to the Community Development Support Officer (please leave a voice message if they are unavailable).
• 9911 6555 to speak to Council's Customer Service Team, who can direct you to an available staff member.

If you prefer, you can send an email to ccbcbustrips@canadabay.nsw.gov.au. 

Check out the destinations of the Bay Connection from April to July (in alphabetical order)

• Chinese Buddhist Temple & Cabra Vale Diggers                           
• Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Tradies Gymea
• Metro Northwest & The Fiddler
• Museum of Contemporary Art & Ryde-Eastwood Club (Friday's group only)
• Pie in the Sky, Mount White & Brooklyn 
• West Head Scenic Drive & North Ryde RSL 
• Western Sydney Airport Experience Centre & Warragamba Workers (Tuesday's group only)

Concord Senior Citizens Centre

Concord Senior Citizens Centre caters for a wide range of people. The centre has a warm and friendly environment and runs a regular program of activities. The Concord Senior Citizens Club is the principal tenant within the Concord Senior Citizens Centre and their administration office for their club is based at the centre. The City of Canada Bay Museum is located at the base of the building providing local historical information. The centre is accessible for those with disabilities and provides amenities for their use. Disabled parking is also available. 

Location

Corner of Bent and Wellbank Streets, Concord NSW

Hire of the centre

Concord Senior Citizens Centre is also available to hire for events or regular groups. For more information on function rooms, capacities, hire application procedures and forms refer to Concord Senior Citizens Centre facility page.

For more information or to make a booking at the centre contact Council on 9911 6555 or email council@canadabay.nsw.gov.au.

Concord Senior Citizens Club

Concord Senior Citizens Club runs from the Concord Senior Citizens Centre. The club offers a number of activities including: 

• Handicrafts group making rugs, toys and beanies for children’s hospital and other worthy groups
• Quilting groups
• Ballet and tap dancing for seniors 
• Table tennis 
• Gentle aerobics and/or toning and conditioning with an accredited trainer
• Art groups 
• Yoga with an accredited trainer

Contact the Concord Senior Citizens Club for more information and to make bookings on 0401887192 or email barryjford@yahoo.com.au. An activity sheet with days and times are also available in the holder on the inside of the front door.

Other groups

A number of other groups regularly hire the centre. These include:

• Choirs
• Gardening groups
• Italian bingo group
• Men's exercise group
• Craft groups. 

For further information about these groups, or to book the centre for your own community group, please call Council on 9911 6555. 

Drummoyne Municipality Senior Citizens Club

Address: 422 Lyons Road, Five Dock NSW
Phone: 0414 512 361

The club hosts Thursday luncheons and regular monthly outings.

For all enquiries regarding the Drummoyne Senior Citizens Club, please call 0414 512 361.

Below are some accessible transport services available to the City of Canada Bay and Inner West community:

Access Sydney: is a community-based organisation dedicated to providing transport options for people who are transport disadvantaged.

BayRider: a City of Canada Bay & Drummoyne Community Centre bus shuttle service for those experiencing transport difficulties. Call 9911 6555 for more information.

Sir Roden and Lady Cutler Foundation: established to help people of all ages, physically handicapped, disadvantaged and struggling financially to be mobile and to assist with transport to and from the hospital and other medical appointments. Also, provision of mobility scooters and other transport related products/subsidies. 

Volunteers At St Ambrose (VASA) maintain contact with the elderly in our community by organising monthly morning tea gatherings, assisting with shopping on a fortnightly basis using the Council's community bus, and providing transport where needed for local appointments. Call 97363686 or 87651295 for more information.

Inner West Meals on Wheels, Concord 

A service that provides home delivered meals to the frail and aged members of the community.

For further information about the Inner West Meals on Wheels please call 9747 1135 Monday-Friday from 9am–2pm or email on delivery@bcw.org.au 

Let’s Talk Support and Mediation service run by Relationships Australia assists older people and their families resolve or prevent interpersonal differences and disagreements.

The service is designed for individuals and their families to address age-related issues and to support them to have mediated conversations about important things affecting them.

Visit their website for more information or call them on 1300 364 277.

National Seniors Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that gives older Australians – working and retired – a strong national voice.

Visit their website for more information or call them on 1300 76 50 50.

Hospital equipment is loaned on a short-term basis to enable patients who live within the Concord hospital catchment area to be as independent as possible. A partial refundable deposit will be levied. No deposit is required for pensioners, those receiving DVA allowances and palliative patients. All equipment under $50.00 will be sold rather than loaned.

Please note that a referral from a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist is needed to access the Lending Pool.

For more information, call (02) 9767 7919

Older Australians are often the target of online, door-to-door and home maintenance scams.

Scams - Learn how to protect yourself from scams by visiting Scamwatch. The ACCC suggests three simple steps to protect yourself. 

Stop – take your time before giving money or personal information. 
Think – ask yourself if the message or call could be fake. 
Protect – act quickly if something feels wrong. Contact your bank and report scams to Scamwatch. 

The esafety Commissioner website has online safety information in a variety of languages.

The ACCC publishes a resource called the Little Black Book of scams, available in a variety of languages. You can download or read a copy on the ACCC website.

Services Australia have useful information about active scams. Visit the Services Australia website.

Key phone numbers:

Scams and identity theft helpdesk: 1800 941 126

Police assistance line ( non emergency): 131 444

Keeping Healthy and Safe as We Age

A Flip Chart with key phone numbers was developed by the Inner West Region Working Party for the prevention of abuse. A print version is available by contacting Mary Ciantar, Community Development Officer at Council on Phone: 9911 0039.

Elder Abuse  

Council is part of the Inner West Region collaborative where organisations have joined forces to develop resources, inform and promote information about the abuse of older people and where to seek advice. 

If you want more information about  what elder abuse is you can look at the resources on the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission website: 

• For the community 
• For professionals 

Compass provide information and resources to improve understanding, prevention and responses to elder abuse. If you feel that you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, the Compass website can assist in identifying what to do and where to go for support. Click here for more information.  

Each year June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This day, and every day, we remind ourselves that older people are valued members of our community.

The NSW Ageing and Disability Commission (ADC) have developed a short video. Watch the video here: 

• Elder abuse: Let's talk about ageism – Full video 

• Elder abuse: Let's talk about ageism – Short video 

For support you can call the Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221 

To discuss legal matters or to seek help you can also contact the Seniors Rights Service or call 1800 424 079. 

Dementia impacts close to half a million Australians and almost 1.6 million Australians are involved in their care. The number of people living with dementia is set to double in the next 25 years.  

Only a medical professional can diagnose dementia. Dementia is a general term to describe problems with progressive changes in memory, thinking and behaviour. It remains the number one cause of disability in Australians aged over 65 years and the second biggest cause of death overall. People living with dementia can live active and fulfilling lives many years after diagnosis but the quality of life can be impacted by the physical effects of the disease and the way society responds. 

Understanding dementia and its causes, consequences and care options can help promote appropriate support to enhance quality of life. 

• Dementia Australia has on line educational resources for people living with dementia, family friends and carers .  

• In 2023 Dementia Australia launched a series of videos about Dementia including personal experiences, diagnosis and support. To view the campaign review this link on the Dementia Australia Website .

Where to get help:

Baptist Care Dementia Advisor 

Helps you access professional services and support with the challenges and changes that a dementia diagnosis might bring.  

Phone: 1300 275 227 

Email: ask@baptistcare.org.au 

National Dementia Helpline  

A free telephone service that operates 24 hours a day, every day. They provide information, advice and guide you to support and further help. 

Phone: 1800 100 500 

Social groups 

Uniting Dementia Café (Decafé)  

An informal get together for people with dementia and their carers in a café on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 10:30am-12pm. 

Phone: 1800 486 484 

Email: ask@uniting.org 

The Living Well with Dementia program  
Inner West Neighbour Aid runs this program on the first and third Thursday of the month at the 5 Senses Garden in Concord. The program brings together people living with dementia and their carers. 

Phone: 9799 5099 

Email: emel@iwna.com.au  

Sydney Local Health District 

To make a referral to an Aged Care Medical Specialist. Call 8am–8pm, Monday through Sunday. 

Phone: 1300 722 276 

Dementia Support Carers Group  

Runs on the morning of the last Wednesday of each month. 

Phone: 9562 5495 

Email: SLHD-DementiaSupport@health.nsw.gov.au  

Male dementia carers group (Men’s Group)   

First Friday of the month in Concord. 

Phone: 9767 5953  

Email: anne.tunks@health.nsw.gov.au  

If you are a carer you can obtain information via the Carer Gateway. Find out what support you are eligible for as a Carer. 

Ph: 1800 422 737

Aged Care and Disability Gateway points  

My Aged Care 

A government portal to access care to assist people over 65 to find services to live at home and in the community independently. To access services an assessment is required – call the number below to enquire. The types of services are listed below and more information about services are listed on the website: 

• Domestic help such as cleaning 

• Allied health such as nursing, podiatry, physiotherapy and more 

• Garden care and home maintenance and modifications 

• Meals and food preparation  

• Equipment aids 

• Personal care 

• Social support 

• Respite services and more 

• Transport. 

Phone: 1800 200 422 

Website: myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider 

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) 

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability under 65 years of age to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life by connecting them with services, groups, clubs, allied health, and provision of information. 

Phone: 1800 800 110  

Website: ndis.gov.au  

Sydney Local Health District Aged Health and Rehabilitation Services 

Enquire about Aged Health Services, such as acute care, Hospital in the Home, community nursing services, medical clinics and outpatient therapy services. 

Phone:1300 722 276 (8am–8pm) 

Email: SLHD-ACTCallCentre@health.nsw.gov.au 

Website: health.nsw.gov.au  

Ageing and Disability Commission  

The NSW Ageing and Disability Commission has been established to better protect older people and adults with disability from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 
Phone: 1800 628 221 
Website: ageingdisabilitycommission.nsw.gov.au 

Care Finder Services  

Support for vulnerable older people to access Australia’s aged care system when they don’t have anyone to help them navigate the system. Some services specialise in people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  

Phone: 1800 346 337  

Website: bit.ly/carefinderinfo  

Carer Gateway 

Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers. 

Phone: 1800 422 737 

Community Circles

This organisation helps provide a support network for vulnerable people in the community. Circles bring together family, friends and volunteers in an organised way to help a person live a better, more connected life. They can be for anyone who needs a bit of extra help and connection including carers, older people, young people, people living with disability or mental health challenges, and even whole families. They are created with the support of a Facilitator and the Community Circles App, which records what’s important to the person, what role everyone plays, what’s coming up and how things are going. Roles played by Circle Members vary and can be anything from helping with the shopping, cooking a meal, dropping in for a friendly chat, or even taking the person out for some fun! 

Website: communitycirclesaustralia.com.au

Telecross – Australian Red Cross  
Volunteers make a morning phone call to elderly people living alone in their own home. 
Phone: 1800 733 276  

Website:  redcross.org.au/services/telecross  

Veterans Home Care  
Low-level home care services for eligible veterans, war widows and widowers. 
Phone: 1300 550 450 
Website: dva.gov.au  

NSW Health 

Provides information and links to public health services and access to health professionals such as community nurses, dentists, dieticians, doctors, occupational therapists, optometrists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, and psychologists. 
Phone: 9391 9000 

Website: health.nsw.gov.au  

Staying active and on your feet 

Information to help keep you active, healthy and on your feet, plus how to make your home environment safe, what to do if you have a fall, and lifestyle checklists to help you reduce your risk.  

Website: activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au/assets/pdf/stayactive_Website_final.pdf 

Stepping On program 

Stepping On is a free 7-week fall prevention program for adults aged 65 years and over and Aboriginal adults aged 45 years and over. 

Phone: 9515 9055 

Email: SLHD-Heal@health.nsw.gov.au 

Register: halo.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au/stepping-on 

Website: activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au/home/stepping-on 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Seniors Festival 2024! We'll update this page when the festival program is ready for 2025.

In the meantime, visit our What's On page here to check what other regular events are happening for our senior residents in the City of Canada Bay. For other enquiries contact Mary on 9121 0039 or email mary.ciantar@canadabay.nsw.gov.au.

For more information about the NSW Seniors Festival, visit the website.