One Direct Connect, trading as Meals on Wheels Central Coast, has established a phone support service, which clients can call to discuss an array of issues, in a move designed to enable older people to live independent and self-determined lives.
The Meals on Wheels Central Coast Community Support Service is free and will be accessible to all clients from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
“The past year or so has seen an increase in the need for support for the older members of our community, and we have put this program together so we can further assist our clients,” Meals on Wheels Central Coast CEO, Dennis Taylor, said.
“All clients will have the opportunity to call and be linked with a service that provides experience in the area required.
“This could include things such as social support, mental health, advocacy, elder abuse, and rights and responsibilities in the aged care sector.
“Whilst our volunteers already perform wellness checks at each meal delivery, we are now also able to offer further support with this specialised directional referral service.
“A friendly voice on the end of the phone can sometimes make all the difference, and we are pleased to be able to offer high quality support and care to enable people to exercise choice and control.”
The service will be manned by a trained officer talking to clients and referring them to the appropriate resource.
It is the latest in a string of services offered by the organisation, including meal delivery (delivering more than 16,000 meals coast-wide each month), social support, welfare checks, and community restaurants.
The Community Support Service is available to all clients of Meals on Wheels Central Coast and One Direct Connect Ltd (NDIS and Home Care Package).
To access the Telephone Support Service, clients can contact 4357 8400.
Source:
Media release, May 5
Meals on Wheels