MORE Australian seniors can get help from the Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line, with the service expanding to reach out to non-English speaking residents.
The government-funded hotline has been given an extra $2.5m to support culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and has been given an extension to run until the end of June 2021.
The service is a joint initiative of COTA Australia, Dementia Australia, National Seniors Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network.
It has now been expanded to include support from the Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) Alliance.
The helpline gives senior Australians, their carers and familIes access to information about the COVID-19 pandemic and provides targeted support for vulnerable senior Australians who are at greater risk of isolation, carer stress and elder abuse.
The extension of the service will now include outbound calls to carers of people living with dementia, as well as more specific community supports for CALD seniors.
Federal aged care minister Richard Colbeck said many vulnerable senior Australians may not have easy access to the internet or be able to readily access information about COVID-19.
"The support line has proved to be a very beneficial service for senior Australians who continue to face particular risks because of COVID-19, including social isolation and loneliness.
"Being able to pick up the phone and call someone, or receive calls from expert service providers, is proving to be very effective."
He said the additional services will be rolled out "as quickly as possible".
In seven months, from mid-April to mid-October, the support line received more than 5000 inbound calls and provided more than 29,000 outbound calls.
The top five reasons for calls included wellbeing checks, information about COVID-19, advice to vulnerable people, travel restrictions, and access to home care services.
Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line: 1800 171 866
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