According to Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA), around one in five older Australians are socially isolated. This is of particular concern as studies have found that isolation is a risk factor for the abuse and mistreatment of older people and can lead to memory loss, poor diet and self-care, decreased mobility and increased risk of mortality.
In response to these ongoing issues, Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network (NBMPHN) is funding the new Wellbeing Connector Service to support older people in accessing relevant social or lifestyle activities in the community.
The Benevolent Society is helping deliver this support in Penrith and The Hawkesbury.
Prioritising social connection
Dana Stewart recently commenced as The Benevolent Society’s new Wellbeing Connector for Penrith and The Hawkesbury.
Through her role, she supports older people who have been referred to the program to get involved with a range of local social activities and events.
“They can do a whole range of different things, but all the activities have a social element,” Dana explained. “Whether it’s physical programs like walking groups or online exercise, hobby activities like book clubs, arts and crafts, Men’s Shed, or the more purely social get togethers like coffee clubs and cultural groups, there’s a lot of opportunities to engage out in the community, but it can be difficult for older people to find and join new things without support.”
That human connection, to understand a person’s needs in terms of support, socialising and interests is essential. Everyone has different barriers to social connection, different preferences for how they socialise and different goals for what they hope to gain from participating.
Who can participate?
To be eligible for the Wellbeing Connector Program, the person:
- Must be 65yrs+ or 55yrs+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Must not currently live in a residential aged care home/facility.
- Must reside in Penrith, Lithgow, the Blue Mountains or The Hawkesbury.
Anyone who meets these criteria is eligible, regardless of whether they receive any government support.
“The program aims to improve social connectedness and therefore overall wellbeing,” Dana says. “I’m passionate about supporting people to achieve their goals, and with my background in mental health community services and Psychology studies, becoming a Wellbeing Connector is an excellent way to do that. I anticipate nothing less than smiles and achieved goals as I support our locals in the program!”
For more information on our Wellbeing Connector support, please visit this website or call 1800 236 762.