Seniors and carers

The Seniors Festival is a month long celebration held in October that promotes a positive attitude to ageing. It recognises the valuable contribution that seniors make in our community. Council is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from groups or organisations interested in hosting free or low-cost events that showcase positive social, sporting, cultural and cross generation activities during the festival.

Small grants of up to $250.00 are available to support the events that fulfil the selection criteria via the EOI process. The amount of funding available is dependent on the type of event and proposed number of attendees. Council will assist in promoting the events in the Seniors Festival program and on our website.

The EOI form and guidelines outlining the selection criteria are available at the Civic Centre in Castlemaine or can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 5.00pm, Friday 15 May 2015. For more information contact Independent Living Coordinator Peta Woolard on 5471 1766. Successful applicants are required to provide a simple evaluation after the event.

Home based services are provided to frail older persons, eligible Veterans and people with a disability and their carers. These services help our clients to be active and independent in their own home. Council's HACC program offers the following services:

Assistance with domestic tasks to maintain a safe environment.

Respite offers a break for a carer of a person who has a disability and/or illness.

Assistance with personal activities of daily living.

A nutritious balanced meal is delivered to those who are nutritionally at risk.

The Home Safety Program offers assistance with maintaining tasks around the home to ensure a safer environment.

Packages provide Services and Case Management to assist people with complex care needs to remain living in their own home. They are tailored for each individual and based on their particular needs.
Care (Case) Management - to help plan and co-ordinate the services that you receive. It provides individualised service management, support, advocacy, negotiation and access to other supports as necessary, and as determined in conjunction with you and your carer.
To be eligible to receive a 'Care Package', the person's needs must first have been assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team to determine whether a Care Package is suitable. This assessment is free and can be arranged by the individual, a family member or doctor.
Fees are flexible and are agreed on commencement of a package.
There is generally a waiting list for this program.
For further information please contact the Intake & Assessment Officer on 5471 1766.

Domestic assistance, personal care, in-home respite care, and home & garden maintenance services are also available for Gold and White Card Holders as assessed and as per program guidelines. Additional information can be accessed via the VHC Coordinator 1300 550 450.

Assists people in maintaining and creating social networks including volunteer visiting which offers a limited volunteer visiting service for clients whose physical or geographical situation has created a barrier to their community involvement.
Planned Activity Groups are organised activities within a facility or arranged as an outing. We often provide home-cooked meals and activities directed by trained staff and dedicated volunteers. This service is available in Castlemaine, Chewton, Metcalfe and Newstead.
All users of this service have been assessed by our Community Services Assessment Team as being HACC eligible.

For further information on any of the above services please contact the Intake & Assessment Officer on 5471 1766.