VALE Bill Hardman OAM
April 27th, 1945- January 12th 2023

- Committee Member, Secretary (2003-2004) and President (2004-17) of Forestville RSL sub-Branch
- President (2008-2011 & 2014-2022) and Vice President (2011-2014) of Northern Beaches District Council
- State Councillor of RSL NSW (2008-2011 & 2014-2016)
- State Treasurer of RSL NSW (2016-2017)
Using big data to find the best health care for older Australians

- hospitalisations
- subsequent health encounters
- the length of stay at home or in residential care.
- Older people who have preventive or multidisciplinary health care have the lowest mortality. This includes:
- health assessments
- chronic disease management plans or multidisciplinary care plans
- medication reviews
- allied health services
- People who see a GP a few times a year and receive minimal other services have mid-level mortality. Maria says this is likely due to them having less health issues.
- People who see a GP frequently, including urgent, after-hours consultations have the highest mortality. Maria says this may be because they have declining health, but it also may be because their health care is not well managed. She is trying to work through this question now.
Roll Back the clock


Free Seniors Festival event at newport: online safety in a changing world
Avalon Computer Pals (AvPals) is holding a lecture on
a very important subject – Online safety in a changing world.
Specifically, it’s about how to spot, and therefore avoid the latest scams.
We will show you the red flags to look for when you get suspicious activity on your home or smartphone, computer or other online devices. We analyse and examine how scams work and we’ll show you where to get help if you, family or friends have been scammed.
Come along on Tuesday 7 February at 1.30pm to the Newport Community Centre, at 11-13 The Boulevarde, Newport. There will be free refreshments provided by Northern Beaches Council.
Safer Internet Day 2023


AvPals One to One training at Avalon 2023: register now or in person + term 1 at newport
- Friday January 20th, 2023, 9.30am-11am
- Friday April 14th, 2023, 9.30am-11am
- Friday July 7th, 2023, 9.30am-11am
- Friday 29th September 2023, 8.30am-11am

Let’s dance! How dance classes can lift your mood and help boost your social life

If your new year’s resolutions include getting healthier, exercising more and lifting your mood, dance might be for you.
By dance, we don’t mean watching other people dance on TikTok, as much fun as this can be. We mean taking a dance class, or even better, a few.
A growing body of research shows the benefits of dance, regardless of the type (for example, classes or social dancing) or the style (hip hop, ballroom, ballet). Dance boosts our wellbeing as it improves our emotional and physical health, makes us feel less stressed and more socially connected.
Here’s what to consider if you think dance might be for you.
The benefits of dance
Dance is an engaging and fun way of exercising, learning and meeting people. A review of the evidence shows taking part in dance classes or dancing socially improves your health and wellbeing regardless of your age, gender or fitness.
Another review focuses more specifically on benefits of dance across the lifespan. It shows dance classes and dancing socially at any age improves participants’ sense of self, confidence and creativity.

Researchers have also looked at specific dance programs.
One UK-based dance program for young people aged 14 shows one class a week for three months increased students’ fitness level and self-esteem. This was due to a combination of factors including physical exercise, a stimulating learning environment, positive engagement with peers, and creativity.
Another community-based program for adults in hospital shows weekly dance sessions led to positive feelings, enriches social engagement and reduced stress related to being in hospital.
If you want to know how much dance is needed to develop some of these positive effects, we have good news for you.
A useful hint comes from a study that looked exactly at how much creative or arts engagement is needed for good mental health – 100 or more hours a year, or two or more hours a week, in most cases.
Dance is social
But dance is more than physical activity. It is also a community ritual. Humans have always danced. We still do so to mark and celebrate transitory periods in life. Think of how weddings prompt non-dancers to move rhythmically to music. Some cultures dance to celebrate childbirth. Many dance to celebrate religious and cultural holidays.
This is what inspired French sociologist Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) to explore how dance affects societies and cultures.
Durkheim saw collective dance as a societal glue – a social practice that cultivates what he called “collective effervescence”, a feeling of dynamism, vitality and community.
He observed how dance held cultures together by creating communal feelings that were difficult to cultivate otherwise, for example a feeling of uplifting togetherness or powerful unity.
It’s that uplifting feeling you might experience when dancing at a concert and even for a brief moment forgetting yourself while moving in synchrony with the rest of the crowd.

Synchronous collective activities, such as dance, provide a pleasurable way to foster social bonding. This is due to feelings Durkheim noticed that we now know as transcendental emotions – such as joy, awe and temporary dissolution of a sense of self (“losing yourself”). These can lead to feeling a part of something bigger than ourselves and help us experience social connectedness.
For those of us still experiencing social anxiety or feelings of loneliness due to the COVID pandemic, dance can be a way of (re)building social connections and belonging.
Whether you join an online dance program and invite a few friends, go to an in-person dance class, or go to a concert or dance club, dance can give temporary respite from the everyday and help lift your mood.
Keen to try out dance?
Here’s what to consider:
if you have not exercised for a while, start with a program tailored to beginners or the specific fitness level that suits you
if you have physical injuries, check in with your GP first
if public dance classes are unappealing, consider joining an online dance program, or going to a dance-friendly venue or concert
to make the most of social aspect of dance, invite your friends and family to join you
social dance classes are a better choice for meeting new people
beginner performance dance classes will improve your physical health, dance skills and self-esteem
most importantly, remember, it is not so much about how good your dancing is, dance is more about joy, fun and social connectedness.
In the words of one participant in our (yet-to-be published) research on dance and wellbeing, dance for adults is a rare gateway into fun:
There’s so much joy, there’s so much play in dancing. And play isn’t always that easy to access as an adult; and yet, it’s just such a joyful experience. I feel so happy to be able to dance.
Tamara Borovica, Research assistant and early career researcher, Critical Mental Health research group, RMIT University and Renata Kokanovic, Professor and Lead of Critical Mental Health, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Avalon Scottish Country Dancing

2023 Seniors Card Discount Directory
- Central Coast & Hunter
- Northern NSW
- Southern NSW
- Western NSW
Have your say: National Dementia Action Plan
- a coordinated approach to risk reduction
- early diagnosis
- better support for carers
- provide a national vision – for greater inclusion of people living with dementia, their carers and families
- guide action by governments – so health, acute and aged care systems work more seamlessly and broader policies and programs consider dementia
- drive mainstream services and systems – to improve outcomes for people living with dementia, their carers and families
- develop an accountability framework – so we can measure progress
- engage, inform and involve the whole community – to achieve a society that’s more understanding and more inclusive of people living with dementia.
- people living with dementia
- their carers, families and friends
- people who work in primary care, health, acute or aged care
- researchers and academics.
Pittwater-Narrabeen Parkinson’s Support Group
Bilgola Probus Club

Pensioner's Concessions: Council Rates
- Half of the total of your ordinary rates and domestic waste management service charge, up to a maximum of $250.
- Half of your water rates or charges, up to a maximum of $87.50.
- Half of your sewerage rates or charges, up to a maximum of $87.50.
Home Instead Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
council has a Home Library Service Available for Seniors
COTA – NSW - cotansw.com.au
ABOUT US
The Council on the Ageing NSW (COTA NSW) is the peak organisation for people over 50 in our state. We’re an independent, non-partisan, consumer-based non-government organisation. We work with politicians, policy makers, and service providers as well as media representatives to make sure your views are heard and your needs are met. COTA NSW works to empower and engage people over 50. For decades, we’ve shaped the policies and programs that change lives.
Since our beginning in 1956, COTA NSW has introduced policies and programs that make a real difference to peoples’ lives. We have proud record, having created: ■Meals on Wheels, ■Retirement Village Residents Association, ■Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association, ■Seniors Clubs, ■Seniors Information Service, ■OM:NI – Older Men: New Ideas, ■Grandfriends, ■Grandparents, Relatives and Kinship Care Alliance, ■Medication Management for Older People, and the ■Mature Employment Line
Tech Savvy Seniors
- Northern Beaches Council Library at Glen Street, Mona Vale, Warringah Mall 02 9976 1720
- Northern Beaches Community College Inc at Narrabeen, Brookvale, Mosman (02) 9970 1000 enquiries@nbcc.nsw.edu.au
NLA Ebooks - Free To Download

WIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION PLAYERS!!!!!

NSW Spectacles Program
- one pair of single vision glasses, or
- one pair of bifocal glasses.
- receive a full Centrelink pension/benefit
- have no other income other than the Centrelink payments
- have financial assets less than $500 (if single) or $1000 (if married/partnered or parent/guardian)
- are a low-wage earner who earns less than:
- the JobSeeker Payment if you're under 65, or
- the aged pension if you're over 65.
RSPCA's Community Aged Care Program
- services our Aged Care program offers include: temporary foster accommodation and/or emergency pet boarding if the owner requires medical treatment, respite or other assistance
- assistance with veterinary treatment
- home visits to assist the elderly with basic pet care
- assistance with pet grooming
- assistance with transport to and from the local veterinarian
- a volunteer network to assist with dog walking and short periods of in-home care if the owner requires medical treatment, respite or other assistance
Seniors Toy Repair Group needs your help
Volunteers are sought to help out on Wednesday mornings (7.30am to midday) at the group's workshed in Ingleside. Volunteers need their own transport and be willing to sort and clean toys that are picked up at different collection points on the Northern Beaches.
Prospective volunteers can email Mary Kitchen to arrange a visit to the workshed. To arrange a donation pickup please call Terry Cook on 0410 597 327 or email him. Find out more about this great community group HERE
MWP Care


Australian Ageing Agenda
Australian Ageing Agenda (AAA) is an independent and authoritative bi-monthly publication for people who work in or around the aged care and retirement sectors in Australia. It provides a broad range of news, education and opinion with an emphasis on knowledge sharing and research translation.
Each issue also contains regular updates on relevant business and financial issues along with a selection of well researched features on crucial systems and operations, clinical care, technology, built environment and other issues relevant to the ‘ageing sector’. AAA leads the way with the industry’s most comprehensive conference details and remains Australia’s number one source of news and information about ageing issues and aged care.
Have a look at their comprehensive website HERE
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards pilot program
- build confidence and trust in aged care
- empower consumers
- support providers to comply with quality standards
- promote best practice service provision.
- granting approval for providers to deliver aged care services
- administering the Serious Incidents Response Scheme
- reducing the use of restrictive practices.
Hugh Mackay a hit at COTA NSW AGM
Update on in-home aged care payment reform
- enhancing integrations with current government portals
- the impact of subcontracting and brokered services on invoices and payments
- the perceived need to increase administrative staff to help manage the service delivery data requirements
- poor uptake by care recipients of the digital offerings
Wellbeing Plus

Possible link between Alzheimer’s disease and gut microbiome found in mice – new study

Researchers may have found an unlikely contributor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease: the bacteria in your gut. Their study, published in the journal Science, suggested that certain gut bacteria increase the brain damage seen in mice with an Alzheimer’s-like disease.
In Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia – proteins build up abnormally in the brain. One of these proteins is called tau, and its build-up causes the death of brain cells that are involved in memory, causing forgetfulness and eventually permanent memory loss.
The researchers were working with a group of mice with a genetic mutation that causes the accumulation of tau protein in the brain. The mice were split into two groups: one group had a healthy gut microbiome (the collection of bacteria, viruses and fungi which live in the gut), while the other lacked a gut microbiome completely (these mice are nicknamed “germ free”). By the time they reached old age, the germ-free mice had significantly less brain damage caused by tau.
The germ-free mice also had a lower level of tau-associated inflammation in their brains. High levels of inflammation are seen in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s, contributing to brain damage. So the lower level of brain inflammation could be one of the reasons less brain damage was seen in these mice.
One of the main causes of Alzheimer’s-associated brain inflammation is the activation of a certain type of immune cell, known as microglia. Microglia are known to be regulated by the gut microbiome, which might explain why germ-free mice had lower levels of active microglia.
Removing the gut microbiome is not the solution
If you’ve heard of the gut microbiome, you might know that it is usually thought of as being important for our overall health. So the suggestion that not having a microbiome could reduce the severity of Alzheimer’s is surprising. However, if you’re wondering whether removing your gut microbiome might reduce your chances of developing the disease, you might be disappointed.
Everyone has a unique gut microbiome, which is home to millions of different types of bacteria, some of which are beneficial and some of which can be damaging to our health. One explanation for the study’s findings is that only a certain type of bacteria is involved in increasing brain inflammation and brain-cell death caused by tau.
The researchers tested this idea by dosing a third group of mice, which had a healthy gut microbiome, with antibiotics. The antibiotics reduced the level of inflammation in the brain, as well as the activation of microglia, although only in male mice. What’s interesting is that only certain types of gut bacteria were reduced by the antibiotics, so it might have been one of these bacteria that was helping cause brain damage in the mice.
It’s unclear why antibiotics only improved outcomes in male mice, but not females. In humans, Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects women. It’s not clear why, but research suggests that one reason women are at greater risk of Alzheimer’s could be the impact of hormone changes that occurs during menopause.
That the gut microbiome can affect the brain is unsurprising. Over a decade of research has revealed that there are strong communication links between the two, known as the gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis helps regulate multiple bodily processes, including the immune system and, therefore, inflammation.
This is not the first study to have pointed to the role that the gut microbiome may have in developing Alzheimer’s disease in mice. There’s also evidence that the gut microbiome is different in people with Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who are healthy.
While the idea that the gut microbiome is linked to Alzheimer’s is compelling, it’s important to interpret the results of the study with caution. Mice, especially those with genetic mutations, are very different to humans. Their immune system, their genetics and, critically, their gut microbiome all have differences.
Germ-free mice also have an underdeveloped immune system. Their gut-brain axis is affected too, with research in germ-free mice showing changes to their behaviour and brain signalling compared with normal mice. These differences could also be a reason the germ-free mice in the study didn’t develop such severe Alzheimer’s.
Based on current research, it can’t be claimed that bacteria in the gut microbiome contribute to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Instead, the research points to the possibility that there are specific bacteria within the gut microbiome that could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. If it can be shown that there are similar bacteria in humans that have similar effects, the possibility that targeting them might form a new basis for treating Alzheimer’s is an exciting prospect.
Catherine Purse, PhD Candidate, Quadram Institute
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Macular diseases cause blindness and treatment costs millions. Here is how to look after yours

The single most expensive drug for the Australian government today, costing more than A$400 million per year, is one called aflibercept. It stops the growth and “leakiness” of blood vessels, and is given to treat a range of different eye diseases. These diseases have one thing in common: they all affect a piece of tissue inside the eye called the macula.
The macula is a structure that distinguishes us humans, as well as some other primates including apes and monkeys. It is a part of the retina that lets us recognise people’s faces, navigate a car and read the newspaper. Our eye is built to focus images onto the macula to achieve this level of vision.
Like the rest of the retina, the macula consists of cells that detect light – photoreceptors – plus nerve cells and other supporting cells, but they are arranged differently to ensure images are seen in high resolution. The macula also contains the highest body concentration of yellow carotenoid pigments – protective antioxidants which filter out blue light to hone vision.
Scientists are working to understand why so many diseases and conditions, including diabetes, inflammation and parasitic infection, affect the macula. This is likely due to a host of factors: from the special anatomy of cells, to blood supply, the need for carotenoid pigments and a high metabolic rate.
The many causes of macular disease
When a person’s macula becomes diseased, they often experience changes in vision. However, because the macula is just one part of the retina, even severe macular disease generally does not cause complete loss of sight.
Dame Judi Dench has talked about her macular disease – macular degeneration – including how friends help her learn lines by repeating them over and over to her, and how fellow performers help her know where to face when she is acting. Having this condition might mean she no longer drives a car, but she continues to live a full life.
Macular degeneration affects about one in seven people over 50 years of age, and can occur as an overgrowth of blood vessels or as a loss of tissue.
Diabetes causes an accumulation of fluid in the macula, called macular oedema; around one in 15 people with diabetes develop this condition. Other causes of macular oedema include a blocked blood vessel or inflammation inside the eye. It can also be a complication after cataract surgery.

There are many more macular diseases.
Toxoplasmosis – a parasite infection – often affects the macula.
Macular disease is a side effect of some drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine used to treat inflammatory diseases like lupus, and the new immunotherapy drugs for cancers including melanoma.
Central serous chorioretinopathy is a macular disease that affects younger adults and is associated with high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Rare inherited conditions can affect the macula even earlier in life.

Treatments and prevention: 5 ways
Treatments depend on the type of macular disease. Most drugs are given by injection with a fine needle into the back part of the eye, called the vitreous. This quick procedure may be done in the doctor’s office.
But understanding what the causes of disease have in common points to lifestyle changes that can protect the macula or slow the damage of diseases.
1. Diet
Researchers at the United States National Eye Institute have shown the benefits of a Mediterranean diet, heavy in legumes and other vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains, and favouring fish over red meat, for protection against macular degeneration. A supplement combining vitamin C and E, lutein and zeaxanthin, zinc and copper is also recommended to limit progression of certain types of degeneration.
2. Avoiding smoking
Not taking up smoking or quitting if you are already a smoker safeguards your macula. Smoking has been linked to a number of macular diseases, including macular oedema and central serous chorioretinopathy, as well as macular degeneration.
3. Sun smarts
Wearing a sunhat and sunglasses from childhood may have benefits beyond skin safety. Some studies suggest sunlight exposure is a risk factor for macular degeneration. Physical activity can also protect against this condition, although there is debate about whether vigorous exercise is protective or potentially dangerous.
4. Shut eye
Quality sleep protects the macula. Sleep apnoea is associated with several macular diseases, including macular degeneration, macular oedema and central serous chorioretinopathy. Moreover, people with these diseases and untreated sleep apnoea may need more frequent drug injections for their condition.
5. Busting stress if possible
Limiting stress in life is difficult, but stress is a well-established risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy. One group of US researchers reported an unusually high number of people with the disease at their local health network early in the COVID pandemic, which was a highly stressful time.

Controlling other aspects of diseases that affect the macula can be important too. For example, the macula benefits from: keeping blood pressure well-controlled, stabilising blood sugars in people with diabetes, and reducing inflammation in people with uveitis.
Check it and see
You can monitor your own macula using a simple test called the Amsler grid, available for free online.
Testing with an Amsler grid picks up changes in the vision caused by macular diseases.
Self-testing doesn’t take the place of regular checks with your eye health practitioner. They can examine your macula directly, usually after dilating the pupils, and may employ a powerful technology – optical coherence tomography – to scan through it.
Justine R. Smith, Professor of Eye & Vision Health, Flinders University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Concession car parking at NSW Health public hospitals
- requiring treatment over an extended period
- attending hospital more than twice a week (including carers of long term patients who visit frequently).
- ongoing cancer treatment
- treatment more than twice weekly
- daily dressing changes
- cardiac rehabilitation or health promotion classes
- Transport for NSW Mobility Parking Scheme permit
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card
- Health Care Card.
- clearly displaying and publicising concessional rates
- streamlining the concession application process with designated points of access
- validating concessional parking for the duration of a course of treatment.

Active and Healthy at any age
Join Healthy and Active for Life Online!
- Providing online exercise programs for you to complete in the comfort of your home
- Providing you with an exercise manual and log to keep you on track
- Helping you to create realistic goals and increase your fitness
Learn Something New: Australia MOOCs And Free Online Courses
Apply for the $200 Seniors Energy Rebate
- your valid CSHC from Centrelink or the DVA
- the most recent electricity bill for your current primary place of residence
- your contact details
- your bank or Credit Union account details
- Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Select the 'Apply online' button.
- Enter the required details.
- Submit the application.
assistance to pay your aged care costs
- in residential or respite care
- getting a home care package.
- you’ve completed a calculation of your cost of care
- you have assets valued less than the current threshold
- you haven’t made gifts over the limits.
Media Releases concerning Seniors this week from National Seniors Australia
With around a quarter of a million members, National Seniors is Australia’s largest consumer organisation for the over 50s and fourth largest group of its kind in the world.
Country Pensioner Excursion ticket: NSW Public Transport
NSW Seniors Card program: Translated Resources
Pensioner water rebate
- Pensioner Concession Card from Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs, or
- gold Health Card (also known as a gold card) that shows:
- war widow
- war widower
- extreme disablement adjustment (EDA)
- totally and temporarily incapacitated (TTI)
- totally and permanently incapacitated (TPI).
- single dwelling
- dual occupancy
- strata or company title unit
- unit in a retirement village with a life term lease.
Contact Community Care Northern Beaches HERE

Keep your Wits About You
A regular contributor suggests we all look at Lumosity to see if will suit keeping active mentally. Their website states: "improve Brain Health and performance. Designed by neuroscientists, Lumosity exercises improve core cognitive functions. Researchers have measured significant improvements in working memory and attention after Lumosity training. Dozens of research collaborations help improve the Lumosity training program and its effectiveness." You can visit their website to decide for yourself at: www.lumosity.com/app/v4/personalization
Heartmoves is a low-moderate intensity exercise program. Regular participation in Heartmoves will help to: Better manage weight, blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol; Improve fitness, balance, co-ordination and flexibility; Enhance your quality of life and meet other people. Ingrid Davey is a qualified Older Adult Instructor and accredited Heartmoves Leader who will guide you through an exercise program that is fun, safe and modified to suit you. Tuesday 9.30am and Thursday 10.30am at Nelson Heather Centre, 4 Jackson Road Warriewood. The cost per class is $10.00 casual now and $17.00 for two classes. Phone Ingrid to secure your spot on 0405 457 063. www.heartfoundation.org.au
AvPals

Started in 2000 it now has 20+ trainers and many hundreds of students. At a really low cost (about $50 a school term) they can provide one-to-one training on most matters connected with computing and related technologies like mobile phones and digital cameras. From the smallest problem (how to hold the mouse!) to much more serious matters, there is a trainer who can help.
We offer “one to one” personal tuition or special short courses in the training rooms under the Catholic Church in Avalon. Training is conducted Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. For more information visit AVPALS web site www.avpals.com or phone 02 8064 3574
Keep up to date on our Facebook page
Find out more at: www.avpals.com
EasyLink (formerly Easy Transport Manly Warringah Pittwater) - medical appointments, shopping trips, mystery tours and Saturday Lunch - this great non-profit organisation offers great ideas and solutions.
Visit: https://easylink.com.au
Keep on Dancing is what the science says!
- Flexibility
- Agility
- Mobility
- Strength
- Stability

Australian Government Dept. of Health: Hearing Devices for Seniors

The Club is a vibrant organisation hosting up to three bridge sessions a day. We have 37 permanently set tables – that’s 148 players. We host over 30,000 player sessions every year. This includes prominent tournaments and education events attracting players from across the region.
We pride ourselves on the friendliness of the club and our strong community spirit. We support local charities but even more importantly we support community members by providing them with social connection and mental stimulus – irrespective of age and mobility.
Our clubhouse is at Warriewood.
We have a new Beginners Course starting the end of September.
Each 2-hour lesson focuses on learning by playing, with a break for tea and chocolate biscuits mid-way. The course runs for 6 weeks and costs $100, which includes text book and support materials.
After the lessons we offer “Help with Play” sessions to practise what you’ve learned; Mondays 7-9pm; Tuesdays 2.15-4.30; Fridays 9.15-11.30. ($7 for members & $12 for visitors – membership
We also offer more advanced lessons each month so you can continue to improve your game if you want.
If you are keen to learn this great game, please call or email Cath Whiddon (Director of Bridge Ed at PBC): 9979 5752 or cwhiddon@live.com.
If you already know how to play, take a look at our website to see what’s on offer this month: peninsulabridgeclub.org.au
Peninsula Bridge Club Facebook page: www.facebook.com/peninsulabridgeclub
NSW Seniors Website: Crosswords, Puzzles & Games
Meals on Wheels
Know Your Bones
Community Connect
Need help on where to go to find the community information and assistance you need?
At Community Connect Northern Beaches, our professional staff and trained volunteers are knowledgeable, friendly and approachable and we will be only too pleased to help you find the service you want. We provide information and support, as well as advocacy and referral to other non profit community services and government agencies.
If we can’t help you we will get you someone who can. If you are newly arrived or do not have an English speaking background we can offer individual advice and support. Or Why not come to Specialist Community Support Workshops: Family Law, Power of Attorney plus Wills and Executors; Domestic Violence Support and Prevention; Positive Community Integration ; Crime Prevention; Or Our Free English Classes.
We also provide information on: Family Services: Child Care, Personal Support & Counselling; Health (Including Mental Health) ; Material and Practical Assistance ; Advocacy to access state and federal MP assistance; Accommodation and Tenancy (help with form filling); Legal and Financial Matters ; Consumer Affairs ; Multicultural Issues; Conservation and the Environment ; Employment and Education; Accessing Community Facilities -You are welcome to call in for: Brochures, booklets and fact sheets on a range of topics; Service Directories e.g. Council Guides and Migrant Directories; Publications e.g. The Senior newspaper and Nova.
Access to our community information data base, internet, email, fax and photocopying.(Please note there is a small charge for photocopying and use of the fax to cover the cost of paper, toner and fax call). We also offer: A Legal Referral Program - Monday 1pm to 2pm at our 30 Fisher Road, Dee Why office. Taxation Assistance for low income earners and pensioners from July to October.
What does it cost?: Our services are free, however we are always grateful for a small donation where possible. The program is supported by NSW Department of Family & Community Services (FACS). CONTACT US: Phone: 02 99317777.
Computer Pals for Seniors: Northern Beaches

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
My Aged Care

In 2022 our programs focus on assisting older people aged 65 years and older, we also assist younger people with a disability and their carers. We are funded by the Australian Government Dept. of Health through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (known as CHSP). Pittwater Online News PROFILE
These services may be eligible for government subsidies. Call us on (02) 9913 3244 for a confidential discussion. Alternatively you may call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss your needs. To access our services (and all other CHSP provider services) you must be registered with My Aged Care – the portal for all things related to Aged Care Services
We provide services aimed at helping people to stay independently living in their own homes.
Our programs cover:
- Transport – to medical and social appointments
- Shopping – Escorted Shopping, Shop By List, Group Social Shopping
- Visiting – a volunteer visits a client in their own home for social support
- Individual Activities – visit a friend, the library, the beach, local garden, and nursery, go for a coffee & chat, attend community activities etc.
- Social Group Bus Outings – our mini bus and experienced staff coordinate a calendar of bus outings to interesting venues
- CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) social groups/outings – Chinese, Italian, Korean , Filipino, Serbian
- Home Maintenance Modification Service – provided to individual home owners at reasonable cost. Services provided by trusted tradespeople can include Plumbing, Carpentry, Handyman, Electrical, Modifications (ramps, rails etc.)
Visit our website for more at: www.mwpcommunityaid.com.au and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mwpcarelimited
Aged Care Complaints Commissioner
Any person can make a complaint to the Commissioner, including care recipients, family members, friends, staff, volunteers, or professionals.
Complaints may relate to any aspect of services including care, choice of activities, discrimination, catering, communication or the physical environment. The 1800 550 552 helpline is staffed 9am to 5pm (AEDST) Monday to Friday.
Out of hours callers can leave a message, or contact the Commissioner at anytime through the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner website.
________________________________________
In 2014-15, there were 10,924 contacts to the Aged Care Complaints Scheme. 3,725 were assessed as a complaint, 3,812 ‘other’ contacts includes non-compulsory notifications, own motion investigations and compliance referrals. There were also 3,387 out of scope contacts which were not related to an approved provider or an approved provider’s responsibilities under the Aged Care Act.
Disclaimer: These articles are not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Pittwater Online News or its staff.