Aged Services - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Council offers a wide and flexible range of services that can be provided both in the home and out in the community. These services are all designed around individual needs and aim to build on the strengths and capabilities of older people to live well in Darebin.

All enquiries are made through the Information and Referral Team on 8470 8828. Language support is available by contacting the Multilingual line on 8470 8888 or if you are deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service
• TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 03 8470 8828
• Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 03 8470 8828
• Internet relay users connect to the NRS then ask for 03 8470 8828

Council staff will meet with residents in their home to plan the most useful services that respond to their needs. This can include:
• Things people need to do in the house (Home Care)
• Things people need to do for themselves, for example, showering (Personal Care)
• Things people need to keep their house safe, for example,installation of grab rails (Property Maintenance)
• Council also provides Respite Care

Help with meals can be provided in different ways:
• Receiving meals delivered at home on weekdays (arrangements available for weekends) with the flexibility to order the number of meals required on days to suit your lifestyle. Our menu offers a selection of main courses and desserts that change with each season to include a variety of seasonal produce. Special dietary requirements are catered for including meals for people with diabetes and texture modified meals, vegetarian meals and range of cultural menu options are also available upon request.
• Support to do your own shopping in your local are within Darebin (Home Care - Assisted Shopping).
• Enjoy a meal in a social environment at one of the Councils local community centres in Fairfield, Reservoir, Preston and Northcote.
• Council staff can provide support to prepare your own meals at home (Home Care - Meal Preparation)

Council also produces information, such as "Budget Bites Guide" - a guide to local, cheap, fresh, healthy and sustainable food in Darebin. For a copy of this guide, please contact Darebin Council on 8470 8888.

Moving around Darebin easily and maintaining transport independence is an important thing for all residents. Help to get out and about in Darebin for older people can include:
- Door to door pick up by the Community Bus for shopping, social clubs and groups and other programs that older people want to access in Darebin, but need transport assistance;
- Community Groups and organisations can hire the 'Darebin Bus' - a 9 seater (plus driver) automatic mini bus (wheelchair modified - training required). This is available for low cost hire to transport disadvantaged, non-profit community groups, for travel within metropolitan Melbourne (100km return radius). All Darebin Bus Enquires are made by contacting the Community Resource Support Officer on 8470 8469

The following information is available to help residents get around Darebin, these include:
- Access and Mobility Maps - Council has developed a series of 'Access and Mobility Maps' showing the five main shopping centres in Darebin, highlighting important information on a range of access features such as: accessible toilets and car parking; taxi ranks; public transport routes and accessible pedestrian crossings.
- Resident may also be eligible for a Disabled Parking Permit, for more information about eligibility and applying click here.

Other useful information includes:
- LINK Community Transport is a non-profit organisation providing community transport for people in various areas of Melbourne.
- The Multi-purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) provides eligible card holders with half price taxi fares.

Yanada House is an Adult Day Service for people with a diagnosis of Dementia living in Darebin. Yanada House is based in Northcote and has a variety of programs including two Italian Speaking programs and one Greek speaking program. The programs offer meaningful activities and socialisation in a supported environment.

Yanada House also offers monthly Carer Support meeting for family/friends caring for a loved one with dementia. The Carer Support group is a free service and eligibilty extends beyond the Darebin Municipality.

Council has set a range of service fees. The cost of the service is discussed when Council staff visit to plan services with residents.

Enquiries about services for older people are made by containing the Information and Referral Team on 8470 8828. Language support is available by contacting the Multilingual line on 8470 8888 or or if you are deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service
• TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 03 8470 8828
• Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 03 8470 8828
• Internet relay users connect to the NRS then ask for 03 8470 8828

Some information about you is collected during this phone call. A date and time is made for a Council Officer to visit your home, and work with you to plan the most useful services that suits your needs.

If you recieve any of the services provided by the Aged & Disability Department, and you are unhappy with the services or would like a change service, please contact the Information and Referral Team and your plan will be reviewed.

Yes - many community groups operate in Darebin with Volunteer Committees of Management. As well as this, older people can be linked to a wide range of local volunteering opportunites through the Darebin Information Volunteer and Resource Services (DIVRS).

Council provides support to a range of older adult interest groups in Darebin. Opportunities are available to the whole community based on peoples interest, not just their age. Staff can help you find out more about these opportunities, which include:
- Local Senior Citizen Clubs (English, Italian, Greek, Macedonian, Maltese, Arabic, Polish)
- Darebin University of the Third Age
- Local Neighbourhood Houses
- Darebin Libraries
- Access All Abilities Program - inclsuive sport and recreation opportunities and support
- Community Recreation Facilitator Program - community respite program for adults with a disability 18 yrs + living at home with a primary carer
- Metro Access Program - disability information, resources, linkages to services and advocacy
- Festivals and Events
- Arts & Cultural Groups
- Living Longer Living Stronger Programs - Reservoir Leisure Centre and Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre
- Environment team - backyard harvest, community education

For advice and assistance on finding activites or groups that match your interests, contact Ageing Communities Unit on 8470 8312 and refer to Darebin Council Community Directory.

Respite is available in a variety of ways and locations.
• Home based respite is available to provide a break to the carers of people who, due to frailty or disability, cannot be left alone without supervison or assistance. Respite may also enable a frail or disabled person to participate in community activities without the support of the carer.
• Council's Dementia Care Unit can provide 'day respite' to Darebin residents caring for a relative with a formal diagnosis of Dementia. We provide day programs five days a week from approximately 10am - 3pm. Each person generally attends once a week on a regular basis and may be involved in activities provided on site or out in the community.
Please note that a formal assessment is required prior to commencement to determine eligibility and most appropriate service.
• Community Recreation Facilitator Program provide 1:1 support to an individual with a disability (18-65 years old) still living at home with a primary carer to be better linked in with their community and particpate in activities of interest while giving the carer a break.

Also find more information at:
• The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre / CarerLinks North are co-located services providing free information and assistance to carers and the broader community in the Northern Metropolitan sub-region of Melbourne (which include the municipalities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra).
• Information for Carers page