Page 1398 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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Being a friendship visitor involves visiting the elderly or a socially isolated person in their own home for a relaxed chat and a cuppa; taking the person on occasional outings in their own car; and taking the person to social groups they like to attend.
A shopping helper might pick up a client from their home, drive them to their local shopping centre and return them home. It might involve driving, helping a client while they do their shopping, and bill paying and banking if required. If the client uses mobility aids, it might involve placing such items in your car when transporting the client, ensuring that they are available to the client upon their exit and providing other assistance to the client as required.
At this point, as we recognise just how important is the contribution that older Canberrans make to the community sector, we must also recognise just how tough it is for some older Canberrans. Disengagement from the community can contribute to a sense of disconnection and even poor health. Therefore, it is important that government policy and planning encourage community building as a means to strengthen the wellbeing of residents and the enrichment of our community. We must recognise that many older Canberrans, especially those on the pension, make many sacrifices for themselves, their health and standard of living just to make ends meet. But it is these people who are unselfishly often volunteers in many different community organisations.
The 2008 survey by the Council on the Ageing demonstrated just how tough things can be. The survey is particularly concerning. It made the following findings: in relation to health impacts, about 100 of those surveyed had ceased their private health insurance, even though this is the time in life when they most need it. Half of those without health insurance previously had coverage in a fund, but had to cease their membership because of rising living costs.
One in eight had reduced or ceased medical treatment because they could no longer afford it; a third said they were buying less food, buying cheaper food or changing their diets; over 200 had changed their diet, particularly by cutting spending on items like meat and fruit; more than 300 had reduced their use of heating, including by going to bed early to limit their electricity bills.
In relation to social impacts, 40 per cent of the senior Canberrans questioned in the survey had reduced social and recreational activity in the previous 12 months. Sporting and recreational pursuits were hardest hit. Social clubs like Rotary, Lions and CWA also faced a loss of participation by senior members who were stretched financially. One-quarter limited their visits to friends to avoid the costs of travel across Canberra; two in five were reducing their contribution to volunteering activities; and around 30 people had sold their car as a cost saving measure, which means a major loss of mobility.
I think some of those figures speak not just about the contribution of older Canberrans to volunteering; of course, they also speak about some of the difficulties that many of them face in volunteering and some of the needs they have for volunteers as well. We have a bit of a cycle there. But there is no doubt that older Canberrans are making,
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