4.2 Carer Services
Advocacy
The Office of Public Advocate
1300 309 337
www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
Level 5, 436 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
State Trustees
03 9667 6444
www.statetrustees.com.au
Provides a broad range of legal and financial services (legal wills, estate planning, probate, power of attorney and trustee services)
Elders Rights Advocacy
1800 700 600
www.era.asn.au
An independent agency funded by the Australian Government to provide advocacy services for people receiving Australian Government funded aged care services in Victoria.
Seniors Rights Victoria
1300 368 821
www.seniorsrights.org.au
Information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence.
Aged Care Complaints Commissioner
1800 550 552
www.agedcarecomplaints.gov.au
Free service to raise their concerns about the quality of care or services being delivered to people receiving aged care services subsidised by the Australian Government.
Veterans’ Affairs Network (VAN)
1300 551 918
www.dva.gov.au/contact/van-state-office-locations#vic
Assistance for Veterans, widow(er)s and their families
Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights
www.safetyandquality.gov.au/national-priorities/charter-of-healthcare-rights
The key rights of patients and consumers when seeking or receiving healthcare services.
Counselling
beyondblue
1300 22 4636
www.beyondblue.org.au
24-hour telephone counselling service. Online and email counselling 7 days a week.
Lifeline
13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
24-hour telephone crisis support and suicide prevention.
National Carer Counselling Program
1800 242 636
www.carersaustralia.com.au
Carers Australia program: Provides short-term counselling. The Carers Associations in each state and territory also run local support groups
Australian Centre for Grief & Bereavement
1800 642 066
www.grief.org.au
Grief education and a range of consultancy services to develop and enhance the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities to deal effectively with loss.
GriefLine
03 9935 7400
griefline.org.au/
griefline.org.au/online-counselling-service
Griefline Community and Family Services listens, cares and supports people experiencing loss and grief at any stage in life. Includes online counselling service. Equipment and aids
Equipment and Aids
Coastcare Medical Equipment
03 9707 4955
www.coastcaremed.com.au
Rehabilitation and medical products for hire and sale. Accredited for DVA and SWEP. Equipment that can be provided quickly overnight: Shower chairs, Commode, Recliner chairs, Hospital beds.
Independent Living Centres Australia
1300 885 886
ilcaustralia.org.au
Offers advice on a range of products and services to help with aspects of day-today living, including mobility, sleeping, eating and transport Endeavour
Life & Care
9703 2900
endeavourlifecare.com.au
Provider of home health care equipment.
City of Casey
www.casey.vic.gov.au/community-services/disability-services/disability-services-directory/equipment-and-aids
City of Casey’s guide to programs and services for equipment and aids for people with disabilities.
Financial Support / Government Agencies
Financial Counselling Australia
1800 007 007
www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au
Information about financial counselling and help to find a qualified counsellor.
Centrelink
13 27 17
www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/centrelink
Department of Veterans Affairs
13 32 54
www.dva.gov.au
Home Help
Your local council
PCSE can help you organise some Council community and in-home services
Home Modifications
Peninsula Health Domiciliary Care Referral
1300 665 781
www.peninsulahealth.org.au/services/services-a-e/aged-care/domiciliary-care
Home based assessment and maintenance program for frail, older and younger disabled people and their carers who live at home
Home Modifications Australia
02 9281 2680
www.moda.org.au
National peak and industry body that represents providers and promotes the benefits of home modifications.
mecwacare
1800 163 292
www.mecwacare.org.au
Provides in-home nursing and care throughout Melbourne’s southern & eastern suburbs.
Home Nursing
PCSE
Home nursing can be organised as part of your palliative care. Private services are also available
Bolton Clarke at Home Support
1300 33 44 55
www.boltonclarke.com.au
Provides a range of practical, flexible home care services covering nursing, home assistance, allied health & mental health.
Issue Resolution
Health Complaints Commissioner
1300 582 113
hcc.vic.gov.au
If you are not satisfied with your health service provider, you can raise your concerns with the Health Complaints Commissioner.
Living at Home Assessments
Council services
Your local council website
Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Kingston Councils.
Living at home assessments assist people to explore a range of ways to live independently and remain active members of their community
Personal Care
Council carers
Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Kingston Councils.
Your local council website
Alfred Care
Baptcare
13 22 78
www.baptcare.org.au
MECWA
1800 163 292
www.mecwacare.org.au
Bolton Clarke at Home Support
1300 33 44 55
www.boltonclarke.com.au
Respite / short breaks
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre Southern Region
1800 052 222 (BH)
1800 059 059 (Outside BH)
www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/programmes-services/for-carers/commonwealth-respite-and-carelink-centres
Respite, practical and emotional support for carers in southern Melbourne.
Support groups
PCSE Carers Support Group
03 5991 1300
www.palliativecaresoutheast.org.au
Call PCSE for further information
Alfred Health Carer Services
1800 052 222
carersouth.org.au
Links to carer groups located in Melbourne’s south
Transport
Red Cross
03 8327 7700
[email protected]
Has disease specific volunteer transportation
Illness-specific organisations
Cancer Council of Victoria
13 11 20
www.cancervic.org.au
Communities of people affected by cancer that you can connect with online, by phone or in person Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and staffed by experienced cancer nurses with oncology qualifications. Although staff are unable to give individual medical advice, they can talk about the effects of specific types of cancer and explain what will happen during processes like chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other cancer treatments
Dementia Australia
1800 100 500
www.dementia.org.au
Helpline email: [email protected]
Webchat: www.dementia.org.au/helpline/webchat
Dementia Australia advocates for the needs of people living with all types of dementia and their families and carers and provides support services, education and information. The helpline operates nationally from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. A message service is avalilable outside of office hours. Leave a message and your call will be returned next working day.
MND Victoria
1800 806 632
www.mnd.asn.au
Promotes the best possible care and support for people living with Motor Neurone Disease.