Day care for frail aged

Coastlink Respite Care will open an adult day care centre in Woy Woy to provide the frail aged the opportunity to socialise with other people.

Coastlink chief executive officer Ms Lynne Rainford said the Woy Woy centre was expected to open at the end of the month in the South Woy Woy Progress Hall in Woy Woy Rd.

"The need for respite and adult care services on the Peninsula is huge and Coastlink is expanding its services to people who are ageing," Ms Rainford said.

"At the end of August we will be opening an adult day care centre at Woy Woy for people who are frail aged and like to get out of the house to meet other people.

"Our centre is in Woy Woy Rd and will provide opportunities for elderly people living with a carer to socialise with people their own age.

"As people age, many feel lonely and isolated and our services helps to break down those barriers.

"We'll encourage people to play games like cards, to do arts and crafts or just to sit and chat with other people the same age as themselves.

"A hot lunch will be served and dessert, as well as cups of tea and coffee all day long."

Ms Rainford said the aim of the service was to get people together to make friends in order to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation in the ageing population.

"The emphasis will be on providing respite for carers of a frail aged person so their job of caring is made a little easier," Ms Rainford said.

"The person who attends our centre will be provided with lots of different things to do and see including monthly bus trips to some local attractions in the area.

"Hopefully people will get together and make friends so their social networking increases and they feel less isolated and lonely.

"We operate a very successful adult day care centre at Mangrove Mountain and we intend to do the same thing on the Peninsula.

"We can help with transport to and from the centre from around the Peninsula area if required."

Coastlink is a not-for-profit organisation which has been established on the Central Coast for 25 years providing support services for people with disabilities.

According to Ms Rainford, Coastlink also provides respite and social support services for people with disabilities as well as the frail aged.

"People are welcome to call us to find out how we can help them," Ms Rainford said.

"We will be starting our adult day service by the end of August and you can contact Coastlink on 4321 1022 if you would like further information on this important addition to aged care services on the Peninsula as well as information on any of our other services."

Press release, 6 Aug 2009 Lynne Rainford, Coastlink