Are you over 65? Are you & your friends ok? The COVID-19 restrictions are stressful for everyone, but you deserve to be comfortable & safe.

ABUSE & NEGLECT OF OLDER PEOPLE IS A CRIME Community Services are working together to protect vulnerable seniors & support them to remain safely in their own homes.For more information call 4780 5546.

This information is available for people aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

Issue Service / Resource Name

Local contact details Comments

KEY RESOURCESElder Abuse – information & referral

NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit

1800 628 221

Elderabusehelpline.com.au

The Elder Abuse Helpline provides information, support and referrals relating to the abuse of older people living in the community across NSW. We place the safety of the older person first. Our service is confidential and callers remain anonymous. We encourage individuals, concerned friends, family members, neighbours and support workers to call if they suspect elder abuse is occurring. Anyone can make the call. If you require an interpreter first call 131450 and tell the operator your preferred language.

Emergency Services

Police (for non urgent matters) Ph: Springwood police station: 4751 0299 (Lapstone to Wentworth Falls)Ph: Katoomba Police station: 4782 8199 (Wentworth Falls to Mt Vic and Mt Tomah)

Ring 000 for all emergencies

NSW Ambulance (for non urgent matters)Ph: 02 4731 2167 (Penrith Sector Office)

Ring 000 for all emergencies

Blue Mountains Anzac Memorial Hospital

4784 6500 Ring 000 for all emergencies

OTHER RESOURCESAssessment Services

Regional Assessment Services• NSW Health

• Aged Care Assessment Services

Ph: 4734 4800

1300 277 377

Initial point of contact should be through My Aged Care Ph: 1800 200 422 Website: www.myagedcare.gov.au Regional Assessment Teams can provide individual face to face assessments, provide information and make referrals to appropriate Commonwealth Home Support Services. 

Blue Mountains/Nepean Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)

Ph: Intake 4734 3827 (Penrith) 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday

Aged Care Assessment Team can provide individual face to face assessments, provide information and do approvals for Home Care Packages and residential aged care facilities.

Local Blue Mountains Resource List This quick reference guide has been compiled to assist Blue Mountains local service providers to be able to refer to other relevant local services as required, when dealing with situations of elder abuse. For further information on elder abuse resources, contact the NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit. This statewide service provides a resource toolkit on services ranging from financial support to health, social and welfare, legal and justice agencies.on ELDER ABUSE

BLUE MOUNTAINS COLLABORATIVE

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU TRUST• Only accept help from and share personal details with people you know well and

feel comfortable with. It is ok to say ‘no thanks’ or to change your mind.

• Never give your house keys to strangers or let people in to your home you don’t know. For deliveries, get them to leave them by the door.

• Be wary of registering with a neighbourhood help group – are they authentic? Do you know them? Do you want to advertise that you are home alone?

• You always have the right to be valued, feel safe inside your house and to receive the food and medical care you need. No one should ever say you are a burden.

• If you don’t have family or friends you trust, you can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or www.myagedcare.gov.au for a list of registered Community Services.

STAY SOCIALLY CONNECTED• Phone Friends - have a few people you can call and make a time to talk to at least

one of them every day. Check on them and let them know you’re ok too.

• Call for help if someone is hurting you or taking your money. Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in immediate, life threatening danger or 1800 628 221 for the NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline.

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR MONEY• Make sure you nominate a trusted person as your Power of Attorney and let the bank

know who that is - always review your bank statements.

• Don’t give anyone your credit card - if you need someone to shop for you, pay them when they deliver the shopping with a receipt or invoice.

• Protect your passwords - never give your pin or login details to anyone.

HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN• Have at least one friend or relative’s number saved into your phone for a quick call

if you need urgent help.

• Put your essential papers in a place where you can find them in a hurry or if you need to explain the location to a trusted person.

• Write a list of your key family members, phone buddies and any Community Services you use who need to be contacted in emergencies.

• Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in immediate, life threatening danger.

Stay Safe during self-isolation