MEDIA RELEASE
Helping Hands for Dunedin seniors
“We find some older people living in unsafe and unhealthy situations. We find them living with plumbing or roof leaks, with dangerous rotting boards, in dark rooms (because they can’t fix lightbulbs, fuses or curtains) and very sad and distressed as they watch their homes deteriorate.”
30
September 2011
The Mission is marking the International Day
of Older Persons (1 October) with a relaunch of its Helping Hands
service for South Dunedin seniors.
“The Methodist Mission’s work is all about strengthening Dunedin
communities, chief executive Laura Black says. “Safe and secure
older people are a vital part of a healthy community.”
As part of this commitment, the Mission offers a home support
service to help with everyday household maintenance and chores.
“This year, we’re revitalising the service with additional
tradespeople and more volunteer input. We’re also returning to the
popular and long-established ‘Helping Hands’ name,” Ms Black says.
“The Mission’s Helping Hands project
has approved handymen who provide affordable home repairs,
especially for older people living alone in the South Dunedin area.
Over 300 requests for assistance are received annually. A
fully-qualified social worker works with our clients to co-ordinate
their needs with volunteers and tradespeople.”
Helping older people to continue living in
their own homes successfully and safely is economically and socially
beneficial, but Mission staff find that many lack support.
“We find some older people living in unsafe
and unhealthy situations. We find them living with plumbing or roof
leaks, with dangerous rotting boards, in dark rooms (because they
can’t fix lightbulbs, fuses or curtains) and very sad and distressed
as they watch their homes deteriorate. Many of these basic tasks
fall outside funded personal support services. And many clients face
difficulty and stress dealing with tradespeople.
“After we’ve made our initial contact and
built trust through “Helping Hands”, often other social or health
needs are discovered and these can be addressed by our Support &
Advocacy team,” Ms Black says.
The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated round the
world on 1 October each year. In Dunedin a whole month of events is
scheduled. This initiative is part of The Mission’s contribution.
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