With one-third of all older Australians living at home – and the National Cabinet’s Health advice for over-70s to still stay at home where possible – there are still many people in the community who may be feeling lonely or isolated.
But there are services available to help. Friend Line is a national free and anonymous telephone support service that provides people with an opportunity to chat with a friendly volunteer.
You can call its support line on 1800 4 CHATS (1800 424 287) (AEST / AEDT) from 6pm-8pm, Tuesday to Thursday, and 2pm-5pm, Saturday and Sunday.
They currently answer 5,600 calls a year but have just been granted more funding from the Federal Government to expand their services to 20,000 calls this year, with 60,000 called expected to be answered in 2021.
There is also a support line offering specific advice and counselling for older Australians looking for help because of COVID-19.
Set up by the Council on the Ageing Australia, National Seniors Australia, the Older Persons Advocacy Network and Dementia Australia, the COVID-19 support line is open from Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 8.30am to 6pm on 1800 171 866.
