Tate Papworth
While there might be light at the end of the tunnel, the Brimbank Council is urging the community to continue to look after its older residents.
In recent days council staff have begun paying “window visits” to Brimbank residents who live alone, are aged over 90, or who are experiencing poor health.
Mayor Georgina Papafotiou said it was important to ensure nobody is left behind.
“With restrictions easing, and life starting to look normal again for some of us, it’s important that our older residents know they haven’t been forgotten during this crisis, and to remind them that they are highly valued members of the Brimbank community,” Cr Papafotiou said.
The window visits began as over-the-phone welfare checks for around 200 clients.
Those called were mostly people aged over 65, who normally take part in Council’s social support programs, which are not currently running due to restrictions on gatherings.
The oldest client is 98.
From phone calls, the team were finding that clients who live alone, or have physical or mental health conditions were finding it difficult to adjust to staying home and away from social activities.
From there the service grew.
Window visits last between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the client’s individual needs.
