Mitch Fifield explains how the government plan to combat loneliness in older Australians…

You asked Senator Fifield, “Financial issues of getting older aside, the biggest issues our seniors face is loneliness after they give up work, and loneliness leads to so many physical and mental health issues. How can the government help overcome this and give seniors ways to belong to the community?”

And Senator Fifield answered…

We understand that staying connected to family, friends and the wider community is important for all Australians, including seniors.

My personal view is that seniors can and will play a significant role now and into the future in our non-profit and civil society organisations. These organisations will benefit greatly from the experience seniors can bring, while seniors themselves can benefit through the connection to the community, a sense of belonging and the opportunity to create new positive relationships.

To help support and build this vibrant civil society, the Government currently provides more than $20 million nationally to support volunteering services and activities through services such as the Volunteer Resource Centres located across Australia and the volunteering matching services available online, such as GoVolunteer at www.govolunteer.com.au

Furthermore, the Government will be establishing a National Centre for Excellence for civil society, which will support the wide range of organisations that make up civil society in Australia. We are also committed to lightening the regulatory impact on non-profits to allow them to focus more on the activities that comprise their mission.

The Government also supports seniors to stay connected online through the Australian Government’s Broadband for Seniors programme. Through this programme, seniors can receive free access to computers, the internet and basic training to help them keep connected to their families, friends and communities. There are around 1,600 organisations currently providing Broadband for Seniors services across Australia. For further information contact the Broadband for Seniors helpline on 1300 795 897 or go to www.necseniors.net.au.

And for those Australians, including seniors, who are facing mental health challenges, the Targeted Community Care (Mental Health) Program provides accessible and integrated community-based mental health services that improve the capacity of individuals, families and carers to manage the impacts of mental illness on their lives and improve their overall wellbeing.  These services are:

• Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs)
• Mental Health Respite: Carer Support (MHR:CS), and
• Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS).

All of these measures help to ensure senior Australians are supported now and into the future.