Seniors services

If you're a pensioner living in Ku-ring-gai, you may be entitled to a rebate on your council rates. To qualify for the pension rates rebate you must own and occupy a property in Ku-ring-gai.

Eligible pensioners can receive a statutory reduction of 50% of the combined rates and domestic waste management charge, to a maximum value of $250.

To claim this rebate you must be a holder of either:

• A pensioner concession card from Centrelink or Veterans' Affairs
• A Gold Card marked TPI or EDA from Veterans' Affairs

To receive your rebate first check the front of your yearly rate notice for details. If there is no pension rebate shown, simply bring your card to the Customer Service counter at the Council Chambers building and complete an application form.

8.5% voluntary pensioner rebate

All eligible pensioners are entitled to an 8.5 per cent rebate off their rates and charges. We contribute these additional funds voluntarily in order to reduce the financial burden on pensioners. 
Contact us to apply.

Enquiries

Phone 9424 0000. 

Dementia Awareness Week events

Dementia Australia

Exercise and relaxation classes

Active and healthy NSW - home exercises for seniors

Qi gong seniors exercise class

Services available while we social distance

Feeling stuck at home? There are a number of services that can make these unusual days a bit easier for the over-65s.

• Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre can take your shopping list, shop for you and deliver your groceries to your front door.

Call 9988 4966 or email us. 

• Meals on Wheels can deliver delicious freshly prepared meals (and toilet paper). Contact 9144 2044 or meals@kmow.org.au

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community Transport can pick and deliver your pharmacy prescription or spectacles.

Call 9983 1611 or email Community Transport.  

• Lifeline Community Aid can deliver emergency food packages and essentials.

Contact 9498 5882 or email Community Aid. 

You will be able to receive these services before registering with My Aged Care, but in order to receive these services longer term, you will need to register online with My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422.

• The Home Libraribus will deliver a wonderful variety of reading matter to your front door even while the libraries are closed.

Social contact by phone

Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre on 9988 4966 and Lifeline Community Aid on 9498 5882 provide a phone contact service, with volunteers calling people regularly for a chat and to make sure they have everything they need. Call the service that you prefer to arrange a regular social phone call.

This could also be a great volunteering opportunity for people who are stuck at home – helpful to the volunteer as well as to the person receiving the phone call. 

Support for carers

The Carer Support Service will continue to assist carers during this challenging time. Call 9462 9488 or 0410 411 539 or email Carer Support for:

• Online and telephone support to carers who need emotional support.

• Telephone support groups such as coffee telechats with carers.

• Working with individual carers, helping with navigation of community and social supports and services.

• Assisting carers with their ongoing concerns, as well as related COVID-19 concerns.

Connecting safely online with family and friends

If you're having difficulty keeping in touch, you can find hints to help you connect online at Helping older Australians connect online.

It's important to be able to recognise scams when you come across them on-line. Learn how to avoid them at Avoiding scams and tricks.

Commonwealth home support program - My Aged Care

My Aged Care provides service and support for seniors, it is the main entry point to the aged care system in Australia. My Aged Care aims to make it easier for older people, their families, and carers to access information on ageing and aged care, have their needs assessed and be supported to find and access services.

If you are looking to receive a subsidised home care service, contact My Aged Care to determine your eligibility and costs for the service.

Phone 1800 200 422 or visit My Aged Care.

Seniors out and about brochure

The Seniors out and about brochure provides a fantastic overview of social and healthy activities, courses and clubs, volunteering opportunities, community service and transport organisations, libraries, and computer and art classes in our area.

The updated brochure also contains vital information on registering with My Aged Care if you need subsidised help such as meal delivery, transport to appointments or help in your garden.

View the Seniors out and about and help at home brochure(PDF, 993KB)

Seniors and Aged Care Guide - no longer in print

The Seniors and Aged Care Guide is a comprehensive source of information for seniors living in Sydney's North Shore region. It covers services and facilities available such as accommodation, health, leisure and recreation providers.

The guide will also highlight the many community groups in your area, which is a great way of staying active and putting you in touch with like minded community members, neighbours and friends.

The 2015 Seniors and Aged Care Guide below is no longer in print. The guide is not being updated - it is there for reference purposes only.

Seniors and Aged Care Guide

Seniors Service Directory

Our Seniors Service Directory provides services offered by private and community organisations in our area.

• Home Care Services
• Nursing Homes
• Respite
• Retirement Accommodation
• Social Clubs and Groups
• Bushwalking Groups
• Fitness and Exercise
• Continuing Education

Carer Support Group, Turramurra

A fortnightly Carers Support Group, for those caring for a family member or friend who is living with dementia, will meet in Turramurra on Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Carers Support Groups are free and will begin on Wednesday 18 September.

Carers meet in the dining room at Meals on Wheels in Gilroy Lane with a Carer Support Coordinator from Northern District Local Health District, while their loved ones are offered activities such as art, music or gentle exercise in the Turramurra Seniors Centre next door.

Caring can be a demanding role, and those who spend a lot of time caring for another may feel quite isolated and overwhelmed. Support groups are a safe, friendly place where you can connect with other carers and access helpful, professional information. 

These support groups focus on the wellbeing of carers, so you are welcome to come along either with or without your care recipient.

Enquiries

Contact Robin Hall, Aged Services Coordinator, Ku-ring-gai Council on 9424 0836 via email rhall@kmc.nsw.gov.au or Mary Beijerinck-Gooley, Carer Support Officer, NSLHD on 0434 323 411 or 9462 9488, or email Mary.BeijerinckGooley@health.nsw.gov.au

This is a joint project with the NSLHD Carers Support Service. Dates will be 2 and 23 October.

DCaf Connections' social café for families living with dementia at The Warrawee Club, Warrawee 

A weekly DCaf social café is held at The Warrawee Club each Thursday, 10.00am to 12.00pm. Carers' discussion groups are also held monthly on Thursdays 11.00am - 12.00pm.

DCaf Connections' social cafés provide a place for people living with dementia and their family carers to socialise, relax and discover ways to live well with dementia. 

Group members enjoy morning tea and chats, make connections, and stay active and informed about local services and supports.

Activities include fitness sessions, speakers and activity providers (art, music therapy etc), croquet and a variety of table-based activities.

Enquiries

Bookings are essential contact Fiona on 0402 837 877 or email feeshal@optusnet.com.au and follow us on our Facebook page.

Independently run by volunteers, family carers and people living with dementia.

Our policies aim to achieve greater equity, better access and wider participation for senior members and people with a disability in our community.

Making business accessible

Are you missing out on potential customers?

Quality service is one of the most important things your business can offer and with over 18% frail or living with a disability, it's important for you to provide good access.

The Missed Business Guide(PDF, 2MB) helps local business attract more customers by providing better access.

View the animated guide on YouTube below:

Access and Equity Policy

This Policy is designed to achieve greater equity, better access and wider participation for all members of the community in Ku-ring-gai.

It has been developed through community consultation, analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data, comparison with other local governments, consultation with relevant peak ethnic service providers and interdepartmental discussions within Council.

View the Access and Equity Policy(PDF, 253KB)

Access and Disability Inclusion Plan 2014-2018

The Access and Disability Inclusion Plan seeks to direct Council in the provision of facilities and services that are equitable and dignified to all people. This policy was created in partnership with other local authorities and the community.

View the Access and Disability Inclusion Plan 2014-2018(PDF, 4MB)