Staff in City of Ballarat's Active Ageing program are working to support elderly residents through the coronavirus pandemic.
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The team is focusing on maintaining social connections and providing opportunities to engage in health and well-being activities during the challenging time of social distancing and isolation.
Active Ageing executive manager Ann Pitt said many elderly residents in Ballarat live alone and were following directions to remain socially isolated.
"We need to be able to keep them active and doing things," she said.
"We don't want anyone to not be okay through this process. As much as we can we are staying connected with everyone."
The Meals On Wheels program is continuing to deliver meals to residents every day, with heightened safety requirements to ensure the safety of workers and residents.
The Active Ageing team has started a new program called Friendly Phone Calls and is facilitating the connection of people in regular social programs through their phones, iPads, laptops and other devices.
As much as we can we are staying connected with everyone.
- Ann Pitt, Active Ageing program
Staff are working to develop new program Armchair Travel, for people to connect face to face through technology and share stories and photos of their travels.
Another program focuses on maintaining active minds, through activities like verbal crosswords and sudoko.
Staff are also working to create short videos that showcase gentle exercises residents can do in their homes and their backyards.
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION:
City of Ballarat is continuing to provide personal care to older residents, assisting with everyday activities like grocery shopping, changing the beds and putting the bins out.
Staff are also calling to check on program participants each week and are contacting family members to ask if any further assistance is needed if family members can no longer travel to Ballarat under.
Ms Pitt said the response from residents had been 'overwhelmingly positive'.
"One of the lovely things is that they are asking staff who are contacting them how they are going," she said.
"That is that 'be kind' in the community where people are working together, understanding everyone is in the same boat travelling the same way. It is how we do it together.
"We are also reminding people to be kind. If you know your neighbours, give them a call or shout out over the fence to keep that connection."
More than 2800 people are registered with the Active Ageing program, with 900 in the social connection program.
Anyone who is interested in joining the program can call 5320 5631.
Senior citizens centres in Ballarat are closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
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