Support services for seniors

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

Maroondah City Council offers a range of services to our senior residents who require support to live at home and access the community safely and independently. Many services are part of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) which offers help for: 

• adults who are 65 years of age and over (or 50 years and over for people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity) 
• adults who are 50 years of age and over (or 45 years and over for people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity) and on a low income, homeless or at risk of homelessness. 

All services are provided based on client needs, goals and capabilities and depend upon eligibility, available resources and priority of access.

CHSP services available from Maroondah City Council

Services may be occasional, short term intensive, or longer term support, subject to regular review and change.

Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)

Meals are home delivered for people who may be nutritionally at risk, have difficulty preparing meals or are socially isolated. An added benefit of delivered meals is the regular face to face contact with the volunteers who deliver the fresh or frozen meal/s, from Monday to Friday. Typically, people choose between 1 to 7 meals a week. Council’s own Karralyka kitchen staff prepare all meals to a very high standard. The seasonal menu offers 4 main meal choices daily and includes soup, main meal and dessert. Some special diets can be catered for.

Due to COVID-19 people may have up to 14 meals a week. 

Occupational Therapy

The occupational therapy service aims to improve safety in the home and maximise independence by providing home safety assessments, recommending equipment and strategies to use in your home and recommending methods to complete daily tasks independently.

The service also offers short courses and other group and individual programs:

Good Food for Me

This program is constantly evolving and runs at regular intervals throughout the year and is aimed at helping people to have up-to-date evidence-based knowledge to make nutritious and budget-friendly food choices to maintain and lead a healthy lifestyle. The program is facilitated by an occupational therapist with input from an accredited nutritionist/dietitian.

Participants are given opportunities to contribute to discussions, have a hands-on experience to prepare easy meals and enjoy a tasting afterwards. Past participants have benefited from topics including:

• Relevant age-specific nutrition recommendations to maintain good health to enjoy life.
• Prepare simple, healthy meals and snacks appropriate for their life stage and adapting to challenges such as lack of cooking experience, changed vision, balance, hearing or weakness in arms and hands.
• (Re-) Organise their kitchen and workspace to make it easier and safer to work in.
• Reduce food waste, save money and make wise food purchases.
• Making sense of food labels.
• Revise safe food handling and storage eg storage temperatures, thawing, etc. 

Buried in Treasures Program

This program is a 16-week, evidence-based self-help group that assists people who face similar challenges who would like to learn tips on how to declutter and stop over-acquiring items. Co-facilitated by our Occupational Therapist in partnership with Uniting Tenancy Plus, the group is limited to 12 participants, and is a safe place to explore and discuss the issues of having too much stuff in the home. The program runs twice a year for residents of Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges. 

BITS Peer Support group (monthly)

This informal BITS (Buried in Treasures) group is an ongoing peer support environment for any person experiencing, or impacted by, hoarding behaviour or over-acquiring issues. Topics of interest are discussed and practical ideas and tips are shared. Meeting monthly at Council’s Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood on the first Tuesday of every month from 1pm - 3pm. Bookings are not necessary. The group is open to people of any age living in the cities of Maroondah, Knox or Yarra Ranges. Our Occupational Therapist supports the group.

Due to COVID-19 bookings are temporarily required to ensure safe physical distancing. To make a booking, please phone Paula on 9294 5729.

Less is More

This 1:1, short-term reablement program offers a non-judgemental, consultative and planned approach to assist people to declutter and improve the use and safety of their home environment. Goals are agreed and are typically relevant to achieving safe access through the home, improving the liveability of areas within the home or reducing hazards for falls, injury and fire. This program involves collaboration of the participant with our occupational therapist and a domestic assistance support worker. The long-term aim is for behaviour change that enables the person to continue maintaining a safer and more pleasant living environment independently.

Due to COVID-19 our Occupational Therapy service continues to accept referrals for 1:1 support and offers an adapted approach to providing the service, as necessary.  Some group programs are adapted or suspended, however we encourage referrals or contacting the Occupational Therapist to express an interest in any group program. Referrals are welcome at any time. 

Social Inclusion and Wellbeing Programs (Kerrabee)

The Social Inclusion and Wellbeing Programs are Social Support Groups based at Council’s tranquil Kerrabee centre which is located in a tree-lined, suburban street in Croydon. Groups are ongoing and run each weekday offering a range of in-house activities and outings for people who are socially isolated or benefit from a low level of support to participate. Kerrabee offers friendly faces and supportive staff and volunteers, accessible facilities, beautiful gardens, a woodworking shed out the back and transport is available. Kerrabee members create the monthly program of activities and choose to either bring their own lunch or order a fresh, nutritious 3 course meal prepared in Council’s Karralyka kitchen.

Due to COVID-19 the Kerrabee face-to-face group programs are currently suspended, however the staff continue to offer a virtual program and members catch up through weekly phone calls. New referrals are welcome at any time.