Casey Grange Retirement Village in Cranbourne West and Casey Council are celebrating after a Federal Government announced a $6 million nation-wide communications funding package to support senior residents stay connected.
Under the Be Connected program modern technology will be made available to seniors for free including devices such as laptops and tablets as well as building their online skills and know-how through step-by-step training.
Federal Liberal Senator for Victoria David Van said a $30,000 Federal Government grant would assist seniors in the southeast to connect with friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic and to help boost IT literacy.
In addition, almost $5 million will be used to significantly expand FriendLine, a national telephone support service for older Australians, to answer 60,000 calls a year.
“Around 14 per cent of residents in the southeast Melbourne are over 65 years of age and many Australians in this age group may lack confidence using digital technology,” Senator Van said.
“These grants will help improve the online skills of our senior residents who are increasingly accessing online services during the pandemic, while expanded access to FriendLine will help seniors in southeast Melbourne to combat loneliness and isolation.”
The following organisations in the southeast will also receive funding under the Be Connected program to provide digital devices to older residents: Shriners Australia in Patterson Lakes, U3A Frankston, Keysborough Learning Centre, St John’s German Lutheran Parish in Springvale, and Monash Men’s Shed in Glen Waverley.
