Seniors Health Organisations
Mental Health
- Mental Health Association NSW Inc has a range of up-to-date information on mental health issues - read the fact sheets online. The many links include the other State and Territory mental health associations.
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- Sane Australia. Working to help people seriously affected by mental illness, through research, education and campaigning. The website includes Fact sheets, by diagnosis and by other related topics, plus links to other sites, some of which in turn have extensive links.
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Depression
beyondblue. The national depression initiative" organisation aims to provide a national focus and community leadership to increase the capacity of the broader Australian community to prevent depression and respond effectively to it. The site has information and links to resources and related organisations.
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BluePages is an Australian site which provides information. Thespecialised website search engine allows searches over a large number of Australian and international depression sites as well as the BluePages site itself.
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depressioNet provides a comprehensive resource for Australians with depression and for their families and friends to come for information, help and support. The dNet team are Australians from a variety of backgrounds who have had personal experiences with depression.
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MoodGYM is an interactive site from Australia which aims to help you identify and overcome problem emotions and show you how to develop good coping skills for the future so you can enjoy good mental health.
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Carers News
- NSW Carers’ support
The ‘Working Carers Support Gateway’
Provides direct information in NSW for busy working carers.
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- Carers Australia is a non-profit benevolent organisation dedicated to improving the lives of carers. Carers Australia is the national peak carer organisation with eight member organisations - the Carers Associations in each State and Territory.
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- Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres. There are over 80 Carer Respite Centres around Australia to support carers to access respite. The centres can provide:
- information and advice about respite options
- help with organising emergency or planned respite
- financial assistance for short-term or emergency respite when needed
Phone 1800 059 059
- Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres are part of the Carers Associations in each State and Territory and provide carers with information and referral on a range of community services and goverment assistance available to support them in their caring role. The centres also have eight fact sheets on topics related to caring.
Phone 1800 242 636
- Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. Contact Centrelink to find out about your entitlement to Carer Payment or Carer Allowance, or find more information on the Centrelink page of the @boutSeniors site.
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- Red Cross HACC Carer Support
Phone (08) 9325 5111
- Carers’ Taskforce Australia Inc. (CTA) Aims to assist carers by raising their profile and by increasing community and government awareness.
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Aged Care Australia Association
This is the federal association providing representation on a national level in aged care. The Association exists to promote the interests of private and also church and charitable run nursing homes and hostels within Australia. The site includes contact details for state branches.
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Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia (RA) is Australia's leading provider of professional services to support relationships. It is a not-for profit community based organisation, with funding from governments. Services include: family and relationship counselling, marriage and relationship education, family and child mediation, family skills training, adolescent mediation and family therapy, children's contact services, and other specialist relationship programs such as, in some States, services for people with a gambling problem and family violence prevention.
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Post-Polio
The Post-Polio Network (NSW) Inc was established in 1989 with the aims of providing information on the late effects of polio and its management to polio survivors, their families, healthcare providers and the community; setting up support groups throughout NSW and ACT for polio survivors; raising awareness within the healthcare system, government and the wider community about issues affecting polio survivors; encouraging research into the late effects of polio. The majority of Australia's polio survivors are over the age of 55. This site has a list of contacts to support groups in the other States.
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Physiotherapy
Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has branches in all states and territories. The Physio & Health page of the website has information on conditions and treatment, finding a practitioner, and other health issues.
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Parkinson’s Australia
Comprehensive information on Parkinson's disease (PD) plus links to state/territory associations and other sites for general information, symptoms, caring, treatment and more.
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Palliative Care Australia
This is the national peak body for palliative care in Australia, and works towards the relief of pain and suffering of dying people in Australia and the provision of the care they need. Palliative care is about caring for people with a terminal illness as well as their families and friends. It is given when treatment to cure an illness won't work any longer. It aims to ease the pain, distress and many other physical, emotional and spiritual problems that are present with a terminal illness. The website offers useful links to state organisations.
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See also the National Palliative Care Program from the Palliative Care Section of the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing.
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Osteopathy
- The Australian Osteopathic Association has information about osteopathy in general, news for both the general public and association members plus what's happening in Australian Osteopathy and a directory to help you find your nearest osteopath.
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- Osteoporosis Australia. A consumer representative body, provides support for people with osteoporosis, their families and carers, with contact information for State and Territory associations.
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NICAN
The National Information Communication Awareness Network provides a free information service to people with disabilities, families, service providers and the community throughout Australia.
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National Stroke Foundation
A not-for-profit charity group, which is the peak organisation charged with the responsibility of leading a coordinated effort Australia-wide to guide government, health professionals, patients, carers and consumers on how best to minimise the impact of stroke, or as better defined 'Brain Attack', on the Australian community. The site has information about stroke, support groups, links and more.
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Multiple Sclerosis Australia
With links to State and Territory associations.
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Freecall 1800 816 113
Men’s Line Australia
Men increasingly want to understand and improve their relationships. They value their roles as husbands, lovers, providers and fathers. A phone call provides ready access to information and assistance when it is needed. It also provides support and information for women and family members who are concerned about the welfare of their partners, husbands or fathers. Men's Line Australia is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services and provides a 24 hour 7 day service.
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For immediate help call 1300 78 99 78
Lifeline
"Every person has the right to be heard and understood with compassion and to receive competent care in time of need." The Lifeline counselling service is free and accessible from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call.
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For immediate help call 13 11 14
For rural mental health information call 1300 13 11 14
Kidney Foundation
The Australian Kidney Foundation is the leading non-profit national organisation providing funding for, and taking the initiative in, the prevention of kidney and urinary tract diseases. Many facts sheets are available online. See the activities in Kidney Awareness Week.
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Heart Foundation
As Australia's leading heart health charity, the National Heart Foundation of Australia carries out life-saving work in research, prevention and education to reduce the loss and suffering caused by cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease).
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or phone Heartline 1300 36 27 87
Disability
- Accessibility.com.au, An access information supermarket for the use of people with special needs, their families, friends, carers, seniors, families with prams, health and design professionals and international visitors.
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- The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations is being established as the primary national voice to government that represents the interests of all people with disabilities across Australia. The following organisations are affiliates:
- Blind Citizens Australia
- Deafness Forum Limited
- National Ethnic Disability Alliance
- Women with Disabilities Australia
- National Council on Intellectual Disability
- Physical Disability Council of Australia
- Head Injury Council of Australia
- Australian Association of the Deaf
The website has information on and links to each affiliate.
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- Disability Online. Established by the Victorian Government’s Department of Human Services, Disability Services Division, the site aims to provide people with a disability, their families and carers with access to online disability related information across governments and the non-government sector.
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- Enable.net.au. For disability related information, news, chat and more, produced by the Disability Information & Resource Centre.
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- Independent Living Centres. The Centres display a comprehensive range of products and equipment to assist with day to day living and you can try out products and equipment and select those most suitable before you buy. They offer information and unbiased advice from health professionals. The Centres do not sell or hire out items but can provide supplier details and approximate prices.
- Technical Aid to the Disabled. Uses the skills and energy of technical volunteers to construct many types of customer designed equipment for people with disabilities. Services may include the design and manufacture of any aid or device for the home, workplace, school or recreational activity that cannot be found commercially. Additional services such as specialised technical advice or computer loan equipment may be available depending on the local organisation.
- Telstra’s Disability Services. Telstra aims to ensure that its products, services, information and people are accessible to all customers, including people who have a disability. The Disability Equipment Program offers eligible customers many products and services that can make using the standard telephone service easier. There is also a catalogue of their products and services that may provide solutions for the diverse needs of older people and people with a disability.
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Freecall 1800 068 424 (Voice)
Freecall 1800 808 981 (TTY)
Diabetes Australia
Information, resources and discussion.
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Dementia
- Alzheimer’s Australia represents, at the national level, the interests of its federation of members in each State and Territory on all matters relating to dementia and carer issues. The site includes helpsheets for people with dementia or memory loss, plus links including to the Dementia Advocacy and Support Network (DASN) and to home pages of people with dementia or memory loss.
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- 24 hour Dementia Helpline Freecall 1800 639 331
Interpreter Service Phone 131 450
National Dementia Behaviour Advisory Service Phone 1300 366 448
- The Australian Department of Health and Ageing has a web page. Called About Dementia which has general information and links to sources of assistance.
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Deafness
- Australian Association of the Deaf. AAD is the national peak organisation for deaf people in Australia. It represents the views of deaf people who use Auslan (Australian Sign Language). The site has links to the State Associations.
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- Australian Caption Centre. The Australian Caption Centre is a national not-for-profit, institution that produces and promotes captions as an access solution for deaf and hearing impaired people to media including television, video, DVD and cinema. Captions render the entire soundtrack (including background noises and sound effects) of a TV program, TV commercial, video, DVD or cinema screenings as text, usually at the bottom of the screen.
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Captions are available on all prime time TV programs but you need a TV set capable of teletext (note that veterans may be able to claim a part reimbursement of a new teletext TV set, but check with DVA before purchase)
- Australian Deafness Directory. A comprehensive guide to many organisations and services of and for deaf people and people with a hearing impairment in Australia.
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- Better Hearing Australia. A non-profit, self-help organisation controlled by its members and providing an Australia-wide community support service of rehabilitation and help for Australia’s hearing impaired. BHA has developed a Hearing Health Card for details about the cardholder and tips to help a hearing person communicate.
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- Deafness Resources Australia (DRA). DRA is the trading division of Australian Communication Exchange Limited (ACE - see below under National Relay Service), which aims to maintain a wide range of products to suit anyone with an interest in deafness. To find out what’s available, check the links to Technology and to Books, Videos, CD-ROMS.
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- National Relay Service. The Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) provides a National Relay Service (ACE-NRS or NRS) 24 hours, every day of the year. The ACE-NRS relays telephone calls between people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment and the wider community. You can make any call you wish to anyone, anytime, anywhere. The NRS service is free but callers have to pay the normal local, STD or international call charges.
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Freecall 1800 555 660
TTY 1800 555 630
- Office of Hearing Services.Provides information on the eligibility of individuals and the provision of services, provider directory, how to make a complaint about the service, and other resources.
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Phone 1800 686 126
TTY 1800 500 496
- Client Services Line 1800 500 726
- SHHH - Self Help for Hard of Hearing People. SHHH Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping Australians with hearing loss. They give information and advice to hearing impaired people and their families, whilst promoting a better community understanding of hearing loss. See ‘What we do’ and the Information Sheets (in PDF format).
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Continence
- The Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) is a Commonwealth program offering assistance to people who have permanent and ongoing incontinence as a result of a neurological condition or severe intellectual impairment.
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- The Continence Foundation of Australia aims to serve the interests of incontinent people throughout Australia by improving access to and availability of services, providing information and advice and promoting education, support and research.
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- Department of Health and Ageing continence website provides information and resources. Go to Factsheets for a series of 14 downloadable fact sheets with detailed information on a variety of continence issues.
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- National Continence Hotline. A team of continence nurse advisors provide free, confidential advice about bladder and bowel control problems, plus local referrals, brochures and product information.
phone Freecall 1800 330 066
Chiropractic
- The Chiropractors' Association of Australia has branches in all states and territories. The website has information about chiropractic and how to locate a chiropractor.
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Cancer
- Cancer Council Australia - Australia's national non-government cancer control organisation, with links to State and Territory associations.
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Phone 13 11 20
Breast Cancer - BreastScreen Australia - National mammographic screening program.
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- National Breast Council Centre - Information on risk factors, early detection, treatment, statistics, resources and research is here, plus support, links and more.
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Prostate Cancer - Lions Australia - Prostate cancer is now the second most common cancer diagnosed after skin cancer in Australia. This site has educational information and links to support groups and treatment centres.
- Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia - Information on prostate cancer and support groups plus links (see "What's Prostate") providing more detailed information.
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Phone 1800 22 00 99
Blindness
- AMD Alliance International - This site provides regularly updated information about Age Related Macula Degeneration, the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 65. It also provides information about the cause and the options for treatment, support and rehabilitation.
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- Blind Citizens Australia - A united voice of blind and vision-impaired Australians.
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Phone (03) 9521 3433
Freecall 1800 033 660
TTY (03) 9521 1200
- Glaucoma Australia Inc. - A national not-for-profit organisation working to educate the public about glaucoma, offering support to glaucoma sufferers and their families and funding Australian research in glaucoma. The site has information on the disease, its detection and treatment, plus links to support groups and other useful sites.
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- Macular Degeneration Foundation Australia - Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia country and affects another 230 people every day. The Foundation aims to reduce the incidence and impact of Macular Degeneration in Australia.
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- Vision Australia Foundation - Formerly the Association for the Blind, this not-for-profit organisation provides vital services for older Australians experiencing sensory loss (vision impairment or hearing loss). Services include residential care facilities, day centre programs, low vision clinics, telephone support programs, ADAPT shops which offer assistive devices, in-home assistance with mobility and advice on maximising the use of remaining vision, Radio for the Print Handicapped (RPH) and the Vision Australia Library of Braille and talking books.
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Phone 1800 331 000
Australian Podiatry Association
Podiatrists are health professionals specialising in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders of the foot and the lower limb. The Australian Podiatry Association is the professional association for all NSW and ACT registered podiatrists.
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Australian Red Cross
With links to State and Territory divisions for information on Telecross and other services.
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Australian Kidney Foundation
A non-profit national organisation providing funding for, and taking the initiative in, the prevention of kidney and urinary tract diseases.
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Australian Federation of Men’s Health & Wellbeing Associations Inc.
The associations are dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of men and boys and to create a better world for all. They aim, among other things, to collect, generate and distribute information, literature and resources on men's health and wellbeing, to carry out appropriate data collection and research, to conduct education and training, and to lobby for men's health services.
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Australian Dental Association
ADA is an organisation of dentists which has as its aim the encouragement of the health of the public and the promotion of the art and science of dentistry. Patients and consumers can explore Dentistry in Australia, Frequently Asked Questions, ADA Seal of Approval Products, Dental Health Information, Latest News, and more.
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Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd (AACMA)
AACMA is the leading national professional association of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners. Health services information includes Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbal Medicine. You can also search the site for practicioners.
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Asthma
- Asthma Australia is an association of all the Asthma Foundations throughout Australia. It aims to eliminate asthma as a major cause of ill health and disruption within the community. The Asthma Foundations exist to provide asthma education, information, research, community advocacy and support to people with asthma and their carers. The site has links to state foundations and other resources.
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Freecall 1800 645 130
- National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) is a non-profit body which serves the community by creating awareness and providing information about asthma. The site includes a list of links to other asthma and asthma-related websites.
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Freecall 1800 032 495
Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation of Australia (AFA) aims to improve the quality of life of people by reducing and preventing the effects of musculoskeletal disorders. It promotes research into the causes, control and cure of all forms of rheumatic disease. The site has information on the forms of arthritis, treatments available, frequently asked questions and research, plus links to state/territory Arthritis Foundations and links to other resources.
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Phone 1800 011 041
Aged and Community Services Australia
ACSA (formerly Aged Care Australia Inc) is the national peak body of not-for-profit church, charitable and community providers of aged and community services. Some 1200 organisations providing housing, care and support services to about 200,000 people are members of ACSA's six State and Territory Associations. The web site has a Directory of State Associations with contact details. ACSA in partnership with the Australian Association of Gerontology, the Australian Society for Geriatric Medicine, and Council on the Ageing publishes quarterly The Australasian Journal on Ageing.
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ACROD
This is the National Industry Association for Disability Services and is the peak body for the disability industry. The site provides contacts for state divisions and regions. The NSW Division site has a comprehensive list of relevant links.
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