b'Our work with older peopleOlder people deserve to live the lifestyle they choose, doing the things they love.Maintaining good Our aged care services help older people maintain their independence, staymental healthconnected to their community and live A new mental health program is helping the lifestyle they choose. older residents living across Victorias Great In-home support helps older people remainSouth Coast. The service is part of the Older living at home, with a little help to getAustralians Initiative to assist older people things done safely around the house. We experiencing social isolation or those who need help carers take a break, so they can havesupport with their mental health. Older people time to themselves to re-energise. have been greatly impacted by the pandemic, We support the mental health of older peoplenot only by the virus itself, but by the social across our communities and help them stayisolation and separation from family and friends. connected and make friends. Through ourThis service works with older people to build social and planned activity groups, oldertheir capacity and confidence through treatment people can continue doing the things theyplans, mindfulness training and providing love and even discover hidden talents. individual support.Linlithgow Social Group Helping to vaccinate the elderlyDuring the Victorian COVID-19 lockdowns, theOur emergency relief team in Broadmeadows Linlithgow Social Support Program introducedteamed up with the Hume City Council to a weekly phone tombola (Italian bingo) activityprovide access to COVID-19 vaccinations for for its Italian participants. Participants werelocal seniors who were unable to travel. Our mailed their tombola cards and each Thursdayteam organised in-home COVID-19 vaccination an Italian speaking facilitator would host theappointments and access to travel vouchers session over the phone. Four tombola gamesto assist older locals in attending medical or were played during each session and participantsvaccination appointments. used either buttons or dried cannellini beans to cover the numbers called. All participants played with enthusiasm, and they regularly expressed gratitude for it keeping them connected with each other and providing a fun and stimulating activity. One participant said: Ive been looking forwardto this all day. Its the highlight of my week.20 Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2021-2022'