New project to strengthen

home security for seniors

COWRA Shire Council and the town’s Rotary and Lions clubs are launching a project to bolster the home security of senior residents.

The Safe Seniors scheme, the first of its kind, is designed to ensure older people feel safer in their homes.

It will be launched next Friday, June 15, at Cowra Services Club.

Council staff and the service clubs’ members have undergone special training to conduct the assessments.

An Australian Government-funded initiative, part of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, Cowra Council developed the project and gained funding for its undertaking.

Right: The first Safe Seniors training session (l-r) – Mike Holloway and Graham Apthorpe holding the Cowra Rotary Club sign and (front) Ken Harris, Lisa Robertson, Dallas Kingsland, Harry Howard, David Lawrie, and Dianne and Bruce White.

Rotary and Lions members will provide two volunteers who will visit residents’ homes to assess whether the dwellings have adequate security measures.

The volunteers will complete a standard form which they will return to the council, whose staff will contact

Volunteers cannot offer advice on their findings it falls outside the scope of their task.

And they cannot complete any work, such as changing light bulbs or fire alarm batteries, tasks accessible only through Cowra Neighbourhood Centre’s Home Maintenance and Modifications Service.

Residents receiving an aged pension or those aged over 45 and receiving a disability pension can apply for assistance. Applicants must own the property. Application forms are available at the Cowra Council office.

The funding will support about 80 upgrades to items including smoke alarms, security-screen doors, locks, security lighting and peepholes.

Residents approved under the guidelines will be attended to on a first-in-first-served basis.

Each home may be eligible for upgrades worth up to $1000 including installation expenses.

Cowra Council will co-ordinate the volunteers, the assessments and the tradespeople to provide the service.

The project is expected to be completed inside six months.

Further information from Safe Seniors project officer, Lil Wilson, or Cowra Council’s community project officers, Lisa Robertson and Linda Barron on 6340 2000.