There is an older persons Covid information telephone line available in Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Greek, Italian and Mandarin. This mulitlingual telephone support line has been set up to help community members talk to call takers in their own language.
In November 2020 the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck announced an extension to the Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line. To support older people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the Australian Department of Health has funded the Multilingual Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line. Led by the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing, the aim of the Multilingual Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line is to increase access for older people from culturally diverse backgrounds to the Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line through the provision of multilingual phone support workers so that callers can speak in their preferred language about their needs.
The support line will provide callers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds across Australia access to information areas about:
- COVID-19 updates and restrictions that may affect them, their families or friends
- Information on types of residential and home aged care services
- Access to aged care and community services that are culturally aligned and speak their language.
- Information on dementia support or caring for someone living with dementia
The support line will run for six months from 10 February 2021 until 31 July 2021 will be offered in the following six languages:
- Arabic
- Cantonese
- Mandarin
- Greek
- Italian
- Vietnamese
Older people, their families and carers who would like information and support are encouraged to contact the Multilingual Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line Monday to Friday between 2pm and 5pm Melbourne time (except public holidays) on:
1800549844 – Italian
1800549845 – Greek
1800549846 – Vietnamese
1800549847 – Mandarin
1800549848 – Cantonese
1800549849 – Arabic
The Multilingual Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line is led by the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (supported by Benetas) in partnership with Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre and All Graduates Interpreting and Translating Services and supported by the PICAC Alliance, OPAN, Dementia Australia, National Seniors Australia, National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council and COTA Australia.
ARABIC
Multilingual Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line
ARABIC 1800 549 849
2pm – 5pm (Melbourne time)
Monday – Friday (FREECALL)
Listen to audio about the program in Arabic
CANTONESE
Multilingual Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line
CANTONESE 1800 549 848
2pm – 5pm (Melbourne time)
Monday – Friday (FREECALL)
Listen to audio about the program in Cantonese
GREEK
Multilingual Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line
GREEK 1800 549 845
2pm – 5pm (Melbourne time)
Monday – Friday (FREECALL)
Listen to audio about the program in Greek
