Keep Them Rolling

Newcastle Herald

Monday June 17, 2002

MEALS on Wheels is, in theory, the perfect social service for Newcastle now and in the future. The city has a large and growing population of elderly people, many of whom are, partly as a result of deliberate Government policy, living in their own homes. That the service should be on the verge of collapse when the need is so great and shows every sign of increasing is unthinkable.

The State and Federal governments both stridently promote the philosophy of caring for the aged in their own homes. Every person who stays in their own home saves the Government the cost of nursing home subsidies. The Federal Government, in particular, is much happier to fund community aged care packages than more expensive nursing home beds.

But home care cannot be allowed to descend any further towards neglect. Already the elderly in their homes struggle to receive a paltry few hours a week of subsidised help with cleaning, bathing and shopping. Take away Meals on Wheels and, for many, home care will have become a bad joke.

Meals on Wheels provides nutritious subsidised food. That in itself is a precious thing for people who may not be able to prepare decent meals for themselves. But every bit as important is the social contact provided by the food deliverer. Meals on Wheels volunteers are the only visitors some people have for days on end and some volunteers have described how important relationships have grown from the service.

From the Government's point of view it is short-sighted in the extreme to let this service collapse. The Government should back a recruiting drive, add the service to Work-for-the-Dole lists and generally provide more backing now, before it's too late. If the voluntary network fails the cost of setting up a new system from scratch will be much greater.

Rationalising services by reducing the number of kitchens may make economic sense, but should not go too far. If volunteers are forced to make too many deliveries too far apart the crucial social contact aspect of their work will be lost.

It is beyond shameful that this service is in difficulty. Corporations and local businesses will `adopt a road' or sponsor a charity sport day. Why can't they help repair and maintain a decrepit and poorly equipped Meals on Wheels kitchen? Anecdotal evidence suggests there are hundreds of would-be volunteers seeking to contribute something to society. The dwindling few who keep Meals on Wheels rolling need their help.

Out of the blue

IT is heartening to see Virgin Blue seriously considering setting up an operation at Newcastle Airport. Since the demise of Impulse and Ansett, Qantas's air services from Williamtown have decreased and the lack of competition is reflected in ticket prices. Anticipating a possible price war, Virgin Blue is closely studying the amount of demand for air services to centres such as Melbourne and Brisbane. Hunter air travellers who experienced the benefits of low-cost flights when competition was fierce will be hoping the figures add up.