Visit elderly relatives this Christmas
With the jingle of Santa’s sleigh bells nearing, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is reminding people to take the time to visit elderly relatives this Christmas. “The festive season can be a challenging and lonely time,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, says, adding he would like everyone to think of others this Christmas.
With the jingle of Santa’s sleigh bells nearing, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is reminding people to take the time to visit elderly relatives this Christmas.
“The festive season can be a challenging and lonely time,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, says, adding he would like everyone to think of others this Christmas.
The department’s statement also reminds pensioners pension pay days will not be affected by holiday festivities.
Wishing veterans and their families a safe and happy Christmas, Mr Snowdon says he hopes veterans, serving men and women and ex-service communities enjoy the holiday season.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ office will close today (Friday, 23 December 2011) and reopen at 9am on Tuesday, 3 January 2012.
During this period, the below DVA services will remain available to the veteran community:
- 24-hour crisis counselling through the Veterans’ Line. This service is available toll free on 1800 011 046.
- Doctors can admit DVA patients into hospital and request admissions approval, if required, when DVA reopens on Tuesday, 3 January 2012.
- Defence Services Homes Insurance will continue to help with policy and claim enquiries 24-hours a day over the holiday break. People can contact the homes insurance line on 1300 552 662, while payments can be made on 1300 304 989 for the cost of a local call or through the website at www.dsh.gov.au.
