Information for Seniors

This page is prepared by staff of the Housebound and Talking Book Services.

Latest news

Mezzanine Community Centre Reopened:

Reopened for Senior Groups to carry out activities and meetings, from Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm. At the moment the following programme is running:

Mondays 2.00pm - 3.30pm, English Conversation Classes
Thursdays 10.00am - 11.30am, Beginners Ballroom Dancing
Fridays 10.00am - 11.30am, Tai Chi Classes
4th Tuesday of the month 10am - 2pm - Embroidery Group
Last Wednesday of the month 1.30pm - 3.30pm - Grey Power Central

Basic Computer Training: Is available at $2.00 per hour, please fill in the booking sheet, which is situated on the computer table and the tutor will contact you to arrange a suitable time.

Wellington Community Law Centre : Free Legal Advice is also available here each Thursday from 1.15pm.

If you belong to a senior group and would like to use this space to meet or carry out an activity Monday - Friday between 9.30am - 3.30pm, please contact:

Helen Young, Community Advisor, Seniors
Wellington City Council, Phone: 801 3532

New books at the Library

My stroke of insight: a brain scientist's personal journey by Jill Bolte Taylor. (2008)
"This book is excellent on so many levels. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Brain Specialist who at the age of 37 had a stroke. This book begins by explaining the way the brain works clearly and simply from a functional point of view. It also provides a valuable insight as to what a stroke victim experiences and is a must read for anyone working with or caring for a stroke victim. But this book is also much more than that. As Jill walks us through the process of her stroke, which shut down her left brain function and gave her an uninterrupted view of the right brain in action the book opens out to give us an experience of the amazing and boundless potential of the human as a being at one with and in direct connection with which she describes as the life force power of the universe. There are so many books trying to describe the human condition both from the perspective of science and biology and from the spiritual perspective. In this book both perspectives meet and back each other up."
(Amazon.co.uk reviewer)

Foods that help win the battle against fibromyalgia: ease everyday pain and fight fatigue by Deirdre Rawlings. (2008)
"Millions of people have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia--a debilitating, languishing, and painful disease characterised by chronic muscular and joint pain, headaches, and mental and physical fatigue. Foods that Win the Battle against Fibromyalgia will provide the tools and guidelines necessary to generate positive health, increase energy, and reduce symptoms. The book offers an overview of the disease and its symptoms and teaches readers how a carefully balanced diet specific in particular nutrients can substantially alleviate the illness. The carefully selected ingredients in the 100 healing recipes both relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia and infuse patients with the nutrients they need to boost their immune system and help conquer this disease. All cooking methods will preserve vitamins, minerals, and nutrients and recipes include all meals and snacks from breakfast to dinner, including appetisers and side dishes. Each meal can be a step in the right direction towards recovery or cure."
(Amazon.co.uk)

Ageless body, timeless mind: a practical alternative to growing old by Deepak Chopra. (2008)
"Scientific studies show that the mind/body connection has an extraordinary power to heal. "Ageless Body, Timeless Mind" goes beyond ancient mind/body wisdom and current anti-aging research to show you do not have to grow old. With the passage of time, you can retain your physical vitality, creativity, memory and self-esteem. Dr Deepak Chopra bases his theories on the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda, according to which, optimum health is about achieving balance physically, emotionally and psychologically, and demonstrates that, contrary to our traditional beliefs about aging, we can use out innate capacity for balance to direct the way our bodies metabolize time and achieve our unbounded potential. Originally published in 1993 it is as valid now as it was then."
(Amazon.co.uk)

Break free from addiction: using the Twelve-step programme by Robert Lefever. (2008)
"Addicts do not only abuse alcohol and drugs, they can find themselves hooked to a variety of substances and activities ranging from exercise and food to gambling and sex. More and more people are becoming shopaholics using the purchasing of merchandise not just as 'retail therapy', but as a way to get that all-important high; this addiction often results in thousands of pounds of debt. Even when treatment is given, the grip of addiction is strong: it has recently been reported that 40 per cent of people given methadone prescriptions continue to take heroin on a daily basis. This book explains the roots of addiction, how to recognize the signs and the treatments available in the US. Whether you suspect that you may have a problem or are a friend or relative of someone who has, "Break Free from Addiction" offers invaluable, up-to-date information and advice."
(Amazon.co.uk)

Natural remedies that really work: a New Zealand guide by Shaun Holt. (2008)
"In a world besieged by extrvagant claims for an avalanche of natural remedies, who should we believe, and how can we get the information we need to make the right choices? A surprising number of natural remedies are the subject of high-quality clinical research, published in top medical journals such as the Lancet and New england Jurnal of Medicine. This book summarises and evaluates the most important and interesting research, and advises on the application and dosage of treatments and remedies. This book by a medical doctor reveals the simple truth of what works and why."
(Cover)

Large Print Collection

These books have print that is larger than usual. The collection is available at Central and all branches. You can find the recent additions to our Large Print collection, or all the Large Print items in our catalogue. All Large Print titles are available to borrow or reserve. If you need to any of our staff can show you how to make your own reserves from our public access catalogues or from your home computer.

Making money by Terry Pratchett. (2008)
"Tthis book is brilliant, it is exiting and funny but you really want to read Going Postal before this one as it is a continuation of that storyline. I reccomend reading other discworld books first or you wont get the long running jokes. If you are familiar with discworld this book offers the same style of humor and adventure as Going Postal but is aimed at the bank and mint instead of the post office."
(Amazon.co.uk reviewer)

Could it be forever?: my story by David Cassidy. (2008)
"In the seventies, when he was just 20 years old, David Cassidy achieved the sort of teen idol fame that is rarely seen. He was mobbed everywhere he went. His clothes were regularly ripped off by adoring fans. He sold records the world over. He was bigger than Elvis. And all thanks to a hit TV show called 'The Partridge Family'. Now, in his own words, this is a brutally frank account of those mindblowing days of stardom in which being David Cassidy played second fiddle to being Keith Partridge. Including stories of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll that explode the myth of Cassidy as squeaky clean, it's also the story of how to keep on living life and loving yourself when the fickle fans fall away."
(Amazon.co.uk)

Merle's door: lessons from a freethinking dog by Ted Kerasote. (2007)
"I found it a wonderful book. The deep friendship between the author and his intelligent dog Merle was not only revealing about dogs in the (more or less) wild, about their behaviour and thoughts It is a beautiful and moving description of Ted Kerote's relationship to a dog he found in the wild and with whom he lived to the last moment of Merle's life. It is fun to read, informative in many senses, and it changes your outlook on the dog-human relationship. I love the respect and the understanding between those two, that Kerote knows perfectly how to convey. You will love it and so will everybody who loves dogs or wants to get to know them."
(Amazon.co.uk)

Sound and Vision

On DVD, video, CD and cassette. Discounts on all audio visual items with your Community Services Card.

DVDs we recommend:

Lovely Rita: a painter's life Produced and directed by Gaylene Preston. A documentary on the life and work of New Zealand painter Rita Angus.

The Kite Runner, Based on the book by Khaled Hosseini.
"In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever. It's a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are bursting with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament. But in the aftermath of the day's victory, one boy's fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. Now, after twenty years of living in America, Amir returns to a perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban's iron-fisted rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right."

(Library Catalogue)

Featured Magazine

New Zealand healthy food guide
This monthly magazine focusses on healthy eating, suitable recipes and educational features on dealing with some allergy diseases, and psychologically convincing ourselves how to eat and live healthier lifestyles. Very readable and nice size.

Found in the Social Comment magazines, on the first floor in the Science and Humanities magazine collection (North End).

Tea and Tales

Tea and Tales is now at Tawa, Johnsonville and Kilbirnie Libraries. At the Tawa Library Tea and Tales are held on the first Tuesday of the month, 10.30 to 11.30; at Johnsonville on the first Wednesday of the month, 2pm; and at Kilbirnie Library on the fourth Thursday of the month, from 10.30 to 11.30. Library staff read from some of their favourite books or poetry, and now some of those coming also volunteer their contributions. Library staff would love you to join them for this time of friendship and pleasure.

MyLibrary

Wellington City Libraries have a useful service available online called MyLibrary. This allows customers to create and customise a page on our website with links to our collections or services that are of interest. Each month recent picks from the latest material available in each of the selected areas, for example Fiction, Gardening, Cooking or History will be listed along with many others. Links to relevant Databases and Popular Topics are updated regularly; and customers can also add links to their own favourite websites.

This service is absolutely free, just be sure to include your email address when signing up so the subject areas you are interested in will be emailed to you.

Collection Highlight

Genealogy

Wellington City Libraries has a wealth of information about genealogy (family history). Here are some useful links:

Smartview and ZoomText

Smartview makes seeing things much easier for people with low vision and ordinary eyesight. It is great for photos, letters and documents and is adjustable for particular eye conditions. Find the Smartview on the Ground Floor at the Central library by the Large Print Collection.

ZoomText is available on the Second Floor free internet computer at the Central Library. ZoomText enlarges font size on web pages and electronic documents (email, newspaper databases etc) and can be set to read these aloud or display in high contrast large print.

Talking Book Borrowers

If you have any kind of sight impairment or can no longer hold a book comfortably please visit our webpage for talking book borrowers. You can also call us on 801 4121 or visit the staff on the 2nd floor of the Central Library on Victoria Street.

Housebound Customers

Information about becoming a Housebound customer

Residents and ratepayers who are permanently or sometimes temporarily housebound through long-term illness, disability or frailty are eligible for free home delivery service. If you are unable to make a trip to the Library and are aged between 13 and 103 this could be for you. Please visit our Housebound webpage or call us on 801 4044 for more information.

Recommended websites

WCL's guide for mature employment seekers or jobseekers over 45
University of the Third Age (U3A)
Generally known as U3A, the University of the Third Age is a fast growing, informal learning environment for older adults. Each U3A group offers a range of small classes, discussion groups and larger meetings with visiting speakers. Classes are often held in private homes and are held in the daytime to suit retired people. Costs are kept to a minimum. This is a university in the original sense of the word, open to all with no admission requirements, no examinations and no awards. To locate a New Zealand branch, try U3A Online
and for Wellington try U3A
Grownups (www.grownups.co.nz)
This site caters for the 50+ community. Includes everything you could possibly want/need.
NZedge (www.nzedge.com)
Home to a global community of New Zealanders, a new way of thinking about our identity, people, stories, achievements and role in the world. Travellers may enjoy NZedge with its great links for other NZ sites, and for connecting NZ expatriots to each other.
Age Concern (www.ageconcern.org.nz)
Age Concern is a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation working to promote the rights and well being of older people, koroua and kuia. Positive ageing is not about how to live longer nor how to avoid growing old. Its about celebrating older age. It provides information and services including accredited visiting, elder abuse and neglect prevention, and health promotion. There is much information on resources available for older people and ageing issues. It has links to other national and international websites.
Eldernet (www.eldernet.co.nz)
This site provides relevant and comprehensive information about services available for older people. It includes a database of resthomes, residential care and retiremment villages, home help, community groups and public hospitals.
Funding Information Service (www.wcl.govt.nz/mygateway/commfund.html)
If your community group is looking for funding use this free database to find which is the best source for your needs.
The Retirement Commission of New Zealand is largely devoted to financial issues, there is much food for thought.
Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center
Contains thousands of magazines, journals, newspapers, definitions, directories, and information on: Fitness, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Prescription Drugs, Herbal remedies, and alternative or complementary treatments, and more.
SeniorNet
Gives people over the age of 55 an opportunity to learn more about the new communication and information technology. With learning centres throughout the country, there's sure to be one located conveniently for you.
Raising Grandchildren
A New Zealand site that aims to provide support to grandparents who are primary caregivers to grandchildren in difficult circumstances and to ensure fair treatment from the legal and child protection services in New Zealand, in order to stabilise and normalise the lives of the children involved.

Feedback on this page?

new item A NEW name for the Seniors page? Do you think of yourself as a Senior? If not, how do you describe yourself? A Baby boomer? Superannuitant? I would love to hear your views on whether the name of this page should be changed to something that better reflects how you think of yourselves. Please email me at toni.finkle@wcc.govt.nz.

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