MIGRANT ELDERLY

For more than 30 years, volunteers around the country have been calling the vulnerable and elderly to check they are okay. And, also, to have a chat.But the Red Cross Telecross service is under pressure as the nation's population ages.More volunteers are needed, especially those who speak another language besides English.

Red Cross seeking second language speakers Source: AAP

Telecross team leader Sheryl Foster says the service has saved lives.

Sheryl Foster says volunteers can have as few or as many clients as they can handle but the calls need to be made between 7:30am and 9:30am.

That window of time is when the elderly and vulnerable may have had falls during the night or upon waking up.

Sheryl Foster says the service needs more callers from non-English speaking backgrounds as Australia's population ages.