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Message from the CEO
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The National Elder Abuse Conference, held in Sydney in February, gathered more than 500 people from across Australia who share the view that ‘there is no excuse for elder abuse’. We heard from the many agencies that are working to prevent and address elder abuse, and from financial institutions about their strategies to prevent financial abuse. There were debates about whether new laws should be introduced, and agreement that more needs to be done to raise community awareness about the extent and impact of elder abuse.
Keep reading...
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Safeguarding end-of-life for older LGBTI Victorians
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COTA Victoria and Transgender Victoria (TGV) have produced a resource tailored to the needs and concerns of LGBTI community members in relation to planning for future care and medical needs, financial and estate planning, and funeral and burial wishes.
The resource, Safeguarding the end of the rainbow: A guide to help LGBTI people in Victoria plan an end-of-life of their choice, will be launched on 21 March by the Minister for Housing, Disability & Ageing, Mental Health, Equality and Creative Industries, the Hon Martin Foley MP.
Keep reading...
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National Elder Abuse Conference builds action momentum
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Seniors Rights Victoria and COTA Victoria team members participating in the 5th National Elder Abuse Conference last month have been inspired by the commitment to action by the cross-section of professionals who come into contact with older people at risk or experiencing abuse.
Keep reading...
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‘I know your partner is dead, but I still need to speak to him about the account.'
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What practical things should you do when someone dies? ‘Closing a life’ can be complicated and traumatic, so COTA Victoria has developed a series of resources to help people navigate the bureaucracy involved. 'Information for partners and families' is a set of information sheets with a calendar to guide people on the various steps to take after a loved one dies.
Keep reading...
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Fervent fan finds fitness fabulous
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Frank Cahill says that since he was dragged to his first Living Longer Living Stronger (LLLS) fitness program five years ago, he has never looked back. Frank has been inspired by his instructors, creating friendships and boosting his health in the process.
Keep reading...
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What makes an effective legal service for older people?
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Do you have experience with the legal system? Are you interested in identifying what a legal service for older people should look like?
COTA Victoria will host two workshops later this month to understand what would make an effective legal service for older people.
For more information about the focus groups on 28 and 29 March, and to register your interest, go to COTA Victoria.
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Knock knock!
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Do you know your rights when a salesperson knocks on your door?
It might feel awkward to say no when you can't walk away. Salespeople may take advantage of this situation to put pressure on you to sign up. You always have the right to tell them you’re not interested and ask them to leave.
If you don't want to be approached by door-to-door salespeople, get a 'Do not knock' sticker from the ACCC Consumer Rights website and stick it on your front door or gate post. Read about your rights on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
Keep reading...
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Flu vaccine free of charge for older Australians
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The Australian Government will provide two ground-breaking flu vaccines free of charge to more three million older Australians from April this year as a direct response to last year’s horrific flu season. According to the Australian Government, more than 90 per cent of the 1100 flu related deaths in 2017 were people aged over 65 years of age. That age group will now be able to access the Fluad® and Fluzone High Dose through the National Immunisation Program.
Find out more about the free flu vaccine.
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One in two aged care residents are malnourished
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Malnutrition affects at least one in two residents in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACF) according to a recent health services evaluation, What does it cost to feed aged care residents in Australia?
Keep reading...
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I have Type 2 Diabetes – what can I eat?
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People diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes can often feel daunted by more medical appointments, new medication and the requirement to stop smoking, be active and eat a healthy diet – but what exactly can you eat when you receive this diagnosis?
Diabetes UK has found that the new information and lifestyle changes can easily overwhelm people, so they’ve developed a guide to what you can eat when diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
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Breaking the loneliness cycle in aged care
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Residential aged care facilities should be well placed to tackle issues of loneliness and isolation due to communal living, availability of caregivers to support health needs, unrestricted timeframes for visitors and leisure, recreation and lifestyle programs, according to the Australian Ageing Agenda. However, research in 2012 found that older people in residential care report feeling more lonely than those living in the community.
Keep reading...
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Activity guidelines support older people with cognitive decline
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The University of Melbourne has developed physical activity guidelines for older people with the early signs of cognitive decline with the aim of highlighting the evidence on the benefits of keeping active.
Keep reading...
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Exercise helps sleeping
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Home exercise can improve the quality of sleep and self-referred daytime sleepiness of sedentary older people with sleep disorders, according to a study published recently in Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine.
The natural process of human ageing causes important organic changes, resulting in mental and physical alterations which affect the quality of life as we get older, with more than 50 per cent of older people complaining about their sleep quality, according to the research.
Read more about how home exercise can improve sleep quality.
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Is ageing a gift?
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Social commentator, writer and lecturer Jane Caro’s funny, insightful and at times challenging TEDx talk ‘Growing old: the unbearable lightness of ageing’ encourages everyone to embrace the process.
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An Agenda for Ageing in Victoria
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COTA Victoria invites you to the launch of An Agenda for Ageing in Victoria on Tuesday 27 March from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm at Parliament House, Spring Street. Speakers include:
• the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO, Age Discrimination Commissioner
• the Hon Professor Brian Howe AO, former Deputy Prime Minister
You will hear why action on ageing should be a priority for the state and have an opportunity to talk to members of parliament.
Bookings are essential. Register online or call 9655 2125 if you require assistance to book. Seating is limited and bookings close on 22 March 2018, so get in early.
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2018 Victorian Seniors Festival calls for event listings
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The 2018 Victorian Seniors Festival will take place this October, with eight days of free public transport for Victorian Seniors card holders from Sunday 7 October to Sunday 14 October.
For those people new to listing an event for the 2018 Victorian Seniors Festival, please email your contact details and enquiry to the Festival manager at seniorsfestival@dhhs.vic.gov.au
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Comic's Lounge hosts festival shows
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The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is back in town and The Comic's Lounge is offering a free sample of favourites at its North Melbourne HQ for laughter from 13–16 March. Interested audience members will be given two hours of great stand-up comedy and plenty of laughs. For those interested in buying dinner, doors open at 6.30 pm before the two-hour show starts at 8.00 pm.
Visit the Comics Lounge website to check out the line-ups and dining menu at the venue, which is located at 26 Errol Street, North Melbourne. To book tickets, email comedy@thecomicslounge.com.au with your name, number of tickets and which show you would like to attend. If you need assistance call The Comic's Lounge on 9348 9488.
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Wise Hacks hosts information evening
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Future Smith is hosting an information evening about Hackathons as catalysts for change on March 16, before launching Wise Hacks Melbourne in April 2018.
With support from the City of Yarra and Richmond Community Learning Centre, the Wise Hacks process gathers the collective wisdom of wise and skilled residents to catalyse creative solutions to social issues in the community.
Read Wise Hacks for more information and to book your ticket.
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