Edition 3

Welcome to  COTAlife

As a subscriber you will receive this e-newsletter on the alternate month to ONECOTA to keep you informed about State Government programs, policies and priorities for older people, articles and referrals to assist you to find services to enhance your quality of life and news about how COTA is advancing the rights needs and interests of people as they age in Queensland.

We are only 15 days away from the largest week-long seniors' celebration in the state.  How will you celebrate?

Get involve by attending events or hosting one yourself.  For events near you visit www.qldseniorsweek.org.au.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Seniors During Natural Disasters

During natural disaster events a large proportion of seniors are often placed at increased risk due to the inability to either self-evacuate because of physical impediments and/or dependence upon medical equipment support.  At present in Queensland there is no coordinated state-wide approach to assisting vulnerable seniors during disasters although within some northern districts there are local systems in place. To facilitate discussions amongst key stakeholders COTA Queensland is staging the Safeguarding Vulnerable Seniors during Natural Disasters Forum on 18 August during Seniors Week.  

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Making the Most out of Consumer Directed Care 

Ten COTA Queensland Peer Educators attended Consumer Directed Care (CDC) training on 21st and 22nd July, and are ready to start delivering CDC sessions to community groups, from August 2014 to June 2015.

The free, interactive sessions run for approximately one hour. We will endeavour to deliver sessions wherever we are able to arrange for a Peer Educator to attend. Sessions are supported by resources from Home Care Today. If you haven't yet booked your group in for a CDC session, please contact Marianne at bookings@cotaqld.org.au and request an Expression of Interest booking form. Available sessions are filling quickly!

Clik here for more information about Consumer Directed Care 

The Ageless Creative Enterprise Mentoring Project

Brisbane City Council is trialling a new initiative called the Ageless Creative Enterprise Mentoring Project. It is a senior and youth mentoring project that has been derived from Council’s Seniors' Strategy 2012-2017, Creative Brisbane Creative Economy 2013-22, and the Youth Strategy 2014-2019.

The project seeks to link seniors and young people to mentor each other, peer-to-peer. The aim is to match mentors’ superior skills in their creative disciplines with requests for specific training, intergenerationally with another practitioner who can provide the training and assistance needed.

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Medication Management

Medication aids are designed to assist a person to take their medication effectively and easily. There are a number of medication organisers and pill reminders that can be used in a variety of environments such as private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, at school, in the community and in the workplace. Compliance with medication taking is important to ensure that medication prescribed by your pharmacist or doctor is taken at the correct time with the correct dose. Medication aids can assist people who forget to take their medication on a regular basis or due to cognitive impairment. Selection of medication aids can depend on a number of factors including the persons’ preference, size of the aid, how often medication is taken, portability, price and functional features. Remember to always dispose of any unwanted or out-of-date medications, and store medications in a locked cabinet when not in use.

Watch the LifeTec Great Gadgets Series - Medication Management - 2014

Sleep Soundly, Sleep Safely 

$20* is all peace of mind costs.

Find out more about the Smoke Alarm Subsidy Scheme today.

If you are Deaf or experience hearing loss, Deaf Services Queensland may be able to provide you with a subsidised smoke alarm that keeps you and your loved ones safe in your home.

What is the Smoke Alarm Subsidy Scheme?

The Smoke Alarm Subsidy Scheme provides people with a hearing loss with a subsidised alarm that through sight and feel, makes you aware of a fire hazard and gives you the time you need to evacuate to safety.   The Smoke Alarm Subsidy Scheme means that all eligible deaf and hard of hearing seniors can afford to keep themselves and their loved ones safe with the best specialised smoke alarms available.

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Older Drivers Wanted for Survey 

Heidy Hassan from the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) is undertaking a PhD into feedback and self-regulatory driving behaviours among older adults.

They are looking for participation of older adults, both male and female, aged 70 years or more who hold a current driver’s licence.

During participation you will be asked to complete an online survey which should take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.

The survey will collect background and demographic details, your driving history, driving behaviour, perception of risk. If you would like to participate, you can access the following link: http://survey.qut.edu.au/f/180378/1080/

If you have any questions, please contact Heidy Hassan via email heidy.hassan@qut.edu.au.

This study has been approved by the QUT Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number 1200000501).

Planning on travelling through Regional Queensland? Sign up for a Tourist Card

The Tourist Card for regional Queensland allows travellers to borrow and return freely between any of 67 participating libraries. Membership is available free to anyone residing or travelling within regional and outback Queensland. It enables travellers to pick up a book in Cooktown and return it to Cloncurry when they get there a week later.

The Tourist Card is an initiative of Rural Libraries Queensland (RLQ) – a service operated by regional councils in partnership with State Library of Queensland. The RLQ network covers around 75% of Queensland, serves a total population of approximately 120,000 people, and makes more than 300,000 items available for loan. As well as borrowing books, music, audio and video, Tourist Card holders can do an online course, download eBooks, or listen to downloadable music or eaudiobooks while they are driving.

To see what’s available visit RLQ online; to join how to register; to find participating libraries Your Library

Law study seeks volunteers to enhance understanding of making a will

The QUT Health Law Research Centre needs people with complicated family, asset or business arrangements to help them conduct an ARC-funded study into the process of making a will and how people distribute their assets.  The project is a collaborative one with seven public trustee organisations around Australia and is led by the UQ School of Social Work and Human Services.

If you are part of a blended family, making a will so that your last wishes are crystal clear and adhered to can be difficult.

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