Edition 12

We have amalgamated our newsletters into one to keep you up to date without additional mailbox clutter.

COTAlife, will continue to include articles to assist you  to enhance your quality of life, news about upcoming events and how COTA is advancing the rights, needs and interests of people as they age in Queensland. The COTAAGENDA  section will provide information about Queensland Government programs, policies and priorities for older people, analysis of issues and current trends relating to ageing and older people's issue

Registrations now open for the IFA 13th Global Conference on Ageing

COTA Queensland will host the International Federation on Ageing's 13th Global Conference on Ageing Disasters in an Ageing World at the Brisbane Conference and Exhibition Centre between 21-23 June 2016.

Abstracts
The Program Committee invites authors to submit abstracts for oral,  poster, symposium and workshop presentations.

Abstracts submitted should correspond with one or more of the thematic tracks below: 
1. Disasters and Older People
2. Age Friendly Cities/Communities
3. Care and Support for Older People (Community and Residential)
4. Elder Abuse, Law and Rights
5. Income Protection and Security

Read More 

Join us for the third of our regional forums for 2015 and have your say about what is needed to provide support to you and other seniors in your region.

We are seeking your issues and solutions on the issues that are impacting on seniors, for example health, transport, cost of services, etc.

Representatives from Ergon Energy and COTA's Energy Policy Adviser Robyn Robinson will be available to answer your questions about electricity.

Read More 

Financial Protection for Queensland's Seniors

COTA Queensland made a submission to the State Government's inquiry into the financial independence of Queensland's seniors and appeared before the Communities, Disability Services, and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Parliamentary Committee.

COTA recommended that the Queensland Government:
• develop a consumer protection guide modelled on the successful 'Savvy Seniors' resource;
• develop and implement a public education campaign, in close collaboration with the media, to inform seniors how to guard themselves against internet fraud and other scams;
• consider the development of a telephone and internet housing and finance information referral service; and
• work with the Australian Government to institute practical regulations for financial and investment services.

Queensland Week is a time for all Queenslanders to come together and celebrate the State's  exceptional people and places, and reflect on our history and culture.  The annual celebration centres around the State's birthday on 6 June and acknowledges the official separation from New South Wales. 

This year Queenslanders celebrated across the state in a number of ways:
• Painting their town maroon
• Council and community events
• Hosting a workplace event

Read More 

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - June 2015

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is an annual initiative of Bowel Cancer Australia running throughout the month of June (1-30 June), to raise public awareness of a disease that claims the lives of 77 Australians every week.

Bowel cancer is the second most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia affecting both men and women almost equally and is Australia's second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month has a positive message – saving lives through early detection – as bowel cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer if found early.

From the city to the country, from the home to the workplace, individuals, families, health professionals, schools and businesses help to spread the word.  Bowel Cancer Awareness Champions donate their time, services and creativity.

Read more 

JUNE 15 each year is the day designated by the United Nations as the international day of action when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse of older people. WEAAD is represented by the colour purple – which denotes wisdom, dignity, independence and creativity.

During the week ending the 15th June we are calling for all communities across Queensland, to join the rest of the world in ‘going purple’ for WEAAD. The week leading up to the 15th June is a time when individuals and organisations can come together to raise awareness of elder abuse and to celebrate human rights.

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WOW Brisbane 2015

The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services is a major sponsor of the Women of the World (WOW) Festival being held in Brisbane from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 June 2015.   WOW is a three day festival created by Southbank Centre London, and is now an annual flagship event. WOW is a global force supporting women, action and change. It will be held for the first time in Brisbane at QUT, Gardens Point Campus.

The objectives of WOW Brisbane are to: 
• celebrate the achievements of women (particularly local women across all walks of life);
• discuss those issues that are still barriers for women and girls and identify ways to overcome them
• build strong communities of women by leaving a lasting legacy of new conversations, networks and a belief in our power to make change happen.

Read More 

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is an annual initiative of Bowel Cancer Australia running throughout the month of June (1-30 June), to raise public awareness of a disease that claims the lives of 77 Australians every week.

Bowel cancer is the second most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia affecting both men and women almost equally and is Australia's second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month has a positive message – saving lives through early detection – as bowel cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer if found early.

Read more

Peer Educators welcomed

COTA Queensland would like to welcome new peer educators Clare Forrest, Judith Chapman and Martine Rimmer to our organisation.  Together with existing Peer Educators  Jenny Newman and Jean Wortley, they were recently trained to deliver COTA Queensland's Peer Education sessions  'Controlling my own life:  Making the most of Consumer Directed Care (CDC)'.   These sessions are free for community groups and look at how home care will be delivered differently in Australia from 1st July, 2015.   Older people will soon have more choice and control over the services they receive and how they are delivered. Each session will be supported with relevant materials. 

If your group would like to find our more or  book a CDC session please contact Marianne Wright at bookings@cotaqld.org.au or by phone on (07) 3316 2905 between 9.00 am and 2.00 pm Monday to Friday.

Riders With Pace 

Riders with Pace is a group of cyclists who ride in most of the charity events in south-east Queensland. Every one of the riders has a cardiac pacemaker.

The purpose of the group is threefold:
1. to raise money for a wide diversity of charities
2. to provide a physical challenge of people with pacemakers almost all the rides they participate in offer distances from 25 km to 100 km, the riders can choose the physical challenge suited to their level of fitness and capability, and
3. to inform the general public about life with a pacemaker

For more information or to get involved visit riderswithpace.wix.com/riders-with-pace

Make a Connection: Share Your Story

A social movement

Story telling is a feature of every culture and is a means of cultural preservation, passing on moral values, sharing lessons and entertainment.

But how often do we make the time to connect and listen to the rich stories of the elders in our community?

This year, during Seniors Week we are asking you to take the time to make a connection by listening to someone else’s story or sharing your own.

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Let's show some community spirit! 

It is hard to believe that we are 11 weeks away from launching the state's largest weeklong Seniors' celebration.

Queenslanders will unite  August 15 - 23, 2015 and celebrate the many contributions older have made in their communities to the theme of It's on for young & old.

Are you planning an event or looking for events in your area?  Visit qldseniorsweek.org.au today to register your events, access the digital resources and discover what's on in your community. 

Your Guide to New Choices in Home Care - Final Orders

From July 2015,  Your guide to new choices in home care will no longer be available. The Department of Social Services is producing a replacement booklet called 5 steps to entry into home care.

After Friday 5 June 2015, Home Care Today will no longer be taking orders for Your guide to new choices in home care.

Goal Directed Care Planning in CDC – “The same, but different.”

Essential insights into having the conversation about consumer goals when co-designing supports in the new CDC landscape.

The webinar is available on the following dates:

Tuesday 16th June  1.00pm - 3.30pm (AEST) Register HERE
Tuesday 28 July 1.00pm – 3.30pm (AEST) Register HERE

Presenter:
Anna Millicer has been working with home care consumers since 1993 in a variety of different roles. More recently she was the project manager for the CHOICES in Aged Care Research Project.

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Implementing Outcomes Measurement

At this  half-day workshop  learn about effective implementation strategies for measuring outcomes.

When: Friday, 3 July 2015
Time: 9.00am - 12.30pm
Venue: 100 Railway Parade Woodridge QLD 4114
Cost: $30 (incl. GST)

• Learn how outcomes measurement practice has been implemented in over 20 programs, as experienced by Lutheran Community Care QLD
• Walk away with practice tips on how to become an outcomes focused organisation
• Network with like-minded professionals to share ideas

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Webinar: Introduction to Marketing for Consumer Directed Care – Part 2

As we move to a market-based system, home care providers need to understand their value proposition and ways to best to get their message out to the people that need their services.

Wednesday 17 June, 2015 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM AEST

Register HERE

This session is free and builds on the first session held in May and is available to the first 60 interested participants, who attended the first webinar and/or have watched the recorded webinar.   The new competitive environment holds many unknowns for home care providers, and poses specific challenges for promoting and marketing your service.

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Understanding the needs and experiences of older LGBTI carers and the carers of older LGBTI people in Australia

We know that older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people have had many unique and diverse historical experiences. We also know that many older LGBTI people are carers. However, we don’t know how sexual orientation and gender identity impact on the experiences and needs of older LGBTI carers and the carers of older LGBTI people.

The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University and Carers Australia are partnering to explore the experiences of older LGBTI carers and the carers of older LGBTI Australians. We are seeking participants for an online survey and confidential interviews.

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Every K over is not okay – putting the brakes on obesity

Around the world, obesity has risen steeply among children and adults over recent decades. Australia is in the top five most obese developed nations with almost 2 in 3 adults (63%) and 1 in 4 (25%) children being overweight or obese. On current trends, about three million Queenslanders will be overweight or obese by 2020.

Health Consumers Queensland has partnered with Queensland Clinical Senate to stimulate a community conversation on obesity prevention. On 31 July 2015, consumers and health professionals will come together in Brisbane to identify obesity prevention strategies that  will make a real difference in our community.

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Is collaboration right for your organisation?

In today’s environment with many community sector organisations competing for funds, it’s easy to see the attraction of collaboration. Greater efficiency, less duplication, access to additional resources, knowledge and expertise, and greater lobbying strength.

But how do you know if collaborative practice is right for your organisation? And where do you start?

Read More 

Free Community Legal Information Session

The Park and Village Information Link presents:
Session 1: Retirement living options – know the facts: 9.15 am – 10.00 am
Session 2: Living in a retirement village:10.15 am – 11.00 am
Session 3: Living in a manufactured home park :11.15 am – 12.00 noon

The Seniors Legal and Support Service presents:
Session 4: Top tips for avoiding financial exploitation, 12.15 pm – 1.00 pm

Tuesday 16 June @ Logan Central Library, 26 Wilbur St, Logan Central
Wednesday 24 June @ Logan West Library, 69 Grand Plaza Dr., Browns Plains

For more information please call Caxton Legal Centre on (07) 3214 6333, email caxton@caxton.org.au or visit www.caxton.org.au.