CEO Message
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As we reach the end of 2018 we would like to thank everyone for their support of COTA Victoria activities throughout the year. At our recent AGM we celebrated the achievements of our programs in promoting opportunities for, and protecting the rights of, Victorians 50+. You can read more about our impact in our 2017–18 Review. We were also delighted to have Merle Mitchell AM as our guest speaker and to launch her video outlining her advocacy agenda for aged care. You can view this video on the COTA Victoria website.
COTA Victoria congratulates the Andrews Labor Government on their return in the November Election. We look forward to working with them over the next four years in planning for the growing older cohort of Victorians and embracing the opportunities that this brings.
We were excited to launch the inaugural COTA State of the (Older) Nation report last week in Parliament House in Canberra. A summary of the results of this report can be found on the COTA Victoria website.
We are awaiting further information on how the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will conduct their enquiry and invite you to join us for a forum on 8 February 2019 to hear more about how you can get involved.
We wish you all a happy and relaxing holiday season.
Our office will be closed from 1.30pm on Monday 24th December until 9am Wednesday 2nd January 2019.
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State of the (Older) Nation Survey Report
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Ken Wyatt at the State of the (Older) Nation Survey Report launch.
The inaugural COTA State of the (Older) Nation report was recently launched at Parliament House in Canberra. Find out more about the report’s findings here.
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Information session: Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
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Are you or someone you care about accessing services in the aged care sector? Have you experienced neglect, abuse or poor quality services? Do you want to find out more about the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety?
Join COTA Victoria and Elder Rights Advocacy at a free information session on 8 February to learn more about this vital public enquiry; what it is, why does it matter and how can you be heard.
Where: Victoria University Convention Centre (Level 12), 300 Flinders St, Melbourne
When: 8 February, 11am – 1pm. A light lunch will be provided.
Please register your interest at COTA Victoria.
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Royal Commission update
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The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was announced in September, and the Terms of Reference announced on 9 October. The directions hearing is now expected to be mid-January, with the Commission commencing public hearings in February 2019.
While the Commission will have a focus on things that have gone wrong, and why and what should be done, including whether there have been breaches of law, they see its primary focus on the development of recommendations to ensure a sound future for aged care. The details of the approach will be clearer after the directions hearing.
Hearings will be held in all capital cities and some regional centres. The Commission is not yet calling for public submissions, although they have requested information from aged care providers. You can subscribe via the Commission’s website to receive updates.
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WISE Services
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COTA Victoria's WISE Services will be taking a short break over the holiday period and resuming in the New Year. These helpful services – a financial counselling service and a form completion service – are free to all older Victorians.
Find out more or book your appointment here.
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Reminiscing Story Cards, the perfect Christmas Gift for your parents and grandparents
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A resource that assists older people to tell their stories.
With time to reminisce and a bit of prompting, we all have stories to tell. Reminiscing in a supportive environment and with a focus on strengths and positives can lift an older person’s mood, reminding them – and their support workers – of their resourcefulness and depth of experience.
The perfect gift for Christmas! Order Now
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From the desk of the COTA Victoria Financial Counsellor – helping protect your rights
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Are you feeling overwhelmed by financial pressures? Financial Counsellors services are free, confidential and here to help you. Find out more here.
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Beating the Christmas bulge
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For some this time of year can be hectic and at times indulgent.
Studies have shown that people generally gain much more weight per week during holiday weeks compared with non-holiday weeks. The combination of an increase in sweets, rich foods and alcohol, and not making time for regular exercise, results in the dreaded Christmas bulge.
We all know a regular exercise regime is essential for a healthy and happy lifestyle and it is never too late to start. 150 minutes of activity a week, including two sessions of progressive strength training, will help keep that Christmas bulge in control.
For more festive season exercise tips that can involve the whole family, read this article.
Looking for a place to exercise? Check out our list of Living Longer Living Stronger™ providers to find one near you, or ask your local gym to contact COTA Victoria so they can become a Living Longer Living Stronger™ provider.
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Apply for, and manage, your Seniors Card online
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If you’re a Victorian resident and aged 60 years or over you’re eligible for either a Seniors Card or a Seniors Business Discount Card. Find out more about these cards here.
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Survive the heat
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As summer brings some extremely hot weather, be prepared. Read about things to be aware of, and how to beat the heat, here.
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Centrelink hours and pension enquiries over Christmas
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Centrelink services centres and phone lines will have their hours affected over the Christmas period. Find out the details here.
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CPRC to deliver targeted energy resources for community workers in 2019 – Have your say!
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Consumer Policy Research Centre, supported by the Victorian Government, will release a range of new energy information resources for the community sector in 2019. First, they want to hear from you about what you need.
By providing feedback, you’ll support this is valuable initiative, and have the chance to win a $100 Coles Myer voucher. Please take part here or read more at COTA Victoria website.
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Statins in Reducing Events in the Elderly (STAREE)
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Monash University is leading this community-based study exploring the impact of statins on health outcomes for older people. We are seeking healthy volunteers aged 70 years and above.
If you would be interested in finding out more, please contact the team on:
Phone: 1800 770 664
Email: staree@monash.edu
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Award for research into safer street design
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This month, Victoria Walks was recognised by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (Australia and New Zealand) for their work standing up for older pedestrians.
Victoria Walks received the Sustainable Transport Award for research into issues such as trips and falls among older walkers, shared paths and advocacy for safer street design.
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Generation Share: why more older Australians are living in share houses
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Image: The Conversation
An increasing number of older Australians are living in share housing. A relatively new group to emerge on the share-housing scene, they are choosing to share for financial reasons, but finding unexpected social benefits.
Continue reading at The Conversation website.
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Do you even lift? Why lifting weights is more important for your health than you think
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Regular participation in muscle strengthening activity such as weight or resistance training has many health benefits. However, this mode of exercise has been largely overlooked in Australian health promotion. Our recent research shows a large majority of Australians do not engage in muscle strengthening activity. Read full article at The Conversation.
Looking for a place to exercise? Check out our list of Living Longer Living Stronger™ providers to find one near you, or ask your local gym to contact COTA Victoria so they can become a Living Longer Living Stronger™ provider.
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Food is love: how Judy Kolt survived WW2
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Image: Judy Kolt | ABC
Judy Kolt was 3 years old when her parents fled to Warsaw to escape Hitler's onslaught. Hear her story here.
Note: You will need to select ‘Download audio’ rather than ‘Listen now’ to hear the audio.
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Learning from Colombia’s Ciclovía
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Image: Ben Rossiter | Victoria Walks
Ciclovía is a Colombia’s famous weekly celebration of walking and cycling. Ben Rossiter, Victoria Walks’ Executive Officer, recently attended the Walk21 conference in Bogotá, Colombia. During this amazing event, many of Bogota's largest roads and freeways are closed to traffic every Sunday to allow pedestrians, cyclists (and children on skates!) to take over the city!
Ben was able to capture some great footage of the event, which you can see on Victoria Walk’s Facebook page or Youtube channel. Share the video with your friends if you'd love to see a similar event here!
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Trusted home remedies that will only make you worse
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Image: Reader's Digest | Shutterstock
Did you know that taking herbal supplements or remedies whilst on other medications could be causing more harm than good? If you are taking medications and a herbal supplement, it is wise to check with your doctor or pharmacists that the two are compatible.
Take a look at these home remedies and how they could be affecting you.
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Can food give you bad dreams?
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Image: yourlifechoices.com.au
Do you ever feel that certain foods and drinks result in vivid dreams and an unsettled night’s sleep? Canadian university researchers have compiled a list of foods found to contribute to bad dreams. Read more.
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Newcomers Network 13th annual Christmas day BYO picnic lunch
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Are you alone in Melbourne on Christmas Day?
Come spend Christmas lunch in Queen Victoria Gardens, 99 St Kilda Road. Opposite National Gallery of Victoria. This is a free event and open to people of all ages.
Bring along footballs, frisbees, dogs, friends, a picnic mat or chair, whatever you would like to eat, drink and share (including water), sunscreen, and a name tag so people know who you are!
More information about this event can be found on Facebook and Eventbrite.
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With One Voice Choir 10th Anniversary Concert: “With One BIG Voice”
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To mark the 10-year milestone of ‘With One Voice’, Community Choir treated us to an event to remember with a massed choir of almost 200 inspirational Choristers at Melbourne Town Hall.
The occasion was a huge success with many of the audience joining into classic songs such as ‘Imagine’, ‘We are Australian’ and ‘You’re the Voice’. This event was a testament to the number of health and social benefits of community singing, including improving mental health and speech and reducing social isolation.
SBS was there to capture the occasion and hear from some of the participants – watch video on SBS.
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