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What does it mean to be an ‘older person’ – at work, in the media, in politics, in the community and at home?
COTA Victoria is celebrating International Day of Older Persons by hosting a conversation event with four older Australians unafraid to speak up and challenge assumptions around ageing.
With Chair Lee Lin Chin, our panel including Jane Caro, Lois Peeler and Uncle Jack Charles will debate what it’s like to be an older person in a society that is challenged by ageism.
Don’t miss this provocative and entertaining discussion – book your ticket now!
More information at COTA Victoria or call os on 9654 4443
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Government fails to act decisively on retirement housing
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Responding to the recommendations of Parliament’s inquiry into the retirement housing sector, the Victorian Government has chosen not to take meaningful action on unfair contracts, high exit fees and poor complaint processes. This is a lost opportunity for Victoria to lead the country in protecting the rights of older people and their families.
Residents, COTA Victoria and other consumer organisations campaigned hard for an independent industry ombudsman scheme to be set up. Disappointingly, the government did not take up this recommendation. Industry will be left to self-regulate after government’s decision not to require retirement village managers to undertake accredited training.
Read more
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You’re Welcome! Victorian Seniors Festival, 8 –13 October
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Next month, the Victorian Seniors Festival returns for its 35th year, with more than 1,500 events across the state. This year’s Festival theme is ‘You’re Welcome’. Regardless of background, experience or mobility, everyone is encouraged to take part to learn new skills and make new friends in their communities.
COTA Victoria is joining the celebrations. Visit COTA’s marquee at Federation Square for Celebration Day on Sunday 8 October. We’ll also be at the Festival Hub in Melbourne Town Hall from Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October.
Read more or pick up a free Festival program from Coles supermarkets or your local library, council or neighbourhood house.
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A new voice for consumers
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A new research centre has been launched to improve access, fairness and protections for Victorian consumers. The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) will research grassroots consumer issues, investigating areas such as changes in the housing market, dispute resolution and breaches of consumer law.
By collaborating closely with government, industry stakeholders and community organisations, CPRC will translate its research findings into policy, programs and fair trading practices to benefit all Victorians.
COTA’S CEO, Ronda Held, is the Chair of the CPRC Board, so be assured the voice of older consumers will be heard!
Continue reading on COTA Victoria website.
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Helping Brimbank become an Age Friendly City
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Since April, COTA Victoria has been working with Brimbank City Council to update its Age Friendly City Plan.
We helped Brimbank City Council to consult widely with older people from different cultures, ethnicities and demographics. A community forum on June 15 attracted close to seventy community members, Councillors, Council staff and the Mayor of Brimbank, who discussed challenges and opportunities for change across each Age Friendly domain. Over 500 community members and service providers also shared their views and priorities in a survey, while seniors clubs and organisations were interviewed about the challenges of being an older person in Brimbank.
Drawing on all of this community input, COTA Victoria made recommendations to Brimbank City Council to make the area more Age Friendly. We expect the Council’s Age Friendly City Plan 2017–2021 to be released soon – stay tuned.
More information at COTA Victoria website.
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Marriage equality debate affects mental health
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The National Ageing Research Institute has drawn attention to the wellbeing of older LGBTIQ Australians in the current marriage equality debate. While a lot of the focus has been on younger people, the debate is having an impact on older people too, dredging up past marginalisation and putting health and wellbeing at risk.
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Did you know that Victoria has a Ministerial Council for Volunteers?
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Four in ten Victorians aged between 65 and 74 volunteered in some way in 2014, and the volunteer sector is worth more than $23 billion to the state economy.
The Ministerial Council for Volunteers was established to acknowledge this contribution and be a voice for volunteers. The Council’s diverse members meet quarterly and have already made high-level recommendations for strengthening the sector.
Continue reading at COTA Victoria website.
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COTA peer educator promotes exercising as we age
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Speaking at the recent Victorian Active Ageing Alliance’s Research and Practice Forum, COTA Victoria volunteer Edith Chen shared her personal health and fitness journey with more than 200 attendees. Edith also spoke about her experiences engaging with older members of the Chinese community in Melbourne and shared her tips for staying active and for planning and delivering exercise programs for older people.
Continue reading at COTA Victoria website.
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New aged care resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
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My Aged Care has released a suite of new information materials for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with questions about aged care. The resources include an animated video, brochures, and print and radio advertisements. Resources are available in English and four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages: Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara, Yumplatok and Warlpiri.
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Pride in Health + Wellbeing
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ACON, Australia’s largest LGBTI health organisation, has just launched Pride in Health + Wellbeing, a new national membership program that will help organisations in the health and wellbeing sector to make their services LGBTI-inclusive. Partners will get year-round support, training and guidance on inclusive service delivery. Pride in Health + Wellbeing is just one of ACON’s inclusion programs, which also cover sport and the workplace. Read more on the Pride in Health + Wellbeing website.
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Government moves to make flu jab compulsory for residential care staff
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The Australian Government is looking at ways to boost the vaccination rates of residential aged care workers, and may make flu shots compulsory. There’s broad support for the initiative, but provider peak bodies want to make sure best practice is followed.
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Employment pilots a good step forward, but more is needed
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COTA Australia has welcomed the announced rollout of trial sites for a program that will help bring older Australians back into the workforce. The Career Transition Assistance Program sites will include Ballarat in Victoria. COTA Australia Chief Executive, Ian Yates, welcomed the pilots but said that more still needs to be done to reskill older workers and, crucially, to tackle age discrimination in the workplace.
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Personal stories of health and illness
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A research collaboration lead by RMIT University has produced Healthtalk Australia, a website that features video, audio and written accounts of people’s experiences of health and illness, as well as carers’ and health professionals’ perspectives.
The lived experience of ageing contains people’s stories of getting older, their personal relationships, life decisions, experiences of health and illness, and ageing well, while Experiences of depression and recovery also includes the stories of older people.
Contact HTA coordinator Dr Kate Johnston-Ataata for more information.
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Home Care Self-management survey
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COTA has been funded by the Australian Government to develop a proposal focused on increasing consumer self-management of home care packages. The aim of the project is to work with current recipients of home care packages to explore the skills and competencies and provider systems required to allow them to self-manage. We hope to test the possibilities with a small number of providers who are interested in supporting consumer self-management in this way.
We would like to hear you views so please fill up the survey that most apply to you by following the links below:
For Home Care recipient, carers or family members
For Providers and staf members
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How to prevent a stroke
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Understanding stroke risk factors can help you prevent strokes. To reduce your risk, focus on lowering blood pressure with a range of healthy lifestyle changes.
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Learn if you have Parkinson’s disease before symptoms appear
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RMIT researchers have developed a world-first tool that can diagnose Parkinson’s disease even with no physical symptoms. The new diagnostic software, which works with existing technologies and is 93% accurate, may see Parkinson’s sufferers getting earlier and more effective treatment.
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Have your say on the health and wellbeing of older LGBTI Australians
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The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University invites LGBTI Australians aged 60 and over to participate in an online survey about your health and wellbeing. The survey should take 30–40 minutes to do and will help researchers, healthcare providers and government to support better health and wellbeing for older LGBTI people.
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Influence research with older people
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COTA Victoria is looking for people aged 50+ with experience or a strong interest in research, research ethics or knowledge translation to join our Research Advisory Committee.
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New app to revolutionise culturally-sensitive dementia care
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Alzheimer’s Australia SA has launched ground-breaking multicultural smartphone app, Cultura, to help health professionals provide culturally-appropriate dementia care. The free app gives tips on topics from religion to food, and covers 21 diverse cultures.
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Free hearing checks
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Are you struggling to hear the world around you? Alongside Vision Australia, Australian Hearing is offering free hearing checks in towns across the state as part of Seniors Week.
Book a free hearing check today!
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Respect Public Dentistry So Everyone Can Smile
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In Victoria, 41%, or 2.5 million Victorians access the public dental health system but did you know that in the public dental health system people are waiting
– 16.5 months for general dental care?
– 15 months for dentures?
– 2.5 months for priority dentures care?
Poor oral health can cause other health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Good oral health is critical to avoiding tooth decay, pain, being able to eat all types of food, and even social inclusion. Good oral health is essential to overall good general health. Continue readinbg at COTA Victoria.
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Information session for women affected by pelvic mesh implants
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The Health Issues Centre is inviting Victorian women affected by pelvic mesh implants to information sessions. These information sessions will update attendees on initiatives underway to address the legacy of mesh damage, and look at what else needs to be done.
Thursday, 21 September
1. 30 pm – 3.00 pm OR 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm
Health Issues Centre, Level 1, 255 Bourke Street Melbourne
Light refreshments will be provided.
Register online
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WIN free tickets to MOUNTAIN – in cinemas 21 September
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We have 15 tickets to the film Mountain for the first 15 people who like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
To enter, go to Facebook or Twitter, click like or follow, and send us a screenshot to prove it. Easy!
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3rd Annual International Symposium on Ageing and Old-Age in Asia-Pacific
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The third Annual International Symposium on Ageing and Old Age in the Asia-Pacific is coming to Melbourne on October 11–12. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from renowned international leaders and local experts associated with ageing and old-age in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
COTA Victoria members can register online for the special rate of $85 per day.
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Try Before You Ride
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Familiarise yourself and practise boarding a low-floor tram, bus, train, coach and accessible taxi at the next Try Before You Ride day on 11 October at the Box Hill Interchange.
Find out more or phone 1800 800 007 to book.
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The Great Getaway for over-55s
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Come enjoy Victoria’s beautiful outdoors with a friendly group of over-55s. For three days, you’ll stay and play at the magnificent Licola Wilderness Village alongside the Macalister River. For only $200, activities, transportation, accommodation and most meals are included.
Getaways are happening from 16–18 October and 18–20 October.
Places are limited – register by email or call (03) 9863 6822. Alternatively visit www.auscamps.asn.au
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Spring into Parliament morning tea
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After the success of the Seniors Winter Morning Tea, Parliament House is offering a Spring Special.
Morning tea will be served in Strangers Corridor from 10.00 am to 11.30 am, Monday through Fridays, through to January 2018, except on days when Parliament is sitting.
For Seniors Card holders, morning tea is $25 ($35 for others).
Groups and individuals are welcome, but bookings are essential – email or phone 03 9651 8944.
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