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COTA Policy Forum
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On the 10th June the COTA National Policy Forum discussed the issues relating to Affordable, Accessible and Appropriate Housing for Older Australians.
Secure housing is fundamental to wellbeing. The great majority of older Australians want to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Appropriate housing — whether it be in the form of retirement living, Homeshare arrangements or “right sizing” — has great public and private benefits because it enables independent living, social connection and active lifestyles. This not only reduces the budgetary costs of health care and aged care, but, most importantly, it improves the wellbeing of older Australians and enables them to lead more flourishing lives, which is the most important policy aim of all. The forum discussed current issues, potential policy responses, and the need to plan ahead as the number of older people under housing stress is predicted to increase in the coming decades. To access the presentations from the forum you can go to
COTA Australia website.
Continue reading....
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New Retirement Housing Advice Service
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Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) is excited by their launch of Victoria’s first service dedicated to supporting people in Retirement Housing.
This service is well timed particularly in light of recent media reports featuring dodgy operators.
The service began on July 3 2017. Read more on COTA Victoria or HAAG websites.
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We need your help to improve the aged care system
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Would you like to influence the design and quality of aged and community care services in Victoria and Australia?
Do you have experience in navigating the aged care system for yourself or a family member or friend?
Do you have ideas for improving the aged care system?
Register with us as a design partner and we will contact you when:
• Governments are seeking the views of older Australians on policy or service design
• Other organisations want to hear about your experiences of the aged care system
• COTA is considering ways to support better access to information and services and would like partners to help co-design these new ways of working
To register call us on 9654 4443, email us at cotavic@cotavic.org.au or visit COTA Victoria website.
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Return of Pension Concession Card
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Good News for those who lost their pension after the 1 January 2017 reforms. Legislation to reinstate the Pension Concession Card has passed!
You do not have to do anything to receive your card as it will be mailed out to you starting 9 October 2017.
Visit COTA Victoria website to read more. There is also more information on the Department of Human Services website.
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End of Financial Year … it’s scam time!
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It’s tax time, which means you will be gathering together your personal information and preparing your tax returns. One thing to watch out for are potential online scams.
Visit our website to read the seven things you must know about how to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.
Go to the Australian government’s Stay Smart Online website, for more useful information and tips about staying safe online.
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Changes to Super
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It is important that you read and understand the large number of changes to superannuation that began on 1 July 2017. Make sure you visit the ATO website to see how these changes may have affected you.
Importantly there are changes to Transition to Retirement pensions. They will become less tax effective and there will be a cap on how much you can transfer into a tax-free super pension. There are also new restrictions on the way death benefit payouts are calculated.
Please read the summary about this changes om COTA Victoria website.
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New rules on how to give injections of Epipen and Epipen Jr
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There is new 'must know' information if you use an epipen, or know someone who does. There has been a guideline change on how to administer Epipen and Epipen Jr:
- Hold the needle in place for only 3 seconds
- Do not massage the area after administration
In the following links you can find videos showing how to use an Epipen and an information sheet on their use in different languages.
Please follow the link to read full article.
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Eligible recipients get one-off energy payment
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Energy bills during winter can be hard. A One-off Energy Assistance Payment will help with the rising costs during the colder months. It will be paid from 26 June 2017 if you reside in Australia and are on an Age Pension or Disability Support Pension.
You don’t need to take any action to receive these payments.
For more information please visit the Department of Human Services website.
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New booklet - Tips for seniors making enduring powers of attorney
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The Commisioner for Senior Victorians launched a new publication, 'Your voice - Trust your choice: tips for seniors making enduring powers of attorney'.
An enduring power of attorney is where you give someone you trust the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf.
The new booklet is a practical guide to help older Victorians to safely appoint a Power of Attorney with helpful tips, case studies, and sample wording.
The booklet can be found at the Office of the Public Advocate website.
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OM:NI comes to Knox. Get involved now!
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COTA Victoria's Older Men:New Ideas (OM:NI) Men's Discussion Groups has successfully launched into the City of Knox.
We thank Orana Neighourhood House in Wantirna South for helping to organise and host the inaugural meeting. The men's disscussion group will continue to meet, coming together on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month.
If you would like to get involved with OM:NI Men’s Discussion Group in Knox, please call COTA Victoria on 1300 13 50 90 or email us at askcota@cotavic.org.au
Read the full story on COTA Victoria website
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New Pamphlet - Vietnamese Elder Abuse
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The President of the Ethnic Community Council of Victoria (ECCV) Eddie Micallef, launched a new Vietnamese bi-lingual elder abuse pamphlet on June 16 as part of the 2017 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events and activities.
The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, as the lead agency in the Project, hosted community members and representatives from ECCV and Seniors Rights Victoria.
For copies of the Vietnamese pamphlet and other languages contact ECCV on 9354 9555 or download them from ECCV website.
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Benefits from self-managing your home care package
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Recent government reforms, in particular consumer directed care of home care packages, are designed to allow ageing Australians to continue living independently in their own homes and communities, with choice and dignity, for as long as possible.
You are able to build a team of support that allows you to age actively and remain engaged both in the community and in your life long interests.
To read more visit the COTA Victoria website.
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Five steps to better oral health in aged care
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Researchers have long highlighted that people living in aged care have substantially poorer oral health and three times the risk of untreated tooth decay than people living in the community.
What can you be doing for better oral health care in aged care? Click here to read about the five steps to a better mouth.
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When is too much TV a bad thing?
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How much TV are you watching? Warning: binge watching television could be harming the physical health of older Australians.
A study by University of Queensland found people who watched high levels of TV had significantly less lower-body muscle strength than their more active peers.
Read more here, then get up and turn off the TV for a while...
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The importance of a good nights sleep
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A study has found that poor sleep might increase the chances of people at risk of Alzheimer’s developing the disease.
Study participants who reported the worse sleep quality or suffered from daytime drowsiness had more biological markers for Alzheimer’s than those without sleep problems.
Read the full article here.
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A global study looks at weight and health effects
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A global 25 year study has found that it is not just those diagnosed as clinically obese that need worry about health implications.
People who are overweight should be just as concerned of these negative health effects.
Follow the link to read the full article.
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Should you trust a phone app to manage your health?
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Have you turned to a mobile app to manage or improve your health? Ever wondered just how trustworthy they are?
Read the full article here for an in-depth look into the effectiveness of phone apps covering the areas of mental health, skin, sleep, fitness and diet.
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A colourful aged care excursion that left a mark
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An excursion with a twist saw aged care residents in Bryon Bay pick up a spray can and learn the art of street graffiti.
If you fancy a fun read click here.
Watch a video of their adventures here.
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Australian of the Year Awards: Nominations now open
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Do you know a spectacular person? Why not nominate them for the annual Australian of the Year Awards!
All Australians can nominate people whose contributions and achievements are making a difference.
Nominations are now open and it only takes one nomination for someone to be in the running for the Awards.
Read more and nominate online here or call 1300 655 193.
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Brisk walks may cut cancer death risk
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Australian research suggests that going for a brisk walk may cut the risk of dying from cancer, even in more advanced stages of the disease. Two new studies presented at the world’s biggest cancer conference show that exercise could be a powerful tool, helping to slow down the disease and cut the risk of death.
Just 25 minutes a day is enough to drive improvements.
Follow the link to read the full article.
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'If in doubt, don’t' - staying safe online
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Consumer Affairs Victoria has a simple message for older Victorians to help them stay safe online, 'If in doubt, don't'.
The top tips for staying safe online:
- Do not open suspicious text messages, pop-up windows, or emails
- Be wary of any emails or requests on social media from people you do not know
- Avoid sending money, personal or financial details to someone you have never met in person, especially if you are online dating
Go to the COTA website here to read more or watch the story of Maria here to understand how she lost thousands of dollars in a romance scam. Maria also explains how to look for the signs that things may not be as they seem.
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COTA Insurance special offer
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Get a $50 WISH Gift Card for each selected COTA Insurance policy you take out over the phone by 30 June 2018.
Conditions apply.
Call COTA Insurance on 1300 1300 50 and quote the reference code: Victoria50.
Even if your insurance is not due for renewal just yet, let us know the renewal date and we will contact you nearer the time with the same offer.
Click here to find out more
When you purchase a COTA Insurance policy you are supporting COTA Victoria to help older Victorians.
Disclaimer
Offer ends 30 June 2018 and is only available to Australian residents aged 18 years or above who are new COTA customers. To be eligible to receive a $50 Woolworths WISH Gift Card, customers must purchase a new COTA Home, Comprehensive Car, Caravan & Trailer, Boat, Landlord or Travel Insurance policy by calling 1300 1300 50 and quoting the code ‘Victoria50’. Only available to policies with a total premium of at least $200. Offer only applies to new policies and does not apply to existing policies or renewals or variations of existing policies. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Full terms and conditions available at cota.com.au/victoria50.
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Want to WIN free fuel for a year?
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Take out a new COTA Comprehensive Motor Insurance policy by 28 July 2017, and you could be one of 10 lucky winners to win FREE FUEL for a year.
Each winner will receive a Fuel Cash Card to the value of $2,500.
Get out there and drive!
Call 1300 1300 50 or visit the website here for a quote.
Hurry, competition closes 28 July 2017.
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Event - Dying to Know Day
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Join D2KDAY for a day of celebrating life, engaging in deep conversations and exploring all the possibilities on offer for end-of-life options that support us to live well up to our last breath with some of the industry’s most innovative organisations, individuals and service providers.
At noon D2KDAY will welcome some inspiring speakers to the centre stage, including Sue Pieters-Hawke and other ambassadors and special guests.
There will be immersive, creative and uplifting experiences and plenty of opportunities to connect with other humans all keen to share their wisdom, experiences and curiosity around unique options and best practice around end-of-life.
DETAILS:
• Tuesday August 8 2017
• In the Atrium, Federation Square, Melbourne
• 10am - 6.30pm
Please follow the link for more information.
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André Rieu in Cinemas - Win TWO passes
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We’re excited to announce we have TWO double passes to give away to the cinema screening of André Rieu’s annual Maastricht Concert, valued at $80 each!
To celebrate his 30th year in music, pop classical artist André Rieu is beaming his annual Maastricht Concert into cinemas across Australia on July 29th and 30th. It features the maestro in his element, supported by his famous 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra, sopranos, tenors and some very special guests.
To be in the draw, like our Facebook page then drop us an email with your details to enquire@cotavic.org.au by 5pm July 14th.
Please note, winners must book in-person at their choice of cinema to secure their seats.
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