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Building a stronger COTA for Victorians 50+
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged 50+ in Victoria. For nearly 70 years in Victoria, we have led the development of government, corporate and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing. We continue to promote the way all older people can contribute to Australia's unique culture and standard of living. Continue reading at COTA Victoria website
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Everybody has a story to tell. Is it time to tell yours?
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Irma Dymke often wanted to record her life story but didn’t know where to start until presented with a set of memory prompting cards created through COTA Victoria’s Inspiring Life Stories project. Continue reading Irma's story.
Be inspired to tell your story with Inspiring Life Stories, a new service from COTA Victoria. We give you the tools and support to write your life story and present it in a beautiful, full-colour booklet to enjoy yourself or share with loved ones. From just $295.
Contact us today to get started or find out more.
Call 1300 13 50 90 or visit www.cotavic.org.au
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Victorian Election 2018 – an opportunity to get involved
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COTA Victoria is seeking volunteers to help talk to local MPs and candidates about issues important to Victorians over 50.
Read more.
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Are you an experienced policy person?
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Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of older people through policy advocacy? Consider applying for a position as part of our new Policy Development Committee (PDC).
Read more.
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COTA Victoria Transport Forum
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More than 40 people recently attended COTA’s Victoria Transport forum at Docklands Library. Read about the outcomes of the Forum workshops at COTA Victoria website.
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Respect Victoria opens its doors
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The doors have opened on Victoria’s first ever dedicated family violence prevention agency, Respect Victoria.
“Respect Victoria will help Victoria achieve a future free from family violence, where all Victorians are equal, empowered and respected,” said Natalie Hutchins, Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.
Visit the links below to find out more about Respect Victoria:
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Increase in the Utility Relief Grants Scheme
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The Victorian Government has increased the Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS) from $500 to $650 for claims assessed from 1 July 2018.
Read more.
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Oral Health Alliance
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COTA Victoria is a member of the Victorian Oral Health Alliance. We are drawing attention to the unacceptable length of time people need to wait for public dental care in Victoria. The average wait time is 19.7 months, with wait times up to 48 months to see a public dentist. The Australian Dental Association (Victorian Branch) point out:
“People who are eligible for public dental care may have to endure pain, have difficulty speaking and eating, miss school, struggle to find a job, or develop other serious health problems in that time.”
If you would like to see waiting times reduced, you may wish to write to your local MP – a template letter is available here
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Should we change the rules about cycling on footpaths?
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Victoria Walks recently commissioned transport consultants to review research on footpath cycling in response to calls to allow teenagers and adults to cycle on footpaths. Read about their findings at COTA Victoria website.
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Better recognition and support for Victorian carers
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Greater access to support groups, financial services and transport, and better identification and help for young carers are the key pillars of Victoria’s first whole-of-government strategy recognising the important role of carers.
Read more.
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Sharing the stories of aged care’s silent generation
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An eight-part podcast series has been launched to celebrate and acknowledge the lives of the least spoken about older generation of seniors. Find out more and listen to the podcast here.
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A badly planned will could cost your spouse the pension
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Getting estate planning right is a must for retirees, but many still don’t understand the implications of making the wrong choices, or even worse not having a will at all.
Read more.
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Survey shows aged care residents could be at risk
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The health of older Australians living in residential aged care could be at risk. The release of a new survey report shows more than one in three doctors plan to cut or stop visits over the next two years. Read more.
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Art centres and their role in supporting older artists
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Image by NARI’s research team.
A National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) team have been researching the role of art centres in remote Australia in supporting older Aboriginal people, and those living with dementia. Read about their findings here.
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Book review: Moving into Residential Care
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Written for people making the move in to a care home, or the families and staff about to assist them, this book is an antidote to the psychological stress this transition can have on older people. Read the full review.
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ASIC’s MoneySmart Women talk money campaign
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Women face specific challenges when it comes to managing their money. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s Laura Higgins sat down with five influential and inspirational Australian women to chat about their money experiences. Find out more about this campaign here.
You can view the video featuring Jane Caro here.
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Ten ways to get a better night’s sleep
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Do you feel tired during the day? Do you have trouble falling asleep? Do you wake up during the night? Discover ten ways to get a better night’s sleep and reclaim your waking hours.
Read more.
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Plastic is deadly: how you can help
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It’s estimated our oceans contain upwards of 150 million metric tonnes of plastic and that by 2050, 95 per cent of seabirds will have eaten plastic. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) suggests five easy things we can all do to help reduce the amount of rubbish ending up in the ocean.
Read more.
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Increasing emergency resilience for vulnerable Victorians program
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The Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) is calling for volunteers to participate in an interview to help understand the pathways to support by vulnerable people who have been impacted by an emergency or disaster.
If you or someone you know would like to participate in an interview, please contact Bridget Tehan at: bridget.tehan@vcoss.org.au.
All information gathered as part of this project will remain strictly confidential.
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New publication: The Third Act
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The Third Act: notes on life’s twists and turns is a unique conversation-building tool for older Australians.
The Third Act is comprised of a set of 60 cards, each with a key question relevant to anyone approaching retirement age or older. The cards simply invite us to talk about the hopes, joys, challenges and frustrations of entering the third act of our life journey.
For more information and to order go to Metaphors Ink
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The secret to living longer may be your social life
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What does it take to live for 100 years? These are the surprising predictors of a long, healthy life.
Watch the full TED Talk here: http://t.ted.com/nMk9fKb
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