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COTA Victoria office moves
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COTA Victoria moved to its new, modern Melbourne offices on Monday after many years of being located at the Block Arcade.
COTA is now located at Level 4, 533 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. The closest train station is Flagstaff Station and the closest tram stop is Stop 58 at Lonsdale/William Street.
Continue reading...
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Message from the CEO
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I am delighted to be writing this message in our new office, having just moved COTA Victoria to Level 4, 533 Little Lonsdale Street. While we will miss the Block Arcade we are looking forward to our fresh new premises and better conditions for our staff and visitors.
2017 was an exciting year as the COTA’s from each State came together to agree on a common vision, mission, and values.....
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Victoria approves Voluntary Assisted Dying laws
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Victoria is now Australia’s first state to pass Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation through both houses of parliament. COTA Victoria congratulates the Minister for Health Jill Hennessy, the Victorian Government and Members of Parliament for passing this significant Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation, making Victoria Australia’s first state to introduce significant end of life reform. These new laws won’t come into effect until June 2019 after an 18 month implementation period.
Continue reading on COTA Victoria website.
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Parliamentary Forum on Retirement Housing Success
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On November 30th over one hundred older people from retirement villages, residential parks and independent living units filled Victoria’s Parliament House calling for leadership on retirement housing reforms. The event was held to launch the State Election platform Retirement housing matters: Make it fair and affordable by COTA Victoria, Consumer Action Law Centre, Housing for the Aged Action Group. The platform outlines practical solutions to reforming a sector that provides an essential housing option for older Victorians.
Read more on COTA Victoria website.
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Aged Care Diversity Framework promotes inclusion
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COTA Australia welcomed the Federal Government’s Aged Care Diversity Framework, aimed at recognising the diverse characteristics and life experiences of older Australians and the need to build an inclusive, respectful and person-centered aged care system.
Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, recently released the new framework, designed to support the government, aged care providers, consumers, families and carers in addressing the specific barriers and challenges faced by Australia’s diverse ageing population.
Read full article on COTA Victoria website.
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COTA Victoria boosts age-friendly communities
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COTA Victoria recently highlighted its Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Information Kit to the Municipal Association of Victoria’s (MAV) Age-friendly Communities in the New Ageing Context state-wide conference.
COTA Community Participation Manager Sharon Granek spoke to about 70 local government councillors and senior managers about the project aimed at supporting their sector in creating age friendly, inclusive communities for people of all ages.
Read full article on COTA Victoria website.
To access the kit, click this link: Age Friendly Cities and Communities Information Kit
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Living Longer Living Stronger Master of his Game
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Living Longer Living Stronger instructor Alan Wood has proven the champion aspects of the fitness program for older people by hauling nine gold medals in the recent Australian Masters Games hosted in Tasmania.
The 80-year-old athlete experienced his most successful Masters campaign to date, winning the 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, long jump, high jump, triple jump, javelin and pentathlon events.
Read full story on COTA Victoria website
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Online portal supports dementia friendly communities
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Dementia Australia (formerly Alzheimer's Australia) has produced a new online portal of information and education about many aspects of dementia friendly communities.
The education hub has information for clinicians, professionals, services, businesses and the general public about dementia to ensure those people experiencing dementia in the community are not disadvantaged and stigmatised.
There is information on dementia friendly places, organisations, an online community and events, as well as the latest news from across the country.
For more information click Dementia Friendly Communities.
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New guide for short term restorative care
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The Australian Government has produced a new guide booklet to help older Australians, their families and carers through the process of accessing short-term restorative care (STRC).
The ‘Your guide to short-term restorative care’ booklet follows the older person’s journey from initial assessment through to the ongoing management of STRC services.
Continue reading at COTA Victoria website.
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Centrelink news for older Australians
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The Australian Government’s News for Seniors magazine will no longer be published, with older people being offered more regular news highlights by email to ensure they don’t miss out on vital information.
The News for Older Australians updates will include information about Centrelink payments and services that can affect older people and their families.
Older people are also encouraged to sign up to the service’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, which will be monitored by a team of staff members to answer questions in a timely manner.
For past updates and translation services information click News for Seniors’ magazine.
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Calling aged care advocates and consumers
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Older people are being encouraged to consider applying for the Change Leaders Co-Lab, a cross-sectoral leaders program between ageing, disability and mental health consumers, service providers and workers committed to promoting consumer control and choice.
The opportunity to become involved is being supported by VICSERV, a membership-based organisation and the peak body representing community managed mental health services, and COTA Victoria.
More informatin on COTA Victoria website.
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Do you want to volunteer at COTA Victoria?
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COTA Victoria is seeking additional volunteers, particularly older people, who are interested in becoming public speakers to deliver information about our programs to seniors groups throughout the state.
Volunteers are reimbursed for out of pocket expenses and covered by COTA’s volunteer insurance program. COTA provides volunteer training, orientation, ongoing support and monthly invitations to meetings with other volunteers.
Skills required for the role are:
• Well-developed spoken and listening communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Able to travel around the State or your local area (travel costs will be reimbursed)
If you meet the above criteria, would enjoy working as part of a team and are interested in this unique volunteering opportunity, please contact Kasia Tkaczyk on (03) 9655 2141 or email community@cotavic.org.au.
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Telechat launches in Alpine community
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COTA Victoria has welcomed the introduction of a Telechat Program in the Victorian Alpine region to provide regular telephone calls to people who may benefit from a weekly social chat.
The Telechat Program is when friendly volunteers phone participants at an agreed time, generally once a week, to share conversation and catch up.
Continue reading at COTA Victoria website
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New hay fever guidelines
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Many people who are familiar with the symptoms of hay fever – the itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing – will be interested in the latest research comparing antihistamine tablets and nasal steroid sprays.
Researchers quoted in the US-based Annals of Internal Medicine treating hay fever with a nasal steroid spray alone is a better option for those with seasonal hay fever, rather than adding antihistamine tablets into the mix.
read the full article on COTA Victoria website
COTA Victoria recommends people receive personal medical advice from their own doctor.
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Allergy, intolerance or food sensitivity: what's the difference?
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The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute recently released information to guide people on the difference between allergies, intolerances and food sensitivities, often referred to generically as allergies when they are not.
The terms allergy and food intolerance are often used interchangeably, but there is a clinical difference between the two.
For more information on the differences click this Murdoch Children’s Research story.
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A film worth watching
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Alive Inside: a story of music and memory is a film which tells the story of one man’s mission to bring music to more than 1 million people living in aged care in the USA.
Although made in 2014, the film is a gentle and delightful reminder that in preserving our passions we can preserve our sense of self. The film includes appearances from USA musical legend, Bobby McFerrin, and the late neurologist and best-selling author, Oliver Sachs.
To view a clip of the film click Alive Inside.
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