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COTA office champion retires
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COTA Victoria’s CEO Executive Assistant Jill Bodnar (centre) retired last month after more than 23 years of dedicated work, supporting the past four chief executive officers.
Jill said she was proud to have been part of an organisation that had undergone enormous growth and increasing relevance in representing the needs and interests of the diverse range of older people in the Victorian community.
Jill was officially farewelled by COTA Vic CEO Ronda Held and colleagues at a staff function hosted at the ACMI Café.
Read about Jill and her journey with COTA at the COTA Victoria website.
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Challenging ageing bilingual program
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COTA peer educator, Edith Chen, created, developed and led a pilot program in Challenging Ageing for older Chinese living in the Melbourne area.
Participants had nothing but praise for the program. They enjoyed discussing issues that effect older people, hearing of different cultural views and sharing ideas.
Read about the groups first outing to the Immigration Museum visit COTA Victoria website .
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Goodbye Basil
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With a little celebration we said goodbye to Basil. After more than 10 years providing assistance to people with their phones Basil has decided to take some time off to reflect on his future.
Basil has made a valuable contribution by assisting so many older Victorians to come to terms with and appreciate what their phones can do for them.
We want to thank him for his unconditional support as a volunteer. Thank you very much Basil!
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The winners of the COTA Insurance raffle
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Announcing the happy winners of an iPad and hamper in the COTA Insurance raffle. Congratulations Rita and Herb! The prize was given away during the celebrations of the Victorian Seniors Festival.
Herb attended our The HeART of Ageing Conversation event at The Wheeler Centre and Rita visited us at the Melbourne Town Hall during Seniors Week.
This was the first time Rita took part in the seniors festival celebrations. We are so pleased she decided to come along!
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New retirement housing advice service
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Are you living in or interested in retirement housing? Financially disadvantaged? Aged over 55yrs? Call the Housing for the Aged Action Group on 9654 7389. The Retirment Housing Service can help guide you through your situation.
Choosing, maintaining and leaving retirement housing can be complex and difficult.
There are multiple things to consider such as your contract, the type of housing you are living in or wanting to live in, the law that protects you, and of course your preferences and priorities.
You don't have to navigate through the process alone.
Call them now!
Read the full article on COTA Victoria website.
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Travelling con men campaign
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Travelling con men have scammed Victorians of almost $500,000 in the last 12 months.
You may be thinking, who and what is a travelling con man?
They are dodgy tradesmen who pressure home owners into paying cash up front for services such as roof repairs, driveway resurfacing, and home maintenance.
Once they get the cash, they’re gone – and if they’ve done any work, it’s often unfinished or of a poor standard.
Read about what to look out for or whatch this video.
Have a look at these statistics for con men targeting Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
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Help improve Residential Aged Care Services
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We are inviting older people to join a discussion about what you consider an ‘excellent’ aged care service to be, run by La Trobe University. This discussion will assist in the development of a resource – A Guide to Excellence in Residential Aged Care in Victoria.
Group discussions will be held at COTA Victoria on Friday 8th December 10.30am or Monday 11th December 10.30am.
You will be reimbursed for your travel costs.
Visit the COTA Victoria website for information on how to register.
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What happens to your Age Pension if you travel outside Australia?
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Are you planning a holiday outside of Australia? There are some things you should know.
Your payment rate may change depending on how long you’re away.
After six weeks your energy supplement will stop and the pension supplement will drop to the basic rate. But, there is no change to the pension rate.
If you have plans to leave Australia for longer than 26 weeks, then the pension rate depends on your Australian working life residency
Read more to understand how you could be effected on the website for the Australian Department of Human Servcies.
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Victorian Ombudsman shines a light on ‘egregiously unfair’ public housing debts
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An Ombudsman’s report has been released on the management of maintenance claims against public housing tenants.
The report shows evidence of significantly inflated compensation claims being pursued against highly vulnerable people, which – if defended – were almost always reduced.
Read about the problems identified in the Ombudsman’s report here and hear about Rachael's story on how she lost her home in unfair cirmcumstances.
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Attention all Carers: Help us help you
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Carers Victoria is conducting research to better understand what happens in care relationships when something goes wrong.
A brief online survey is all it takes to help them gather their information.
It also aims to find out how carers prefer to receive information so it can improve services, education and support for victims.
Complete the survey now.
The survey closes on 23 November 2017. All information provided will be treated in confidence.
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Community Information Sessions – Victorian Energy Compare
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Interested in energy savings? Attend an information session for advice on how you can access energy savings by using the Victorian Energy Compare site.
For upcoming sessions through out November visit the COTA Vic website.
Or contact Sandra Qian on 9637 8329 sandra.qian@delwp.vic.gov.au
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COTA Victoria Aged Care Advisory Service
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Navigating the aged care system can be a complicated, and at times, frustrating process. COTA Victoria is offering a free service for people accessing the aged care system. It will give you decision making support and point you in the right direction as you navigate the system.
The service will be available between 1st November and 22nd December please call 1300 13 50 90 or email CKeane@cotavic.org.au to make an appointment.
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Don’t leave hard choices to others – make an end-of-life wish list now
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Have you made your will? Do your loved ones know about your end-of-life wishes?
Read this guided checklist on why it is important to have your own wish list in place.
The author shares her own story and the lessons she learnt for when she was putting together her own list.
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Support available for ‘care leavers’ in residential care
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If you work in an aged care service, this article is a must read.
You may have cared for someone who identifies as a Forgotten Australian. They are the survivors of the approximately 500,000 children who found themselves in institutional or other out-of-home ‘care’ last century.
No-one likes the idea of losing their independence, but for Forgotten Australians the prospect of being re-institutionalised is terrifying.
It is important to maintain a sympathetic understanding of the mistreatment and loss they experienced during childhood. They are burdened with memories of trauma which create fear and anxiety.
However, if you as an aged care workers can recognise and understand their concerns, their time in aged care can become more positive and engaging.
Read on to understand more.
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Launch of new initiative means older Australians can Be Connected
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Would you like to improve your computer skills?
Be Connected is a course that will help you improve your digital skills and confidence.
Online training courses include the basics of using computers and digital devices; online shopping and banking; staying safe and secure online; and socialising online.
Read more....
Find the online courses on the Be Connected website.
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Study reveals 33 foods proven to relieve rheumatoid arthritis
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Do you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis? Researchers announce 33 foods and dietary suggestions to offer an alternative way to treat the painful symptoms.
Continue reading...
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Funded aged care training opportunities in LGBTI awareness
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Good news! There has been a small increase of funded LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care awareness training for Victoria.
Aged care service providers that are interested in hosting a session for staff education are encouraged to submit an expression of interest.
Submit your expression of interest now for your chance to secure a limited number of fully funded 3-hour sessions.
Email j.sykes@latrobe.edu.au and provide the following information in your submission:
- Name of organisation
- Location/Region
- Service type: e.g. Community aged care - CHSP, Home Care Package etc., residential aged care
- Contact person (name, phone, email)
- A brief description of who the training is for (staff to be involved including proposed number of staff); benefits of undertaking the training; if there has been any previous LGBTI awareness training/education and if so details of this; any other relevant information to support your application.
For additional information call Val's LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care on 9479 8740 or 9479 8760.
For training opportunities around Australia visit Silver Rainbow.
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HOW2 Program
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Join the HOW2 program to support the development of LGBTI-inclusive health and human services.
The Program consists of four workshops run over six months and assists organisations to implement LGBTI-inclusive practice, protocols and procedures within their organisation.
To join the waiting list for the next 2018 program or to find out more about the Victorian program visit the GLHV website.
You may also contact Pam Kennedy on 9479 8737 (Tuesday and Wednesday) or email P.Kennedy2@latrobe.edu.au
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Applications are now open for our Change Leaders Co-Lab 2018
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Change Leaders Co-Lab is bringing together Ageing, Disability and Mental Health consumer/carer advocates and exemplary service providers who are committed to advancing consumer control and community choice.
They need your voice!
Become a commited participant if you are from the below two backgrounds:
1. Citizen–consumers of ageing, disability and mental health services (and carers).
2. Service providers and workers from ageing, disability and mental health sectors.
You will be a part of discussions and debates to help establish what really constitutes consumer control and community choice.
Come along to an information session to find out more!
Tuesday 14 November
Wednesday 6 December
Ross House, 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
For more information or to apply please contact:
Dale Nelson on 9519 7000 or email D.Nelson@vicserv.org.au
Daryl Taylor on 0497 097 047 or email D.Taylor@vicserv.org.au
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Grab an EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION for the 5th National Elder Abuse Conference NOW and SAVE!
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Be a part of the 5th National Elder Abuse Conference.
Join 500 people at a pivotal moment in Australia’s response to elder abuse and exchange ideas, solutions and experiences.
19-20 February 2018 in Sydney
Register before 19 November 2017 for savings with early bird prices.
For more information visit COTA Victoria or conference website.
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Invite: Morning tea and retirement housing discussion with your MP
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We've had the inquiry, now we need retirement housing reform!
Join us for morning tea at parliament house to hear from your MP and their plans for retirement housing.
Thursday 30 November, 2017
9.30am to 11.30am
Parliament House, Spring Street
RSVP by 17 November.
Email campaigns@consumeraction.org.au or phone 8554 6915.
For more information continue to the COTA Victoria website.
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Speaker event: Manage your medicines for best results
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Join speaker Annette Davies as she discusses how to manage your medicines for best results.
By understanding what you are taking, asking the right questions and finding information from reliable sources you can minimise the risk of experiencing medication-related problems.
Tuesday 21 November, 2017
10:30am to 12 noon
COTA Victoria, Level 4 Block Arcade, 98 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Register now online at the COTA Victoria website.
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