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From the Chief Executive
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Significant changes were introduced by both the Australian and Queensland Governments at the beginning of this month and we have covered a number of these in this newsletter.
The way home care is delivered in Australia has changed. Older people now have more choice and control over the services they receive and how they are delivered. We will continue to provide free information sessions on Controlling My Own Life: Making the most of CDC.
The Palaszczuk Government's first budget will be tabled on Tuesday 14 July and the Treasurer has advised, following representation from COTA, that he will ensure that the Government will continue to fund concessions to seniors and pensioners. We sincerely thank the Government for this commitment.
Our next Seniors Forum will be held in Townsville on Wednesday 8 July. I will be reporting back to stakeholders who attended last year's Forum on the actions we've taken over the past year on the issues they raised. We will also be engaging with seniors and service providers about the aged care reforms, electricity hardship arrangements, etc.
Yesterday I attended COTA's National Policy Forum in Canberra Gender and Ageing and presentations from the forum will shortly be on the COTA Australia's website.
The countdown is on for this year's Seniors Week to be held 15-23 August 2015. Sadly Dudley Warhurst, one of the faces of our Queensland Seniors Week campaign passed away last month at the age of 95. Please take a moment to read our Seniors Week Coordinator's tribute to this WWII veteran.
Mark Tucker-Evans
Chief Executive
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National Energy Retail Law passed for Queensland, Price Controls Removed
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The National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Bill 2014 was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 10 September 2014 (NERL). This law has shifted Queensland to a national framework that will regulate the sale and supply of energy (electricity and gas) to consumers from 1 July 2015.
Broadly, the intention of the NERL is to improve consistency between the States and to improve customer protections. Queensland follows New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria to have adopted the NERL.
It also means that responsibility for monitoring and regulating the NERL will shift from the Department of Energy and Water Supply in Queensland to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
What this means for you…
Following the passage of the NERL in Queensland, suppliers of energy (including on-suppliers) will need to take steps to comply with the NERL. This may involve:
• making an assessment of and applying for any necessary exemptions to the AER;
• reviewing supply contracts and practices to ensure they comply with the NERL;
• understanding the customer protection requirements of the NERL and how they differ from the current position.
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Tax Time - Don't let it be a pain
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Source: Lisa Hodgkinson COTA Queensland
www.scamwatch.gov.au
"It looked official"
Regrettably this time of year brings with it scams to try to fleece hard earned dollars from unsuspecting people.
Each year the emails look a little more professional and that's how people can get caught. The people behind these emails go to great lengths to convince you that it is genuine—they even contain a replica of the ATO’s logo and a link to what appears to be the ATO website.
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Make a Connection - Join the Social Movement of Storytelling
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Source: Lisa Hodgkinson COTA Queensland
Let's come together Queensland! Seniors Week is a time for connecting communities, reducing social isolation and strengthening intergenerational connections.
Storyteliing is a feature in every culture and is a means of cultural preservation, passing on moral values and sharring lesions and entertainment. But how often do we take the time to connect and listen to the rich stories of our elders in our community.
This year during Seniors Week we are asking people to take the time to make a connection by listening to someone else's story or sharing your own.
You can put your cameras and smartphones to good use by capturing the stories and life experiences of clients, group members and friends and sharing them, with permission, on the Queensland Seniors Week Facebook page using the hastag #MakeAConnection
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Remembering the Man in the Poster
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Source: Lisa Hodgkinson COTA Queensland
Dudley Warhurst WWII Veteran, one of the faces of Queensland Seniors Week and one of the nicest men you'll ever meet, passed away last month at the age of 95.
Army records in Canberra show that Dudley Warhurst was born in Ballan on 22 August 1919 and was living and working in Benalla as a carpenter when he enlisted in the Militia. He joined the 59th Battalion which was known as the Hume Regiment and centred around central Victoria.
Dudley was called up for training in camp at Seymour when he transferred his enlistment to the AIF on 13 May 1940. He moved to the Recruit Receiving Depot at Caulfield Racecourse where he was attested on 16 May 1940 and posted to the 2/14 Battalion at Puckapunyal on 20 May 1940.
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It’s time to Get Moving
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Source: Parkinson's Queensland
It’s time to put your name down for one of the most fun events of the year that supports a good cause.
A Walk in the Park is aimed at celebrating and supporting people with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders.
Over 17,000 people in Queensland have been diagnosed with Parkinsons, but it also affects carers, spouses, family and friends, as well as health care providers.
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Nominate your stroke champion – 2015 Stroke Awards now open!
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Do you know someone going above and beyond to improve the lives of stroke survivors, their families and carers? Or a stroke survivor whose creative achievements are inspiring others in their recovery? Why not show your appreciation by nominating them for a 2015 Stroke Award?
The Awards aim to recognise the amazing work and commitment of stroke survivors, carers and health professionals in our community.
With almost 440,000 people currently living with stroke in Australia we know there are many remarkable stories of resilience, dedication and commitment that deserve to be celebrated. The 2015 Stroke Awards will shine a light on the incredible survivors, carers, healthcare workers and volunteers who every day go above and beyond to make things better for our stroke community.
Read More
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Fact or Fiction?
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More deaths occur from car accidents than from suicide.
This is fiction. According to statistics from Lifeline, in 2012 twice as many people died from suicide than in road related deaths - 1,310 vs 2,535. In fact, over the past several years , the average number of suicide deaths per year has been 2,415.
Youth suicide more often than other age groups
Fiction. Statistics released by the ABS, based on 2012 data, indicate that the age group with the highest rate of suicide for both males and females were those who were aged 80 years and over.
There is nothing you can do for a person who is intent on suicide
Fiction. Many people who are considering suicide think it is the only solution to their problems. However, there IS help available, if only they knew where to turn.
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Home Instead Senior Care: Building Dementia Friendly Communities
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Source: Home Instead Senior Care
Research has shown the best place for a person with memory loss is to continue to live in familiar surroundings.
For over 10 years, Home Instead Senior Care has been committed to helping people with dementia to live in their familiar home and community environment through our specialist care, education, advocacy and support services for people with dementia and their families and carers.
In 2015, Home Instead Senior Care is leading a new charge in the fight for dementia by supporting the creation of Dementia Friendly Communities.
Dementia Friendly Communities are places where people with dementia are supported to live quality lives with meaning, purpose and value within their local community.
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Office of the Public Guardian—helping vulnerable adults
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Source: Office of the Public Guardian
The Office of the Public Guardian is an independent body, working to protect the rights and interests of adults who have an impaired capacity to make their own decisions.
We want everyone to be treated equally, regardless of their state of mind or health.
Headed by the Public Guardian who is appointed by the Governor in Council (the Governor of Queensland acting with the advice of the Executive Council), we exercise the Public Guardian's powers and functions independent of government and non-government organisations.
While independent of the government of the day, the Office of the Public Guardian is accountable to the people of Queensland by reporting to Parliament through the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General.
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The Qld Government would like to talk to you.
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Source: One-Stop Shop Strategy and Implementation Office
Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation
We are interested in hearing about your experiences in order to improve the services available for our senior citizens & their families.
The Qld Government ‘One-Stop Shop Program’ is currently seeking volunteers to provide valuable insights on their recent experiences when accessing services specific to the following scenarios:
1. Loss of a loved one
2. Retirement
Read More
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Wellness Forum
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In Queensland Seniors Week it is fitting to consider how Wellness features in the daily lives of Seniors, and how organisations, through creative thinking and strategic partnerships can support seniors to maintain their own Wellness.
COTA Queensland wants to inspire you to see how Wellness approaches can improve your services and the lives of your clients.
When: Monday 17th August
Time: 9am – 4pm
Where: The Pavilion, Greg Chappell Street, Albion
Kerri Lanchester, LASAQ Manager for Community and Retirement Living, and who is also sitting on the National Advisory Group for Wellness and Reablement will be our MC.
The Honourable Coralee O’Rourke MP, Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland will launch the forum and Seniors Week at 9am.
Book before 15th July to take advantage or our early bird discount.
Secure your seat now!
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Abstracts now open for the IFA 13th Global Conference on Ageing
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COTA Queensland will host the International Federation on Ageing's 13th Global Conference on Ageing Disasters in an Ageing World at the Brisbane Conference and Exhibition Centre between 21-23 June 2016.
The Program Committee invites authors to submit abstracts for oral, poster, symposium and workshop presentations.
Abstracts submitted should correspond with one or more of the thematic tracks below:
1. Disasters and Older People
2. Age Friendly Cities/Communities
3. Care and Support for Older People (Community and Residential)
4. Elder Abuse, Law and Rights
5. Income Protection and Security
Abstract submission can be submitted at any time before the deadline of 5 November 2015 to ensure publication requirements are met. Abstracts will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a notification issued within approximately three weeks after submission.
Please read the guidelines carefully before preparing your abstract. Acceptance of papers for presentation at the Conference will be on the basis of reviewed abstracts.
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My Aged Care
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My Aged Care is the central contact point for Aged Care Services. To make an enquiry about aged care services, check your eligibility for aged care services or see what service providers operate in your area My Aged Care can help.
Source: Department of Social Services
The My Aged Care website has been established by the Australian Government to help you navigate the aged care system. My Aged Care is part of the Australian Government’s changes to the aged care system which have been designed to give people more choice, more control and easier access to a full range of aged care services.
My Aged Care is made up of this website and a contact centre. Together they can provide you with information on aged care for yourself, a family member, friend or someone you’re caring for. You can call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and between 10am and 2pm on Saturdays. The My Aged Care contact centre is closed on Sundays and national public holidays.
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Government Reconsiders National Fees Policy
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Source: Senator The Hon Mitch Fifield Assistant Minster for Social Services Manager of Government Business in the Senate Senator for Victoria Media Release 15 June 2015
On 15 June 2015, The Hon Mitch Fifield, Assistant Minister for Social Services, announced that the Government has taken two decisions to provide certainty for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) clients and providers.
CHSP funding agreements will be extended to 30 June 2018, to coincide with the 2015 Budget decision to merge the CHSP and Home Care Packages programme from July 2018 to create an integrated care at home programme.
This funding will ensure three years of certainty worth more than $1.6 billion annually for CHSP providers.
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Carer Support - National Carer Gateway
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Source: Department of Social Services 25 June 2015
On 24 June 2015, the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield announced the establishment of a Carer Gateway Advisory Group to provide advice and inform the development and implementation of the national carer gateway.
Membership of the Carer Gateway Advisory Group was drawn from service providers, peak bodies and individuals who have carer-specific expertise.
Chief Executive Officer of Carers Australia, Ms Ara Cresswell, has been appointed as Co- Chair of the Group, along with a DSS representative. The first meeting will be on 6 July 2015 and is anticipated the group will meet monthly.
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1 July 2015 Special Extended Edition
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Source: Department of Social Services
1 July 2015 Special Extended Edition of the Information for Aged Care Providers Newsletter was released.
There are a number of changes that take effect from 1 July including important changes to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, Home Care Packages and My Aged Care.
Access the newsletter here
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