SA/NT - Autumn 2023

Nurse Next Door Home Care Services believes people can stay in their own homes, regardless of age or ability.

With a purpose of Making Lives Better, Nurse Next Door’s extraordinary family of nurses and caregivers empower you to keep living life to the fullest and maintain a sense of positivity and possibility as you age.

Paul Koury – PUBLISHER

This Issue’s Contributors

Paul Koury

Founder – Publisher Australian Carers Guide

Maggie Beer

Chef, restaurateur, food author, and food providore

Jean Kittson

Author, public speaker, actor, comedian and scriptwriter for stage, television, theatre and radio, and the patron of Palliative Care Nurses Australia

Maree McCabe AM Chief Executive Officer, Dementia Australia

Rachel Lane

Principal of Aged Care Gurus and co-author of Aged Care, Who Cares?

Anika Wells Hon MP

Federal Minister for Aged Care and Federal Minister for Sport

Kosette Lambert Freelance writer and carer

Jacqui Williams

Founder of End of Life Transitions, end-of-life doula and funeral celebrant

Will Richardson

Puzzles supplied by Richardson Publishing Group

publisher s message

Hello everyone. Hope you’ve all been keeping well and had a safe and enjoyable festive season. Doesn’t time just fly… here we are already at the Autumn 2023 issue. It’s been an eventful three months for us and we have so much to share with you.

Ita Buttrose

I was fortunate enough to interview Ita Buttrose in February and spent nearly an hour with her, discussing her experiences as a carer, career woman and getting her thoughts on the future of aged care. She was an absolute delight to talk with.

Ita shared so many wonderful stories, anecdotes and interesting ideas. You can read the full interview in this edition.

Care and Ageing Well Expo

In February, we exhibited at the Care and Ageing Expo in Melbourne and had a chance to meet and chat with so many of you. We also had Jean Kittson with us on our stand signing copies of her book.

So many of you wanted your picture taken with her, which she was more than happy to do. We also had a surprise guest with us, which you will be hearing a lot more about soon.

New sections

As we are committed to giving you, our readers, the information you want, we have introduced two new sections. The first is Your Say, where you can write in about anything that you want – whether it be a frustration, an idea or just something you want to share with other readers. These will be your pages for your say. The other section is the Help Pages. While we intend to have a comprehensive list of where carers can find immediate financial, emotional and physical support in all states, we have only included it in our VIC/TAS edition. All other states will have these pages in the Winter issue.

Alarms guide

The most-requested article we have had is for one on the best personal alarm for seniors. We have taken a deep dive with our friends at CHOICE magazine and MePACS to bring you expert information on the types available and how they can be used.

Our new editor: Julia Zaetta

We are excited to welcome Julia Zaetta as the new editor of the Australian Carers Guide. Julia is one of the most successful and longestserving editors in Australian publishing. As the previous editor of Better Homes & Gardens and The Australian Women‘s Weekly, among many other titles, she is highly experienced in the media world. Furthermore, her extensive editorial experience along with her public speaking, MC-ing, and radio and TV work, have afforded widespread recognition and the highest industry awards. Julia brings her broad experience, established resources and vibrant enthusiasm to provide even more valuable content to you, our readers. We are very excited to have Julia join us on our fast-growing and hugely popular Australian Carers Guide.

Radio: 16 stations in two weeks

In January, I was contacted by 16 radio stations all across Australia, from 6AA in Perth to 2GB in Sydney. They all wanted to talk to me about the piece I wrote last issue about how ridiculous it was that carers are supposed to provide 24/7 care on a measly 43c per hour. It’s frankly laughable and a big thankyou to our advocating partners who continue to lobby the government for a realistic increase to the Carers Allowance. The Australian Government is saving some $77 billion a year because our unpaid carers are doing all the heavy lifting to keep their elderly at home and not in the health system.

About us

The Australian Carers Guide is produced four times a year in print, digital and online formats. Find subscription offers inside.

If you would like to offer your suggestions, ideas or any feedback, please send an email to:

Editor@acguide.com.au or write to us at: PO Box 6155 Wantirna VIC 3152

Paul Koury – Publisher

Whether you’re new to caring or have been providing care for many years, you will find something interesting, meaningful, and entertaining in every edition. Enjoy.

Featured Content

14 The Legend of Ita

She’s one of Australia’s best-known and most well-respected public figures. And at 80, Ita Buttrose is showing no signs of slowing down. The ABC Chair sat down for a wide-ranging interview with ACG publisher Paul Koury.

22 Why hobbies are good for your mental health

Whether it’s painting, playing the piano or tripping the light fantastic, hobbies keep us engaged and help feed our need for meaning and purpose.

26 Personal alarms for seniors: a guide

Everything you need to know if the elderly person in your life is at the stage where a personal alarm has become a necessity.

32 Jean Kittson’s survival guide for carers

The comedian and author – and daughter of parents in their 90s – offers advice on how to take care of yourself in the midst of the mayhem.

38 Creating a community that cares for our carers

Establishing an integrated community of care is essential if carers are to get the support they need. And it’s an issue that one Melbourne social enterprise is passionate about getting right.

42 How to say no to your elderly parents

It’s difficult to say no to our loved ones. But learning to use this little word is not only good for your wellbeing, it’s good for your parents, too.

46 Paws for thought: why pet therapy is good for seniors

Research proves it: pet therapy offers comfort, joy and companionship to older people.

54 New ways of living

From upsizing to the country to living as dual citizens ... a look at the alternative lifestyles older Australians are embracing.

60 Tips for navigating Centrelink

If you’re caring for elderly parents or a loved one, it’s inevitable that you’ll have to deal with the behemoth that is Centrelink. A guide to making the process as seamless as possible.

64 How to cope with compassion fatigue

ABOUT AUSTRALIAN CARERS GUIDE

Australian Carers Guide is a valuable resource for everyone who is caring for an ageing parent, spouse or an elderly loved one.

Out of the 2.7 million informal carers in Australia, 1.3 million care for an elderly family member or a loved one.

Until now, there has never been anything in the mainstream market specifically for carers.

Our guide delivers useful and practical information, all geared toward the carers and their wellbeing.

Being a carer can put you at risk for what the experts call “compassion fatigue”. What are the signs to look out for, and what strategies can you employ to deal with it?

86 Why talking about dying won’t kill you

End-of-life practitioner Jacqui Williams explores why we need to have more conversations about the Big D.

Eat well. Age well.

At Lite n’ Easy, we believe the secret to ageing well is to simply eat well.

Lite n’ Easy is more than just a weight loss solution. We also offer affordable, tasty meals (there’s over 235 to choose from) designed to promote healthy eating, well-being and a better quality of life. There’s no need to shop, cook or clean as our meals are delivered to your door so you can enjoy more free time and independence.

We have even introduced a new range of ‘My Choice’ dinners, soups and desserts designed for people who have a reduced appetite or find it difficult to eat normal sized meals. They provide the same energy and protein as our standard dinners but in a smaller portion, making them easier to finish.

Lite n’ Easy also partners with most Home Care Package providers across Australia, so that seniors can have affordable access to healthy, delicious meals. If you’re eligible, you could save 70% off the cost of your meals.

Lite n’ Easy’s service is flexible with no lock-in contracts or subscriptions, so customers are free to order week-to-week as required.

Think you could benefit from Lite n’ Easy? Visit liteneasy.com.au or call 13 15 12.

SAVE 30%

Order online using promo code ACG30% or, if you are a HCP recipient, call us on 13 15 12 and mention this offer.

Valid for new customers’ first delivery only. Cannot be used with any other offer.

“It’s given me back my independence. It’s given me back my health. It’s just wonderful.”

Aunty Barb & her daughter/carer, Yoni

Publisher PAUL KOURY paul@acguide.com.au

Advertising Sales MARYANNE SCORRINGE maryanne@acguide.com.au

Design STUDIO OI hello@studio-oi.com

Office Manager KYLIE MACKAY kylie@acguide.com.au

Production Assistant KRISTY HATTON production@acguide.com.au

Content Advisor JUDYTH GLANVILLE Highlandmarketing.com.au

Distribution/Circulation

STEVE BISSETT Are Media Pty Ltd

Regular Content

04 Publisher’s Message

Publisher Paul Koury welcomes you to the issue.

10 The Scoop

Useful tips and wise advice on health and lifestyle matters.

13 We’ve Got Mail

Letters from readers. (We love receiving your feedback, so keep those letters coming!)

68 Finance

Rachel Lane of Aged Care Gurus breaks down the real costs of buying into a retirement community.

72 Comic Corner

If you need a laugh or just want a shift in mood, then Comic Corner is for you.

74 Law

We take a deep dive into the Charter of Aged Care Rights.

78 Aged Care Reforms

An overview of some of the changes the Federal Government is implementing to improve aged care in Australia.

84 Your Say

A new column, where we give our readers a chance to talk about what matters to them. This issue, it’s carer advocate George Helon.

90 News and Views

All the latest news that impacts older Australians and their carers.

92 Q&A

Important questions answered.

94 Recipes

Through her foundation, Maggie Beer, one of Australia’s most-loved food personalities, is on a mission to improve the food experience and quality of life for older Australians. This issue, enjoy two of her classic recipes.

98 Time Out

Publication Office PAK Allied Media ACN; 34 611 117 303 Suite 3/13 Elm Street Bayswater Victoria 3153 Tel: 1300 717 515

Acknowledgment

The Australian Carers Guide acknowledges the Wurundjeri People as the traditional custodians of the place we now call Bayswater, where this magazine is published. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and emerging.

Seven pages of fun: puzzles, Sudoku, word search and quizzes.

105 Editor’s Choice

The books you need to read.

115 Helpful Contacts

Contact details for essential services and organisations.

STROKE: KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS

If you or someone you’re with experiences any of these symptoms, it could be a stroke and you should call 000 immediately: weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on one side or both sides of the body; trouble speaking and understanding; loss of vision or sudden blurring; a severe, abrupt headache; and dizziness or lack of balance. You can help reduce the risk of stroke by staying active, eating well, quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol.

Source: strokefoundation.org.au

COFFEE... GOOD AND BAD

MONEY-SAVING TIPS

Recently, Canadian financial writer Gail Vaz-Oxlade laid out seven ways to improve your financial health:

1) Don’t apply for joint credit cards.

2) Make mortgage payments every two weeks.

3) Pay off the highest interest rate loan first.

4) Applying for a loan can hurt your credit score.

5) Have 11 times your salary by the time you retire.

6) Paying into insurance is worth it.

7) And remember that credit-card companies change interest rates whenever they want. D

Although a cup of coffee may have become a part of your morning and afternoon routine, consider how much you’re drinking. While beneficial compounds such as magnesium, potassium, niacin and antioxidants are good for your health, too much caffeine may lead to insomnia, nervousness, heart palpitations and a rise in blood pressure.

A gentle alternative to “bad for your skin” chemical dryer sheets and fabric softener are natural wool dryer balls, which also cut drying time by up to 30 per cent. Try brands like e.sup, Little Bumble and That Red House, which is available at Go For Zero.

Source: The Forever Group

LIVE LONGER IN

R. OZ SAYS...

THE sunshine

To get a steady supply of vitamins and minerals all day, break your multivitamin in half: take one-half with breakfast and the other with dinner.

The recommended intake is 400mg a day, or about four cups.

Source: Harvard Medical School

Those who avoid the sun have a shorter life span, according to a new study. Safe sun exposure for 15 to 30 minutes a day is vital to boost vitamin D, which lowers the risk of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and osteoporosis. But don’t forget to slip, slop, slap!

Source: Vitamin D Society

Kiss AND TELL

Locking lips is not just enjoyable – it’s actually good for your health, too. Here are five reasons to pucker up (as if you need them!)…

• A French kiss exercises all of the facial muscles, which could keep you looking younger and certainly happier.

• Kissing reduces stress and improves mood by decreasing cortisol and increasing serotonin and endorphins.

• During a very passionate kiss, it’s possible to burn two calories a minute, double the normal metabolic rate.

• Kissing triggers psychological processes that may boost immunity and break down oral plaque by producing more saliva.

• Studies show that men who kiss their partners before saying goodbye for the day live an average of five years longer.

Source: galderma.com

GET GOOD WITH YOUR GUMS

Periodontal disease (periodontitis) may increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and dementia. The following are the best ways to reduce your risk of gum disease: Brush and floss. Brush at least twice a day and floss at bedtime. Don’t smoke. People who smoke up to half a pack of cigarettes a day are almost three times more likely to have periodontitis. Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in vegetables and vegetable oils, fruits, legumes, nuts and fatty fish helps suppress inflammation. Have a regular dental check-up. This will help spot the first signs of periodontitis, while a clean removes bacteria-harbouring plaque. Get treatment at the first signs of gum disease. spaces between teeth and bridges, or partial dentures that don’t fit as well as they once did may signal periodontitis.

Source: Harvard Women’s Health Watch

STAND UP STRAIGHT!

Good posture means: chin parallel to the floor; shoulders even (roll your shoulders up, back and down to help achieve this); neutral spine (no flexing or arching to overemphasize the curve in your lower back); arms at your sides with elbows straight and even; abdominal muscles braced; hips even; knees even and pointing straight ahead; and body weight distributed evenly on both feet.

Source: Harvard Medical School

SMOOTH SAILING

Finding it hard to consume five to 10 servings of fruit and veggies a day? You’re not alone! Use this universal smoothie recipe as a meal replacement or easy snack.

1-2 handfuls of leafy greens

Spinach is a great nutritional addition that doesn’t compromise flavour. Other options include kale, lettuce, endives or celery.

1 cup fruit

Try berries, mangoes, plums or pineapple to sweeten things up.

¼ cup binding agent

Think banana, nut butter, avocado or yoghurt.

1-2 cups liquid

PRO TIP

Keep your freezer stocked with frozen fruit to minimise trips to the shops.

Try fresh juice, milk/ milk substitutes or water (flat or sparkling).

Add cinnamon, lemon, nutmeg, ginger or any spice you like to keep the drink flavourful without sacrificing nutrition.

Take the stairs

Studies show brain age decreases by almost seven months for every flight of stairs climbed a day.

Source: Men’s Health

We’ve got mail

Share your experiences or comment on our articles. Send stories, notes, comments and pictures to the Australian Carers Guide P O Box 6155 Wantirna Vic 3152 , or email us at editor@acguide.com.au Please note that all letters are subject to editing for publication purposes.

Carers Gateway Carers getaway really don't care. I have rung them so many times over the last year and they were always abrupt and showed no empathy at all. Really don't know why you advertise them.

Michael T, Penrith, NSW

■ Hi Michael. I'm sorry to hear about your unpleasant experiences. I must say, I was quite surprised as the majority of feedback we receive about carers gateway has been nothing but positive. Carers have found them empathetic and very helpful. Sometime it can be just an individual on a bad day. We will continue to support Carers Gateway because they provide valuable support for our unpaid carers

Being fair

As a Carer we take a lot of Pressure of the Health System. The Government need to open their eye's to all us carers do. The $600 per person who is cared for is pittance considering what a wage would cost hourly on a daily basis would cost them. Be fair government as we are being more than fare to you.

Colleen B. Joondalup, WA

■ Well said Colleen. I remember when my sister was caring for my mother full time, she had to take time off work and suffered financially for it. Although she accessed all we could from Centrelink, it was no compensation for what she lost.

4 TIPS FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

When life gets too busy, “sleep time” often goes by the wayside. However, prioritizing sleep is key to maintaining our health and reducing the risk high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Here are some great tips to help you to get more than just 40 winks.

❶ Get it off your chest. Write down your worries early in the day, rather than waiting until bedtime. If you’ve had time to discuss concerns with loved ones and dealt with what’s bothering you, experts suggest that you’re much less likely to lie awake at night.

❶ Start early. Plan to be active and get your walks and gym-time in before dinner.

Exercising even a few hours before bed has been shown to be too stimulating for those who want a good night’s sleep.

❶ Be routine as you wind down. Try getting up and going to bed at the same time each day to set your “internal clock.” Planning quiet time before you turn the lights out can make a difference. Without screens,

To give us your feedback, please write us at Australian Carers Guide P.O. Box 6155 Wantirna VIC 3152 Or email at Editor@acguide.com.au

10 Year Celebrations

These days, there are so many carers who feel unnoticed or unappreciated. We just want to be able to give them a break, share information with them, and help them meet and chat with others like themselves. Your magazine was included in our carer appreciation bag, along with a few other little goodies. Thank you.

Sonya M, Mildura, VIC

■ Everything you have said is true. The importance of caring and the role they play is often underestimated. I’m glad we could help fill your goodie bags.

phones and other disturbances, you’re likely to feel relaxed, calm and ready to nod off.

❶ Draw the drapes and turn out the lights. A dark, cool and quiet room will provide you with the optimal sleeping environment for a good sleep each night.

The legend of

She’s one of the country’s living treasures: a publishing legend, best-selling author, advocate for older Australians and those with dementia, and chair of the ABC. ACG publisher Paul Koury sat down to talk with Ita Buttrose.

Paul Koury: Hi Ita. Thank you for your time. I have been looking forward to talking with you for quite a while. You have been a champion for so many wonderful associations and causes within the health and ageing sector.

Ita Buttrose: Thank you and it’s my pleasure Paul. I must say, when I first saw your publication, I thought, what a great idea and a valuable resource it would be for our unpaid carers. There is such a need for information because, as you know, navigating that aged care system is difficult. You don’t know where to go or what help is out there and that’s why I can see the value in a publication like yours. Oh, and I just love the smell of print. It’s better than Chanel No 5!

Paul Koury: Thank you. I thought I’d start by asking you about your love of music. Did you get that from your parents?

Ita Buttrose: Yes, I did. My mother was my first teacher. She was a very accomplished pianist. She used to play with members of the Sydney Symphony. My dad was studying singing at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide. So, there’s a lot of music in the family. Even my grandmother used to play the piano in silent movies. She could play anything and play by ear without sheet music. Then there’s my uncle Gerald, who

turns 100 this year. He’s got a great tenor voice. He and dad were very competitive about who was the better tenor. Music has been in my family for as long as I can remember.

Paul Koury: Do you still play?

Ita Buttrose: I don’t now. Because if you don’t practice your skills, you lose your technique. However my daughter wanted to study the piano, so I gave the piano to her.

Buttrose with her late dad, Charles, whom she cared for in his later years.

Buttrose with her much-loved dog Cleo, who passed away in 2020.

Paul Koury: When your father was suffering from vascular dementia, did music play a role in soothing or comforting him?

Ita Buttrose: I’m not sure because as well as dementia, dad had severe hearing loss. and he also had macular degeneration. He really had a very lousy health trifecta. The Macular Disease Foundation didn’t exist, so there was no help for people with macular degeneration. So, I used to go back to the Royal Blind Society to see what they could offer me.

Paul Koury: I ask because there is a lot of data now that supports music as proven to help on stave the deterioration of memory with people suffering from dementia as well Alzheimer’s.

One of the things older people don’t do as a rule is plan. We plan for everything else in our lives. We plan our 21st. We plan our wedding. We plan our children. But do we plan old age? We think we’ll sail into it, but life is full of detours

Ita Buttrose: Yes, we know that now, but we didn’t know that when dad was diagnosed. there wasn’t the sort of support there is today when my father had these things.

Paul Koury: Tell me about your personal experience caring for you father and what you learnt?

Ita Buttrose: I did the best I could to make sure that Dad was always comfortable, and that he had everything that he required, so that he could stay in his own home, which is what he wanted. I used to get very worried about him though because sometimes he’d say to me, ‘those people across the road, they are very noisy. So I went out, and I told them a thing or two.’ When he told me that, I thought, God, I hope he didn’t, but he did and that’s my dad, and he was still able to remain in his own home.

Paul Koury: At that time, did your brothers play a role in help care for your father?

Ita Buttrose: Yes, they did in their own way. My brothers and I would talk often, especially about decision-making. When

Dad was approaching 90, I said to the boys, maybe we should have him assessed by ACAT. Just see if we are doing the right thing, if everything’s alright. Because those three conditions are pretty big. Anyway, I told him somebody was coming for coffee, that I’d asked a friend to come over. And so, the lady from ACAT came. And now I can’t remember her first name. I said, ’whatever her name was Dad, she’s here.’ And he came out and he’d got beautifully dressed. He had his tie on and he had a blazer, nice pants. Dad was charming. And then, at one point he looked at the woman and he said, ‘You know, people would like to put us older people away somewhere and only have us come out when they ring a cow bell.’ And I thought, oh my God, he knows exactly what I’m up to. A lot of people assume older people with dementia don’t have any idea about what’s going on. But believe me, they do. And my dad was a perfect example of that. I’ll never forget it. Dad knew exactly what I was up to. It was so funny.

Paul Koury: What sorts of hands-on tasks did you do for your father?

Ita Buttrose: He liked his food, so I used to

do all his shopping and make sure he got a balance of nutritional foods as well as some of his favorite treats. Because dad was losing his vision, I’d write what things were in very large print so he could see and somehow, we managed.

Paul Koury: Today’s carers are sometimes referred to as the sandwich generation. because many are caring for their elderly and their families and are exhausted. What would you say to carers that are feeling overwhelmed, fatigued and close to burnout.?

Ita Buttrose: Great question and it’s a big issue. Carers need respite. I speak to a lot of carers when I’m out and about, as President of Alzheimer’s Australia and now as National Patron of Dementia Australia. I see hundreds of carers, and I can see first-hand that the majority of them are stressed out. I say to them, ‘Have you got some counselling yourself?’ And invariably, they answer, ‘No, I’m fine.’

Paul Koury: Carers can be the last ones to admit they need help until it’s too late.

Ita Buttrose: I agree, so I say to them, you

Buttrose (here and below left) at an event for Five Good Friends.

know, you should speak with one of our counsellors. They won’t judge you; they’ll just listen. And I said, if you want to say to them, I’m as mad as hell that this happened, or that happened, then just say it. They won’t mind at all. Just speak how you feel about things. I can’t stress enough how important it is to talk about your feelings with someone.

Paul Koury: You are so right. I had some counselling during my caring days, and I can remember feeling so much better after talking it out, even though there was no secret fix to my situation. I’ll never forget what my counsellor told me. She said, speaking it out was the key ‘better an empty house, than a bad tent’. How right she was.

Ita Buttrose: That’s a good one. I wish more carers would seek out a counsellor. Carers can be the last ones to admit they need help until it’s too late.

I would also ask them, ’Have you had some respite care? No, I can’t possibly. I can’t possibly leave my mother or my husband.’ And I usually say to them, ‘What do you think he’d say to you if you said you were in need of a break. What would he say to you? He’d probably say, ’Of course, wouldn’t he? He’d say, ’Take a week off.’ You know, that’s what he’d say, and you have to do that. But it is hard. And I would like to see respite care developed where the carer and the person they are caring for could perhaps both have respite together with the carer not having to do any caring.

It’s no good getting up in the morning and thinking, ‘I’m lonely.’ You’re not the only person who’s feeling lonely. You’re not the only person whose friends have died. But you have to make new friends. You have to push yourself to participate

We need to address it because of all the carers of people with dementia and all the carers generally, but specifically dementia. If they all withdrew their services, we wouldn’t be able to cope with the load.

Paul Koury: Yes, you’re right.

Ita Buttrose: But just to renew the relationship with the person she or he is caring for. If it’s possible to do that. But there’s a shortage of respite care. It’s always been an issue. Especially, for people with dementia and those living in the country.

Paul Koury: It’s interesting you say that because I’m noticing the trend to multigenerational facilities now for aged care and for respite. I think with the rising cost of living and being time-poor, travelling can be problematic, that for some living independently could be the way to go. As the saying goes, ‘It takes a community to raise a child, it also takes a community to care for the elderly.

Ita Buttrose: That’s true, and you know we do have a tendency in Australia to isolate the elderly. I remember reading something

that the anthropologist Margaret Reid wrote a long time ago when I was running Cleo. And it was that we shouldn’t put the elderly away like we do. We should put them in the middle of a town, a village if you like. But she said town so that they’re part of the community. I thought that was such a fantastic idea. We ran a program on the ABC called, Old people’s homes for four-yearolds , where little kids mixed with the elderly with positive results.

Paul Koury: Yes, I had heard of that and apparently it was very successful.

Ita Buttrose: Yes, it was. It drove home the point that, once older people, all of whom were lonely, had a purpose, life became more interesting. It didn’t matter whether they were in aged care, whether they were living by themselves in very nice homes, they had no friends because everyone had died, older people were loney. And when you looked at the interaction with the kids, it was

clear they gave the older people a reason to start joining in, start doing things and start testing themselves. And that’s what we need to do. We need to make sure the elderly are part of the community in which they live. In the same way that we say that people with dementia have to feel valued and respected in the community in which they live. And we need to make it more dementia friendly. Actually, we need to make it more elderlyfriendly.

Paul Koury: I wrote a piece in the very first issue about purpose and feeling needed. I know for my father feeling that sense of I’m no longer needed, also plays into his depression and loneliness.

Ita Buttrose: Absolutely, everybody needs purpose, and it doesn’t matter how old we are. You need a purpose when you get up in the morning. You need to feel useful. And again, the program on the ABC when we did it with teenagers last year, the interaction between the men and the teenager was interesting to watch. They became advisors, they became confidants. We tend to dismiss older people. We have to stop doing that. If you’re lucky, you get to be old and not everybody gets to be old.

Paul Koury: That a lovely way of thinking, I never thought of that.

Ita Buttrose: Not everybody is fortunate enough to get to be old.

Paul Koury: I know that carers often don’t sleep well yet sleep is so important to their well-being. I know you are a great advocate of getting a good night’s sleep What is your routine when preparing for sleep and do you have any advice for our carers?

Ita Buttrose: Truth be told, sometimes I don’t sleep well either. It is just one of those things, I think. As you get older, some nights you just sort of think, brain stop thinking. So, I might read a book a bit and see if that’ll do the trick. But I think exercise is important. So, I do a lot of exercise and so I think you have

Buttrose at the Dementia Australia Memory Walk & Jog.

We all know the rules about sleeping. Don’t eat too late. Don’t turn on your computer. Don’t do things that are going to make your brain activated… read a couple of chapters of a book or have a nice bath

Buttrose with her much-loved dog Cleo, who passed away in 2020.

to wear yourself out a bit.

Paul Koury: That’s a good point. I read you also like to walk an hour a day. Do you still manage that now that Cleo you dog has passed?

Ita Buttrose: Well, again these days, I go to a gym four times a week. I do four sessions at a gym now. And I do walk, not an hour, but I do walk about half an hour every day. If I have time.

Paul Koury: Ita, I still have so many things I'd like to ask you, I think we may just have to make this into a two-part feature article.

Ita Buttrose: Well, caring for the elderly is such a huge topic that I can understand the need for a twopart article. We often used to run them in the Women’s Weekly.

Paul Koury: Thanks Ita, I’ll sign off for now but before I go, I have one last question. One of your brilliant ideas when running Cleo was the introduction of the sealed section centerfold. Do you think something like that could work in the Australian Carers Guide?

Ita Buttrose: Oh, that’s cheeky. Well, you never know. They might all think it would be nice to drop the gear but I think as you get older, you realise that it’s best to keep a little bit of mystery about yourself.

Paul Koury: Thanks Ita, you always had a great sense of humor. Chat again next issue.

Ita Buttrose: Thanks Paul. It was a real pleasure talking with you. ACG

The ABC Chair showing her support for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Why hobbies are good for your

It’s not always easy to find free time in the busyness of day-to-day life. Yet, the time when you’re disengaged from your usual obligations – like looking after grandkids or doctor’s appointments – can offer an opportunity to indulge in activities you genuinely enjoy.

Having a hobby is more than just doing something fun – it’s about dedicating time and energy to something that brings you joy and ignites your passions. It’s about being engaged, which can help feed our need for meaning and purpose, things that are sometimes harder to find as we get older and no longer work.

SPORT AND EXERCISE

Physical activity is a natural mood booster: it releases endorphins in the brain that bring about feelings of happiness and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Join a seniors’ class at your local gym or take advantage of Australia’s extraordinarily good climate and enjoy gentle outdoor exercise where you can soak up some sunshine – and get a dose of essential Vitamin D.

Gentle cardio exercises such as walking, swimming and bike riding are great for your physical health as well as your mental health. Consider activities that might be outside your comfort zone, such as tai chi or

Hobbies come in all shapes and sizes. They can be creative, academic, physical or just plain relaxing. Sometimes it might take you a while to find one that really suits you, and one that you are able to stick with. Don’t be afraid to try until you discover the one that fits you to a T. And don’t just consider hobbies you do by yourself. Participating in a group activity is an incredible way to boost your mental wellbeing and provides a whole new host of social connections.

Here are seven engaging hobbies that are particularly good for you.

yoga, or join a local croquet or bowls club, so you get to meet others as well as work on upping your daily physical activity.

And don’t forget about good old dancing. There are so many benefits associated with this gentle form of exercise: including improving the condition of your heart and lungs; increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness; increased aerobic fitness; improved muscle tone and strength; better co-ordination, agility and flexibility; and improved balance and spatial awareness. Find old-time dance classes in your local area or a class specifically aimed at seniors.

Whether it’s tai chi or the trumpet… pursuing a passion has so many benefits for your wellbeing.

MUSIC

Listening to music can ease anxiety and reduce stress. It can also bring forth happy memories and emotions. The benefits of music don’t have to be limited to just listening to it, though. You can achieve a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from learning to play an instrument – and don’t let anyone tell you you’re too old to start. Find an instrument you enjoy (one that’s easy to manoeuvre and handle – maybe don’t start with the double bass) and find a good teacher: you’ll feel both fulfilled and mentally better. If listening to music is more your style, take advantage of senior discounts at recitals and concerts in your city or town.

FISHING

Angling is both relaxing and exciting at the same time. Being outdoors can help reduce stress and anxiety, and the anticipation of catching your next fish can be a thrilling experience. Fishing is also an activity that creates feelings of self-fulfilment and success. It requires skill and creates challenges to overcome: when you learn those skills and overcome those challenges, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s also an opportunity to bond with family and/or friends.

With one of the longest coastlines in the world, there are endless opportunities to cast a line just about anywhere. If mobility is an issue, consider a fishing charter that caters for those with mobility issues.

READING

Reading can take your mind off of any stress in your life and transport you to another world. Your local library is a brilliant (free) asset – don’t be afraid to ask librarians for recommendations. If you’re mobile, consider joining (or starting) a book club. Browsing book stores is no end of fun, and might help you decide what to borrow from the library. Some of the many benefits of reading include strengthening your brain (that’s because it involves a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain), increasing your ability to empathise, building your vocabulary, and helping prevent age-related cognitive decline.

ART

An activity such as painting or pottery is not only relaxing but, like music, allows you to use your creativity and feel a sense of accomplishment. You don’t have to be a professional artist or a budding Picasso to enjoy the benefits. There are oodles of organisations and groups, including TAFE, that offer art classes for beginners: everything from stained-glass art to sculpting. Try a few to see which one you like, and ask a friend or family member to join – staying connected with others is also particularly good for your mental wellbeing.

JOURNALLING AND WRITING

Journalling can help you identify and work through any situations in your life that are causing stress, depression or anxiety. This then allows you to create a plan for resolving any situations that may be impacting your mental health. Journalling also gives you the opportunity to practise positive self-talk and reflect on positive memories.

Creative writing is another fabulous interest to consider challenging your passions into. According to research by Scientific American, writing can help you develop your organisational skills by crafting and sequencing your thoughts and ideas, boost your reasoning and problem-solving skills, and help you to integrate a wide range of words and grow your word bank.

As well, because so much of the brain is engaged, the more you write, the more neural connections are formed; and the more you use your brain, the more it will grow like a muscle. You don’t have to be Ernest Hemingway or do it with a view to get published: just write for your own pleasure.

GARDENING

Exposure to plants and the act of gardening can have such a positive effect on mental health. And don’t forget how good it is for your physical health: researchers found that the one common factor shared by all of the world’s centenarians was that they gardened well into their old age.

An edible garden offers the best of every world – tending it will keep you physically strong, but you can also eat what you grow, saving you money and cutting back on ingesting chemicals used to grow food. Better Health Victoria has a great guide to creating your own edible garden here: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/ gardening-for-health-starting-out.

Creating your own garden in your own backyard is optimal, but if that’s something you can’t manage, consider a house full of easy-care indoor plants, which have myriad benefits, including boosting mood, increasing creativity, reducing stress and eliminating air pollutants.

And make sure to take advantage of the country’s sublime botanical gardens: entry is free (or nominal) and you can wander for hours, finding inspiration for your own backyard or just enjoying the natural beauty and sunlight. ACG

Courtesy 7 Summit Pathways.

Personal alarms for seniors: a guide

Considering buying a personal alarm for your elderly loved one? Here’s everything you need to know.

s it time the elderly person in your care needs a personal alarm? This guide looks at the two main types – autodial alarms and monitored alarms. First, CHOICE magazine looks at the pros and cons of the former (with a caveat about their effectiveness on the next page), then we take a deep dive into monitored alarms.

AUTO-DIAL ALARMS

When a personal alarm is triggered on an auto-dial alarm, it sends an emergency alert to preset mobile phone numbers. Many personal alarms also perform other functions such as location tracking and automated location updates.

An auto-dial alarm is always on and monitors three key things: the wearer’s position using GPS

any increases in speed (indicating the wearer is in a car or on public transport)

sudden movements followed by no movement (indicating a possible fall).

Alarms

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF AUTO-DIAL ALARMS?

There are two basic options available: a pendant and a smartwatch.

Both pendants and watches usually have all of the communication, emergency response and tracking features mentioned above, but watches can be a bit more difficult to use due to the touch screen. At the same time, they can offer additional features you’d find in a smartwatch, such as support for thirdparty apps (see safety features, next page).

Basic pendant models have a large SOS button that’s easy to press during an emergency, as well as individual call buttons on the side. Though simple, models like this don’t have a screen to provide feedback on things such as remaining battery charge, who you’re calling, mobile signal strength and so on.

Watches can be a bit more difficult to use due to the touch screen … but offer features you’d find in a smartwatch

You can program the alarm to regularly update you with the wearer’s co-ordinates via text, or alert you if it detects an incident such as a fall, or if the wearer leaves a pre-determined area near their home. It also includes an SOS button for the wearer to press and send an immediate alert to a list of contacts you can program into the device. This SOS button can also send a text message to those contacts.

Pendant models without a screen are the easiest to use, but lack some features. Pendants with a screen are very similar to the basic model but the screen will provide some simple status updates. This can add some extra weight (usually 10-20 grams) and may reduce battery life.

Smartwatch-style alarms use a touchscreen interface and may also have a small SOS button on the side. You can often customise the appearance with a variety of watch faces, while the settings and contact menus are more detailed.

But they can be hard to use for those with limited dexterity, particularly in the event of an emergency like a fall. It’s much easier to press a big SOS button than scroll through a list of contacts. Also, the screen is typically quite small and it can be hard to read the text and tap the correct icon.

Why CHOICE won’t recommend auto-dial alarms

We are no longer recommending any auto-dial alarms on the market. We conduct real-world tests when assessing personal alarms, which are designed to replicate consumer usage during day-to-day life. But experiences are subjective, and we’ve received a number of emails from members detailing how their personal alarms were

faulty or didn’t work as advertised. These complaints occurred across a number of brands and models, which we feel points to problems with the industry as a whole.

We will continue to test, score and publish personal alarm reviews so you can make an informed decision if you need to buy one for yourself or a relative. In addition to listing products that we find to perform appropriately, we’ll highlight the models you shouldn’t buy.

choice.com.au/electronics -and-technology/gadgets/ tech-gadgets/review-andcompare/personal-alarms.

BUYING A PERSONAL ALARM

Almost all personal alarms are sold online, or through small businesses specialising in aged care. However, you may find that nursing homes, hospitals and senior community groups have partnerships with brands.

Prices range from $140 up to almost $500, which may not include the price of the SIM card or optional subscription service.

However, you might be able to get a personal alarm from the government, if you meet assessment requirements. The Commonwealth Home Support program provides government support for individuals who need access to services and financial assistance required for independent living as they age.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme

(NDIS) can also provide funding, while veterans might be able to receive support through their own government programs. Community services and even manufacturers may offer financial support and solutions as well, though this varies and tends to exist on a case-by-case basis. Check with your health fund, too.

WHICH TYPE IS BEST?

This depends on a number of physical and mental health factors, so please understand that this advice is a broad starting point. It’s best to consult with the wearer’s GP first.

If the wearer is in a good physical and mental state but wants a personal alarm for peace of mind, then a pendant or touchscreen watch will be fine. A model with GPS is also worth looking into if the wearer is often out and about by themselves, as this will allow you to pinpoint their location if something

What your alarm might look like

Important safety features to look for

■ BATTERY LIFE. A longer battery life is useful if you forget to charge it overnight. Ideally, a personal alarm should have an active (in-use) battery life of 24 hours, or enough to get you through a day at the very least.

■ CHARGING CRADLE OR MAGNETIC

DOCK. Putting your personal alarm in a charging cradle is much easier than fiddling with a cable, especially if you have limited dexterity. That said, some models have magnetic connectors that make it easier to plug the cable in.

■ FALL DETECTION. This sends an alert when the device falls rapidly. This is useful for someone with a fall risk.

■ GEO-FENCING. When you have responsibility for someone who wanders, you might want to be alerted when that person goes outside of their known areas. Geo-fencing works by setting up a virtual fence. When the wearer and the device cross this virtual fence, it sends an alert to a contact.

■ GPS LOCATION. This is designed to track the user while they’re carrying the device. But the effectiveness of GPS location can be reduced by tall buildings, dense developments and being inside buildings. Some let you track movement in an app while others will provide GPS co-ordinates via text. You can set the

frequency of these alerts, usually in five or 10-minute blocks (ping frequency).

■ NON-MOVEMENT ALARM. This alerts a contact if the device doesn’t detect movement for a specified amount of time.

■ NUMBER OF CONTACTS. Look for an alarm that accepts more than one contact. The more contacts you have, the better. The alarm will automatically cycle through names until someone answers.

■ PING FREQUENCY. This refers to GPS monitoring, and most models fall into one of three categories: frequent alerts, occasional alerts, and alerts when the device leaves a geo-fenced boundary. A good-quality alarm will let you pick one of these options. Greater ping frequency consumes battery power at a faster rate, which could render the alarm useless by the end of the day.

■ WATER AND DUST RESISTANCE. An ingress protection (IP) rating is the best way to identify whether a personal alarm is dust and water resistant. The first digit applies to particulate protection (dirt, dust etc) and the second to moisture protection. Generally speaking, higher numbers equal a greater level of protection. Look for an alarm with a rating of IP66 or IP67, although the former is not waterproof and can’t be worn in the bath or shower or when swimming.

happens. Just understand that a touchscreen watch can take time to learn, particularly if the wearer hasn’t used a smartwatch before.

If the wearer has limited dexterity due to conditions such as arthritis, or they have vision impairment, go for a pendant with a large SOS button. Small touchscreens can be hard to see and navigate, which could

be life- threatening in an emergency. Those with limited mobility, movement difficulties or fall risks (which includes seizures) should consider models with good quality fall detection. This can activate an alarm if they’re unable to do it themselves or they lose consciousness. However, most fall detectors will not activate if a person slumps

Alarms

(for example, out of a wheelchair) or falls slowly. They’re only designed to auto activate from a sudden, rapid drop.

Mental health and memory-related symptoms can present other complications, particularly if the wearer doesn’t have physical limitations. In this case, it’s best to talk to them about places they regularly go. Then you can consider an alarm that will provide alerts if they leave these areas.

MONITORED ALARMS

The other main type of personal alarm on the market is a monitored alarm, which connects to a 24/7 emergency response centre. If help is required, the user presses the button on the device and a trained professional answers the call within a few minutes.

The main advantages of a full-response alarm service are: fast response time, which is crucial during an emergency; twoway communication with the response centre; response centres can quickly assess the seriousness of the situation to determine whether relatives or emergency services need to be contacted, and can share the emergency information and wearer’s medical history with Triple Zero, who can then prioritise the call.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Most monitored personal alarm companies only offer a service that works in the home and garden, but in the past couple of years, several makers have introduced mobile and watch alarms. These allow the wearer to go about their daily activities and even operate while they’re on holiday (within Australia).

Not all monitored alarm systems require the wearer to have a phone line. At MePACS, for example, its alarms work independently of the NBN and local telephone lines, as

they run off the mobile phone network. This means that the wearer doesn’t need to be connected to the NBN or have a phone line. If the wearer feels unwell, falls or has any sort of medical emergency, they press the button on the device. An alert is then sent to a response service through a base unit or mobile alarm via the mobile network.

The response centre will answer the call and speak with the person to assess what type of help is needed. The operator can speak to the wearer with the voice-to-voice feature of the alarm unit. This is an important feature for an older person when they can’t get to a phone.

WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES?

Like their auto-dial counterparts, monitored alarms are quick and simple to activate – usually by the press of a button. They have two-way communication with the response team, whereby the caller and the emergency response operator can speak easily through the device. The response team is specifically trained to understand emergency situations, meaning they can accurately assess the situation and work out what help is needed.

Most mobile alarms have a GPS locator to identify where the wearer is located, which is an essential feature in an emergency.

Most are also relatively lightweight and can be worn as a pendant around the wearer’s neck, or on a belt clip, to ensure easy access in an emergency situation. ACG

The section on auto dial alarms is an abridged version of an article that first appeared on choice.com.au. It is reproduced here with kind permission. The section on monitored alarms is reprinted with kind permission of MePACS. Learn more at mepacs.com.au or by calling 1800 685 329.

A

JEAN KITTSON’S SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR CARERS

The comedian and author offers practical advice on how to survive the rollercoaster ride that most carers find themselves on.

Illustrations Patrick Cook

We all know that we should fit our own oxygen mask first, even if our panicking children are looking at us in horror and will never trust us again. Being a carer is much the same. Often a very long-haul journey. For some carers, it’s a lifetime’s work. So pace yourself, carers, and get as much support as you can. If you crack, the whole thing falls apart and all the planning and organising will be for nothing! All the tears and pain and letters of complaint, and all the years you have spent on hold on the bloody phone. Here are some suggestions to survive it all (reasonably) intact.

Look after yourself

If you feel a build-up or a blockage, call a counsellor or a plumber. You will need emotional and physical help to hang in there and survive the ride –maybe even enjoy it. Many people have told me that their time looking after their loved ones was one of life’s blessings.

It is a time when you learn a lot about yourself. How grown-up you can be. A time when you will witness levels of human compassion and courage and dignity and humility and grace that you are unlikely to encounter in any other situation. When you will also see and do things for the human body that you thought only happened on Extreme Bodies.

The role of carer means you will often not look after your own health. Try not to neglect yourself. Your teeth may look in pretty good shape compared to those in the glass beside your parents’ bed, but don’t skip your usual check-ups. Regularly check your eyes. Go to the GP for a whinge. Get a massage.

Get to know what you need (and how to get it)

Getting support is a great idea but, if you’re like me, most of your friends have racked off because you have totally neglected to even put them ahead of getting your loved ones’ toenails cut. The only way I stay in touch with friends is by phone because I am in the car so often that it’s my call centre.

I still feel connected with people I love outside of family and if they pick up the phone, I ask them what is going down in their lives, and we have a big warm whinge to each other. Well, nowadays we start with

a mandatory Organ Recital, as one friend calls it. This is where we talk about our own health and what hurts. A treat. Excellent.

How my week turned out

The past week is a fairly good example of life in the carer’s lane. The fast lane is a chauffeured cruise in a slow limo compared to the carer lane, which is a cross between Mad Max and the Mad Mouse – unpredictable, demanding, fulfilling, exasperating, joyful, mournful and difficult. I was walking my daughter’s dog because she is hiking in Guatemala’s live volcano country. Or cruising off Panama in a yacht. Good for her. What she is not doing is walking her dog.

Pablo is lovely, but he needs an hour’s walk every day, then a half-hour shower to get half a ton of sand out of his coat that otherwise turns soft furnishings into schnitzels. Then breakfast. His. I have no time for breakfast.

So I am walking the “one extra thing” at 6.30am, because that’s when you fit in that “one extra thing”, and my phone rings and it’s mum, 98, vision impaired, hearing impaired.

“Jean, there is something wrong with your father. He won’t wake up. Can you call the nurse?”

I have had dozens and dozens of emergency phone calls like this one, but they still feel like a punch in the gut: an electric shot goes through your body, your heart starts pounding, your stomach churns and you have gone from inert to alarm in a couple of seconds.

“Mum, press your alert button.”

“What?”

“Press. Your. Alert. Button.”

“Dress what?”

“Press. Press.”

“Can you ring the nurse, Jean?”

“Yes, I will. Stay calm. I will call back. Don’t forget to hang up.”

“What?”

“Hang up.”

I call the nurse at the retirement village but she doesn’t answer. She is with another person who has pressed her alert button more quickly. I send a text.

I ring mum back.

“I couldn’t get onto the nurse … you have to press your alert button. Pablo, come here! The button, the button on your wrist.”

“On my wrist?”

“Yes, press the button on your wrist band.”

“Oh yes, the button … I can’t press it.”

“Put the phone down and try pressing it again. Pablo, come here!”

I lure him with a stick, clip him to the leash and start dragging him as fast as possible

away from the park and his friends. Know how he feels. Call from the nurse. I tell her mum can’t press the alert button, dad seems to be unconscious and would she mind checking in on them.

I cast off dog-walking shorts and rock’n’roll T-shirt and quickly put on “all occasion” clothes. Clothes that are less reflective of the chaos and lack of self-care that is my life. That means finding something clean and matching because even though your mother has been legally blind for 20 years, she can always tell when you don’t look smart, and she disapproves. You have let the team down. Five minutes later, I drive the regulation hour and 20 minutes to manage the fall-out and I get another phone call. Dad was not dead, but he was very unwell and delirious and taken to hospital. Mum asks if I am coming. “I am on my way, see you soon.”

Cancel culture

In the car, I make the many phone calls needed to cancel things. This is normal in a carer’s life – cancelling things.

The dentist is the first. I wonder why I bother to book medical appointments – they invariably get cancelled. I don’t often make social engagements because I can rarely keep them but I did book two lunches with friends! Friends I haven’t seen for a year. I cancel them.

I know the extra stress it causes when you try to make it work. That second extra thing

that makes you pop. Best to let it go. If dad is in hospital, it will take at least a week to get him home. Fingers crossed. So I will need to be with mum as much as possible.

Dad has been mum’s carer since she lost her sight, but he is 95 now, very frail and has lost most of his sight but he still makes tea, coffee, finds food, by touch. Undoes her bra, puts the Polident on her dentures.

I need to be near the hospital, too, because there is so much you need to do to help your loved ones in hospital. From reassurance and warm blankets to cleaning all the stuff that accumulates on their table. And, most importantly, you need to be there to catch those elusive doctors.

I ring the hospital and try to get on to emergency to find out how dad is doing, and I am on hold for 15 minutes. Is he lost in the system (it happens) or on the ramp or in the corridor?

I try not to worry. When you can’t do anything else, don’t fill the gap with worry. Switching off for a moment does not mean you have lost empathy and compassion. It means you have fleeting hints of balance in your life. Don’t wait to seize the day, it’s probably cancelled. Instead, seize the moment. And practise GEM:

Gratitude: think of something you are grateful for. Even a green leaf on a tree.

Empathy: spare a thought for someone else and their struggles.

Mindfulness: Where am I in this moment? What am I seeing (hospital car park)?

Non-cancel culture

Mum and dad have Home Care Packages, but they try to cancel their care on the weekends, saying, “We don’t need help on

the weekends”, because that’s when they take a break from washing and dressing and eating, don’t they, and I’m only an hour-anda-half away, aren’t I?

My sister works in the NDIS. She says sternly, “Don’t cancel the care workers. Ever.” She understands scheduling and the impact on managers and care workers of cancelling and last-minute changes and now I have also learnt the mantra, “Don’t cancel the Care workers,” no matter how much mum and dad complain.

Things will happen, right, carers? And they will happen when you are somewhere else worrying that they will happen. That is when care workers give you some peace of mind.

Remember there are many organisations that can help. Like Carers Australia, the National Dementia Helpline, Lifeline. If you need emergency respite, call the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre.

If you’re experiencing financial hardship, call Centrelink.

You know the drill: call before 10am, write down the name of the person you are speaking with, be patient, get a reference number, have a good book and a box of chocolates handy because you will be put on hold.

My biggest tip? Download a food delivery app. Cooking is just a bridge too far. ACG

Jean Kittson is the author of We Need to Talk about Mum & Dad: A Practical Guide to Parenting Our Ageing Parents (Pan Macmillan).

Creating a

that cares for

LINK is active in developing what Davis calls “an integrated community of care”. This approach recognises and seeks to support and amplify the enormous and vital roles played by a client’s family, friends, community members and neighbours.   “We need to be aware of carers’ wellbeing, too,” Davis says. “We need to help them to give the care they want to give.”

The role of a carer is an essential component of the care system and a vital part of each individual’s journey. But it’s not an easy job, as anyone who has looked after a loved one will tell you. Which is why it’s imperative to ensure that helpers themselves are helped, to minimise potential burn-out and encourage and empower their longer-term involvement.

And that is something Dr Danny Davis, managing director of LINK Community & Transport in Melbourne, is passionate about.

A community-based, not-for-profit social enterprise, LINK helps people stay safe, happy and healthy in their own homes, remaining connected to services and community. Its volunteer and staff teams provide home and garden help, maintenance, transport, social activities and outings across metropolitan Melbourne, growth corridors and select regional locations.

According to Davis, what’s most needed is a more user-friendly support system, one that avoids creating unnecessary and unhelpful frustration, overwhelm and feelings of helplessness.

Establishing an integrated community of care is essential if carers are to get the support they need. Here’s how one Melbourne social enterprise is trying to do just that.

community

our carers

“Some parts of the system are so complicated that people give up,” he says. “It can be extremely difficult for them to learn what help even exists let alone to navigate their way through the bureaucracy to get the help they’re entitled to. Many miss out on services they need.”

Davis wants to see a more effective, more streamlined, integrated community of care. Under his vision, LINK is determined to streamline the system to do its part to ease the lives of those in need.

“Working with carers, and helping carers to play an active role in supporting the wellbeing of their loved ones, makes for a more caring society and a stronger social safety net. It is vital that support structures help care for these caring helpers.”

He believes countless clients, and their families and friends, are failed due to the complexity of the existing system. “It leads to ignorance of available resources, reduced uptake of the services that are available, and systemic service provision inefficiency,” he says. “Overall, it results in a poor collective response to what is a vast need, despite the huge investment of public resources and massive goodwill from all quarters. We can do better.”

Through LINK, Davis is leading an approach to simplify the process. “Clients already have enough to deal with thanks to declining health and increasing age,” he says. “Clients, friends and family can be so negatively impacted by their experience of the system that it can compromise their ability to access help.

“An important and often overlooked issue is the amount of pressure a family member or friend might feel from the weight of responsibility resting, seemingly entirely,

>>

“Helping carers to play an active role in supporting their loved ones makes for a more caring society”

A Community

on their shoulders. For example, a caring neighbour may put out/bring in someone’s bins for many months or even years. But what pressure might be felt if one day they become unable to continue the task, or their neighbour’s needs increase? Individual acts of care should be backed up by a more supportive system, reducing the feeling that the burden of care rests on their shoulders alone.”

Carers themselves need to live physically and emotionally healthy lives to sustain themselves and their activities. “If it ‘takes a village to raise a child’, then it’s also fair to say that it ‘takes an active community to care for the vulnerable’.”

Take the case of John Davy, a much-valued LINK client whom staff have come to address as “Uncle John”. He says that one of the most precious things he and his wife, Preeni, have received in the way of help was given during COVID lockdowns, when so many people felt scared, lonely and isolated.

On a weekly basis, John and his wife would get a call from the LINK team, checking in on

how they were faring. He said that one small gesture “meant the world” to them. They knew they were not alone.

But that wasn’t the only support the couple received. “One day my lovely neighbour popped in, mentioning she was going to the supermarket and asked if I needed anything,” John recalls.

“I said, ‘Thank you, yes, but what I need, you can’t get!’ Apparently undeterred by John’s progno,sis, the kind lady returned later in the day and in her arms, she held rolls of toilet paper.

For Danny Davis, LINK’s nurturing and support of systems that will help create an integrated community of care can will, make life far easier for clients and the people in their lives who truly represent the notion of caring communities. ACG

If you’re a carer and need support, call LINK on 1300 546 528 or contact support@lct.org.au. Learn more about LINK at lct.org.au.

to your elderly parents

For such a little word, “no” can be surprisingly hard to say, especially when you are telling a parent that you can’t do something for them. But what if learning how to say no could be just as good for your parent’s health as it is for yours?

By Kosette Lambert.

When you think about saying “no” to your parent (or parents), the thought is likely to be followed by a feeling of guilt and a list of all the reasons why saying no is not a good idea. But saying no is not only good for your wellbeing as a carer, it may also help your parent maintain their independence and, ultimately, their physical and mental health.

It’s all about positive self-perception, says Rachel Ambagtsheer, a research fellow and senior learning facilitator at Torrens University Australia, who studies frailty and healthy ageing. Ambagtsheer says that

while it is normal for our bodies to undergo physiological changes as we biologically age, frailty is not an inevitable end-point.

“There’s a perception that ageing equals frailty, but that’s not the case for everyone,” she says. “The progression of frailty can actually be reversed or slowed with the right intervention.

“We also know that how older people view themselves as they age can have a real impact on both their mental and physical health. A positive self-perception of ageing has a protective effect against many of the negative consequences of getting older.”

A sense of independence and agency over one’s life are crucial factors in maintaining a positive self-perception. When we are too helpful and prematurely take on those activities our parents can still manage – i.e., we don’t say no enough –we deny them the opportunity to maintain some independence.

“While it’s tempting to step in and do things for our parents out of concern for their wellbeing, we may be depriving them of the right to assert their agency, should they wish to do so,” Ambagtsheer says.

Wanting to step back so your parent can do more and knowing that this could be good for them is easy. Navigating how to say no without feeling guilty can be more difficult. Here are some ideas that might help you to learn how to say it politely and know what to say in those difficult conversations.

Tips for setting boundaries

Setting boundaries may feel uncomfortable at first, but the more committed you are to the process, the easier it becomes. Natasha Steen, a mental health clinician based in Adelaide, says it helps to remember that if something isn’t working well for you as a carer, it’s not going to be good for your parent, either.

“Continuing to do these tasks for your parent may make you resentful,” Steen says.

SAM’S EXPERIENCE

Saying no has enabled Sam to fulfill her carer role without feeling like she’s on the battleground.

Sam and her husband moved in with her parents six years ago after her mum had a hip replacement. While Sam initially took on many of the daily tasks for her parents, this tapered off as her mum got back on her feet.

Then, in early 2022, Sam’s mum was hospitalised for two weeks. Sam has now taken over most of the household chores for her parents and provides intimate care for her mum.

After some trial and error, Sam found that approaching her intimate care responsibilities as though she’s in a paid caring role allows her to cope with the emotion of the situation and to be firmer with her mum than she might otherwise be. “Now when I say, ‘No, we need to do this now,’ Mum knows it’s a job that needs to be done. She doesn’t start arguing like she used to. We just get on and get it done together.”

“It can also reduce the number of small opportunities where your parent is still safe to exercise their independence.”

How do you go about putting healthy boundaries in place? Here are five suggestions.

1

PAULINE AND TRACEY’S EXPERIENCE

When Pauline and Tracey’s mum lost her driver’s licence, the family rallied to provide the support she needed to stay in her own home. While both sisters provide care for their mum, the way they’ve approached it has been very different.

Tracey always helps their mum with shopping or other errands when she is asked – however, she fits these activities around her own schedule. Pauline finds it hard to say no, so will stop whatever she is doing to respond to her mum’s requests.

Over time, Pauline’s availability has made her the go-to whenever her mum wants something done. Worn out and increasingly resentful, Pauline takes regular mini-breaks to recharge her batteries. The family has noticed that when Pauline is away, their mum gets on and does whatever she needs doing without any additional support. The family is questioning whether their mum still needs the support or if they’ve taught her to become dependent on it.

Make a time to talk

Once you have decided to create boundaries, set a time to have a conversation with your parent about changing things. It will be tempting to put this off, but don’t – it will only make it harder.

2 Prepare for a reaction

Change is never easy, so you may get a negative response at first. Remember, you don’t need permission to make decisions about what is good for you, but in making those decisions you take on the responsibility to navigate towards a good outcome.

3 Talk love first

Reinforce your love and care for your parent before saying no politely. “I love you, Mum, and I am happy to do things to help you out. I also want you to be doing the things that you’re able to do. How do you feel about us trying something a bit different?”

4 Divide and conquer

You can focus on creating healthy boundaries one at a time, or you may like to review everything your parent needs to get done. If this is the case, look for gaps between what needs to happen and what they are capable of doing themselves. Then decide which tasks you are willing and realistically able to take on and which tasks will be done by others, whether that be family or external service providers. Having an assessment done by someone who is not emotionally invested in the outcome can be helpful, especially if it is likely that you will be responsible for any tasks that your parent will no longer be doing.

Don’t make assumptions or be too hasty in judging what your parent should and shouldn’t be doing. Taking longer to do a task or not doing a task quite as well as they used to does not necessarily mean your parent shouldn’t be doing it anymore. An assistive device may be all that is needed to keep them independent.

5

Reframe your thinking

Interdependence refers to the dependence of two or more people on each other. In a care context, interdependence gets us away from the binary of independence-dependence and recognises that we all have something to offer. In this way, care is seen not as a burden, but as an exchange – a twoway relationship. In an interdependent relationship with your parent, you might do all the laundry while they do all the folding.

Learning how to say no takes time, effort and patience, so give yourself time to adjust. Steen says that setting boundaries in these circumstances can also be emotionally draining.

“It’s common to experience elements of grief or feelings of guilt that we want to do less or that we are breaking a promise. We can also worry that our parent will suffer because of our decision – this is an unhealthy and unjustified feeling.

“Getting your thoughts down on paper can be useful, as it helps to take away aspects that can be overly emotive or irrational and makes them easier to manage.”

Setting boundaries in relationships is not set and forget, either, she advises. They should be revised as soon as you notice that they’re not serving you or your parent well.

Putting no into practice

Once you’ve set your personal boundaries, you need to reinforce them. This is where learning how to say no without hurting someone’s feelings becomes important.

1Be clear what you want to say no to and why this boundary is important to you. Write it down. Be specific. If you can, talk to family members about your approach.

2Practice ways to say no, either on your own or with a trusted friend. Start with an “I” statement, followed by a question that invites your parent into the conversation and makes them feel empowered. “I know you feel comfortable asking me and it is hard for me to say no, but I’m not able to fit this into my week. How do you feel about trying this instead.” If an outright no is still too hard, practicing how to say no without saying no can be a good first step. Try something like, “Sorry, I can’t come and do the laundry right now. Maybe you could get it started and I’ll come by later and see how it’s going?”

Have a go at ways of saying no when you and your parent are both calm, not in the heat of the moment. And remember, the worst thing that can happen is probably not as bad as you imagine.

Saying no to a parent when they are asking for your help can be challenging. But resisting the urge to step in or stepping back from what your parent can safely do on their own may end up being better for both of you. Healthy boundaries in relationships can help reduce feelings of guilt, resentment and burn out. ACG

Don’t make assumptions or be too hasty in judging what your parent should and shouldn’t be doing

Paws for thought: why pet therapy is good for seniors

Interacting with pets can have huge benefits for older Australians. Here’s why.

Many older Australian residents are living alone and feel isolated, which can lead to a decrease in quality of life. Pet therapy offers a unique solution that can help bring comfort, joy and companionship to elderly individuals who may otherwise be lonely.

In this article, we’ll explore everything about pet therapy, including the numerous physical and mental health benefits it can offer to seniors. Let’s take a closer look at this therapeutic practice.

The origins of pet therapy

The concept of pet therapy has been around since the mid-20th century and continues to grow in popularity around the world.

Pet therapy – also known as animal-assisted therapy – involves guided animal interactions and is an increasingly popular form of holistic treatment.

The therapy allows seniors to interact with animals in a safe and nurturing environment, which has numerous positive effects, from decreasing stress levels and reducing feelings of anxiousness to boosting selfesteem and overall morale.

As the furry four-legged team builds relationships with seniors, it can provide a sense of companionship that fills the void of isolation seniors often experience.

Many retirement homes and nursing facilities offer programs in which residents can interact with pets on site or participate in visits from special animal therapy teams.

Whiddon, an aged-care provider which operates services throughout NSW and Queensland, runs an animal-based wellbeing program called Creature Comforts. The aim of the program is to “improve overall wellbeing, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase social connection by creating opportunities for our residents to bond,” says a spokesperson.

The dogs used in the program are known

as Chief Happiness Officers, and include Chappie, a cute-as-a-button beagle who has made a significant impact on residents of one aged-care home.

Rhonda, a resident there and a former dog trainer, says she has a new focus and her spirits have been raised since Chappie arrived.

“Chappie has really given me a lift because I haven’t done any training for about two years as my health was fading and I couldn’t do it anymore,” she says.

“He has brightened up my life no end.”

“Chappie has really given me a lift. I haven't done any dog training for two years as my health was fading. He's brightened up my life no end.”

Additionally, many local animal shelters have volunteers who have been trained to work with seniors. This allows seniors to enjoy the health benefits of pet therapy while eliminating the responsibility of pet ownership.

A Health & Wellness

Why pet therapy is so good for us

In Australia, seniors everywhere are turning to pet therapy to reap a number of mental and physical health benefits.

Research shows that seniors who interact with animals experience decreased levels of stress and depression, improved immunity and lower blood pressure.

Research has shown that seniors who interact with animals experience decreased levels of stress and depression, improved immunity, lower blood pressure, increased ability to complete daily activities, improved communication abilities as well as enhanced quality of life.

One of the main reasons for the latter could be attributed to the socialisation

aspect – seniors can not only connect with a therapy pet but often form relationships with other seniors through animals. While long-term care is important for seniors, initiatives such as pet therapy can greatly contribute to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of those living in Australia’s care facilities.

Because seniors need care plans that cover all components of their physical and mental wellbeing, introducing them to pet therapy is an effective way to ensure they live healthier lives with assistance from companions that ease both pain and stress.

Three essential health factors

Pet therapy can bring seniors an array of physical benefits that have far-reaching implications for their overall health and wellbeing.

Let’s have a look at why improving these health factors is so beneficial… 1

Lower blood pressure. Keeping healthy blood pressure levels is both an achievable goal and an important means of protecting overall health. High blood pressure affects seniors differently than younger people, so it is important to take extra steps to have it under control. In addition to living a healthier lifestyle by eating more vegetables and exercising more often, seniors should consider speaking with their healthcare providers about additional measures they can take to lower their blood pressure. With the right care plan that is tailored to their specific needs, seniors can help keep their blood pressure in check for years to come.  2

countless benefits including improved health and greater social interaction as well as a reduced risk of falls – all of which contribute to maintaining overall wellbeing.

The next steps

If you are a senior living in Australia looking for pet therapy to help improve your physical and mental wellbeing, contact your doctor or carer today to learn more about the different options available. Pet therapy is an excellent way to reduce stress, ease pain and enjoy a healthier quality of life. ACG

Improved cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. But there’s much you can do to improve your heart health.

According to the Australian Heart Foundation, regular physical activity is essential. Increasing your physical movement from as little as 10 minutes a day to the Australian Government’s recommended 30-45 minutes a day, five or more days of the week, can help reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Taking regular long walks with your pet therapy dog is one way of doing that. 3

Increased strength, mobility and balance. As we age, strength, mobility and balance can be affected, so seniors in Australia need to be aware that there are options available to decrease this decline and stay healthy longer. Strength-training exercises can help seniors improve their balance while regular aerobic activity increases mobility; both are critical requirements for seniors who want to remain active and independent members of their community. Integration of such activities into an older person’s life can have

Owning a pet has plenty of benefits, too

It’s not just pet therapy that has a multitude of benefits. Research shows that seniors who own pets experience lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improved cardiovascular health and increased energy levels, as well as better sleep quality – all essential to good physical health.

What’s more, having a companion animal encourages seniors to be more socially engaged and get out and about in the community. Research has even linked better recovery from some medical procedures with pet companionship. This is especially true for life-altering medical events such as surgery or hospitalisation.

While owning a pet can have many positive benefits, it is important to consider the potential risks involved.

Ageing pets may require more care and attention than younger animals, and there may be safety concerns such as falls or injuries with an animal around. Additionally, seniors with allergies or asthma may be adversely affected by pets in the home.

Gary cares for his stepson, Ryan, who was born with Cerebral Palsy. When he’s not providing care to Ryan, at work, or spending time with his wife and other children, Gary can be found hanging out on his Harley Davidson.

Happiness in helping

Providing joy and support to others was something Gary was familiar with before he became an unpaid carer. After moving to Sydney as a young man, Gary bought his first Harley Davidson and joined a riding group. The group visited a children’s hospital weekly to take children living with disability for motorbike rides.

It was at one of the hospital’s Christmas events that Gary met his future wife, who at the time had two sons – her youngest was Ryan.

“My wife and I had many conversations about what caring for Ryan would be like and how it would affect my life. I understood it was a big responsibility, but it was something I was willing to take on. I wouldn’t change anything,” said Gary.

The joys of being a Carer

A self-proclaimed clown, Gary loves joking around with Ryan. “Inside that body is a really active mind,” said Gary.

Merriness and motorcycles are common when Gary and Ryan spend time together. Whether they’re wiping down the bike in the garage or hitting the road, it’s the quality time spent together that brings both immense joy.

“For me, the biggest reward is knowing I’ve helped change Ryan’s life. Because, let’s be honest, one day I won’t be here, but I know I’ve done some good and I’ve helped him. That’s my reward.”

When the going gets tough…

Sometimes the day-to-day tasks that Gary takes on can be daunting. For example, a simple trip to the shops now includes carrying Ryan into the car, getting him strapped in and making sure he’s gone to the bathroom or has a drink with him.

“In the time someone else would have gone to get the milk and come back, we’re still getting ready,” said Gary.

Inaccessible places also limit the experiences the whole family can share together. A visit to Bali, before footpaths were common, meant that Gary and the family were lifting Ryan and his wheelchair over kerbs and around obstacles constantly. This, paired with a lack of accessibility at the hotel, left Gary with a back injury. The whole experience has stopped the family from taking more trips like this.

“People often ask me ‘how do you cope?’ and I respond with, ‘Ryan is rewarding. There are days when I come home from work, and you know life can get you down and be tough, but I look at him and despite it all, he’s smiling and he’s happy’. It helps you to appreciate what you have,” said Gary.

Gary also worries about the future for Ryan. “I’m sixty, soon I’m going to be seventy. Sometimes, I worry about how we’re going to cope. We don’t worry about ourselves, it’s a daily worry about what’s going to happen to Ryan.”

Calling on Carer Gateway

Like 80% of unpaid Carers across Australia, Gary and his family value assistance from Carer Gateway to navigate services available to them as carers. Emotional support and safe respite options are valuable support services for Gary.

“Through Carer Gateway our family can also connect to a community of people who understand what we’re going through as parents and Carers,” says Gary.

Carers SA is the lead agency for supporting Carers in South Australia and is the Carer Gateway Provider.

Carers SA are here to help

People become Carers in different ways. Sometimes they start helping someone out bit by bit. Sometimes it happens suddenly, because of an accident or illness. Carers can be any age. Parents, grandparents, partners, siblings, friends and neighbours may all take on a caring role at some point in their life. There are more than 245,000 Carers in South Australia.

Who is an unpaid Carer?

An unpaid Carer is a family member or friend who looks after someone with:

• A disability

• A mental illness

• Dementia

• A long term health condition

• An illness that is terminal

• An alcohol or drug related problem or

• Someone who is frail due to age

What is the Carer Gateway?

The Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative which provides services and support to unpaid Carers across Australia. Carers SA is the local Carer Gateway provider in South Australia for the provision of these services. Carer Gateway services are focused on supporting Carers and they complement the existing services that may be available through other supports such as My Aged Care or NDIS. Can Carers who receive Centrelink Carer Payments access services through Carers SA?

Yes. In fact Carers who do and do not receive Centrelink Carer Payments are both eligible to access services from Carers SA. The services are not income tested.

Does a carer need to live with the person/s they care for to be eligible for services through Carers SA?

No. Carers may or may not live with the person/s they care for and can still access support.

Is there a cost to register with Carers SA?

No. Carers SA offers a variety of free services to support Carers in their caring role.

I live in country South Australia can I connect with Carers SA?

Yes. Carers SA is a state-wide organisation, with skilled and professional staff working across country and metropolitan South Australia.

We are waiting on an assessment, will you still help me if there is no diagnosis of the person I am caring for?

Yes we can. Carers SA does not require proof of diagnosis regarding the condition of the person you care for.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Please contact the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or Carers SA on 8291 5600 and one of our team will be able to assist you. Visit carerssa.com.au

Carers SA - Here for you

Carers SA is the local Carer Gateway provider in South Australia. The Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative which provides services and support to unpaid Carers across Australia.

For over thirty years now, Carers SA has been providing support to unpaid Carers across South Australia. Carers SA offers a wide range of personalised services, packages and information to support Carers from all backgrounds and cultures at no cost to you.

Some of the services available:

• Carer support - assisting Carers to determine what they need.

• Tailored, carer-directed support packages - to give Carers practical assistance.

• Professional counselling - provide one-on-one support for Carers and their caring situation.

• Peer support - where Carers can meet with people in similar caring situations.

• Emergency respite care - to make sure the person cared for will be looked after if an urgent or unplanned event occurs and stops the Carer from being there.

• Coaching - one on one support to help reach individual Carer goals.

• Advice - providing information on services and support available.

For further information please contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or Carers SA on 8291 5600

www.carerssa.com.au

New ways of living

Upsizing, co-habitation, dual-country residency … just some of the ways Australians are choosing to live as they get older.

By Nadia Howland.

When Con, 68, and his partner Sally, 70, retired, they decided to split their time between the Gold Coast and Catania (pictured opposite) in Sicily, where Con was born and raised before he and his parents emigrated to Australia.

“When I met Sally and she found out I had dual citizenship, we decided we would go over for three months,” he recalls. “We just fell in love with the place immediately. Sicily is beautiful, the people are so friendly and the cost of living is incredibly cheap compared to Australia.” The couple own an apartment in Currumbin on the Gold Coast which they rent to holidaymakers while they’re overseas.

“When we’re in Catania, we live in what is essentially a granny flat on a property owned by my cousin,” Con explains.

“Rent-wise it costs us almost nothing. And you can live on fresh seafood and produce from the markets for next to nothing. Eating out is cheap as well. We can have a pasta, a fresh salad and a glass of wine at our favourite restaurant for $20.”

The best part about living between two countries, Con says, is you can chase the sun and enjoy a year-long summer with friends and relatives all over the world.

Con and Sally aren’t the only ones considering a life abroad after retirement.

In fact, it’s something more older Australians are starting to consider, according to research by the Queensland University of Technology Entrepreneurship Program.

“While they’ve been spending all this time stuck in their houses, they have been thinking about how they’re going to spend the next segment of their life,” says researcher Brian Houston. “They see this as an opportunity to keep their brains active and do something new.”

The research team say the average Australian has about $160,000 in super

at the age of 60, which isn’t enough to guarantee a good quality of life. But living abroad offers them a way to achieve an improved quality of life for less.

“There are some countries that have reciprocal pension programs so that you can actually receive your pension over there.

“In some cases, people may find it’s also a method for recharging their super. Once you retire, your super continues to accumulate interest and investment returns come through. If you take away the pressure of having to live off that and were to live abroad for a period of time, you may find you gain during that period and can return to Australia with more super than you had when you left.”

There are some countries that have reciprocal pension programs –you can actually receive your pension while you're living there

Down on the farm

When Jean, 62, told her family about her plan to move to the country and build a home and hobby farm, they thought she’d lost the plot. “My daughter was very upset. She said, ‘Mum, you can’t move to the mountains by yourself. You’ve got no idea about farming, and you’ve rented your whole life. This is crazy,’” Jean recalls.

As a single mother of three, Jean had always dreamed of owning her own home and having space for a garden and animals. “A friend told me about a parcel of land for sale near her and her husband, and it was more affordable than anything near where I was living on the coast,” she says.

“The initial plan was to build something small, but I ended up building extra bedrooms with a laundry and kitchenette downstairs so that my children and grandchildren could come and stay.”

Upsizing on a single income was a daunting

idea initially, but Jean says her cost of living has decreased markedly since moving to the country.

“I grow a lot of my own fruit and veg, and I don’t eat a lot of meat,” she says. “When you don’t have a supermarket down the road, you learn to be pretty self-sufficient and plan your shops accordingly.

“I have wonderful neighbours nearby, too and if we need something, we’re always able to help each other out. “This may not be my forever home. As I grow older, I will likely need to sell and move closer to my daughters. But for now, it’s exactly what I’ve always wanted and I couldn’t be happier."

Village people

While the idea of communal living might not be new, the modern reinvention of co-living is picking up steam in Australia. And Lyndall Parris is a confirmed convert.

When two of her friends’ husbands died more than a decade ago, leaving them to bring up their children alone, Parris had a thought.

As I grow older, I will likely need to sell and move closer to my daughters. But for now, it’s exactly what I’ve always wanted.

“This is crazy,” she told The Guardian newspaper. “I can’t help them much because they’re living in different places … but if we were living together in a village, wouldn’t it be easier?”

Parris began researching alternative living options and built a website to connect with others seeking co-living arrangements.

In 2012, 24 liked-minded folk pooled their money to buy a 68-hectare plot of land outside Gosford on the NSW Central Coast that would eventually become known as Narara Ecovillage (pictured far right).

The ecovillage is one of an increasing number of communities around the world

that engage in what’s known as collaborative living, where multiple people live together in a shared space.

Today, Narara is home to 250 residents who share lives, front yards and meals. Disagreements are settled via “listening circles”, while property upkeep is managed through working bees, to which residents must commit at least 52 hours a year.

As Parris says, “Nobody comes here if they don’t want to say hello to their neighbours.” Co-operative living might not be for everyone, but it could appeal to older Australians looking to minimise their footprint and live in a community of likeminded peers.

One big happy family

For Dayyaan, 54, and Meme, 52, raising their teenage sons near the beach in South Australia (above) has been a dream come true. Moving to Australia from Pakistan to pursue a career in medicine meant Dayyaan, an only child, had to leave his parents behind. “It was hard being separated from them, especially when my father’s health began to decline,” he explains. After many years spent trying to bring his parents to Australia, Dayyaan has finally succeeded.

“In our culture, it is customary for the

grandparents to live with family members instead of going to aged care,” he says.

“We are doing the opposite to a lot of our friends. As their children get closer to university age, they are looking at downsizing. It was a surprise to them, I think, seeing us looking for the biggest house we could find.

“With my parents moving in with us, we will have the six of us here under one roof for hopefully many years to come. My sons are both planning to go to university so they will not be moving out of home for a while. It is ideal in many respects as they will be old enough to appreciate the time they have with their grandparents, who they have only visited a handful of times in their life.”

When asked what his parents are most looking forward to about living together, Dayyaan says, “They are excited to see the beach and to spend time with my sons and my wife. My mother wants to teach my wife and my eldest son to cook traditional meals. My father is already asking me for photos of the backyard so he can work out what he is going to plant.” ACG

An edited version of a story that appeared on the National Seniors Australia website (nationalseniors.com.au). Reprinted with kind permission.

Different strokes

National Seniors members share their living arrangements…

“Living on a boat enables us to save for repairs, replacements and fuel. We fish, bake our own bread and biscuits, make our own yoghurt and muesli… we try to leave a small footprint” – Lea P

“We shifted out of our five-bedroom home as soon as the children moved on and downsized to 2.5 bedrooms” – Brian S

“We moved to an over-50s village last year. Everything outside our little home is maintained by buildings and services, from the lawns to the wheelie bins. It’s wonderful. We have bought electric bikes and we bike everywhere and have joined all the village social clubs. Absolutely no regrets” – Karen B

“When we retired, we shocked everyone by selling up and moving to Tassie. We live off-the-grid and it is not without its challenges – heating is a pain in winter –but we love it. We live in paradise.”

– Laura A

Support and respite for carers of people living with dementia

Support for families and carers

Dementia Australia provides high-quality services and support to meet family and carer needs. We recognise, promote and value carers and care relationships and understand the different needs of people in care relationships.

Family members and friends often find themselves in the role of a carer when a loved one is living with dementia.

While caring for your loved one can be rewarding, it can also have its tough days, and you may not be taking as much care of your emotional, mental or physical wellbeing.

Dementia Australia offers support for families and carers so they don’t feel alone. Services can help you:

• Support the person to live well at home for as long as possible

• Support the person to continue with their hobbies, activities and interests

• Learn about dementia, so you’re better equipped to manage changes

• Access support services and programs to maintain your health and wellbeing.

How to access support

Joining a carer support group is a great way to share knowledge, tips and strategies with others who are going through a similar experience.

To find a group near you, call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au. Alternatively, use the online service enquiry/referral request form: dementia.org.au/support/service-enquiry.

You can also call our National Dementia Helpline to book in professional counselling. Alternatively, we regularly run education programs specifically designed for families and carers. These are designed in response to the specific needs of people caring for or supporting a family member living with all forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body

disease, frontotemporal dementia and younger onset dementia.

The programs focus on providing knowledge, strategies and support that is aligned with the various stages of dementia. All sessions are delivered by our highly experienced facilitators who specialise in the delivery of education to people affected by dementia. More information can be found via the National Dementia Helpline or at dementia. org.au/education.

Respite care

Respite is a form of support for all people living at home who have dementia, their families and carers. For the person living with dementia, respite can be an opportunity to enjoy relationships and meaningful activities separate from their family or carer and can be within their own home or elsewhere. Respite can also be a time where families and carers are able to sustain their personal wellbeing through work, leisure, interests and self-care.

The government funds many different types of respite services. Particular services are available in different areas and access will depend on where you live and the eligibility of the person with dementia.

All services should offer flexibility to cater for individual needs, preferred types of respite and personal circumstances. The consumer should have choice and control over the planning and delivery of these services.

Tips when considering respite

It is important to prioritise your needs and goals when thinking about respite. Things to consider:

• What type of respite support is right for you?

• Is the type of service provided when you want it, at the time you want it?

• Do respite activities, staff and group members match the personal interests of the person receiving the respite service?

• Is the location and atmosphere safe, friendly and supportive?

• How are individual interests and wellbeing assessed, supported, discussed and reviewed?

Adjusting to respite

It may take time to feel confident and comfortable using respite services. It can help to:

• Talk with others about their experiences

• Take short respite breaks before having longer ones

• Share the initial experience with your respite worker in order to help everyone to get to know each other.

If you are not happy with the service, talk to the service provider as it may be something that is easily adjusted, or you may want to consider different respite options.

To find out what respite services are available in your area there are a number of contacts:

Dementia Australia

National Dementia

Helpline 1800 100 500

My Aged Care 1800 200 422

The Carer Gateway 1800 422 737

Emergency Respite Accommodation

1800 059 059. ACG

Tips for navigating Centrelink

If you’re caring for elderly parents, dealing with Centrelink will be inevitable. Here’s how to make the process easier.

Ahuge percentage of Australians belong to the sandwich generation – taking care of elderly parents or relatives while looking after their own families. For members of this generation, trying to allocate time and resources equally is a huge challenge.

Dealing with government bodies is another challenge. But it is a reality that you’ll need to regularly work with these agencies, particularly Centrelink, as your parents age. One of the key steps in dealing with this government body is to be well prepared and organised, whether your parents need care now – or might do in the future. Here are some tips on the best way to work with Centrelink.

Organise important documents

First things first. Help your parents organise their important documents into one folder. These can include:

• Power of attorney

• Will

• Bank details

• Investment or insurance policy documents

• Details of pre-arranged funerals, if applicable

By putting all these in one place, it will make the application process easier when the time comes.

Get familiar with their financial situation

If your parents have been preparing for old age, chances are they have a financial adviser. If this is the case, ask their permission to meet with, or talk to, the adviser so you can have an idea of their investment history, financial transactions, any government entitlements they might be receiving, and other future estate plans. If your parents haven’t used a financial adviser, try and familiarise yourself as much as possible with their financial situation.

Keep Centrelink informed

Centrelink needs to be regularly updated about your elderly parents’ circumstances. Are they receiving entitlements such as the Age Pension? Has their residency changed? Are there any alterations in their investments or major withdrawals from their bank accounts? You need to inform the agency from time to time of these changes within 14 days of the variations. To save you from spending time waiting on the phone or endless trips to your local Centrelink, you can request to be granted permission to know the status of your parents’ eligibilities. You just have to fill out a form and you will have your own electronic copies of your parents’ correspondence. This way, it will be easier for you to deal with the agency on their behalf.

To save you from spending time on the phone or endless trips to Centrelink, request permission to know the status of your parents’ eligibilities

A The system

Knowledge is power

Having first-hand knowledge about the support you can get for your ageing parents is essential in being able to provide them with the best care

Caring for your elderly parents can be very challenging. We’re lucky in Australia that the Federal Government is committed to providing assistance to make growing old and caring for our elders easier. Knowing that help and financial support are available somehow makes the journey more bearable.

Life is all about preparation. As the primary carer, having firsthand knowledge about the support you can get for your ageing parents is essential in being able to provide them with the best care available.

Meanwhile, you can relay all this information to your parents, too. That way they won’t be clueless about what they need to prepare, such as the documents discussed earlier.

You can also get help from your siblings or other extended family members. Share responsibilities with them, and discuss aged-care arrangements now. That way you will be ready to deal with the situation when it comes. After all, it is easier to go about this phase of life when everyone is co-operating and sharing the load. ACG

How Centrelink supports older Australians

Everyone’s heard of Centrelink, but not all of us have had to deal with this agency. As a carer for your parents, it pays to know what Centrelink does and how it could help you and your ageing parents.

Centrelink is an Australian government agency that operates under the umbrella of Services Australia (formerly the Department of Human Services). It is responsible for evaluating the eligibility – as well as processing the social security benefits – of parents, people with disabilities, the unemployed, carers, families and older Australians.

In the case of elderly Aussies, benefit payments include:

■ Age Pension

A retirement benefit for those over the age of 67.

■ JobSeeker Payment (formerly Newstart Allowance)

Paid to those between 22 and Age

Pension age who are looking for work, and people who are sick or injured and can’t work/study for a short time.

■ Disability Support Pension

For people with long-term illnesses, immobility or disability which prevents them from working. However, this payment is subject to medical evaluation and the same eligibility criteria as the Age Pension.

■ Carer Payment

For someone who provides fulltime care to a disabled, sick or aged Australian requiring home care.

■ Rent Assistance

An additional payment to those already receiving a payment so they can meet their rental or accommodation requirements.

■ Carer Allowance

For a person providing daily care at home to someone who is disabled, ill or requires aged care.

Each of these payments has specific requirements. Eligibility usually revolves around age, income, residency, medical conditions, work status and assets.

Application for benefits can be done online and the agency will instruct you about other requirements and processes.

Centrelink’s Financial Information Service runs free webinars that might help you navigate the system better. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/3kVS5Hh

How to cope with compassion fatigue

The demands placed on a carer can often lead to what experts call “compassion fatigue”. Here’s everything you need to know.

Being a carer is an allconsuming responsibility, whether you’re doing hands-on personal care or managing care from a distance. That can put you at risk for compassion fatigue.  Compassion fatigue can be a side-effect of caring for someone in need. It causes physical and emotional exhaustion and reduces your ability to empathise.

fatigue significantly impacts your health and wellbeing. It also reduces your ability to care for your older adult. You can’t be engaged, warm and caring because you just don’t have it in you anymore.

To protect yourself, it’s essential to learn good self-care strategies and coping techniques.  Here, we explain how it’s different from caregiver burnout, share the symptoms to watch for, and give eight tips for how to deal with what you’re experiencing.

Compassion fatigue is basically a chronic, low-level cloud over the care and concern you have for your older adult

It’s common in doctors, nurses and other health professionals, and is also called secondary traumatic stress. You basically get stressed from continually helping or wanting to help others who are suffering.

If it’s not managed properly, compassion

Compassion fatigue vs burnout

Compassion fatigue and burnout have similar symptoms, but there are some key differences. Burnout usually develops over time. The major signs of burnout include emotional and physical exhaustion, feelings of negativity and indifference, and feeling like you’re not getting the job done.

Compassion fatigue, on the other hand, happens when you become traumatised by your older adult’s suffering.

Common symptoms of compassion fatigue include:

Physical or emotional exhaustion (or both)

Reduced feelings of sympathy or empathy

Dreading taking care of someone and feeling guilty about it

A reduced sense of accomplishment or meaning in caring

Feeling irritable, angry or anxious

Headaches

It can come on more quickly than burnout. You may still feel empathy and the desire to help, but you might feel overwhelmed by the symptoms. It can also lead to burnout.

The common signs

Compassion fatigue is basically a chronic, low-level cloud over the care and concern you have for your older adult. When you overuse your compassion without taking time to regularly recharge, the ability to feel and care for others becomes worn down.

Trouble sleeping

Isolating yourself

Feeling disconnected

Trouble making decisions

Problems in personal relationships

Coping strategies

Here are eight things that might help stop compassion fatigue in its tracks. 1

Be aware of changes in your level of compassion fatigue. Your level of stress and how you feel about caring can change from day to day and may also depend on your older adult’s health. By regularly making notes on how you’re feeling, you can track your stress and compassion fatigue levels over time.

You could try rating how you feel on a scale of one to 10. For example, if you’re usually feeling irritated and overwhelmed as well as having trouble sleeping due to worry, you might decide that you’re at seven, and jot down a few of your major symptoms.

The scale is up to you – a one could mean no symptoms at all, a five could be a variety of symptoms that come and go, and a 10 could be that your symptoms are so severe and unrelenting that your health is at serious risk.

Keeping an eye on your compassion fatigue levels and major symptoms helps you notice and take action before you reach a severe stage.  2

Make self-care a priority. Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury. Self-care is essential if you’re a long-term carer. It keeps you mentally and physically healthy and protects against compassion fatigue.

It might feel selfish to take time out for yourself, but if you’re feeling run-down, overwhelmed and have a short temper, it will definitely come through when you’re caring for your older adult.

Each person has a different way of taking care of themselves, but in general, you’d probably want to:

Exercise regularly

Eat a healthy diet

Have a good sleep routine and get as much high-quality sleep as possible

Take time for yourself each day – even if it’s only 10 minutes

Get help with caring or household tasks

Find ways to take breaks from caring –such as using respite care.

Spend time with friends. An important part of maintaining balance while caring is to keep up your social connections. This helps prevent loneliness, isolation and depression. Spending time with friends chatting, sharing a meal or taking a walk are great ways to de-stress and take your mind off caring worries.

3

4Join a carer support group. Carer support groups are filled with people in similar situations – they’ll truly understand what you’re going through. Whether you participate online or in person, these groups can significantly improve your quality of life because you’ll feel less alone and be able to get advice on handling difficult situations, vent frustrations, learn new coping skills and more.

5Write in a journal. Journalling is an effective stress reduction technique that’s perfect for carers. Getting your thoughts and feelings down on paper and out of your head has been found to be very therapeutic. Journalling helps you process thoughts and emotions and can even help you find solutions to challenges or make tough decisions. Plus, writing in a journal is free, takes as much or as little time as you’ve got, and can be done anywhere.

Wellbeing

6

Use positive ways to cope with stress. After a tough day, it’s tempting to plop down in front of the TV with a bottle of wine, but that isn’t a positive coping technique. Instead, put together a list of go-to coping strategies that are positive and healthy. Try and do things that will make you feel better in the short term and improve your health and wellbeing in the long term. Suggestions include taking a walk, meditating, doing a short work-out, practising deep breathing, calling or texting a friend, watching funny video clips on YouTube, or taking a long hot bath or shower.  7

Spend time on hobbies. Before you were a carer, there were probably hobbies and activities that you enjoyed. Regularly finding time for

those activities is a great way to take a break from caring for your older adult. This improves quality of life and reduces the risk of compassion fatigue because it’s something fun and creative that you do just for yourself – and isn’t related to caring, work or chores. (See our story on the power of hobbies on page 22..) 8

Speak with a counsellor or therapist. If your compassion fatigue levels are increasing, talking with a counsellor or therapist can bring relief. They help people deal with negative thinking, stress, depression, anxiety, major life changes and more. A therapist can guide you towards effective ways to reduce compassion fatigue and manage the tough emotions that come with being a carer. ACG

To find out more about support groups near you, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 and select “option 1” to speak with your local Carer Gateway service provider. They'll register you with Carer Gateway and start the process.

The real cost of a retirement community

Just how much will it cost to move into a retirement village? Our resident finance expert crunches the numbers for you.

The most common question I get asked is, “How can I crunch the numbers on moving to a retirement community?”

The simple answer is to get a Village Guru report from the community you’re looking at moving into – that way the numbers are crunched for you. But if your chosen village won’t give you one, then you’re going to need to crunch the numbers for yourself or get someone who knows how (like a specialist adviser) to do it for you.

It’s important to know that using rules of thumb such as, “If I sell this house for more

than I pay for my new home, it’s affordable” are dangerous. Likewise, comparing villages based on purchase prices or the exit fee percentage can be just as misleading, because you’re only looking at one part of the transaction. You need to make sure you’re clear about what you’re going to pay to the village upfront, while you live there and when you leave.

Downsizing to a retirement community can have much wider financial implications than what you pay to live there. You also need to make sure you understand the implications

by rachel lane from aged care gurus

Case Study: Helen and Tom

Helen and Tom are full pensioners who are looking to downsize into a retirement village. Their current home is worth $850,000, they have $300,000 in investments and $50,000 of personal assets, including a caravan. The village has given them two payment options: pay their deferred management fee at the end or upfront for a discount. Here’s what their finances will look like…

on your pension (if you receive one); whether or not you will be eligible for rent assistance; how much money you’ll have left over to spend or invest; your cash flow; how it will affect your home care package fees; and your longer-term financial position if you need to move into aged care or when you

pass away (how much you are going to get back and how soon after you leave).

My simple methodology for crunching the numbers is called “Ingoing, Ongoing and Outgoing”. Take a piece of paper and divide it into three sections called “Ingoing”,

Source: Village Guru Essentials Report

A Finances

“Ongoing” and “Outgoing”. Breaking down the transaction like this makes it much easier to see what you’re going to pay and when. If you’re comparing one payment option with another or perhaps two different villages, then you can draw a line down the middle of the page and look at them side by side.

So what goes in each box?

The Ingoing

This is the price you pay for your home and to use the common facilities – in a retirement village, your contract is often a leasehold or licence arrangement. In a land-lease community, your contract has two parts – you buy the home and have a lease over the land. If your new home is in a strata-title village, then the amount you are paying is to own the home and have use of the common facilities (often through an owner’s corporation).

All transaction costs should go into this column. For example, there may be legal or administration costs associated with having your contract drawn up or having your leasehold registered on the operator’s title. If it’s a strata-title village, then you may need to factor stamp duty into the ingoing costs (which doesn’t normally apply in land-lease communities or retirement villages that are not strata title).

In some communities, you’ll be given options for caravan or boat parking, additional car parks or storage cages. These should be added to the purchase price.

The Ongoing

Retirement village residents pay a weekly or monthly fee to cover the running of the village, often called a “general service charge”. This charge is similar to the costs of an owner’s corporation, where a budget of expenses is prepared, residents are able to have input, and the fees are levied on a cost recovery basis.

In a land-lease community, the ongoing fee is called a “site fee”, which is the price you pay to lease the land on which your home sits. Unlike in a retirement village, land-lease communities charge market prices, so they tend to be higher, but this is often offset by a lower or no deferred management fee (DMF) at the end.

In addition to the cost of the community you live in, you will still have your own personal expenses: groceries, clothing, utilities and ad hoc expenses like travel. If you get a homecare package, then you need to factor in those costs, too.

It’s a good idea, as a separate exercise, to create a budget. In your budget, include your personal expenses as well as the village costs together with your income. Make sure you adjust your investment income for any change to your investments (most people free up equity from their home when they downsize) and make sure you include any age pension and rent assistance entitlements based on your new financial position and how your contract is treated by Centrelink – these may be quite different to what you currently receive.

The Outgoing

The greatest confusion of retirement community costs is around the exit fee, the biggest part of which is normally called the “deferred management fee” or DMF.

The DMF is typically a percentage of either your purchase price or the next sale price: anything between 25 per cent and 40 per cent is common but anything between 0 per cent and 100 per cent is possible.

To calculate your exit fee, you may also need to factor in your share of any capital gain or capital loss with the operator and, like other property transactions, there can be costs

associated with selling your home, such as renovations and marketing expenses as well as sales commissions.

Unlike most other property transactions, the amount you get back may be paid to you before your home sells under what is known as a “buyback”. This can be as short a period as three months or as long as 18 months. (Of course is there’s no buyback, you’ll receive your money when your home sells.)

Making it simpler

Working out these figures can be complicated, especially if you are trying to compare different contract options, different homes or different communities. At Aged Care Gurus, we have created a software program to help take the financial confusion out of crunching all the numbers: it’s called Village Guru.

It enables the village to provide you with a

report showing the ingoing, ongoing and outgoing village costs, together with an estimate of your Age Pension and Rent Assistance entitlements and Home Care Package costs. It’s great information to have and can save you a lot of time and worry, but it is not financial advice. You should seek advice from a retirement living and agedcare specialist adviser to ensure you get the best outcome for you.

ACG

Rachel Lane is the principal of Aged Care Gurus, where she oversees a national network of specialist advisers. She writes regular columns on retirement living and aged care for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Brisbane Times, and makes frequent appearances on television and radio. Rachel has co-authored a number of books, including the best-selling Aged Care, Who Cares? and Downsizing Made Simple.

No-one likes to talk about getting old, but when you or a family member needs help, there’s no getting around it. Many of our clients want to know what choices they have in their older years – and before the crisis hits.

Making an informed decision about retirement living and aged care is incredibly important. Making the wrong decision can have far-reaching consequences for the whole family. When these decisions go badly, the stress can lead to family conflicts and significant financially difficulties.

Not all advice is good advice, this is a specialist area. The rules change constantly, as do the available strategies. Drew Potts from Potts Duhring Financial Advisors is an experienced and professionally recognised specialists in this important area and has the skills and knowledge to give you good advice.

COMIC CORNER

Laughter is good for the soul and a merry heart does good like medicine … so try these.

If money doesn’t grow on trees, why do all the banks have so many branches?

I haven’t talked to my wife in seven years. Really? Why? I didn’t want to interrupt her

I heard Bill ate four bowls of alphabet soup yesterday. Then he had the biggest vowel movement ever

My wife was addicted to the hokey pokey. It took a couple of years, but she finally turned herself around

The inventor of throat lozenges passed away last week. There was no cough-in at his funeral

Your rights AS AN AGED CARE CONSUMER

Did you know if you live in government-funded aged care or receive services that you have a charter of legal rights? Here’s what you need to know.

The Charter of Aged Care Rights was created by the Federal Government and came into force on July 1, 2019. It provides the same rights to all consumers, regardless of the type of governmentfunded aged care and services they receive.

Here, we summarise the charter, as it appears in the booklet, Charter of Aged Care Rights.

When you start receiving aged care, you  retain the same rights as everyone else in the community

THE RIGHT STUFF

People receiving aged care have the same legal rights as all Australians. When you start receiving aged care, you retain the same rights as everyone else in the community. For example, you have rights to privacy, consumer rights and the right to be free from discrimination under relevant laws. The rights described in the Charter add to these. As an aged-care consumer, your provider is

legally required to help you to understand your rights under the Charter. A copy of the Charter must be given to you before or when you start receiving aged care. Your provider is required to sign the Charter and to also give you the option of signing it. This is in addition to your aged-care agreement.

By signing the Charter, you acknowledge you have received it, been assisted to understand it and understand your rights. You don’t have to sign the Charter: you can begin or continue to receive care and services even if you don’t sign it. Your provider is required to give you either an original or a copy of the Charter that has been signed. Both you and your provider should keep a copy. It is a good idea to share this information with your family, friends and others involved in your care.

All providers of Australian Governmentfunded aged care must comply with the Charter. This includes providers of residential care, home care, flexible care and services provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and the National

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program. If you receive services from more than one provider, each must comply with the Charter and respect your rights. Each provider must sign the Charter, help you to understand it and give you the option to sign it.

People from organisations other than your provider may be involved in delivering your aged-care services. Many providers use contractors to deliver services or subcontracted services through other organisations. Everybody involved in the delivery of your care must respect your rights.

YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO FEEL SAFE, ALWAYS

You have a right to live without abuse and neglect. You should feel safe, whether you are receiving residential aged care, services in your own home or other services in the community. If you are made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, you should tell someone. This could be your aged-care provider, a staff member, a friend, family member, an aged-care advocate or anyone you trust.

You should expect the care and services you get to be safe, and you should feel able to share any concerns with your provider. In relation to the care and services provided, your aged-care provider must take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, exploitation, discrimination, neglect and abuse.

If you have concerns about the care you or someone else is receiving, it is important that you talk about it. You should talk to your provider first. It’s okay to complain. Just as positive feedback can reinforce things that work well, your complaints help improve care and services. You have the right to raise concerns easily and without fear of how you will be treated.

All aged-care providers must have their own complaints systems and manage complaints

fairly. Your complaints should be taken seriously and handled fairly and in a timely way. It is your provider’s responsibility to act promptly on matters related to the quality or safety of your care and services. But if you feel uncomfortable talking to your provider, or would like help understanding your rights, services are available to help you.

You have a right to an aged-care advocate, who can help you explore options and make informed decisions. They can also help you to raise your concerns and work towards resolving them. For more information, call the National Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600 or visit the Older Persons Advocacy Network website, opan.com.au.

You can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, which exists to protect and enhance the health, safety, wellbeing and quality of life for aged-care consumers. It can help you to resolve a complaint about a provider. Call the commission on 1800 951 822, email info@ agedcarequality.gov.au or visit the website, agedcarequality.gov.au.

YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES, TOO

All people involved in aged care –consumers, their families, carers, visitors and the aged-care workforce – must respect and be considerate of each other.

You should be mindful of the effect of your behaviour on others, always keeping their rights in mind.

At times, your rights may compete with the rights of other consumers, family members or staff. When this occurs, the consumer and the service provider need to communicate openly and honestly about these competing rights and work together to come to a solution. Good communication between you, your

To save you from spending time on the phone or endless trips to Centrelink, request permission to know the status of your parents’ eligibilities

The Charter of Aged Care Rights

safe and high-quality care and services be treated with dignity and respect have my identity, culture and diversity valued and supported live without abuse and neglect be informed about my care and services in a way I understand

access all information about myself, including information about my rights, care and services have control over and make choices about my care, and personal and social life, including where the choices involve personal risk

family, friends, carers and staff can help your provider to give you the care and services that best meet your needs.

As an aged-care consumer, you should give your provider the information they need to properly deliver your care and services. You should understand and comply with the conditions of your care agreement and pay any fees outlined in the agreement. You should respect the rights of aged-care workers to work in a safe environment. Any kind of violence, harassment or abuse towards staff or others is not acceptable. Your expectations of your provider should be reasonable. You should discuss your needs, goals, preferences and priorities with your provider, and they will work with you on how you can get the care and services you need within the resources available.

Australian Government-funded aged care-providers also have other legal responsibilities. These include responsibilities around the fees they charge and that the care and services they deliver

have control over, and make decisions about, the personal aspects of my daily life, financial affairs and possessions my independence be listened to and understood have a person of my choice, including an aged-care advocate, support me or speak on my behalf

complain free from reprisal, and to have my complaints dealt with fairly and promptly personal privacy and to have my personal information protected exercise my rights without it adversely affecting the way I am treated

meet the Aged Care Quality Standards.

The eight Standards are:

Standard One: consumer dignity and choice

Standard Two: ongoing assessment and planning with consumers

Standard Three: personal care and clinical care

Standard Four: services and supports for daily living

Standard Five: organisation’s service environment

Standard Six: feedback and complaints

Standard Seven: human resources

Standard Eight: organisation governance. For more information on your rights, you can: talk to your aged-care provider; talk to an aged-care advocate on 1800 700 600; visit the Older Persons Advocacy Network website, opan.com.au/charter; visit the Department of Health website, agedcare.health.gov.au; visit the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website, agedcarequality.gov.au; or visit the My Aged Care website, myagedcare.gov.au. ACG

As someone who receives aged care and services, I have the right to:

FROM THE HON ANIKA WELLS MP

Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport

model for residential aged care to better match the costs of delivering care.

While we have achieved a lot of positive change in less than a year in Government, there is still much to be done.

We have critical reforms to tackle over the next 12 months as we continue responding to the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

March 1, 2023 marks two years since the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s final report was tabled in Parliament, a critical milestone in the journey to restoring dignity to older people in Australia.

This important milestone gives us the opportunity to reflect on what has happened since, and to look ahead to what needs to change.

In 2022, we implemented major changes to reform the aged care system: We introduced Star Ratings for residential aged care, extended the Serious Incident Response Scheme to home care and improved transparency and accountability around home-care pricing and fees.

We also supported a wage increase for aged-care workers, capped home-care package fees, legislated 24/7 nurses and more care minutes in residential agedcare homes, and enabled a new funding

This is why it’s so important we talk to as many people as we can to make sure our aged-care system meets their current and future needs.

I have been visiting residential agedcare homes throughout the summer and meeting with older people and their families and carers, as well as aged-care workers and aged-care providers, to hear what they think about aged care.

Older people, along with their families and carers, are at the heart of these changes and I want to assure you: we are listening.

We are ambitious for aged care and I strongly encourage everyone to have their say.

Together we can make positive, lasting changes to aged care that deliver safety, dignity and respect for older people.

Aged Care Reform Quarterly Updates

On 26 February 2021, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s final report – Care, Dignity and Respect – was handed to the Governor-General, His Excellency, the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd). It was tabled in Parliament on March 1, 2021. The Australian Government is committed to meeting the challenges set out in the final report by making positive changes to lift the standard of aged care in Australia.

What we’ve actioned

Below are just some of the recommendations the Government has actioned:

Aged Care legislation passed

The following two pieces of legislation were passed in 2022 to deliver the Government’s commitments to fixing aged care:

• The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Act 2022 enabled a new funding model: the Australian National Aged Care

Classification (AN-ACC). AN-ACC provides more equitable funding for providers that better matches the costs of delivering care, supporting a more efficient, transparent and sustainable system. The Act also legislated a number of other important reforms including the Star Ratings system as a comparison rating for all residential aged-care services (see page 80); an extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) to all in-home care providers; and a new Code of Conduct for approved providers, their workforce and governing persons.

The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Act 2022 included the requirement for a registered nurse to be on site and on duty in every residential aged care home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; a ban on exit fees and capping of administrative and management charges in the Home Care Packages Program (see below); as well as measures to allow greater transparency of information in relation to aged-care services, including approved providers and costs associated with residential aged care.

Pay rise for aged-care workers

The Government has supported a minimum award wage increase for all aged care workers, regardless of whether they are categorised as direct or indirect.

The Government is committed to funding the Fair Work Commission’s 15 per cent interim increase for direct care workers in full. This commitment extends to wage increases for other employees should the Fair Work Commission decide it is warranted, including funding for recreational activity officers and head chefs/cooks should the Fair Work Commission include them in its final decision.

Star Ratings for aged-care homes

Star Ratings for aged-care homes are now available through the ‘Find a Provider’ tool on the My Aged Care website. Star Ratings allow you to compare the quality of agedcare homes. Residential aged-care homes receive an overall Star Rating as well as ratings against four sub-categories:

• compliance

• residents’ experience

• staffing

• quality measures.

Find out more: myagedcare.gov.au/qualityaged-care.

Home Care Packages pricing changes

The Government has taken significant steps to ensure older people will no longer be charged excessive administrative and management costs as part of their Home Care Packages.

From 1 January 2023, care management and package management charges are capped at 20 per cent and 15 per cent of the respective package levels.

This means more package funds will be available to meet the care needs of older people in Australia.

We are committed to giving care recipients better value for money and the choice and control to shop around.

A reduction in administration and management charges means more money in the Home Care Package available to be used to pay for help around the house, personal and clinical care, assistive equipment, and other supports to stay safe and independent at home.

Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care

Highly regarded aged-care advocate Mr Ian Yates AM has been appointed as Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care and began the role in January. This position will review, monitor and report on the administration and governance of the aged-care system.

We have also banned exit fees, improving provider choice for care recipients, while stopping providers from charging separate brokerage and subcontracting fees.

More than 37,000 older people will no longer be charged for changing service providers or exiting the program.

These changes will make pricing clearer and easier to compare for Home Care Package recipients.

What’s coming up

In addition to the actions outlined above, here are some of the things we’re working on now:

National Dementia Action Plan

The National Dementia Action Plan is a joint initiative between the Australian and state and territory governments. It is a 10-year plan to put people living with dementia, their families and carers at the centre of all action on dementia. We conducted public consultation on the plan and all feedback received will help shape the final National Dementia Action Plan, which will be finalised in 2023.

Boosting aged-care worker skills

older people in Australia. These services range from transport and house cleaning to clinical care, such as nursing and allied health.

Most people want to stay in their homes for as long as possible. It is vital that services are accessible and effective to support independence. That is why the Government is delivering a reformed in-home aged-care program that is based on what we’ve heard from people who will use and deliver the services.

The proposed changes to in-home aged care aim to:

• make aged care simple to access and understand, with one assessment process

• give people timely access to the safe and high-quality services they need

• give people real choice and control in determining the services they receive

• have fair and transparent fees that direct funds to delivering high quality care.

The proposed model outlined in A New Program for In-home Aged Care discussion paper and summary brings together the existing in-home aged-care programs.

Older people who receive support through Commonwealth-funded agedcare programs will not lose any existing services under reforms to in-home aged care.

We are boosting the skills of aged-care workers through training programs, scholarships, mentoring of new nurses and supporting clinical placements. Workers will be better skilled in areas such as dementia and palliative care, managing wounds, preventing falls, infection prevention and control, and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of older people.

The future of in-home aged care

In-home aged care supports about 1 million

In the meantime, current in-home agedcare programs – Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages (HCP), Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) and Residential Respite – will continue operating as normal.

To read the discussion paper, visit: health.gov.au/resources/ publications/a-new-program-for-inhome-aged-care-discussion-paper.

Feedback from discussion paper

The department received more than 520 submissions from the consultation. Key feedback from older people, their families and carers included:

• many want to keep the ability for reimbursement with self-management

• care partners must support people and not be making decisions for them

• support for having a budget, and that prices and fees will be set by Government

• support for access to additional services when needed, and a goods, equipment and home modifications scheme

• interest in how support in settings such as a home sharing model would work.

Have your say on aged care reform

Thousands of people have been involved in shaping the reforms so far through our surveys, webinars, online workshops, consultation papers and face-to-face events.

There are still plenty of opportunities for you to have your say about the changes to aged care:

• Register to be kept up to date on consultation opportunities and outcomes or sign up to receive our monthly newsletter for older people in Australia –EngAged. Visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub: AgedCareEngagement.health.gov. au/get-involved.

• Call 1800 318 209 to find out more about the reforms and progress, open consultations and for assistance in completing consultation activities.

• Talk with us in person at one of the many upcoming events around Australia that we’re attending, including:

– COTA Autumn Seniors Festival

Canberra, ACT 15 March 2023

– COTA Seniors Expo

Katherine, NT 16 March 2023

– Over 55s Ageing Well Event

Spearwood, WA 22 March 2023

– Agfest – Carrick, TAS 4–6 May 2023

Access Carer Gateway Services

You can access Carer Gateway services in a number of ways: Visit the website at carergateway.gov.au

Or call 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm to speak with your local Carer Gateway service provider.

They will talk you through the registration process and start the planning process.

This process helps our staff learn more about you and your caring role so they can match services to your individual needs.

You can also ask someone to call you back at a convenient time.

For help with accessing emergency respite, call 1800 422 737 any time 24/7.

Ageing and Aged Care Group

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Information correct as at the time of printing

•

Community Support Inc provides personalised and professional support services to help you live Your Life. Your Way.

We can support you wherever you want to go. Our Support Workers can provide you with Social Support, Community Access and Transport Assistance to go out and do the things you enjoy. This could include shopping, appointments, sporting activities or to meet with friends. We will support your goals every single day.

To find out more, contact us today!

Telephone 08 8429 1200

Email hello@csisa.org.au

Or via our website csisa.org.au

csisa.org.au

•

Your Say

In this new column, we give readers an opportunity to talk about an issue that matters to them. For Autumn, it’s carer and carer advocate George Helon from Toowoomba, Queensland.

For the past 11 years, I’ve been the full-time primary carer of my ailing mother, who has Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and is in declining physical health, with severe mobility issues, chronic health conditions and numerous ailments.

I’ve also got my own set of health issues, including a rare genetic disorder, a brain tumour, spinal tumour, mental health issues and I’m close to profoundly deaf.

I receive a Disability Support Pension (DSP) and also receive a Carer Allowance – which is $144.80 a fortnight to look after mum. That works out to about 43 cents an hour.

Every fortnight I find myself having to contribute more and more from my very limited savings and constantly bite into my DSP for mum’s proper upkeep and special needs.

And I’m not the only one in this boat. According to Carers Australia, some 623,742 Australian carers receive a Carer Allowance ($10.34 a day, $72.40 a week, $144.80 a fortnight) and 300,121 receive a Carer Payment ($73.32 a day, $513.25 a week, $1026.50 a fortnight).

To look at it another way, those who receive a Carer Allowance get just 8.91 per cent of the national minimum wage (as

set in June 2022) for working four times as much as a paid support worker.

Over the decades, no government has faced the reality of the personal sacrifices and price we pay as carers head-on – the actual human cost – but they’re happy to have us quietly working away in the background for next to nothing, saving them billions of dollars in unpaid care while we suffer physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. Each year, in fact, unpaid informal/primary carers across Australia save the government more than $77.9 billion. And yet we are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in the country, living way below the poverty line.

So I acted. Last year, I raised a petition calling on the Prime Minister and the Federal Government to “recognise and care for carers, especially those only in receipt of a Carer Allowance who need immediate, realistic and proper financial recognition”.

I’m calling on all Australians to sign the petition – not just those of us who are already carers, because some day, you might find yourself either needing care or becoming a carer yourself.

To join the 14,000-plus people who’ve already signed, go to change.org/ CarersAustraliaPetition. ACG

Why talking about dying won’t kill you

Everyone has been touched by it, and we will all go through it – eventually. So why is death so hard to talk about?

Jacqui Williams explores more.

Death. Dying. Deceased. Dead. There you have it. You just read the four “Ds” and … you’re still alive!

So why is it that the “D” words create such a visceral response for so many of us? And often get met with responses like, “It won’t happen to me,” “Let’s talk about it later” and “Oh, I know I need to talk about it, but just not now.”

However, by deflecting these important discussions, we have, in fact, let one of life’s opportunities (notice I used the word “life”) fly out the window.

FINDING MEANING

In his internationally acclaimed book, Being Mortal: Illness, Medicine and What Matters in the End, American surgeon Atul Gawande describes how we should be given the opportunity to live a meaningful life, one with purpose. And it’s only by thinking about one’s own mortality, what’s important, and who and what matters most, that we can appreciate the benefits of talking openly about dying, death, rituals, ceremony and what we want to do with our bodies when we die.

It can help to talk to experts to explore this more. End of Life Doulas (think of them as a companion to the dying), along with others who work in palliative care and end-of-life, offer a space for people to explore these important issues.

BEING PREPARED

Benjamin Franklin was right when he (reputedly) said that “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. Despite longer life expectancies – largely due to advances in medical technology – as mere mortals, death is one thing that we can’t change. The truth is that 100 per cent of us are going to die, irrespective of whether we openly talk about death and dying or not.

We are confronted daily in the news by death and dying. And we don’t die from it. But when we have to face the reality of our own mortality – or that of someone we care about – our fragility around talking about death can leave us feeling vulnerable, exposed and fragile. But it doesn’t have to.

The benefits of talking about death and dying are literally life-liberating. So, let’s explore some of the reasons why we all should be engaging in more regular discussions about dying.

What we need to do is shift the paradigm from being one of fear of the unknown and being unprepared to one that allows for better preparation for the inevitable. By doing this, you get to take control –whether that be through conversations, documentation or both. Put you own affairs in order (e.g., through an Advance Care Directive, Enduring Power of Attorneys for personal/health and finances; and a will) so that your wishes are known and the important people in your life don’t have to guess what you want.

Knowledge is power. Knowing more about death and dying gives you a little more control over death – which, frankly, is something that we don’t have much control over at all. And, importantly, it gives us the ability to make informed choices.

LET YOUR WISHES BE KNOWN

Don’t let your discomfort in talking about death becomes another person’s burden. Tell the important people in your life what you want – and don’t want. One of the challenges our families or our decision-makers have to bear when we can no longer communicate our end-of-life wishes or when we’ve died, is the absence of these conversations.

So, share what you have done to prepare. Show your loved ones where all your documents are stored and how to access them (passwords, filing cabinet keys etc). Otherwise, all the good work you’ve done in preparing for your end-of-life will have gone to waste.

Tell your family why some life-limiting treatments are acceptable or not acceptable. Talk about what you want your funeral to look like. Are there any rituals or ceremonies that you would like to experience before you die, like a living wake (you can learn more about what these are here: https://www.willed.com. au/guides/living-wake/), or your favourite songs being played while you’re dying.

Talk about what you want to happen after you die – do you want a flame or water cremation (also known as alkaline hydrolysis), a traditional burial or a natural burial (https:// ndan.com.au/resources/natural-burial)?

What music do you want played at your funeral? Or would you prefer silence? I have created a list of my favourite songs on Spotify which I’ve called “Living Wake”. My partner knows these songs are important to me and that they can be played softly and intermittently as I am dying, or at an informal gathering of family and friends after I die.

CREATE THE RIGHT SETTING TO TALK

One of the best ways to make talking about death and dying more open and relaxed is over drink and food, which will help the conversation to flow.

This is the concept that the late Jon Underwood created in 2011 when he set up what has become the international social franchise called Death Cafe (deathcafe.com) – described as a place where “people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death”.

Having run many of these discussions – both in person and virtually – I have found that strangers become uniquely “connected” when they are provided with the opportunity to talk about their experiences, to ask their questions, or to just listen and learn from others. These gatherings are free and have no agenda (the topic is always around death, dying, grief and loss) and they promote a more comfortable, death-literate society.

You can use the same concept to talk about these issues with the important people in your life in the comfort of your own home. So have the conversations and take control of your life – and death – and all things in between. It’s a gift to yourself. And to those you love. ACG

Jacqui Williams is the founder of End of Life Transitions, endoflifetransitions.com.au. She is an End of Life Doula, funeral celebran t and Death Cafe facilitator. Contact her at jacqui@endoflifetransitions.com.au or on 0402 496 360.

expert advice

TO HOME OR NOT TO HOME

My 86-year-old grandmother is adamant that she wants to keep living at home – but I’m worried about her safety. What should I do?

If you’re not confident that your grandmother is still able to live on her own, try and organise household help, make scheduled visits, and see if she’ll wear a personal alarm. You can also ask an occupational therapist to do an at-home visit and safety check.

SCEPTICAL DAD

I finally got my “old-school” father an appointment with a nephrologist but he has an issue with her being a woman. How do I convince him to look past this?

This is a tough situation and may require some patience on your part. Discuss the nephrologist’s credentials: her education, years of experience, success stories with past patients, or any other information that you think may help his level of comfort. If all else fails, ask the referring GP for help and/or organise a call instead of a visit for the first consultation.

A BITTER PILL

How dangerous is it for my dad to be taking his medication with whiskey?

Many drugs will not interact well with alcohol. Depending on how a drug is metabolised, alcohol can decrease the desired effects of a medication, increase side-effects and even make it toxic. It’s definitely time to have a conversation, or, if you don’t think your dad will listen to you, to make an appointment with his GP.

INDEPENDENT AND AT RISK?

My mother lives alone. She’s happy but how can I figure out if she’s safe?

It’s important that you look out for the warning signs. Signs that someone shouldn’t be living alone include frequent falls, leaving the stove or oven on and forgetting about it, neglecting their own hygiene and health, having trouble with daily tasks, and forgetting their medication. If your mother is doing some or all of the above, it may be time to consider other options.

HELP – WITHOUT WARNING

My brother only occasionally shows up to visit our sister. He refuses to plan ahead, and his timing is all wrong – showing up at bedtime, bath-time or when we’re out at doctors’ appointments. What can I do to try and change it?

Start by sharing your sister’s schedule. Give him options for specific dates and times and a shared calendar (like Google Calendar). This way he can see the schedule as it changes and hopefully understand that while his visits are appreciated, a little warning is needed.

NEWS&VIEWS

MEET THE SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Calma has dedicated his life to improving the lives of all Australians and particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. For the past four decades, he has championed the importance of empowerment – a passion that runs through his work in education, training, employment, health, justice reinvestment and development.

He is a former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination

Commissioner and served as a senior Australian diplomat in India and Vietnam. He works to create opportunities for Indigenous voices to be heard and to build partnerships to improve their health, wellbeing and economic independence. His landmark 2005 report calling for the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to be closed within a generation laid the groundwork for the Close the Gap campaign. From: Australian of the Year.

HOME CARE PACKAGE CHARGES UPDATE

My Aged Care has announced important changes to Home Care Package (HCP) charges, which came into effect on January 1. The aim is to reduce excessive charges and improve your ability to compare prices between providers. Here, an outline of the changes and how they might impact you.

What is changing?

From 1 January 2023, there will be set limits on what providers can charge you for care and package

management. In addition, providers will no longer be able to charge you exit charges; additional costs for third-party goods or services; or package management charges in a month where you do not receive services other than care management (except the first month).

Most HCP providers already charge less than the new limits for care and package management. If this is the case with your provider, you won’t see changes. However, if your provider is charging above the new limits, they should have reduced their prices from January.

Some providers may need to adjust their pricing models, which may mean there are some reasonable increases in charges. But it ultimately ensures that you only ever pay the published price.

If your provider needs to lower their charges, they must let you know. If your provider increases their prices, they must seek your consent before doing so.

For details, see the HCP Pricing Update fact sheet on the Department of Health and Aged Care website, health.gov.au.

Courtesy myagedcare.gov. au/news-and-updates.

Professor Tom Calma AO, an Aboriginal Elder of the Kungarakan people and member of the Iwaidja people, has been named Senior Australian of the Year for 2023.

NEWS&VIEWS

ON YOUR SIDE

Debra Nicholl, CEO of Elder Rights Advocacy, explains the essential work the group does.

At Elder Rights Advocacy, we recognise and acknowledge the challenges and complexity of caring for an older person either at home or in an aged-care facility. Our professional, highly skilled advocates can provide up-to-date, relevant information to help carers make informed decisions relating to care and services for the older person.

From step one in contacting My Aged Care to assessment, choosing a provider, care planning and ongoing

AN “EASY” OFFER

Meal delivery service

Lite n’ Easy believes the secret to ageing well is to eat well. Its tasty, nutritious and affordable meals are designed to promote healthy eating, wellbeing and a better quality of life for older Australians. The service is designed to make life easier too, with no shopping, cooking or cleaning required.

As a special offer for the Autumn issue of ACG, Lite n’ Easy is giving new customers 30% off* their first delivery

negotiations with providers, we are here to stand beside you and ensure that your rights and the rights of the older person are respected.

At Elder Rights Advocacy, we hear from carers and family members who are in conflict over the care of the older person, and who are stressed and overwhelmed by their situation. Our advocates are here to stand beside you and work at your direction always with the older person and their perceived interests guiding the way.

The aged-care journey need not be an onerous one when you have the right support in place. Elder Rights Advocacy is a free, confidential – and,

when they order online at liteneasy.com.au using the promotional code ACG30%.

If you are a Home Care Package recipient and new to Lite n’ Easy, call them on 13 15 12 and mention this offer to get the normal

importantly – independent service that exists to give voice to the older person and their representative.

We are here to uphold your rights and to remind providers of their responsibility to deliver person-centered and culturally appropriate care that meets the assessed needs and preferences of the older person. Good communication and consultation are key when it comes to successfully engaging with aged-care providers, so please do not hesitate to contact Elder Rights Advocacy if you need any assistance, at era.asn.au or 1800 700 600.

30% co-payment credited on your first delivery.

*Valid for new customers’ first delivery only. Cannot be used with any other offer.

Q&A

ANTIOXIDANT POWER

You read a lot about how important antioxidants are. What are some of the best antioxidant-rich foods I should be trying to incorporate into my elderly parents’ diet?

When oxygen is metabolised in our bodies, it creates unstable molecules called “free radicals”. We can cope with some of these and, in fact, the body needs them to function. But over time, too many free radicals can lead to a whole host of health problems, from increased risk of coronary heart disease, acceleration of ageing, deterioration of the lens in our eyes, arthritis, and damage to nerve cells in the brain, which can contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

And that’s where antioxidants come in: they may prevent some of the damage caused by free radicals by neutralising them. They come in two varieties: nutrient antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E, and copper, zinc and selenium); and non-nutrient antioxidants, which are the phytochemicals found in plants. So, it makes absolute sense to incorporate them in your parents’ diet. Better Health Victoria suggests these sources:

allium sulphur compounds – leeks, onions and garlic

anthocyanins – eggplant, grapes and berries

beta-carotene – pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsley

catechins – red wine and tea

copper – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

cryptoxanthins – red capsicum, pumpkin and mangoes

flavonoids – tea, green tea, citrus fruits, red wine, onion, apples

indoles – cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower

isoflavonoids – soybeans, tofu, lentils, peas and milk

lignans – sesame seeds, bran, whole grains and vegetables

lutein – green, leafy vegetables like spinach, and corn

lycopene – tomatoes, apricots, pink grapefruit and watermelon

manganese – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

polyphenols – herbs

selenium – seafood, offal, lean meat and whole grains

vitamin A – liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk and egg yolks

vitamin C – oranges, blackcurrants, kiwifruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, capsicum and strawberries

vitamin E – vegetable oils (such as wheatgerm oil), avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains

zinc – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

zoochemicals – red meat, offal and fish. Also derived from the plants that animals eat.

BEFORE THE FALL

Where can I go to get advice about preventing falls?

If you’re a carer for an older loved one, no doubt you will be concerned about falls.

Falls are Australia’s number-one cause of injury hospitalisation and death, and are much more common in older people. In 2020-21, 243,000 people were hospitalised after a fall. Fortunately, there is help available. Active Ageing Australia – a not-for-profit group working to improve the physical health of older people – offers an online learning module, which will help you to understand more about falls and how to prevent them.

The module covers: why falls matter and the impact of a fall on a person; the risk factors which contribute to falls; how to screen for falls risk; the intrinsic (personal) and extrinsic (environmental) factors which can cause falls and how to manage these; as well as how to deal with a fall.

Each module takes about 20 minutes to complete and there are five modules. They feature interactive activities and quizzes to help with your understanding and learning, and you don’t have to complete it all in one sitting.

Cost is $14.95. More details here: learn. activeageing. org.au/modules/ introduction-tofalls-prevention.

BREAKING THE SILENCE

It’s not something that gets talked about very much, but incontinence is something carers of those with dementia deal with every day. Are there any resources out there that could help?

The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) offers this advice Incontinence is a highly distressing and stigmatising condition that affects many people living with dementia. Up to 38 per cent of people with a diagnosis of dementia experience incontinence of urine and up to 27 per cent experience faecal incontinence. The highly personal and sensitive nature of incontinence makes the task of caring for anyone with incontinence challenging, particularly if the person with dementia does not understand or appreciate the nature of the care.

With the input of people living with dementia, carers and health professionals, NARI has developed a free online course called Caregiving, Dementia and Incontinence. It aims to provide family and professional carers with the knowledge, skills and resources to cope with all aspects of managing incontinence. The five-week course covers topics such as the basics of bowel and bladder function, and using continence aids and incontinence products and protecting the skin. The course will run throughout 2023 and users can opt in at any time. Learn more here: nari.net. au/Event/caregiving-dementia-incontinence-open-online-course.

Are

you one of the 2.65 million people who provide unpaid care for a family member or friend?

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large eggplant

• 10g sea salt flakes

• 50ml extra virgin olive oil

• 2 small onions, finely chopped

• sea salt flakes, extra, and freshly ground pepper

• 1tsp finely chopped garlic

• 1 x 10cm-long rosemary stem, leaves stripped and finely chopped

• 20ml apple cider vinegar

• 550g overripe tomatoes, roughly chopped into 1cm pieces

• ½ cup cooked brown lentils

• 2 tbsp tomato sauce

• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

• 60ml olive oil

• 100g bocconcini, torn into pieces

• 60g parmesan (freshly grated, if possible)

• fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley, chopped, to serve

Baked eggplant, fresh tomato, rosemary, lentil and parmesan bake

Mediterranean-style ingredients, protein-rich lentils and sharp parmesan make a complete comforting meal in one dish.

METHOD

Preheat a fan-forced oven to 200°C and lightly grease an 18cm x 12cm baking dish. Cut the eggplant lengthways into 1cm slices, sprinkle with salt, place on a tray and set aside. Place a medium pot on the stove, add oil, chopped onions and a pinch of sea salt flakes, and cook gently for 10 minutes (don’t let the onions colour). Add the garlic and chopped rosemary and cook for a further 3-4 minutes.

Deglaze the pan with the apple cider vinegar and add the chopped tomatoes. Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15-25 minutes until the tomato has completely collapsed and the mixture has thickened. Add the cooked lentils, tomato sauce and basil, and check seasoning. Meanwhile, pat the excess moisture from the eggplant using a paper towel. Drizzle with olive oil and cook on a barbecue, hot (this is vital) plate or in a large pan, colouring both sides.

Take your baking dish, place a third of the tomato sauce on the base, followed by a compact layer of eggplant. Then add another third of the tomato sauce, a sprinkle of parmesan and the remaining eggplant. Finish with the remaining tomato sauce, and top with parmesan and the torn bocconcini. Bake for 35-50 minutes (the time will vary, depending on your oven) or until golden. Remove from the oven and sit for 10 minutes before drizzling with olive oil and the chopped basil or parsley. Serve.

Crusty bread or salad leaves would be a nice accompaniment, but not necessary.

Prep time 40 minutes / Cook time 45-60 minutes / Season Summer to autumn / Ability Medium / Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

Roast chicken

• 2kg Barossa or other well-brought-up chook

• 125g unsalted butter, softened

• 1/3 cup french tarragon leaves

• sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 3 tbsp verjuice*

• lemon wedges, to serve Broccoli tabbouleh

• 1 head broccoli (about 360g)

• 1/3 cup baby spinach

• 3 spring onions

• 2/3 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

• 1 cup finely chopped mint

• 1 large ripe avocado, cut into small cubes

• 1/3 cup (45g) slivered almonds, toasted

Dressing

• 1 tbsp honey (raw, if possible)

• 1 tsp ground turmeric

• finely grated zest and juice of ½ lemon

• ½ cup (125ml) buttermilk

Roast chook with broccoli tabbouleh and turmeric buttermilk dressing

I remember when I cooked this chicken on MasterChef, giving important details like adding verjuice during the final stages of cooking and turning it over to rest for 20 minutes. It led to so much comment on email and social media, with people stopping me on the street, telling me they’d tried the recipe and couldn’t believe how wonderful it was. So enjoy!

METHOD

Take the chook out of the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 200˚C (fan-forced).

Place the butter and tarragon in a food processor and whiz to combine but don’t process it too much or the butter will split. Add seasoning to taste.

Place the chicken in a roasting tin and carefully slide your fingers under the skin around the legs and across both breasts to separate it from the meat. Place the butter under the skin by pushing it in with your fingers.

Tuck the wings under, then rub the skin with the olive oil and season to taste. Place a piece of foil just over the breast so it won’t dry out. Roast for 30 minutes, then reduce temperature to 180˚C (fan-forced). Remove the foil and roast for another 30 minutes. Open the oven and pour the verjuice over the bird, then cook for another 10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven and turn it over in the roasting tin to rest upside down for 20 minutes. After 5 minutes, check whether the chicken is cooked

by inserting a skewer into the thickest part of the thighthere should not be any pink juices. Alternatively, the internal temperature should be 68˚C. Leave to rest for another 15 minutes (it will stay warm).

Meanwhile, to make the broccoli tabbouleh, as close as possible to serving, use a large knife to shave the head off the broccoli to give you fine pieces. Chop the spinach and spring onions as finely as you can and place in a bowl with the broccoli. Gently stir in the remaining ingredients.

To make the dressing, whisk all the ingredients together. Carve the chook and drizzle with all of the resting juices. Just as you’re about to serve, toss the tabbouleh with most of the buttermilk dressing.

To serve, spoon the tabbouleh onto a large serving platter and pour over the last bit of dressing. Add the chook to the platter. Serve with the lemon wedges. * Verjuice is available from most supermarkets.

Time Out

Improve your memory, concentration and reasoning. The benefits of puzzles are numerous. They maintain or develop problem-solving skills, and help you relax, even when they are so frustrating.

Wordwheel

Find as many words of three or more letters in the wheel as you can. Each word must use the central letter and a selection from the outer wheel – no letter may be used more times than it appears in the wheel.

Can you find the nine letter word hidden in the wheel?

Can you find the words in the grid? They will be placed only once and may be either horizontal, vertical or diagonal and go either forwards or backwards. Words can cross.

1.

2.

Jumbo Arrow-word

Complete the clues to fill the grid. The arrows show the direction in which the answer to each clue should be placed.

Cobras Baked roast (anag) Immature insects Russian monarchs Enclosed Blind salamander Pondering

Particles around a comet

Capital of Malaysia (5,6)

Fourth month (abbr)

Text message (inits)

Sense experience Coldly

Delude Of a dull brownish colour

Jack ___: comedian Fencing sword Sell Inform upon

Body of work

Solutions on page 114

Roughly force into place

Type of triangle

Special right Light beams

Long and narrow inlet

Vessel or duct

Manner of walking Staff

Mistake

Seem Hairstyle

Act of going back in (2-5)

Wonder Not dead

US federal agency (inits)

Bruce ___: martial artist

Space or interval

Measure of length

Silvery fish of the carp family Owns Among Curved shape Remnant South American country

Third eyelid in some mammals

United States

Green: French actress

23rd Greek letter Frogmen

Increase the running speed of an engine Vehicle

Secret agent

Support for a golf ball

Free from doubt

Form of public transport

Jumbo Crossword

Complete the crossword clues to fill the grid.

LOVE PUZZLES?

All puzzles are kindly supplied by Richardson Puzzles & Games – their puzzle book range is available to purchase from all good book retailers.

Solutions on page 114

Across

Extreme audacity (8)

Interrelationship (11)

Overly polite (11)

e.g. an accent or cedilla (9)

Mix up or confuse (5)

Accumulate (5)

Interpret the meaning of (8)

Beggar (9)

Tower that guides ships at sea (10)

Visually attractive (11)

More slender (7)

Light two-wheeled motor vehicle (7)

Pertaining to marriage (11)

Jobless (10)

Self-evident (9)

School pupils (8)

Vegetables related to onions (5)

Impersonator (5) Enrage (9)

Down

Leguminous tree (6)

Rotten (6)

Belief in a god (6)

Happens (6)

Wore away gradually (6)

Neat and smart (5-3)

Terminate (6)

Car radiator additive useful in winter (10)

River in Africa (7)

Non-professional (7)

Ancient times (9)

Award for coming second (6,5)

Stipulation (7)

Sulks (5)

Tortilla topped with cheese (5)

Large breed of dog (5,4)

Wild (of an animal) (7)

Alcoholic drinks (7)

Damp (5)

Ancient object (5)

Awkwardness (of movement) (10)

Ancestral lines of descent (8)

Muttered (7)

In mint condition (6)

Fast (6)

Coop up (6)

Shelter for a dog (6)

Title used for a French woman (6)

Close tightly (6)

Crosswords can relieve stress and boost your mood

Codeword

Can you crack the entire code to complete the crossword grid?

Each number from 1-26 represents a letter of the alphabet from A-Z. Every letter appears in the grid at least once, and is represented by just one number. We’ve given you 3 letters to help you start.

Kriss Kross

Square Maze

editor’s choice

MY COMMUNITY INFO FIND LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICES

The free My Community Info App allows you to find all the community information that is displayed on My Community Directory+Diary.

We know how important it is to have information available at your fingertips when you need it!

My Community Info is a health promotion charity that believes achieving positive social change starts with access to quality community information. My Community Directory and My Community Diary provide a common platform for anyone, including carers, to find health and community services in their area. It also includes a planning, referral and research network.

A fantastic app. I love that I can find services and events all in one place. The “Lands You Stand On” feature is very helpful when I’m travelling and I want to quickly find out more about local traditional owner groups.

FREE DOWNLOAD

Download the My Community Info App for free by texting “App” to 0488 884 151 or by using one of these links:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/access-my-community/ id1243880693

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mcd. accessmycommunityapp&hl=en_US

WEBSITES CARING FOR ELDERLY PARENTS IN AUSTRALIA

This is a non-for-profit website whose mission is nothing more than to create a community of carers who are looking after an ageing parent(s).

What makes this Facebook group a standout is that it’s the genuine deal: no hidden motive except to ensure its integrity as an authentic community of carers to connect with other carers walking a similar path. Carers are welcomed to share their stories and struggles, ask questions, learn from each other, and laugh and cry together. Highly recommended for all carers in particularly the lonely and isolated.

Search Facebook for “Caring for elderly parents in Australia”.

STILL

CARING:

SUPPORTING OLDER PEOPLE IN RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE

Caring for the elderly can be a demanding role that requires commitment, kindness and humour. This book has been written to provide support to all carers, whether they are working as a professional in aged care or a layperson who finds themselves in a caring role. In Still Caring, Lyndis Flynn and Margaret Shelton consider the ways in which carers can contribute to an elderly person’s life and also suggests ways in which carers can balance their own lives and wellbeing with the demands of the particular caring path they have chosen. An insightful read for anyone in a caring role.

Available at Booktopia, Amazon, QBD and other book retailers.

Life is uncertain: we can never be 100% sure what is going to happen. Some people are OK with this and find it easy to embrace new experiences. Other people struggle with uncertainty: it is almost as if they have a phobia of it, and they often do things like worry or plan in attempts to reduce uncertainty.

INTOLERANT OF UNCERTAINTY Motivation: seek certainty (safety).

Behaviour: worry, plan, check, avoid, seek reassurance, routine & habit.

Situations that are:

•Ambiguous

•Novel

•Unpredictable Walk a different route.

EMBRACES UNCERTAINTY Motivation: seek new experiences. Behaviour: open, curious, spontaneous, willing to tolerate discomfort.

Embracing uncertainty can allow you to enjoy more of a life, and to respond more flexibly to challenges that come your way. One way of doing this is to gradually introduce uncertain events into your life. Try to embrace uncertainty by experimenting with some of the tasks below:

Order something new from the menu in a restaurant. Try a new class.

See a film at the cinema without reading reviews.

Wear something ‘new’ for you (e.g. style, brand).

Sit in a different place than you normally do.

Have a different lunch every day.

Do an activity that you have avoided so far.

Delegate tasks to others.

Tips for embracing uncertainty:

Read a different newspaper, or something by a new author.

Talk about things that are more ‘risky’ for you (e.g. politics, yourself, opinions).

Sleep on a different side of the bed.

Go somewhere you have never been.

Talk to someone you don’t know (ask a question, pay them a complement).

Listen to music that you wouldn’t normally listen to.

Try a different brand of toothpaste.

•Adopt the mindset that it is good for you to take small risks and challenge yourself.

•Make ‘trying new things’ a regular part of your life.

•You’re trying to build a ‘tolerance of uncertainty muscle’ so you will need to practice regularly.

• Maintain a curious and open approach by focusing on the outcome of your experiments, not on the emotional experience: What did you learn? What did you experience that was new and exciting? What did that experiment do for your confidence?

abbreviations

When it comes to Aged Care, acronyms are plentiful…ACSA, HCP, CHSP… But what do they all mean? Fear no more. We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly used ones – how they work and their service to the community.

ACAT: Aged Care Assessment Team

Helps the elderly and their carers determine what kind of support will best meet their needs when they are struggling in their current living situation.

Ever had a chat with someone where the talk is littered with acronyms – but you have absolutely no idea what they are saying?

ACAS: Aged Care Assessment Service (Victoria)

Only provides teams who help frail older people and their carers, to work out what kind of care will best meet their needs. After each assessment, a patient’s level of support and service needs are recommended.

ACF/ACH: Aged Care Facility or Aged Care Home Accommodation for older people who can no longer live at home independently, who require help/support for everyday tasks/health care.

ACIA: Aged Care Industry Association (ACIA)

Association of aged care providers, whose members operate residential aged care, home care, home support and retirement living services.

ACS: Aged Care Services Support and services

provided to older people in their own home or in an aged care home to assist with everyday living, health care, accommodation and equipment.

ACSA: Aged & Community Services Australia

The leading national peak body supporting not-forprofit, church and charitable providers of retirement living, community, home and residential care.

ADL: Activities of Daily Living

Refers to the basic skills needed to properly care for oneself and meet one’s physical needs in six areas: eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, continence, and mobility. It’s used as an indicator to determine the level of care and supportive services needed in senior’s care plan.

AIP: Ageing in Place

Indicates that a resident can enter an aged care facility at low care and can remain there as their care needs increase to a high care.

ATSI: Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander

CA: Carers Australia

The national peak body representing Australia’s unpaid carers, advocating on their behalf to influence policies and services.

CBC: Centre Based Care

For elderly people who require low to medium living support, group activities, excursions and social support are provided in a local centre.

CC: Community Care

Personalised care and support services to help the elderly continue living at home.

CDC: Consumer Directed Care

Are services chosen by the elderly person living independently at home, they decide the types of services and care and the providers of the services.

CHSP: Commonwealth Home Support Program

The entry-level home support program assists older people to live independently in their homes and communities. It also provides respite services to give carers a break.

COTA: Council on the Ageing

Provides leadership in social policy and community information, and education for older persons.

CRCCs: Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centres

Assists carers by providing access to information, respite care and other support appropriate to carers’ needs and circumstances, and the needs of those they care for.

DAP: Daily Accommodation Payment

Is the daily non-refundable payment for accommodation in an aged care home. It can be paid regularly up to a month in advance, similar to paying rent.

DOH: Department of Health

Develops and delivers policies and programs and advises the Australian Government on health, aged care and sport.

DTC: Day Therapy Centre

Offer a range of services (physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy) for older people living independently either in their own home, or aged care homes.

HC: Home Care Services/support given to older people with care needs to live independently in their own homes.

HCP: Home Care Packages

A program funded by the Australian Government to support older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own homes. They use a consumerdirected care approach to ensure the support suits a person’s needs and goals.

HCS: Home Care Service(s)

Support/care services provided to an elderly person in their own home.

ILU: Independent Living Unit

A small home designed for older people who are actively independent, usually in a village environment.

MAC: My Aged Care

Provides the entry point to the Australian Government Funded aged care services for the general public.

NDIS: National Disability Insurance Scheme

NDIS provides information and connections to services for people with disability. The scheme also provides support for their families and carers.

NESB: Non-EnglishSpeaking Background

NSA: National Seniors Association

Is a not-for-profit membership organisation and advocacy group of working and retired older Australians.

OPA: Office of Public Advocate

OPAN: Older Persons Advocacy Network

An agency that can provide information to consumers their families and carers about their rights and responsibilities when accessing aged care services.

RAD: Refundable Accommodation Deposit

Is a lump sum payment for accommodation in an aged care home. This is the price of a room, in lump sum form that you have agreed with your aged care home to pay and is fully refundable when you leave the aged care facility.

RAS: Regional Assessment Service

Is the program which undertakes aged care home support assessments.

RC: Respite Care Services designed to give carers a break from their caring role during planned or regular breaks, short holidays or emergencies.

RV: Retirement Village Group of residential premises predominantly occupied by senior citizens who live in apartment style rooms /suite of rooms.

SM HCP: Self-Managed Home Care Packages

A program funded by the Australian Government to support older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own homes. The elderly package receiver can choose the provider(s) and services given, including the workers or contractors, when the services are provided and can control how the funding is spent.

STRC: Short-term Restorative Care

A program which provides services to older people for up to 8 weeks (56 days) to help them delay or avoid long-term care.

VHC: Veteran’s Home Care Home care for eligible veterans, war widows/ widowers through the department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Puzzle Solutions

Jumbo Crosssword Square Maze

A P T O E C F A

C H U T Z P A H C O R R E L A T I O N

A T A E C O E N T

C E R E M O N I O U S D I A C R I T I C

I I B S R E N S F

A D D L E A M A S S D E C I P H E R Z M N I U R E

M E N D I C A N T L I G H T H O U S E

O A T I V R V Z

P I C T U R E S Q U E E S L I M M E R

E H N U U R A P S O E

S C O O T E R I M A T R I M O N I A L

L A T E D R S I U N E M P L O Y E D A X I O M A T I C M E I A N T U S T U D E N T S L E E K S M I M I C

I N E P N E B A L

I N F U R I A T E A C K N O W L E D G E

E S G E A N E A N

S H E P H E R D I N G E P I D E M I C

S D S Y E L E H

G K R D H A R R I E R L L T C

P C S H E E P D O G R M N O O

E K E H A V A N E S E A N Q R

K T H N A I N A R E M O P C G

I X T A X T I W O R L K N G I

N C H S A B K A A L E S R U X

G H R E H C S N I P N E F F A

E I E R R A X P R I Y T I P G

S H L B O L A P A H E J S E H

E U G A D P Y G O E S B I

Jumbo Arrow-Word

CONCERNED

con, concede, concern, concerned, cone, coned, corn, corned, crone, den, don, done, drone, encode, encoder, encore, end, eon, erne, nee, need, neon, nerd, nod, node, none, nor, once, one, redone, rend

TARGET: 17, GOOD: 23, EXCELLENT: 28

OVERJOYED

doe, doer, door, dove, drove, erode, joey, joy, joyed, ode, ore, over, overdo, overjoy, overjoyed, redo, rod, rode, rodeo, roe, rove, roved, voe, yore

TARGET: 13, GOOD: 18, EXCELLENT: 22

CRISIS - EMERGENCY - INFORMATION : INSTANT HELP AVAILABLE BELOW

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE 000 (TRIPLE 000)

Respite offer for readers*

Considering aged care for a loved one?

At Bupa Aged Care, whether for respite short-stay or as a new home, our experienced registered nurses and carers provide the care each resident needs in the way they prefer. Care is first and foremost.

We embrace and support residents to live their day their way, with teams dedicated to their well-being.

People rarely expect to need aged care, but if your family does, we’ll guide you through the steps.

New residents welcome.

For more information or to book a visit, call 1800 954 125 and mention this ad to access the Australian Carers Guide Reader’s respite offer (Ts&Cs apply).*

*Offer details and Ts&Cs available at bupaagedcare.com.au/carer