PRIME TIMES

CELEBRATING AGE WITH SENIORS WEEK

THE 23rd Tasmanian Seniors Week, the 11th to be organised by COTA Tasmania on behalf of the State Government, is set to go ahead from 11 to 17 October.

More than 380 events are on offer state-wide, with more than half of the events happening in the south.

While the overall number of events is still fewer than pre-pandemic levels, the events on offer are interesting and varied.

People in the northern suburbs will have an array of events happening in their community.

The West Moonah Community House has an interesting selection of events including a quiz lunch, how to make a chopping board, mystery bus trip, and the popular ‘OpShop Crawl’ by bus.

The Golden Years Club will conduct a concert, while line dancing will be held at the Tolosa Hall.

The Glenorchy Library also offers a range of interesting activities and information sessions.

The Hobart area will also offer about 70 events, including physical exercise activities, information events and several entertainment options such as the popular Army Band performing in ‘Afternoon at the Proms’.

The truly adventurous can embark on single or multi-day Lady Nelson sailing tours.

Seniors Week retains its tagline of “Discover. Imagine. Together”, which was introduced several years ago and still resonates perfectly with the objectives of the week.

The free, official 72page printed events guide is available at Service Tasmania, libraries, council offices, community houses, and all Australia Post outlets.

The guide features the popular Daily Planner section, allowing readers to easily identify the events that appeal and make their Seniors Week activity planning easier.

The guide is also entirely replicated online and can be accessed at www.cotatas.org.au/seniorsweek.

Adventures on the Lady Nelson.

11–17 OCT 2021 Seniors Week

More than 380 interesting events around Tasmania!

Get all the details in the official events guide — available now at all Australia Post outlets, Service Tasmania shops, online access centres, local councils, community health centres, community houses, many community pharmacies, or online at www.cotatas.org.au

prime times is published quarterly in the Glenorchy Gazette, Hobart Observer and the Eastern Shore Sun papers - aimed at the over 55’s. To advertise in this feature contact: justine.brazil@corcomms.com.au

E-bike tours to MONA are back again.

workshops in everything

spring program

Arts & Crafts, Performing Arts, Life Skills, Food & Nutrition, Mind Body Spirit, Music

book now @ www.kickstartarts.org/cx

Booking essential for most sessions. Ph: 0455 111 748 Email: creativeexchange@kickstart.org.au

Busy Bisdee to showcase services at public open day

A SPECIAL Open Day this October will showcase the services, activities and opportunities Glenview Community Services offers the local community.

A trusted not-for-profit aged care organisation that opened in 1948, Glenview is a landmark in Glenorchy and offers a range of services designed to help people live life to the full.

Glenview has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community, adding a series of new wings and buildings including the only cottage respite service in southern Tasmania, with hotel-like rooms for low-needs clients, and carers in need of a break.

The Bisdee Community Centre is Glenview’s hub of activity, providing a fun and supportive environment where community members can socialise and meet new friends.

The Centre offers a wide variety of social activities including arts and crafts, cooking, card games, morning teas and fitness classes, plus exciting outings to a range of destinations.

“The aim of the program is to reduce social isolation,” Glenview executive manager, community services Kirsty Bartlett Clark said.

“It provides opportunities for people aged over 65 to come and meet some new people, because it’s not always easy to make new friends as we get older.

“Every Saturday we have our Saturday Socials, where we take a couple of busloads of people out and do all sorts of fun things. We go to festivals, markets, zoos, go fishing and on bushwalks – we try to accommodate whatever our clients want to do.”

Members of the public can see for themselves all that the Bisdee Community Centre has to offer at a special Open Day, coming up as part of Seniors Week in October.

Visitors are invited to tour the respite care rooms, view art and photo displays, stroll through the gardens, and enjoy live music from the Hobart Ukulele Group and country singer Johnny Wright.

Staff from Glenview’s respite accommodation, home care and independent living units will be there to answer all your questions.

The Open Day will be held at 20 Windsor St, Glenorchy from 10am2pm on Tuesday 12 October.

Entry is free, but visitors are asked to book a session via www. trybooking.com/BTCLA

Discover how we care for you, and for yours.

Bisdee offers 24/7 respite care, home support and social groups.

More information at: glenview.org.au/ bisdee-community-centre-open-day

OPEN DAY

10am - 2pm TUE 12 OCTOBER

Come and meet our staff and regulars at Bisdee Community Centre and respite care. If you live independently, ask about the helpful services of our home care and garden teams. We’re looking forward to meeting you at 20 Windsor Street Glenorchy.

Please book by calling 6277 8820 or at: trybooking.com/BTCLA

Hearing Australia helping bring back sound

THESE days, when Sherryl thinks back to what dancing was like before she wore hearing aids, she can afford herself a little giggle.

“It’s quite funny, I was probably feeing the beat a lot sooner than I was hearing it,” she said.

“I know that I made up words to songs and they weren’t the right words, but no one ever really told me about that.

“I started to have some irritating sounds coming through my ears and also pain at times and ringing in the ears.”

However, she put off having her hearing assessed, and she was not alone.

Findings from Hearing Australia’s ‘Share your Secret’ survey of Australians over the age 50 show that despite hearing loss potentially hindering the ability of Australians to live life to the fullest, people are not taking action.

One in four older Australian don’t recall ever having received a hearing test and more than one in five haven’t taken a hearing test in more than five years.

This may be a result of outdated views on hearing aid technology.

Despite hearing aids now being modern, small and discreet, nearly all respondents (87 per cent) said they would be too embarrassed to wear a hearing aid, as they were “ugly and unfashionable”.

Sherryl said the only things she noticed about her hearing aids was the positive difference they had made to her life.

“Once I’ve got my hearing aids on, I don’t even know they’re there,” she said.

“They’re a part of my routine of a morning and I don’t think anything of them other than they’re on me, they’re a part of me and I wouldn’t be able to carry on without them.”

If you’re concerned about your hearing, get in touch with Hearing Australia.

For more than 70 years, Hearing Australia have helped a million Australians with hearing loss discover the secret to celebrating the sounds they love.

Their range includes hearing aids that can be so discreet that people won’t realise they’re wearing one, with three device choices that are free for eligible pensioners under the Hearing Services Program.

For more information, visit Hearing Australia’s stores at Glenorchy Plaza (6271 9400) or Hobart (6221 9500), or hearing. com.au.

MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERING TO THE COMMUNITY

MEALS on Wheels delivers nourishing meals to the doors of those who need assistance to remain living independently at home, providing not only a wholesome meal, but a friendly catch-up on delivery.

“We not only provide a freshly cooked meal, we also provide a safety check to all recipients and peace of mind for family and friends,” Meals on Wheels Tasmania chief executive officer Rebecca Free said.

“As we deliver to most clients regularly, we get to know our clients’ usual movements, and if we know they’re always home and don’t answer their door when our volunteer arrives to deliver their meal, we take steps to follow up with next of kin to ensure the wellbeing of the client.

“This is what sets Meals on Wheels apart from many other ‘drop and go’ meal providers.

“The social connection, the interaction with the volunteer, the chance to have a chat to a familiar and friendly face is just as important as the delivery of the meal itself.”

Meals on Wheels offers a wide variety of choices in most areas they service, to ensure there is always something that appeals to clients and caters to special dietary, allergy and texture requirements.

“We offer many gluten free options, vegetarian meals and our meals are diabetic friendly,” Ms Free said.

“Our main meals come with the required levels of protein for an older person, five different vegetables that provide important nutrients and most importantly, meet the National Meals on Wheels Guidelines developed in partnership with the University of Wollongong.”

Meals on Wheels encouraged people to reach out to them if they were interested in volunteering.

Volunteering for Meals on Wheels requires a current Tasmanian unrestricted driver’s licence and a current Tasmanian Police Check (which Meals on Wheels pays for).

Branches are located across the south, northern Midlands, north-west coast and east coast of Tasmania.

For more information about receiving meals, or to discuss volunteering opportunities, phone the Meals on Wheels state office 1800 696 325 or email office@mowtas. org.au.

Susan, right, delivering to Cheryl.

With savings at over 550 Tasmanian and interstate outlets, choosing a business in the 2021-2022 Seniors Card Directory has never been easier. Remember to look for the sign or ask if Seniors Card is accepted. To live more and pay less pick up your free copy of the Directory at Service Tasmania, Libraries Tasmania or Visitor Information Centres. You can also access a copy online at seniors.tas.gov.au or by calling 1300 13 55 13.

Tasmania

New clients and volunteers always welcome!

We Nourish. A meal delivered to your door. Nutritious meals can be provided up to 7 days a week for short or long term periods. Services are flexible and can be stopped and started as required. We Care. A safety and wellbeing check. Our trusted friendly staff and volunteers monitor the health and wellbeing of those they service and provide peace of mind for family members. We Strengthen Communities. A service that brings people together. At a time when things are becoming more impersonal, we provide opportunities for people to work, volunteer and help in their own communities.

More than just a meal

Meals on Wheels Association of Tasmania Inc

PH: 1800 MYMEAL (1800 696 325) | Email: office@mowtas.org.au | www.mowtas.org.au

Thank you for trusting us

It has been a challenging 18 months for everyone.

We, at South Eastern Community Care, want to thank our clients for the trust you place in us as we continue to provide services to you. We assure you we are doing all we can to ensure our clients, staff and the community stay safe while we assist you to remain independent in your own home.

We are locals caring for locals! For all enquiries, please call 6269 1200 visit www.secommunitycare.com.au or facebook.com/secommunitycare

Hearing Loss – Why do we wait so long to get help?

AROUND 3.6 million Australians suffer from hearing impairment.

A recent study published in the ‘International Journal of Audiology’ found that only seven per cent of those who need hearing aids actually seek help.

“Often, people are pushed into getting a test as their family is frustrated,” audiologist Nick Modrovich said.

“It is easy to forget that being told you need a hearing aid can be quite confronting.

“For many clients, hearing aids signify the first perception of ageing, it can sometimes be the reason why someone may delay getting help for years.”

The sociopsychological aspects of correcting hearing loss cannot be underestimated.

In Australia, pensioners are entitled to subsidised hearing aids under the Commonwealth Hearing Services Program.

However, a recent independent review found that more than half of all eligible people with hearing loss were not actively taking advantage of the services available.

“Part of the reluctance is thinking that hearing aids are large and very noticeable,” Mr Modrovich said.

“It is part of the stigma of hearing loss and ageing unfortunately.

“Nowadays, hearing aids are discreet and designed in such a way that you can barely see them on the ears.

“It has made our jobs a lot easier, but we would still like to see more people seek the help that they need.”

Recent advances in hearing technology means that people can now stream phone calls directly into their hearing aids, as well as adjust the volume and programs via an app on a mobile phone.

This technology is fully subsidised by the Commonwealth pension program and available at Ability Hearing and Balance.

For more information or to apply for the Hearing Services Program, phone Ability Hearing and Balance on 1300 327 776.

Providing mobility for all

THE best way to get the right home care products or mobility aids is by talking with the experts at Mobility4All.

Located at 23 Derwent Park Rd, Derwent Park, Mobility4All’s showroom is easily accessed with free parking right at the front door and is stocked with a large range of mobility products.

In addition to the wide range of mobility aids, Mobility4All also sell, service and repair mobility scooters, powerchairs, wheelchairs, walkers/rollators and daily living aids, which enable customers to live at home for longer and get the most out of every day.

The staff at Mobility4All understand that everyone has different requirements, and they believe in the importance of discussing your circumstances – this way they can best advise you on which products are most suitable.

As a specialist store, Mobility4All appreciates the value of backing up its products with after-sales service, so if anything goes wrong, the team who know the products insideout will fix the issue either at the store or visit you in your home if required.

With a range of quality mobility products, Mobility4All boast a huge range of goods and services to make daily living easier and more comfortable.

For more information, phone 6273 8300 or email info@mobility4all. com.au.

INDEPENDENT LIVING + MOBILITY Tasmania’s only stairlift specialist

Cnr Sunderland St & Derwent Park Rd Moonah Ph (03) 6273 8300 I info@mobility4all.com.au 53 Sunderland St (Crn Derwent Park Rd) Moonah Contact us for a quote today: P: 1300 919 406 or 6272 2966 Personal service and easy off street parking www.mobility4all.com.auE: info@stairlifttasmania.com.au

23 Derwent Park Rd,

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