Senior Living October 2023

Healthcare tops concerns for over 65s Bloomin’ marvellous

By Sonia Isaacs

Beerwah QCWA ladies had a lot of fun with their recent ‘blooming marvellous’ contribution; making a bunch of old fashioned ‘bloomers’ for council’s Bankfoot House education program. Debbie Ives from Beerwah QCWA said the ladies had been approached by Council to sew clothing for the ‘Cheerful Chores with Clementina’ program designed for students in Year 1 and 2 to learn more about pioneer life.

Debbie said the ladies sourced old sheets from local Op shops and had a lot of laughs making the bloomers.

“We were approached to sew old-fashioned garments, so that the clothing the children wash is more reminiscent with pioneer life. By giving the students the opportunity to wash clothes that looked similar to what Clementina wore assists their understanding both of her and the life she lived. We just had so much fun making them!” she said.

Survey results highlights issues

IN A state-wide survey that engaged nearly 5,000 older Queenslanders, healthcare and the cost of living emerged as the most pressing issues for seniors aged 65 and over. The survey, conducted by the Palaszczuk Government to inform the forthcoming Seniors Strategy, provides insights into the priorities and concerns of this demographic.

Healthcare ranked as the paramount concern, with 71 percent of respondents highlighting its significance.

This underscores the critical need for accessible and highquality healthcare services for older Queenslanders.

Additionally, the cost of living was a significant worry for 67 percent of survey participants, highlighting the financial challenges faced by seniors in today’s economy.

Independence and mobility were key priorities for 55 percent of those surveyed, emphasizing the desire to maintain autonomy and the freedom to move around

their communities. Staying in their own homes was another top concern, with 54 percent expressing a strong desire to age in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

The survey also revealed that 81 percent of seniors believed they could easily navigate their communities, thanks to their own vehicles or affordable and user-friendly transport services. Furthermore, 72 percent of respondents felt that their communities provided safe and accessible environments, complete with open spaces, shaded areas, walkways, and public buildings.

Digital literacy and access to information proved to be crucial, with 67 percent expressing confidence in their ability to access the necessary information to stay informed and connected with their communities, family, and friends.

The Seniors Strategy aims to embrace the cultural, social, and economic contributions of seniors.

Helen Johnsen, Krystl Nowaczyk, Debbie Ives, Claudia Little (SCC) and Robyn Baker.

New hearing clinic offers unique facilities to Beerwah, and a wealth of knowledge Chat with conversations

IT is exciting to announce the opening of Beerwah’s first fullservice hearing clinic.

Audiologist, Shevawn Becker, first brought full-time hearing services to Beerwah in 2016, however due to restrictions from the American ownership she was limited in what services could be offered to our local community.

This September she has bravely taken the step in opening her own, independent hearing clinic to offer better and more hearing services to our community and would very much value your support!

Everything in the new clinic

clinic room design.

This extensive maintenance and repair equipment can test the functioning of the hearing aids and also clean the individual parts.

The purchase of this equipment was a significant investment toward providing a gold standard of care to hearing aid wearers, however, Shevawn believes it is a worthy investment in providing a service to her clients that increases the optimal functioning and longevity of hearing aids.

Another first for Beerwah is the availability of Medicare rebates rebates as Shevawn is a registered,

Shevawn is also offering hearing

travel up the coast to receive these services.

Shevawn has lived in our local area for over 35 years and has a background in hearing assessments, hearing aids, cochlear implants, auditory processing, tinnitus management, aural rehabilitation, clinical trainer and researcher at the University of Queensland.

During the last 12 months she has dedicated her time to training in the ‘Buffalo Model of Auditory Processing’ assessment and training, and is currently the only audiologist in Queensland offering this auditory processing.

Auditory processing is what the brain does with what it hears, so through positive changes to the brain we can improve its ability to hear and understand, especially

both children and adults, with or without a hearing loss.

Due to Shevawn’s significant research and interest in brain health she was one of only two Australian audiologists invited to attend an audiology neuroscience conference in the United States last May and she is currently involved in research at UQ in creating global aural hearing rehabilitation program.

Now with Trish joining the hearing clinic using her skills and knowledge gained over 20 years of experience in the hearing profession you can be assured your hearing health will be well cared for.

Pop in and see how your hearing needs can be met at Conversations Hearing Clinic!”

They’re loving retirement

The Glasshouse village with a big heart

IT’S our home and we love it!

That’s

in 2008, the Glasshouse Views Retirement Village until recently, was a McKenzie operation, now purchased by Bolton Clarke, who

Residents live independently, in 24 spacious, purpose built

said Village manager Kristy Brinton.

While living independently, those residents who hold My Aged Care packages can retain the services provided, otherwise, if needed, seek private arrangements. There is also a resident’s caravan parking area.

Residents come from an array of backgrounds, get along well and form friendships; respecting each other and living in peaceful coexistence.

This little village provides a wide variety of activities for enjoyment and fellowship. Activities range from appropriate exercises indoors or in the pool, games afternoons including; board games, croquet, bowls or billiards, craft afternoons, café style coffee mornings with birthday recognition and occasional entertainment, monthly lunch

meetings, a community library and a men’s shed. Movies are routinely shown in the theatre with special dinner events staged. Residents have an upcoming high tea lunch with a movie showing of ‘Mrs Harris Goes to Paris’. All this is enjoyed without leaving the village.

Residents walk in open areas, safe and secure in resort like surroundings. While venturing further afield on bus trips, residents support local venues for events, such as the annual Christmas lunch.

Resident comments include “I wish I’d moved here earlier”, “Don’t leave it too long to move and down size, put your name down to make the choice yourself, while you are still mobile and can enjoy the benefits, rather than have someone (like your family) make it for you,”

Gentle and safe ear wax removal - now available

Excessive or impacted ear wax affects nearly one in ten people causing hearing loss, pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), itching, discharge and other issues. It can be the result of:

• Narrow, hairy or curved ear canals

• Wearing hearing aids, ear plugs or ear bud headphones

• Water sports or working in dusty environments

• Using cotton buds or other objects in the ear

Removing ear wax is a delicate process requiring special training. We offer ear wax removal by registered nurses who are qualified in the same gentle, effective and dry ear microsuction process used by Ear Nose & Throat specialists.

For more information or to make a booking, talk to our friendly reception team.

the ‘catch cry’ of residents at Glasshouse Views Retirement Village.

Time for socialising after a game of croquet with Josie, Leanne, Del, Elaine and Terry

Genealogy SC’s jam packed October Rural women’s day event

QCWA Maleny and Maple St. Co-Op members are inviting the public to meet the local women who produce agricultural goods, to celebrate international rural women’s day on October 15.

The women will provide a wide variety of certified organic and ethically produced food, in which these fresh fruits and vegetables promote the key message of the QCWA Country Kitchens healthy eating program. Enjoy taste testing and sharing their stories.

The CWA Product of the Year, which is Dragon Fruit, will be

The theme of the celebration is “Rural women cultivating good food for all”and highlights the

and girls play in the food systems of the world.

Raffle of fresh produce will be drawn on the day.

The event will be held at the front of Maleny Maple St Co-Op and will run from 9am onwards.

GENEALOGY Sunshine Coast has monthly meetings all year round. Each meeting has a different theme, and take place every third Saturday of each month.

The activity theme for the October meeting is for participants to bring along a baby photo of themselves, and the group will have to guess who is who!

This theme produces a lot of laughter and interesting debate, and next month’s theme for the November meeting is to bring along your favourite hat.

Meetings commence at 9.30am, and are followed by morning tea at 10am, all welcome.

Genealogy Sunshine Coast also has a ‘writing family stories workshop’ run by Lee Goleby on October 28, where she will have lots of tips about how to research

and put a personal diary or journal you would like to write up together.

There are also beginners classes back due to popular demand which will be held on Saturday November 11 and Sunday November 12 from 9.30am-4pm.

Cost is $10/day with morning tea supplied, but book now as the centre already have a wait list.

Don’t forget to enter the date of our ‘Irish Seminar’ to be held on February 16 and 17, 2024 into your diary now for next year.

Come along and find out how to solve your Irish brick walls.

To attend, contact the centre on 5329 2315 or by email on genealogysc@gmail.com.

The centre is located on Petrie Park Rd. opposite the swimming pool in Nambour.

A

week at the Coast

THE Sunshine Coast Friendship Force welcomed 10 ambassadors from Saitama, Japan, in October for a week of activities to showcase our beautiful and

Wellness Physio Program

Are you aged 55 and over?

Would you like to learn how to prevent injury and live your best life?

RangeCare has partnered with local physiotherapists from Sunshine Coast Wellness to create a weekly program that will keep you fit and healthy as you age.

Learn how to help keep your joints happy, improve your heart healt h and learn the importance of integrating movement into your daily life.

The Japanese members were home-hosted with Sunshine Coast members which is the best way to learn about different cultures.

Each day was planned for different experiences such as a day in the scenic hinterland, cruising on the Noosa River, lorikeet feeding at Caloundra, a Surf Life Saving presentation at Mooloolaba beach with fish and chips at the Spit, a visit to Wildlife HQ and, of course, time for shopping. Our cultural journeys continue next year with a week being home-hosted by two German clubs, and our club to host members from Manitoba and Nagasaki. For further information about Friendship Force, contact Jenny on 0448 866 141 or info@ ffsunshinecoast.org.au

Lemurs at Wildlife HQ

Advocates call time on ageism

AUSTRALIANS have been reminded of the harmful and damaging effects of stereotyping, discrimination and mistreatment directed towards older Australians.

EveryAGE Counts, is a national coalition of organisations and individuals including the Australian Human Rights Commission, over 30 local government councils and over 100 community based, advocacy and research organisations working together to tackle these issues in the Australian community.

The results last year of an EveryAGE Counts major national survey of over 1000 people aged 50 years and over, revealed that 68 per cent agreed that ageism against older people is a “serious problem in Australia” and this figure increases as people get older.

EveryAGE Counts campaign spokesperson, Robert Tickner, said: “Ageism is not some hollow empty trendy word.”

“There is hard evidence that stereotyping and discrimination against older people is damaging to the health and well-being of older Australians in many areas,”

he said. “It often starts when people in their earlier 50’s are denied jobs or promotions.

“Later on in life it is often a root cause and contributor to elder abuse and the mistreatment in aged care as exposed by the Aged Care Royal Commission.”

He said the statistics on unemployment of people over 50 reveal a disturbing trend.

Ninety years of history

By Lisa Plucknett

Well, I made it, just turned 90, And I’m joining the Senior Citz; And I guess it’s an achievement, And I’m really thrilled to bits. I might just share our history, Though it’s all computerised; Australia since the 30s, As it’s flashed before my eyes.

intergenerational solidarity.

Older Australians like the rest of the community want to be treated as individuals and not treated differently simply because they are older.”

I recall the closing days of winter, ’39 – Distant days of yore; The stirring voice of Churchill, “I fear we are at war.”

We had Holden cars in ’48, A building boom as well; The farmers were all happy, But the Russians gave us hell.

“Twenty years ago one in 20 people who were unemployed were between 50 and 65 but now that figure has doubled to one in 10, and worse, these people make up a much larger group among the long term unemployed,” he said.

“All of us, if we live into our 50’s or older will be impacted by ageism and that is one of the reasons we support

“There are so many false assumptions about older people which strip them of their agency and right to control their own lives, as our survey also revealed. “Things like false assumptions about the inevitability of dementia as we age, lack of capacity of older people in the workforce when many want to, and are capable of, working, and false assumptions about needing help when many want to be self-reliant. Too often older people are talked down to in the community and in health care which further strips them of their autonomy and dignity.

“Sure some older people may need support but the bottom line is that it is best to see older people as individuals and not make generalised assumptions or gratuitous, thoughtless and offensive jokes about their age.

“Our EveryAGE Counts website (everyagecounts.org.au) features a fabulous publication called

In ’54 the young Queen came, and gave a royal wave, And the PM got all smitten and did a royal rave.

We had conscription in the 60s, Sent boys to Vietnam;

’The Real Old’ which I encourage people to read. It is a myth busting publication blowing false stereotypes about aging out of the water.”

Responding to the Federal Government’s recent Intergenerational report, which highlighted the nation’s ageing population, Monash University’s Dr Pei-Chun Ko said: “Behind such a fiscal prediction drawn from the aging demographic, we may further consider other trends on the population level.”

A gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in an aging population implies a certain level of continuous care

Went all the way with LBJ And our PM went and drowned. And women joined the workforce A feminist called Germaine; Said ‘Toss your bras and burn ‘em Liberation is the name’. We had pills for our protection, Or to take you on a trip, And KFC and Chico Rolls On Everybody’s lips. Credit cards, computers, All part of daily life; Mortgages, gay marriages, and And keeping out of strife. I feel I’m self-sufficient, In my cottage with my cat; Wobbling to 100, Is not where I’m at. I might slip off at 93, While still mobile and intact Feeble in a fuzzy fog Is not a happy act.

required from the health sector and aged care. Besides planning ahead for the care of older adults, it’s important to think about what kind of social infrastructure we can design to sustain the necessary social engagement among older people, reduce the ageism towards older adults, and improve financial wellbeing of older adults. Social and financial wellbeing of older adults will be crucial to empower the agency of this population group,” he said.

Mr Tickner said the nation needed to be a world leader “in the work of tackling ageism and enhancing the quality of life of people growing older in Australia”.

‘Don’t underestimate the value of experience’

All of us, if we live into our 50s or older will be impacted by ageism and that is one of the reasons we support intergenerational solidarity

Join a Plant Based Cooking Program

Cooking programs are of interest to many people in the community especially when they can sample the completed dishes. Here we are presenting food that is wholly plant based, a new concept for many who are used to meat or fish on their plates at mealtimes. However if plant based dishes are cooked with interesting herbs and spices, presented attractively and garnished for eye appeal, many may not even notice the absence

of meat. Research studies have shown that a plant based diet and a change to a healthy lifestyle can reverse many of today’s chronic Western diseases. We aim to present three courses of an international flavour, food that is not only tasty but good for you as well.

Join the next plant-based cooking demonstration on Sunday the October 15 at the Maleny Neighbourhood

book.

Seniors want to have fun

Council on the Ageing planning a host of activities for Seniors across October

OLDER Queenslanders are set to enjoy greater social connections during Queensland Seniors Month with a vivid array of engaging events and colourful activities planned across the state.

Hosted by the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland, Seniors Month will provide opportunities for people across all generations to connect while challenging stereotypes around ageing.

Eighty-one community organisations have received a grant of up to $2,000 to host events

and activities throughout the month.

The third annual Seniors Month celebrations will see older Queenslanders snapping selfies, bowling barefoot and connecting through croquet as communities around the state get involved.

With the 2021 Census showing almost 20% of Queenslanders are aged over 65, Seniors Month is an important time for people across all generations to better understand the challenges and opportunities older Queenslanders provide.

Last year’s Seniors Month celebration set a record for the number of events held, with 1581 events registered in the online calendar, engaging an estimated 146,171 people.

Darren Young, CEO, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland said “Humans have a fundamental need to connect with each other. As we age, our social connections become increasingly important, and the research is clear on the positive impacts social connections have on our health and wellbeing.

“We need caring and supportive communities that foster and support social connections through space, places, and activities, so that people can participate no matter where they live. "COTA Queensland and the Queensland Government value the contribution older people make – whether as volunteers or in the workforce, community leaders or carers, grandparents, or advocates and we take this opportunity to invite you to join in the celebrations.”

https://qldseniorsmonth.org.au/

Organiser Margaret Owens, far right.