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INDEX 3 12 13 21 22 27 31

News - Australia’s newest PhD Community group guide Wanderlust What’s on Wellbeing Money Puzzles

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Good health & wellbeing at a price

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MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Longevity: debits/credits Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor THIS month we honour Dr David Bottomley’s life-long learning journey.

Regardless of age, his curiosity to know, learn and contribute to society seems unabated, and they’re the qualities I’m sure we would all like to keep intact.

However, besides academic learning, we, as elders, have a good deal to share with other generations. Personally, I love a day at the river with my granddaughter just chatting about everything we see around us – there’s so much to explore, explain and enjoy as we share our lives.

As we know, one of the key factors changing the world today is increased longevity.

The same as everything else, these extra years have their debits and credits.

This month, our regular double-page feature investigates how authorities are dealing with ageing prisoners. For instance, people in wheelchairs need wider corridors, dementia patients require alternative caring and, ultimately, the big question: should the needs of ageing prisoners be facilitated within the prison system or should they be settled in nursing homes?

And if you don’t think this particular issue has relevance to you, then consider Japan.

According to WHO figures (2015), this is the place humans live the longest.

Japan ranks number one in life expectancy for women (90.1 years) and men (85.1 years).

However, Japan also has the world’s largest ageing prison population – and it seems much of this can be due to social isolation.

Since Australians too are living longer, I see a clear message here on the importance of community relations in our older lives.

Our Wellbeing and Living pages have a wide range of tips on how to lead our best senior lives - from including sunscreen in our morning routine to better sleep habits and yes, if you have the space, how to grow grapes and of course, we always end with our whopper puzzle.

Enjoy.

CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 0413 988 333 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 1300 880 265 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Sue Germany – 0408 286 539 sue.germany@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Northern NSW Seniors Newspaper”.

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Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.

Try travelling solo but not single

Achievement awards presented

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT: Alf Smith was awarded the Seniors Local Achievement Award. Photo: Doug Eaton

AT A morning tea held at the office of Deputy Speaker and Member for Lismore Thomas George on February 21, Alf Smith was awarded the Seniors Local Achievement Award for Service to St Paul’s Church and Pastoral Care and support to locals.

Alf has served St Paul’s Presbyterian Church for more than 14 years. His achievements include being appointed to the committee of management in 1994; in 1998 he was inducted as an elder; in 2009 he was

appointed acting session clerk; and in 2010 he was appointed session clerk.

Alf still holds both of these roles today.

Following his induction as an elder and appointment as session clerk, in the absence of the minister Alf has conducted church services, funerals and holy communion at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Lismore.

Alf also received recognition for celebrating 50 years of providing first aid and CPR training to the community.

At the same morning tea, Elizabeth Trevan was awarded 2019 Local Woman of the Year.

Elizabeth (Beth) is an exceptional woman who was born and raised in Lismore and has been an active member of the community her entire life.

Never one to stand back in the face of injustice or too afraid to right what is wrong, she has been instrumental in creating programs, changing laws, policies and procedures in whatever she has put her

hand to.

Her CV lists pages of organisations that she has been involved in, numerous accolades that she has received, along with many other accomplishments.

One of Beth’s most recent crusades has been the preparation and delivery of the Lismore Citizens’ Review of the March 2017 Flood. Beth recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. She is the mother of four, a grandmother of five and an inspiration to many.

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SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

COVER STORY

3

Australia’s newest PhD Dr gives new life to old knowledge Tracey Johnstone DAVID Bottomley AM is Australia’s newest and oldest PhD graduate after completing his study of ancient school education methods that he believes have relevance to today’s school teachers.

The 94-year-old said his wife, Anne, joked with him that he was a bit slow in getting a PhD, but after seven years of study he finished one year ahead of schedule.

Dr Bottomley finished his first degree in 1948, took up teaching science and maths before moving into working in and studying social and market research.

In 2008, 60 years after his first degree, he completed a Masters in Education.

His love of study and of stretching his mind beyond the norm is in his blood. His father was a minister who welcomed his children to his library.

“I worked my way up from the lowest shelf that I could reach,” he said.

That experience instilled in him an enthusiasm to question everything.

“It’s just a normal process where whatever you are placed in, you want to understand it and question it,” the scholar said.

He cited the Royal Society of London’s motto that a science person should question, never just accept, and look for correlation.

His brother Bob, who has a PhD in enzymatic chemistry, worked with the local flour millers during WWII to transform the protein level of Victorians.

He has a daughter, aged in her 60s, studying for a PhD in music and a granddaughter finishing a degree in medicine.

Dr Bottomley’s Doctor of Philosophy was achieved through West Australia’s Curtin University and under the guidance of Distinguished Professor David Treagust.

“I took five headmasters of equal positions in the 19th

LIFELONG LEARNING: Australia’s oldest PhD graduate, Curtin University’s Dr David Bottomley AM with his wife, Anne.

Photo: Jaimi Joy century, who were quite well known in the field of history of science, and I looked for the similarities and differences within these five,” he said.

Each teacher created within the school curriculum situations which Dr Bottomley’s described as “leading to students fitting in and running within a stimulating environment

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to higher learning for themselves”.

Not surprisingly, about half his small home in Melbourne is taken up with his study materials which have grown to almost 80 lever-arch files full of his research.

“It’s a rather crowded one,” Dr Bottomley says with a chuckle.

“I am now redistributing the files with ideas for the

next step.”

The idea of stopping vigorously exercising his mind is all but a brief lapse in this exceptional man’s thinking.

He jokes he is in “great need of a haircut”, and since finishing his PhD, feeling “bored stiff”.

But that is doubtful.

While he might, for a brief moment, have wondered what he would do with himself each day, it’s taken no time for his curiosity to reassert itself.

While Dr Bottomley addresses his need to get more active by heading out the door, pushing his walker around and studying his world, his mind is actively considering his next intellectual challenge.

He has already identified as an outcome of his PhD thesis the subject of his next area of study; “exploring the concomitance of creativity in schools”.

He wants to find some area of interest from this research that will be valuable to current school teachers.

Also on the radar is the wellbeing of his wife of 68

years. Anne lives in an aged care facility close-by.

Dr Bottomley visits her three or four times a week and has keenly observed the environment she is living in.

“We can change our focus by changing one letter,” he said.

Care to cure is what he is talking about.

“The challenge today is cure. What I hope to explore is people with different skills, crossfertilising with each other,” he said.

“I would love to be in the position to make a presentation to this Royal Commission about nursing homes because what I want to say is, ‘heaven’s sake, change the idea of care to cure and you change the whole axis of your thinking about one of the huge problems of today’.

“There is an enormous amount here I don’t know, but I hope to explore.

“I wonder how many vested interests are going to resist me?”

The learning journey is ongoing for this scholar, who happily describes life as “really exciting”.

NEWS

4

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Sign up for Masters hit Lismore Workers Masters Games, September 27-29

Tania Phillips THE countdown is on and entries are open for the biennial Lismore Workers Masters Games to be held from September 27-29.

The event attracts more than 1500 people to Lismore to socialise, meet up with friends and enjoy three days of fun and fitness.

Lismore City Council events officer Leanne Clark said the Games had become a major event on the town’s calendar.

“We absolutely love the Masters Games – the event is just so positive,” Leanne said. “All our competitors love playing sport but the Masters Games is not all about winning. It’s about taking part, hanging with your mates and enjoying the camaraderie that sport offers.”

Leanne said the 2019 Lismore Workers Masters Games would be extra special as they celebrate

20 years since the event, which is held every second year, was created.

“We cannot believe this event has been going for two decades,” she said.

“Some of our youngest players when we started are now our senior Masters.

“But that’s how much people love the event – many have been coming since it started back in 1999.

“We are also celebrating two decades of sponsorship by the Lismore Workers Club.

“The club came on board as the naming rights sponsor right from our very first Games and has been a faithful partner ever since. We would like to thank them for their unwavering support of the Masters Games and our sporting community.”

The Masters Games, held across numerous Lismore sporting venues, offers 20 sports to choose from and a high-quality social

GAME ON: From left, Lismore City Council’s Mitch Lowe, Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith, Masters Games chairman Matt Barlow and Lismore Workers Club president Ian Harmon launch the Masters Games 2019. Photo: Contributed program to entertain all competitors.

Lismore City Council’s tourism and events manager Mitch Lowe said the Masters Games also provided an important economic boost for the city, with around $1 million injected into the local

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“In the past 20 years, the Lismore Workers Masters Games has gone from strength to strength and we have competitors flying in from right across Australia,” Mitch said.

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NEWS

5

Survivor paddles a positive future Dragon Boat paddling offers path to recovery from treatment

POSITIVE: Christine Lonie at the Tweed Seniors Awards at Banora Point.

Photo:

LOSING family members to breast cancer and being diagnosed with the disease herself wasn’t a death sentence for Murwillumbah’s Christine Lonie – far from it.

Instead, Chris used her family tragedies to help herself and others by forming the Dragons Abreast Dragon Boat Club in Murwillumbah.

Thanks to a grant from the Murwillumbah Services Memorial Club and support from CWA clubs, Chris and other members of the Dragons Abreast Club are hoping to head out to Lismore, Alstonville and Casino later this year to offer support and talk about breast cancer survival and the things you can do after treatment and surgery.

It is just the next step for Chris, who has fought the disease herself, watched others around her go through the fight

Tania Phillips and is determined to give something back.

“A Canadian doctor, Dr Don McKenzie, 20 years ago was trying to come up with an exercise for women that had breast cancer surgery or treatment, because sometimes you lose your lymph glands, so a lot of women were getting lymphoedema in their arms,” Chris said. “He came across Dragon Boat paddling and that was in Vancouver and it’s just blossomed.”

Chris said the sport was not only good for the upper body, but for the entire body as a whole, because participants are heaving and pulling.

For Chris, the involvement in the sport started because of her family’s history of breast cancer.

“I lost my mother in ’85

to breast cancer, my older sister in 2006 and my younger sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and then I was as well, but that was after the club was formed,” she said.

“But I lost my sister in ’06 and from then on I was trying to find something to reach out to the community to do something for breast cancer survivors because I obviously couldn’t help my own sister. And that was where the club started.

“Dragons Abreast Gold Coast brought a boat down to Condong in 2007 and I saw a little snippet in the paper, and I thought maybe that’s what we could do in this area. And so my younger sister and I started paddling with those girls and spent the ’07 trying to form our club in Murwillumbah.” The club finally took off at the annual Kids In Need

Dragon Boat Regatta in early December at Jack Evans Boat Harbour and hasn’t looked back.

“So now we’ve got two clubs – Coolangatta/Mt Warning and Dragons Abreast Mt Warning all under the one club banner – it’s just a sporting club and our Dragons Abreast club which is made up of breast cancer survivors and their supporters.”

The clubs work together to raise money to buy boats and equipment. The next project is to find some land and build a permanent clubhouse on the banks of the Tweed River.

The clubs are working with Tweed Shire Council to find some permanent land for a clubhouse to be set up. In the meantime, Council has found some land by the pump station on the river where the clubs have been able to set up their storage containers.

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NEWS

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Celebrating dedication Tweed seniors recognised for helping their communities

WHEN it comes to celebrating all things seniors, the annual Seniors Week NSW celebrations offer a great opportunity to shine a light on local high achievers.

In Tweed, eight locals with long histories of helping their community were recognised with Seniors Local Achievement Awards at the opening ceremony of Seniors Week at Banora Point Community Centre in mid February.

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the awards were a chance to thank seniors for the work they do in the community.

“Whether it is volunteering for a charity, lending a helping hand at a local sporting club or caring for a loved one, older Australians do so much to make our families and communities stronger,” Mr Provest said.

Uki’s Barry Harding was

one of those honoured on the day for his work with the Bushfire Brigade, though he insisted wife Di should share in the award for all she had done behind the scenes over the more than 50 years of service Barry had given his community.

“I have just been trying to give back what I got when I was a kid,” Barry said after receiving his award. “We started the Bushfire Brigade in 72 – I have the minutes from the first meeting at home.”

And community service runs in the family according to Di Harding.

“It’s funny. Our son joined the fire brigade too.

He’s in his mid-forties now, he was only 16 and he was made fire captain for 10 years. They both have life membership now, father and son.”

Barry is someone you call on when something is needed – getting sports grounds in place for the town, setting up the SES, football and touch football too. “He was instrumental

Uki's Barry Harding is congratulated by members of his family after winning an award at this year's NSW Seniors Week awards.

Photo: Contributed in getting a grant for the tennis clubhouse,” Di added. “He did the ground work on that. Also helped get the pub going too (after it burned down).”

And though he’s now at

a time when retirement should beckon, you can bet if Uki needs anything then Barry will be ready to put up his hand again.

Others recognised were U3A Tweed Coast and

Kingscliff Friends of The Library stalwart Rachel Hawkens, Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers Ron Potter, Robert Brown, Mary Grant and Joy Kendrick, Dragon’s Abreast founder

Christine Lonie and Michael Fiddy, for his promotion of physical and social wellbeing in the community.

The festival theme was “Love your Life”.

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SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

NEWS

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NEWS

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Early test for new boss Improved standards of aged care top of agenda

THE new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner has a big job ahead of her, keeping watch over a rapidly changing sector as it provides vital services for older Australians, writes Jennifer Hullick.

After the dire challenges faced by aged care service recipients and providers in recent years – with the Oakden nursing home tragedy at the forefront – the sector is undergoing major change across Australia, says new federal Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson.

Anderson took up her position on January 2, at the head of the new national commission which replaces the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency.

The commission’s purpose is to hold aged care service providers to account and to attend to recipients’ complaints.

“Under our Act, we are required to ... enhance the safety, health, quality of life and wellbeing of aged care recipients,” Anderson said.

“It’s making sure that aged care providers receiving Commonwealth subsidies are doing the job that is expected of them.

“Those standards – which are about to change – set out as clearly as possible the way in which services need to be delivered, but more particularly the outcome being sought from the delivery of care.

AGED CARE ROYAL COMMISSION ❚ It’s been a baptism of fire for new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson, with The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety opening in Adelaide on January 18 just two weeks after she started in the job ❚ Senior Counsel Assisting Peter Gray told the preliminary hearing that 54 per cent of submissions raised issues about unsafe care, while 59 per cent aired concerns about staffing ratios ❚ The first formal hearings of the Royal Commission were held in mid-February

The new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Janet Anderson, is determined to ensure that aged care providers receiving government subsidies are meeting the standards expected of them.

Photo: Britta Campion “My audit teams go into nursing homes and look at the home care services and make an assessment of the extent to which those services are compliant with the standards.

“That’s a core function.”

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said the new commission would better target substandard care and work to ensure the safety of older Australians.

“A single commissioner overseeing compliance monitoring, complaints and customer service means no more silos,” Wyatt said.

“For the first time, senior Australians and their loved ones have one place to go when they need help, want to raise a concern or access information about an aged care service.

“The commission will also be empowered by the

new aged care Charter of Rights and will implement the new, stronger set of Aged Care Quality Standards, the first upgrade of standards in 20 years.”

Speaking soon after taking on the new role, Anderson said she was optimistic about the future of the sector, with ongoing changes aimed at improving outcomes for older people.

“We are also looking to

develop Consumer Experience Reports by home care recipients,” she said.

The report system is an innovation recently introduced in nursing homes, which is revealing a raft of additional information previously unavailable to watchdog agencies or consumers.

“If you go on our website, you can search by nursing home and find what the residents are

saying and their feedback on the care they are receiving,” Anderson said.

“We haven’t yet introduced that for home care recipients but we are looking at the design ... so we can get the voice of the home care consumer as richly as we’ve now managed it for nursing home recipients.”

Anderson said, in more than 90 per cent of cases, the commission had been able to achieve a resolution of consumer complaints to the agency.

To fulfil its role, the commission has regional offices in every jurisdiction except the Northern Territory, which is serviced from Adelaide, with auditors making local visits to nursing homes and checking the standard of services from home care and home support providers.

Spotlight on an NRSO musician - Richard Williams

LOVE THE BEAT: Richard Williams plays timpani.

FOR this concert we highlight the role of Richard Williams, one of the core musicians in the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra who has been performing in our percussion section for over a decade. The veteran timpanist is also a committee member and stage manager – he is always there to perform the arduous task of setting up the stage before every concert and packing up afterwards.

Here, we ask Richard to tell us a little about himself:

How did you decide to become a timpani player?

At age 13 my mother took me to an orchestral concert of The St Louis Symphony Orchestra. I was immediately fascinated with the percussion players, especially the timpani player. The timpanist was considered the solo position in the orchestra.

The timpanist plays similar notes as the trumpet and string bass players, and is very dominant in a lot of classical pieces of music by all the great

composers. I got private lessons from the late great Rholand Koloff.

When did you arrive in the Tweed region and how did you find the NRSO? I arrived in the Tweed Heads area in 2005 and had just finished my 23 years as solo timpanist with the Queensland Pops Orchestra under the late conductor, Colin Harper. I was invited to play solo timpani for the NRSO under its founder, Barry Singh. . Barry offered me the position as solo timpanist for the NRSO

and I have been playing ever since.

Tell us about one of your favourite classical pieces that you like to perform and why is it special?

My favourite classical pieces are the symphonies of Gustav Mahler as they use a lot of timpani and percussion. My first ever piece of music I performed as solo timpanist was Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique in San Francisco when I was just 16 years of age. The interesting thing is that

Berlioz used the timpani to portray thunder for the storm scene in his symphony. The same storm sounds are required for Beethoven Symphony No. 6, (Pastoral Symphony), in which I will play the timpani thunder sounds in the 3rd movement. The upcoming concert Pastoral Interlude by the NRSO will be on Sunday, April 7 at 2.30pm at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre conducted by Dr Warwick Potter.

To purchase tickets, go to nrso.com.au.

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

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NEWS

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

The new, true costs of Tracey Johnstone PHIL Goulding stopped talking. It was only for a few moments, but the silence was noticeable.

Up until then our conversation had been flowing freely.

You see, we were talking about the face of ageing prisoners in Australia and it was quickly evident there is a lot of sensitivity around the subject.

Mr Goulding is the deputy general manager of operations at Melbourne’s Wintringham, a specialist aged care provider for the homeless and disadvantaged. He is a member of a growing cohort of professionals across Australia gradually peeling back the layers to reveal the challenges for ageing prisoners who are in custody, rehabilitation or on release from prison, and for the corrective and justice health care workers managing these people.

The professionals are focused on people aged 50 and over; in the prison system they are considered ‘ageing’.

Many of them have entered the system with chronic health issues brought on by drug and alcohol use, poor nutrition, lack of medical care and, for some, after spending a lot of their life in both prison and juvenile detention.

All of this escalates age-related illnesses.

Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) researcher Matthew Willis said these factors often resulted in high levels of physical, mental health and cognitive impairment, and higher vulnerability to victimisation within the general prison population.

These ageing prisoners fall loosely into four categories – recidivists, first-time prisoners incarcerated at an older age, inmates who are growing old in prison due to long sentences, and those who commit crime as a result of cognitive damage or decline.

GOING UP

The number of senior prisioners is increasing and so too is the cost of providing appropriate aged care health support and facilities which they have a right to access as stipulated under the UN Human Rights Committee in its International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights . In particular, this states the

AGEING JUSTICE: A snapshot of life inside the NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network at Long Bay Correctional Centre. Photo:

NSW Justice Health

Dr Natasha Ginnivan, Justice Health Program, Uni New South Wales. right of a prisoner to be treated with humanity, dignity and respect while in detention.

At June 30, 2018 there were 5,554 prisoners aged 50 years and over – 94.3 per cent male and 5.7 per cent female – adding to Australia’s burgeoning prison population.

This is an increase of 81.6 per cent between 2001 and 2010, and another increase of 67 per cent from 2010 to 2018.

At the same June date there were 1,156 prisoners aged 65 years

and over – 97.2 per cent male and 2.7 per cent female.

Between 2001 and 2010 there was an increase of about 128 per cent, and a further increase of 119.4 per cent during the years to 2018.

The ABS in its Prisoners in Australia Report 2018 noted 62 per cent of the prisoners aged 65 and over have a “serious offence/charge of sexual assault and related offences”.

The increase in numbers isn’t due solely to an ageing Australian population.

“Another part of it is some of the changes we have had to sentencing laws and parole laws,” Mr Willis said.

Parole is now harder to get, which can result in people staying in prison for longer.

There has also been improvements in DNA technology, investigative techniques and information handling which have all impacted on prosecuting old offences, including sex offences which can carry long life sentences.

The consequence of the growth in older prisoners is an increase in remand costs due to specialist service delivery and facilities, changes to prison activities and upskilling correction and health services staff to cater for this cohort.

In 2013-14 it was costing about $292 per prisoner per day according to the Report on Government Services 2015.

The 1999 AIC report Elderly inmates: issues for Australia calculated that cost increases three-fold for ageing prisoners.

WHO’S IN CHARGE

Currently eight jurisdictions look after prisoner welfare in Australia, each with its

own ageing prisoner management approach.

UNSW Kirby Institute researcher Dr Natasha Ginnivan suggests it’s time for a national policy approach to deal with accelerated ageing.

“Because there isn’t a management plan in place for dementia, cognitive impairment or frailty, or pre-frailty which is a measure that has been used in population ageing, we don’t know the prevalence of some of the muscular-skeletal and mild cognitive concerns within this population,” Dr Ginnivan said.

“We know that when they get to a certain stage it becomes very expensive to house them when they are frail, not withstanding the human rights issues around providing appropriate care.”

NSW, then Queensland and Victoria have the greatest number of ageing prisoners.

In NSW, a Correction Services spokesperson reports most of the state’s older inmates are in mainstream facilities and their medical or disability concerns are considered, including placement in bottom bunks or ground floor placement.

“The infrastructure at some facilities has also been modified with

hand-rails above beds and in bathrooms, easy-to-use taps and ramps in yards,” the spokesperson said.

Elderly and frail inmates are located in the Long Bay Aged Care Rehabilitation Unit and the Kevin Waller Unit.

Old-age and neuro psychiatrist Dr Sharon Reutens said NSW had speciality psychiatrists and geriatricians, and speciality units to address the problems around dementia in ageing prisoners.

Corrections Victoria (CV) developed a framework for 2015-2020 which identifies actions around designing and managing its correction services to meet the needs of its ageing prisoners. Subsequently, CV last month entered a contract with Wintringham.

Mr Goulding said: “We’ve been asked to provide advice on older prisoners and assessing them for their care needs.”

“It’s a really positive step. It’s the first time there is an acknowledgement that there is a gap.”

Over the next three years they will look at two prisons to identify aged care needs, including where some prisoners

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

NEWS

ageing prisoners

A world grappling with longevity issues

Gail Forrer

Acacia Prison in West Australia which has speciality aged care facilities included its design. Photo: Russell Barton won’t admit their needs as they don’t want to be transferred.

“At the end of the project, then further planning will be done.”

Many of Victoria’s ageing prisoners are in a handful of centres such as Port Phillip Prison and the Hopkins Correctional Centre, which has recently been refurbished specifically to cater for prisoners needing aged care support.

The Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) spokesperson said “while prison can be a challenging environment for older prisoners, every reasonable effort is made to support them while in our custody”.

CRITICAL CHALLENGES

In most states correctional facilities are cognisant of, or acting on, providing some facilities for ageing prisoners.

But Dr Reutens questions how will justice health not only identify, but also cater for the complexities of dementia.

“We need a societal discussion about it,” she said.

“I think it has to stem from what is the purpose of prison and does

FORETOLD forewarned: Increased longevity is a fact of life in many parts of the planet, but it is Japan that boasts the world’s best longevity rates, with 27.3 per cent of its citizens 65 years or older.

However, on the flip side of the coin, complaints and arrests involving elderly Japanese people, and women in particular, are taking place at rates above those of any other demographic in the country.

Almost one in five women in a Japanese prison is a senior. Their crimes are usually minor – nine in 10 senior women who’ve been convicted were

‘‘

Long Bay Correctional Centre staff help elderly inmates tend to their bonsai plants.

Photo: Corrective Services NSW

incarcerating cognitively impaired people fulfil the purpose of the prison which is to deter and rehabilitate.

“Can that be adequately addressed by imprisonment in a culturally impaired population?

“It’s really hard in prison because everything is done for you.

“You don’t make your breakfast, you have no household chores; all your activities for living are

Phil Goulding, deputy general manager at the not-for-profit organisation Wintringham.

Photo:

Victoria's Hopkins Correction Centre which was recently refurbished to include speciality aged care facilities.

Photo: Scott Burrows taken over so it can be really hard to identify.

Someone can slip under the radar until they are quite demented.”

When it comes to leaving prison at the end of a sentence or when parole is available, the options are limited if the person has aged care needs.

“Where do you put a sex offender?” Mr Goulding asked.

“In a good world, once you have done your time, everything is fine.”

Mr Willis said: “In the case of older people, you are potentially releasing people who have completed their sentence at quite an advanced age and needing specialist care and specialist type of accommodation, and in a

lot of cases not having family and people who can provide that kind of support for them.”

Under 65 the choice is NDIS. Over 65, it’s My Aged Care.

But the wait times can be up to two years.

“There can be a hiatus on release for some older prisoners and then they will probably end up with a GP or in a hospital and the system will pick them up,” Mr Willis said.

The QCS said on release it connects eligible prisoners to the NDIS and aged care services.

In Melbourne, Wintringham has an accommodation facility.

In Sydney there is a new HammondCare venue.

“HammondCare does not

11

Almost one in five women in a Japanese prison is a senior. found guilty of shoplifting.

As social policies are formed to serve increasing longevity in the Australian population, reasons behind the imprisonment rate of Japanese seniors for minor crimes is something that should be kept in mind.

The minor nature of the crimes appears to be a cry for help in a

Part of the bonsai collection at NSW's Long Bay Correctional Centre.

Photo: Corrective Services NSW

discriminate based on the criminal history of any potential residents,” residential care general manager Angela Raguz said.

“When the Darlinghurst aged care venue for homelessness people is open, entry will be based

world where the social position of a very old (in numbers), yet healthy and active person has not yet been established long enough to have attained associated community institutions, structures and societal relations.

In some cases these seniors are the first of three or four generations of family but are unable to access help from busy younger family members, or perhaps they are coping as the first and only generation.

While we live longer lives, adjustments need to be made to social, emotional and/or financial resources available.

Japanese statistics show that from 1980 to 2015, the number of seniors living alone increased more than sixfold, to almost six million.

And a 2017 survey by Tokyo’s government found that more than half of the seniors caught shoplifting lived alone, while 40 per cent either don’t have family or rarely speak with relatives.

These people often say they have no one to turn to when they need help.

Further research by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and the International Women’s Media Foundation identified women as suffering not only financial strain, but loneliness and a lack of purpose.

Sadly, prison was where they found a roof over their head and regular meals, along with companionship.

Source: Various associated stories including Bloomberg Report on several factors including the physical, psychological and social needs of potential residents, as well as the safety of staff and other residents.”

There is the opportunity for the issues around the health and wellbeing of ageing prisoners, which currently seems to be bubbling away under the surface of the community, to be addressed through the Aged Care Royal Commission.

A spokesperson for the Commission said it may accept submissions on prison aged care and other services offered in prisons

12

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Community notes

Community group guide TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more neighbourhood news, please keep notices short and to the point (100 word maximum). If you would like to submit a photo ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces, in a nice bright setting. Email editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au.

TWEED HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

WE ARE holding a Trivia Night at the South Tweed Community Centre, Cnr Heffron St & Minjungbal Dr, South Tweed on April 10. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Cost is $10 pp. Tea, coffee & biscuits available. BYO drinks, nibbles & glasses. Great fun and prizes to be had.

Maximum number in a team is 6. Don’t worry if you don’t have a team – we’ll find a place for you.

Phone 07 5599 9029 to book.

TWEED HEADS BRIDGE CLUB

WE WILL be running bridge lessons from

Saturday, March 2 from 9am to 11am for 8 weeks.

Cost: $50 for the 8 sessions including morning tea and course notes. Bookings necessary. Phone 07 5536 1570 for the club, 0427 171 007 for Roslyn Hand, Secretary or email tweedbridgeclub @bigpond.com. Located in Recreation St.

BEGINNERS LINE DANCING

FREE lessons for novice beginners. Learn to line dancing for fun, relaxation and exercise. All ages, don't need a partner.

Phone 0403 225 313.

Friday 9.30am (dst): Beginners. 10.30am:

DESERVING RECIPIENT: Austin Curtin, National Party candidate for the seat of Lismore, with Elizabeth Trevan 2019 Local Woman of the year and Thomas George, State Member for Lismore.

Photo: Doug Eaton Early Intermediate.

Pottsville Community Hall, 1 Tweed Coast Rd (opp Ambrose Brown Park) Pottsville.

ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS AT TINTENBAR HALL

CARPET BOWLS: a social, chatty game with morning tea, fortnightly on a Friday 10am-noon , March 22, April 5 and 19. . Phone Marg on 02 6687 8033.

PROBUS CLUBS

Hastings Point/Tweed Coast

e d u l r e t n I l a r o t s a P NORTHERN RIVERS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROUDLY PRESENTS

Conductor - Dr Warwick Potter

SOLOISTS: Billy Richardson (Oboe) Nathan Christen (Clarinet) Preston Ellis (French Horn) Gabrielle Kerin (Bassoon)

• MOZART

Overture to the Magic Flute KV 620

• MOZART

Sinfonia Concertante K 297b

• BEETHOVEN

Symphony No.6 OP 68 (Pastoral)

Date:

Sunday 7th April 2019

Time:

2:30pm - NSW Time

Tweed Heads Civic Centre, Brett Street, Tweed Heads Tickets: Adults: $45 – Concession $40 Student $20 – School Children 18yrs and under free (accompanied by concert going adult) Tickets can be purchased at:

Venue:

Online at www.nrso.com.au Murwillumbah Music on 02 6672 5404 (credit card facility) Box office at Tweed Heads Civic Centre Mon 1st - Fri 5th April 10am – 3pm (cash only please) Tickets also available at the door if not sold out (cash only please)

NORTHERN RIVERS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA www.nrso.com.au

6957683aa

Enquiries & Bookings 0478 012 324

OUR next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 19 at 10am at Tricare Community Village, 87 Tweed Coast Rd, Hastings Point. The speaker will be Yvonne Turner who has many amusing stories to tell from her varied activities in the WRANS, as a business woman and as a prison officer. The following meeting will be on April 16 at the same venue. The speaker will be Meg Reid, Manager of Tweed Heads/Murwillumbah Service NSW. Phone Jean Watson on 02 6670 4072.

OUTSTANDING AWARD

MRS Elizabeth Trevan was awarded 2019 Local Woman of the Year.

Elizabeth (Beth) is an exceptional woman who was born and raised in Lismore and has been an active member of the community her entire life.

One of Beth’s most recent crusades has been the preparation and delivery of the Lismore Citizens’ Review of the March 2017 Flood. Beth led a team of local citizens who independently conducted their own research into the devastating floods and then compiled and published a very comprehensive review.

VIEW CLUBS

Coolangatta /Tweed OUR next meeting will be held at the South Tweed Sports Club on March 21. Join our friendly ladies for coffee and chat 11am-11.30am start (DST). Our meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month. Guest speaker this month will be our national zone councillor Rosie Mcdermott, who will give us an interesting talk on her life experiences.

Phone Elaine on 07 5524 4461.

Twin Towns Day WE MEET on the first Thursday of the month which makes our next

meeting on April 4. The venue is the South Tweed Sports Club. Guest speakers on all topics are a regular occurrence as well as a magical meeting place for ladies of any age to gather for camaraderie.

As well as providing a great and convenient meeting place, the chef at the sports club provides tasty, healthy invigorating meals for our two-course meal costing $25. We meet at 10.30am for 11am DST. Our guest speakers give us interesting conversations prior to lunch. Bookings are essential, phone Freda on 07 5524 1357.

Twin Towns Evening WE MEET on the second Wednesday of each month at the Tweed Heads Bowls Club.

6.30pm for fellowship and a delightful meal as well as guest speakers and theme nights. Visitors from other VIEW Clubs are always welcome, as well as ladies who would like to join a fun club. This year is our 30th anniversary, and a great year is promised. Phone Trudy on 07 5524 1770 before 1pm Monday prior.

TACT

CLASSES for Tact Area Computer Tuition are being held in our comfortable fully air-conditioned classroom Monday to Friday from 9.30am NSW time. We have 20 desktop computers in operation, our tutors gladly give their time to guide you in your quest for gaining knowledge on your computers. A wide variety of classes are available including phones and tablets, android also iPad & iPhones, which is a necessity these days. At the South Tweed Sports Club, 4 Minjungbal DrPhone 07 5524 9212.

U3A

Tweed Coast WE HAVE some exciting new groups on offer this year, including art for

beginners, ukulele, astronomy and circle dancing. There are over 40 different groups from French, Italian and Spanish to mahjong and pony canasta, from brain games and cryptic crosswords to painting and family history. It costs just $40 giving you access to any number of these wonderful activities until December. Go to tweedcoast.u3anet.org.au Tugun U3A Twin Towns Photography & Technology Course – Film and Kodak have gone, replaced by Digital Imagery. In this class we learn how to get the best from new technology, edit/sort images, design prints, arrange images on your computer and improve your photography.

Technology, smart phones and android tablets also discussed but iPads and iPhones are not supported due to their restricted flexibility.

Classes held at Tugun Bowl Club, Thurs 9.30am to 11am (Qld). Phone 07 5534 7333.

TWIN TOWNS & DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB

OUR next meeting will be on Monday, April 8.

Venue will be South Tweed Sports Club, Minjungbal Dr, South Tweed in the downstairs auditorium.

Guest speaker for March was Stephen Wedd speaking about “Growing dahlias and caladiums”.

April guest speaker will be club member John Bennett speaking about “Successfully growing roses in our sub-tropical climate”. The hall opens at 8am (NSW) for entry and benching, with the general meeting commencing at 9.30am.

Cuttings and trading tables will commence selling at 8.15am. Cost: $4 entry fee paid at the door, includes morning tea, raffles and more.

Phone Monika Ross on 0412 638 373.

13

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

The Emerald Isle When Irish eyes are smiling, you’ll fall in love PAGES 18-19

Embrace the Internet!

It’s time to jump on the social media bandwagon! Let Seniors ease you into the exciting world of online. Get every news story - big or small, the latest exclusive offers, plus a whole heap more when you connect with Seniors on social media.

Visit facebook.com/seniorsnews or seniorsnews.com.au

14

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Travelling solo, not single Tracey Johnstone TRAVELLING solo or travelling single – there is a difference. Dropping the reference to marital status and looking at yourself as a solo adventurer can help you get on the road. But where do you start?

Encounter Travel’s Justine Waddington has put together a guide book, The Solo Traveller’s Compass, for anyone wanting to set off on solo travel experiences. It has over 200 practical tips.

“It’s suited to someone who is a first-time solo traveller or maybe hasn’t travelled for a long time on their own and wants a bit of refresher of things to keep in mind when you are travelling solo,” Justine said.

“And before you travel, what you need to prepare for.”

The book is split into three sections – getting started, before you go and on your trip.

Justine talks about what is stopping people from doing solo travel and how you can unblock those things that they consider barriers to

SINGULAR IMPORTANCE: Encounter Travel’s Norway solo traveller group celebrate Cape Nord and the Midnight Sun experiences. INSET: Justine Waddington. starting a new adventure.

“The book is set around, you don’t have to be alone when you travel solo,” Justine said.

“It talks about joining groups and how to choose the right group as a solo traveller so you feel like

you are going to be joining one that is more suited to you.

“It talks about choosing the right tour and about what to look for when you are flicking through brochures and thinking about which kind of trip

you want to join.”

The book also covers sharing; would you make a good room sharer and what to consider before committing to sharing.

Justine’s travel agency caters for solo travellers many of whom are aged

60 and over. Each tour is a small group with soft adventure experiences high on the agenda.

The alternative type is the “flop and drop” tour to resorts which includes both group activities and time to chill out

individually.

For all tours, rooms can be shared or booked for solo occupation.

During the year Justine also organises traveller events in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne where tour guests reunite and where first-timer guests can meet other solo travellers and learn more about what it is like to head off alone in company.

“Our travellers come from all over Australia,” Justine said.

For copies of The Solo Traveller’s Compass which costs $29 including postage, go to justinewaddington.com.

For more details on solo bookings, take a look at encountertravel.com.au.

Stop over for the art lovers

PAINT STOPS: Artist Alice Linford Forte brings you into the picture.

Photo: Paris Hawken

DELIGHT your senses and satisfy your artistic curiosity by joining in Margaret River Region Open Studios.

From April 27 through to May 12 over 100 painters, sculptors, illustrators, jewellers, printmakers, glassblowers, ceramicists, photographers and furniture makers will participate in the sixth annual event which is free to attend and doesn’t require bookings.

For the first time, 24 artists from Busselton to Augusta will also open their studio doors.

Visitors will meet the artists in their home towns and off the beaten track for a unique behind the scenes creative experience.

Margaret River Region Open Studios chairman Jim Davies said the 16-day event ticked many boxes in providing art lovers with a memorable experience.

“This year’s artistic line-up includes many old (and young) favourites, plus a number of artists new to the event, so it’s

Artist Emily Jackson.

Photo: Gordon Becker

perfect for both first time and regular visitors,” he said.

“There really is something for everyone, whether it be learning about creative intentions and techniques, sharing ideas, admiring art, exploring out-of-the-way back roads, or owning a piece of art created by an artist you have had the opportunity to meet.”

Local artists are the stars of the show and talent this year includes recognisable and respected names: ❚ Leon Pericles will give print demonstrations and sign his new 50-year retrospective book. ❚ Interactive artist Britta

Sorensen invites visitors to immerse themselves in colour and watch or join in her interactive experiential recycled textiles installation. ❚ Ceramicist Dariya Gratte will demonstrate fine porcelain techniques.

You can attend a learn how to paint workshop by Heidi Mullender or other painting demonstrations with many of the Open Studios artists. ❚ Glass guru Gerry Reilly will provide glassmaking experiences and show how to ‘blow your own bauble’. ❚ At Ian Mutch’s home studio you can watch a film of his public artworks and flip through his artist sketchbooks. ❚ Ian Thwaites will give woodworking demonstrations and Nalda Hoskins will share how she makes her stunning glass beads and jewellery.

Info: mrropenstudios. com.au or on Facebook (mrropenstudios) and Instagram (@margaret riverregionopenstudios).

15

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

What you need to know before overseas travel BEFORE you head overseas, take the time to check how your travel could affect your Centrelink and Medicare payments, and how to travel safely with PBS medication.

Centrelink payments The rules vary according to your payments or concession card. Some payments or concession cards will automatically stop as soon as you leave, and may reinstate upon your return.

Other payments may allow you to travel overseas for a short period before your payment stops or adjusts.

Generally, you can travel: ❚ Up to 28 days in a 12 month period if you receive Disability Support Pension ❚ Up to six weeks at a time if you are a Family Tax Benefit, Carer Payment or Carer

Allowance customer ❚ Up to 19 weeks if you are a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder.

Age Pension recipients who travel overseas for six weeks or less will not experience any change to their payment.

After six weeks, the rate of Age Pension might change as some supplement payments stop or reduce, and your concession cards will cancel. After 26 weeks outside the country, your payment rate will be based on how long you have been an Australian resident.

Tell us about your travel It’s important to let the appropriate authority know, either online at myGov or phone 136 240, when you plan to travel overseas so we can assess if it may affect your payments.

You can also do this by

calling us on your regular payment line or visiting a service centre.

We’ll tell you if your travel affects your payments or concession cards and if we need any extra information.

The immigration department will also notify us when you leave or enter Australia.

Taking Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications overseas There are strict rules for taking PBS medications out of Australia. It’s illegal to take PBS medication unless it’s for personal use or use by someone travelling with you.

If you plan to take your PBS medication with you, make sure you check it’s legal to take it to the country you’re visiting and if you’re permitted to take it out of Australia.

You can check if your medication is legal by contacting the country’s

TRAVEL PLANS: Centrelink customers, including pensioners, should check what their overseas travel might mean for their payments and concession cards. embassy, high commission, or consulate.

You should also take a letter from your doctor with you, which specifies the medicine you take for personal use, and how much of it you use.

If you can’t do this, print and fill in the Medicine Export Declaration form and take this with you through customs.

It’s also important to speak with your doctor to confirm if your medication will last you for the trip.

Medicare coverage Medicare doesn’t cover

any health or medical treatments you receive overseas.

However, some of your medical costs may be covered under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement if you visit a country that has an agreement with Australia.

Make sure you take your Medicare card with you if visiting one of these countries.

If travelling on a cruise ship between two Australian ports, you’re entitled to claim Medicare benefits for eligible services provided by a

registered medical practitioner. The practitioner must be registered for Medicare in Australia.

You aren’t eligible for Medicare benefits if you’re travelling between an Australian port and a foreign port, or two foreign ports.

In any case, you should consider organising an appropriate level of travel insurance, to assist with any unforeseen medical costs.

For more information, go to humanservices.gov .au/individuals.

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‘‘

I have always enjoyed the company of the Irish, easily warming to their humour and yarns.

STUNNING: Blackrock Castle on the River Lee, Cork, Ireland.

Photo: catherine_jones

Ireland... it’s just like Peter Chapman

From the amazing views to the wonderful people, the impression you get from the flicks is even better in real life

IT MIGHT seem a little strange, but my decision to do a self-drive tour of Ireland was inspired from watching movies centred on the shamrock isle.

They always revealed beautiful scenery, picturesque boutique hotels and friendly Irish pubs.

As I watched I envisaged myself joining in on a song or two while downing a pint of Guinness at McMurphy’s corner pub.

Adding to my views of Ireland was the fact that I have always enjoyed the company of the Irish, easily warming to their humour and yarns.

The chance to make the trip finally came up via a decision to book a 14-day Baltic Sea cruise out of Southampton.

The wife rightly said we can’t go all the way to England and just jump on a cruise ship, we need to combine something with it.

So the decision was made that we’d spend a week touring Ireland and

we’d hire a small car for the trek.

Now if you know nothing about Ireland – and to tell the absolute truth I didn’t – it’s best not to just look at a map and say to yourself it doesn’t look that far from town to town.

At first the idea was to stay in Dublin for a few nights then head north taking in the likes of Glasgow, the Giant’s Causeway and then slide down the coast coming across through Kilkenny and back to where we started.

All this was planned for just seven days.

Fortunately sanity prevailed and instead we decided to only concentrate on the southern parts of Ireland.

We didn’t want to just drive around looking out the car window.

After arriving at Dublin Airport we picked up our hire car and headed towards our accommodation in the city.

Mistake one was that we didn’t choose a car with a GPS instead deciding to wait a few days and get a SIM for the

phone to use as our guidance system.

That decision cost us a frustrating three hours as we circled Dublin’s maze of one way streets searching for our hotel.

I don’t like admitting it, but it was my decision not to go with the car GPS, a fact I was reminded of more than a few times during the trip.

We stayed at the Dawson Hotel and Spa in Dawson Street which we found a convenient location from which to walk around the city.

The room was small, but clean and the only issue was that we were on the second floor and there was no lift, just a strong doorman to carry your bags upstairs.

A TripAdvisor tip to take the free walking tour in Dublin proved a winner the next day.

A young university student with a wonderful knowledge of the city was our guide and for almost four hours he told us some fascinating stories about the history of the city.

To go on the tour all you need to do is to turn up at

Dublin Town Square before noon and join a group.

The guides make their money from tips and there were plenty who reached into their pockets at the end of the walk.

My mother taught me the famous Irish song In Dublin’s Fair City when I was just five years old and I have been bringing it out as part of my entertainment repertoire ever since.

Mind you, it’s a very small and limited repertoire.

So I was delighted to see our final stop on the walking tour was in front of the Molly Malone statue.

Of course as any Aussie knows you never let a chance go by, so I launched into the song and to my pleasant surprise had the entire street singing along with me.

I loved it and even the wife joined in for the chorus.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants in Dublin, ranging from Michelin Star credentialed to the cheap bistros at the many local

pubs.

We found Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse and Grill just down the road from our hotel and enjoyed a special night out.

Unfortunately the budget didn’t allow us to return, but if you spoil yourself every night it doesn’t seem so special when you do.

Day one on the road took us across Ireland to the seaport of Doolin.

We booked in at a recently built B&B, Egan’s Wild Atlantic View.

The host, who happened to be the Ireland Fly Fishing Champion, was great, the room was first class and the breakfast made to perfection.

It’s a big recommendation from us.

We chose Doolin because from there it’s a short drive to one of Ireland’s premier tourist spots, the Cliffs of Moher.

It was a windy day on the cliffs, but worth the climb for a spectacular view.

From Doolin we wound our way through to Killarney were again we

19

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

Aerial view of the scenic Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. This popular tourist attraction is situated in County Clare along the Wild Atlantic Way. Photo: miroslav_1 Long exposure of Temple bar in Dublin with people drinking and walking by during night in autumn.

Photo: Marc Dufresne

Doolin.

Dawson.

Muckross House.

the movies, but better

picked our accommodation well with a stay at Muckross Park Hotel.

It sits opposite the national park and in the morning we grabbed a free bike from the hotel and went for a pleasant slow two-hour cycle.

The only dampener on this stop was the pub food next to the hotel was a meal we should have missed.

Stay at the hotel by all means, but find a good restaurant in town to dine out at is our advice.

My wife had one wish for our Ireland tour, and that was to stay one night in a castle.

That’s why we booked our next stop at the Waterford Castle.

Unfortunately the castle has only a few rooms and we were shovelled off to a block of units on the estate.

The unit was good, but it wasn’t a castle.

As a keen punter I found a steeple chase meeting at Wexford to call in before we said goodbye to Ireland.

Fortunately the luck of the Irish prevailed and a

10/1 winner helped pay for all our petrol and a few pints of Guinness.

To sum it up, the few disappointments we had on our whistle stop self-drive tour were overshadowed by many highlights and if we had our time over again we’d do the same, except this time we’d find a real castle to stay in, ghosts and all.

IRELAND

APPROX COSTS: Self-drive car hire: $350, five days Dawson Hotel Dublin: $250 per night Rating: 7/10 Egan’s Wild Atlantic B&B, Doolin: $150 per night Rating: 9/10 Muckross Park Hotel, Killarney: $350 per night Rating: 8/10 Waterford Castle: $400 per night Rating: 7/10 BEST TIP: Take your time while driving around and go online early to book your accommodation and you will save hundreds by doing it.

MUST-SEE: Bunratty castle at dusk with reflection in the river in Ireland.

Photo: Mustang_79

20

NEWS

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS Advertisement

OUR PLEDGE TO YOU: Fix our schools and hospitals Ease pressure on family budgets Stand up for workers Invest in cheaper, cleaner energy Build a strong economy that works for all

To find out more, visit FairGoActionPlan.org.au

Authorised by Justine Elliot, ALP, 107 Minjungbal Drive Tweed Heads South

ON R U O Y E SID

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

THE FABULOUS FIFTIES EXHIBITION

FRENCH CAFE CONVERSATION

SEE what life was like in the 1950s, when home ownership soared, labour-saving appliances were readily available and television and rock ’n’ roll arrived at The Fabulous Fifties, the latest exhibition at Crawford House Museum at Alstonville. The excellent exhibition will continue throughout March, April and May.

TROY CASSAR-DALEY

21

TROY Cassar-Daley heads to the Casino RSM on Saturday, March 23.

Troy has come a long way from the 12-year-old boy from Grafton busking on Peel St at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Throughout his 30 years of making music, Troy has been awarded numerous accolades including 37 Golden Guitars, four ARIAs, two APRA Country Song of the Year awards, nine Deadlys (Australian Indigenous Artist Awards), four CMAA Entertainer of the Year awards plus two NIMAs (National Indigenous Music Awards). In 2017, Troy was honoured as the 50th inductee into the prestigious Australasian Roll of Renown. He is bringing his daughter Jem on this tour.

FRENCH Cafe Conversation with Melissa, free guided conversation in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on March 18. Buy a drink and chat in French from 4.30pm to 5.30pm at Miss Lizzie’s Restaurant and Front Café in Woodlark St, Lismore. To attend this or further events, phone 0481 355 773.

GENTLE YOGA FOR ALL

MICHAEL O’Connor teaches a mindful Hatha yoga class, combining breathing exercises, standing and reclining poses and relaxation techniques. His yoga therapy knowledge makes his classes safe for everyone by offering variations and options for each pose. Classes held every Tuesday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at Cullen St, Nimbin. Phone 0428 489 092.

YUMMY MUMMIES BELLYDANCE CLASS

CALLING all vivacious women! Do something just for you and kickstart your weekend. For mums (or any amazing women) of any kind, Come to the lushly decorated studio right in the Lismore CBD for a light-hearted wiggle

and giggle. A fun class that requires no dance experience, a great way to socialise with other women, stay active and learn something for yourself. Shimmy belts provided. All classes are casual – discount for multiple class pass.

Classes run at Wildfox Studios Level 3, 16 Carrington St, Lismore – 9am-10am Saturday mornings. Adults $20, members $16. Phone Sasha Fox 0409 246 180.

KYOGLE BAZAAR

KYOGLE Bazaar, Sunday, March 24, is supported by Kyogle Together, a non-profit organisation where all proceeds are returned to local community programs. Held at the Amphitheatre in the heart of Kyogle (behind the information centre). Stalls are centred around handmade but also include plants, bric-a-brac, local produce, woodwork, leathercraft and support stalls for local community groups. The event will be held from 8am to 2pm at the Amphitheatre Park.

BYRON BAY BLUESFEST

THE Byron Bay Blues Festival or Bluesfest, Australia’s premiere blues and roots music festival, will celebrate 30 years at Easter this year. Iggy Pop,

Paul Kelly, Ben Harper and Jack Johnson will headline the event which will feature more than 200 performances of the best blues, roots, folk, soul and world artists. In addition to seven all-weather performance stages, there are licensed bars, undercover food courts, food and market stalls. The event is held at the Tyagarah Ti Tree farm north-west of Byron from Easter Sunday to Monday.

For details, go to bluesfest.com.au.

What's on

GALAXY JAZZ BAND CONCERT

THE Galaxy Jazz Band presents a benefit performance in aid of the McGrath Foundation to assist in funding breast care nurses in the community. The event will be held at Ballina RSL on March 24 from 2pm.

Phone the club on 02 6681 9500 for more information.

LAYNE BEACHLEY GALA DINNER

SURFING champion Layne Beachley and other surfing legends will be special guests at a charity dinner raising funds for local disadvantaged young surfers on March 30 from 6pm. The gala event will be run by Lord’s Taverners Northern NSW – a not-for-profit association whose members share a

TROY Cassar-Daley heads to the Casino RSM on Saturday, March 23. Troy has come a long way from the 12-year-old boy from Grafton busking on Peel St at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. love of sport and a desire to raise money to help disadvantaged and disabled youths achieve their academic and sporting potential.

Contact the Ballina RSL on 02 6681 9500.

TYALGUM VILLAGE MARKETS

COME out and enjoy all your favourite handmade stalls in a unique and delightful garden setting, with live music and good old-fashioned country hospitality that Tyalgum is

famous for on March 30 from 9am to 3pm. Stalls are spread throughout the village, starting at Celestial Dew Guesthouse next door to Flutterbies, where you will find a a lovely array of stalls, including handmade arts and crafts and some vintage treasures. While you are there, take a stroll through to the back gardens along Marketta Lane and enjoy this quaint, country setting in the cool of the lush gardens.

Busy program for the Ballina Players intriguing plot and the previous shows she has seen by this author Alan Ayckbourn,” Mike said.

“It has been Fran’s vision for the show from the start. I came in late because she had family commitments on one rehearsal night each week.”

It Could Be You stars Carl Moore as Mortimer Chalke with Julieanne Basham as Jocelyn Polegate, Peter Harding as Brinton Chalke, Hillary Goodsell as Amy Polegate, Mick Webb as

Norris Honeywell and Mechelle Anderson as Wendy Windwood.

It is the Ballina Players’ first of five productions this year in what promises to be a busy program, according to Mike.

Formed in 1955, Ballina Players is one of the oldest amateur theatre groups in Australia and despite the age of live streaming and all those other distractions, is still going strong.

Twelve people attended the original public meeting called by Joan Williams to

form the group and from those humble beginnings players has progressed from play readings and one-act plays to three-act plays.

The entertaining show will be held at the group’s own dedicated theatre – the group’s home since 1984 after many years of occupying semi-permanent homes.

For more information, go to ballinaplayers .com.au.

For the full story, go to seniorsnews.com.au.

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PLAY TIME: Scenes from the latest Ballina Players show at their theatre at 24 Swift St from March 22-31.

IT COULD be any one of us – well that’s what the Ballina Players want you to believe as they take to the stage for their latest production.

The comedy/mystery It Could Be You is set to run from March 22-31 at the Ballina Players Theatre in Swift St. Co-director and group secretary Mike Sheehan said it had been fun “getting the actors around the stage and seeing their development”.

“Director Fran Legge chose it because of its

Live events staged at 1000 seat historic heritage theatre with wonderfuL acoustics, air conditioning, comfortabLe seating and superb Line of sight.

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22

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Cover up to beat cancer

Wellbeing

WITH one foot on the throttle of his caravanning dreams and the other on ensuring he continues to survive from his long melanoma journey, Dennis Applebee is ready to hit the road.

The 69-year-old and his wife Pam have sold their seven-days-a-week dry cleaning business in Tasmania’s Devonport and retired.

The first caravan trip is for four weeks as they watch how Dennis’s health handles the experience.

There’s been no mention of remission. But it can come back at any time. Every time a little bump pops up, Dennis heads straight to the doctor.

“Cover up,” he states emphatically. “Slip, slop, slap; cover up,” he declares again.

“I will be covered up and will be looking for shade. My message is to enjoy the sun, but don’t go out and bake yourselves.”

Pam adds that with the knowledge we have about melanoma, young people should always cover up.

“Have a look at the people who have this cancer; most of them die,” she said.

SLEEP APNOEA: Left untreated, people with this condition were found to have problems recalling specific details about their lives.

Memory could be being lost in sleep SLEEP apnoea is not just about suffering through poor sleep and breathing problems, it’s now been found to affect people’s memories.

A new study led by RMIT University looked at how obstructive sleep apnoea affected autobiographical memory.

It found that people with the condition, when untreated, had problems recalling specific details about their lives.

Lead investigator Dr Melinda Jackson said the research built on the known links between depression and memory.

“We know that overly general autobiographical memories – where people don’t remember many specific details of life events – are associated with the development of persistent depression,” Dr Jackson said.

“Our study suggests sleep apnoea may impair the brain’s capacity to either encode or consolidate certain types of life memories, which makes it hard for people to recall details from the

past.

“OSA is increasingly common, affecting up to 30 per cent of elderly people and around one in four Australian men aged over 30.

“Sleep apnoea is also a significant risk factor for depression so if we can better understand the neurobiological mechanisms at work, we have a chance to improve the mental health of millions of people.”

About five per cent of Australians suffer from sleep apnoea.

The BetterHealth Channel describes it as when a person’s breathing stops for a period of time, generally between 10 seconds and up to one minute, until the brain registers the lack of breathing or a drop in oxygen levels and sends a small wake-up call.

The sleeper rouses slightly, opens the upper airway, typically snorts and gasps, then drifts back to sleep almost immediately.

This pattern can repeat itself hundreds of times a night, causing

fragmented sleep.

The recommended treatment for OSA includes weight loss and cutting back on alcohol.

Active treatment of the condition includes nasal CPAP, mouthguards or surgical correction of upper airway obstruction.

Dr Jackson said the use of CPAP machines to treat sleep apnoea had improved some of the cognitive impairments related to the condition.

“An important next step will be to determine whether successful treatment of sleep apnoea can also help counter some of these memory issues or even restore the memories that have been lost,” she added.

The study was conducted in collaboration with the Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and University of Melbourne and published in Journal of the International Neuropsychology Society.

“Dennis is very lucky he has survived.”

Just over 20 years ago Dennis was a keen runner, fitting in a 10km run each day. He was a naturally an outdoors person.

“You think back to 1986,” Dennis said.

“There was no such thing as cover yourself and things like that, and I worked outside all my life.

“Then a mole popped up on the left-hand side of my forehead, near the temple, and I thought what the hell is this? I wasn’t feeling a bit bright.

“My boss brought me home from Shipton where I was working for the water board.”

Dennis went straight to his doctor, and “that’s where it all started”, Dennis recounts.

A surgeon removed the mole, but testing revealed it was a melanoma.

“He said to us; get your life in order, you have only six months to live,” Dennis said.

During that time he really struggled with a lack of knowledge around melanoma.

Only six months later Dennis noticed a lump near his left ear, right near his lymph glands. The melanoma was back. He had to undergo surgery to

remove the affected lymph glands as well as a shoulder direction.

Following this Dennis had to undergo an intensive 12 months of chemotherapy to treat the melanoma.

“They threw everything at me,” he said.

Dennis and Pam have two sons and 10 grandchildren, and he just wants to enjoy life more and with them.

Dennis says they have heard their grandfather’s message about taking care of their skin.

The couple plan to be back from caravanning in time for Melanoma March.

He will again throw his support behind the Devonport Lions Club march and fundraiser.

“I have a big scar down the side of my neck,” Dennis said.

“A lot of people see it and ask what happened there. That’s when I start telling them.

“I often start off by saying, ‘that’s where they cut off me bad head’ as Tasmanians have two heads,” he jokes.

“It really starts the conversation.”

For more information, go to the website melanomamarch.org.au.

No Gap Eye Surgery At The Eye Care Clinic, our eye surgeons and specialists care enough to see you as people, not just as someone with a problem. Dr. Svoboda and Dr. Lamont personally see you all the way through your procedure - right from the first visit till they are totally satisfied all is well.

Nor does this high level of care mean that you are charged an arm and a leg. We actively work to keep the costs as low as possible, and provide services including age related macular degeneration, cataract surgery, glaucoma, lid tumours, diabetic eye disease, iritis, laser surgery, dry eyes and lid malpositions. Those who are insured also enjoy the cost saving benefit of our No Gap Policy.

What’s more, there’s no need to travel out of the local area for the actual surgery as our surgeons operate in Tweed Heads.

When you want someone that takes a sight better care of both you and your health, ask for The Eye Care Clinic. You’ll see we really do care.

Dr Emanuel Svoboda

(07) 5506 6777

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Servicing the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers 6 Scott Street, Coolangatta Qld 4225 Dr Meon Lamont

MELANOMA MARCH: Tasmanian Dennis Applebee and his wife Pam, ready to head off on long awaited retirement trip after Dennis’ difficult melanoma experience.

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

FEATURE

23

FOCUS ON EYE HEALTH

What to know before you choose cataract surgery LENS CHOICES

There is no one-size when it comes to lens choices. It comes down to what is your lifestyle.

The most common choice is long distance vision with glasses worn for reading. Or you can choose a reading lens and then wear glasses for long distance.

The third choice is a multifocal lens so no glasses are required, but there are limitations with your sight at night when driving.

Tracey Johnstone BEFORE you make a decision on whether to have cataract surgery, there are several issues you should become familiar with.

Because you have cataracts doesn’t mean you have to have surgery, says cataract and retinal surgeon Dr Simon Chen from Vision Eye Institute.

He suggests glasses may be a solution to start, but once the cataracts reach a certain point where you no longer have the quality of vision that you want, then it’s probably time you have surgery to remove them.

An eye specialist will talk you through the pre-surgery steps.

They will look at what level of vision you have and your lifestyle to determine if you need to have cataract surgery.

You will also be assessed for suitability based on your general health, whether you have other issues with your eyes and what is the cause of the cataracts.

“Most cataracts are typically related to age,” Dr Chen said.

But sometimes they can be related to underlying health conditions which will influence the treatment choice.

PRE-SURGERY EYE

NON-SURGICAL CHOICES

EYE TIPS: cataract surgery is a very common and for many seniors, it's almost inevitable the surgery will be needed.

Photo: wathanyu

HEALTH

If you have the common problem of dry eyes, the accuracy of the critical measurements being taken pre-surgery can often be affected, so a specialist is likely to treat that particular condition firstly.

“When you have cataract surgery we take a range of measurements and they are used to calculate the power of lens that is going to be put in your eye, like a pair of glasses, but it goes inside the eye permanently,” Dr Chen said.

SURGICAL OPTIONS

There are two choices of surgery – manual or laser-assisted.

With the commonly used manual operation the surgeon uses a scalpel to make an incision into the eye and then uses other devices to remove the cataract.

“Even the best surgeon in the world when they have a blade in their hand, not every operation is going to be exactly the same,” Dr Chen said.

“So, there is a little element of unpredictability in surgery

no matter how good the surgeon is.”

In laser-assisted surgery the first few key steps are performed by computer guided laser.

“It removes some element of human error,” Dr Chen said.

It also increases the predictability of the surgery outcomes.

The choice of laser surgery is often limited by cost and availability.

Many seniors have both cataracts and macular degeneration.

“If you have macular degeneration, that will limit the improvement you

get (from surgery),” Dr Chen said.

“Even if you have a perfectly performed operation, you will probably see a lot better, but you may not see perfectly afterwards.

“It’s important you ask the surgeon what outcome you are expecting.

“For a lot of people who have additional eye conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, there is increasingly a wide range of different procedures we can do at the same time as cataract surgery.”

Macular Degeneration Macular Degeration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia.

Early detection is vital. Book your eye test today.

Eyecare Plus Yamba Shop 24, Yamba Shopping Fair 1-3 Treelands Dr, Yamba NSW 2464 P: 02 6646 1477 eyecareplus.com.au/yamba

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“Not any good ones,” Dr Chen said.

He adds those on offer can’t reverse the cataract nor stop them getting worse.

It may be possible to delay cataract surgery and choose to update your glasses and change your lifestyle such as stop driving or stop working.

“Once it starts to deteriorate and have a negative impact on your quality of life, then you should consider surgery,” Dr Chen said.

“The longer you leave it, the more advanced the cataract becomes and so the higher the risk of complications during surgery.”

Dr Chen said cataract surgery is a very common and for many seniors, it’s almost inevitable the surgery will be needed.

He believes after surgery a person’s quality of life improves, there is less likelihood of falls and the opportunity to maintain independence.

24

FEATURE

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

APRIL FALLS PREVENTION

Falls & frailty in focus FALLS prevention programs have been proven to be extremely effective in reducing falls, even up to a 54% reduction in recent studies.

By reducing the prevalence of falls, we also avoid the consequences of falls; such as fractures, hospital admissions, impaired mobility, loss of confidence, increased isolation and reduced independence.

At St Joseph’s we are planning to introduce a Falls Prevention Program that will be available to all residents who are at risk of falling.

The program will include a wide-ranging risk assessment and a tailor-made program that is designed to offer the correct type of exercise, duration and intensity to meet the needs of each resident.

Each individualised program will be based around the most effective component of the program – therapeutic exercise; as balance impairment and muscle

Preventing falls in your home MANY people don’t realise that falls are the number one cause of injuries amongst seniors.

Everyone should feel safe and comfortable in their own home.

The bathroom is an area you should focus on because that’s where a lot of seniors falls occur.

If you need to modify your home and bathroom so it is easier to get around, then get in contact with Rodney and his caring team of builders, tradespeople

FALL-FREE: Frailty is a risk factor for poorer health outcomes including falls, hospitalisation, admission to residential aged care and disability.

Photo: LPETTET weakness caused by ageing and disuse, are the most prevalent risk factors for falls.

Our Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists have developed an evidence-based exercise program that will show dramatic improvements in stability, strength and quality of life for our residents.

Our residents will have one-to-one sessions and will have the use of the latest modern purpose-built gym equipment.

Our residents all deserve to maintain their independence, their mobility, and their quality of life for as long as possible; this is a great (and fun) way to achieve that aim.

and occupational therapists at Lismore Home Modifications Services.

LHMS has delivered quality services and independence and wellbeing in the home since 1990.

A member of the team will visit you in your home to assess the dangers and make recommendations for improvements such as installing hand rails, ramps and bathroom adaptations, all which can

help you manage more easily and most importantly minimise risk.

Lismore Home Modifications services the Lismore LGA, surrounding villages and the Alstonville Plateau.

Operating hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

If LHMS does not service your area, it will refer you either to the relevant Home Modification and Maintenance Service or My Aged Care.

Top tips on eliminating falls WHEN it comes to your home, there are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of falls.

Try these tips: ■ Tidy up and remove that clutter; make sure a phone is on each level of the home with emergency numbers listed; install grab bars around the tub and toilet; use non-skid mats inside and outside of the tub; install a hand-held

shower head or think about using a seat; use step stools for things out of reach; and stay away from floor polishes or waxes.

As for the outdoors, you can prevent falls with these helpful suggestions: ■ Again, clean away the clutter; check for cracks and uneven edges of sidewalks/driveways and schedule repairs; install handrails on

stairs/steps; keep walkways well lit; and in the winter, be sure to keep your walkways free of slippery mud and slime.

Hopefully these tips will help you decrease your likelihood of falling in the home.

Be sure to talk to your physician and/or physical therapist about other ways to prevent falls.

Lismore Home Modification Service

Builders Lic #3514C ABN 70 712 994 485

Some examples of modification work we provide:• Grabrails, Handrails, Ramps and Step mods • Hand Held Showers, LeverTaps, Anti SlipTreatments • Minor carpentry, electrical, plumbing and gardening work • Major Modifications – Bathrooms and Access

St Joseph’s Lismore

Caring for people

• Your Occupational Therapist will recommend

• You may be eligible for a subsidy • Registered NDIS Provider and Veteran Affairs

A friendly and caring residential facility in the foothills of East Lismore

43 Habib Drive, South Lismore 2480 6960827aa

homemods@bigpond.net.au

www.lismorehomemodification.com.au

PHone: 6622 2323

Supported by the Australian Government Department of Health

6961088aa

modifications to suit your needs

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

FEATURE

25

APRIL FALLS PREVENTION

Age gracefully for longer solution? A wearable, rechargeable, push-button alarm system.

The problem?

Research has shown that as a stand alone solution, these are largely ineffective. For one reason or another, a majority of people who own a traditional wearable device simply do not have access to them when they need them.

Today’s answer?

Smart, unobtrusive devices that respect your privacy while playing constant companion, only alerting loved ones or carers if something is potentially wrong.

Take for example an ‘always-on’ in-home solution that picks up and understands your regular patterns of movement and lets your family know if and when there is cause for concern. Or, a smart watch providing continuous feedback to your health care provider on vital statistics like blood sugar, body temperature, blood

pressure and more. We even expect to see ‘smart contact lenses’ in the near future that are capable of monitoring and communicating the wearers’ glucose levels.

These simple yet transformative solutions are helping seniors to live with the convenience, freedom and peace of mind that comes from knowing they are constantly connected. And while in the past they may have been clunky, costly, or overly complicated, today they’re affordable, sleek, and generally very user friendly.

So maybe it’s time to ditch the belief that technology is all too hard, and instead embrace it for all it has to offer in helping us age not only gracefully but perhaps more importantly, independently.

James Tucker is general manager of AbiBird Australia. For more email jamest@abibird.com.au or go to abibird.com.au

AbiBird.

Empowering independent living g

Unobtrusive activity tracking

24/7 peace of mind

8-12 month battery life

DESIGN WINNER: Doctor Hilton Beck has custom built the IQ Stick. It has won numerous design awards. feature.

The easy-to-hold handle design is ergonomic, strong and lightweight, and easily attached to the shaft in a way that achieves enough strength to withstand everyday use.

The angle of the upper

edge of the base has been designed so that it will not catch on the under surface of open-style stairs.

It has won numerous design awards.

For more information, go to iqstick.com.au.

IQ STICK: The WalKIng STICK ThaT STanDS BY YOU! You can take it everywhere..

Easy to set-up (no wi-fi required)

Call now to book your free consultation 1300 13 21 21

WALKING sticks help prevent falls and are the safest way to avoid serious injury from falls.

Unfortunately, many people who normally use a walking stick fall when they don’t have their stick with them.

Doctor Hilton Beck has custom built The IQ Stick.

It has a modern and unique design that always encourages the user to keep it with them, reducing the risk of injury from falls.

This stylish walking stick literally stands by you.

It does not fall to the ground or need to be leaned against something.

Most generic walking sticks fall over easily, are cumbersome and difficult for many users to retrieve.

They do not achieve the freedom that the IQ Stick provides around the home or care facility, and they do not have a self-righting or glow-in-the-dark

abibird.com.au

Order online www.iqstick.com.au

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A NEW wave of user-friendly technology solutions is enabling seniors to live independently for longer.

The key for older Australians is to embrace the change, as tech becomes simpler, more affordable, and ultimately more empowering.

Jenny is an outgoing retiree who lives alone.

She’s an active member of her community and enjoys travelling, volunteering, and spending time with her young grandchildren who visit regularly from the city.

Jenny cherishes her independence, and like the vast majority of Australians, she wants to stay living in her own home for as long as possible, something Jenny’s two adult children firmly support.

However, as she gets older and her sight and balance aren’t what they used to be, Jenny and her children share one common concern – what if she has a fall and no one is there to help her?

The traditional

IQ Stick to prevent falls

26

WELLBEING

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Good health at a price Part of cure is subsidy A NEW drug to combat incontinence has been labelled a “game changer”, but for some sufferers the price is too much to pay.

Approximately 6.3 million Australians experience bladder or bowel control problems. A report released in 2011 by Deloitte Access Economics revealed that in 2010, total health system expenditure on incontinence in the Australian population was estimated at $271 million or $57 per person with incontinence. This figure was projected to rise to $450 million by 2020.

But one 76-year-old Queensland woman believes she will not be included in those statistics after being prescribed the incontinence drug Betmiga. In an email to Seniors News (2017,she wrote: “I have been battling incontinence for the past 10 years (as do so many of my friends).

I have been down the road of physio, surgery and as a last-ditch effort I saw another urologist who after tests prescribed Betmiga (25mg).

“It has made an enormous difference to my life, all but preventing the symptoms, but unfortunately the cost of each prescription is quite prohibitive. It started out

this year at $48 per prescription but after August the cost leapt to $64.95. Who knows what the future cost will be.

“I realise that the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) is always under strain, but with our ageing population and the government spending so much money on keeping we oldies in our own home (all good), surely instead of making people use padded pants or diapers, both expensive and they end up in landfill, to subsidise Betmiga is in the government’s interest as it truly works and as my urologist assured me has the fewest side-effects of comparable drugs.”

Spokesperson for the Urological Society of Australian and New Zealand Urologist Dr Caroline Dowling, has praised the efficacy of Betmiga (also known as Mirabegron).

“It’s a game changer,” Dr Dowling said.

However, she warned there were several causes behind incontinence and it would not suit everyone.

“But it definitely works for some,” she said.

She advised the first step in finding an appropriate treatment entailed acknowledging the condition to your GP. “Have the cause diagnosed and from there ascertain suitable treatments,” she said.

Betmiga is manufactured by the

CURES COSTS: In Australia, around 6.3 million Australians experience bladder or bowel control problems.

Photo: PeopleImages

Astellas company.

In response to questions from Senior News.

Astellas stated it has thoroughly investigated requesting PBS reimbursement.

However, the company found that: “After reviewing the body of clinical, epidemiological and economic data, Astellas was uncertain that the value offered by the unique mechanism of action and different tolerability profile of the Betmiga can be accurately captured and quantified”.

“Furthermore, one of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee’s key criteria for reimbursement is

FAST FACTS Increased funding for Continence Aids Payment Scheme The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is an Australian Government scheme that provides a payment to assist eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the cost of their continence products.

In July 2018, the Continence Aids Payment Scheme contribution amount was increased in line with the Consumer Price Index. The current payment is $596.60 for the financial year 2018-2019. Clients can choose one full payment in July, or two half payments in July and January each year. ❚ If you would like a CAPS application form, phone the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066. You can also request the CAPS application form from the Australian Government’s Bladder Bowel website. ❚ If you require assistance in completing the CAPS application, phone the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066. ❚ If you have changed your bank or address details, notify the CAPS Team on 1800 239 309. Only the person receiving the benefit, or their nominated representative, can call the CAPS Team to change/update details. affordability in the absence of PBS subsidisation.

While Astellas acknowledge the difficulty

some patients face in affording Betmiga as a private prescription, at its current price Astellas believes it is unlikely to

meet this criterion.”

Astellas said it would continue to reassess this decision on a regular basis.

Congratulations to our Winners

Congratulations to the winners of our December Cold Pursuit Screening giveaway.

Bev McMahon Graham Doust Joy Morton

Lauren Symes Vanessa Bradley

Stay tuned to the paper and our website for the latest Seniors News Giveaways Visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitions 6953237aa

Gail Forrer

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

27

Widowed single mum left homeless April Kennedy IN 2018, Stephanie and Ryan Stevens were delighted to receive the news they were going to become parents for the first time.

Shortly after, in a shocking twist of fate, Ryan lost his life in a tragic ATV bike accident.

Unfortunately, Ryan died before having the chance to prepare his will, leaving Stephanie, who was only three months pregnant, to fight a five-month-long battle with their mortgagee BankWest.

The mortgage for the couple’s four-bedroom home was in Ryan’s name solely.

With no valid will, Stephanie was frozen out by the bank because she did not have legal authority to deal with his affairs.

The mortgage increased significantly, accruing interest and administration fees.

Stephanie was unable

to pay the monthly repayments on her own.

She had to wait for Ryan’s life insurance and superannuation to be finalised to pay the mortgage.

Unfortunately, Ryan’s entitlements fell short by $30,000 to pay the loan.

Stephanie’s parents offered to be guarantors and make up the shortfall but BankWest rejected the offer.

The family home was repossessed and sold at a loss of $70,000.

Stephanie was left homeless.

In recent media reports, BankWest acknowledged that the level of support Stephanie experienced “fell short of her expectations during the distressing time”.

The bank acted cruelly, but within its legal rights.

Without a will, when there is no person officially recognised as having the proper authority to make decisions on behalf of the estate, an application to the Court for “Letters of

A bequest is more than a donation, it is a remarkable gift that can help to save lives in your community.

For more information on leaving a bequest through your Will, visit www.helirescue.com. au/SupportUs/Bequests, email enquiries@ rescuehelicopter.com.au or call 1800 155 155.

1800 155 155 | www.helirescue.com.au

Administration” is required to deal with authorities such as banks.

The process of applying for Letters of Administration can take several months, or even years, if there is a blended or hostile family dynamics, or missing family members.

Despite being married, it also took five months for Stephanie to be officially recognised as the beneficiary of the estate.

This is because, without a valid will, Ryan died “intestate”.

Like more than half of all Australians with no valid will, the task of dealing with his estate fell to the laws of intestacy.

Intestacy laws in each state and territory are comprehensive and vary significantly.

These laws identify who has the proper authority to make decisions on behalf of the estate, as well as who will inherit the assets.

Generally, the

Money

GOOD ADVICE: April Kennedy can help with creating wills. administrator and beneficiaries of an intestate estate will usually be the “next of kin”.

In New South Wales, the whole of his or her estate will pass to the surviving spouse.

If there is no spouse, then the next in line to inherit will be children of the deceased.

In Queensland, the surviving spouse is entitled to the first $150,000, the household chattels and an equal share of the residuary

estate.

The deceased’s children are entitled to the remaining share of the estate in equal parts.

If there is no family then the estate could potentially be left to the Government.

The most common reasons we hear for not having a will are “I don’t want to tempt fate”, “I’m too young to have a will”, “I don’t own anything, I only have debt, so what’s the point” and “I’ve heard that making a will is expensive”.

Photo: Murray Waite

But as we can see, the cost of preparing a will is next to nothing when compared to the turmoil and cost to your loved ones by not having one.

April Kennedy is a Wills and Estates solicitor at Attwood Marshall Lawyers. Established in 1946, the firm has offices at Robina Town Centre, Kingscliff, and The Strand Coolangatta.

For a free estate planning review, phone 1800 621 071 today.

28

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

Living

SPECIALISED EVENT: There will be plenty on offer for baby boomers and seniors with over 80 exhibitors at the Gold Coast Seniors Health & Lifestyle Expo Palm Beach.

Expo for baby boomers BRAND INSIGHTS FREE health and lifestyle information will be provided to seniors on Thursday, March 21, at Palm Beach Share N Care Centre, Tenth Ave, Palm Beach.

Services and advice include retirement living

options, in-home care, seniors travel, seniors insurance, financial planners, investment advice, free hearing and eyesight checks.

Information from Centrelink, and the City of Gold Coast, and much more. All in the one location on the same day, it runs from 9am to 1pm

and the free entry will also include a free sausage sizzle.

There will be plenty on offer for baby boomers and seniors with over 80 exhibitors including residential aged care providers, travel agents specialising in travel for seniors, vision aids, funeral services, in-home

care providers and much more.

All exhibitors with products and services relevant to seniors are invited to participate in our other 2019 Expos.

■ Palm Beach Care N Share Centre: Thursday, March 21 ■ Runaway Bay Community Centre:

Thursday, May 9 ■ Twin Towns: Thursday, July 18 ■ Broadbeach Albert Waterways Centre: Thursday, September 12 ■ Southport Community Centre: Thursday, November 21 Because this is run by a non-for profit organisation, it is able to

keep a minimal fee for exhibition space.

For more details, go to gcseniorsexpos.com.au.

For more, contact the event organiser Warren Elwell via email warren.elwell @bigpond.com or phone 0409 277 430.

A caring environment for residents to thrive BRAND INSIGHTS IT TAKES a special person to devote themselves to improving the lives of others.

At Feros Care Residential Villages, there are teams of people dedicated to helping residents make the most out of their retirement years.

The Villages in Byron Bay, Wommin Bay and Bangalow take a holistic approach to improving the lives of residents and making a positive impact on their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

“Being chosen to care for someone’s loved one is a privilege – that’s our mindset,” says Bec Stephens, Positive Living Coordinator at Feros Village Byron Bay. “We go beyond the provision of clinical care by creating enriching experiences to keep our residents active and fulfilled.

“We want to create an environment where our residents feel safe and cared for, while creating a space where they can thrive. We encourage residents to try new things, explore their

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Some of the opportunities residents have been offered at Feros Care Villages include graffiti art classes, dance and drumming workshops, tai chi, yoga, talking circles, bingo, quizzes, entertainers, card games, garden club, bus trips and 'happy hours'. creativity and keep their mind and body active.”

With everything from the food they are served, to the opportunities they are offered and the freedom they are afforded, residents at Feros Villages are given the support and tools needed to remain as independent and active as possible.

“We have a resident at Byron Bay who loves making juice so we were able to provide him with the use of a juicer and he takes great pride in making fresh juice each day,” says Bec. “Some residents have their own gardens and many have pets. We want to give people as much control over their lives

and choices as possible.

Having the opportunity to contribute helps people to feel valued and gives meaning to their lives.”

For instance, Merv and Rae Edwards live together in Feros Village Wommin Bay, where they have their own rose garden and take outings as often as possible.

Merv, who initially

found the idea of moving into residential care hard to accept, has quickly come around.

“Now that I’m here, it’s the best decision I’ve made.”

Some of the opportunities residents have been offered at Feros Care Villages include graffiti art classes, dance

workshops, petting zoos and silent discos.

Regular programs of tai chi, yoga, talking circles, bingo, quizzes, entertainers, card games, garden club, bus trips and ‘happy hours’ ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy.

“Our aim is to give our residents activities they have always enjoyed while exposing them to new experiences they may never have had a chance to try,” says Bec. Staying active is a key focus of Feros Villages – particularly Wommin Bay and Byron Bay which are located in leafy surrounds near the ocean and bustling community centres where residents can shop and dine.

The Feros Care teams promote strong bodies and mobility through daily exercise programs, on-site gyms and one-on-one support from physiotherapists and the Positive Living Team.

Feros Villages provide long-term and respite care.

For more information go to, feroscare.com.au or phone 1300 763 583.

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019

Over 50s expo at Ocean Shores

THE Health Wealth and Lifestyle Expo will hold its first event at the Ocean Shores Country Club on Thursday, April 4 from 9am-1pm. It is a Project of One Purpose One Solution Foundation, a private not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to provide education through events for over 50s and seniors.

Exhibitors will have a wide variety of services and products suitable to seniors’ health and lifestyles.

They may include: counselling, denture services, physiotherapy, meals, funeral services, in-home care, seniors insurance, vision and mobility aids, seniors travel, financial planners, free eyesight and hearing checks, legal advice, residential aged care providers, over 50s resort-style living and more.

Free entry. Phone 0419 709 661 or email onepurposeonesolution @gmail.com.

EXPO ON SHOW: Look for the Globe Trotters Cruise & Touring team at the Health Wealth and Lifestyle Expo at the Ocean Shores Country Club on April 4.

PETTING ZOOS, SPRAY PAINT AND ARM CHAIR YOGA

Life doesn’t stop when you move into a Feros Residential Village, it just gets better!

With activities to keep the mind sharp, the body healthy and the heart happy, it’s no wonder residents love their home.

I’m more social now than when I was 50! Every other day I’ve got a social trip, an exercise class, arts and craft or some other kind of fun and entertainment. This week the petting zoo is coming to the village, it’s just marvellous!

Feros Villages provide an enriched, independent lifestyle in a safe and secure environment together with the reassurance of 24-hour care.

To book a tour or to learn more

CALL 1300 763 583 or visit feroscare.com.au

Bangalow • Byron Bay • Wommin Bay Not-for-profit with 25+ years’ experience FER0736 12/18

LIVING

29

Include sunscreen in your daily routine

SLAP on the sunscreen as part of your daily routine, experts are telling us.

“We are exposed to sunlight in so many ways and not all of it is due to conscious sunbaking,” QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute’s Associate Professor Neale says.

Critically, she reminds us that the DNA damage that causes skin cancer and melanoma accumulates with repeated small doses of sunlight. The recommendation is that we apply sunscreen every morning before we head out the door.

“For much of Australia, that means people should apply sunscreen all year round, but in areas like Tasmania and Victoria there are a few months over winter when sunscreen is not required,” Professor Neale added.

The easiest way to do this? Brush your teeth, brush your hair, apply sunscreen; every day.

And, if you are

DO IT DAILY: Everyone, every morning, should be applying sunscreen before heading out the door. outdoors, wear a hat, protective clothing, sunglasses and reapply the sunscreen every two hours.

For those seniors concerned about what effect sunscreen could have on them, Terry Slevin from the Public Health Association of Australia says: “There is consistent and compelling evidence that sunscreens are safe, and reactions occur in a very low proportion of the population”.

“Importantly, clinical trials have found that people who use sunscreen daily have the same levels of vitamin D as those who don’t.”

30

CLASSIFIEDS

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS

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Don’t be a wally, exercise caution before you respond to a request. Always verify the authenticity of persons requesting your credit card or bank details prior to making any transfers. For more info from the experts visit buysearchsell.com.au/staysafe

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An oasis of calm Find what you’ve been searching for at Buy Search Sell.

SENIORS \\MARCH, 2019 1

2

3

4

5

Across 1 What is Herman Melville’s best-known work? (4,4) 7 The 20km Simplon Tunnel connects Switzerland with where? (5) 8 Which best-seller by Jung Chang has sold over 10 million since 1992? (4,5) 9 What from whales was used for lamps and candles? (3) 10 What word can follow light, new and tax? (4) 11 What describes food that fulfils the requirements of Jewish dietary law? (6) 13 Who (Dorothy L ___) created the character Lord Peter Wimsey? (6) 14 What is an extravagant trip taken by an official at public expense? (6) 17 In which city did William Caxton print the first book in English? (5) 18 What creature is an oriole? (4) 20 What is frozen water? (3) 22 In a story, who did Geppetto create? (9) 23 Which magazine did Mohamed Fayed take over in 1996? (5) 24 What was the cheapest section of a passenger ship?

(8)

6

7 8 9 10

11 12

13

14

15

16 17

18

20

19

21 22

23 24

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

8

5

6

7

9

31

Down 1 Which song begins “And now, the end is near...”? (2,3) 2 What was the name of the upstairs family in TV’s Upstairs, Downstairs? (7) 3 What is a layer of cartilage separating adjacent vertebrae in the spine called? (4) 4 Which old man ferried the souls of the dead across the Rivers Styx and Acheron to Hades? (6) 5 Which army officer ranks above captain and below lieutenant colonel? (5) 6 What athlete is part of a peloton? (7) 7 What is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas? (8) 12 Which British car had models Spitfire and Stag? (7) 13 What small sea creatures might be in a Cajun jambalaya? (7) 15 Which Hindu deity is usually depicted as a young cowherd boy playing a flute? (7) 16 In cheese-making, what curdles the milk? (6) 17 What is tofu made from? (5) 19 What bee does not work, but can fertilise the queen?

(5) 21 Which fictional company features in Looney Tunes cartoons? (4)

16/3

5x5

ALPHAGRAMS

Insert the missing letters to make ten words — five reading across the grid and five reading down.

Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential.

For example, if the fiveletter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.

C A

11 12

16

A

15 17 20

19

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. State of mind 8. Earnest 9. Smile 10. Tear 11. Lunatic 12. Die 13. Oboe 15. Turn 17. Sly 19. Fragile 20. Aqua 23. Ashen 24. In a word 25.

Guesstimate.

Down: 1. Sleuth 2. Aorta 3. Ever 4. Futile 5. Insanity 6. Drifter 7. Coerce 12.

Defiance 14. Bear hug 16. Affair 17. Series 18. Waddle 21. Quota 22. Taxi.

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word.

No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb.

TODAY: Good 25 Very Good 32 Excellent 40

Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the two letters in each divided square.

Solution opposite

BLACKOUT

ALPHAGRAMS: IDEAL, JOINTS, KNEADED, LAUGHTER, MEDICATED.

DOUBLE CROSS

SUDOKU

5x5 P R E S S

R A

GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Moby Dick. 7 Italy. 8 Wild Swans. 9 Oil. 10 Year. 11 Kosher. 13 Sayers. 14 Junket. 17 Bruges. 18 Bird. 20 Ice. 22 Pinocchio. 23 Punch. 24 Steerage.

Down: 1 “My Way”. 2 Bellamy. 3 Disc. 4 Charon. 5 Major. 6 Cyclist. 7 Isthmus. 12 Triumph. 13 Shrimps. 15 Krishna. 16 Rennet. 17 Beans. 19 Drone. 21 Acme.

631

WORD GO ROUND

V

Down 1. Detective (6) 2. Main artery (5) 3. Always (4) 4. Pointless (6) 5. Madness (8) 6. Wanderer (7) 7. Force (6) 12. Rebelliousness (8) 14. Powerful embrace (4,3) 16. Illicit relationship (6) 17. Sequence (6) 18. Walk awkwardly (6) 21. Allocation (5) 22. Move slowly (aircraft) (4)

WORD GO ROUND

E E

S

aver calve carve carven cave caver cavern clave cleave cleaver clever crave craven eleven elver enclave even evener ever lave laver leave leaven leaver leva levee lever nave navel nerve neve never rave ravel raven reave reeve RELEVANCE reveal revel vale valence vane veal veer vela velar venal veneer venereal vernal

N E

U

SOLUTIONS

25

L C

AILED IN JOTS DEAD KEN LARGE HUT DECIMATED

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

24

Across 1. Mental condition (5,2,4) 8. Sincere (7) 9. Beam (5) 10. Rip (4) 11. Madman (7) 12. Expire (3) 13. Musical instrument (4) 15. Rotate (4) 17. Cunning (3) 19. Delicate (7) 20. Water (4) 23. Pale (5) 24. To sum up (2,1,4) 25. Rough calculation (11)

E L

T

21

22 23

I E

18

M A L L S

14

A D I E U

13

P A

L A G E R

10

A

C R A F T

G E N E R A L K N O W L E D G E

PUZZLES

K S I P D A M P R G N N A P O

Y T Y P O B U A I R T I G H T

Y R I T D T V I X I E G Y R M

D A F F O D I L I L E T H A L

K I L E I I D S N L F I M S S

F G P W O S A C M E A N D E R

F H M V F H E R O D F E O J Y

S T A R S G S Y D I S A V O W

T Y H E R F W H E O F T U G I

J L A W I D O W E R E W R A P

Z I Z A G E B E N A Q V P O E

E N T R A P U B O R R O W E R

P E E D G L J B U I I Y I W W

E N V E L O P E B T I E S W Y

S C P D Y Y S D Q Y M F P U P

BLACKOUT

Work out which squares need to be deleted to reveal a completed crossword.

Solution opposite

DOUBLE CROSS

S T Y P D O A M P A I G R T I G P H T

D S E E R A I G H T L I N E N F A T V F E W R E W A R D E D D O S I A L D I S H D E P L O Y I E O P I L S R W E B B E D M O D E O I L L E I R A R I T Y E A S E R I T I N E A W O E H D V R W I S P R A S E O A E U L R W I P E R P

32

NORTHERN NSW

MARCH, 2019// SENIORS