SENIORS Bayside
AUTUMN / WINTER 2017
Celebrate ageing We are looking for residents aged 55+ who have an active ageing story or would like to share their thoughts on ageing. If this is you, please contact the Healthy Ageing Officer on 9599 4373 or email healthyageing@bayside.vic.gov.au
Newsletter
iving Active L Adults r for Olde e Guide Resourc or Update f
2017
Contents In this issue...
Senior of the year awards
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Active living for older adults 3 Bayside Seniors Festival
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Retire Smart Seminar
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Wiser driver safety for seniors 4 iPad lessons for extreme beginners
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
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For the love of libraries
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Free shingles vaccine
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Highett Youth Club
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Senior of the month
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The importance of social connections
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My Aged Care
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National Servicemen’s Association of Australia
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Browsing the web
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Senior of the year awards 2017
Do you know someone aged over 60 years who has made an outstanding contribution to our community? Nominations are now open for the senior of the year awards which recognise and celebrate the contribution of volunteers aged over 60 years within their local community and Victoria. There are a range of categories including a healthy and active living award. If you know of someone in the Bayside community who has made a valuable contribution, please call 9599 4373 or email healthyageing@bayside.vic. gov.au
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Welcome! Welcome to the Autumn/ Winter edition of the Bayside Seniors Newsletter. It’s time to pull on the gumboots and scarves and enjoy the cooler months. This edition is full of indoor activities and events on offer in Bayside. You might like to design a bookmark for the library competition, attend the Retire Smart Seminar and get your retirement years in order, increase your awareness of elder abuse during a morning at the Brighton Town Hall or maintain your fitness at the Highett Youth Club (or do them all!). We hope you find this edition to be an interesting read. You can view this newsletter online on our website www.bayside.vic.gov.au/ about_the_council/publications_ seniors.htm
Please share this newsletter with friends and family. To subscribe to our mailing list or for more information contact our Healthy Ageing Officer Phone 9599 4373 Email healthyageing@bayside.vic.gov.au
Active Living for Older Adults – A Resource Guide Update The Councils publication Active Living for Older Adults – A Resource Guide, is being updated in 2017. If you are part of a group that provides activities for Bayside older adults and would like to apply to be included in the update, or your club is currently in the guide and would like to update their details please email healthyageing@bayside.vic.gov.au and ask for an application form by Friday 9 June.
Seniors Festival 2017 Expressions of Interest Would your club or association like to hold an event or open session as part of the 2017 Seniors Festival in October this year? The 2016 Seniors Festival saw over 130 activities provided throughout Bayside. The focus of last year’s festival was Come and Try where a wide range of clubs and groups showcased the range of activities available for older people. The theme for the 2017 Seniors Festival is You’re welcome. The idea being to continue with the inclusivity, diversity and come and try messages associated with the festival in recent years. Council is seeking expressions of interest to host events during the 2017 Seniors Festival. The events should work to support inclusion of older people within Bayside and/or promote opportunities for ongoing participation. If you would like to be involved please email healthyageing@bayside.vic.gov.au or call 9599 4373. Expressions of interest close on Friday 9 June. 3
What’s on in Bayside
Retire Smart Seminar The Retire Smart Seminar will feature presentations by leading experts in financial, legal, and lifestyle preparations leading up to retirement. The event will also include an expo from 2pm with professionals in financial planning, accounting and estate planning, as well a range of volunteering and other community activities open to retirees in Bayside. Our flexible program allows you to stay for all or drop in for some sessions. Date Tuesday 16 May 2017 Time 2pm – 8pm Where Sandringham Yacht Club Cost $10 Light refreshments provided Bookings www.bayside.vic.gov.au/retiresmart
Wiser Driver Road safety for seniors
Maintaining independent mobility is vital for an active lifestyle. The Wiser Driver Program aims to improve the safety of older drivers through building confidence, knowledge and skills in a friendly and relaxed environment. Held over four weeks, each two hour session will focus on a range of topics specifically relevant to older drivers, such as changes 4
in road rules, vehicle safety and planning for the future transport options. There are no testing or on-road aspects to the program. This is a free event, places are limited so please call Jess Feild on 9599 4373 for more information or to reserve your place.
iPad lessons for extreme beginners Conquer your fear of technology and gain confidence in using an iPad through lessons tailored specifically for people new to iPads (aka “extreme beginners�). Based in a local secondary college, you will be paired with an iPad savvy student, under the guidance of a group facilitator, for a series of four 1.5 hour sessions. You will learn the basic functions associated with using an iPad in a fun and interactive way. If you are interested in a more advanced course, there are a range of other options available throughout Bayside. Contact Jess Feild on 9599 4373 for more information.
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seniorsrights.org.au
World Elder Awareness Day Thursday 15 June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). It provides a focus for world voices to oppose any mistreatment of older people. An increasing number of activities and events are held across the world on this day to raise awareness of elder abuse, and highlight ways to challenge such abuse. Bayside Council encourages your group or organization to raise awareness of the day by doing one or more of the following: ■ Wear purple on Thursday 15 June. ■ Hold a morning tea, walk or chat to raise awareness. ■ Pop into the Council office in Sandringham or your local Seniors Centre and pick up a purple ribbon to wear. ■ Come along to Let’s Raise Awareness of Elder Abuse on Wednesday 17 May. Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect. Elder abuse is vastly under-reported but the World Health Organisation estimates that up to 10 per cent of older people worldwide are affected.
Seniors Rights Victoria provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people. Visit their website www.seniorsrights.org.au or contact their free and confidential Helpline on 1300 368 821.
Elder abuse is any act which harms an older person and is carried out by someone they trust such as an adult child, family member, partner, carer or friend. Let’s Raise Awareness of Elder Abuse
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Gerard Mansour, the Commissioner for Senior Victorians and the Victorian Ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention will be spending a morning at the Brighton Town Hall to discuss dealing with and preventing elder abuse in the community. The seminar will also include a guest speaker providing information on Seniors Cards, the Victorian Seniors Festival and Seniors online. Date Wednesday 17 May Time 10am - 12pm Bookings are necessary for catering purposes, please call 9599 4373 to book your place.
Contact our free, confidential Helpline 1300 368 821
Wednesday 24 May 10am–12noon Sandringham Library Come along to Sandringham Library for our annual extravaganza! Browse our books sale whilst enjoying home baked treats with a cup of tea! All money raised goes to the Cancer Council. Sandringham Library 2 – 8 Waltham St Sandringham Tel 9599 3444
For the love of libraries Win, eat, learn and discover at this year’s Library Week with events across Bayside from 22 – 28 May 2017. Events include: Design your own bookmark competition with adult, youth and children’s categories. Entry forms available at all branches. Winners will receive a $50 book voucher and the winning design will be printed and made available in the libraries. Entries close Friday 12 May 2017. Reconnect with your family history online through a two-hour interactive class and learn more about your family tree. Find out how to do a search for your ancestors in Australia and all over the world. Date Tuesday 23 or Thursday 25 May 2017 Time 2pm – 4pm Venue Brighton Library Bookings www.trybooking.com/253610 7
Your vaccinations don’t stop at childhood Shingles is a painful blistering rash caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. Sometimes pain in the affected region can be severe and prolonged. When this lasts more than three months, it is called post herpetic neuralgia. Other complications may include scarring, skin infections, loss of vision or hearing, pneumonia and/or neurological complications. The shingles vaccine is provided free for people aged 70 years under the National Immunisation Program. There is also a catch-up program for people aged 71 – 79 years until 31 October 2021. To receive the vaccine, visit your local doctor. It is important to note that although the vaccine is provided at no cost, a consultation fee may apply at a doctor’s clinic.
Routine vaccination of persons aged 70–79 years is expected to achieve the greatest benefits against shingles and its complications. The vaccine is available to purchase by those not eligible to receive the vaccine for free. For more information, speak to your local doctor.
Highett Youth Club Move for life Move For Life is an exciting new opportunity to build and maintain mobility, strength, balance, coordination and flexibility whilst making new friends through the sport of gymnastics. In our modern new facility, our team of highly experienced coaches will guide you every step of the way to ensure a steady and safe progression at all levels. Classes cater for ages under 50 and over 50. We also offer programs outside of the Club to groups and organisations. If you would like us to tailor a program to meet your needs or book into one of our Move For Life classes please contact our office on 9532 0457 or visit our website for further details.
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HIGHETT YOUTH CLUB GYMNASTICS
CHEERLEADING
CALISTHENICS
We welcome you to come and try Move For Life! Active Body, Active Mind Enrol in a Move for Life class for a happier and healthier life. Class times Tuesday 8.45am - 9.30am and 11.30am - 12.15am Thursday 8.45am - 9.30am and 12.15am - 1.00pm Friday 9.15am - 10.00am BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL 9532 0457 www.highettyouthclub.org Casual classes $10 per session
DANCE
Senior of the Month
Local Profile What brought you to Bayside and how long have you lived here? Helen came to Melbourne from Mytilini Greece in 1958 and moved to Highett in the early 1960s. Con arrived in Melbourne from Thessaloniki in Greece in 1953. He worked at the Dunlop Battery factory in Sandringham and decided to settle in the area. How did you get involved with the Highett Greek Seniors Club? Helen and Con started the club about 18 years ago when Con retired. There were a lot of Greek speaking residents in the area yet no organised social activities provided on a regular basis. When the club first started, there were over 100 members. We offer weekly cooked lunches which are very popular as are the regular bus outings we also provide now. Where are your favourite places to visit in Bayside and its surrounds? Everywhere – the beach and the shops. Words of wisdom you would pass on? Listen to your elders. How would you describe Bayside to a friend overseas? A very good place to live and raise a family. What makes you happy? Being connected to family and friends and running the Highett Greek Senior Club “serving the people”. We also enjoy our garden.
Helen and Con Lucas The Highett Greek Seniors Club meet every Thursday at the Highett Neighbourhood House, 2 Livingston Street Highett. For more information call the Healthy Ageing Officer on 9599 4373 or email jfeild@bayside.vic.gov.au
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The importance of social connections @ Black Rock Activity Centre
At 96 years of age, Frank shows little signs of slowing down. He has lived in Sandringham for most of his life and thinks there is no reason why residents over the age of 55 should be isolated at home, as there is a lot on offer in Bayside. Frank has certainly lived through hard times serving in the Second World War and being a POW for three and a half years under the Japanese army. When Frank retired he volunteered by singing in nursing homes. He attended an early retirement group to pursue his interests of photography, arts, travel and gardening. He also joined the Highett RSL. Frank heard about the Black Rock Activity Centre five years ago from a friend and has been attending ever since. It provides him an important source of social contact. 10
“Everyone is my friend here, everyone is equal”. Frank is able to attend because of the Council community bus service and enjoys the diverse range of activities offered at the centre. The Black Rock Activity Centre is located at 2 Karrakatta Street in Black Rock and runs a range of centre based activities for people over the age of 65. For any enquiries please contact the Social Activities and Community Transport Team Leader on 9261 7104 or email socialsupport@bayside.vic.gov.au New residents wishing to attend will need to be registered through My Aged Care prior to attending. Council’s Social Support program can assist you with contacting My Aged Care at www.myagedcare.gov.au or phone 1800 200 422.
My Aged Care Older Bayside residents seeking assistance to remain living independently at home need to contact My Aged Care, prior to receiving assistance. Anyone seeking help at home with services such as the meals on wheels program, cleaning, showering, home maintenance, shopping or allied health services such as physiotherapy or dietetics must first be registered with My Aged Care. Older residents can no longer apply directly to service providers such as Council for assistance. Instead, the Federal Government has introduced a centralised application system. People wishing to receive services for the first time must request assistance through the
My Aged Care contact centre. The contact centre will undertake an initial screening and make a referral for a more detailed assessment, as required. Residents who already receive assistance at home will not be affected by this service change, unless a new or different service is required. Council is able to support residents to access My Aged Care if required. To access My Aged Care visit www.myagedcare.gov.au or phone 1800 200 422.
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National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (Nashos Bayside Branch) The Bayside Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (NSAA) is looking for new members to join their ranks. The NSSA was formed 21 years ago to provide support and social communication to Nashos who had shared their obligation to serve their country by completing a period of compulsory national service during the periods 1951 to 1959 and 1965 to 1972. The NSAA is found in all states of Australia. There are 1,800 members in 20 sub-branches across Victoria. Membership is open to Australian ex-service personnel, overseas national servicemen and social members. Founded 13 years ago the sub-branch President, Phil Emelhain says “the Bayside sub-branch currently has 60 members who meet regularly at the Hampton RSL. We are an informal group bound together by military service personnel who get together for social events”. The group participates in the Anzac Day March and Memorial services at Puckapunyal, HMAS Cerberus and RAAF Point Cook.
If you are interested in joining the Nashos or would like more information, call or email the branch contacts below. They are always looking for new members. Phil 0412 658 246 emelhain@bigpond.net.au Don 0402 458 460 dghc20@gmail.com
Browsing the web? If you’re spending some time browsing the internet on your iPad, tablet, PC, MAC or smart phone, check out the following websites for information on better health, rights of older people, active ageing and information about your local area. www.cota.org.au www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au www.bayside.vic.gov.au 12
Quick tip! You can type both email addresses and websites in upper or lower case - it does not matter. Passwords can be “case sensitive” but email addresses and websites are not.