ASSOCIATION for STRONG and HEALTHY AGEING (ASHA)

Referendum ~ October 14, 2023

Voting is Compulsory

The Australian Electoral Commission(AEC) reminds all voters,

to exercise their vote (Yes or No) in the Referendum on Changes to the Constitution on

Chapter IX-Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

September 2023 WHITE PAPER~Employment

https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/p2023-447996-working-future.pdf

White Paper (September 2023)

As part of the White Paper, the government has announced

it will now permanently increase in the Work Bonus limit by $4,000.

• The Work Bonus was increased from $7,800 to $11,800 last year so older people could work more without losing 50 cents in the dollar from their pension.

• This was a temporary measure until the end of 2023, but this change will now be permanent from 1 January 2024.

• Welfare recipients will also get to hold onto their concessions for longer

if they get a job.

Aside from these immediate changes,

the White Paper sets out five(5) key objectives to guide government policy:

• Delivering sustained and inclusive full employment.
• Promoting job security and strong, sustainable wage growth.
• Reigniting productivity growth.
• Filling skills needs and building our future workforce.
• Overcoming barriers to employment and broadening opportunity.

UN's ~ DECADE:2021-2030 HEALTHY AGEING ~ ACT NOW !

Probus Day ~is on Oct 1st, 2023

The United Nations Day of Older persons~ kick-starting  a month of Celebrations.

* Probus has a great history here in Australia, commencing in 1976 in Hunters Hill.

Join Probus this October!

Ageism is a global challenge!

Recent Background

In May 2016, the 194 Member States of the World Health Organization(WHO) called on the WHO Director-General to develop, in cooperation with other partners, a Global Campaign to Combat Ageism.

Countries’ commitment to address ageism was again reaffirmed in the UN's Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030).

Changing how people think, feel and act towards age and ageing (ie combating ageism) is one of four action areas of the UN Decade and is highlighted as a prerequisite for achieving the other three action areas.

The Global Campaign to Combat Ageism hopes to engage governments, United Nations and other multilateral agencies, private sector (including International business associations), philanthropic foundations, non-government organizations, academic and research institutions, professional associations, youth and older people’s organizations and a range of other stakeholders.

It is critical that stakeholders from many different sectors,

(e. g. social services, health, education, labor, media)

and

disciplines drive the campaign locally, nationally, regionally and globally to reach people where they are. We would like to know who is already working to combat ageism so that we can build on what exists and join forces to create a world for all ages.

Find the REPORT HERE: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/2021-dha-docs/9789240016866-eng.pdf?sfvrsn=7375d0b8_7&download=true *

1 in 2 people are ageist towards older people .

Older Person's Advocacy Network(opan.org.au) 1/800-700-600

BEWARE OF SCAMS~like text message "Hi Mum" which is believed to taken over $2,000,000 from people in Australia.(scamwatch.gov.au)~ 2022-23.

New Government promises AgedCare Reforms

Aged Care  denied assistance for years, despite numerous Reports, the new Albanese Government elected in May, 2022 

Promises AgedCare Reforms, including more Homecare and nurses(24/7) in all AgedCare homes.

>Let's see what is achieved by 31st October, 2023?

Community-Managed Aged care service~Australian First

2 May, 2022 ~ ABC NEWS

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-02/aged-care-at-home-service-town-of-bell-sets-new-benchmark/101026768

Aged care at home service created by town of Bell(Qld) sets a

new benchmark for 'locals looking after locals.'

ABC Southern Qld

By David Iliffe Posted Mon 2 May 2022 at 1:22pm

With its wide streets, coffee shop, a quintessential pub and affordable property, Bell on Queensland's Western Downs is the kind of country town older residents never want to leave. But for Joan Hunter, a fall at home nearly took that decision out of her hands.

"As I was trying to get through the screen door, I tumbled over, the basket went everywhere, and I went down on my side," she said.

"I must have damaged my hip because I couldn't really walk after that. So, then I knew I was in big trouble." Joan's injuries left her unable to cook, clean, garden, shop, or drive herself to doctor's appointments. She was facing having to abandon her life in Bell and move to a nursing home near her children, not far from the coast, to receive full-time care. "I have a big group of friends I've met since I've lived here, and I'd lose all that," she said.

Key points:

• Bell Cares is a community-managed aged care service that finds locals to care for the town's elderly residents

• It uses the online platform Mable to match elderly people with their carers

• Industry experts says the service is similar to what ride-share service Uber was to the taxi industry — a new disruptive concept

#ASHA strongly supports this new creative rural AgedCare to assist "people to stay in their own homes, in their local area", ~ creating local jobs and services!

# BRAIN HEALTH and QUALITY of LIFE~Sit Less!

Too Much Sitting  is linked to a HIGHER RISK of CANCER and DIABETES, and now to Cognitive Impairment.

Recently the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology's 24 hour movement guidelines highlighted that "sedentary behaviour~sitting", is becoming more recognised as a health risk factor.

This creates  two  (2) challenges for older adults residing in assisted living facilities.

1) They have the lowest adherence to the physical activity guidelines.

2) On top of this, they are also the most sedentary population.

We know this Canadian research is reflected also in Australia,New Zealand, UK and USA older assisted living communities, with only the Dutch being outside this global western trend.

# One of ASHA's key objectives is to ensure better resources and support to have older people stay in their homes as they age.

However, ASHA highlights the need, supported by this Canadian Report "...that we need to Make Assisted Living More Assisted."

Older adults that reduce their sitting time and walk more, ~experience significantly improved cognitive function, more physical function and better quality of life.

JUST DO IT. You are worth it.

ASSOCIATION NEWS~2022 AGM~ held 24 February, 2023

ASHA News Update~26 February, 2023

For the Election of President, Dr Peter Farmer , stood down  for the election and

Acting Chairman, Mr Laurie Placing conducted the election and announced the 2022 AGM election results for the following positions for 2023:-

 Dr Peter Farmer, President

o Vacant, Vice President (Communications) late Michael Barnacoat was not replaced

o  Vacant, Vice President (Regional) Mr Laurie Placing, Acting only until end of February, 2023.

• AGM Minutes will be distributed,

within 30 days of the end of February, 2023 to members.

IMPORTANT NOTES: The new terms and staggered elections advised and advertised in 2020,

will become effective in 2024 following the 2023 AGM to be held in February, 2024.

Constitution Changes on Staggered Elections for 2024 ~ will be circulated to all Members on or before 30 September, 2023.

# Earlier Advice: First circulated in 2020 and confirmed in 2021.

12 July 2021: The Chairman, President Dr Peter Farmer announced the election results for the following positions for 4 years (AGM 2025) effective 2nd August, 2021

o Mr Daniel Cerizay, Vice President (International)

o Mr Lawrie Placing, Vice President (acting until 30 June, 2021, for late Michael Barnacoat )

o Mrs Penny Morgan, Member at Large, pending

o Robert Quimby, Secretary/Treasurer

And

The positions will be open for election in 2023,

currently held by

o Dr Peter Farmer, President

o Vice President (Communications)

o  Vice President (Regional)

Results of the election will be circulated, along with AGM Minutes and the ASHA Advisory Board for 2023 to ASHA members later this month (July, 2021), that is within 30 days of the Annual General Meeting(AGM).

Notice:

The next AGM is in January~February, 2023( CoVid permitting), date and venue on website and sent to all Members by mid January, 2023.

NEWS of Value to you! Wise Seniors.

* March 2021 ~ Ageism is a global challenge! World Health Organisation(WHO). (See our Ageism page, as we plan for 2021-22 and beyond for you.)

*March 1st, 2021 ~ Aged care FINAL Report was tabled in Parliament.

Final Report calls for fundamental and systemic aged care reform.

In their Report, titled Care, Dignity and Respect,

Royal Commissioners Tony Pagone QC and Lynelle Briggs AO call for fundamental reform of the aged care system:

"The extent of sub-standard care in Australia’s aged care system reflects both

poor quality on the part of some aged care providers

and

fundamental systemic flaws with the way the Australian aged care system is designed and governed.

People receiving aged care deserve better.

The Australian community is entitled to expect better."

Full REPORT* https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/news-and-media/final-report-calls-fundamental-and-systemic-aged-care-reform

IT'S HERE COVID19 Vaccine : 22 Feb, 2021,  so please get your advice from the right source, its free and will be made available via authorised hubs, clinics in your region.

We recommend* https://www.sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus

*For advice about CoVid19 in your language

and

the Australian Government website for advice and updates

Website ~ https://www.health.gov.au/

Remember Too

"it's free for all Australians and residents in Australia"

Jan, 2021 ~ Prime Minister Morrison announced CoVid19 vaccine is coming for late Feb to begin vaccination program. Details in our February Newsletter to be released.(Feb 28, 2021)

NEWS Update: Dec 2020. While our 2015 website has now undergone significant change with much of 2016-19 activities, and Events such as Masters, Golden Oldies, and Cumberland Masters Games were removed, due to CoVid19 and old news from 2018.

These Activities and Events will return when new dates are finalized during April 2022 and beyond, delay due to CoVid19 and the lockdowns created by the slow rollout of vaccines in our larger population states of NSW and Victoria.

*** FINALLY, If you are older than 55, in any year of Application, as at 1st January, then you qualify to join ASHA.  JOIN US NOW for 2023 !

Membership Benefits~2023-24

• Health and Nutrition knowledge, guidance and useful resources

* Early Retirement~guidance~ Estate Planning/Wills

• Coaching and mentoring services from July/August, 2023

• Discounts ~ sources of benefits for those aged over 55s from late July/August 2023

• Special Advice ~ Seminars on Family, Legal, Wills, Cooking etc

• Member of an Elite ASHA team**

• Seminars ~ Health and Wellness

** ASHA 2024 Publication ~ The Next Chapter of your Life: A Guide , will available free to members during 2023/24 Financial Year (possibly August/Sept 2024).

• This major resource will be of interest to anyone over 55 and their carers,

acting almost as an Almanac.

ASHA's Final Draft December, 2023 Outline, available during March/April, 2024 for Comment and Review, prior to publication after August/September, 2024.

*Our Vision and Objectives have stayed the same for ASHA.

For Example

Our ASHA Objective to encourage people to stay in their own Homes is supported by the 2018 Productivity Commission Report on Aged Care.

Total government expenditure reported on aged care services in 2016-17 was $17.4 billion.

This comprised expenditure of $12.1 billion on residential care services, $4.4 billion on home care and support services, and $907 million on other services, such as flexible care and assessments.

As at June 2017, there were 204,335 operational places (including flexible places) in residential care services, and 71, 423 recipients of Home Care Packages Level 1–4.

During 2016-17, there were 66,041 older clients receiving Home Care Packages Level 1‑2, 33,136 older clients

receiving Home Care Packages Level 3‑4,704,928 older clients of the Commonwealth Home Support Program, and 62,846 older HACC clients in WA.

There were also 232,252 older clients who received permanent care and

57,498 who received respite care in a residential aged care facility during that period.

The aged care system aims to promote the wellbeing and independence of older people (and their carers), by enabling them to stay in their own homes or by assisting them in residential care.

Governments seek to achieve this aim by subsidising aged care services that are: accessible — including timely and affordable appropriate to meet the needs of clients — person-centered, with an emphasis on integrated care, ageing in place, and restorative approaches high quality. Governments aim for aged care services to meet these objectives in an equitable and efficient manner.

Courtesy of the Productivity Commission

16 Dec, 2020 UPDATE

Government announces thousands more home care packages for older Australians An extra 10,000 older Australians will receive taxpayer support to stay in their homes for longer, as part of a $1 billion investment in this week's budget update (16 Dec, 2020).

Key points: • About 102,000 people are currently waiting for an in-home care package

• The aged care royal commission heard some people were dying while waiting for one

• The Government says about 195,000 people will be receiving in-home care by June 2021

The Federal Government will use the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) to reduce the waitlist for in-home care, which was one of the key recommendations in the aged care royal commission's interim report.

The additional funding is on top of the $1.6 billion announced in the October budget to deliver another 26,000 home care packages.

About 152,000 people are currently receiving in-home care but the latest official data shows more than 102,000 are currently waiting for a package they have already been approved for.

# The Commission described this waitlist as a "cruel and discriminatory system" and found an "alarming" number of older Australians were dying while waiting, or were being forced into residential aged care prematurely.

"During the 12-month period ending in June 2018, more than 16,000 people died waiting for a package," the Commission wrote in its Interim Report. "We regard this as totally unacceptable." from ABC News

The Royal Commission's Interim Report(2019) told us what we already knew from previous Reports and Public Information(like our members).

ROYAL COMMISSION ON AGED CARE

A Shocking Tale of Neglect

It’s not easy growing old.

For the Full October 2019 Interim Report~

https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/about-interim-report

WELCOME COVID19 NEWS~3rd December, 2020

ABC News Update~UK CoVid Vaccine release~2 Dec, 2020

By Michael Doyle

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt is giving an overview of the situation in the UK

Firstly, he had glowing words of praise for all of us.

"I want to say to Australians, firstly, thank you.

What you have done in terms of helping to fight the coronavirus pandemic this year has been extraordinary.

The media have played a hugely important role. Our states, territories, health professionals, the Australian public, and in particular our regulators."

Earlier~By Michael Doyle

Safety is the major priority for a vaccine in Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says ensuring a COVID-19 vaccine is safe is the main focus of the Government.

The comments come after the UK announced a vaccine would be available.

"As is the case with the vaccine and the many other challenges we face, we have got to get that balance right and we will implement the vaccine here in Australia according to Australian needs and Australian conditions," he said.

"As we move into the vaccine, our first priority is that it be safe."

ROYAL COMMISSION ON AGED CARE~INTERIM REPORT 2019

A Shocking Tale of Neglect.

It’s not easy growing old.

We avoid thinking and talking about it.

As we age, we progressively shift our focus from work to the other things that give us purpose and joy: our children and grandchildren, our friends, our holidays, our homes and gardens, our local communities, our efforts as volunteers, our passions, and hobbies.

The Australian community generally accepts that older people have earned the chance to enjoy their later years, after many decades of contribution and hard work.

Yet the language of public discourse is not respectful towards older people. Rather, it is about the burden, encumbrance, obligation, and whether taxpayers can afford to pay for the dependence of older people.

As a nation, Australia has drifted into an ageist mindset that undervalues older people and limits their possibilities. Sadly, this failure to properly value and engage with older people as equal partners in our future has extended to our apparent indifference towards aged care services. Left out of sight and out of mind, these important services are floundering. They are fragmented, unsupported, and underfunded.

Further in the Commission's 2019 Interim Report

The major quality and safety issues which have been brought to our attention during this Royal Commission are: • inadequate prevention and management of wounds, sometimes leading to septicaemia and death • poor continence management—many aged care residences don’t encourage toilet use or strictly ration continence pads, often leaving distressed residents sitting or lying in urine or faeces • dreadful food, nutrition and hydration, and insufficient attention to oral health, leading to widespread malnutrition, excruciating dental and other pain, and secondary conditions • a high incidence of assaults by staff on residents and by residents on other residents and on staff • common use of physical restraint on residents, not so much for their safety or wellbeing but to make them easier to manage • widespread overprescribing, often without clear consent, of drugs which sedate residents, rendering them drowsy and unresponsive to visiting family and removing their ability to interact with people • patchy and fragmented palliative care for residents who are dying, creating unnecessary distress for both the dying person and their family.

For the Full October 2019 Interim Report~ https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/about-interim-report.

ASHA2014^© is the website for the Association for Strong and Healthy Ageing registered in Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.