Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victora is pleased to announce that Chris Potaris has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer, replacing Tina Hogarth-Clarke, who has held the position for the last 3 years. Mr Potaris, with over two decades senior management experience, in more than eight industries, boasts a wide-ranging skillset across global […]
Researchers from the National Centre for Healthy Ageing (NCHA) Residential Aged Care Research Network (RACReN) want to hear what you think are the most important areas to research in residential aged care. This information will be shared with aged care researchers to ensure they are researching what matters most to everyone involved in residential aged
Friends for Good is a volunteer driven not-for-profit and Australian loneliness pioneer. The organisation raises awareness of loneliness as a significant issue in the community and addresses gaps in services to foster a greater sense of connection and wellbeing for individuals and communities. Friends for Good, through offering support to diverse callers experiencing loneliness on
Is anyone else cold? I think I started last month’s newsletter with a similar question. As I type this, I watch the wind and rain (or is it hail?) lash my window and I pause, once again, to reflect on how lucky I am to have a roof over my head and the resources to
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) will be continuing the conversation on ageism. Our afternoon tea event, Stir a Cuppa with Seniors, will be happening at the Melbourne Bowls Club in the Flagstaff Gardens from 2pm. It will also be live-streamed. Gerard Mansour, the Ambassador for the Prevention of Elder
As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15 June, Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) is hosting its annual ‘Stir A Cuppa with Seniors’ event. This year, the event is highlighting the role of grandparents. A panel discussion led by Gerard Mansour, Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention, will explore
The reform of Victoria’s mental health system is underway. Driving the reforms are the 65 recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system. Twelve months in and much has been achieved already, including: Releasing the Mental health and wellbeing workforce strategy, which sets out the steps needed for recruiting, upskilling and retaining vital mental
The John Pierce Centre in Prahran recently approached COTA Victoria, looking for ways to support its Deaf senior group members to access aged care services. For the signing Deaf community, contact with My Aged Care is very limited. Some Deaf seniors can’t read, meaning printed information is inaccessible. Those who can’t register with My Aged
Through our Working Together Employment Support projects, COTA Victoria is matching mentors with people aged 50+ who need support to return to the paid workforce. The projects are running in Bendigo and across Melbourne’s north and western suburbs through to December 2022. Still seeking mentors We’re still on the lookout for volunteer mentors with professional work
Last month I introduced COTA Connects readers to the Ships’ Graveyard, a mysterious stretch of sea outside of Port Phillip Heads. One ship that sailed its waters was the iconic paddle steamer Hygeia, which, along with the Ozone and Weeroona, brought thousands of tourists to Queenscliff from Melbourne between 1890 and 1931. Built in Glasgow
All gas heaters can spill carbon monoxide. It doesn’t make a sound, and you can’t see or smell it. But it can make you seriously sick or kill you. To be sure your gas heater is safe, you should: – have it serviced at least once every two years by a qualified gasfitter – check
If you know about pelvic organ prolapse, then it is probably because you have one, or know someone who has. You’re not alone. Around 50% of women who have birthed children experience some level of prolapse. For most women their prolapse happens (or becomes more noticeable) during the menopause transition. If you have never heard
