Aging

Kenneth “Ken” Weeks, the Clarence Valley’s oldest resident and the country’s oldest known living man, celebrated his 111th birthday earlier this month at his residence at Whiddon Grafton. With his loved ones by his side, Mr Weeks enjoyed a low-key affair this year after his 110th birthday in 2023 was commemorated in spectacular style by Heinz Australia who personalised 300 cans of his favourite food, baked beans, with his portrait in his honour.

The Hay Shire Council Aged Care Roundtable was held last Monday and was organised by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care Local Network. More than 25 people attended, representing Council, Haydays, Hay Multi-Purpose Service, and aged care providers and support services.

Cycling Without Age Kerang is seeking to expand its services to other nursing homes, but they require more volunteer cyclists to do so ... The TriBike, a trike bike, is electronically assisted, providing an effortless pedal for the cyclist and a safe and enjoyable ride for up to two passengers.

Sebastian Calderon. A local nursing home recently organised a week of arts, crafts, and creative activities aimed to put smiles on the faces of its residents. The Riverview Lutheran Rest Home in Loxton held a ‘show week’ with residents and visitors enjoying activities organised to boost the mood and happiness of everyone involved.

Hay’s Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) hosted a very well attended open day at Hay Multipurpose Service (MPS) ... More than 65 community members and service providers gathered on the lawns for morning tea, before tours of McFarland Wing were given by Acting Facility Manager Melissa O’Brien.

Kerry Cain. Music plays a vital role in promoting joy and well-being for residents in aged care, and recently, Maldon Hospital welcomed a meaningful gift that will enhance the musical experience for its residents. The family of nursing heroine Ethel Jessie Bowe has donated a beautiful Thalberg piano to the hospital, celebrating the legacy of the remarkable woman for whom Jessie Bowe House is named.

An innovative portrait project at Uniting Caroona Yamba by renowned local artist Harry Westera is uniting residents and staff, fostering a friendly community and preserving precious memories ... When his wife Grace, a Pastoral Carer at Caroona Yamba suggested he volunteer he took up the opportunity, and in 2 years he has hand drawn 91 portraits of residents, 52 of which adorn the walls of Caroona, with more being added regularly.

With 1 in 6 people aged 65 years and older across Australia experiencing some form of abuse, high-profile First Nations Elders Yalmay YunupiÅ‹u, 2024 Senior Australian of the Year, and Charlie King OAM have joined together to urge community to have a yarn about the abuse of older people ... "We all know the abuse of older people isn’t part of our culture, so we need to come together and yarn about it so we can stop it from happening,” says Yalmay YunupiÅ‹u.

With a prediction more than 1000 older residents will need suitable accommodation by 2027 some might want the Shire of Gingin to rethink its priorities. In the past six months the shire has controversially spent more than $700,000 for land on Dewar Rd for a future recreational use while the amount of housing available for seniors remains at the same level it was in 2015.

Well, sooner or later – usually later in life, your plumbing will act up, and your doctor will tell you that you will need a colonoscopy. It’s a word to put fear into your heart, and sympathetic expressions ( or evil chuckles) on the faces of friends and family who have endured the procedure. In case you’ve never had it done, I will share my firsthand experience.

What’s the future of our community-owned aged care facility, Longridge Aged Care (LAC)? LAC is facing financial pressures due to the increased cost of business and is struggling to retain a stable workforce ... has written to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council to come to its rescue so it can continue to provide the best care for its residents.

Serena Kirby. Statistics reveal that one-in six people over 65 will experience elder abuse and it’s more prevalent in remote areas and country towns ... Christine said elder abuse was not just physical violence or sexual abuse but included coercive control, psychological abuse, neglect, financial abuse and socially isolating someone.

Australia’s oldest woman, Lorna Henstridge, was born a Paterson and grew up on a Willamulka farm with her parents and two siblings ... Turning 110 last Thursday, June 6,Ms Henstridge was born in 1914 in Adelaide and lived on Yorke Peninsula until 1921.

A 73-year-old Iluka man who says he became "stuck in paradise" during Covid lockdowns has gained a new lease on life by training at Bodyrock Fitness which recently led to him setting an Australian Powerlifting record in his first competition. When they could escape Victoria following the first Covid lockdown, Grant "Riley" Oppy and his wife hit the road travelling around Australia...

Well, the pill popping has started. To misquote John Travolta - I've got PILLS they're multiplying, and I'm losing control ... Sitting at a horse show last year with my husband, his mate of similar age turned and said to him, "how many pills do you have to take?"

Steve North said it was fate after a play he wrote a couple of years ago was recently announced as one of eight winners in the nationwide Sage Age Playwriting Competition. Entitled The Last Rehearsal, Mr North’s play is based on a theatre group who are preparing to rehearse ahead of an upcoming performance, but unbeknownst to their director ...

Will Hunter. More than 1000 competitors will be hoping to take home the chocolates from the Copper Coast 2024 SA Masters Games this Thursday to Sunday, April 11 to 14. It is the third time in four years the Copper Coast has hosted the games, and venues across Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta will host a total 20 sports.

Patricia Gill. Business developer and founder of Denmark-based Acare WA Marie Redman has proposed that the Shire of Denmark buildings be vacated to make way for seniors’ accommodation. Her suggestion, which would involve the Shire moving into the site of Supa IGA and a new big supermarket being built elsewhere, was met with applause at last Thursday’s meeting at the Riverside Club.

The CEO of a Cootamundra aged care facility has welcomed a move by TAFE NSW Cootamundra to reintroduce a critical healthcare course amid a deepening skills shortage in the industry. For the first time in almost a decade, a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance will be offered at TAFE NSW Cootamundra ...

Health bureaucracies that slashed rural nursing services for the sick and elderly have been put on notice by Member for MacKillop Nick McBride and Health Minister Chris Picton ... Without consultation, on January 22 the green rubber rings of two Local Health Networks squeezed out rural nursing services at Lucindale, Tintinara and Coonalpyn. People with cancer, MS, heart conditions and the elderly were told to drive round trips of 80kms or more for many nursing services. Most have no ability to drive. There is no public transport.