Archived Articles
CHANGES TO RV LEGISLATION FINALLY COMING TO EFFECT
New retirement village laws to benefit residents from 1 March 2010. There will be a 12 month transition period. Fair Trading is organizing information sessions on the changes. For further details refer to the information in the link below or phone TARS.
Click here to find out about the Editorial: RV reforms for residents.
Changes to Retirement Village Laws
The Office of Fair Trading announced the commencement date for the recent changes made to retirement village laws by the Retirement Villages Act 2008 and the Retirement Villages Regulations 2009, as 1 March 2010.
Until 1 March 2010, the provisions of the existing Retirement Villages Act and Regulation will continue to apply.
Copies of the Amendment Act and Regulation are available from the NSW Legislation website www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/.
For a summary of the changes, go to the Reforms to retirement village laws section of the Fair Trading website www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_home_owners/...village_laws.html
Further information about the changes for residents and operators will be available on the Fair Trading website in the months leading up to the commencement of the new laws. For updates, visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ or contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
Also if you have any queries you can contact TARS.
Federal Governments Aged Care Dental Plan
Advocates have been reading reports lately about the Federal Government's aged care oral and dental plan. Although this plan has been welcomed by many aged care and health professionals, in an article in the April-May edition of INsite, the question is asked, how are 2820 dental hygienists, one for every home across Australia, going to be trained and ready to use their new skills by 2010? The Federal Government has allocated a budget of $3 million dollars to be used aver a two year period. The outcome would mean improved quality of life and health, including reduction in oral pain, and improved nutrition for older people. The article reports on the suggestion to have a dentist assess oral status during the Aged Care Assessment Team process. The trained hygienists would return to their aged care home and go on to train other staff in oral care for all residents receiving care. The Aged Care Access Initiative will overlap with the dental plan to provide allied health needs to residents.
Reference: Insite Newspaper, April-May 2009 edition, p.2.
Because We Care: Quality Care for Older Australians
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has landmarked a first in Australian nursing history by launching a campaign to ensure aged care has a strong future. The campaign is targeting 170,000 nurses in it's Because we care: quality care for older Australians. The campaign has the goal of ensuring quality of care, pay equity and mix of staff, and ensure staff receive flow on from any future funding for aged care.
In an article in the April ANJ ( Australian Nurses Journal), the ANF stated they would be asking anyone with an interest in aged care to sign a campaign charter, which will be forwarded to the government. It is hoped the campaign will promote and retain staff in aged care services.
From Australian Nursing Journal, April 09, Volume 16, Number 9: page 5.
Peer Education Program run by COTA
The COTA Seniors Peer Education Program is providing much needed education for seniors on a range of topics including medicines-related health information talks, and our Beyond Maturity Blues talks, we encourage your associations and groups to contact us on 9286 3868 to find out more and book your talk today.
Free Talk on Road Safety for Seniors
The NRMA run a road safety for seniors workshop called 'Years Ahead' - it's a free talk about the road safety of seniors delivered by trained NRMA presenters from within the peer age group. It's about an hour long and they come to the seniors group - they will be doing an adapted talk in August for the volunteer drivers at Tom Foster. The informative and informal presentation features up-to-date statistics and video footage. Things discussed include: crash involvement, road rules, safe driving tips, vehicle safety, pedestrian safety, physical fitness and driving, and mobility alternatives.
If you are interested and a group of more than 15 seniors are present please contact Jenny on 9335 2207.
Jennifer Adams
Road Safety Officer
Marrickville Council
ph: 9335 2207
fax: 9335 2029
Older People Using Computers
Here at TARS we do receive calls from seniors over 90 years of age who found our contact details on the internet. Research involving people over 55 years of age has shown that 28% are actually 70 years or older, and they access the internet in order to maintain contact with their friends and community (Sum, Matthews and Hughes, 2009 ). In their paper Participaion of older adults in cyberspace: How Australian older adults use the Internet, Sum, Matthews and Hughes explore the benefits for older people who use the internet to keep them informed and connected with people with the same interests. A survey of 2002 revealed that 7% of people over 50 years of age spent between up to 5 hours each week on the Internet, and 67% stated they spent 10 hours or more using the internet.
(Australasian Journal on Ageing, Vol 28 No 4 December 2009 p 189-193)
Sensible Advise for Elderly People in Heat Wave Conditions
Remember this weather may have an impact on the frail, older people in your care.
You should:
- Make sure the temperature in the room is comfortable (use fans or coolers if there is no
air conditioning) - Offer fluids frequently - small amounts regularly (eg.hourly)
- Jelly, ice cream or fruit juice blocks are alternatives to fluids
- Ensure clothing is loose
- Offer tepid showers or sponging
- Keep curtains and blinds closed to reduce the impact of the excess heat
(source: Department of Health and Ageing)
The Elderly and Fires
There were two timely articles in the Australian Nurses Journal in the February edition relating to the elderly and fires.
The article on "Preventing heat stroke in Australian communities" by Chris Belshaw outlined the vulnerable groups of people at risk of acquiring heat oedema, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, whether at rest or associated with exertion. The article lists symptoms and complications for the nurse to watch out for, as both community workers and staff in aged care homes need to be aware of the risks their clients are potentially under in scenarios of bush fires, heat waves and extreme conditions as seen in 2000, 2004 and now in 2009 in different states of Australia. Of course the elderly, physically disabled, those with cardiac or endocrine conditions and those with dementia are most vulnerable. (ANJ, Vol 16, Number 7, pages 28-31, Feb 09)
In the same volume, an article called "Increased fire death risk for the elderly" (ANJ Feb 09), gives statistics of older people who have been killed by fire in the home. Most of these deaths, and "near misses" occurred due to accidents in the kitchen associated with use of ignition eg gas stoves, and others in rooms also involving ignition of clothing or cigarettes. (ANJ Volume 16, Number 7, page 35, Feb 09).
It is Flu Season
As we are all aware, flu season is upon us once again. In particular the Influenza A H1N1 virus, or Swine flu, pandemic has been in the news a great deal.
It seems this virus is not as contagious as first thought, though it is still advised that people take care when they are unwell with any kind of flu especially around people who are at risk - the elderly, the very young, people with asthma and the morbidly obese.
Most websites and literature on the spreading of flu advise that the best way to stop any contagion is by keeping "good respiratory hygiene".
This is best done by:
- Thorough handwashing, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing or wiping the nose; soap and water are fine, but if they are not available, an alcohol based hand gel is perfectly adequate
- Keep your coughs and sneezes to yourself - cough or sneeze into a handkerchief or into the crook of your elbow; if you do cough or sneeze into your hand make sure you wash your hands afterwards!
- Dispose of tissues carefully - into a closed bin, and if you do use a handkerchief, wash them carefully
- >Stay home if you are sick! Unfortunately, over the counter cold and flu medication that make you feel better do not stop you from being contagious, so it is best to remain isolated while you are sick and rest.
For those of us who work with older people or have older family members, an extra phone call here and there to check if they are OK is sensible and keeping our distance if we are at all unwell is prudent.
If you have a relative in an aged care home, please be mindful of your relative and other residents before going to the home if you are unwell.
Janna Taylor CEO
Computers for Aged Care homes
Justine Elliot, the Minister for Ageing, announced a plan for an initiative which will allow residents in aged care homes to speak to and see their relatives using computers. The Commonwealth government has promised $120,000 to trial the project in Victoria, and be implemented by the Western District Health Service.
This initiative using laptop computers, webcam and video conferencing will assist older residents especially in rural areas to communicate with family and friends not only nationally but also anywhere in the world.
This demonstrates the commitment of both state and national governments to improving access to services and greatly improve the lives of older Australians. Information kits are being developed and will be distributed around Australia for other services to become involved.
We are not sure if this Virtual Visiting initiative is a first in the world. If so, Australia will be attracting a lot of positive attention from aged care services, and those working with older people, and community groups.
Australian Association of Gerontology
41st National Conference
Ageing Landscapes
TARS advocate/education officers joined conference delegates from around Australia last week for the national gerontology conference in Fremantle, WA.
Local, national and international speakers presented a spectrum of topical academic papers on issues related to ageing over three days.
In her opening address, the Hon. Justine Elliot, Minister for Ageing, Australian Government, stressed that policy and practice need to be evidence-based, and that Knowledge transfer, from research to policy and practice, in the field of healthy ageing is vital to achieving better outcomes for all Australians as they age.
Some interesting papers included "Promoting independence in later years", "Goal setting - an alien concept for older people", "Person centred Care", "Nurse Practitioner Role in Improving Aged Care", "Advance Care Planning in the Residential Aged Care setting", "Supporting the Environment so Older People Can Support Themselves", "Exercise and Older People - the need to pump iron", "Why are we interested in ageing - policy, practice and personal perspective", "Pain assessment Tool for Adults with Dementia", "Depression and Dementia", and "Elder Abuse and Neglect".
From this conference it is evident that ageing can be seen as a changing, dynamic environment. Interrelations and a collaborative approach is essential to ensure that research is used effectively to influence policies and the practice of caring for the aged.
Meeting other NACAP services
TARS delegates also had the opportunity to meet with other NACAP services from WA and SA. We visited ADVOCARE staff in their new premises at Belmont, and were treated to afternoon tea. Both ADVOCARE WA and ARAS SA receive funding for Elder Abuse Education.
Annual Leadership Team Meeting of ANPEA
We were also able to attend the Annual Leadership Team Meeting of ANPEA (the Australian Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse). The meeting was chaired by Gerry Naughton from Latrobe University.
TARS Older Persons' Legal Service and similar services provide education and information sessions to alert older people to the issues of financial, physical, emotional and all abuse. Various initiatives from the different states were discussed. Again, a collaborative effort is required to get information out to the public, and to have enough support from advocacy groups and government departments to be able to follow through with calls about abuse.
Photos from the meeting...The ANPEA Photo Album
Media Release from Paul Lynch, MP
Please click here to see the Media Release from Paul Lynch, MP.
Home Reach service now in nine languages ’Äì providing valuable information about the home and community care sector.
A review by Rosalene Jones on sessions she attended at the
Australian Association of Gerontology Conference - Ageing Landscapes
Some interesting quotes form the speakers at the conference.
FALLS
- The ability to balance is essential in maintaining older people's independence
- Poor balance places older people at high risk of falling
- The majority of falls occur in a persons own home
ACTIVE AGEING
Session with Prof Robert Newton Vario Health Institute, Edith Cowan Univ. W.A.
Exercise and older people - the need to pump iron.
We are all programmed for physical activity.
Optimal levels of activity for aged persons.
30 minutes exercise 5 times per week - for all adults should include:
- 20 minutes anabolic/aerobic exercise 3 times per week on non-consecutive days.
- Anabolic exercise for older people retards or reverses loss of strength and power and loss of independence. (Anabolic - repetitive movements performed against resistance).
- Aerobic exercise: best form is the one you enjoy - included gardening not just watering the plants but physical exercise
- Lifelong physical activity has a strong preventative effect
- Fitness is the key to health
He concluded with: Nothing works as well as exercise.
ref: r.newton@ecu.edu.au
Diet for a healthy older age
The following session with Prof Colin Binns: Diet for a healthy older age
- We are what we eat and what you have eaten in the past!
- Genes load the gun - Lifestyle pulls the trigger.
- Enjoy GOOD food.
- We frequently hear and read
Older people want to stay at home in their own home
but 15% of older Australians do not have a home to live in. - Consumption of tea is recognised as a benefit to healthy ageing.
Dr Anna Howe
Dr Anna Howe Consultant Gerontologist in her presentation suggested that:
- When looking at the landscape, look at the horizon, look to the future, not down at the present.
NSW Fire Brigade SABRE Programme
The NSW Fire Brigade runs a programme called Smoke Alarm Battery Replacement for the Elderly or SABRE.
This programme is available to elderly people and people with disabilities living in their own homes who have limited support in their homes to have help with checking their smoke alarms and to change the batteries in their alarms.
If you are an older person living alone, or with minimal domestic support, look in your local phone book for the phone number of your local Fire Station to ask for more information or assistance. Or you can go to the website of the NSW Fire Brigade: www.fire.nsw.gov.au
Capacity Toolkit
TARS has received the new Capacity Toolkit booklet which has been developed as an information tool for government and community workers, professionals, families and carers
in NSW.
It deals with issues such as - "What is capacity" and "How do I decide whether a person has the capacity to make their own decisions."
If you would like a copy phone TARS.
Noeline Brown has Been Appointed Ambassador for Ageing
Noeline Brown has been appointed Ambassador for Ageing. Ms Brown, actress, comedienne and patron to many community groups, is herself seventy years old. When welcoming Noeline into her new role, at the ACSA National Community Care Conference in Sydney in June, it was stated that she would be a great advocate for older people.
The responsibilities of the Ambassador for Ageing include promoting principles of positive and active ageing, promoting active ageing messages within the community, leading activities to encourage respect for older people, explaining Government initiatives to the public, encouraging older people to plan for the future, representing the Australian Government at conferences, and attending meetings with key Commonwealth, State and local government stakeholders on positive ageing issues.
(from Australian Ageing Agenda, July/August 2008, p 11)
Janna Taylor writes to the St George and Sutherland Shire
Leader newspaper
Following is letter our CEO Janna Taylor wrote in response to an article which appeared in the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader newspaper.
We were saddened to read the front page article in the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader (Thursday 10 January 2008) on Mr Thomas Pritchard and the account of his experience in a local nursing home.
The Aged-care Rights Service Inc (TARS) is a community legal centre that provides advocacy for residents of Aged Care Homes, that is, nursing homes and hostels. TARS is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing under the National Aged Cared Advocacy Program (NACAP). When contacted by residents or their families TARS assists in resolving complaints quickly and to ensure the rights of residents in aged care homes are upheld.
TARS also provides education on the Charter of Residents' Rights and Responsibilities to staff and residents. Our education services assist residents by informing them of their rights and how they, or their families, might seek advocacy if they feel their rights are being
ignored or violated.
Older Australians 'active contributors to family and community' says national report
Older people over 65 are active contributors to family and community life, and not the 'burden on the community' some people imagine them to be, says a new report, Older Australia at a glance, released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Ann Peut, Head of the Institute's Ageing and Aged Care Unit, said the report showed that older people in Australia are a diverse group from an array of backgrounds who contribute in many ways to the social and economic wellbeing of Australia.
'For a start, 24% of men and 13% of women aged 65-69 years participate in the workforce', Ms Peut said.
'Despite having relatively low average levels of income, 24% of all older Australians were providing direct or indirect financial support for adult children or relatives outside
their household.
'And almost half of all people aged 65-74 years provide unpaid assistance to someone outside their household, one-third provide volunteer services, and 29% are actively involved in a community organisation,' she said.
In addition, older Australians aged 65-74 make up 13% of primary carers who assist people with disability.
The report also found that, although disability levels and use of health care services do rise with age, the overwhelming majority of older people live in private dwellings in the community, with only 6% living in homes such as aged care homes and hospitals.
Even among those aged 85 years and over, the great majority (74%) live in private dwellings.
Increased longevity is resulting in marked growth in the numbers of people over the age of 85, and associated increases in the prevalence of many health conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia.
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare
22 November 2007
Some thoughts on working at TARS... interview with one of our advocates
What is the nature of your job at TARS - your role and responsibilities?
I provide advocacy and advice to recipients of aged care services. I am responsible for giving residents and their relatives a clear understanding of aged care rights and legislation.
Who do you work with and report to?
I report to the TARS Manager. I work with two Solicitors, an Education Coordinator as well as Educators and Administrative staff.
What key work experience or educational qualifications do you have or need for
this job?
I have a degree in Nursing and experience in aged care and the public hospital system. Other staff, including the advocates, have backgrounds in law, education and aged and community care. We all need and have skills in listening empathetically, clarifying issues and making appropriate referrals.
How did you find/get into this position?
I had thought for some time that aged care advocacy would be an interesting field to work in because I enjoy working with older people. I then happened to find a TARS promotional pen in the street. I contacted the service and found there was a vacancy on the advocacy team. It was one of the best finds I have ever had!
What do you love about your job?
I love working with a dedicated team, helping people to be aware of their rights and as a result, empowering them to be able to make changes to improve their lives. I enjoy the balance of education and advocacy because of the different skills I use in each. Much of my work starts as an inquiry for information from callers who want to access aged care. I then help people clarify their rights and the care they should be receiving and when necessary, assist them to make effective complaints to improve the service. The more complex inquiries become advocacy cases. I find it satisfying to be able to follow these clients through the advocacy process.
It is exciting to respond to education requests as we service the Sydney metropolitan area as well as rural and remote areas in NSW. We are always welcomed by services and enjoy talking to residents and staff.
Describe your greatest moment?
I worked with a client whose mother was in an aged care home. Through advocacy I was able to help her to make an effective complaint by writing a letter to the home’Äôs management. She later called to say the Director of Nursing had responded to her letter and all her issues had been addressed satisfactorily. We don't always hear of the outcomes of the issues we assist people with, so it is always gratifying to hear from someone who has had a
positive result.
What aspect of your job do you find the most challenging?
When we hear about people in the community who have been reported to be suffering from abuse or neglect. Also, sometimes we are unable to assist people who have made incorrect or ill-informed decisions before consulting TARS.
How does your job make a difference in aged care?
Both advocacy and education facilitate positive changes in the lives of residents, their families and people working in the aged care industry by making them more aware of residents’Äô rights and responsibilities and improving their quality of life. I love knowing the work I do helps make these changes.
What kind of future career path is there for you?
I want to continue to work as a part of this team which is reaching more and more people in the community through education and advocacy. As the team grows I will be willing to take on more responsibility.
Any advice about working in aged care?
You have to be willing to respect, be kind and be patient and you will be rewarded.
RETRIBUTION IN RESIDENTIAL CARE
A Literature Review
This review examined available literature to identify the extent to which retribution - either as an actual experience or as an apprehension or expectation of older people in residential care - is cited or addressed.
It is a 56-page paper produced by PPR Consulting, and completed in May 2005 for the Commissioner for Complaints, Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing.
The review includes:
- Evidence of extent of retribution
- Current strategies to address retribution and fear of retribution by older people in
residential care
Ring TARS or the Department of Health and Aging if you are interested in obtaining a copy.
The Need for Qualified Nurses in Aged Care homes
Late last year an edition of The Lamp, the magazine of the NSW Nurses' Association, focused on nurses working in aged care.
In Nurses Key to Quality Aged Care, Cheryl Edwards speaks about her passion for aged care and explains why she has stayed working with the elderly for the last twenty years. Ms Edwards raises the issue of the need for qualified nurses to provide the quality of care they deserve. She also suggests it is essential to have managers of aged care homes who have nursing background in order to understand both the residents' care needs, and the nurses' roles
and issues.
She stresses the importance of communication between residents, families, staff and the owners of the home. The management role of holding the wider picture of the organization, and being able to offer clinical support to staff and many residents who have complex needs which require qualified nurses to deliver this care, is therefore best served by a trained nurse. It follows that there is a need to employ staff with nursing qualifications and skills to deliver this care. There is still a place for a range of nursing roles, and she encourages her staff to develop their skills and attend courses.
To place more emphasis on the issue of quality care, in another article in the same magazine, The NSW Nurses Association General Secretary, Judith Kiejda, has stated that "the key to high quality aged care is having adequate levels of skilled and qualified nursing staff who can respond to the care needs of individual residents". She adds, "Just as not all employees in homes in aged care homes are the same, not all operators are the same". She stresses how important it is to have licenced nurses giving care, for the safety of both the residents and the nurses. Nurses need time allocated to sit and speak with residents and for them to communicate needs and solve problems. There is often no time for such 'luxuries' as this. She believes that if operators care about the staff, they will also care more for the needs of
the residents.
From THE LAMP, the magazine of the NSW Nurses' Association, Volume 63 no, 10
November 2006
About Seniors
Would you like information specifically for Seniors? Click on the link below to go to the website and the About Seniors Newsletter.
