The Changing Definition of “A Full Life”
The definition of “a full life” is expanding. Not too long ago, a person who lived until age 70 was considered to have had a good, long run. With lengthening life…
The alarming rise in personal injury cases from transvaginal mesh implants
There has been considerable, well-deserved media coverage about injuries following mesh implants for women suffering prolapse. Journalist Joanne McCarthy at the Newcastle Herald has been doing a wonderful job in…
Chemical restraint of the elderly in aged care facilities
There is growing concern about the use of chemical restraint of the elderly in aged care facilities, particularly as a first-step treatment or to manage staffing shortages. Public Advocate Colleen…
Transitioning from retirement into volunteering
We've all heard of transitioning to retirement, but what about transitioning from retirement. I know of so many people who enter into retirement and then tell me they have never been…
4th Annual Elder Abuse Conference, Melbourne
An impressive line up of speakers addressed the issues of elder abuse, covering financial, physical, psychological, sexual abuse, mistreatment, neglect and malicious harm, at the the 4th Annual Elder Abuse…
Preventable death in hospital
Unexpected injury or death of a loved one while in hospital care is a particularly confronting situation for families. This perhaps even more so when the injured family member has…
Seniors’ Housing Shortage
A seniors' housing shortage has been identified in a recent report authored by Professor Wendy Lacey from the Faculty of Law at The University of South Australia and Dr Eileen…
Should Over-70s Be Allowed To Drive?
A recent article in The Retiree quotes comments made by NSW Police’s Head of Traffic to the effect that people over 70 should not drive. Officer John Hartley believes older…
How to Discuss Care Issues with an Elderly Parent
We know that we inevitably need to discuss care issues with our ageing parents, but actually having “the conversation” is not easy, nor is finding the right time to have that conversation. …
Dementia Cafes Proving a Hit
A network of dementia cafes aimed at connecting people living with dementia and their loved ones to one another and gently introducing them to support services is proving the perfect…
End of life care
End of life care, or the question “how would you like to die?” is an important topic which many families, care-givers and healthcare professionals struggle to discuss with patients who are…
Complaints involving the Hunter New England Local Health District
We read with interest the article by journalist Gabriel Wingate-Pearse in the Newcastle Herald on 6 January 2016 regarding complaints involving the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). In the article she…
Health and Ageing Australians
Health and ageing are closely entwined, so it's important to ensure Australia’s ageing population maintains a high level of health. Experts say that a greater national focus is required to ensure ongoing good health…
Loneliness and the Elderly
Researchers have long known the dangers of loneliness, especially among the elderly, but the cellular mechanisms by which loneliness causes adverse health outcomes have not been well understood. Now a…
People Close To Their Grandparents Are Happier In Life
A remarkable American study at Brigham Young University finds that grandparents are very important with respect to the role they play in their grandchildren’s lives. The report makes it clear…
Alzheimer’s – Is There a Cure?
Alzheimer's disease. More than 40 million people worldwide suffer from it, and that number is expected to increase drastically in the coming years. But no real progress has been made…
Elder Mediation in Elder Care
Elder Mediation - you may not have heard the term before, but, with an ageing population, the emerging practice of elder mediation could soon become a staple in age-related care.…
Senior Australians Becoming New Business Owners
Senior Australians are becoming the fastest growing segment of new business owners. Research conducted at Swinburne University of Technology and Queensland University of Technology interviewed more than 400 people aged over 50…
Family Strife Over Elder Care? An Elder Mediation Could Help
One or both parents requiring care can create serious stresses and conflicts within families. Sometimes disagreements and misunderstandings over elder care or inheritance issues can lead families to break apart, affecting descendants…
Can Higher Education Fight Off Dementia?
A rise in people taking up higher education may have a positive impact to fight off dementia, a leading expert has said. Professor June Andrews told an audience at Edinburgh International…
Children and the Elderly – Making a Difference
Mackay mother, Khloe Dales is the mastermind behind a new initiative that is encouraging young children and their families to visit people in nursing homes. She says Little High Fives…
Mediation Program – Resolving Conflicts in Aged Care
Facilitated mediation may be an effective way to resolve conflicts between older people, their families and care providers. Preliminary results from a specialised conflict resolution program for seniors, run between a…
Tackling Elder Abuse
The Sydney Morning Herald has commented on the challenges of Australia's rapidly ageing population as often being talked about in terms of healthcare costs or keeping older people in work.…
Laughter is the best medicine
Just 10 minutes of fun and laughter a week is enough to dramatically improve the quality of life of a person living with dementia, according to Newcastle filmmaker and Arts…
Stress less when caring for an ageing parent
We recently had the privilege of seeing and listening to Amy O’Rourke talking about caring for an ageing parent. Amy has a Masters in Public Health Administration, a Masters in…
NDIS risked by privatisation
Published in the Newcastle Herald 31/10/2014 The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS) is landmark federal legislation. Its guiding principles are to ensure people living with disability have choice, control…