ACT Veterans and Seniors Newsletter
February 2017

Contents

Major News Items and Activities

Forthcoming Events

Notices and Information

Employment and Retirement

Learning and Development

Volunteering Opportunities

Health and Wellbeing

Finance and Budgeting

Mailing List and Future Articles

Major News Items and Activities

Seniors MyWay Card - Improvements

Transport Canberra, along with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT; have created improvements to Seniors MyWay Cards, which now include a signature ID on the card, streamlining usage and access for card holders.

Previous blue and yellow Seniors MyWay Cards are still valid for travel on ACTION buses. If you would like to update your card to the new Seniors MyWay Card, with the new Transport Canberra brand, you will need to apply for a replacement card.

For further information on applying for a Seniors MyWay Card, registering your MyWay Card and anything else MyWay, please visit the COTA website or call ACTION on 13 17 10.

Travel on the NSW Opal Network for ACT Seniors Card holders

Did you know that ACT Seniors Card holders are eligible for concession travel on the NSW Opal network?

However, there are a few things you should check before applying:

1. Do you have a valid Seniors/MyWay card?
MyWay cards remain valid for two years from the date of the last 'transaction' (a 'transaction' could be either travel, recharge or when the card has been originally activated). If your card has expired you will need to get a replacement card.

2. How many numbers does your Seniors Card have?
If your card has only five numbers (the older cards) or does not have a MyWay card on the reverse side, you will need to get a replacement card

3. When did you apply for/receive your Seniors/MyWay card?
It takes up to 7 business days for the Transport Canberra and NSW Opal Card databases to sync details.

If you have any questions about applying for a card, please contact COTA ACT on 6282 3777 or read more on our website:

Do You Know Someone Who Goes Above and Beyond for the Older People in our Community?

Why not nominate them for a Positive Ageing Award and recognise them for the contribution they make (no matter how small!). Find out more about how to nominate:

The Positive Ageing Awards are a part of Seniors Week 2017, which also includes a number of events such as theChief Minister's Concert featuring the RMC Band (Tuesday 21 March) andThe SeniorSeniors Week Expo (Thursday 23 March). The full program of events will be published in The Chronicle on 14 March.

You can find out more information about the Positive Ageing Awards and how you can get involved in Seniors Week 2017 by contacting COTA ACT on 6282 3777.

Concession Scheme

Support for Low-Income Households

As part of the 2016-17 Budget, the ACT Government will increase funding for the Concessions Program to support the most vulnerable members of our community. The extra $35 million over four years reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to a fairer, more sustainable and more accessible program that targets support to those Canberrans who need a helping hand most.

Concessions play an important role in supporting around 30,000 Canberra households and the need for support is increasing. The ACT Government offers numerous concessions, including concessions for electricity, gas and water bills, household rates, public transport, motor vehicle registrations, driver licences, taxis, glasses and funeral assistance. Following a review of the Concessions Program and community consultation period, the Government has decided that most concessions will not be changing and has provided additional funding to meet forecast demand.

Changes that have been announced include maintaining ‘uncapped’ General Rates Rebates at 2015-16 levels, introducing a combined Utilities Concession from 2017-18, and gradually increasing the eligibility age for the ACT Seniors Card to 65 by 2025.

Email Scam Warning

The Federal Court has been contacted by a large number of people who have received emails (example below), purportedly sent by the Federal Court on behalf of the Federal Circuit Court, subpoenaing them to attend court at a specified time.

Neither the Federal Court nor the Federal Circuit Court issue subpoenas in such an informal way. These emails have not been issued by the Court and are fraudulent.

If you receive one of these emails, you should notclick on any of the links as they may containviruses or malware. You should also delete the email from your in-box and deleted folder.

Regular cervical screening could save your life

Women participating in the Cervical Screening Program (Pap Test) are currently rescreened every two years. It is recommended that women continue this until May 2017. If you have not had a test in the last two years book your test today with your health practitioner.

In May 2017, the Pap Test will be replaced with a Cervical Screening Test.

Under the new test, women between the ages of 25 and 74 years will be invited to participate in cervical screening every five years, even if they have already received the HPV vaccine, as it does not provide protection against all types of HPV. A Cervical Screening test significantly reduces your risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer.

​For more information on the future changes to cervical screening, visit Cervical Screening.

​Delivered by ACT Health, the ACT Cervical Screening Program forms part of the joint Australian Government, State and Territory National Cervical Screening Framework .

Be noise aware

Are you noise aware? Consider your noise levels and the affect on your neighbours.

Sometimes we can’t hear what our neighbours can, due to noise coming from poorly located air conditioning units, loud music or use of power tools.

Let your neighbours know if you are planning noisy activities such as a party or renovations. Often people are more understanding if they know in advance when the noise will start and end, and that they can approach someone if it causes a problem.

Noise can lead to anxiety, stress and other health impacts, even if it does not occur all the time. Vulnerable people such as the elderly or ill, parents with young children, and shift workers can be particularly impacted by noise.

A simple conversation with your neighbours can prevent problems from occurring.

For more information visit

Information from ACT Health - Avoiding Heat-Related Stress

What is heat-related stress?

Heat-related stress is illness which usually occurs when a person is exposed to a hot environment which overwhelms their body’s ability to maintain a normal temperature.

The early symptoms of heat-related stress include headaches, dizziness, faintness, nausea and vomiting. In babies, signs of heat-related stress include restlessness, irritability and a reduced number of wet nappies.

Heat-related stress is a serious medical condition. If not spotted early and managed properly, people can potentially develop life-threatening illness (heat-stroke). Simple measures can be applied to significantly reduce the chance of heat-related stress.

What causes heat-related stress?

People adapt to heat by sweating, reducing their level of physical activity and moving to a cool environment such as an air-conditioned building. If a person is not able to adapt in this way then their body temperature begins to rise and they become unwell. Heat-related stress can occur in anyone, but those most at risk include:

  • young children and babies;
  • the elderly;
  • pregnant women;
  • obese individuals;
  • disabled individuals, particularly those with impaired mobility;
  • individuals on medications which promote fluid loss or reduce sweating;
  • individuals who exercise or work outdoors and
  • people who are not acclimatised to heat (e.g. overseas visitors).

Heat-related stress can occur on normal summer days, but the risk of developing heat-related stress increases dramatically if the mean temperature meets or exceeds 28°C. The mean temperature is measured by the maximum temperature from one day and the subsequent night’s minimum temperature (e.g. maximum of 38°C and minimum of 20°C divided by two equals a mean temperature of 29°C).

The risk of developing heat-related stress is highest during a ‘heat-wave’ when the mean temperatures meet or exceed 28°C for several sequential days. Relatively short exposure to extremely hot environments can also cause heat-related stress (e.g. the interior of a hot car, a tent on a hot day, or periods of direct sun exposure).

How can heat-related stress be prevented?

Individuals must protect themselves from the dangers of heat-related stress during hot summer days and heat-waves. The following measures should be followed to reduce the chance of suffering heat-related stress:

Drink plenty of fluids and avoid dehydration

Dehydration reduces your body’s ability to cool itself by sweating. Check with your doctor how much you should drink if you are on limited fluids or fluid pills.

  • water is the best fluid to drink; and
  • avoid beverages which contain caffeine or alcohol.

Stay in a cool environment

  • stay indoors or in the shade wherever possible;
  • sleep in the coolest part of the house;and
  • keep air circulating and use air conditioning if available. If you don’t have an air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned facility such as a shopping centre or library.

Reduce physical activity

  • avoid strenuous physical activity; and
  • if activity is unavoidable, rest often and drink plenty of fluids.

Take extra measures to increase cooling

  • wear light-weight clothing;
  • take a shower, bath or sponge bath; and
  • eat regular, light meals.

Be aware of vulnerable people

  • frequently check on older, sick and frail people and neighbours who may need help coping with the heat;and
  • never leave children or pets unattended in motor vehicle as temperatures can rise very rapidly to dangerous levels.

If a person become unresponsive confused or disoriented in the heat they should receive urgent medical attention.

For more information visit the ACT Health website:

2017-19 Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing

The preceding Members’ term will expire in March 2017.

General recruitment for new members commenced in December 2016. Nominations closed on 3 February 2017.

The nomination process was streamlined for existing members, with a one page Expression of Interest sufficient for applying for a second term.

Three of the current Council members are serving their second term and are therefore ineligible to nominate for another term (Mr Lawrance (Chair), Ms Kalokerinos,
(Deputy Chair), Ms Laurayne Bowler).

A number of current members have indicated that they would like to continue their work with the Council, which will help provide continuity for the Council.

An Assessment Panel will be convened to consider the nominations and make recommendations to the Minister for Veterans and Seniors on suitable candidates for appointment and re-appointment to MACA.

All appointments and re- appointments to Council are at the Minister for Veterans and Seniors discretion. When appointing members to Council the Minister will consider the composition of the Council to ensure that the Council is representative of the ACT community including people of diverse ages in the ACT and cultural backgrounds.

Veterans Advisory Council

The Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) provides advice and introduces issues to the ACT Government on any matters relating to veterans and the veterans community.

The Council is established as a non-statutory advisory body comprising of up to eight members of veterans’ associations and associated ex-service organisations in the ACT.

Members’ current term will expire October 2017.

The Expressions of Interest to fill the current vacancy on Council opened on 2 December 2016 and closed on 10 February 2017.

The Terms of Reference (TORs) for VAC were reviewed in January this year. The office of the Minister for Veterans and Seniors requested a mechanism to accept feedback and comments on the TORswas included on the Community Services Directorate website. To date no feedback has been received.

An Assessment Panel will be convened to consider the nominations and make recommendations to the Minister for Veterans and Seniors on suitable candidates for appointment to VAC.

When appointing members to Council the Minister will consider the composition of the Council to ensure that the Council is representative of the ACT community including people of diverse ages in the ACT and cultural backgrounds.

Disability Reference Group

The ACT NDIS Expert Panel was established in 2012 to advise the Minister and the Directorate in preparing for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In 2014, it was reshaped and given a broader remit. Included in their terms of reference was work to progress the National Disability Strategy in the ACT that previously the Disability Advisory Council had carriage of.

In July 2016, the former Minister for Disability requested that the ACTDisability Expert Panel be renamed to the ACT Disability Reference Group, with the group to take on a very clear role as the voice of people with disability in the ACT. At the 9 September 2016 meeting of the ACT Disability Expert Panel, members endorsed the name change to the ‘ACT Disability Reference Group’.

The Disability Reference Group (DRG) is not a representative body but rather an advisory group of people who are able to draw upon valued and relevant perspectives and experience. It will comprise people who can work together in the best interests of people with disability in the ACT. The DRG members may bring a range of expertise including:

  • people with disability;
  • caring experience;
  • people with disability or lived experience and coming from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background;
  • people with disability or lived experience and coming from other cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and
  • knowledge of the disability service system.

The Disability Reference Group refreshed panel will seek people with disability, carers and service providers to contribute. The group is due to a refreshed terms of reference at their first meeting in March 2017.

Since its inception, members of this panel have provided an effective conduit for reflecting the voice of the community and people with disability.

In August 2016, Expert Panel member’s terms were extended until October 2017 to allow time for a considered recruitment process.

Nominations opened in December 2016 and closed on 3 February 2017.

An Assessment Panel will be convened to consider the nominations and make recommendations to the Minister for Disability on suitable candidates for appointment to DRG.

When appointing members to DRG, the Minister will consider the composition of the DRG to ensure that itis representative of the ACT community including people of diverse ages in the ACT and cultural backgrounds.

Life’s Reflections

Life’s Reflections is an amateur photographic competition and exhibition run by the ACT Office for Veterans and Seniors, on behalf of the ACT Government. The competition promotes positive ageing, healthy and active lifestyles and intergenerational relationships through photography.

The Office for Veterans and Seniors has been working on revamping and reinvigorating
Life Reflections. It is anticipated that the 2017 Life Reflections photographic competition will be launched during Seniors Weeks in March this year. The proposed theme for this year is “What do you love?”.

Seniors Week

Seniors Week is fast approaching for which COTA ACT is organising a number of events as follows:

  • Launch of Seniors Week on Friday 17 March 2017.
  • The Chief Minister’s Concertwhich has been delivered for the last ten years.

The 2017 Concert will feature the Royal Military College Band and the Australian Rugby Choir. It will be held on at Albert Hall from 10:00am to 12:30pm on Tuesday 21 March 2017.

  • The Seniors Expo is the flagship event of Seniors Week each year. It is designed to give older Canberrans information, ideas and activities to enjoy later life. It is attended by around 120 exhibitors and 3,000 older Canberrans. The Expo will be held from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Thursday 23 March 2017 at Exhibition Park in Mitchell.
  • The Positive Ageing Awards recognise the importance of positive ageing, as well as acknowledging the many contributions of older individuals and organisations to our society. The five award categories are, Senior Volunteer Award; Intergenerational Award; Age Friendly Community Award; Seniors Advocate Award; and Transport Services Award. The Awards Ceremony will be held at 12:30pm on Friday 24 March 2017 at the Belconnen Labor Club.

Elder Abuse

The Australian Law Reform Commission is conducting an inquiry into 'Protecting the Rights of Older Australians from Abuse'. The Commission released an Issues Paper in June 2016 and a Discussion Paper was released in December 2016. These papers will also be taken into account in the policy review.

The Discussion Paper includes 43 proposals for law reform. Key proposals have been made concerning powers of investigation for public advocates and public guardians, enduring powers of attorney and enduring guardianship; family agreements, banking, aged care and social security, including:

  • an online national register for enduring documents, and tighter witnessing and reporting requirements;
  • expanding the role of public advocates and public guardians in responding to elder abuse;
  • requiring banks to take reasonable steps to prevent financial abuse;
  • allowing tribunals to hear disputes within families about assets-for-care arrangements—providing a low cost and less formal forum for dispute resolution;
  • for aged care, strengthening the compulsory reporting scheme by providing for independent oversight of complaints of abuse, enhancing employment screening processes and the introduction of an official visitors scheme; and
  • support for a national plan with strategies to combat elder abuse beyond legal reforms.

Submissions are due to the ALRC by 27 February 2017.