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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
21 DECEMBER 2022

   
     

From Miranda Starke, Acting Chief Executive   

With Christmas just days away, we understand that the holiday season can be a time of mixed emotions. While the summer holiday period can be fun, busy and highly social for some, for others it is filled with challenges. 

For many older people, this can be a time of year that reinforces feelings of loneliness and isolation. It is important to know that you don’t need to feel this way. 

 

Connecting with others is an important way to maintain positive wellbeing over the festive season, along with being active, eating and sleeping well, and focusing on those things that give you a sense of purpose and joy. New Year is an ideal time to reflect on how you might be able to give your wellbeing a boost.  To help you with this, we’ve put together a list of ideas to help you stay active, involved and build strong connections with others and your community over the holidays. Read the list here.

 

2023 may just be the perfect year to try something different, get back out into your local community, meet new friends, explore ideas or find the right support that will ensure you age well and live a fulfilling life. Why not reach out to our experienced and qualified team who can connect you with the right programs, services and people that will ensure your 2023 is your best year yet?! Our team will be taking a short well-earned break after 22 December, returning to the office on January 3. 

 

On behalf of all of the team at COTA SA, I wish you all the best for the season and hope that 2023 will be another year to embrace your age and live your best life – whatever ageing well looks like for you.  

     

We'll be taking a short break and look forward to returning in the new year refreshed, revitalised and ready to continue working with and alongside you. The office will close this week from 5pm on December 22, reopening at 9am on Tuesday January 3.

     
   

A MESSAGE FOR OLDER AUSTRALIANS ON COVID-19 SAFE BEHAVIOURS

With COVID-19 cases remaining relatively consistent in South Australia, it is important to understand that we all have a role to play to protect those most at risk of severe illness, particularly those living in residential aged care facilities.


While aged care facilities will apply a range of their own hygiene and safety measures, everyone is encouraged to test for COVID-19 prior to visiting a friend or family member. It is also recommended to plan in advance for accessing anti-viral medication in the event you should test positive.


If you’re an older person like Aunty Val Dempsey, 2022 Senior Australian of the Year, taking extra care while COVID-19 is still around can make a big difference this festive season. Click on the below photo to watch the video.

Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Anika Wells MP and Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly recently wrote to older Australians to provide information and encouragement about accessing antiviral treatments and ensuring vaccinations are up to date. If you haven’t got your letter yet, you can read it here.

     

CLIMATE ACTION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

We call on the South Australian government to lead a powerful response to climate change.

 

We know that older South Australians care deeply about climate change and want to see concrete action taken on this vital issue.

 

COTA SA joins other South Australian organisations as a signatory to the SA Climate Action Statement which calls on the state government to take action on climate change and sets out a number of key priorities for action. 

These priorities include:

  • Clean energy for all uses
  • Climate smart land use
  • Protection of biodiversity
  • Greenhouse gas neutrality of business and agriculture.

You can read all the details in the statement here.


COTA SA was there to see Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Hon Susan Close MP formally receive this considered list of priorities and promise to take action.

 

Find out more about COTA SA’s focus on climate change here.

     

AGEING: IT'S TIME TO RE-WRITE THE RULES

COTA SA is committed to fighting ageism. We see ageism as the greatest barrier to older people living full and rewarding lives so we recently used the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) to shine a light on this issue. 


The event was a forum attended by more than 175 South Australians, to discuss individual experiences of modern ageing and an opportunity to re-write the rules so we can all live a rich and fulfilling life as we age.

 

Our special guests Maggie Beer AO, Keith Conlon OAM and Polly Sumner Dodd discussed their lived experiences of ageing both personally and professionally, and set the foundation for a wider discussion among event guests and participants about what needs to change, what old rules must be thrown out and what the new rulebook for ageing should include. 

 

Click play on our event video below to hear directly from older South Australians at the event, to see what’s in and what’s out when it comes to re-writing the rules on ageing.

     

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO GAVE THEIR FEEDBACK IN OUR HOUSING SURVEY


We were grateful for the detailed and heartfelt responses we received in our last e-news survey. These insights were valuable in helping COTA SA develop a submission to the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 that presented the views and needs of older South Australians.   


A total of 93 people completed our short survey, of whom 89% were concerned about housing availability in South Australia. Most of our respondents (81%) were either personally struggling or knew someone else who was struggling with housing right now. Some details of your feedback are outlined below:


WHAT'S NEXT IN 2023? YOU TELL US!

We would like to hear from you about the most important highlights from 2022 and what you think needs to be addressed further during 2023.

Please complete our survey to tell us your thoughts:

The Plug-in is COTA SA’s specialist consumer engagement and insights consultancy. We connect people with business, industry and researchers to generate insights that improve products, services and policies for the growing 50+ market.


If you would like to become part of The Plug-in’s community of Influencers, you can register with us online or over the phone on 08 8232 0422.

     

FLEURIEU NEIGHBOURHOOD NETWORK

Fleurieu Neighbourhood Network is planning a very exciting program for 2023.
Our Grandparents’ Dinosaur Day at Victor Harbor library is already booked out so we will be planning similar events including Pirate Day and A Day in ancient Egypt. Our inclusive book club is on again on Tuesday 17 January where participants are invited to suggest a good read from their favourites or maybe a new book they received for Christmas.


Dates for your diary:

9 February - Creaky Knees and Aching joints, information session by Arthritis SA morning Goolwa, Afternoon Victor Harbor library

28 FebruaryPlanning for life’s events, legal information session by Community Justice services. Morning Goolwa, afternoon Victor Harbor library

     

IN REGIONAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Are you...

  • Confused about aged care?
  • Unsure what services and supports are available for you?
  • Wanting to know more about ageing well in your town or local area?

John Moran, COTA SA's Ageing Well Coordinator, is ready to answer your questions and help you navigate aged care services and supports that can improve your quality of life and ensure you can live in your home more comfortably and for longer.


For free, friendly and independent advice, call John on 1800 182 324. 


Alternatively, email acs@cotasa.org.au or visit Let’s Talk Aged Care on the COTA SA website.

     

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!!

Do you have one hour a week to spare? 

Want to make a difference for an older person?


COTA SA is seeking volunteers to befriend and regularly visit an older person in their home or an aged care home.


We match you with an older person based on shared interests and location and support you to create a friendship through regular visits.


The COTA Visitors program aims to enrich the life of an older person experiencing loneliness or isolation by offering conversation, news, new interests, friendship, and a special connection through a shared language, life experience or cultural understanding.


Why not start the new year with a new resolution to give the gift of time and friendship to an older person.


More information and online applications are available on our website.

     

COMET HEALTHCARE WRAPS UP ANOTHER YEAR OF STAYING ACTIVE

It’s always great to see people enjoying Strength for Life classes and even better seeing how it brings people together. The Strength for Life crew at Comet Healthcare teamed up with other groups for a bumper end of year class and nutritious shared lunch to celebrate a fabulous year of socialising, strength building and exercising!

     

COTA SA VISITS SAMC

Miranda Starke, Acting CEO, and Clara Tait, Strength for Life Cultural Diversity Officer, were delighted to be guest speakers at the South Australian Multicultural Commission (SAMC)’s final meeting for 2022. SAMC is a statutory body that reports to the Hon Zoe Bettison, MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Tourism.


SAMC plays an important role in raising awareness and understanding of multiculturalism and interculturalism in our diverse South Australian community. Some of SAMC’s main functions are to advise the Minister on the needs, contributions and aspirations of South Australians from culturally diverse backgrounds and advise on the extent to which services and facilities meet the needs of our diverse communities.


It was excellent to meet the members, introduce COTA SA and showcase the work that the Strength for Life Program has done in raising awareness and facilitating participation of this program in our culturally diverse community. It was excellent to have the opportunity to discuss further strategies with the members, as we continue to strive for cultural responsiveness, working with key CALD community organisations, leaders and community members in making Strength for Life accessible for all members of our community.




RIA AND DI LIVING THEIR BEST (STRENGTH FOR) LIFE!

Ria and Di have been attending Flex Fitness Studios in Modbury for approximately eight years and look forward to their Strength for Life sessions every week!


Flex Fitness currently offers Strength for Life on Tuesday and Thursday, and will be increasing the number of sessions in the new year.

 

Find out more about Flex Fitness and their Strength for Life classes on their website.




EXPANDING OUR REACH INTO CULTURALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

Clara Tait, Strength for Life Cultural Diversity Officer, recently had the pleasure of meeting Misbah Khan, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association of Adelaide West at the Mahmood Mosque in Beverley.


Together they explored ways COTA SA could promote Strength for Life to community members who attend the mosque, most of whom come from Pakistan.

It was also a great pleasure to recently talk about Strength for Life with the steering committee of a Multicultural Men’s Group at Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA).


One of the aims of this group is to provide strategic direction and leadership to help improve the health and socio-economic wellbeing of men from CALD communities in South Australia.


Special thanks to all the members of this group especially Ukash Ahmed, Coordinator of Programs at MCCSA, for hosting this event and to Nyiika Msapenda, Strength for Life fitness instructor, for leading the group in a wonderful warm up exercise on the night.   


We look forward to working together in the coming months in introducing Strength for Life to the wider CALD community.




ACHIEVE YOUR 2023 STRENGTH AND FITNESS GOALS AT ANYTIME FITNESS IN PARA HILLS

Anytime Fitness Para Hills offers Tier 1 and Tier 2 co-located Strength for Life sessions. The instructors are passionate and knowledgeable, and every assessment is completed with an Accredited Exercise Physiotherapist.


Sessions run every Tuesday 10am with Rheese and Anna.


Contact 0416 528 745 to book your assessment today!



STRENGTH FOR LIFE UNITES WITH MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH COMMUNITY

A big thank you to Tanya AyÅŸen Kaplan OAM, President of the Turkish Association of South Australia Inc.  for organising and hosting a recent presentation about Strength for Life for members of the Turkish community.


Thank you for your generosity in exploring the different ways we can share information about Strength for Life by adopting a multifaceted approach such as a radio segment, newsletter article and interviews about Strength for Life.  


We look forward to a fruitful future collaboration!

   
     

RAINBOW HUB MONTHLY LUNCH

A monthly lunch for members of the LGBTI community aged 50+

WHEN: Noon – 1.30pm, 29 December, 19 January and 23 February

WHERE: Treasury 1860, 144 King William Street, Adelaide

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: By the week before, email events@cotasa.org.au or call 08 8232 0422. 



CAMPBELLTOWN AREA RAINBOW MEET UP IN MARCH

Campbelltown City Council is looking to host a café meet up in March 2023 for Rainbow people in the area or nearby. If you are interested in attending, please contact Bianca Connelly, Community Development Officer (Active Ageing) at Campbelltown City Council by emailing BConnelly@campbelltown.sa.gov.au or phone (08) 8366 9272.




SILVER RAINBOW TRAINING

Silver Rainbow LGBTI diversity and inclusion training is delivered through the COTA SA Rainbow Hub. The training is available both face to face and online and provides informative and engaging LGBTI aged care awareness for assessment teams, allied health services and other aged care stakeholders. 


"A wonderful, respectful and relevant experience! Your team supported our organisation to think about how we can change to be more inclusive for the LGBTI community, with staff now feeling more confident to recognise non-verbal signs and have open and honest conversations". 

- Sue Harris Wellbeing and Restorative Care Manager Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network SA Health


For more information, including our consulting services, visit Silver Rainbow • COTA SA or sign up for the Silver Rainbow Community of Practice newsletter at Silver Rainbow newsletter • COTA SA



SILVER RAINBOW COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

2023 dates will be released soon. In the meantime, check out our new resource: Questions of Care: The Importance of Managing Hormones Long Term.

     

COTA TRAVEL

MAGIC ON THE EYRE COAST

Five-day true blue holiday

Adelaide * Whyalla * Ceduna * Streaky Bay * Port Labbatt * Port Lincoln * Ferry Crossing Spencer Gulf


A wonderful new tour from Adelaide to Port Lincoln. Visit Iron Knob before travelling to Ceduna and continuing through coastal towns including Streaky Bay, Venus Bay and Port Kenny before arriving in Port Lincoln. 


Tour highlights include the town of Whyalla, an overnight stay in Ceduna, the highlights of Port Lincoln — the centre of South Australia's tuna fishing industry, two hour amazing Boston Bay cruise to watch seal pups swim and play and Kopio Museum. Optional full day shark viewing cruise available in Port Lincoln. 

Departing 21 February, 20 March and 24 October 2023
From $1,590pp twin share departing from Adelaide including return transfers within 30km of Adelaide's city centre. 
From $2,430pp – $2,690pp twin share departing from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth — includes return flights. 
Single supplements available. Four breakfasts, two lunches, four dinners included.


   
   

WIN! New Year's Eve at the Capri Theatre

Win one of two double passes to "What’s Up Doc?" At the Capri Theatre on New Year’s Eve

Babs is back to help us ring in the New Year with her unique and zany style in this classic screwball comedy, which is ranked in the top 100 greatest American comedies.


What’s Up, Doc? joyously recaptures the bubbly style of 1930s screwball comedies and firmly establishes Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal as a romantic duo uniquely endearing in screen history.

Doors open 7pm and you’ll also be treated to a glass of bubbles on arrival and at midnight.


WHEN: December 31, 2022 @ 8:00 pm - January 1, 2023 @ 12:00 am

WHERE: The Capri Theatre, Goodwood
Click here for more details


To win a complimentary double pass, be one of the first callers to ring COTA SA on 08 8232 0422.

   
   
   

LET US KNOW HOW WE ARE DOING...

At COTA SA we always welcome your feedback so we can improve our services to you. If there's something you'd like us to know,  please tell us using the button below.

   
   
   

COTA SA acknowledges the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains as the traditional custodians of the land our headquarters occupy. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal nations throughout South Australia. We honour Aboriginal peoples’ continuing connection to Country and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal people.

   
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POSTAL ADDRESS 
 PO BOX 7024, Hutt Street SA 5000
STREET ADDRESS    
Kaurna Country Level 1/85 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000  
P: 08 8232 0422   |    E: cotasa@cotasa.org.au
www.cotasa.org.au
ABN 28 426 218 58