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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
18 JANUARY 2022 | |
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You do not want to miss this event! | |
Join us for our State Election Leaders Forum on Ageing. The COTA SA Forum will be from 10-11.30am on 1 March 2022 at the Adelaide Pavilion. It will be an opportunity for the leaders of our major political parties to respond to our questions about what they will do to support South Australians to age well and to address the priorities and recommendations outlined in the COTA SA 2022 State Election Platform. Read our State Election Platform here.
This free event will be hosted by COTA SA Deputy President, Anne Burgess AM. The forum will also be streamed live online. You must register to attend either in person or online, by using the button below or calling us on 08 8232 0422.
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COTA SA'S PODCAST SERIES
VOICES ON AGEING: SOCIAL CONNECTIONS | |
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Episode 3 - Finding Purpose in Retirement
I met Sandra on the day of recording, she greeted me with a warm smile. Immediately you sense being in the presence of a person who is caring and intelligent. During the session Sandra explains she moved to Adelaide with her husband for physical closeness with their children and grandchildren and to be part of the flow of their daily lives, like pick-ups from daycare and regular family meals. But the move has presented new challenges of making new friends and integrating into a new community.
Sandra shares insights into her adventures and advice on staying motivated when you don’t find ‘your tribe’ right away.
Voices on Ageing is streamed on podcast services and on the COTA SA Social Connections webpage. | |
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SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
Have you got spare time and want to make a difference? | |
Join our Reception team!
We are looking for volunteers to help our Reception team assisting on the COTA SA front desk. Prior experience in a customer service role would be advantageous. The Reception team provides professional, ethical, courteous customer service and administration assistance. Volunteers will receive support and guidance from the COTA SA Office Administrator and Corporate Services Support team members.
Diane, COTA SA valued Volunteer
Diane is a COTA SA reception team member and valued volunteer and says... “We provide friendly support to people contacting COTA SA via the phone, email and in person at our reception counter. It’s very rewarding to be able to help people in need while being fully supported by project managers and office staff. A friendly and professional phone manner, a can-do attitude and a willingness to be part of the fantastic team here at COTA SA is all you need – training is provided and I’ll be here to support you as you learn. So come and join the COTA SA reception volunteer team!” If you would like to know more, please email Paloma Wraith at pwraith@cotasa.org.au or call 8232 0422. The volunteers page on our website also has a lot of information.
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COTA Visitors Program Volunteers are needed to visit older people across metropolitan Adelaide living in their own homes or in a Residential Aged Care home. Community Visitors volunteers give an hour a week of their time, but can have a huge impact on an older person’s enjoyment and wellbeing by forming a special volunteer visiting friendship. We have many older people, who are lonely or socially isolated, waiting for a visitor and we need more volunteers.
If you would like to create a new friendship with an older person and brighten their day, click here and 'Apply as a Volunteer Visitor' to tell us more about yourself. We would love to hear from you today! 
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RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
COTA SA and the Rainbow Hub Advisory Group have written to the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights to express concerns about the Religious Discrimination Legislative Package which in its current form will set back our aim, as Australians, for an inclusive society which does not permit discrimination against others, including older people.
In particular, the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and related bills will: - take away existing anti-discrimination protections,
- protect service providers who make statements that hold malicious, ill informed or misguided intent on the grounds of race, religion, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status,
- allow faith-based organisations, including aged care services, hospitals and disability service providers, to discriminate against people with different or no religious beliefs,
- discourage people who experience discrimination at work or when accessing services from challenging comments that are offensive, insulting or demeaning,
- make regulating and enforcing professional standards more difficult, and
- create uncertainty for people about their rights.
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RAINBOW HUB MONTHLY LUNCH
The COTA SA Rainbow Hub would like to invite LGBTI people aged 50+ to our first Monthly Lunch of the year! Join us outside in the serene Treasury courtyard to enjoy good food, good company, and good conversation. WHEN: 12 noon Thursday 27 January WHERE: Courtyard @ Treasury 1860, 144 King William Street, Adelaide RSVP: By 16 January – email events@cotasa.org.au or call 08 8232 0422 We understand the importance of opportunities to connect face to face. However, if there is not enough interest, or the forecast is above 30 degrees, we will arrange a zoom conversation at the same time. Check our Facebook page for updates if the COVID-19 situation changes in South Australia.
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RAINBOW HUB WRITING GROUP WORKSHOP | |
LGBTIQ+ people of all ages are welcome to participate in the writing group workshop. More details here. WHEN: Saturday 12 February, 2-4pm WHERE: COTA SA Level 1, 85 Hutt St, Adelaide BOOKINGS: events@cotasa.org.au or ring 08 8232 0422.
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COTA SA'S NEW ADVOCACY TOOLKIT | |
What can you do to get behind the work of COTA SA? The months leading up to the South Australian 2022 State Election are a perfect time to speak to your local candidates about issues affecting older South Australians.
We encourage you to contact the candidates in your state electorate to talk to them about these issues, your own experiences and what needs to change to ensure we all have the opportunity to age well in our communities.
Local candidates are often available to meet with people either through a public event or private meeting, especially in the months leading up to the election. They are interested in local concerns and with the right information, encouragement and recommendations, you can be a champion for all older South Australians. | |
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BETTER HEALTH FOR PEOPLE FROM
REFUGEE BACKGROUNDS AGED 40+ | |
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Photo: Clara Tait meets Sidique Bah Communications Officer Multicultural Communities Council (MCCSA). Sidique also coordinates a multicultural men’s group at MCCSA. | |
The experience of enforced migration is a key determinant of health and well-being. People from refugee backgrounds are among the most vulnerable members in our community. Cultural and linguistic barriers, combined with a history of trauma can lead to poorer outcomes in relation to physical and mental health and inadequate access to health services.
COTA SA’s Strength for Life Program has been privileged to work with some key refugee organisations over the past couple of months; they include: - STTARS (Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service)
- MRC (Migrant Resource Centre)
- ARA (Australian Refugee Association)
- MCCSA (Multicultural Communities Council)
- Muslim Women’s Association
Feedback from these organisations highlighted the need for early intervention for people from refugee backgrounds; the suggestion from several staff members was to lower the Strength for Life age eligibility criteria from 50+ to 40+ for these community members.
Wellbeing SA has now confirmed that people from refugee backgrounds can now enrol for Strength for Life from the age of 40; this excellent outcome which has the capacity to change the physical and mental health of community members from refugee backgrounds. For more information on Strength for Life, click here.
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE... TELL US HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE! | |
If you didn’t get a chance to take our climate change survey featured in our 21 December edition, we have left it open for a bit longer for you to have your say!
COTA SA would like to understand how older South Australians feel about climate change and what actions you have taken, if any, to reduce your impact. This information will assist COTA SA’s Climate Change Group in its planning and policy work. | |
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We thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your thoughts. COTA SA is conducting this survey through The Plug-in, our specialist consumer engagement and insights consultancy. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact The Plug-in team: connect@theplugin.com.au or call 08 8232 0422. | |
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THE GHAN EXPEDITION
7-DAY RAILWAY HOLIDAY | |
Darwin - Katherine - Alice Springs - Coober Pedy - Adelaide
Travel aboard the longer Ghan expedition train journey with an extra day on board, a full day in Cobber Pedy and a longer visit to Alice Springs. A 3 night stay in Darwin with a choice of sightseeing activities is also included. - Prices include flights from your selected city and start from $5990*pp twin share
- 1 May, 13 July and 4 September 2022 departures
- 6 breakfasts, 4 dinners and 3 lunches included.
More details available here | |
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SEEKING PARTICIPANTS FOR INTERGENERATIONAL ARTS PROJECT | |
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The search has begun for 100 South Australian 100-year-olds and 100 teenage artists to participate in an initiative bridging the generational divide. The Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers is a community arts project that promotes intergenerational friendships, celebrates life at 100 (in all its forms) and fights the negative ageing stigma. The South Australian rendition will culminate in an art exhibition in June 2022 presenting portraits of 100-year-olds by local teenage artists that follows a life-affirming intergenerational process. Embraced Inc is looking for 100-year-olds, who would like to get their portrait done and artists aged 15-19, who would like to undergo a highly personal creative process. If you know someone who would be interested in being involved - please contact Embraced Inc via info@embraced.com.au, visit www.embraced.com.au or call us on 0484 197 345. This initiative is sponsored by Estia Health; the Commonwealth Department of Health; the Office for Ageing Well, SA Health and supported by the Australian Human Rights Commission. | |
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SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS | |
As we age our perception of judging a vehicle’s speed and distance may be affected, so extra care needs to be taken when deciding to cross a road or use a crossing. With age can come health conditions that may slow our walking speeds, which may also increase our risk of judging the time needed to cross a road or crossing.
These simple tips can assist in crossing safely:
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- Use pedestrian crossings and pedestrian refuge islands if present.
- Pay attention to "Walk/Don't Walk" signals.
- Give yourself the most time to cross a pedestrian crossing by waiting for a newly turned green or walk signal.
- Look right, look left and right again before crossing the street and be on the lookout for turning or backing vehicles and keep scanning for vehicles as you cross.
- Listen for engine noises of backing vehicles when you’re in a car park or near a driveway.
- If you are walking in a car park make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of the vehicle.
- Always use the footpath if possible – If you must walk on the road, walk facing traffic.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially if you are walking at night.
Remember if your health professional tells you that you need an aid to walk safely please listen to them and use it. To remain safe, it’s important that all pedestrians make good choices every time they cross the road. For more information on SAPOL’s Road Safety Centre programs and resources visit www.police.sa.gov.au/road-safety
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THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DEPARTMENT NEED YOUR FEEDBACK | |
You are invited to share your views, ideas and feedback about the content, design and products for the Substitute Decision Maker toolkit. This feedback is important in creating a toolkit that is relevant, useful and accessible.
The survey is open to all community members and stakeholders, including people with lived experience of being a Substitute Decision-Maker and/or developing an Advance Care Directive.
The project survey will close on 31 March 2022 and can be accessed at SDM Toolkit Project SURVEY . It will take approximately 10 -15 minutes.
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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. | |
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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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NEW POSTAL ADDRESS
PO BOX 7024, Hutt Street SA 5000
NEW STREET ADDRESS
Kaurna Country Level 1/85 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000
www.cotasa.org.au ABN 28 426 218 58
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