Keep your mind active and enjoy life!
Published February 14, 2012 | 
Most of us are aware that keeping your brain alert and using those little grey cells on a regular basis promotes good health.
You have probably heard of the University of the Third Age (U3A) but have you hauled yourself out of the armchair to investigate what it can offer you? The philosophy of University of the Third Age, which developed in Toulouse, France in 1973, has since spread around the world. There are 180 U3A clubs in Australia, thirty of which are in Queensland. U3A is a volunteer education movement which caters for over 50′s, promoting the concept of studying simply for the joy of learning. It is not a formal University, and does not offer formal qualifications nor set academic qualifications as a prerequisite for entry.
All U3A groups are autonomous with volunteer tutors running classes in a wide variety of subjects.
On the northern Gold Coast, classes are held in Labrador and Arundel. To find out more information about locations and courses available go to www.u3anorthgc.com/index or call 07 5563 3446. U3A North Gold Coast Inc offers a wide range of courses and activities for its members. There is something of interest for most mature people in the third age of learning.
U3A North Gold Coast Inc endeavours to provide learning, cultural and entertainment events which encourage members to continue to accumulate knowledge and experience in an atmosphere of relaxed enjoyment and stimulation.
While not all courses and activities are provided on a continuous basis, most of the core courses are provided on a regular basis. Fresh ideas are actively sought, and the program is constantly evolving.
U3A plays a vital role in improving the health and happiness of over 50′s. Courses are run by volunteer tutors and include monthly general tea and talk meetings with guest speakers, art classes, computer courses, choir, creative writing, yoga and tai chi, fun with theatre, poets corner, current affairs, music enjoyment, film group and attending lectures at Griffith University.
Important numbers you may need to call
Published October 8, 2011 | Seniors Enquiry Line - 1300 135 500
Seniors Card - 131 304 or 1800 175 500 (free call outside Brisbane)
Department of Veterans Affairs - 133 254
Veteran Affairs Network - 1300 551 918
Centrelink: Retirement - 132 300
Veteran Affairs Network - 1300 551 918
Commonwealth Carelink Centres - 1800 052 222
Disability, Sickness and Carers - 132 717
Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Helpline - 1300-651-192
Employment Services - 132-850
National Information Centre on Retirement Investments (NICRI) - 1800-020-110
Older Australians and the internet
Published October 8, 2011 | Older Australians aren’t getting the help they need to take advantage of the Federal Government’s $43 billion national broadband network, said a Queensland University of Technology researcher.
Dr Sandra Haukka, a Senior Research Fellow, based at QUT, said despite the nation’s broadband investment and $15 million Broadband for Seniors initiative, many older Australians who wanted to use the internet couldn’t.
The study, released in May 2010, found while 98 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 used the internet only 40 per cent of people aged 64 and over did too.
Dr Haukka’s new Older Australians and the Internet study, supported by the auDA Foundation and National Seniors
Australia, surveyed older Australians to find out why they weren’t using the internet.
“Over 50 per cent of older Australians who participated in the survey were interested in using the internet, but faced a range of
barriers preventing them from doing so,” she said.
“Barriers include lack of skills and knowledge about what computer to buy, concerns about security and viruses, lack of support,
high costs, not wanting to burden their friends or family by asking for help and fear of ‘breaking the computer’ .
“This is surprising given that many participants are high achievers in other aspects of their lives, have the transferable skills
needed to use the internet, and are living independently.”
Dr Haukka also found that, despite the Government’s efforts to address these issues, many older Australians were unaware of the available support and services provided to help them get online.
“The $15 million Broadband for Seniors project is setting up 2,000 free internet kiosks in community centres, retirement villages
and clubs for seniors across Australia,” says Dr Haukka.
“However, our study found 70 per cent of survey participants have not heard of the kiosks and 64 per cent have not heard of
computer clubs for seniors.
“Many of those survey participants who had undertaken internet training claimed that these classes were not effective. They said the pace was too fast, courses were too advanced and differences in computer knowledge among classmates made it impossible to have effective group instruction.”
“We should focus on promoting services better with a different approach,” Dr Haukka said.
“My initial recommendations include expanding the availability of one-on-one training, focusing on the needs of individual users,
addressing the barriers and supporting older Australians to buy, install and maintain the technology that best suits their needs and select the right internet plan.”
How to identify and assist someone who’s having a stroke
Published October 8, 2011 | www.bribieseniors.info
Blood Clots/Stroke – They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue
STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters…. S. T. R.
It only takes a minute to read this…
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the ’3? steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke ——– Stick out Your Tongue
Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue.. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall – she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening
Jane’s husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital –
(at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don’t die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke…totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough…
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
I have done my part. Will you?
Holding your licence after you’ve turned 75
Published October 8, 2011 | One of the recent polls on our website (www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au) asked our readers whether they thought that drivers over the age of 75 years should be required to have a road test in order to keep their licence. The response was split fairly evenly between the yes/no answers, although realistically it was probably readers over the age of 75 who voted ‘no’ to the question.
While age and ill health may restrain some aspects of lifestyle, careful management and common sense still allow older people the mobility that comes with holding a driver licence.
Older drivers and young drivers are more often involved in road crashes than people of other ages. Older drivers have the benefit of years of experience but age brings changes to the body that can affect driving ability.
Driving safely in later years is simply a matter of knowing your limits. It is important to remember you have a responsibility to your passengers and other road users.
As we get older our bodies gradually change. This can affect how safely we drive. Although older drivers have years of experience to help compensate for many of these changes, it is not possible to overcome all of them.
Despite the growing number of research studies in the area, it is difficult to find evidence to suggest that there are safety benefits associated with age-based mandatory assessment of older drivers.
In a 2006 research study, when the crash rates of drivers of different ages were compared after being matched for yearly driving distance, most drivers aged 75 years and above were generally safer than all other drivers. Only older drivers travelling less than 3,000 kilometres per year (just over 10 % of all older drivers in the survey) gave any indication of elevated crash rates.
If you are 75 years of age or older, you must hold a Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver stating you are medically fit to continue to drive and carry this certificate at all times while driving. If your doctor has recommended limitations or conditions that are to apply to you when driving, your medical certificate must state those conditions and you must abide by these conditions when driving.
If you are 75 years of age on your next birthday and hold a current licence, you should receive a letter from the department about six weeks before your birthday advising you of your need to hold, and carry, a current medical certificate if you wish to continue driving.
If your licence already has a condition code ‘M’ on it, you may receive a reminder notice each year about the need for you to hold and carry a current medical certificate.