Clean Up Australia Day 2012 is only weeks away!
Published February 7, 2012 | 
In 1989 an ‘average Australian bloke’ had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard – Sydney Harbour. This simple idea has now become the nation’s largest community-based environmental event, Clean Up Australia Day.
Every year Australia wide, hundreds of thousands of Australians get stuck in and Clean Up their local environment by collecting and removing rubbish.
Do your bit for the environment by participating in a Clean Up event. You can locate your nearest Clean Up site online at cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or if you are unable to help at a registered site, just take a bag with you on your morning walk and help clean up in an informal way.
This year’s event is on Sunday 4 March 2012.
Older Australians are spending less
Published January 25, 2012 | A survey out this week has shown that nearly half (47 per cent) of people aged over 55 are spending less in major retailers and shopping centres than they did a year ago.
The survey, by Essential Media Communications, found that only 24 per cent of older people said they were satisfied with prices while 45 per cent were unhappy with the level of customer service.
The largest money-drain was gas and electricity, with 70 per cent saying they spent more than 12 months ago. Food and groceries were also expensive, with 60 per cent spending more than they did last year.
People aged 18-34 were more likely to save this year than any other age bracket with 41 per cent saving more. In contrast, 40 per cent of over 55s are saving less and 19 per cent said they intended saving more.
Courtesy: National Seniors ‘Connect’. National Seniors Australia is a non-profit organisation that gives voice to issues that affect older Australians. Go to www.nationalseniors.com.au.
Seven facts about climate change and hunger
Published January 25, 2012 | When it comes to protecting the world’s poorest inhabitants from the erratic weather and natural disasters that many scientists expect in coming years, hunger is a key part of the discussion. Here are seven facts that explain why.
1. By 2050, climate change is expected to increase the risk of hunger by 10-20 percent compared to a no-climate change scenario.
2. By 2050 we can expect 24 million more malnourished children as a result of climate change. Almost half of this increase, 10 million children, will be in sub-Saharan Africa.
3. Between 1980 and 2006 the number of climate-related disasters has quadrupled.
4. The number of people affected by climate-related disasters is expected to reach 375 million per year by 2015.
5. In 2010, climate-related extreme events and disasters affected some 300 million people, most often in countries which have little capacity to cope.
6. With climate change, two thirds of the arable land in Africa could be lost by 2025, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
7. By 2030, climate change could push food prices up by 50-90 percent more than they would otherwise be expected to rise, according to a recent report by Oxfam.
If you would like to make a difference and have some fun at the same time, play the online free rice game at freerice.com. Every time you answer a question correctly 10 grains of rice will be donated to hungry people through the World Food Program.
Over 9,000 new Aged Care places allocated – but there is more to be done
Published December 23, 2011 | On 22 December 2011, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, announced the results of the 2011 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR).
Older Australians will gain 9,657 new aged care places, including 7,933 residential care places and 1,724 community care places, worth an estimated $368 million a year.
In announcing the outcomes, Minister Butler noted that, of the more than 10,000 residential care places advertised across Australia, less than 8,000 have been allocated, reflecting the fact that many regions across the country were under-subscribed.
“While the allocation of more than 9,600 new aged care places across Australia is very welcome, this is the fourth ACAR round in a row in which residential care places have been under-allocated. This means that not enough beds are being built today for the increasing number of older Australians tomorrow,” Mr Butler said.
“A number of regions across Australia were under-subscribed, and some regions received no applications for residential care places at all.”
In contrast, every community care place offered through the 2011 ACAR has been allocated, with the Department of Health and Ageing receiving applications for more than 24,000 community care places in response to the 1,698 community care places advertised.
“Applications for community care places far exceeded what was available, consistent with the preference of older Australians to remain living independently and in their own homes for as long possible,” Mr Butler said.
“It is clear to me that there are continuing pressures on our aged care system and that they are only going to become more acute as Australia’s population continues to age. People aged 80 years and over currently make up around 4 per cent of the population, but this proportion is expected to increase to 8 per cent by 2051.
“Structural reform is needed to deliver a sustainable aged care system for the future.”
The Productivity Commission issued its Final Report, Caring for Older Australians, on 8 August 2011. The report includes proposals for extensive reform of Australia’s aged care system and presents an integrated reform package.
Since August 2011, Minister Butler has been engaging in a conversation with older Australians, their families and carers at forums in all capital cities and major regional centres – giving the community the opportunity to contribute their views about care and support for Australians as they age.
New research tackles depression in older Australians and their carers
Published November 11, 2011 | The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, has visited the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) to launch the start of research into a ground-breaking program that aims to tackle depression among older Australians and their carers by improving their fitness.
The study is the first of its kind and will investigate whether the use of the Otago Exercise Program by older Australians and their carers can reduce the incidence of depression and improve mental wellbeing.
The Federal Government is providing more than $690,000 grant funding for the four year study.
“Carers provide the majority of direct care to older Australians and the invaluable work that they carry out underpins the lives of many families right across the country,” Mr Butler said.
“Often this care is provided at a cost to their own physical and mental health.
“As Australia’s population ages and an increasing number of older frail and disabled people require care, it’s important we support people who are adjusting to the needs and responsibilities of being a carer and help them to stay happy and healthy.
Providing support to carers will improve their quality of life and the quality of the caring relationship.
“The National Ageing Research Institute has been a model for translating research into practice since the early 1970s and this research is a wonderful example of health and medical research improving the physical and mental well-being of older
Australians, their families and carers.”
Carers and care recipients will take part in the personalised home exercise program together which will include balance and strength training. Improving the fitness of carers and care recipients will help build confidence, reduce isolation and
depression and prevent falls.