NEWS

There is every reason to be optimistic that the new Labor government will work with the nation’s peak dental body to fix the broken dental system for people in aged care.

Labor promised in a letter written before polling day, that it would work with the Australian Dental Association (ADA) to improve training for aged care workers, so it includes an oral health component.

“The ADA congratulates the new Labor government and looks forward to its new Cabinet delivering on the undertaking to work with us,” said ADA President Dr Mark Hutton.

“Labor has said it understands the importance of oral health to elderly Australians and acknowledges the relevant recommendation of the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Final Report.

“Further, they wrote to us saying that an Albanese Labor Government would engage with relevant stakeholders, including the ADA, to address issues with aged care vocational and university education programs, the Aged Care Quality Standards and other regulations relating to oral health needs in residential aged care.

“This is great news and will go a long way to fixing some of the biggest issues facing the 190,000 residents of aged care facilities around Australia, many whose oral health issues are not being met as often as they should be, or not at all.”

Dr Stephen Liew, ADA Vice President said in the run-up to the election the nation’s dentists asked the major parties to address the lack of oral care in residential homes by: • Funding direct access to public and private dental services that maintain the basic dental and oral healthcare standards in aged care facilities, what the ADA calls a Seniors Dental Benefits

Schedule, • Including clinical indicators for oral health in the Aged Care Quality

Standards, • Including core units of study on oral health in the Cert III in Aged Care to ensure staff in aged care services are skilled to be able to care for resident’s daily oral health needs and to identify when dental services are required, and • I ncluding an oral health assessment in the over 75 health check performed by

GPs.

Malnutrition, social isolation and declining general health are some of the serious impacts of not maintaining a healthy mouth. The Australian Oral Health Survey has found: • 32% of those aged 55-74 years and 25% of those aged 75+ years have untreated tooth decay, • 51% of those aged 55-74 years and 69% of those aged 75+ years have gum disease, • where the gum disease wasn’t treated, it resulted in complete tooth loss for 20% of those aged 75+ years, • 22% of those aged 55-74 years and 46% of those aged 75+ years have an inadequate dentition (less than 21 teeth).

FAST facts

PALLIATIVE CARE INFO

Do you need information about palliative care or end-of-life care? Coordinating and accessing care services and supports can be very complex and overwhelming. The public is invited to a talk on this topic on Saturday, June 11 at the Heritage Centre in Cooroy. The speaker will be Sue Mason-Baker of Mingary Care. Formerly known as Sunshine Hospice Ltd., Mingary Care is a generalist palliative care provider on the Sunshine Coast offering compassionate palliative support in relation to serious illness, dying, death and grief. The charity has embarked on a new and innovative model of care aimed at addressing gaps in services and supports in our local community. Managing Director Sue Mason-Baker can explain how the new model of care works and how you can access their services. On Saturday, June 11, at 1pm Sue will be guest speaker at the Cooroy Noosa Genealogy Group’s June general meeting at the Heritage Centre, 17 Emerald St Cooroy. For further information, ring 3129 0356, or go online at genealogynoosa.org.au.

TURK FAMILY SPIRIT AND MATESHIP LIVES ON AT GEMLIFE

THE family spirit and sense of mateship that contributed to the success of the John R Turk electrical wholesaling company before it was sold 20 years ago, has seen three of the siblings settle at GemLife Pacific Paradise over 50s lifestyle resort.

Stephen and Janis Turk were the first of the family to move into GemLife Pacific Paradise in September 2020, closely followed by his sister Gail May and, just nine months ago, brother David Turk, who moved up from New South Wales, took up residence.

“We wanted to downsize from our home at Coolum and found everything we desired here at GemLife Pacific Paradise. Gail and David felt the same when they visited us and the rest is history,” said Stephen who is delighted to have his brother and sister living so close by.

“We see each other all the time and enjoy lots of activities together. We would not be anywhere else – we just love it!”

All are used to sticking together having spent their earlier lives working with their father, John R Turk in a business he built from scratch.

The late John R Turk created a multimillion-dollar business with 32 branches and a staff of 160. His family, which included GemLife Pacific Paradise homeowner Stephen Turk together with his four brothers and sister Gail, were with him every step of the way.

“Dad used to say to us `if it weren’t for After five great years at nearby Halcyon Lakeside (QLD), Chris and Shirley were keen to downsize to a smaller abode however after looking elsewhere, they found themselves at B by Halcyon.

“We had a huge two-storey house at Halcyon Lakeside that we decided had become too big for us – we spend more time cleaning it than we did enjoying it,” Chris said.

“The size was the original reason we built the house, but then we wanted a change.”

The duo looked at several different over-50s luxury lifestyle communities but ultimately settled on B by Halcyon.

“We even flirted with the idea of getting an apartment next to the beach,” Chris said.

“We viewed so many places and B by Halcyon was just better than anything we’d seen – simple as that.”

Previously living in a house in Coolum before moving to Halcyon Lakeside, Chris says B by Halcyon was full of the attributes they wanted with six hectares of open, landscaped space; secure, master-planned facilities and a dedicated lifestyle and recreational precinct.

Chris and Shirley opted for an architect-designed Kuranda home, a two-bedroom, single-storey house with a separate office and double garage plus a small, low-maintenance garden that fulfils Chris’ wish to relax.

“I’ve gardened all my life and now I don’t have to do so much of that – I have

Turk family members Gail, David and Stephen you kids, I wouldn’t be where I am today’. Sadly, he never lived to see the true extent of what he built up, passing away at the age of 62,” said Stephen who remembers his father selling his first products out of their Sydney home’s garage.

When his father eventually started operating out of a warehouse, all the children helped after school.

“It was always a family affair and Dad was an incredible man who always believed in working long and hard and giving the best service possible to his customers. It was something he instilled in us all and was how he built a mini empire.” Other GemLife over-50s resorts on the Sunshine Coast include a new hinterland resort at GemLife Palmwoods which offers premium recreational facilities and beautifully designed, low maintenance homes, created exclusively for the over-50s. Call 1800 317 393 or visit www.gemlife.com.au Halcyon Chris and Shirley Birch more time to relax,” he said.

“I suppose as we get older, security is also a big factor along with the friendliness of having like-minded neighbours of a similar age.

“Funnily enough, when we left Halcyon Lakeside one of the chaps at golf asked me if I enjoyed living at Lakeside and I’m not sure how much I told him of how great it is but he bought the next day!”

While Chris has sold several other people on the benefits of moving to Halcyon Communities, who have subsequently bought into B by Halcyon, he admits that his five grandchildren do not need much encouragement to visit.

“As it turns out, the grandchildren spend more time in the pool than they do with us,” he laughed. For more information go to the website: lifebeginsathalcyon.com.au

THE GOVERNMENT EXPLAINS RETIREMENT ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Residential aged care facilities Retirement villages differ from residential aged care facilities. These are facilities that provide various levels of supportive care, and are administered and operated under the Commonwealth Aged Care Act 1997. An aged care assessment is required for entry to these facilities. Residential services (boarding houses and hostels for seniors and aged rental accommodation) – Retirement villages differ from supported residential service facilities, such as private boarding houses and hostels for seniors and aged rental accommodation. These other facilities provide rental accommodation and, in some cases, personal care to older people and people with disabilities.

They may also provide special services, such as meals, linen, cleaning, assistance with medication, showering and finances, for a contracted weekly payment.

Residential service facilities are regulated by the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002. They are privately operated and do not receive government funding. Residential, lifestyle or manufactured home parks – Residential or lifestyle parks are also known as a manufactured home parks and are often marketed as ‘Over 50s lifestyle resorts’. Previously, manufactured home parks were called mobile home parks. Residents own their ‘manufactured home’, that is the building itself, but not the land on which it sits. Therefore, residents must pay a regular site rent to the park owner. Getting help in retirement villages Contact: Regulatory Services, Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy Contact us with any queries about the registration and operation of retirement villages schemes: Phone: (07) 3008 3450. Source: qld.gov.au/ housing/buying-owning-home/housing

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TRACEY G PROSTHETICS AND LINGERIE CAN HELP YOU

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