Free info sessions on home care packages
UNDERSTANDING Home Care Packages can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Trilogy Care is hosting two free community information sessions in Moreton Bay, with a key event at Redcliffe Leagues Club on 5 March and a second at Bribie Island RSL on March 12.
Join Trilogy Care’s representatives, Kerryn and Terahk, at Redcliffe for sessions at 10:00am and 11:30am.
show you how to maximise your funding for better support. Whether you’re applying for a package or considering switching
They’ll break down how Home Care Packages work, explain your options when choosing a provider, and
providers, this session will give you clear, practical advice to make informed decisions. Morning tea provided!
They are running these sessions to give back to your local community by demonstrating what can be achieving with Trilogy Care. Whether you have advanced needs, or are looking for simple care –they are here to help.
While Trilogy Care will also be at Bribie Island on 12 March, the Redcliffe session is a must-attend for anyone looking to take control of their home care journey with confidence.
Seats are limited, so don’t miss out! Call (07) 2112 0220 email: events@ trilogycare.com.au or register online https:// trilogycare.com.au/ roadshow/
Grief and loneliness universal: regardless of health or wealth
A UNIQUE study, led by Monash University, has found that when a person’s spouse dies, their loneliness and grief persist regardless of whether they are isolated or supported socially.
The study, published in the journal Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, and led by world-leading loneliness expert Dr Rosanne Freak-Poli, identified almost
750 women and men who had lost a spouse and assessed their loneliness from three years before to three years after spousal loss.
This study revealed that little can protect a person against the grief.
“We found the impact of spousal loss on increasing loneliness is felt uniformly, regardless of gender, wealth,
health, and social isolation” she said.
According to Dr Freak-Poli, interventions to increase social interaction are unlikely to benefit widowers.
“What is needed is personalised help with a focus on creating new social connections and routines to form a sense of identity as an individual rather than as a couple.”
St Paul’s Aged Care
Abuse rises
A JOINT report into Elder Abuse, by the Queensland Government and Uniting Care, has revealed the urgency for an inquiry, Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services Amanda Camm said.
some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
“This report highlights with year-on-year increases in reports of abuse,” Minister Camm said.
“The State Government is acting by setting up a
the report highlights the fact that elder abuse is currently underreported in Queensland.
“We know six in 10 older people who experience abuse will likely not seek help from a professional
increased by 24 per cent.
In December, the State Government established a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate the devastating consequences of elder abuse.
Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services Amanda Camm said the inquiry will shine a light on the mistreatment of
“All Queenslanders have a role to play in preventing elder abuse including families, communities, service providers and all levels of government.
“Increasing our understanding of elder abuse and boosting community awareness is vital to stopping the abuse.”
Minister Camm said
so we can better protect the most vulnerable in our community,” Minister Camm said.
“We are committed to a safer community for all.”
Suspected cases of Elder Abuse can be reported via www.qld.gov.au/ stopelderabuse or call the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192.
Retirees paying extra super tax
THOUSANDS of retirees are unnecessarily paying more tax due to a lack of basic advice on switching their super into the tax-free retirement phase.
The Super Members Council (SMC) found that around 700,000 Australians over 65 who aren’t working full-time still have their super in an accumulation (savings-phase) account, costing them an average of $650 in extra tax per year. Alltogether, these accounts
A retiree with $100,000 in an accumulation account could pay up to $4,500 in
extra super tax over their retirement, while someone with $200,000 could pay up to $9,000.
Many retirees fail to act due to disengagement or uncertainty.
Research shows six in ten Australians with low balances (under $100,000) keep inactive accounts because they don’t know what to do.
Super Members Council CEO Misha Schubert said reforms under the federal government’s Delivering Better Financial Outcomes package are critical to ensuring retirees can access
Aged care doesn’t need to be tricky
Melissa is here to help!
We understand that figuring out Aged Care can be daunting. So at St Paul’s, we go above and beyond to make things easier.
We offer a dedicated Client & Community Advisor, Melissa Baker, who will happily answer all your questions.
So don’t try to work it all out on your own—call Melissa at St Paul’s today.
To find out more, call or email Melissa today. p. 1800 960 433 | e. melissa.baker@lutheranservices.org.au
Services Melissa can help you with:
Residential Aged Care
Respite Care
Dementia Care
Retirement Living Home Care
affordable, high-quality financial advice.
“Not knowing enough about super can lead to poor decisions, like leaving accounts inactive or withdrawing funds without proper planning,” Ms Schubert said.
“Making simple information and advice available to more Australians is a big missing piece of the retirement puzzle.”
Only 17 per cent of Australians – and just 26 per cent of current retirees –have sought financial advice from their super fund.
Research shows four in five Australians aged 45–54 need financial advice but cannot afford it.
The government has announced further details of its Delivering Better Financial Outcomes package but has yet to legislate the reforms.
The package aims to help super funds offer personalised retirement guidance and introduce a new category of adviser to provide simple but highquality advice on APRAregulated products.
Meet Melissa Baker St Paul’s Client & Community Advisor
Dementia info sessions in Somerset
SOMERSET Council is holding free Dementia Awareness and Carer Support Information Sessions every Friday in March.
The information sessions are part of council’s senior connections program, In Good Company.
Dementia Australia Community Engagement
Officer Kara Crompton will present the series of information sessions and provide an overview of dementia, information for carers and the services available for support.
Sessions will include a morning tea and Q&A, held 10am-12pm at the following locations:
- Esk – Friday, 7 March in the Lyceum Room, Somerset Civic Centre, 35 Esk Hampton Road
- Fernvale – Friday, 14 March at the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre, 1483 Brisbane Valley Highway
- Toogoolawah – Friday, 21 March at Alexandra hall, 111 Cressbrook Street
- Kilcoy – Friday, 28 March at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre, 41 Hope Street
To book, contact council on 5424 4000 or mail@ somerset.qld.gov.au
Dementia cases on the rise
THE prevalence of dementia is projected to double within the next 30 years without significant intervention, highlighting the urgent need for a national conversation on dementia and brain health.
Dementia Australia CEO, Professor Tanya Buchanan, said there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia in 2025.
“Dementia Australia’s research clearly shows that there has been a sustained and profoundly concerning lack of awareness and understanding about dementia in the community – with many Australians mistakenly believing dementia is a normal part of ageing,” she said.
“Dementia Australia is calling for critical investment from the Federal Government to support a national conversation on brain health, combined with more targeted and effective supports for people impacted by dementia.
“Without a significant intervention, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to an estimated 812,500 by 2054.”
For more details about dementia prevalence data local to you, visit dementia. org.au/about-dementia/ dementia-facts-and-figures
Taking care of the future
‘Safe and savvy seniors’ forum
Previous Safe and Savvy Seniors events
WE hear a lot about domestic and family violence these days, but many are unaware of how deeply it affects the elderly. Shockingly, one in six elderly Australians report experiencing abuse, often at the hands of family members or carers.
Reported cases of elder abuse have surged by 24% over the past year, and with an ageing population, experts warn the problem will only intensify.
Val France, spokesperson for the Speak Up Now – Stop Domestic Family Violence group, highlights the various forms abuse can take. “The abuse may be physical, but it can also be emotional,
such as restricting social activities or financial exploitation through power of attorney misuse,” Ms France said.
“Many elderly victims are reluctant to seek help due to frailty or the fear of implicating a loved one.
“Many people feel shame that a son or daughter or a carer could behave this way, but do not want them to get into trouble, so they suffer in silence,” she said.
The Speak Up Now group, in collaboration with Zonta Blackall Range, Rotary Club of Maleny, and the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, is actively working to combat elder abuse. Their upcoming ‘Safe and Savvy Seniors’
forum aims to educate and empower seniors about their rights and available protections
The forum will feature representatives from the Suncoast Community Legal Service, Relationships Australia, Centacare, and the Queensland Police Service’s Vulnerable Persons Unit. A video-drama depicting common issues will be followed by a Q&A session and a free morning tea. The event will take place at the Maleny Uniting Church Hall on Tuesday, March 11 from 9am-12pm. Please RSVP by March 7 for catering purposes and for more information text Val France 0419 599 042.
