Latest News

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from COTA SA.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from COTA SA.

Thank you to everyone who came along to our AGM today, we had a great turnout.

Now and again everyone needs a make over. A new look to re-energise, show the world you're changing with the times, you're modern, forward thinking and open-minded.

And that's what's happening here!

Aged Care Royal Commission Interim Report provides Government the mandate to commence transformation by December MYEFO. COTA Australia congratulated the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety on its “Interim Report: Neglect”, which has recognised not only the neglect of older people within the aged care system, but also the neglect of successive Governments, that have failed to implement many recommendations from over 18 government inquiries.

You're invited to attend the COTA SA AGM on Monday 18 November, commencing at 10am - all welcome.

State Budget Response - COTA SA puts government on notice about older people. COTA SA has raised concerns about the waiting game for tangible,“hit the ground running” programs that will support older people doing it tough right nowfollowing the government’s State Budget announcement today.

The Government’s plan to increase carparking fees at the Royal Adelaide Hospitalfor visitors and staff by 20 per cent from next year will be an unwelcome blow to many older South Australians already struggling to make ends meet.

Aged Care Navigators Trial arrives in the South East. Older South Australians living in the state’s South East who are finding it difficult to navigate the aged care system now have access to a new support system as part of the newAged Care Navigators Trial project.

What do 633,000 older voters want? Leading seniors advocate COTA SA will host a public forum on Monday 29th Aprilwhere Federal candidates from the major political parties can discuss what matters most to older people

There is very little support to help older Australians break the digital divide writes the chief executive of COTA SA

COTA Australia, today welcomed the launch by Attorney General Christian Porter of the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians, including the rollout of a new national, elder abuse free call number and a series of national trials of frontline services.

We've now made our lastest State Budget Submission for 2019-2020. This year, in speaking to older South Australians, we identified 6 Priority Areas including: Whole of government, Employment...

We've now made our lastest State Budget Submission for 2019-2020. This year, in speaking to older South Australians, we identified 6 Priority Areas including: Whole of government, Employment...

For your chance to win an iPad, join The Plug-in before 31 March and become an Influencer.

The Royal Commission has invited submissions from interested members of the public and institutions. If you would like to have your say, COTA SA has produced a guide to assist with the process.

Barbara Spriggs, Senior South Australian of the year joined us at our event Understanding the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in December last year; we were privileged to hear Barbara's talk about why you should speak out.  As Barbara wants to encourage people to speak about their concerns she's given us permission to share the transcript of her speech here.

It's going to be another big year and we'll be hitting the ground running with some new faces and new opportunities.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from COTA SA.

The preliminary public hearing of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will be held in Adelaide at 10am on Friday, 18 January 2019.

New research led by the Registry for Older South Australians (ROSA) at SAHMRI shows that shorter waiting times for home care packages was associated with improved life-expectancy of older people and their ability to remain in their own homes.

COTA SA, the peak advocacy body for older people in South Australia, is urging the Liberal Government to make a commitment to address escalating housing stress and homelessness among older South Australians in its 2018/19 State Budget.

The 2018-19 State Budget addresses some important deficiencies in a range of supports and services for older people including in rural areas, according to COTA SA, the peak advocacy group representing 633,000 older South Australians.

COTA SA, the peak body representing the 633,000-plus South Australians aged over 50, has welcomed the focus on health and aged care in regional areas, but has questioned the lack of urgency in solving the problem of older unemployment and housing for older people at risk of homelessness.

This submission responds to the invitation by Leslie Guy, Secretary to the Select Committee on Poverty in South Australia to make both a written submission and to express interest in presenting to the Committee.

COTA SA has an active program of hearing the views and exchanging ideas with older South Australians about what matters most to them. This submission identifies several priority issues relating to the terms of reference of the Select Committee on Poverty.

COTA SA, the peak advocacy body for older people in South Australia, is urging the Liberal Government to make a commitment to address escalating housing stress and homelessness among older South Australians in its 2018/19 State Budget.

Since 2016 COTA SA has been convening a housing roundtable - a gathering of key researchers, providers, funders, policy makers and peak bodies in housing. The roundtable discusses issues and potential solutions related to adequate housing solutions for a growing number of disadvantaged older South Australians. As home ownership declines, more people on low incomes will find themselves ageing in rental accommodation which can create real risks for their wellbeing due to its unaffordability, short tenure and lack of adaptability. The roundtable last met in May 2018 and agreed to send a letter to the Minister for Human Services, The Hon Michelle Lensink MLC. The letter asks the government to work on four priority strategies which were identified in the 2017 Housing on the Edge Report produced by Jeff Fiedler from the Housing for the Aged Action Group and Debbie Faulkner from the University of Adelaide. The roundtable will meet again in September to monitor progress.

COTA SA, the peak advocacy body for older South Australians, welcomes the Government's Office for the Ageing's (Adult Safeguarding) Amendment Bill 2018 which is due to be tabled in the Upper House today.

This feedback responds to an invitation to comment on the review of SA's inaugural Public Health Plan released in November 2013 as part of the implementation of the South Australian Public Health Act, 2011 (The Act).

As SA has already started to do, this was a budget that has begun to recognise that our ageing is new and it is different as a social and economic phenomena. As such it requires a comprehensive and integrated approach to meet the many new possibilities and the existing challenges to make it possible for all people to live well, to live safely and to continue to be part of their families and communities throughout their lives.

One of our 2018 ambitions is to take COTA SA, and the valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and information with older people, to as many places in South Australia as we possibly can. This follows our statewide conversations held throughout SA in the second half of 2017 as we prepared for the March State Election.

COTA SA, the peak body for older South Australians, has joined COTA Australia in welcoming the Federal Government?s announcement of a new Aged Care Safety and Quality Commission to commence in January 2019.

The purpose of the research is to investigate how radio programming influences the lives of older listeners. In particular, we are interested in finding out how radio listening habits relate to older listeners' sense of well-being.

A number of people have come to COTA SA over the past year concerned that Centrelink has reduced their pension payments and asking what they can do about it.

There is a very real need for consumers to have access to a range of supports that assists them to better understand the new aged care system and how they can navigate their way through the system. COTA SA has a range of options to support consumers and their family members to get the support they need to understand and navigate the My Aged Care system.

COTA SA, the peak advocacy body for older people in South Australia, welcomes the new Liberal Government in South Australia.

COTA SA, the peak advocacy body for older people in South Australia, has released its scorecard of the Parties vying for representation in Saturday's State Election.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, we have an obligation to reflect on the position of a growing number of older women whose ageing is looking very precarious.

Are you over 50 years of age? Do you enjoy talking with groups?
Do you have a passion for sharing practical and useful information? Are you a licenced driver in SA, or have retired from driving? We need you!

International Women's Day presents an overdue obligation to reflect on the position of an increasing number of older women whose ageing is looking very precarious, says leading advocacy group COTA SA.

COTA SA says the 13 recommendations outlined in the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) report today regarding the maladministration at Oakden aged care facility is a significant step forward in protecting our most vulnerable older South Australians.

In late 2017, The Plug-in supported national work led by COTA Australia to explore Quality and Safety in Aged Care. This research followed The Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes, led by Kate Carnell AO, which was released to the public on 25 October 2017.

The University of Adelaide are currently running a set of experiments investigating hand eye coordination across the lifespan. They are seeking participants aged 60 years and above to participate an experiment conducted at the University of Adelaide.

Older female blue collar workers impacted by the diminishing manufacturing industry in South Australia are among those targeted for a new mid-career check and planning service proposed for over 50s.

Do you have a question or concern you want to put to South Australia's decision-makers ahead of polling day on March 17th? COTA SA is holding three public forums on ageing in the lead-up to the State Election to enable you to have your say on issues affecting older South Australians, including housing, employment, healthcare, cost of living and other social and environmental issues.

With around one third of older South Australians living in rural and regional areas, COTA SA is urging politicians to ensure their needs are not forgotten in the lead up to the March state election.

Technology for Ageing and Disability SA (formerly Technical Aid to the Disabled SA) or TADSA began its service in 1978. Over those 40 years, hundreds of volunteers have designed and built or modified thousands of devices that are not commercially available to improve the quality of life of clients.

On Saturday 17 March 2018, over 1.2 million South Australians will have their say and vote in the State Election. For many of us, heading down to the local school or community hall to vote (and maybe having a sausage or two afterwards) is a happy tradition. However, Electoral Commission SA recognises that there are many reasons why it can be difficult to vote in person at a polling booth on polling day.

More than 633,000 South Australians are aged over 50, and they will make up more than half of the voters at the March state election - yet there seems to be little understanding of what matters to them and what they are asking for.

The State Election will be held on Saturday 17 March 2018. It is compulsory to vote and keep your details up to date on the electoral roll.You must make sure your enrolment is up to date by 12 noon Friday 23 February 2018.

In partnership with the City of Adelaide, a designated power point is now available at COTA SA for users to RECHARGE their electric mobility scooter or wheelchair.

With the mercury set to hit 41 degrees over the next two days, COTA SA is urging all South Australians to look out for those older people whose health may be at risk.

COTA SA volunteers are available to visit your group to facilitate informative and interactive information sessions on topics of interest to you.

COTA SA welcomes the Discussion Paper as the next step in understanding, reviewing and improving our community's responses to older people who experience abuse but notes that the next stage of reforms to tackle elder abuse are both substantial and urgent.

The Retirement Villages Act 2016 came into force on the 1st January 2018. This is a summary of the major changes.

The State Government's new Retirement Villages Act, which come into force tomorrow (January 1, 2018), represents a fairer deal for those living in retirement villages, achieving a higher level of transparency and protections, says COTA SA.

A brief snapshot of COTA SA's activities in 2017

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from COTA SA.

Need assistance finding information, completing forms or documents? We aim to help you find the best outcome for your needs. COTA SA now has a team of helpful volunteers who can talk with you and share information.

Dr Susan Mitchell, South Australia's Mature Women's Ambassador and COTA SA, in partnership with the Office of the Ageing and the Office for Women, is proud to present Mature Women Can!

Dr Susan Mitchell, South Australia's Mature Women's Ambassador and COTA SA, in partnership with the Office of the Ageing and the Office for Women, is proud to present Mature Women Can!

With Christmas fast approaching we thought it would be a good idea to share some tips for safe online shopping.

We all want to maintain an active lifestyle as we get older. Part of an active lifestyle means being able to get out there to experience one of nature's treasures, spring time in the gardens.

In this week's blog post, COTA SA organisational member Homecare Equipment Services shares 3 important factors that can help us maintain an active lifestyle as we grow older. That's in addition to eating well and looking after ourselves.

On Saturday November 11th Adelaide's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex community and their allies will take part in a PRIDE March, through the streets of Adelaide. The PRIDE March signals the commencement of the FEAST Festival, Adelaide's queer arts and cultural festival. Both the PRIDE March and the FEAST Festival provide an opportunity for Adelaide's LGBTI community (and their allies) to come together and celebrate their diversity, love, strength and solidarity.

Travel, it can be good for the mind, soul and spirit. Exploring unknown places, seeing new and exciting things, embracing exotic landscapes; there are so many reasons to jump on a plane and see the world! It’s true what they say, once you have the travel bug, it’s hard to shake… And some of our Police Credit Union staff have caught it themselves!

The government has recently launched a new campaign promoting the benefits of renting with pets for both tenants and landlords. Responsible pet owners can make very good tenants; the kind that sign long term leases and take good care of their homes. Approximately 60% of South Australian households own a pet such as a dog, cat, fish, bird or rabbit and care for their animals as a special part of their family...

ZestFest - A Festival for Modern Ageing will take place throughout South Australia from October 7 - 28. ZestFest is based on three key themes - Celebrate, Connect and Challenge and offers something for everyone and is definitely not to be missed.

COTA SA has announced its strong support for marriage equality and is encouraging older South Australians to vote in the Same Sex Marriage survey.

COTA SA, the peak advocacy body for older people in South Australia, has urged the State Government to take heed of findings in the Ageing on the Edge project report -"Finding a Suitable Home for Older People at Risk of Homelessness in SA".

Sunday the 10th of September marked World Suicide Prevention Day 2017; this year's theme was Take a Minute, Change a Life. Take a minute to notice what's going on with your family, friends and colleagues - and yourself. Having a conversation about this issue could make all the difference.

On 5th September, COTA SA proudly introduced The Plug-in to our members and friends.

On 5th September, COTA SA proudly introduced The Plug-in to our members and friends.

At the successful Building Opportunities for a Lifetime Showcase Event on 30 August 2017, the Premier of South Australia launched Age of Opportunity: A Policy Framework for the Development of an Ageing Well Industry in South Australia,

As part of ZestFest and our 60+ Moments project, we are inviting all older South Australians to take a moment to stop and reflect. We're asking older people to take the time to notice what gives zest to your life - zest being that special something that gives your life some extra flavour or enjoyment.

If you can't make it to any of our Tell Us What Matters Conversations we invite you to contribute to our the development of the COTA SA state election platform through this survey.

It's coming up for that time of year again, the 4th to the 8th of September marks Women's Health Week 2017. The two biggest barriers for women not maintaining a healthy lifestyle is ‘lack of time’ and ‘health not being a priority’. Women’s Health Week is the time to put ourselves first, for just one week, and start making positive changes that can last a lifetime.

Our practical computer skills workshops are continuing in 2017 with additional sessions from September to November.

OFTA will be conducting a series of information sessions in late August 2017. These sessions aim to provide attendees with a broad overview of the incoming legislation and any changes that may affect prospective residents, residents and operators of retirement villages. Should you wish to attend an information session, please follow the links below to register your interest:

COTA SA is holding a series of conversations with older people in the pre election period. The conversations will contribute to the development of the COTA SA state election platform

You are invited to COTA SA's very own SALA exhibition called SNAPSHOT - Modern Ageing - a mixed media exhibition featuring Rebecca Cambrell's mesmerising oils, Charles Southwood's striking pots, Elizabeth Fotiadis' moving installation, Akhtar Esmailzadeh's exquisite embroidery, Meryl Mansfield's traditional basket weaving and Teresa Jane Robinson's bold photographs of the wonderful Judy - Adelaide's very own Iris!

Martin Lewis attended this years World Elder Abuse Day Conference organised by ARAS. This is a summary of this year's conference as seen through the eyes of Martin.

A nomination in this year's National Disability Awards is a great way to honour and recognise those who work tirelessly to reduce social discrimination and uphold the human rights of people with disability.

COTA SA has applauded two important announcements in today's budget - the $14.6m allocation to build a new dementia and mental health facility for older people and the $11.4 million investment in SA's Ageing Well sector.

This week's State Budget should prioritise opportunities for 590,000-plus older South Australians to be influential in positioning SA as a showcase of modern ageing, says peak body COTA SA.

Our practical computer skills workshops are continuing in 2017. Start with our Introduction to iPad and then follow this with our Getting more from your iPad.

Keep Me Posted campaigns for every Australian's right choose, free of charge, how they receive important financial information. However, some providers have already implemented exemptions - could you be eligible?

There are many tactics scammers use to trick their victims through social media. Social media profiles often display a lot of personal information which gives scammers the flexibility to shape their methods and communications to match your interests.

William Tierney from the University of Adelaide is researching the role of self-compassion in the relationship between commitment to exercise, attitudes to ageing, and response to barriers in midlife and older adults.

Desmond Ford has been appointed Manager of the LGBTIQ People Ageing Well Project - a joint 12-month initiative by COTA SA and the SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance (SARAA) designed to kick start a consumer-led LGBTIQ movement for older South Australians.

COTA SA and Aged Rights Advocacy Service - South Australia (ARAS) have welcomed the State Government’s decision to close the Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service and today urged others to speak out and take action if concerned about family members in aged care.

Every Generation Festival, South Australia's annual, statewide festival designed to celebrate modern ageing, has come of age with the launch of a brand new name and look to mark its 50th anniversary.

ZestFest, which will be held between October 7 - 27, will feature a series of curated events and more than 250 ‘fringe' events throughout the State to celebrate, challenge and connect older South Australians.

This submission responds to the terms of reference for the Joint Committee of the Parliament of South Australia on matters relating to Elder Abuse. We welcome the committee's inquiry and share its commitment to understand, review and improve our community's responses to older people who experience abuse.

"An article in News Ltd papers today, citing a departmental document, in regard to minimum payments in the welfare system, is wrong," Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, said today.

Our practical computer skills workshops are returning in 2017. We are starting with basic and advanced iPad training, how to set up a blog, and editing Wikipedia.

Office for Recreaction and Sport Grant programs now open. Applications now available for Round 43 of the Active Club Program, the 2017/18 round of the Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program and Round 2 of the Female Facilities Program.

With New Year celebrations behind us we turn our minds to the always romantic, Valentine's Day. That got us thinking, how many Valentine's Day cards have you written over the years? As Australians continue to improve their health it seems that we will have more and more years to share together with our loved one... But what does that mean for you financially?

COTA SA is calling on the State Government to help rewrite the script when it comes to ageing in South Australia by using the 2017-18 State Budget to fund initiatives that enable older people to be key influencers of service design, research and innovation.

Older generations muscle in on 2017 fitness resolutions. As the benefits of exercise later in life become more evident, an increased number of older people are flocking to the gym to take advantage and improve their quality of life.

COTA SA is very proud of our Peer Education program and if you haven't taken advantage of it yet, now's the time! Find out more about what Peer Education is - and what sessions you can book for your group.

It's a couple of weeks in now, but we'd like to wish you Happy New Year from all the staff at COTA SA. 2016 was a busy year for COTA SA and brought with it many challenges - and 2017 is going to be even busier! The staff and volunteers here are planning on bringing all our energy, creativity and commitment to the table to make this the best year yet!

The Motor Control Laboratory at The University of Adelaide is looking for volunteers to participate in studies investigating how ageing affects the control of hand muscles.

While COTA SA cannot claim to be a specialist in consumer law, we regularly outreach into the older community, and we are in touch with what matters to older people and the challenges many face. We are pleased to pass on to the review the experiences and concerns older people have raised with us through their various consumer journeys, and also to provide COTA SA's overarching comments about the landscape of consumer law as it relates to older people.

This is our last blog post of the year and we're giving the final word to COTA SA CE, Jane Mussared. At our AGM on the 31st of October, Jane did a great job of summing up the activities, opportunites and challenges that have made up 2016 for COTA SA. So for this final blog post we're including a copy of Jane's report looking back on 2016 - and forward to a new and exciting year.

COTA SA is delighted to welcome Dr Claire Langsford for the Living Well Now Project, funded by the University of South Australia, looking into what living and ageing well means for older South Australians.

We've received questions recently on this topic so this week's blog post takes a look at the changes  being made to the aged pension which come into effect in January 2017 and who they will affect.

From 1 November 2016, a free vaccine for shingles will be funded on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for all people aged 70 years old, with a five year catch up program for people aged 71-79 years until 31 October 2021.

Conversations are being held around the state in November. They will reflect the diversity, creativity and vitality of older South Australians. The conversations acknowledge the future of ageing will look very different to anything we have seen before, and that the older South Australians of today have a significant contribution to make to this state's future.

COTA SA is preparing its 2017-18 State Budget Submission and we need your input.

We want to know about the things of most importance to you, both in your day to day experience and broader issues that COTA SA can lobby for on your behalf.

Every Generation Festival Event Review for It Ain't Easy Being Elvis by gold ticket holder, Judith Bruton

Review of the COTA SA 'Advancing Style' Fashion Lunch by gold ticket holder, Judith Bruton

What do bras, product development and today's consumers have in common? And how do they relate to innovation in ageing? To find out, read the summary of this talk given by COTA SA CE, Jane Mussared, at the recent Adelaide Festival of Ideas.

State Budget Submission 2017-18: What's your vision for ageing in SA? We need your opinions and experience to inform the COTA SA State Budget submission for the 2017/18 year. So tell us what matters to you.

The sun has now set on the 49th COTA SA Every Generation Festival with records broken across the board. Substantial increases in ticket sales, attendances at free events, media interest and registered community events all spell SUCCESS for the 2016 version of the Every Generation Festival and Positive Ageing Awards.

Adelaide University are looking for older volunteers to participate in a study examining the effects of exercise in combination with protein intake on physical function in older people living in the community.

George Negus 'in conversation' with David Penberthy (Five AA) provided an enriching night's entertainment. A video of George's eclectic interviews with politicians, celebrities and notorieties like Margaret Thatcher, Meryl Streep and Gaddafi, elicited many an amusing anecdote. The gregarious George reflected upon his five-decade global career. He refuses to be restricted by rigid concepts of age, preferring to enjoy elements from the past, present and future. He is concerned about the difficulties young people face today and proposed a 'Ministry for Generational Change'. Great idea!

Love was in the air when we entered The Italian Centre for 'Food is Love'. Our charismatic host, Rosa Matto, welcomed us with the warmest smile. Seated around large tables, new friends were made as we enjoyed a delicious lunch of lasagna, crusty bread and red wine, followed by tiramisu, sfogliatelle and coffee.

On the International day of the Older Person 2016, there was a small party at the State Library to celebrate 35 years of DOME support for mature age unemployed.

Last month, we held our most recent Reframing Ageing Seminar: Staying Safe on the Road, our guest speaker for the morning was Jamie Mackenzie a Research Fellow at the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR). The event was very well received by attendees, however inclement weather prevented some people from getting here so we thought we'd offer a summary of what was covered here for everyone who couldn't make it.

Flinders University is conducting a study of the health and fitness of older adults in South Australia. The current retirement age is 65 years, and this will be raised to 67 years within the next 7 years. It is therefore important for us to understand how healthy and fit older adults are, and how this may relate to employment.

From tours, food & fashion Shows, to an exclusive conversation with media titan George Negus, COTA SA is excited that the 49^th Annual Every Generation Festival is less than 2 weeks away!

Welcome to our inaugural online edition of the eVolve magazine. The new magazine for older South Australians.

COTA SA runs an active policy agenda on a wide range of issues including housing, aged care, retirement income, health and well-being, cost of living, age discrimination and employment. The COTA SA Policy Council, a subcommittee of the COTA SA Board, provides regular advice on key policy issues and strategies.

Our Every Generation Festival Positive Ageing Awards finalists have been announced. Congratulations to all our finalists. The nominations we recieved were of very high quality and made selecting the finalists a tough job. A big thank you to every one who took the time to the time to put in a nomination.

Golden Ticket Giveaway! Seniors Card and the 2016 COTA SA Every Generation Festival would like to know your throughts about this year's festival by becoming our very own 'Official Festival Reviewer'. Find out how you can enter to win the Golden Ticket.

Take control of your future! The 12th to the 16th of September sees Planning Ahead Week for 2016; Planning Ahead Week is about raising community awareness of the things you can do to ensure that your choices and wishes are known and respected in times of poor health or regarding end of life care. The benefit of planning ahead is that you put it all in place so your wishes will be acted on - even if you're not able to express them at the time.

Older people have a major stake in our health system. On average 40% of patients in our hospitals are aged between 65 and 85 years. People aged over 75 years, while making up 7% of the population, comprise 11% of the population presenting to emergency departments.

Road Safety is everyone’s business and no less so as we age. But what does this really mean to older people and what are the conversations to be had when we think about how safe we are as drivers?

If you have dementia, or you are in the process of diagnosis, this program could help you.

The Flinders University Centre for Ageing Studies invites you to participate in a research project on leisure activity in midlife and older adults. Participation involves completing a survey that will take 20-25 minutes.

Flinders University's School of Health Sciences is inviting volunteers to evaluate an evidence-based 7-week education and support program. The program aims to increase participants' access to the community when they have stopped driving due to a medical condition. It will evaluate the effects the program has for participants and carers in accessing the community, their quality of life, and how satisfied they are with transport use.

Seniors clubs and organisations that provide older people with opportunities to engage in community activities are encouraged to apply for a Grants for Seniors available from the Office for the Ageing, SA Health.

Please help spread the important ‘Planning Ahead' message by becoming a Planning Ahead Ambassador.

The annual COTA SA Positive Ageing Awards are part of the Every Generation Festival, a festival that is taking all before it to blow away ageist stereotypes and replace them with contemporary images, events and reflections of our modern ageing. We are currently calling for nominations for the awards which close on Fri 26th August.

In June this year, COTA SA marked Men's Health Week with our event How About a Pit Stop for a Health Check. The event featured a fantastic host of speakers, information stalls - and, of course, the health checks. The event was so successful that we're going to do it again - this time for women.

The aim of the study is to understand how attitudes towards health in general are associated with health behaviours such as physical activity, cancer screening and eating fruit and vegetables. This information will assist with the strategies aimed at encouraging behaviours that improve long term health.

Insight is seeking ex-couples who were in long term relationships (20+ years), who split up after the age of 50, and who would be willing to speak openly, alongside their ex -partner, about the challenges and rewards of life after a "silver split".

A new campaign which aims to uncover South Australia's hidden
carers has been launched this month by Carers SA. The campaign highlights that ‘anyone anytime can be a carer'.

There is a lot of concern about the Census. The ABS assures us they are trying to resolve the issues.

Are you a carer? The Australian Bureau of Statistics has put out this information sheet to assist you.

UniSA are offering COTA members the opportunity to help evaluate the effectiveness of a communitcation course.

Thousands of people care for frail older people every day with great honour and respect. They form great partnerships with the older people they serve, learning about who they are, what they value and their preferences and needs. They are skilled and conscientious, they believe in what they do and they know that their care is greatly trusted by the older people they serve.

But there are also disturbing examples of abuse by the very people who are trusted to provide care. Mrs Hausler's father is an example. The abusers, sadly, are often people entrusted with their care, as family members, friends or aged care staff.

So what should we do?

The Premier’s Climate Change Council was established under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007.

The Council's primary role is to provide independent advice to the Minister for Climate Change on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.

On the evening of Tuesday 5th July, the SA Premier's Climate Change Council Networking Reception, to bring together government, community and business leaders to discuss the economic and social opportunities of climate change adaptation, was held at the Convention Centre. COTA SA was represented by volunteer Marilyn Henderson whose summary of the event is presented in our latest blog post.

The 15th of June marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, this year's theme being 'There's No Excuse for Abuse'.  Volunteer, Martin Lewis, represented COTA SA at the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2016 Conference held by Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS); in this blog post, Martin shares information and insights from the conference.

COTA SA's submission to the Government of South Australia Review of the Residential Parks Act 2007

COTA SA has welcomed the State Government's investment in job creation but is disappointed that the Budget has failed to deliver targeted measures that will tackle age discrimination and help South Australians secure adequate employment in their 50s and 60s.

The state Government needs to deliver meaningful measures to improve the unemployment and under-employment of older South Australians or risk leaving them poorer, in insecure housing and less socially connected in their retirement.

COTA SA is pleased to annouce the introduction of computer skills workshops. The initial workshops will cover iPad's, Android tablets and social media.

It’s nearly upon us! Saturday July 2^nd is the day of the Federal Election and your vote matters!

Through a national survey of election panel members, COTA Australia identified the issues of health care and the economy as key drivers for how older Australians will vote on the day.

Elder abuse is a prevailing community, social, health and workforce issue. Globally and nationally, its prevalence is estimated between 2-5% in the community. It is the critical role of the community to work together to recognise and fight against Elder Abuse.

COTA SA has expressed surprise and concern about the electricity price increases announced by Origin and AGL this week.

If you are a man or you know any men, then men's health concerns you! During Men's Health Week, communities across Australia reach out to men, boys and their families to promote health and wellbeing through engaging activities, events and promotions.

The Integrative human neurophysiology lab at the University of Adelaide is looking for volunteers to investigate how aging affects the cells in your brain.

The studies will involve non-invasive and painless stimulation pulses on your brain and nerves in your hand. The electrical activity would be measured via electrodes placed directly on the hand muscles.

Participants must be aged between 60-85, not have any neurological impairments, no cardiac pacemakers or metallic implants in the brain or skull.

Leading seniors advocate COTA SA will host a public forum where federal candidates from all of the major parties will have the opportunity to discuss the things that matter most to older people.

Lived experience is the knowledge and understanding you get when you have lived through something. When we talk about people with mental health lived experience, we mean people living with mental illness (sometimes called consumers) and family or friends supporting someone living with mental illness (sometimes called carers).

Dignity for Disability MLC, Hon Kelly Vincent has recently had a Bill drafted to improve captions and audio description standards in South Australian cinemas. Ms Vincent has created a survey to seek feedback on her draft Bill and to gather ideas to ensure cinemas can be made accessible for everyone in our community.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is an annual initiative of Bowel Cancer Australia running throughout the month of June (1 - 30 June each year), to raise public awareness of a disease that claims the lives of 77 Australians every week.

COTA is a leading member of the National Aged Care Alliance, a coalition of 48 organisations in aged care, which has launched a campaign demanding an end to the system that means too many older people miss out on the care they deserve.

COTA SA saddened by loss of Marj Tripp AO

An alliance of 48 aged care groups will today launch a national campaign to put aged care on the election agenda after silence from the major parties on how they will address the aged care needs of older Australians.

The University of South Australia are conducting research into elder abuse. They would like to hear about older people's lived experiences of past abuse and mistreatment.

The Australian Government is developing an Integrated Plan for Carer Support Services to better support and sustain the work of unpaid carers.

One in seven Australians over 50 show some evidence of macular degeneration. Macular Degeneration Awareness Week (22-28 May 2016) is an initiative of Macular Disease Foundation Australia to raise awareness of this chronic disease and to encourage all Australians over age 50 to have an eye test and macula check.

The 2016 National Consumer Fraud Week's goal is to reduce scam victimisation amongst the over 55 age group. This year's motto is ‘Wise Up to Scams' and the communications by the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce will focus on a number of scams which affect this demographic.

AMP is giving amazing Australians doing great things the chance to share in $1 million in grants. Individuals of all ages and walks of life who are working towards a goal that will have a positive impact can apply by 18 May.

To celebrate Volunteer Week COTA SA held a morning tea where a number of volunteers were presented service awards.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today begins a state-wide search for up to 2,200 enthusiastic people committed to making a difference in their community, as Field Officers for the 2016 Census of Population and Housing on Tuesday, 9 August 2016.

Knowing Your Rights - a Guide to the Rights of Older South Australians is an initiative of the South Australian Government to help raise community awareness of the rights of older people. Legal Services Commission has developed this Guide in partnership with Office for the Ageing, and with the valued expertise of COTA SA's Peer Educators.

COTA SA was recently invited by the Attorney-General to comment on the draft Powers of Attorney Bill (2016). This is our response.

COTA SA has welcomed Minister Zoe Bettison's announcement that will see a new Retirement Villages Bill introduced into Parliament next week.

The federal election is coming soon and COTA is developing its election priorities. Given that your priorities are our priorities, we need to hear from you. We want your voice to reach the candidates and the best way to do this is for us to join together to identify the things that matter most to older Australia.

The federal election is coming soon and COTA is developing its election priorities. Given that your priorities are our priorities, we need to hear from you. We want your voice to reach the candidates and the best way to do this is for us to join together to identify the things that matter most to older Australians.

Do you live in rental accommodation and receive a home care package?
The University of Adelaide would like you to help them identify ways that landlords and aged care service providers can better meet your needs?

COTA SA applauds volunteer Kim Trimbell for getting her walking shoes on and raising money for Alzheimer's Australia SA in the Memory Walk & Jog which was held in Glenelg in March.

Baby Boomer Sexuality: Exploring the Wants, Needs and Available Options for Partnered Individuals and Couples in Australian Residential Aged Care

Alison Rahn is PhD candidate at the University of New England, Armidale in the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences. She would like people to participate in an anonymous online survey. The questionnaire will take between 20 and 45 minutes to complete and your participation is completely anonymous. You will not be asked your name or any identifying details to ensure that the answers you provide remain confidential.

The Sunday Mail mail are seeking people to be involved in a round table discussion.

Alzheimer's Australia and NPS MedicineWise have joined forces, today launching a campaign to educate and empower people living with a diagnosis of dementia and those involved in their care.

Benefits of going to Strength for Life - a testimonial byRoslyn Hannaford

Residential parks in South Australia provide affordable housing options for the community. The State Government is seeking views about whether legislation needs to change to improve safeguards for residents while ensuring that parks remain a viable business for park owners.

Leading seniors advocate COTA SA has warned that the Federal Government's 2014 cuts to health spending will soon bite older South Australians unless the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on Friday achieves a constructive dialogue about how our health system should work and be funded.

From 1 July 2016 cheques will no longer be issued for Medicare benefits. To receive your benefit you will need to register your bank account details with Medicare.

COTA SA's chief executive, Jane Mussared will appear on 5AA evenings with Alan Hickey each fortnight on Monday at 10pm from 21st March 2016 to discuss topical issues relating to older South Australians.

COTA SA is seeking comments on the draft Powers of Attorney Bill 2016 which will reform the law regarding financial powers of attorney.

The low number of people over 55 undertaking sufficient levels of physical activity will be put under the spotlight during an interactive workshop by leading senior's advocate, COTA SA to address the looming health crisis.

A team from the University of Adelaide, Domiciliary Care and Nucleus Medical are working together to design a new generation of wheelchairs and are looking for input from experienced wheelchair users as well as carers.

COTA SA has taken the opportunity to make a submission to the Housing SA exploration into options for making private rental assistance fairer and more sustainable.

People aged 70 and older will be allowed to act as jurors on court cases, but will have the right to refuse.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is looking for motivated, community minded project managers to fill positions available for Area Supervisors to manage Census operations. These are temporary, casual positions with flexible hours.

Do you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ)? If so, the SA Government is asking members of the LGBTIQ communities in South Australia to complete the 2015 Rainbow Survey so that the State Government can respond more appropriately to your needs and concerns in the future.

We need your input! If you are a South Australian resident over 50 years of age, you are on a fixed income and you have had experience in the private rental market in either metropolitan or regional areas, we are keen to hear from you.

The private rental market provides an essential housing option, yet many South Australians face barriers to entering or maintaining a tenancy. Low-income households face the highest barriers, including at-risk and vulnerable people who may, for example, be escaping domestic violence or have significant health conditions.

New Aged Lab - Grey power play to help boost state's economy, jobs. The Advertiser's front page article about COTA SA's submission to the 2016-17 Budget.

South Australia could become the nation's testing ground for improved aged care products and services designed to better meet the needs of the over 60s, under a proposal in COTA SA's 2016-17 State Budget submission. COTA SA makes 18 recommendations to improve the health, housing and employment options available to the state's older population.

The submission provides recommendations for the Government of South Australia to consider in its 2016-17 Budget formulations. The recommendations are the result of a range of consultations and surveys, under the guidance of the COTA SA Policy Council and Board.

Are you considering downsizing and are frustrated with the lack of options that meet your needs? Have you recently downsized and would like to share what you learned from the experience?

ACH Group, a not for profit aged care service provider, is seeking volunteers to participate in group workshops during February to share experiences, thoughts and opinions on housing options. This will help us to shape our housing offerings to suit people's needs.

The latest suggestion, reported in The Advertiser, page 11, 6/1/16 "Seniors Shouldn't be Driving", that people over the age of 70 should review whether they need to be on the road, is insulting.

COTA SA has a limited number of the 2016 Seniors Card discount directory booklets available for collection from our office at 16 Hutt Street, Adelaide 5000.

Would you like to volunteer to be part of a national group that will work with COTA staff to help produce something new for people who want to use aged care services?

Productivity Commission research into housing and older Australians should be considered as part of a comprehensive retirement incomes package which considers the impacts on the quality of life of older people, not just a Federal Budget quick fix.

COTA SA welcomes the independent review of the taxi and chauffeur industry in South Australia. COTA SA has canvassed opinions from its own policy council and, through them, the community of older people in South Australia to inform the contents of this submission.

Domiciliary Care have updated the services they are providing following the recent Commonwealth aged care changes.

National treasure Maggie Beer devises recipes Australians want to cook and produced a range of food that flies off the shelves.

Now, at 70, she is revolutionising the lives of a generation we should all want to look after - senior Australians.

The 2015 participant survey conducted by external consultants proves the effectiveness of the Moving Right Along program developed by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and delivered by COTA SA trained volunteer peer educators to seniors clubs and groups within metropolitan Adelaide and target regional centres.

Congratulations go to Monica Oliphant AO for being nominated as the South Australian Finalist in the Senior Australian of the Year 2016 Awards.

South Australia can no longer afford to marginalise older workers, writes Jane Mussared, chief executive of the Council of the Ageing SA.

The Moving Right Along program has been nominated as a finalist in the South Australian Community Achievement Awards. Congratulations to all involved.

In January this year, COTA SA provided a submission to ESCOSA on the framework for the SA Water determination for 2016-20 (COTA SA 2015). In that submission, COTA SA requested that ESCOSA pursue a number of principles in setting the framework. This submission will look at specific issues arising from SA Water's RBP. A number of the issues raised relate to pricing, which we understand will be the subject of consultation at a later date.

Elder Abuse is an act that causes deliberate or unintended harm to an older person, from a person they know and trust. Office for the Ageing, SA Health has launched a media campaign to safeguard the rights of older people and increase awareness of Elder Abuse.

New cyclings laws come into effect from 25 October 2015, The two changes are that drivers will be required to give a minimum of one metre when passing a cyclist where the speed limit is 60km/h or less or 1.5 metres where the speed limit is over 60km/h and cyclists of all ages will be allowed to ride on footpaths.

Adelaide Film Festival are offering FREE tickets for seniors card (or health care card) holders to any standard film screening between now and Sunday 25th.

As the peak body representing the rights, needs and interests of older people in South Australia, COTA SA is receiving significant negative reaction to the announcement. There has been a strong view that the Government has sacrificed the safety of footpath users to respond to a vocal cyclist lobby. Of particular concern is the risk to footpath users who are vulnerable because of limited mobility and sensory acuity. Not all of these vulnerable users are older, but a significant proportion are and they (and we) are very concerned about the announcement.

South Australia's premiere awards for older people were handed out at a glittering function at the Intercontinental Hotel, Adelaide last Friday night, bringing the 2015 COTA SA Every Generation Festival to a close.

Close to 200 people attended the ‘Old Hollywood Glamour' themed event, complete with red carpet treatment, with most regions of the state well represented.

Congratulations to our winners.

The Census Employment Register of Interest is open for candidates to register a general expression of interest in employment opportunities for the 2016 Census of Population and Housing.

Initiatives to improve financial literacy and numeracy, a review of the labour force participation of older women and more secure tenure of housing were three of the main focus areas identified at a forum in Adelaide to identify solutions to challenges facing older Australian women.

The Adelaide PHN are currently recruiting for members to join one of their 7 Health Priority Groups. Health Priority Groups bring together health professionals, service providers and community members to work collaboratively to provide input into the strategic direction and work of Adelaide PHN.

Today, Thursday October 1, is The International Day of Older Persons. It is the day that we join the global community to recognise older people and celebrate our 570,000 South Australians aged over 50. But it is also a good time to take aim at ageism which is stifling the full potential of our extra years of life.

Congratulations to our 2015 COTA SA Positive Ageing Awards Finalists who will be receiving their Certificates this Thursday from Minister for Ageing, The Hon. Zoe Bettison.

The COTA SA peer education program is a semi finalist in the 2015 Community Road Safety Awards.

The 15th edition of the Australian Masters Games will be held in Adelaide, South Australia, from 3 - 10 October, 2015 with an expected 10,000 participants featuring across nearly sixty sports.

I wonder how many other Boomer readers are as incensed as I am over the stupid, insensitive, ignorant and discriminatory remarks made by the Northern Territory Health Minister John Elferink recently? He stated that medical treatment for elderly people is costing the government millions, which cannot be afforded and that the funds would be far better directed towards the treatment of infants and children. Extract from Mad As Hell, an article by Carole Whiltelock appearing in the Advertiser on the 7th Sepetember 2015.

We've had the feminist revolution and the digital revolution. Now we're heading into the revolution of older people expecting their lives to include meaning, growth, change and opportunity. So says Jane Mussared, who heads up the SA Council of the Ageing, in the vanguard of the revolution.

Seniors Card members, submit your best photos for a chance to win great prizes!

Twenty-eight older people met with COTA SA Chief Executive, Jane Mussared, in Port Augusta on 26 June 2015 to talk about their experience of growing older in Port Augusta and the surrounding region.Twenty-eight older people met with COTA SA Chief Executive, Jane Mussared, in Port Augusta on 26 June 2015 to talk about their experience of growing older in Port Augusta and the surrounding region.

The University of Tasmania's Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Understanding Dementia, is a 9-week online course that builds upon the latest in international research on dementia. It's free and anyone can enrol. The next offering will start August 17, 2015.

Life Without Barriers and Carers Australia are proud to announce the National Carer Awards 2015 are open and accepting nominations!

To celebrate Dying to Know Day in August 2015, Healthy Cities Onkaparinga and Fleurieu Cancer Network in conjunction with Palliative Care SA and The Groundswell Project will hold a photo exhibition event that depicts death and dying openly and reminds us that death is a normal part of the life journey.

The Grants for Seniors (GFS) program (Round 1 - Goods) provides eligible organisations with one-off ageing specific grants of up to $5,000 for goods to create or extend opportunities for older South Australians to engage with the community and increase the social and economic participation of older people within the state, particularly under the themes of wellbeing and active ageing.

D3 Digital Challenges offer a new way of working to achieve better outcomes for the citizens of South Australia. The latest challenge is active ageing and D3 teams up digital entrepreneurs with digital users to help discuss, design and deliver solutions to various challenges that South Australians face.

Join COTA SA from Thu 1st - Friday 16th October as we celebrate the good and the great of the state's only festival designed by and with our older communities.

The Premier, Hon Jay Weatherill, today joined former Premier, Hon Dean Brown and many others, to farewell from South Australia the long standing Chief Executive of COTA SA, Ian Yates AM.

It's tax time again and lodging your tax return can be a daunting business - but if you need help you may be eligible for it through the Tax Help Program.

Eligible South Australian households can now apply for the state government's new cost of living concession of up to $200.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is reminding taxpayers to be wary of scams this tax time as scammer's ramp up their efforts to defraud the public of their personal information and money.

COTA SA CE Jane Mussared's speech from the launch of the 'Imagining Possibilities' by the Better Practice Project.

This is a call to all retired ‘boomers' out there (born from 1946 to 1964), specifically ones involved as ‘educators', in the past or maybe who still are. By ‘educator' we mean: School Teacher (any level); Uni/TAFESA Lecturer/Tutor; VET Trainer; or, someone with TAA, ESL or TESOL qualifications or experience.

As a result of the high level of community interest in Moving Right Along (MRA) - obligations and opportunities for older drivers sessions 1 and 2 in 2014 the program has been extended to 31 December 2015. Sessions will also now be available to seniors groups and clubs located within the following regional centres: SE Mt Gambier, Port Pirie and Yorke Peninsula. In addition, Moving Right Along now includes a new topic, Session 3 Motorised Mobility Scooters - information for a safe scooter experience.

The value is in the detail of this year's State Budget, according to the Council of The Ageing SA (COTA SA), which has commended the commitment to allow for job opportunities for mature workers who want to stay in the workforce and the development of a State healthy ageing strategy.

What are the pros and cons of growing older in Port Augusta and the surrounding region?

Local people are invited to join Jane Mussared, the chief executive of Council of the Ageing SA (COTA SA) for a conversation on this topic at the Institute Theatre on Friday June 26, 2015.

A free workshop for local employers will be held in Port Augusta on Thursday June 25, 2015 by the Council Of The Ageing SA (COTA SA), featuring internationally renowned workforce planning expert Julie Sloan.

The Epilepsy Foundation's Tackling Epilepsy in the Later Years Project aims to improve services and support to older people, carers and workers and to develop a service model for managing epilepsy that enables older people to stay in their own home and delays or eliminates the need for residential care.

COTA SA thanked volunteers by awarding recognition certifi cates at the annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony held on May 14 in Hutt Street. COTA SA recognises the valuable role that volunteers play within our organisation through the generous giving of their time and commitment.

COTA SA welcomes the announcement by Premier Jay Weatherill today that pensioners, low-income earners and self-funded retirees holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will receive up to $200 per year under the new Cost of Living Concession.

National Volunteer Week is the largest celebration of Volunteers and Volunteerism in Australia and provides an opportunity to highlight the significant value of Volunteers.

Facebook is a great tool for keeping in touch with friends, like minded people and organisations whose activities are of interest to you.  COTA SA has now launched our new facebook page and we'd love it if you'd join us there.

Throughout April  SARVRA and COTA SA conducted consultation sessions on the draft Retirement Villages Bill 2015.

Ten news article. Discussions of road tolls largely feature younger drivers but elderly drivers are often involved in motor vehicle accidents; the issue of safe driving is one of competency, not age.

Ever fancied starring in or directing your own movie? Well now is your chance!

Film is a powerful way to tell our stories, glimpse the lives of others and debunk the myths about what it means to be older. Our stories define us, connect us, move us and change us...and most films about older people are made by younger people.

The changing demographics of the Australian population requires urgent attention in the coming Federal budget including a major review of the entire retirement incomes space, says a position paper released today by leading seniors advocate COTA Australia.

The bill is said to provide opportunity for reform; in a balanced approach it protects the rights of residents of retirement villages while also looking to the interests of the operators.

The newly appointed chief executive of COTA SA, South Australia's peak organisation for older people, hopped on the tram with Sophie Perri for a chat - and they met a lovely 89 year old woman along the way.

COTA SA today launched it's new blog with an inaugural post from our Chief Executive, Jane Mussared.

A Centre of Excellence in Ageing is a key proposal in COTA SA's submission to the state government for the 2015-16 Budget.

An opportunity exists for a Consumer to join the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Falls Prevention and Management Committee.

With almost a third of the South Australian population aged 50 years or over, Jane Mussared is determined to re-cast the way we think about older people and ageing.

Letter to the Hon Stephen Mullighan MP, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, re COTA SA's position on the proposal to change cycling laws, in particular to change legislation to allow cycling for all ages on the footpaths.

An individual's medicine use will change with time and involve starting as well as stopping medicines. We are interested in how older people feel about their medicines and having changes made to their medicines. We believe that this will provide us with information to better manage individuals and their medicines in the future.

Health and wellbeing are critical issues for older South Australians. As Transforming Health itself says, on average 40 per cent of patients in our hospitals are aged between 65 and 85 years. We also know that the population in the Central Adelaide Local Health Network includes the highest proportion of over 85-year-olds in the country. In any reform of the health system, therefore, the voice of older people is vital. COTA SA remains keen to work with the government as it pursues reform.

Roundabout Presenter, Pauline Lowe, talks to new COTA SA Chief Executive Officer, Jane Mussared, about the rôle COTA plays in supporting Australia's elder citizens, and what the future holds for the organisation.

COTA SA and the South Australian Retirement Villages Residents' Association (SARVRA) have welcomed the release of the draft Retirement Villages Bill released this week by Minister for the Ageing Zoe Bettison and urged the community to provide comments on the draft.

COTA SA CE Jane Mussared was interviewed today 5AA, Channel 9 and Channel 10 today re the fatal mobility scooter accident yesterday.

COTA SA has welcomed a new Chief Executive, Jane Mussared.

Learn more about the State Government proposals to transform our healthcare system to deliver consistent, quality care to all South Australians.

COTA SA is seeking your views on the state government's Transforming Health program, which is looking to reform SA's metropolitan public hospitals.

COTA Australia Chief Executive, Ian Yates, and COTA SA Chief Executive, Jane Mussared, said COTA welcomed the Weatherill Government's initiative to focus on making the state friendlier for people of all ages.

The Grants for Seniors and Positive Ageing Grants programs reflect the State Government's vision to bring the community together to create an all-ages-friendly state.

As ESCOSA acknowledges, various frameworks may be used to determine SA Water's revenue for the period 2016-20. Rather than entering into an economic debate about the best methodology, COTA SA encourages ESCOSA to consider the principles and developments in it's submission as it determines how it will proceed.

Electricity is not a mere consumer product: it is a basic right. Reliable energy is required on a daily basis by all South Australians in both their personal (health, wellbeing and safety) and professional lives. COTA SA is keen to see a new determination that that weighs the needs of the South Australian community, and in particular older South Australians and those experiencing financial stress, against the corporate viability of SAPN.

COTA SA acknowledges the very significant influence on ageing research and policy of Professor Graeme Hugo who sadly died on 20 January after a short illness.

Can you help? Volunteers over 50 years are being sought by COTA SA to present health and wellbeing information sessions to seniors clubs and groups in the South East, Riverland and Murraylands region. 

COTA SA is concerned that the needs and interests of older South Australians have not been fully considered in relation to the South Australian Government's recent announced proposal to close a number of courts across the state. We understand the proposal is to close the Magistrates Courts at Holden Hill, Port Adelaide, Mount Barker and Tanunda.

COTA SA welcomes the opportunity to comment on Transforming Health. The consultation period has been brief and COTA SA therefore provides more general comments as relating to older people and the overall care system that is required to ensure people avoid hospitalization in the first instance rather than a comprehensive submission. 

It has been 10 years since COTA SA developed the Strength for life program, aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of people over 50, through regular strength and balance training.

The Every Generation Festival & Awards is over for another year. We had 1,000+ activities right across South Australia and increased our Event Partners by a further 8%, bringing the total to within a whisker of 200 organisations holding events. The Every Generation Festival, now in its 11th year,
is the state's largest Community Festival and we need you to keep spreading the word about this wonderful Festival.

The University of South Australia wants to interview people aged over 65 for research into functional decline.

The research will be used to look at how we can delay functional decline and help people stay at home and in their communities longer.

COTA SA invites all COTA Member to attend the 2014 Annual General Meeting on Thursday 20th November 2014. Guest speaker is Jane Reilly.

You are invited to have your say on the State Government discussion paper - Transforming Health. The paper looks at changes to the metropolitan hospital system based on work by three clinical groups: doctors, nurses and midwives, and allied health and health science professionals.

You are invited to a FREE seminar with opportunity for one-on-one assistance to complete the new SA Health Advance Care Directives DIY kit.

The culmination of the Every Generation Festival is the annual COTA SA Positive Ageing Awards Presentation and Dinner. Join us as we celebrate the brilliant, tireless and creative work undertaken across our community each year by a multitude of individuals, community groups and organisations who support older South Australians, their families and communities.

Are you an older driver? Are you interested in knowing what this means for you? Or are you worried about someone else's driving? Find out more at Moving Right Along!

COTA SA appreciates the opportunity to provide this submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Occupational Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation's inquiry South Australia's Ageing Workforce: Implications for Work Health and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation.

The 2014 COTA SA Every Generation Festival was officially launched on Wednesday 1st October at COTA SA HQ (above) with a dozen of our Positive Ageing Awards finalists accepting their Certificates from Skye Jacobi, Director of Intergovernment Relations and Ageing and Mr Dan Cox, Deputy CEO of SA Medicare Locals. Thankyou to COTA SA General Manager, Rosetta Rosa for her MC duties and the staff, sponsors and volunteers who made the event such a success.

Celebrate the Every Generation Festival with a visit to Adelaide Zoo!
Buy one concession ticket at Adelaide Zoo between 13 and 17 October 2014 and get a second concession ticket for half price.

The Utilities Literacy program is funded by the SA government and aims to reduce financial hardship associated with utilities related to cost of living pressures.

Funtober has arrived! The Every Generation Festival was launched at COTA SA today.

The finalists for this year's Every Generation Festival Awards have been announced. Congratulations.

It's just over 2 weeks until this years Every Generation Festival kicks off and there's a few dates to put in your diary. We may be a touch sweaty here in the office putting all the final touches in place but we are genuinely excited to get the fun underway!

A refreshed consumer rights guide aims to give seniors the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves and their loved ones against scams.

Minister for Business Services and Consumers Gail Gago said South Australians lost almost $5 million to scams last year, and the Savvy Seniors initiative aims to equip older South Australians with enough information and know-how to avoid being exploited.

The 2014 COTA SA Every Generation Festival & Awards is almost upon us. The Every Generation Festival is South Australia's largest community festival, held annually in the month of October - or as we like to call it - FUNtober. The Festival touches communities in every corner of our state and with over 1,000 registered events on the 2014 calendar, the Every Generation Festival is larger than the Adelaide Fringe. It regularly attracts over 200,000 participants to a variety of activities with an emphasis on positive ageing and intergenerational communication.

The terms of reference for the report requested ESCOSA look at economic efficiency and water security. The inquiry's terms of reference dictated that any pricing changes would be revenue-neutral for SA Water. In COTA's view, the terms of the inquiry were therefore fundamentally flawed.

However, we were pleased that the terms also required provision of information on customer impacts that would arise if various reform options were to be implemented by the state government.

COTA SA in this submission will address only those recommendations which it believes will have the most impact upon its stakeholders, ie older South Australians. Predominantly, these matters are around the social implications of the draft report.

It's long been suggested that baby boomers have had a very easy run in life with access to free education and fairly easy entry into the property market.

But everyday Australia becomes a more ageing population, the workforce gets older too. COTA SA - the peak body promoting the rights, needs and interests of older South Australians - is concerned that work and recruitment practices are increasingly discriminating against mature-age workers.

Welcome to our fortnightly e-zine, where we keep you up to date on the 2014 Every Generation Festival & Awards.

In our fi rst issue, I'd like to thank everyone who has registered their events - in some cases multiple events - and become our 2014 Partners. And to those who took the time to recognise the achievements of the individuals, groups & organisations across our great state, who work so tirelessly for positive ageing outcomes, by nominating them for an EGF Award.

Want to make history? COTA SA are looking for a new name for their 2015 flagship celebration of positive ageing, currently called the Every Generation Festival.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is warning people of bogus tax officers demanding payment of a tax debt over the phone.

COTA SA Members are invited the a Special General Meeting to be held on the 4th September 2014 followed by a COTA SA event 'Planning Ahead'.

South Australia's 2014 budget spares many of the state's older people from the worst of the cuts - for now. It also meets a number of election commitments for older people.

Yesterday's state budget spares many of South Australia's older people from the worst of the cuts - for now.

The budget retained important concessions in the coming year for council rates, transport, energy, and water and sewerage which were threatened by federal cuts for concessions.

If you're aged between 50 and 70,COTA SA invites you to tell us about your experience with work.

What you tell us will help influence government policies and programs for YOUR future.

Research from the University of Adelaide shows that almost three-quarters of South Australian Baby Boomers do not intend to completely give up work.

COTA SA is pleased to have the opportunity to provide comment on SA Power Networks' The South Australian Distribution Network: Directions and Priorities 2015 to 2020. However, COTA SA does so with some concern in relation to the findings of the paper and the consultation processes which underpin it.

The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, the Hon Ian Hunter MLC, is calling for nominations to the South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council.

Drop the DIS, Radio Adelaide Interview - Rosetta Rosa and Sandy Montgomery

Recently Rosetta Rosa, COTA General Manager and Sandy Montgomery, COTA Consumer we interviewed on the Radio Adelaide segment, Drop the DIS.

Older Australians have fared poorly in the 2014 Budget with hits to the age pension, introduction of co--‐payments for health care, changes to aged care, and the abolition of measures to improve housing affordability.

Single pensioners will be $80 a week worse off in ten years under the Federal Government's proposed changes to the indexing of the aged pension in the 2014 Budget.

Australia's peak seniors advocacy organisation, COTA Australia, met with Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey in Canberra on 28th April 2014, following the announcement by the Prime Minister that there will be no changes to the pension during this term of parliament.

They're efficient and for many people with disability, mobility scooters are vital in maintaining independence and community connections. But these affordable disability aides can also be problematic in some circumstances.

That's why the Australian Human Rights Commission is developing an advisory note on how best mobility scooters can be used indoors, particularly because many are designed for both indoor and outdoor use and are therefore sometimes heavy, large and fast.

The CHSALHN Infection Prevention and Control Committee is currently seeking a consumer representative to participate on the committee membership. This committee has representation from each CHSA region who actively contribute to the CHSALHN -wide infection prevention strategies.

A health and wellbeing education program from COTA SA and Central Adelaide and Hills Medicare Local.

Sessions on falls prevention and medicines are available to seniors groups in the CAHML region for a limited time.

The My Aged Care website has been established by the Australian Government to help you navigate the aged care system. The Gateway is part of the Australian Government's changes to the aged care system which have been designed to give people more choice, more control and easier access to a full range of aged care services.

The School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, is currently seeking volunteer participants for a new study researching potential cognitive predictors of safe driving ability in older Australians.

The study will explore whether individual differences associated with age-related changes can predict performance in a simulated driving task. The study will involve various cognitive tasks and a computer-based driving simulator task that is expected to take around 2 hours in total.

Researchers at Flinders University are seeking past patients, family members and carers of people to share stories about recent experiences in hospital.

The study is about being involved in recognising when a patient in hospital has become sicker and how to call the hospital's emergency team. The research team will be exploring ways in which previous patients, carers and family members of patients would like to be informed about how to gain rapid attention for a patient who is showing signs of deterioration.

It is expected that by 2056 one in four people living in Australia will be over the age of 65 and 1.8 million of them will be over 85.

This reality is the subject of much public debate much of which focuses on asking significant sacrifices of older Australians to manage this future. COTA Australia sees the need for a more integrated approach.

This forum will focus on how ready Australia is to harness the potential and meet the challenge of our rapidly ageing society.

EQUAL CITIZENS: A platform for older South Australians is not a comprehensive list of demands. Rather, through extensive consultation, we have identified our top ten key action areas. Under each are practical, realistic reforms to benefit older South Australians.

An invitation to the launch of  EQUAL CITIZENS - COTA SA's 2014 State Election Campaign

Sincere congratulations to Mick Curry, COTA Policy Council member, who was awarded the OAM on Australia day 2014.

COTA SA will host a public state election forum at ALDGATE on Wednesday 22 January.

Encouraging older drivers to self-regulate their driving rather than revoking their licence based on age has the potential to improve their safety and maintain their independence.

From Monday 27th January free city bus travel will be expanding to include both the City and North Adelaide .

COTA SA recommends that regional and public transport services be strengthened within the draft State Transport Plan.

The government must consider social equity as well as economic efficiency in its review of drinking water and sewerage services, according to COTA SA.

COTA SA welcomes today’s decision by the Weatherill Government, announced by Minister for Health and Ageing, Jack Snelling, to remove annual medical testing for drivers aged over 70.

After 6 years, during which time it reached more than 104,500 people, the beyond maturityblues program is coming to an end...

South Australia must follow Western Australia in removing age‐discriminatory rules for older
drivers renewing their licences

COTA SA supports the positions of the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League (AWL) that, where possible, those entering aged accommodation should take their furred and feathered friends with them.

COTA SA rejects former health minister John Hill's suggestion that older South Australians should sell their assets to buy healthcare

Almost $1.7 million in lost superannuation is now being held by the Australian Government.

Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) is assisting Health Workforce Australia (HWA) to hear consumer views on the availability of and access to dental services across Australia

COTA SA has expressed concerns to the state government over changes to the certificate of fitness for drivers aged over 70

Patient Assistance Transport Scheme: 2013 Review

Celebrating Positive Ageing in the Community

Due to popular demand we have extended our Awards Deadline by one week to Friday, August 30th

This is our space - Ageing with Disability handbook produced by COTA Australia and COTA SA

COTA SA wants your input to planning for an Age Friendly State. Complete our survey and have your say.

COTA SA wants your input to planning for an Age Friendly State.

"Let's stop talking about ageing as a burden, and celebrate the fact that we are living longer, it's the best thing that can happen to you, and it's the best thing that can happen to society."

A roadmap showing the way forward to an age friendly South Australia as our population ages will be launched today at an event being hosted at the offices of COTA SA.

Did you serve in the Vietnamese territories during the Vietnam war?

Many South Australians are struggling with the cost of living - have your say

Are you a man aged 50-74? Interested in losing weight and reducing your risk of Type 2 diabetes?

The St Richard's Writing Competition enters its fourth year with a growing reputation and great anticipation as we continue this year with the theme My Hope

An exciting oral health project begins

New Submission added

We need you! SA Water would like you to be part of our drinking water taste and odour panel as part of a new customer satisfaction and perception project.

COTA SA today launched its new website

Respect and choice: A human rights approach for ageing and health .

This position paper sets out a human rights framework to aid the practice of workers and providers of aged care and support. It is useful for those who deliver aged care services, and for those who train people to work in the age care sector.