Events
September 2012
Information and photos from events the Ambassador for Ageing attended in September 2012
City of Moonee Valley’s Healthy Ageing Expo - 27 September 2012
The Ambassador for Ageing, Ms Noeline Brown was a guest speaker at the City of Moonee Valley’s Healthy Ageing Expo on 27 September 2012.The Expo was open to all older people from Moonee Valley and provided information on a range of activities and services available to older people, including health, social events and physical activities.
Ms Brown was pleased to answer questions posed by the Moonee Valley Council about how she remains connected to community and physically active. Noeline advised seniors to remain active themselves and provided some suggestions including joining a U3A or other further learning organisation, joining a choir or walking group.
“Staying connected to life is vitally important for older people. We know that older people who can make choices about lifestyle and maintain a high level of independence and social connectedness are more likely to view ageing as a positive experience” said Ms Brown.
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Suncare Community Services Alzheimer’s Awareness Forum - 26 September 2012
On 26 September, the Ambassador for Ageing was a guest speaker at the Suncare Community Services Alzheimer’s Awareness Forum. Formed in 1970, Suncare Community Services provides care, support, information and referral services to members of the community.The Alzheimer’s Awareness Forum was a Dementia Week event to raise awareness about the condition, as well as provide information about where people can get help. It was also an opportunity for carers to share information, stories and strategies about what helps to keep them healthy, well and resilient.
Noeline spoke about healthy ageing and noted that in August this year dementia was designated as the ninth National Health Priority Area. “Dementia affects around 280,000 Australians and by midway through this century is expected to affect nearly a million people. As a national health priority there will now be more attention placed on tackling the condition, with particular focus on research efforts” said Ms Brown.
The event was well attended with participants including carers, service providers, health professionals and members of the public.
Dementia Advisory Service’s Arts and Craft Exhibition - 25 September 2012
Ms Noeline Brown, Ambassador for Ageing, presented an opening address at the Dementia Advisory Service’s Arts and Crafts Exhibition in Nowra on 25 September 2012. The exhibition highlighted the talents of those living with dementia and demonstrated what people living with dementia and memory loss can do.The Ambassador spoke about the importance of staying connected to life whatever your situation; “remaining connected to your family, friends and community is a vital part of healthy active ageing. Just as we need to take care of our body by remaining active and watching what we eat, it is also important for us to take care of our social needs and to look after our mental health”.
Ms Brown was delighted to open this creative event and saluted the artists for sharing their wonderful artworks.
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U3A Ballarat – Seniors Celebration Day - 19 September 2012
The Ambassador for Ageing was a guest speaker at the University of the Third Age (U3A) Ballarat Seniors Celebration Day, held at the Mining Exchange in Ballarat. The event celebrated the 25th anniversary of U3A in Ballarat, while showcasing the range of activities currently on offer.Ms Brown spoke about how modern medicine and more active lives has seen the creation of a largely healthy, independent older population that can be a valued social resource providing care, sharing skills and knowledge; and contributing to the community through active participation and volunteering.
Members of U3A Ballarat’s large membership attended, as well as representatives from a range of other organisations and the general public. The day promoted the healthy, creative and engaging options available after retirement.
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U3A Armidale Monthly Meeting - 11 September 2012
On 11 September, the Ambassador for Ageing was a guest speaker at a meeting of the University of the Third Age in Armidale.Ms Brown was asked to talk about falls prevention and how people keep fit as they age. Noeline noted that over the next 40 years, the number of Australians aged over 65 years will double to one in four of the total population – from 2.8 million to seven million by 2047.
“On a broader level, this means we older Australians need to optimise opportunities for physical, social and mental health that will enable us to take an active part in society and to enjoy an independent and good quality of life” said Ms Brown.
Noeline mentioned that the Australian Government has developed a set of guidelines for physical activity for older Australians. These guidelines have been translated into a booklet called Choose Health, Be Active which contains everyday activities that seniors can do in their own homes.
Free copies of the booklet are available from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing in Canberra on 02 6289 1555.
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Armidale Dumaresq Council’s Carer Support Group Afternoon Tea - 11 September 2012
While in Armidale, Noeline Brown, Ambassador for Ageing, was a guest speaker at an afternoon tea held by the Armidale Dumaresq Council’s Carer Support Group. The event provided information to carers of the aged, people with disabilities and people with dementia.Ms Brown spoke about the fact that there are almost 2.9 million people across Australia providing some form of unpaid or informal care, and that almost half a million of these people are ‘primary’ carers, meaning they provide most or all of the care for a loved one.
“As Ambassador for Ageing I believe there should be a greater focus on older carers and their needs because almost a quarter of all carers in Australia are aged 65 years or older” said Ms Brown.
Noeline stressed the importance of carers also taking care of themselves; “one of my main duties as the Ambassador for Ageing is to promote healthy, positive and active ageing, so I often talk about the need for people to make time to look after themselves”.
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