COTA Australia

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP has announced that a new Pfizer JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine is now available and free. COVID-19 vaccines can be accessed through GPs, pharmacists, community health centres or Aboriginal health services. All COVID-19 vaccinations are free to all people in Australia, including those without a Medicare card. The Health Department’s recommendation that ALL adults 75 and over, and adults 65 to 74 with compromised immunity receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose every 6 months is welcomed by COTA Australia. Furthermore, people 18 to 64 without severe immunocompromise are recommended to receive boosters every 12 months and people 65 to 74 are also recommended to receive boosters every 12 months. (They can consider further doses every 6 months). Why is this vaccine different? As the virus evolves, vaccine companies update their vaccines to keep them as effective as possible. The new Pfizer JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine targets a more recent variant of the virus than previous ones. With the Christmas season and increased social activity over the summer period, COTA Australia urges all older Australians and health compromised Australians to protect themselves from risk and take advantage of this free service with increased booster benefits. Are you eligible for a booster? Check here: https://lnkd.in/gbMWwx9v Find a vaccine provider near you: https://lnkd.in/dfFKc6V

A SYDNEY BASED PILOT PROGRAM IS OFFERING FREE DENTAL CARE FOR SENIORS. 100 people aged 65 or over are trialing a senior’s dental benefits schedule trial for a duration of 4 months at no cost to the participants. The group of dental industry leaders at the helm of the private health initiative are calling for the pilot to receive federal government backing, so more older Australians can benefit. Acting CEO of COTA Australia, Mr Corey Irlam noted the trial demonstrates how a national dental scheme for seniors is urgently required now and into the future, and how evolving innovative technology such as 3D printers can produce low cost dentures and help combat some of the costs associated with dental health. You can listen to the full interview here; https://lnkd.in/gXXGrMDJ COTA Australia continues to lobby Government for a Seniors Benefit Dental Scheme. Government has stated they are working in partnership states and territories to introduce a National Oral Health Plan.

THE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME STAR RATING SYSTEM IS CHANGING, FOLLOWING THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW AGED CARE ACT AND YOUR FEEDBACK IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. COTA Australia supports the Department of Health and Aged Care’s recent announcement that the star rating system is under review, with the intent to continue to improve the effectiveness of both the rating standards system and the attributable categories. Some of the ways ratings are calculated are changing, following the commencement of the new Aged Care Act. In August of this year, COTA Australia’s media release stated that having an effective, well understood and publicly available star-rating system should empower older people and their families while holding providers accountable. Star Ratings for residential aged care helps older people and their families to compare aged care homes. We also observed that continuous improvement is crucial for any system and must be applied to the star ratings. To ensure the star rating system is a genuine and effective referral resource, The Department of Health and Aged Care is requesting your feedback on how ratings are calculated and other proposed improvements. FIND OUT MORE OR JOIN THE SURVEY HERE: https://lnkd.in/gnzA4VE4 Your feedback is critical in shaping the policy and future design of Star Ratings. In person consultation commence 25 Nov and conclude 28 Nov. Online consultations run from 28 Nov – 5 Dec. Consultation closes on 13 December 2024. Read more about Star Ratings for residential aged care: https://lnkd.in/gScz-tm9 COTA Australia Media Release 20 Aug 2024: https://lnkd.in/gETcNub9 Star Ratings for Residential Aged Care – 15 Second TVC https://lnkd.in/gu5EiNnT

The new Aged Care Act passes Parliament – a rights based focus on older Australians. “Australia desperately needed a new Aged Care Act – one which puts the basic rights of older people at the centre – and we’ve finally got it,” Patricia Sparrow, CEO of COTA Australia said.  Patricia, a member of the Government's Aged Care Task Force, explained that the new Aged Care Act has delivered on the Royal Commission’s recommendations to shift the focus of aged care from the relationship between providers and government to a rights-based focus on the older person.  “Of course this isn’t the end point. We know that neglect of older people in aged care has been rife for too long and the passing of the Act won’t stop that today, but it is the solid foundation that we needed put in place to work from.”  The bill, with amendments will return to Parliament next week to be passed in a bipartisan agreement.  For more details, you can read the COTA Australia media release here:  https://lnkd.in/g-9TRB-b  Patricia was interviewed on ABC Radio National this morning;  Listen here: https://lnkd.in/giz3-Hqr

For many people, cash is still king and Patricia Sparrow, CEO of COTA Australia outlines why 1 in 2 Australians over the age of 65 use cash on a regular basis, including the benefit of avoiding extra bank fees and reducing the risk of on online and financial scams. You can listen to the ABC interview here: https://lnkd.in/g9Nd-3Fx

BREAKING NEWS: The Federal Government today announced that it will mandate that businesses must accept cash when selling essential items like groceries and fuel, with final details to be announced in 2025 and the mandate expected to commence from 1 January 2026. Mandating that businesses accept cash when selling essential goods and services is a long-overdue reform that will benefit many Australians, particularly older Australians, COTA Australia says. Read the COTA Australia Media Release here: https://lnkd.in/gNbEQJXG

COTA Australia is proud to collaborate with Curtain University on the ARC initiative, an opportunity to deliver innovative housing opportunities for ageing Australians via a PhD scholarship. Information below.

Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation released new guidelines regarding Physical Activity in Older Age - to protect oneself, holistically. The infographic below is a snapshot of supportive tips for positive health benefits.

DID YOU KNOW LESS THAN HALF OF OLDER AUSTRALIANS who are aware of My Health Record actually use it? Research undertaken by COTA Australia, for the Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency), suggests that older people do not use My Health Record because they do not know how to access it, find myGov cumbersome to use and would prefer more information about privacy and risks. Some older Australians found it hard to use and navigate My Health Record on a phone. As a result of this feedback, COTA Australia, with the support of the Agency, is piloting a Digital Champions project to ensure that older Australians have the skills and confidence to use digital health technologies. We know from our engagement with older people that you prefer to be supported by, and learn from, your peers. Our team of Digital Champions will become an invaluable resource for older people. With the support of COTA Tasmania and U3A Australia, which is a key partner in this project, we will trial this project in Queensland and Tasmania. Read about the Digital Champions project here: https://bit.ly/3N9JXxG Here are some helpful resources: ONECOTA article on digital health technology: https://bit.ly/3N9JXxG To set up or manage your My Health Record: https://lnkd.in/g-MJRHQY Digital Health Learning: My Health Record for older Australians and their carers: https://lnkd.in/grv78zXF... #U3A #digitalhealthagency #MyHealthRecord See insights and ads Boost post Like Comment Send Share

MANY OLDER AUSTRALIANS ARE MISSING OUT ON THE BENEFITS and convenience of digital health technologies such as My Health Record, electronic prescriptions and Active Script Lists. The inability or lack of confidence to access resources such as My Health Records can lead to health and healthcare disadvantage. Read about COTA’s and the Australian Digital Health Agency’s (the Agency) Digital Champions Here: https://bit.ly/3N9JXxG My Health Record is an online tool that is linked to your myGov account and allows you to store prescriptions, medications, medical results, care plans and much more in one place. It allows you and /or your health providers to consolidate all your past, present and future health related business in one place. The benefits include no longer requiring to constantly repeat or duplicate your records, your medical history or health journey. If a carer or trusted person supports you, it also helps them to remain up to date with the status of your care, medical maintenance and wellbeing. It’s important to know you are in control of who has access to your records. Records cannot be accessed without your consent. You will find more information here: https://lnkd.in/drSvjA8A The Agency has supplied a very helpful online learning resource for My Health Record for older Australians and their carers. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/grv78zXF... To set up or manage your My Health Record: https://lnkd.in/g-MJRHQY #digitalhealthagency #U3A #MyHealthRecord