COTA Tasmania

Have you heard about the Ticket to Wellbeing program? Ticket to Wellbeing is a Tasmanian Government initiative designed to reduce the cost of sport and active recreation membership and/or registration for eligible older people. COTA Tasmania is proud to have been pivotal in advocating for this program during the 2024 Election. Who is eligible for a voucher? Applicants must be: 🌟 living in Tasmania 🌟 aged 65 years and over at the time of application 🌟 be listed on a valid Services Australia Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card *Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and DVA card are not included. https://buff.ly/4gY8i6P

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said it is vital Australians know the importance of being physically active, not only for our bodies, but our brains too. “A sedentary lifestyle or low levels of physical activity has consistently been linked to an increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia,” Professor Buchanan said. “Dementia Australia is calling on the Australian Federal Government to fund a national discussion about brain health and how to lower our dementia risk – including getting physically active. A 2023 study found that in Australia, physical inactivity was the largest risk factor for developing dementia – exceeding smoking, alcohol consumption and traumatic brain injury. Additionally, in 2024, the Dementia Lancet Commission reported that midlife physical inactivity is a risk factor for dementia. COTA Australia welcomed the opportunity to provide comment on the National Dementia Action Plan Public Consultation Paper in March 2023. The National Dementia Action Plan 2023-33 is a roadmap to drive service and system improvements. Read COTA Australia’s submission here: https://bit.ly/4gP5LMf The National Dementia Helpline, 1800 100 500, provides expert information, advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Just prior to the Christmas break, we submitted our Budget Priorities Statement as part of the annual state budget process for the Tasmanian Government. In it, we again highlighted the need for greater awareness of the needs of Tasmania's ageing population and a stronger focus on proactive and preventative measures to support us all to age well. We also requested funding for a full-time policy position, and a position focusing on mature age employment as well as again asking for funding for Seniors Week grants and Social Connection grants. And of course, have also again advocated for a Minster for the Ageing. COTA Tasmania will continue to advocate and represent the needs of older Tasmanians - which, if we are lucky, will be all of us. Get in touch if you have other issues you'd like to raise with us - admin@cotatas.org.au You can read our Submission here: https://buff.ly/3C9MQg2

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Just prior to the Christmas break, COTA Tasmania submitted their Budget Priorities Statement as part of the annual state budget process, highlighting the need for greater awareness of the needs of Tasmania's ageing population and a stronger focus on proactive and preventative measures to support us all to age well. We have also again advocated for a Minster for the Ageing. Read our submission here:

We are back on deck and our offices now open. Wishing everyone a great start to 2025!

Happy New Year from COTA Tasmania. We look forward to an exciting year filled with new opportunities to make Tasmania a place where everyone is treated with respect, kindness and dignity, and where ageing is a time of opportunity contribution and celebration.

Our staff member Julie recently presented at the EAAA Lunch and Learn series, sharing insights from COTA's project Raising Tasmanian LGBTIQ+ People’s Awareness of Elder Abuse. You can watch the recording here:

From all of us at COTA Tasmania, have a safe and peaceful Christmas. As we look to the new year, we’re proud to stand with older Tasmanians, championing their voices and their contributions to our community.

Are you needing some support during the holiday break? Lifeline Tasmania is a telephone support service from Lifeline Tasmania specifically for Tasmanians. Tasmanian-focused and Tasmanian based, A Tasmanian Lifeline offers non-judgmental, one-off or ongoing support for anyone having a tough time. Call A Tasmanian Lifeline on 13 11 14 from 8am-8pm every day of the year.