Old age of the future
CONGRATULATIONS to Bob McIlvena on his letter regarding the University of the Third Age and other facilities wanting an integrated centre or precinct for our citizens in the older age bracket (Wimmera Mail-Times, May 11, 2018).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This is a great concept with a great deal of promise which is well worth investigating.
At the other end of the health scale for older citizens, the facilities we have in Matron Arthur House and Menzies are nearly as old as the patients who are in them.
The accepted definition for baby boomers is people born between 1945 and 1965.
Simple arithmetic tells us that the eldest of this massive population bulge are now approaching 73 years of age.
What is the Wimmera Health Care Group doing about this elephant in the room?
Do they seriously expect these decrepit facilities are going to cope with the increase in numbers which is fast approaching in the next few years?
Or does the health care group hope if they close their eyes this problem will go away?
Does the health care group have any plans to cope with our senior citizens of the future?
Russell McKenzie, Haven
Respite care answers
ON READING the article in the Wimmera Mail-Times regarding assisting the ageing (May 11, 2018), my thoughts turned to my own situation.
I have an elderly parent who I do not wish to put into care.
I am more than happy looking after her in my own house but what I desperately need is respite based around our timetable.
People are helpful but I can’t seem to find the answer I want – or perhaps I’m not phrasing the question correctly.
I would like someone from our organisation who looks after the aged to come into my home and look after my elderly parent on a planned basis – either for a day or a long weekend when I need to go away.
I’m not looking for homecare packages at this stage, nor are we looking to be dependent on the government.
It’s simply about getting some respite on a more regular basis than a couple of hours a week.
I haven’t had respite for months, which is distressing for us.
If there is any organisation within the Horsham area that can help, I’d be very grateful to know.
Jilly James, Horsham
Celebrating volunteers
THIS week we’re saying a huge thank you to the people who take action and make our country a happier place.
Volunteering happens in all kinds of ways.
Like the simple act of sharing a social media post about supporting newly-arrived migrants which, when thousands of others share, can have a huge impact.
Other kinds of volunteering require a bigger commitment, like driving elderly isolated people to regular medical appointments and social outings, and can have a profound effect on the lives of individuals.
At Australian Red Cross, volunteers are a lot like our engine room.
These volunteers support communities when natural disasters hit, make daily phone calls to isolated people, greet customers to our op shops, donate blood, and fundraise for us.
This week we’re celebrating not just our volunteers in Victoria, but everyone who takes action to make our society stronger, more connected and supportive.
Thank you for your generosity and making Victoria and Australia a better place.
Find out more about volunteering at redcross.org.au/volunteer
Wenda Donaldson, director, Red Cross in Victoria