Stella Hamilton, 72, spent the last 6 months of her life as a resident on the dementia wing at an aged care facility in Malanda, south-west of Cairns. She was found deceased in her room on the 31st of July, 2016, and was unconscious and expected to pass away in the days leading up to the discovery of her body. While this is obviously a distressing time for a loved one, this is a fairly inconspicuous and everyday occurrence within...

The week 14-20 October is National Nutrition Week, a time to think about our food choices, now, and as we age. Nutrition is important no matter what age you are - it’s just as important to get it right when you are aged 85 years as it is when you are in your teens. Living a healthy and active life is closely linked to a lifestyle that includes regular physical activity paired with wise food choices. Research has proved that...

Last night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the long awaited Terms of Reference for Australia’s Royal Commission into aged care. Flanked by Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt, and Health Minister, Greg Hunt, the Prime Minister provided some forewarning on the subject matter that this inquiry will shed light on. “I think the country is going to have to brace itself for some difficult stories,” he said. “But that’s part of the process of this royal commission, to confront these stories honestly...

Five Melbourne centenarians joined in Bolton Clarke’s first Victorian Centenarian Club celebration on 12 October, coinciding with the Victorian Seniors Festival. Channel 9 presenter Peter Hitchener was Master of Ceremonies at the high tea event at Melbourne Town Hall. Centenarian guests enjoyed entertainment including from The Sassy Sisters and shared their more than 500 years of lived experience during a chat with Mr Hitchener. Bolton Clarke Chairman Pat McIntosh said Bolton Clarke welcomed about 50 new centenarians each year among...

Stella Hamilton, 72, spent the last 6 months of her life as a resident on the dementia wing at an aged care facility in Malanda, south-west of Cairns. She was found deceased in her room on the 31st of July, 2016, and was unconscious and expected to pass away in the days leading up to the discovery of her body. While this is obviously a distressing time for a loved one, this is a fairly inconspicuous and everyday occurrence within...

Meaningful Ageing Australia is launching several initiatives this week to boost understanding about the importance of spiritual care for people’s quality of life as they age. It has released a joint position statement, developed with Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), calling for the universal acceptance of the importance of spiritual support in aged care for all stages of the ageing journey. “In the position paper, we call for the integration of spiritual care...

The World Health Organisation estimates that there are roughly 50 million people in the world currently living with dementia, and that Alzheimer's Disease accounts for 60-70% of these cases in total. Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects the elderly, damaging the brain and resulting in diminished cognitive abilities which usually can have a devastating effect on a person's memory. Your life is your story, but for those of us born in bygone eras, the chances of having all of the significant moments...

Please ensure you have read the published Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6 of this article, and have located the relevant appendices. "Go and love someone exactly as they are. And then watch how quickly they transform into the greatest, truest version of themselves. When one feels seen and appreciated in their own essence, one is instantly empowered." - Wes Angelozzi Bio psychosocial/communication Understand the life transitions of the person in every...

My 81 year old, moderately dementia-affected father was admitted as an in-patient in a private hospital in Queensland on 13 June 2018. I am his Enduring Power of Attorney. He does not have capacity having mixed dementia - vascular dementia and Alzheimers. On his very first night in hospital, without my knowledge or consent, his treating physician authorised the administration of Haloperidol, a 50 year old antipsychotic sedative, for "agitation" as he was getting out of bed often to use the...

Meaningful Ageing Australia is launching several initiatives this week to boost understanding about the importance of spiritual care for people’s quality of life as they age. It has released a joint position statement, developed with Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), calling for the universal acceptance of the importance of spiritual support in aged care for all stages of the ageing journey. “In the position paper, we call for the integration of spiritual care...

An aged care facility on Sydney’s northern beaches, which was sanctioned last only month after secret film revealed a resident being allegedly assaulted, has confirmed it called police to two other incidents in recent months. In response to reports of alleged resident-on-resident assaults in The Daily Telegraph, Bupa Seaforth confirmed to HelloCare that it notified police of incidents on 21 June and 25 September. Police investigated both matters, but didn’t take them any further, Bupa said. The Department of Health...

While the Opposition claims that cuts to Government funding have contributed to a decline in aged care standards, the Government maintains that funding has risen every year. Who should we believe? The ABC Fact Check team has looked into the numbers, and its analysis shows that government funding has in fact risen every year over the last decade. But Sean Rooney, the CEO of Leading Age Services Australia, says even though funding has risen, it hasn’t risen by as much...