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February 2025

Welcome to Aged Care News

This newsletter is for community members and services across the Mid North Coast, it’s full of useful information to keep us connected and up to date with what’s going on in our communities.

Community Information Session

Find out how family and friends who are carers can get supported through Carers Gateway.

Do you provide care or support for a family member or someone in your community? You might be a carer.

Join a Community Information Session to connect with the Carer Gateway Outreach Team, learn about available support, and have your questions answered in a friendly and welcoming space.

When: Thursday, 27 February 2025

Time: 11am

Where: Activities Centre Room at the Community Health Centre Building on the grounds of Gloucester Health Service. 166-182 Church Street, Gloucester.

Morning Tea will be provided.

Community Cuppa in Wingham

The Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Youth Work Readiness program will be hosting free Community Cuppa sessions. Cold drinks, tea, coffee and snacks will be shared together in the shade of the Manning Valley Neighbourhood Old Court House Community Gardens in Wingham.

Services Australia will also be available for one-on-one information and financial support, from 10am to 12pm.

Connect with a free cuppa and conversation on 25th February, 11th and 25th March. For more information call the Manning Valley Neighbourhood Service team on (02) 6553 5121.

Empowering First Nations Carer Voices

The Carer Knowledge Exchange warmly invites interested stakeholders to an engaging and meaningful webinar focused on the lived experience of First Nations carers in Australia.

Participants will gain a greater understanding of the challenges faced by First Nations carers and contribute to shaping policy and practice that better meet their needs.

The "Empowering First Nations Carer Voices; Transforming policy and practice" webinar will take place on Wednesday, 26 February 2025 from 11am to 12.30pm.

Register your interest for the session on the Carer Knowledge Exchange website.

Seniors Adventure Cruise

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is celebrating Seniors Festival with a range of activities to honour our older people.

Set sail on a relaxing three-hour scenic cruise on Wednesday, 5th March, along the beautiful Hastings River. Enjoy morning tea on arrival, a full buffet lunch with dessert, and a variety of interactive entertainment, including games, singalongs, and community activities. It is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow seniors and enjoy a fun-filled day on the water.

Secure your spot Seniors Adventure Cruise Eventbrite site.

Bookings are essential.

These events are part of the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival, celebrating the contributions of older adults in our community. With the theme Time to Shine, the festival encourages seniors to connect, learn, and embrace new experiences. Don't miss these special opportunities to be part of Australia's largest celebration for seniors.

Time to Shine

On Friday, 7th March 2025 join a vibrant celebration of Seniors in the Macleay. Kempsey Central will transform into a hub of entertainment, learning and connection, and the best part is that It's all free!

The theme for the 2025 seniors' festival is "Time to Shine". So, whether you are looking at reconnecting with old friends, exploring new interests, or discovering the many programs available to support healthy ageing, this expo is designed to put you in the spotlight.

Why not make a day of it, because it's your time to shine.

This free event is open to:

  • people over 60 years of age.
  • people over 50 years of age with a lifelong disability
  • First Nations people over 50 years of age.

For more information contact Keely Halliday at keely.halliday@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.

Historic Grave Tale Tours

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is celebrating Seniors Festival with a range of activities to honour our older people.

On Friday, 7th March, step back in time on this guided tour of Port Macquarie's historic cemetery, the final resting place of nearly 1,500 soldiers, convicts, and settlers. Discover fascinating stories from the past as history comes to life in a truly unique way. This immersive experience offers a chance to learn more about the region and connect with your community.

Secure your spot Historic Grave Tales Tour Eventbrite webpage.

Bookings are essentials.

These events are part of the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival, celebrating the contributions of older adults in our community. With the theme Time to Shine, the festival encourages seniors to connect, learn, and embrace new experiences. Don't miss these special opportunities to be part of Australia's largest celebration for seniors.

The Library Film Club

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is celebrating Seniors Festival with a range of activities to honour our older people.

Settle in for a heartwarming film that celebrates resilience, wisdom, and the inspiring stories of seniors. This is a wonderful opportunity to relax, reflect, and enjoy a meaningful cinematic experience with like-minded members of the community. This screening will take place on Tuesday, 11th March 2025.

Secure your spot via the Library Film Club Seniors' Week webpage.

Bookings are essentials.

These events are a part of the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival, celebrating the contributions of older adults in our community. With the theme Time to Shine, the festival encourages seniors to connect, learn, and embrace new experiences. Don't miss these special opportunities to be part of Australia's largest celebration for seniors.

Seniors Painting in the Park

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council aris celebrating Seniors Festival with a range of activities to honour our older people.

Unleash your creativity in a relaxing outdoor painting session at Town Green on Thursday, 13th March 2025. Whether you're an experienced artist or picking up a brush for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to express yourself, enjoy the fresh air, and connect with others in a beautiful setting.

Secure your spot via the Seniors Painting in the Park Eventbrite site.

Bookings are essentials.

These events are a part of the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival, celebrating the contributions of older adults in our community. With the theme Time to Shine, the festival encourages seniors to connect, learn, and embrace new experiences. Don't miss these special opportunities to be part of Australia's largest celebration for seniors.

Beach to Books Walk

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is celebrating Seniors Festival with a range of activities to honour our older people.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll on Friday, 14th March, from Town Beach to the library, with curated storytelling stops along the way. Immerse yourself in poetry readings, historical insights, and interactive engagement stations before arriving at the library for a delightful high tea. A perfect opportunity to connect, reflect and be inspired in a relaxed and social setting.

A library flag will be our gathering point at Town Beach, near the Salty Crew kiosk. Please ensure you have a hat and sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.

Secure your spot via the Council Library Beach to Books Walk webpage.

These events are part of the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival, celebrating the contributions of older adults in our community. With the theme Time to Shine, the festival encourages seniors to connect, learn, and embrace new experiences. Don't miss these special opportunities to be part of Australia's largest celebration for seniors.

Are you Prepared?

Get informed at one of these free interactive sessions on Wills, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship for Seniors. Presented by Hunter Community Legal Centre with special guests, The Wesley Care Finders.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Join the conversation at the following locations.

Stroud, Stroud Hotel - Tuesday, 18 March 2025 - 10am to 12pm

Dungog, Dungog Bowling Club - Wednesday, 19 March 2025 - 10am to 12pm

Gloucester, Gloucester Bowling Club - Thursday, 20 March 2025 - 10am to 12pm

Please RSVP to Hunter Community Legal Centre on (02) 4040 9121 or admin@hunterclc.com.au

Staying Safe Online

The Wauchope CWA and Commbank have combined to bring a "Staying Safe Online" seminar to Wauchope. Join to learn more about identifying and protecting yourself from scams and fraud. All are welcome to attend.

When: Friday, 14 March 2025

Time: 2pm to 3pm

Where: CWA Hall, 49 High Street, Wauchope

Please RSVP by: 7 March 2025

For more information contact wauchopecwa@gmail.com

Be Connected

Join the eSafety Commissioner's free online Be Connected presentations to learn how to get the most out of going online.

There are multiple topics and dates across 2025, you will discover how to use technology with confidence and keep safer online, in an easy-to-understand format with our knowledgeable and friendly presenters.

Book your spot at the Be Connected Website.

Parkinson’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

Hunter Primary Care’s Kerry Turnbull (RN) was recently invited to attend the launch of the new Parkinson’s MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) developed by The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre and The Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania. Both Kerry and her father feature in the MOOC. “It was a privilege to be able to contribute to the MOOC content” reported Ms Turnbull “there are subject matter experts from all over the world”. 

The launch was attended by approximately 200 people in Hobart as well as a large number of online participants. The Parkinson’s MOOC, developed by Professors Jane Alty and Michele Callisaya, is free, fully online and open to anyone interested in Parkinson’s Disease, whether they are living with PD or are health professionals from all levels of training. You can find out more about the Parkinson’s MOOC (and other MOOCs), on the The Wicking Dementia Centre Website.

Kerry is the Program Manager for the Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placement Program, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care. The highly successful Hunter Primary Care program covers the Central Coast, Hunter, New England, Mid North Coast and North Coast of NSW and is aimed at exposing nursing students to the personally and professionally rewarding career options to be found in aged care nursing. 

If you are interested in the Hunter Primary Care Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placement Program, find more information on the Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program website or on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care program website.

What the New Aged Care Act will mean for you

Save the date for Older Persons Advocacy Network's (OPAN) webinar to take you through a summary of the new Aged Care Act rollout. This is the first in a series providing information and insight into the changes to the act and how it will affect you.

The free online event is scheduled for Tuesday, 25th February 2025 from 12pm to 1pm AEDT.

Register your attendance at the webinar via the OPAN website.

Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Report Released

The First Nations Interim Aged Care Commissioner, Ms Andrea Kelly, has released her report to the Australian Government. Ms Kelly works to improve culturally-safe, trauma-aware and healing-informed aged care for First Nations people across Australia.    

The report outlines key findings and recommendations based on feedback received from older Indigenous people, their families and communities during extensive consultation.  

The recommendations within the report reference a series of critical reforms to improve aged care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

To read the report and find out more visit the Department of Aged Care website.

Introduction to Working in Aged Care

Are you interested in working in aged care? Culturally Directed Care Solutions, the East Arnhem Regional Council Aged Care Staff and Management, and iTalk Studios, have developed more than a dozen videos to assist people considering working in aged care.

These videos are from the perspective of interested Indigenous workers and follow their first few days within the industry. The context and setting of the videos is that of rural or remote indigenous communities, but the content is often applicable in other settings.

Watch or share the videos at the Culturally Directed Care Solutions website.

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