12 May 2011

Seniors unscathed by vanilla budget

Older Australians have emerged unscathed from a budget widely speculated in its lead-up to be defined by tough love measures.

National Seniors chief executive, Michael O’Neill, who attended the Canberra lockup on Tuesday, said older Australians would feel little impact from it.

“For the over 50s, it’s a vanilla budget – nothing terribly exciting or different,” he said.

Amongst the few new initiatives announced by Treasurer Wayne Swan is support for older workers in their search for employment.

These include new training opportunities, employer subsidies and a doubling of allowable work hours for disability pensioners of whom, in 2009, almost 60% were aged over 50.

O’Neill welcomed the employment initiatives but warned they were only a start.

“More than anything, real jobs for older Australians will require an attitudinal change from employers, and that can’t be legislated,” he said.

New participation requirements for disability pensions will only apply to people under the age of 35.

A highlight for self funded retirees still recovering from the GFC is the extension of the minimum drawdown concession on allocated pension accounts.

“Missing from this budget are reform measures around long-festering issues such dental and aged care. Seniors expect to see something solid and substantial around these things in the coming year,” he said.

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Volunteers set off for life-changing journeys

A group of volunteers are setting off on journeys around Australia as part of a programme that places grey nomads in remote Indigenous communities where they share their skills and knowledge with locals.

Through our Indigenous Skills Transfer and Exchange Partnership (INSTEP), volunteers travel to remote Indigenous communities and work with local people on much needed projects.

Currently six National Seniors’ volunteers are either already in Indigenous communities or about to head off on their second volunteering stint with INSTEP.

As part of National Volunteer Week (NVW) from 9 to 15 May, National Seniors is encouraging older people to get involved in volunteering and thanking volunteers for their contributions.

“We have placed more than 118 volunteers in Aboriginal communities around Australia where volunteers have had life-changing experiences and the communities have really benefited too,’’ INSTEP project manager Karen Furnivall said.

To find out more about becoming an INSTEP volunteer phone 1300 88 37 52.

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ACT Older Persons Assembly

ACT residents are invited to participate in a one-day event designed to give seniors the chance to raise their issues of concern at a state level.

The Older Persons Assembly is an opportunity for older Canberrans to raise issues and concerns that affect them and to propose solutions and future directions.

Participants aged 55 years and over will be selected through a nomination process to ensure broad cross sections of ACT older citizens are represented in the ACT Older Persons Assembly.

The Older Persons Assembly will be held on Friday 30 September 2011 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

For further information and nomination forms, contact the ACT Office for Ageing on 6205 5365, visit the website or email.

Nominations close on 30 June 2011.

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Rare condition can strike suddenly

Seniors in Brisbane can find out more about a rare neurological disease that can strike suddenly, particularly in elderly people.

Transverse Myelitis is a viral disease caused by an inflammation at a particular level or segment of the spinal cord.

Symptoms include a sudden onset of muscle weakness or abnormal sensations in the toes and feet, paralysis, urinary retention and loss of bowel control, although these symptoms can be experienced gradually.

On Tuesday 17 May is Transverse Myelitis Day with the Spinal Injuries Association holding a free public information event in Brisbane from 9:45am to 2:30pm at Logan Road, Woolloongabba.

To RSVP or to find out more contact Jeanette Kretschmann on 07 3391 2044, 1800 810 513 or contact her by email.

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Set top boxes for pensioners

The government has announced that full rate pensioners will receive free set top boxes as part of the switch from analogue to digital television.

Around $400 has been allocated per pensioner for the purchase and installation of a set top box which some say is a waste of money because it can be done a lot cheaper.

Do you agree with the government’s move to provide pensioners with free set top boxes?

Or is it a case of money being better spent elsewhere?

Have your say on the blog.