ACT Veterans and Seniors Newsletter
January 2017

Contents

Major News Items and Activities

Forthcoming Events

Notices and Information

Employment and Retirement

Learning and Development

Volunteering Opportunities

Health and Wellbeing

Finance and Budgeting

Mailing List and Future Articles

Major News Items and Activities

Free Shingles (Herpes Zoster) vaccine for 70-79 year olds

  • A free vaccine to protect against shingles is available for everyone aged 70-79 years under the National Immunisation Program.
  • The vaccine is free for 70 year olds as on ongoing program.
  • 71-79 year olds are also eligible for a free shingles vaccine until 2021 as part of a catch up program.
  • Shingles is a painful and debilitating skin rash, often with blisters. The rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts for two to four weeks. Persistent pain from shingles lesions, called post herpetic neuralgia, can be very severe and can last a year or more.
  • Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and occurs when the chickenpox virus reactivates later in life. If you have had chickenpox you could develop shingles.One in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. It occurs more frequently and tends to be more severe in older people.

If you are aged 70 – 79 talk to your GP to see if you should receive this vaccine. A few people may be unable to have the vaccine. The vaccine does not protect everyone, so some people who get the vaccine may still get the shingles.

For more information regarding Shingles visit the Health Website.

Seniors MyWay Card - Improvements

Transport Canberra, along with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT; have created improvements to Seniors MyWay Cards, which now include a signature ID on the card, streamlining usage and access for card holders.

Previous blue and yellow Seniors MyWay Cards are still valid for travel on ACTION buses. If you would like to update your card to the new Seniors MyWay Card, with the new Transport Canberra brand, you will need to apply for a replacement card.

For further information on applying for a Seniors MyWay Card, registering your MyWay Card and anything else MyWay, please visit the COTA website or call ACTION on 13 17 10.

Email Scam Warning

The Federal Court has been contacted by a large number of people who have received emails (example below), purportedly sent by the Federal Court on behalf of the Federal Circuit Court, subpoenaing them to attend court at a specified time.

Neither the Federal Court nor the Federal Circuit Court issue subpoenas in such an informal way. These emails have not been issued by the Court and are fraudulent.

If you receive one of these emails, you should notclick on any of the links as they may containviruses or malware. You should also delete the email from your in-box and deleted folder.

Concession Scheme

Support for Low-Income Households

As part of the 2016-17 Budget, the ACT Government will increase funding for the Concessions Program to support the most vulnerable members of our community. The extra $35 million over four years reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to a fairer, more sustainable and more accessible program that targets support to those Canberrans who need a helping hand most.

Concessions play an important role in supporting around 30,000 Canberra households and the need for support is increasing. The ACT Government offers numerous concessions, including concessions for electricity, gas and water bills, household rates, public transport, motor vehicle registrations, driver licences, taxis, glasses and funeral assistance. Following a review of the Concessions Program and community consultation period, the Government has decided that most concessions will not be changing and has provided additional funding to meet forecast demand.

Changes that have been announced include maintaining ‘uncapped’ General Rates Rebates at 2015-16 levels, introducing a combined Utilities Concession from 2017-18, and gradually increasing the eligibility age for the ACT Seniors Card to 65 by 2025.

Concession Travel on the NSW Opal Public Transport Network

Concession travel on the NSW Opal public transport network is now a whole lot easier for ACT Seniors Card holders.

Transport Canberra has partnered with Transport NSW to automatically validate ACT seniors' eligibility for concession travel in NSW. Transport NSW has also removed the 60-day expiry on ACT seniors' Gold Opal Cards.

COTA ACT has been working with Transport Canberra for close to a year to make applying for a NSW Opal Card easier for Seniors Card holders in the ACT. The new process is just one example of how COTA ACT partners with government to improve services for seniors in the ACT.

Seniors with an early ACT Seniors Card (i.e. one that has six numbers, as opposed to nine in the current cards) will need to apply for a card upgrade in order to apply for an Opal Card. New, replacement and upgrade ACT Seniors Cards are available from the COTA ACT office in Hughes, ACT Libraries and Access Canberra shopfronts.

If you are over 60, a permanent resident of the ACT and working 20 hours or less each week, you are eligible for an ACT Seniors Card and a Gold Opal card, giving you concession travel capped at $2.50 a day* across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands.

*Excludes Sydney Airport Station access fee.

Long-term Canberrans shaping our city

Have you or someone you know lived in Canberra for fifty years or more? What about an organisation or community group that has been contributing to our city for fifty years or more? Then consider nominating for the ChiefMinister’s Canberra Gold Awards.

The Awardsrecognise the unique contribution made by individuals and groups who have lived or operated in the ACT for fifty years or more. Nominate a family member, colleague, friend or group who has helped shape our city.

Nominations can be made online at or hardcopy forms are also available by contacting or 02 6205 3031. Nominations close in mid February 2017with the Awards to be presented in March 2017 as part of Canberra Day celebrations.

2017 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year: Who will younominate?

The Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards is an annualcelebration that was established in 1989. The Awards recognise individuals andgroups of young people aged between 12 and 25 years who have made a significantcontribution through their personal endeavours, or who have been actively involvedin the ACT community across the following six categories:

  • YoungCanberra Citizen of the Year Award;
  • Environmentand Sustainability Award;
  • PersonalAchievement Award;
  • IndividualCommunity Service Award;
  • GroupAchievement Award and
  • Artsand Multimedia Award.

The Awards are supported by generoussponsors, with Beyond Bank Australia as the major sponsor providing $2,000prize money for the 2017 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year.

Other category sponsors include RiverviewGroup, QT, Anglicare ACT, Australian Catholic University, Youth AdvisoryCouncil and the University of Canberra, who all contribute $1,000 to eachcategory winner.

To assist the completion of your application please read the Guidelines.

To submit anomination please go toSmartyGrants.

Nominations close 1 March 2017

For furtherinformation or support submitting a nomination, please contact the YouthInterACT Team (02) 6207 2452.

Regular cervical screening could save your life

Women participating in the Cervical Screening Program (Pap Test) are currently rescreened every two years. It is recommended that women continue this until May 2017. If you have not had a test in the last two years book your test today with your health practitioner.

In May 2017, the Pap Test will be replaced with a Cervical Screening Test.

Under the new test, women between the ages of 25 and 74 years will be invited to participate in cervical screening every five years, even if they have already received the HPV vaccine, as it does not provide protection against all types of HPV. A Cervical Screening test significantly reduces your risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer.

​For more information on the future changes to cervical screening, visit Cervical Screening.

​Delivered by ACT Health, the ACT Cervical Screening Program forms part of the joint Australian Government, State and Territory National Cervical Screening Framework .

2017 National Multicultural Festival - call out for volunteers

Are you interested in volunteering at the 2017 National Multicultural Festival?

Volunteering and Contact ACT, on behalf of the Office for Multicultural Affairs is looking for volunteers.

Please register your interest by contacting them.

Phone: 02 6248 7988

Email:.

Website:

Seniors Sanctuary at the 2017 National Multicultural Festival Underway

Seniors Sanctuary will be available at the National Multicultural Festival on18-19 February 2017.

The Sanctuary will offer a quiet space for seniors and people with disability to relax and enjoy the celebrations of the Festival.

The Sanctuary may be located at the western end of Petrie Plaza, Civic, adjacent to Bailey’s Arcade, off London Circuit. Sanctuary timings are as follows:

2:00pm -11:00pm on Saturday, 18 February 2017

12:00pm-5:00pm on Sunday, 19 February 2017

The Sanctuary willoffer shade, seating and bottled water.

For people with disabilities the Sanctuary will be made into an accessible venue.

An exciting entertainment program of eclectic musical acts and colourful dancing is being planned for the Sanctuary.

To keep updated on arrangements visit for more information.

Be noise aware

Are you noise aware? Consider your noise levels and the affect on your neighbours.

Sometimes we can’t hear what our neighbours can, due to noise coming from poorly located air conditioning units, loud music or use of power tools.

Let your neighbours know if you are planning noisy activities such as a party or renovations. Often people are more understanding if they know in advance when the noise will start and end, and that they can approach someone if it causes a problem.

Noise can lead to anxiety, stress and other health impacts, even if it does not occur all the time. Vulnerable people such as the elderly or ill, parents with young children, and shift workers can be particularly impacted by noise.

A simple conversation with your neighbours can prevent problems from occurring.

For more information visit

Information from ACT Health - Avoiding Heat-Related Stress

What is heat-related stress?

Heat-related stress is illness which usually occurs when a person is exposed to a hot environment which overwhelms their body’s ability to maintain a normal temperature.

The early symptoms of heat-related stress include headaches, dizziness, faintness, nausea and vomiting. In babies, signs of heat-related stress include restlessness, irritability and a reduced number of wet nappies.

Heat-related stress is a serious medical condition. If not spotted early and managed properly, people can potentially develop life-threatening illness (heat-stroke). Simple measures can be applied to significantly reduce the chance of heat-related stress.

What causes heat-related stress?

People adapt to heat by sweating, reducing their level of physical activity and moving to a cool environment such as an air-conditioned building. If a person is not able to adapt in this way then their body temperature begins to rise and they become unwell. Heat-related stress can occur in anyone, but those most at risk include:

  • young children and babies;
  • the elderly;
  • pregnant women;
  • obese individuals;
  • disabled individuals, particularly those with impaired mobility;
  • individuals on medications which promote fluid loss or reduce sweating;
  • individuals who exercise or work outdoors and
  • people who are not acclimatised to heat (e.g. overseas visitors).

Heat-related stress can occur on normal summer days, but the risk of developing heat-related stress increases dramatically if the mean temperature meets or exceeds 28°C. The mean temperature is measured by the maximum temperature from one day and the subsequent night’s minimum temperature (e.g. maximum of 38°C and minimum of 20°C divided by two equals a mean temperature of 29°C).

The risk of developing heat-related stress is highest during a ‘heat-wave’ when the mean temperatures meet or exceed 28°C for several sequential days. Relatively short exposure to extremely hot environments can also cause heat-related stress (e.g. the interior of a hot car, a tent on a hot day, or periods of direct sun exposure).

How can heat-related stress be prevented?

Individuals must protect themselves from the dangers of heat-related stress during hot summer days and heat-waves. The following measures should be followed to reduce the chance of suffering heat-related stress:

Drink plenty of fluids and avoid dehydration

Dehydration reduces your body’s ability to cool itself by sweating. Check with your doctor how much you should drink if you are on limited fluids or fluid pills.

  • water is the best fluid to drink; and
  • avoid beverages which contain caffeine or alcohol.

Stay in a cool environment

  • stay indoors or in the shade wherever possible;
  • sleep in the coolest part of the house;and
  • keep air circulating and use air conditioning if available. If you don’t have an air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned facility such as a shopping centre or library.

Reduce physical activity

  • avoid strenuous physical activity; and
  • if activity is unavoidable, rest often and drink plenty of fluids.

Take extra measures to increase cooling

  • wear light-weight clothing;
  • take a shower, bath or sponge bath; and
  • eat regular, light meals.

Be aware of vulnerable people

  • frequently check on older, sick and frail people and neighbours who may need help coping with the heat;and
  • never leave children or pets unattended in motor vehicle as temperatures can rise very rapidly to dangerous levels.

If a person become unresponsive confused or disoriented in the heat they should receive urgent medical attention.

For more information visit the ACT Health website:

Expressions of Interest for the 2017-19 Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageingare Open

Nominations are now being sought for the 2017-19 ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing.

The ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing (the Council) provides strategic advice to the ACT Government on issues affecting older people in the ACT. They also communicate the needs and views of older Canberrans to the ACT Government.

The current council has provided the ACT Government with important information on issues such as the health of seniors, elder abuse and worked in partnership with the ACT Government to host the ACT’s first Seniors Health Roundtable.

To ensure that the Council can represent all older people we need to have members from diverse cultural backgrounds, the LGBTIQ community and with different experiences. The Minister for Veterans and Seniors is also keen to see nominations from people with knowledge of areas such as legal affairs or elder abuse.

Applications are invited from individuals and representatives of organisations in the ACT who have:

  • a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of seniors in our community;
  • a demonstrated knowledge of the interests and concerns of seniors;
  • an ability to engage with community members and represent a wide range of views of seniors in our community; and
  • a commitment to participate fully in Council activities (e.g. consultations), in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To submit an application please go to

Further information is available by calling the Office for Veterans and Seniors on 6205 1400, emailing or visiting

Applications are open and will close on 3 February 2017.

Expressions of Interest for the 2017-19 Veterans’ Advisory Council are Open

Nominations are now being sought for the 2017-19 Veterans’ Advisory Council.

The Veterans’ Advisory Council comprises community members with a material interest in issues affecting the veterans’ community in the Australian Capital Territory.

Council members must demonstrate an understanding of the matters that affect veterans and their families.Members should also possess the ability and motivation to make a positive contribution within the veterans’ community. The Council’s draft Terms of Reference are now available.

One area that the Minister forVeterans and Seniors is keen to focus on is supporting younger veterans,especially in employment and transitioning to life after service. We are aware that the families of veterans can also face challenges.

In order to properly support theseand all those in the veterans’ community we need to have them represented on theCouncil. The ACT Government is committed tosupporting people from diverse backgrounds and abilities to apply.

Joining the Council provides you with theopportunity to make a difference for the lives of current and former AustralianDefence Force personnel and their families.

To submit an application please go to Smartygrants .

Applications are open and close on 10 February 2017.

For further information feedback and comments please contact the Office for Veterans and Seniors on 6205 2598 or via email us at the .

The Minister for Veterans and Seniors is also interested in receiving feedback on the Council’s new draft Terms of Reference. Comments and suggestions can be submitted through the Office for Veterans and Seniors.

Forthcoming Events

WRAAC (Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps) Association (ACT) Corps Day Celebration

Serving and Ex-Service Women are welcome to join the WRAAC Association (ACT) in celebrating the WRAAC Corp Day with a speaker followed by lunch.

Please bring along any WRAAC memorabilia or photos you would like to share. Order and purchase your own drinks and later, lunch, from the Restaurant or Café on the day.