What is Intergenerational Service Learning? Service learning is defined as ‘a credit-bearing educational experience in which students participate in an organised service activity that meets identified community need and which actively engages … More...
A Stitch in Time saves Nine
As the old saying goes ‘A stitch in time saves nine’, a little preparation now to fix a small problem can prevent a larger problem developing later. Can Dementia be prevented if treated? Should you bother to find out? We interviewed one of our … More...
Enjoying the Twilight Years
People don't often warn us about the challenges of growing older, or talk about how we can prepare for "the twilight years" of life. Being over 60 is not like the first six decades of life; there are unique challenges associated with being
Power of Pets
The close relationship between humans and animals has been documented throughout history, across cultures and around the world. Dating back to ancient Greece animals have been used to improve emotional and functional conditions of humans. Ancient … More...
What is Elder Abuse?
Researchers and service providers first expressed concern about elder abuse in the late 1970’s after a seminal paper about ‘granny battering’ was published (Baker, 1975). Recognition of the problem was largely related to the development of concern … More...
Sharing Accommodation?
Can college students share accommodation with our older generations? One place in the Netherlands has given it a go! Between the years of 2011 and 2030 the baby boomer generation will be celebrating their 65th birthdays and will be entering into … More...
Psychological Changes Associated with Ageing
I am a Clinical Psychologist with a doctorate in geropsychology - which means that my area of expertise is working with older adults, helping them with the psychological changes and challenges associated with ageing. As with younger adults, a variety of mental health disorders such as anxiety … More...
What is a Chronic Disease Management Plan?
A Chronic Disease Management Plan can help you access allied health services, at reduced costs, under Medicare. The Chronic Disease Management Plan (formerly Enhanced Primary Care) is a service provided by General Practitioners for the management of chronic diseases. In addition to … More...
What does an Aged Care Assessment Involve?
Perhaps you've heard the term "Aged Care Assessment" being bandied around, and have been wondering what it means. An Aged Care Assessment is undertaken when a person is no longer able to manage their daily living activities at home, to determine the individual’s functional ability and the … More ...
5 Reasons to try Pilates
It's easy to develop flexibility and rejuvenate your body with Pilates exercises. Besides toning and firming, practicing Pilates has some other benefits that make it the ideal form of exercise for both women and men. 5 Reasons to start a Pilates program: Improves balance Whether you are … More...
Dreams & Courage to the end?
What can we learn from Asian culture? Is it true that once you reach beyond 80 you’re branded with social incompetent? destined to be in a nursing house and abandon by the society? Not according to these elders from Taiwan!! At 2007, an event was created by HONDAO Senior Citizen’s Welfare … More...
Secret to Living Forever!
The idea of living forever has been the focus of many movies like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and movies such as the Twilight series. While fantasy is one way of embracing a future, one of the greatest struggles for the human race has been around religious beliefs around what lies beyond. … More...
Just Grumpy Old Men?!
As a society, we love watching TV shows featuring "grumpy old men" (GOM) - from "I Love Lucy" to "Happy Days", "M*A*S*H" to "Everybody Loves Raymond". One of the reasons I personally really enjoyed watching these shows was that I often agreed with the things that they were saying! Could, in fact, … More...
Let’s Get Physical: Keeping Active
Why is keeping active so important, no matter what our age? It's because keeping active is not just essential for our physical health and wellbeing; but it also has a positive impact on our psychological health. Studies have indicated that there is a relationship between inactivity and … More...
Financial Abuse of Older People
The Makin Tracks team has found that financial abuse is a BIG problem! What is financial abuse and how big is this problem? Financial abuse is a component of the overarching issue of elder abuse which is a sensitive and largely under reported issue affecting many elderly people’s mental and … More...
Depression in Older Adults
We all feel sad, moody or ‘down’ from time to time, it is part of being human, but depression is more than just a low mood. Depression is a serious illness that affects a person's emotional, physical and cognitive state and has negative impacts on a person’s day-to-day life. Apart from depressed … More...