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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
12 February 2025 | |
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In recent days, our CE Miranda Starke has been interviewed on talkback radio advocating for older South Australians around issues relating to access to healthcare, housing and cost-of-living.
Miranda was interviewed on ABC Radio Adelaide’s Drive program on Friday by Nikolai Beilharz about older South Australians who are stranded for many months in hospital as they are unable to find an aged care place or access the supports they need to return home. She spoke alongside the SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton MP and acknowledged that finding solutions to support “stranded patients” is complex.
“This is a significant issue and has become a ‘wicked problem’ that state and federal governments have not yet been able to resolve” she said. “We acknowledge the innovative strategies that SA Health is pursuing to prevent or reduce long hospital stays for older people in incredibly challenging times for the health and aged care sectors. We know there is a shortage of aged care places particularly for people with dementia, and South Australians are waiting longer to get the support they need at home for home care packages.” Miranda says. Meanwhile, COTA SA’s Care Finder program can be a good starting point if you or someone you know needs help to navigate the complex aged care system. | |
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COTA SA achieves ASES accreditation | |
We are excited to let you know that COTA SA recently achieved accreditation at Certificate level in the Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES).
Achieving this important accreditation is a recognition of the dedication of COTA SA’s team of staff and volunteers to quality and continuous improvement. | |
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Ongoing learning with WEA | |
COTA SA is delighted this year to be continuing our partnership with WEA Adult Learning and Skills SA to provide our members with funded additional learning opportunities through WEA’s program of short courses.
If you’ve been considering taking a course at WEA this could be the opportunity for you to take a fully subsidised course. Click below to find available courses and to register your interest.
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Climate change group webinar: Save the date | |
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Save the date! We look forward to inviting you to our next Climate Change Group webinar, Solar made Simple. This time we're presenting the webinar in collaboration with City of Mitcham.
When: Wednesday 12 March at 12 noon
Where: Online - link to be supplied closer to the webinar Registration: Opens next week, we will send an invitation to all subscribers | |
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All the latest from Strength for Life | |
The Strength for Life community continues to grow, reaching more people and making a difference to the lives of thousands of older South Australians.
Read the latest news, community updates and how Strength for Life is going from strength to strength! In this edition of Strength for Life news: - Falls management presentation
- Welcome new trainers
- Strength for Life in Hallett Cove
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Thank you for your feedback – we hear you!
A big thank you to everyone who completed our survey in the last e-News. We appreciate your time and insights. For those who expressed interest in learning more, we’ll be in touch shortly to give you more information on The Plug-in.
One of the key things we asked was: What is holding you back from joining The Plug-in community? - The top response (44%) was "I do not understand what it involves.”
- The second most common response (39%) was "This is the first I am hearing about The Plug-in.”
We hear you loud and clear! That’s why we are reworking our website to better explain who we are and what we do. In the meantime, here’s a quick rundown of what we do to get you up to speed: | |
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City residents shared insights into what a new social program should consider
In mid-2024, The Plug-in designed and facilitated co-design workshops to explore what types of activities help support social connections in the city. This led to the development of principles that should underpin any new social program for city residents aged 50+ and a report prepared in late 2024 to assist Council’s consideration of what a new social program could look like.
This project was delivered in partnership with City of Adelaide’s Healthy Ageing Team. To discover the types of activities city residents are seeking, you can access a public version of the key insights report in our latest news! | |
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COTA SA regularly makes submissions on behalf of older South Australians to governments, regulators and other bodies on a broad range of topics to influence the decisions and actions that affect them. Recently we have made the following submission:
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National news from COTA Australia | |
Scam action working, but more needs to be done to protect older Australians
Patricia Sparrow, COTA Australia Chief Executive Officer, said that while Scamwatch data released today shows a very welcome significant overall drop in Australians’ scam losses of over 33 per cent, too many older people are still falling victim.
Click below to read COTA Australia's full media release, including a call for Parliament to pass the Scams Prevention Framework Bill alongside urging support for victims through a trial of peer-led training.
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A visit to the Burundian community | |
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COTA SA received a warm welcome from the Burundian community recently, when Clara presented Let’s Talk Aged Care and Care finders to the community at Davoren Park. The talk generated much interest and several questions. Many thanks to Emmanuel Bizimana, Chairperson of the Burundian Community of SA for organising the session and special thanks also to Lidia who interpreted the information in Swahili to the group. | |
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Rainbow Hub SA monthly lunch
Join Rainbow Hub SA at their monthly lunch for members of the LGBTI+ community aged 50+. If you're new there will be someone to welcome you. When: 12noon - 1:30pm, Thursday 27 February, 27 March and 24 April Where: Treasury 1860, 144 King William Street, Adelaide
Bookings essential by the Thursday prior to the lunch. To book, email events@cotasa.org.au or call 08 8232 0422. Let us know if you would like to have a regular booking. | |
Save the Date
Rainbow Dog Community Consultative Group & Friends - the next step
Join Rainbow Hub SA for the third in a series of consultations over a cuppa about this project that was undertaken in 2023-24 when Rainbow Hub SA was part of COTA SA. | | | |
Our focus was interviewing older LGBTI+ people about the effect that an illness or change of circumstances had on their emotional or mental wellbeing. The purpose of this workshop is to welcome back people who attended last year, and any new people who may want to assist with their ideas. If you are new, don't worry we will be doing a recap of the project and findings on the day. Supported by the Fay Fuller Foundation.
When: 2:00-4:00pm Saturday 22 March
Where: Diverse-City, 163 Gouger St, Adelaide, Kaurna Country
Book: To assist catering or for more info email Pat Pearson ppearson280@gmail.com | |
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'Cupid’s Deceit’ workshop exposes the rising threat of love scams | |
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This Valentine’s Day, don’t let scammers take advantage of your kindness. Learn how to protect yourself from online fraud in this special free workshop hosted by David Mitchell from South Australia Police.
When: Friday 14 February, 10am - 12noon
Where: TechCentral Frome Road, Lot Fourteen, Adelaide
Bookings: Email Fareen.Khan@cybercollaboration.org.au or call 08 8155 5320 to secure your spot.
If you can't make it, see SAPOL's poster on ways to spot and avoid romance scams. | |
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Seniors Card 2025 Directory | |
Seniors retire from work not life... and Seniors Card can help with that; the 2025 Seniors Card directory is out now containing details of hundreds of discounts.
Search for discounts and deals online here. Alternatively, if you prefer a hardcopy you can visit the website here and click Hardcopy Seniors Card Discounts & Deals Directory near the bottom of the page for locations where you can pick one up (including your local council or library). COTA SA also has copies available at our office. | |
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Homeshare: A solution to the rental crisis for older women in SA | |
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Housing stress is a significant issue for older people and women aged 55+ are particularly at risk. If you are a female over 55 years of age, living on your own in your own home, and: - Have a spare bedroom or studio
- Want to help address the housing crisis and give back to your community
- Appreciate having extra help around the house and the security of a trusted companion
Then Homeshare might be a good fit for you! A partnership between St Vincent de Paul Society SA, Westside Housing and Shelter SA, the Homeshare Pilot Program is a fee free service that carefully matches female Householders aged 55+ living on their own that have a spare bedroom, with female Homesharers. | |
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Residents of the Charles Sturt council area, you're invited to join the AVOID Frailty Study. One in five older people are frail, but frailty doesn't have to be inevitable. This study focuses on investigating a strategy to help individuals steer clear of frailty and age well. For more information or to express your interest contact Dr Joanne Dollard; phone 08 8222 7349 or email avoidfrailty@adelaide.edu.au | |
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Adelaide Fringe Ticket Giveaway | |
Win a double pass! Studio Theatre at Goodwood Theatre and Studios, 166 Goodwood Road, Goodwood
Wednesday 26 February, 6pm
Love, betrayal and survival collide on the high seas in this exciting musical. We're pleased to have a double pass to give away to the opening night of PYRATES!
Set sail in 1700 on a thrilling adventure with John Husk, torn between duty and desire in the perilous seas. | | | |
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Monday 17 February. One entry will be randomly selected and we will email winners on Monday 17 February. | |
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Let us know how we are doing | |
At COTA SA we always welcome your feedback so we can improve our services to you. If there's something you'd like us to know, please tell us using the button below. | |
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COTA SA acknowledges the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains as the traditional custodians of the land our headquarters occupy. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal nations throughout South Australia. We honour Aboriginal peoples’ continuing connection to Country and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal people. | |
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POSTAL ADDRESS
PO BOX 7024, Hutt Street SA 5000
STREET ADDRESS
Kaurna Country Level 1/85 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000
Office open to visitors Tues-Thurs 9am - 5pm, please call or email outwith these hours www.cotasa.org.au ABN 28 426 218 58
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COTA SA receives a commission from all insurance sales in South Australia. | |
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