“CityNews” speaks with the people and services passionate about improving the lives of Canberra’s seniors.

From looking after their health to getting their affairs in order, these Canberra businesses know the importance of helping the older community.

This expertise allows seniors to balance their priorities with ease, making time for both the necessary and the fun.

The importance of an up-to-date will

Capon and Hubert Lawyers and Mediators helps clients wishing to update their will, says director Ken Hubert. 

“This will often mean completing an enduring power of attorney as well as a will,” he says.

“If people don’t have a will, it means their possessions are instead distributed by the rules of intestacy.

“This distribution means that your spouse, family member or friend will have to apply to the court to be appointed administrator before they can handle your estate.

“This can be costly and time-consuming. 

“Completing an enduring power of attorney to address later-in-life challenges, as well as a will, assists loved ones to care for you in the manner you wish when the time comes.”

Ken says Capon and Hubert have been helping people with their legal matters for more than 35 years and can also help seniors with a range of legal issues in areas such as family law, children’s matters, conveyancing, and power of attorney.

“Our team is focused on giving honest and expert advice at all times,” says Ken.

“Our staff are experienced in their fields and we take pride in knowing that they will always use common sense, respect, courtesy and good judgment.” 

Capon and Hubert Lawyers and Mediators, first floor, 32-38 Townshend Street, Phillip. Call 6152 9203 or visit chsol.com.au

Retirement village with a warm Italian accent

Villaggio Sant’ Antonio was established by the Italian community for older Australian Italians to maintain links with the Italian community, says general manager Katrina Cubit.

“Now nearly 40 years on from initial inception, Villaggio welcomes all cultures and nationalities,” she says.

“The board of directors, with acting chair Mr Emilio Cataldo, works closely with the management team to continuously improve the quality of care and services delivered to permanent and respite residents living both in the residential aged-care facilities and in the 60 independent living units.”

Katrina says the facility, located close to Belconnen shops, is set among beautiful, landscaped gardens and boasts a contemporary new wing with 29 generously proportioned single ensuite rooms.

“The facility offers a chapel and hairdressing salon, and our lovely hairdresser ensures each resident looks their best for regular events catered for by our onsite kitchens delivering fresh and tasty meals,” she says.

“Villaggio has two buses to offer planned outings to places of interest throughout the Canberra region. Residents enjoy the services of 24-hour registered nurses, a qualified team of care staff plus physiotherapists, a dietitian, speech therapist and podiatrist.

“Everything we do is driven by our universal mission to enhance the lives of ageing adults and their families.”

Villaggio Sant’ Antonio, 35 Burkitt Street, Page. Call 6255 1794, or visit villagio.com.au

Resident-led retirement village in heart of Weston Creek

Araluen Retirement Village has two, two-bedroom properties for sale, says LJ Hooker Dickson real estate agent Nic Salter-Harding. 

Araluen is a resident-led retirement community for those over 60, he says.

“There’s a great community there,” he says, “and you can be as involved or uninvolved as you like.”

Nic says Araluen provides residents with the freedom to treat the property as their own.

“Often what you’ll find with retirement villages is that you don’t really have a lot of freedom over how you live in that property,” he says. 

“What you have here is somewhere where you really own your home, so you purchase the place, you can make more or less whatever changes you want. 

“I’ve seen people do as little as nothing, just move in, or they might do some painting, or some redecorating and I’ve also seen people rip the entire place back
down to the studs and completely renovate from the ground up. 

“You also then get to benefit from the improvement in value over time and when it comes time to move it on, you get to sell it, you don’t have to give it back to the village.”

Nic says Araluen is just a short, flat walk to the Fisher shops, or there is a bus stop just outside that can take residents to Cooleman Court as well as a village
shuttle bus. 

LJ Hooker Dickson, 36 Woolley Street, Dickson. Call 0412 600085, email nic.salter-harding@ljhdickson.com.au or visit dickson.ljhooker.com.au

Norwood memorial gardens refreshed

Norwood Park Crematorium has provided a beautiful and tranquil setting for memorials and ceremonies since 1966, says general manager Michael Bridges, with a variety of beautifully landscaped memorial gardens that provide peace and a space for reflection.

Michael says they are currently in the midst of a development application for a new crematorium, as well as a new administration building. 

“We will host the latest in cremation technology here, in the cremators, so there’s a lot happening in that space,” he says.

“We’ve also introduced some new memorials into the park, cleaning up some of the older ones and doing some artworks around the park as well.” 

The whole park has been revamped, he says.

In June, Michael says Norwood Park will be hosting an information night that will cover some of the legal aspects of end-of-life care, and answer common questions about the crematorium.

Details for the information night will soon be made available on their website. 

Norwood Park Crematorium, 65 Sandford Street, Mitchell. Call 6241 3177, or visit norwoodpark.com.au

Empowering independence in Canberra

For more than two decades, Open Mobility has been a trusted name in assistive technology, says showroom manager Belconnen & Tuggeranong, Kim Nelson.

“Our commitment to customer satisfaction has made us a go-to provider of mobility solutions in Canberra,” she says. 

“Now, with two convenient locations in the heart of Canberra at Belconnen and Greenway (both opposite the post offices), they’re even more accessible to the community.”

Kim says Open Mobility offers a wide range of products, from mobility scooters to lift chairs, beds, and daily living aids, designed to empower individuals to lead independent lives. 

“Our expert team goes above and beyond to ensure customer needs are met, providing free and secure delivery, set-up, and demonstrations for all purchases,” she says.

“Open Mobility currently have a range of leading brands on sale in the autumn sale catalogue. You can pick up a copy in either of the showrooms or online.” 

Kim says Open Mobility presents a range of leading-brand scooters, lift beds, lift chairs and accessories, it’s an unparalleled opportunity to access state-of-the-art mobility solutions at exceptional value.”

“What’s more, Open Mobility offers a five per cent price guarantee, ensuring you get the best value.”

As a registered NDIS provider, Open Mobility guarantees the highest level of care and support for participants. 

“We’ve also embraced modern convenience with an easy-to-navigate ecommerce website, allowing customers to shop from the comfort of their homes while enjoying the same quality service and delivery options as in-showroom purchases,” says Kim.

Open Mobility, 32 Cohen Street, Belconnen, call 6251 4470 and 310 Anketell Street, Greenway, call 6108 3899, or visit openmobility.com.au

Dr Vass offers life-changing hearing help

Getting help with hearing loss is all about improving communication and gaining clarity, says Dr Vass Hearing Clinic principal Dr William Vass.

Offering professional, independent advice and treatment, Dr Vass says taking the first step with a hearing test can be life-changing.

“We know hearing loss can be linked to anxiety, isolation, anger, relationship issues, work issues and miscommunication in general,” he says.

“After treatment or rehabilitation patients can find it a lot easier to get along with people, don’t have to guess so much and are much more confident in their communication skills, especially with their partner.”

While hearing loss can come with ageing, Dr Vass says it can also often affect young people too.

“Those exposed to loud noises in military and construction fields can experience hearing loss. Some people might be genetically exposed to hearing loss or there could be viral infections,” he says.

“It’s very important to act early. Waiting too long can start to see a disconnect between the brain and the ear.

“We find that those people who put off getting help with their hearing loss for long periods don’t have as successful outcomes as those who seek help earlier.”

Dr Vass says patients have the certainty that they’ll be seeing him when they visit the clinic and that he will provide one-on-one, tailored care and advice.

“It’s rewarding to help people not be so isolated, and help improve their communication with others, especially their loved ones,” he says.

Dr Vass Hearing Clinic, suite 14, John James Medical Centre, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. Visit drvasshearing.com.au or call 6282 2717.

Legal help for all aspects of estates division

With a decades long history of serving the Canberra community, solicitor Mitchell Chatfield says KJB Law covers family law, the buying and selling of property, small business arrangements and estates division. 

Mitchell says there are two teams overseeing estates division cases, with the planning team being responsible for working out who is who and what their obligations are, and the administration team ensuring the client’s wishes are being carried out. 

Seeking professional legal help for both of these elements in estate division cases is important, says Mitchell, as estates division law differs between each state and territory, and it is common that people assume a legal process will occur, only to find out it is not relevant to their jurisdiction.

Mitchell says professional legal help also ensures the “complexities of modern families” are appropriately addressed. 

Instances such as multi-generational living can become complicated when someone passes away, says Mitchell, and families can get “bogged down in a mire of information.”

“Equally, we do a fair bit of work in the disabled space, where we’re able to make provisions in sensible, effective ways for disabled children or other disabled people,” says Mitchell.

Mitchell says these complexities will not be overlooked, and whoever the client wished to benefit or protect in the event of their passing remains cared for. 

KJB Law, ground floor, 10 Corinna Street, Woden. Call 6281 0999 or visit kjblaw.com.au

Enhancing homes with ease

Kim Persson, the founder of Renovation Matters, says her deep-seated passion for renovations has transformed her business from a personal hobby into a thriving professional venture.

“If you’re transitioning into a new phase of life and considering downsizing, let Renovation Matters alleviate the associated stress,” says Kim.

“Our specialisation lies in the art of renovating to enhance accessibility, which includes the installation of shower rails and seats, as well as the removal of shower hobs, ensuring your home suits your evolving needs.”

Kim says they can also help with decluttering, rubbish removal, landscaping and gardening, painting, flooring, new bathrooms, kitchen or laundry, new windows and window furnishings, and cleaning. 

Renovation Matters, uses trusted tradesmen to strategically renovate and maximise the sale price, says Kim, and they can look after the property until settlement.

“We help you present your property at its best for sale,” she says.

“We can finance improvements until settlement, leaving no stone unturned in making your renovation journey utterly stress-free.

“Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation now!”

Renovation Matters. Call Kim on 0427 696662, or visit renovationmatters.com.au

New way of operating, same level of support

Arthritis ACT is launching a new way of operating out of its southside venue, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“We are closing our one-on-one consulting rooms down there, however, we will be expanding all the group exercise programs we run from our Pearce location,” she says. 

“That includes tai-chi for falls prevention, it includes our strength and balance classes, which are very popular, it includes our Pilates classes, which are becoming more popular, and we have upcoming changes to our yoga program as well, particularly our chi yoga program, which has been well utilised over the years.”

Rebecca says these land-based group classes are really great for seniors wanting to maintain their strength and balance, in turn helping to avoid falls.

“We need to work where we have resistance and we know that doing exercise on land is the best way to increase resistance,” says Rebecca.

These group classes benefit seniors in more than just the physical sense, says Rebecca, with the social element being just as important in staying healthy. 

“They build a cohesive social network,” she says

“It keeps people connected to their community and provides them with friends who are in the same place as they are, and understand what they’re going through, and in many ways we’re just a conduit to that occurring.”

Arthritis ACT, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

Independent community living for over 55s

The over 55s Summerfield estate at Braidwood offers an outstanding lifestyle partnered with properties of exceptional value, says sales director Jane Mackenzie-Ross.

Overlooking the glorious hills of historic Braidwood, Jane says Summerfield offers residents all the natural beauty of country living, with the benefits of city services.

Historic Braidwood offers plenty of shops and cafés, with organic produce easily available and a plethora of arts and crafts or sporting events nearby. 

“Nearby GPs, allied health and a hospital next door as well as on-site facilities including yoga, a heated pool, and a gym, means your health and wellness is looked after,” says Jane. 

With solar panels and rainwater tanks, Jane says Summerfield is dedicated to sustainability, ensuring residents can enjoy the nearby heritage walks knowing they are contributing to keeping the local environment clean.

Summerfield is made up of freehold properties, says Jane, so residents own both the house and the land.

“If you still have a few years of working left but are interested in Summerfield, you can buy a property now and rent it out until you are ready to retire,” says Jane. 

“This unique invest-now-and-live-in-later option means you can plan your retirement in advance, and be assured that access to the wonderful Summerfield community will still be available.”

Summerfield Braidwood, 70 Little River Road, Braidwood. Call Jane on 0400 472577 or visit summerfield.com.au

Senior volunteers with decades of dedication

Anglicare’s Queanbeyan retail shop thrives thanks to its dedicated cohort of senior volunteers, says Laura Dawson, Anglicare’s senior volunteers manager. 

Among these devoted individuals are Lorraine Donney and Chris Cartwright, who together have contributed more than 30 years of volunteer work to Anglicare, says Laura.

Lorraine, a volunteer for more than a decade, found her place at Anglicare following a personal life change, saying: “I was at a bit of a loss after a divorce.”

“My friends were here, and wanted to help me, so they said come on down.” 

What began as a chance to reconnect with friends evolved into a meaningful way to engage with the community, she says, inspiring her to volunteer twice weekly.

Chris has been volunteering for 20 years, and says she finds both spiritual and social fulfilment in her work. 

“I had been helping do ministry overseas,” she says. 

“I felt terrible when I had to stop, so this is my tithing in my time. I love being here, working with others who are very caring and meeting the customers that come in.”

Laura says she is immensely grateful for their contributions. 

“We are so lucky to have them,” she says. 

“They bring a lifetime of experience and knowledge, and we couldn’t do all the work we do in the community without them.”

Next week is National Volunteer Week, and Anglicare recognises and thanks all volunteers, whose invaluable dedication makes a significant impact on the lives of many.

Anglicare Retail Queanbeyan, 170 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6232 9272 or visit anglicare.com.au

Denture professionals at the cutting edge

Fringe Dentures is a direct-to-the-public denture clinic that makes and fits dentures and mouthguards, and also other services such as repairs, and realigning.

“We’re embracing new technology to make sure we get the best service and quality of work, and a better customer experience,” says owner Terry McHugh.

“We’ve transitioned to digital denture and mouthguard manufacturing, which has revolutionised our processes. 

“We were doing high-quality work before, and we’re doing even higher-quality work now because of the new technology that we’re using.”

Terry says that the business has expanded to include another clinic in Hawker, as well as regional centres in Jindabyne and Gundagai.

“We’re still servicing the industry through a lot of partner dentists,” says Terry. “And you can claim through your health funds.”

“The most important thing, and the most enjoyable thing, is seeing happy customers walking out with their new dentures. 

“If you’re happy, we’re happy.”

Fringe Dentures, 3/24 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick. Call 6239 2534 or visit fringedentures.com.au

Law firm with a focus on will and estates

As one of Canberra’s largest independent law firms, MV Law delivers a comprehensive range of specialised legal services. 

Multiple award-winning MV Law partner, Tanya Herbertson, and her team offer a wealth of experience in wills and estate planning and disputes. Tanya says she’s been in the industry for more than 20 years and loves connecting with her clients.

“Personal law is just that: personal. All the expertise in the world doesn’t mean anything if you don’t also have the emotional IQ to truly put yourself in someone else’s shoes,” she says.

Tanya says that their focus is on estate planning, making wills, and organising people’s power of attorney, as well as answering questions about guardianship issues and tribunal issues. 

“I love the people side of it, I love hearing people’s stories, hearing their issues or problems and helping them to work out a path forward.”

MV Law, Level 2, 121 Marcus Clarke Street, Civic. Call 6279 4444 or visit mvlaw.com.au

Downsize, declutter with professional organisers

Spectrum Organising is a team of four professional organisers with a collective industry experience of 10 years, says owner Melinda McFadden. 

“Part of our downsizing service is to assist our clients to get their current property ready to go on the market, as well as supporting our clients with move management,” says Melinda. 

“We develop space plans to help our clients know how much of their existing furniture they can take with them, working with them to get everything packed up in an orderly way, decluttering as we go. 

“We then work with local removalist companies to ensure everything is safely delivered to their new home. Finally, we assist them to settle in and set up their new home.”

Spectrum Organising also offers services in estate clearances, supporting the clients through the whole process.

“Often when a family member passes they leave behind a lot of stuff that no one knows what to do with,” says Melinda. 

“That’s where we come in and we can help clear the estate, providing a bit of a buffer for the emotions that can come up when you’re going through a family member’s items.”

Melinda says this means families can then focus on funeral arrangements and estate settlement.

“We advocate for people bringing us in as early as possible, because people underestimate how big the process can be and how exhausting the process can be, so the more time that people allow themselves, the easier the process, and the less stressful it is,” says Melinda.

Spectrum Organising, call 0413 897692 or visit spectrumorganising.com.au

The joy of volunteering

The Community Info Hub (the Info Hub), operated by VolunteeringACT, is an organisation where senior volunteers are welcome to share their wisdom and skills with young volunteers and visitors alike, says Jean Giese CEO, VolunteeringACT.  

Volunteering is proven to be an excellent way for older Canberrans to maintain their wellbeing through giving back to organisations who share their values, contributing their skills and experience, and staying connected, says Jean. 

“One such gem of the Info Hub is Rodney Dunstan, affectionately called Rod,” Jean says

Rod, a 73-year-old avid traveller and animal photographer, has volunteered at the Hub since 2019, says Jean, before that, working as a facilities co-ordinator at the University of Canberra. 

“Rod loves sharing his travel experiences. He even authored a book about a cruise trip he took in June 2012, where he explored tunnels in Scotland and kindly donated it to the Info Hub for everyone to read,” says Jean.

“He enjoys getting to know the visitors at the Hub. He fondly remembers a kind gentleman he would chat with for hours about currency exchange rates and F1 drivers. 

“When asked about his hobbies, Rod jokingly pulls out an old Zimbabwean billion-dollar note he bought years ago from a gift shop and says: ‘I’m a billionaire! I do not have to do anything!’”

Visit the 2024 Volunteering Expo organised by VolunteeringACT on Saturday, May 18, to find a volunteering opportunity and say hi to Rod, says Jean.

VolunteeringACT Community Info Hub, Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Canberra. Call 6248 7988 or visit volunteeringact.org.au

Centre helps people to age well

Canberra Seniors Centre offers an inclusive and positive meeting place for over 50s, says manager Andrea Dean.

“Our focus is on helping people to age well, to age with a healthy body and healthy mind and engage with the community,” says Andrea.

“The club provides great social connections and a range of activities for people to enjoy.”

Whether it’s getting exercise, playing cards, doing art or craft or engaging in another of the club’s range of activities, Andrea says members can spend an hour at the club or make a longer visit, attending several activities and enjoying a coffee with friends.

“You can also get a healthy meal for $7 three days of the week, and that can be a great help if you’re living on your own and you don’t feel like cooking,” she says.

“We’ve got a very positive and hospitable culture. Our members who have been coming for years always welcome newcomers.”

Andrea also says the club has one of their biggest community events coming up, the Seniors Club Fete on June 1. 

“One of the special things about the fete is that we have a magnificent trash and treasure stall,” she says.

“We also have our own kitchen open where we do some homemade meals on the day. There’ll be some great biscuits and cakes for sale.” 

Canberra Seniors Centre, 10 Watson Street, Turner. Call 6248 9509, visit canberraseniors.org.au or email ops@canberraseniors.org.au

Viruses, cold air or wood smoke can trigger asthma

A “trigger” for asthma refers to anything that sets off a chain of events that sees a person’s airways narrow or react, says an Asthma Australia spokesperson.

“This often makes it difficult to breathe. In winter, things like cold air, viruses or wood smoke are common triggers for both adults and children,” they say.

“Winter can be a difficult and frustrating season if you’re living with asthma, and it can be daunting to pinpoint what your triggers are.

“For more information on the triggers you’re likely to face this winter, and how you can best manage your asthma around them, call the Asthma Australia team.”

Asthma Australia. Call 1800 278462, or visit asthma.org.au

Rehabilitative group exercise classes

Bruce Sports Medicine looks after people of all ages and abilities to help them with their quality of life, says owner Dr Wilson Lo.

And with the new renovations, the Hall-based practice has a fully functional rehabilitation gym along with a multi-purpose room to run allied health practitioner-led exercises classes.

“We have been running regular rehabilitation classes, including the internationally recognised GLA: D program for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip since we moved to Hall and are about to start more classes,” he says. 

Dr Lo says many of the classes attract a private health rebate and they are all small groups led by one of the Bruce Sports Medicine exercise physiologists or physiotherapists. 

“They are held in either the gym, the multipurpose room and even the Hall oval,” he says. 

Dr Lo says the classes about to start will be for lower back pain and sciatica, pre and post-operative rehabilitation, running sessions, metabolic health including diabetes, falls and balance, bone and muscle building for women more than 50 years old, hypermobility, Parkinson’s disease and pre and post-operative bariatric surgery.

“Every person has a different aim in life, whether that be to play golf, go on an overseas trip or just function in everyday life without pain,” he says.

Bruce Sports Medicine, 9 Victoria Street, Hall. Call 6253 5386, or visit brucesportsmedicine.com.au

Support at home services provided locally, by locals

Community Services #1 has been delivering a wide range of services across Canberra since 1987, says Juliette Spurrett, executive director of Aged Care Services. 

“An important part of our service is offering a variety of aged-care services including Home Care Packages,” she says. 

“If you have a Home Care Package and are looking for a more personal and transparent experience – you might consider contacting Community Services #1.”

Juliette says being based in Canberra gives Community Services #1 the distinct advantage of being able to provide a responsive and accessible service to people in the greater ACT area.

“One of the great benefits of providing a local service is that it gives our clients confidence with their support at home knowing that the people providing the support live right here in the local community,” she says.

Juliette says the team at Community Services #1 is dedicated to ensuring clients receive a more individualised experience, and that one of the key aims is to always ensure our clients feel and are confident with their support at home services. 

“If you would like to know more, please reach out to one of our team members to find out how Community Services #1 can deliver an improved level of service,” says Juliette. 

Community Services #1, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah. Call 02 6126 4700, or visit communityservices1.org