In this feature CityNews speaks with the people and services passionate about improving the lives of Canberra’s older community.

From looking after their health, renovating the home to getting their affairs in order, these local services allow seniors to balance their priorities with ease, making time for both the necessary and the fun.

Helping seniors with their evolving legal needs

“As we get older, we often face new challenges,” says Jo Twible, one of KJB Law’s principals.

“These can include decisions around downsizing from the family home to a smaller home or retirement village, or it could be entering aged care or a granny flat agreement.

“You might also re-think your will, enduring powers of attorney and superannuation nominations, to take into account what you see happening in your family’s lives, or, might decide to make changes to more complex estate planning involving family trusts.”

KJB Law runs free seminars twice yearly on these topics, in conjunction with Phillips Wealth Partners, to help Seniors gain an appreciation of these issues.

“We really want people to have a general understanding of the issues that might be facing them early on in the decision-making process, so they know what questions to be asking when trying to compare some of the options that might be available,” says Jo, with their next free seminar being on November 6 at the Hellenic Club.

In addition to estate planning and administration, retirement village and aged-care entry and exit, KJB can help with general buying and selling of property, business succession planning and exits, as well as family separations.

“At the end of the day,” says Jo, “we view ourselves as here for our clients’ life journeys, helping them with their legal needs.”

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

 

Get to know local Salvos Home Care team

For the Salvos Home Care team, personally getting to know their clients is a priority, to ensure the in-home care and support they provide is truly individualised, says Michelle Upton, team leader at Salvos Home Care ACT.

“We make sure to have regular communication with our clients and if they wish, their families can also be involved in the care planning,” she said.

“Ensuring regular communications helps us to provide tailored care around their care needs and lifestyles and make any changes as they may come up.”

Michelle said she had worked in the health industry for more than 15 years and in her previous occupation had much exposure to the older population.

“It was through this experience that I decided it would be fulfilling to work exclusively with the ageing population. I wanted to help them with getting access to services, the community and genuine care,” she said.

Salvos Home Care provided in-home care across Australia and its aim was to help older Australians stay independent at home and in their communities.

There was a range of services available, including domestic assistance, shopping, gardening, social support and outings and Allied Health services, such as physiotherapy and podiatry.

Salvos Home Care was an approved provider of government-funded programs including Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

Salvos Home Care ACT, call 1300 111227 or visit salvos.org.au/salvos-home-care-act

It’s Seniors Month, Jenny says let’s celebrate

Ageing can be an opportunity for growth, celebration and community connection, says Jenny Mobbs, COTA ACT CEO.

ACT Seniors Month is all about empowering people to embrace ageing, and Jenny says it’s a great time to explore what Canberra has to offer.

She says there will be a range of events and activities, with one of the highlights being the ACT Seniors and Better Ageing Expo on September 25, at the Old Bus Depot Building in Kingston.

The expo will offer an enriching experience with more than 150 exhibitors, covering everything from health and wellbeing, to housing and aged care, home help and modifications, social and hobby groups and more, she says.

The acoustic ensemble of the RMC College Duntroon band will perform two sets and there will be a range of food and drink vendors, a showcase of community performances, giveaways and promotions, as well as free transport, courtesy of Transport Canberra, says Jenny.

“Ageing is a diverse journey, unique to each individual,” she says. “Our goal is to provide a platform where seniors can explore a range of options and resources to support their unique ageing journey.”

COTA ACT, 2 Wisdom Street, Hughes. Call 6282 3777 or visit cotaact.org.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 www.mvlaw.com.au

Stepping confidently on to the dance floor

Dancing is a great way to increase movement, and the best part is that it doesn’t even feel like exercising, says Dale Harris, owner of Dale’s Ballroom Dancing.

It is also a great way to get out and be social, she says, which makes it a great hobby for older Canberrans.

Dale is an expert in many styles of dance, including tango, foxtrot, quickstep, Viennese waltz, cha cha, samba, jive, rumba and paso doble, and has more than 25 years’ experience teaching dance.

The seven-week dance course for adults is open again, and Dale encourages anyone to come and learn, regardless of age or experience.

“We have people of all ages coming in for the classes,” she says, with adult classes on Wednesdays, starting at 7pm.

She says classes cover Latin, New Vogue and standard dances.

They also offer private classes by appointment, which Dale says are a great option for those who may be a little timid about dancing in front of others.

“We can accommodate choreographing a dance for your own routine, to the music you have chosen,” she says.

Dale’s Ballroom Dancing, 6/38 Reed Street North, Greenway. Call 0407 066110 or visit dalesballroomdancing.com

Exercise options to suit all abilities

No matter what type of chronic pain condition people may have, Arthritis ACT can offer support, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“It’s important to remain active at all ages, and particularly as we age, we need to ensure we maintain our balance and strength”, she says.

“Our strength and balance classes run across Canberra and are a great introduction to people who maybe haven’t exercised intentionally in many years.

“For something different, for those that don’t like structured classes, we offer Nordic Walking instruction. We’re teaching people how to walk with poles, which is a great, low-impact aerobic activity for everyone.”

Rebecca says it’s also important to build strength in different areas of the body.

“We do Pilates and Tai Chi for falls prevention,” she says, and, as an added benefit for Arthritis ACT members, “we have free, online exercise classes every week from Tuesday to Thursday.”

She says Arthritis ACT also offers services such as exercise physiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and a broad range of education and support groups to help people in managing their pain.

“People come to us because we know the condition. About 50 per cent of our staff live with chronic pain, so we understand how chronic pain can affect all parts of a person’s life,” she says.

“No task or question is too big or small for us.”

Arthritis ACT, Health Hub, Building 28, University of Canberra, Ginninderra Drive and Allawoona Street, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

Denture professionals at the cutting edge of technology

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, Gundagai and Young.

He says services can be claimed through health funds and they accept DVA cards.

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

“If you’re happy, we’re happy.”

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

Working together to make retirement work

David Luke Retirement Planning specialises in advising those coming up to, or already in retirement, says director David Luke.

“I can help maximise your Centrelink entitlement, minimise tax exposure, set up income streams and offer investment advice and implementation,” he says.

“I have been a financial planner in Canberra and surrounding regions for 23 years, exclusively advising on retirement,” he says, and has run his own business for the last five years.

David says financial rules are daunting when you look at them for the first time.

“I can lead you through the process of the ATO, Centrelink, and investment markets, to make them work for you and achieve the retirement you want,” he says.

“You don’t need any prior knowledge with the rules or with financial planning, just an idea of what you want to achieve.”

He says he will break down the issues so you understand how it all fits together.

“I have no relationship with any product providers – I am on your side and I’m a one-person operation so you will always deal directly with me,” says David.

“I’m more than happy to visit you at home, after hours or on weekends.

“Don’t let the complexity of the system make you think it’s all too hard. Make it work for you instead.”

David Luke Retirement Planning, Level 1, 33 Allara Street, Canberra City. Call 0404 857242, or visit davidlukeplanning.com.au

Safely future-proofing homes with ease

Renovation Matters can help future-proof homes through installing things such as grab rails, making them more accessible to the ageing, says founder, Kim Persson.

She says things such as grab rails are an important part of improving safety and support at home.

“Grab rails can be great for people with temporary injury, allowing them support where required,” says Kim.

“They can also be a great help to the elderly, and even young children, helping them to get in and out of a bath or shower, or on and off a toilet.”

Kim says grab rails can be installed to any place in the home, not just the bathroom, as long as there is sufficient support in the wall to affix them to.

But, Kim says, it’s important to ensure they are installed by a professional, as without the right support, the grab rail can come away from the wall, causing falls and injuries.

Renovation Matters can also assist in building larger entrances to allow for wheelchair or mobility access, installing toilets with higher seats or bidets, or removing large hobs from showers, which Kim says can be difficult for people with mobility issues to get in and out of.

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

Many ways to empower independence

For more than two decades, Open Mobility has been a trusted name in assistive technology, says showroom manager for Belconnen and 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.

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.”

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 will also be at the COTA ACT Seniors and Better Ageing Expo on September 25, 10am to 3pm, at the Old Bus Depot Building, Kingston.

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

Mike’s lifts make homes more viable

As people grow older, maintaining independence becomes extremely important, says the owner of Personal Home Lifts,
Mike Bresnik.

“A home lift provides the ability for Canberrans to remain in their houses and compared to the costs of downsizing it is a cost effective option,” he says.

“Real estate agents have told me that, on average, the cost of moving… is $72,000.

“A personal home lift costs between $35,000 and $40,000 (plus building and electrical work) so it really is an affordable option.”

Mike says domestic lifts are gaining popularity as people choose to stay in their home, alongside trusted neighbours and life-long friends, but are no longer able to climb their stairs safely.

“It’s another way to get their independence back and give their family peace of mind,” he says.

“There are two lift sizes to choose from, and the larger one is suitable to fit a standard wheelchair and a carer inside.”

They have by-appointment viewings at their Hume showroom.

Personal Home Lifts, call 6147 5566.

Local MP David Smith says he’s here to help

“I am proud to represent the people of Bean in the federal parliament,” says David Smith MP.

He says the Albanese Labor government will always show up, take responsibility and bring people together to find solutions to the problems facing Australia.

“We know Australians are doing it tough right now, and that’s why we’re doing everything we can to help with the cost of living, without adding pressure to inflation,” David says.

“That’s why we are relieving cost-of-living pressures with cheaper childcare and early education, cheaper medicines, strengthened paid parental leave, energy bill relief, and fee-free TAFE.

“That’s why we are investing record amounts into Medicare and bulk billing. And that’s why we are building new homes, investing in affordable housing, and making renting fairer.”

David says they are creating a record number of jobs in Australia, and ensuring that workers in vital sectors receive an increased wage.

This includes 2.6 million Australians who will receive real wage growth due to increases in the minimum wage, he says, and as recently announced, a 15 per cent wage increase for early childhood education and care workers.

“The Australian government offers many Australians support for an array of issues, but I know that it can be complex to navigate at the best of times and that’s why my team and I are always ready to assist you with issues whether they are local or national,” says David.

Office of David Smith, MP for Bean, 205 Anketell Street, Greenway. Call 6293 1344 or visit davidsmith.org.au

Client-centred, dog-friendly home support

For nearly two years, DTC Care has been providing client-informed and dog-friendly support for NDIS participants across the ACT and NSW, says director Prakash Bhattarai.

Standing for “Dignity, Trust and Compassion”, Prakash says DTC always strives to achieve the best outcomes for its clients.

After observing the impactful shortages in his wife’s sector of aged care during covid, Prakash says he wanted to provide a service that could directly help the community.

They offer disability support services ranging from simple outings, such as transportation to appointments or assistance with shopping, to specialised hygiene assistance such as urinal management, catheter management or end-of-life social support.

“In Nepal we live with our grandparents. We have that caring nature in our blood,” says Prakash.

“We specialise in personal care because that’s our nature, we are compassionate and caring people.

“We focus more on personalised support plans, we listen to them, and we prepare their plans, and we get their feedback as well.”

To ensure they provide the best home support services they can, Prakash says DTC Care is dedicated to arranging frequent in-house and online training for all their support workers.

DTC Care. Call 0426 803524, or visit dtccare.com.au for more information and to access a referral form.

The importance of an up-to-date will

“It is important to seek professional estate planning help in order to be clear about what you want – where you want your assets to go,” says director and founding partner of Capon & Hubert, Ken Hubert.

“It is so important to ensure that the wealth you worked for goes to the people you want to inherit.”

Ken says Capon & Hubert always work through the client’s initial plans and thoughts, and ask questions to determine a clear path forward should different scenarios occur.

Life can produce circumstances where initial plans may not be possible, says Ken, and clear details of intent for assets is necessary.

“Many people who come to us have thought about making a will and feel a sense of relief once this is completed,” he says.

Ken says Capon & 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, they are experienced in their fields and we take pride in knowing that they will always use common sense, respect, courtesy and good judgement,” he says.

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

Affordable storage just over the border

For older Canberrans looking to downsize or retire further from the city centre, storing years’ worth of belongings can often be expensive and complicated, but Self Storage Solutions provides customers with storage options that are convenient, secure and affordable, says manager Lewis Jones.

A family-run business for more than 30 years, Lewis says Self Storage Solutions is proud to provide cost-effective storage options for people living in regional and metro communities, and can help get quotes from trusted local removalists.

“Our monthly storage costs are easily half the price of a storage unit in Canberra,” he says.

“People generally like a single garage-sized unit, and in Canberra and Sydney that can easily be $800-900, whereas we charge $299 a month.

“We have customers from the Snowy Mountains all the way to the northern beaches of Sydney and operate in a location that’s really convenient for customers and removalists.”

Lewis says the business is always striving to make things as easy as possible for their customers.

“We’ve recently installed automatic gates that are phone operated. Customers can call from their phone and go right through,” he says.

“We’ve installed 24/7 security cameras and have cloud-based storage of everyone entering and exiting to make sure customers know what they’re storing is safe.

“We take pride in providing excellent customer service and looking after your property while it’s in our care.”

Self Storage Solutions, call 9986 3618 or visit selfstoragesolutions.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.

Incomparable: get one of the last luxury villas

There is no doubt that the spacious, designer villas in the Summerfield country estate, with total ownership, not lease or licence, offer great value and a wonderful, relaxed country lifestyle compared to the traditional, crammed retirement villages in Canberra and Sydney, says sales director Jane Mackenzie-Ross.

“Summerfield has absolutely no entry or exit fees, when you buy or sell, which is very much in contrast to what is on offer in Canberra” she says.

“Retirement villages and Summerfield cannot be compared in either value or lifestyle opportunity. Inspect and you will see.”

As well as a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car luxury home with vaulted ceilings, spacious rooms and wonderful views are the outstanding Summerfield facilities, which Jane says include a clubhouse, indoor heated swimming pool, arts and crafts, community gardens and much more.

With Summerfield being a five-minute walk to the vibrant and historic Braidwood, Jane says everything is there for the taking.

“The Summerfield and Braidwood lifestyle experience is for the young at heart and any age over 55,” she says.

“For those who may still be working or working from home for instance, not just those who are retired”.

Summerfield offers a vibrant community and country lifestyle for those who want to participate in activities, and have total ownership over their assets and home, being able to sell at any time and keep the capital growth.

“Don’t wait until you cannot enjoy this wonderful Summerfield lifestyle,” she says.

“Make an appointment today to inspect the last remaining villas for sale, or visit the website for open day dates.”

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

When hearing aids aren’t enough

“By age 65, one in three people will have hearing loss – an experience associated with social withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and is an independent risk factor for dementia,” says Deakin ear, nose and throat surgeon, Dr Tim Makeham.

“But there is something you can do to manage this risk and maintain your quality of life.”

Dr Makeham says the NextSense Cochlear implant program has supported more than 5600 people to access a better world of sound, making it Australia’s largest and most comprehensive program.

“At NextSense, you have access to leading surgeons, an expert team of health professionals, and the latest technologies – often with no out-of-pocket costs,” he says.

“If you are over the age of 50, it is important to have regular hearing tests with an audiologist who can manage your hearing loss in a timely manner.”

Because NextSense is local, people can have their Cochlear implant surgery, and associated therapy in Canberra.

Patient Alan Edwards says his life completely changed after receiving a Cochlear implant.

As his hearing loss increased over time, he became distant, withdrawing from society and his family.

He had virtually no hearing left and described himself as “desperate” for a solution.

“NextSense helped me understand my hearing loss and I really felt confident with the professionalism,” Alan says.

“The impact it has had on me and my life is beyond measure.”

NextSense, Equinox Business Park, Equinox 4 Level 1, 70 Kent Street, Deakin. Call 1300 581 391 email
hello@nextsense.org.au or visit nextsense.org.au