AC99 - Newsletter and IYOP Initiatives

	Newsletter and IYOP Initiatives Australian Coalition '99

AC '99 UPDATE - EDITION No. 5 (November/December 1998)
Other National News

Research Indicates That Older Parents Are Not A Burden On Families

The Australian Institute of Family Studies has published findings of a recent study in its Family Matters publication. The study involved more than 630 parents aged 50-70 years who have children aged 18 and older. The study indicates that older parents provide more emotional and financial support to their children than they receive in return. The most common form of assistance was emotional support and advice, provided by 70% or respondents. Financial help was provided by nearly two-thirds of later life parents (63%). This seems a big commitment on the part of later life parents, half of whom were no longer in the paid workforce, and half of whom still had elderly parents. The study found that parents were likely to help their children regardless of whether or not they were employed. This is evidence to dispel the notion that older people are a burden on families.
Adapted from Family Matters publication, Winter Edition 1998, Issue No.50

The Salvation Army’s Community Care Program

The Salvation Army is an organisation which is actively involved in the care of all people in the community including residents of nursing homes and retirement villages. The “Community Care Services” program is a visitation and practical service for people in either homes or hostels. It also has a church based community club program for over 50’s. This program is designed to enhance the social, intellectual and spiritual lives of men and women over 50’s.
For more information contact: Major Verity Ling, Seniors Consultant, The Salvation Army (Southern Region) Tel: (03) 9896 6000 Fax: 9899 2339 Email: Verity_Ling@aus.salvationarmy.org

FEDERAL INITIATIVES

The Office for the Aged (OFTA) in the Commonwealth Department of Health & Aged Care (previously Health & Family Services) has been laying the foundation for the national celebration of the 1999 International Year of Older Persons.

A video titled "Positive images of older people" is currently being produced and will be sent to every television station in Australia. It is a series of images that will reflect the lifestyles of older people and the contribution they make to our community. The video will be used to educate the media about the need to challenge stereotypical portrayal of older people as part of a wider effort.

The information flow to the media will continue throughout 1999 with regular updates about older people and ageing issues that need to be debated in the media with the wider community.

An important communication vehicle to inform the media and the rest of the community about International Year activities will be the Commonwealth’s IYOP national newsletter. It will contain information about the many projects and events being conducted at a national level.

One of those projects is an Active Australia initiative to encourage older people to become involved in physical activity. There will be more information on this project, and how community organisations can participate, in the next edition of AC ’99’s National Update.

Work has commenced on a Community Kit that will provide a range of useful information to assist local communities in the celebration of the International Year. The Kit will be distributed to a wide range of community groups, local councils and AC ‘99 partners.

The Federal Government is approaching the Year as an important opportunity to promote a whole of government approach to issues of ageing. OFTA is working with other Commonwealth agencies to develop a broad Commonwealth response to the International Year and a focus on ageing across portfolios. The Commonwealth, States and Territories are working together through the Healthy Ageing Task Force to coordinate across jurisdictions, and Federal Government support for Australian Coalition ’99 National is enabling coordination of activity within the non-government sector at a national level.

The Federal Government supports United Nations efforts to encourage broad international observance of the Year and Australia is taking the opportunity to build links with the international community in the area of ageing.