CHAPTER SENIOR SAFEGUARDS - Protecting yourself online - Aveo
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CHAPTER SUMMER 2018/19
SENIOR PEDAL POWER
SAFEGUARDS Around the world
Protecting on two wheels
yourself online
ROYAL LETTERS
BUSINESS HEAD How you can get
Arise senior a letter from
entrepreneurs the Queen
To find
out more
call
13 28 36
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CONTENTS
Contents
4 Have your say...
We love hearing your feedback. Read what others
thought about our previous issue.
6 Clear and present danger
Australian scamming victims are losing an average
of $6500 each in their lifetime, with active seniors
among the easiest targets.
10 The big bang
Senior entrepreneurship is riding a wave of global
Welcome
to our fourth edition of Chapter, the magazine that seeks
popularity with online connectivity revolutionising the
way active seniors are spending their golden years.
14 Cairns’cycling cyclone
to reflect our incredible communities. As this is your
He has been locked in detention in The Central
magazine, it is our sincerest wish that you’ll be uplifted by
African Republic on suspicion of being a member
the stories contained in these pages, as well as marvel
of the press and had a run in with an Iranian
at the determination and get up and go displayed by so
revolutionary. Clearly Aveo The Parks resident, Robert
many of our extraordinary residents.
Waldthaler, is anything but your typical retiree.
You could do worse than select this month’s cover star,
Robert Waldthaler, as your muse. A former professional 18 Switched on seniors
cyclist who still cycles up to 400 kilometres a week, the Seniors are successfully turning to blogs to enhance
77-year-old has so many incredible stories to share, we their social connections and share their lives with
found it difficult to restrict him to just four pages. Having a virtual community. Chapter explores the basics of
been locked in detention and had his life threatened on blogging later in life.
at least two occasions, he has seen the very best and
very worst of human nature with his trusty bike taking 20 Letters of significance
him on a raft of adventures that almost defy belief. Reaching a milestone birthday or anniversary is an
We’ll also introduce you to Brisbane native Sue event worth celebrating. But how easy is it to secure
Loncaric, who upon recognising she was floundering in a letter from the royal family or other officials?
retirement, opted to pour her energies into something 24 Legal talk
more productive by learning how to start her own blog. Retirement village contracts are complex and can
We also have a chat to Mark Young, an active member prove rather confusing for the uninitiated.
of the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association, Our legal expert, Danielle Lim, outlines the three
about the proliferation of online scam artists. Mark offers types of tenures and the key features of each.
some sage advice on how to safeguard yourself online
and what to do if you suspect your personal information 28 7 Top cruising destinations
has been compromised. For the adventurous, cruising can provide the perfect
As part of our commitment to always present topics we opportunity to explore many incredible regions
know you’ll find of interest, we will shortly be launching without the need for an exhausting travel schedule.
an extension to this magazine in the form of a blog called
Chapter Plus. Keep an eye out for it on our website:
32 Aveo Fountain Court
Offering a quiet garden oasis and an assortment
aveo.com.au
of active and sedentary activities, Aveo Fountain Court
Enjoy the read. offers the ultimate in retirement and aged care living.
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 3
FEEDBACK
Have your say...
Here at Chapter HQ we love nothing more than receiving your feedback on previous issues.
And its clear that our feature ‘Courting in the Third Age’ struck a chord for many of you.
Below is just some of the correspondence we received.
Take it to the stage Another happy ending persuaded Hildegard to share
I live at Aveo Durack. One of the I have read your story ‘Courting in the accommodation and the romance
residents started a play reading group Third Age’ with great interest. I am commenced soon after the ship left
which is going well. We discussed at Aveo Durack and I am 87 and my port. Their romance bloomed during
the need for a play set in a retirement fiancée is 84. We met two years ago. I the course of their high sea adventure
village. We felt some romance was have been a resident at Durack for 13 and eager to protect Hildegard from
needed. I enjoy writing plays so I years and my fiancé for three years. any innuendo that may be directed at
wrote one which we have read. Ludolf Gutzeit her, the pair got engaged soon after.
The play covers all the points With no real desire to get married,
brought out in your feature ‘Courting Ed: While wedding bells are unlikely “I googled how long can you be
in the Third Age’. It was based on to sound in the near future for Ludolf engaged for and the answer came
my observations of at least four (known as Lou) and his delightful back as ‘indefinitely’” – the pair
“couples” who are happily enjoying fiancé Hildegard Kreaka, the couple maintain their own units but have
each other’s company and I have told Chapter they feel extremely lucky shown their ongoing commitment
been living here less than a year so to have found each other and to by co-purchasing an English Pointer
there may be others! have a significant other with which to dog and meeting each other’s
Julie Christie experience their retirement with. families. They meet up at night three
German-born Lou first met Austrian or four times each week in addition
Ed: Thank you so much for taking native Hildegard around three years to meeting each and every morning
the time to write in Julie, we would after the latter moved into Aveo Durack to walk the dog hand-in-hand. In
like to commend you on both your and let it be known she was on the addition, Lou (who has two children,
creativity and turning your play hunt for someone with whom she two grandchildren and five great
around so quickly. A play reading could converse in German with. Lou grandchildren) collects Hildegard
group sounds like a fantastic way who was widowed around 11 years from her unit in time for regular
to spend an afternoon and certainly ago, went to visit Hildegard in her unit swims and aqua aerobics classes.
an activity that some of our other where he was struck by her youthful The pair say they are delighted
communities may like to consider appearance. A short time later Lou to have found the chance for such
doing. Here at Chapter HQ we are summoned up the courage to ask close companionship later in life
suckers for a great romance, so are Hildegard if she would be interested in and believe the key to their success
very pleased to hear so many of our taking a cruise with him so they could is to afford each other the freedom
residents are discovering their Mr or get to know each other better. to live their life independently while
Ms Right living almost on their own Arguing it would be too expensive also indulging in regular shared
doorsteps. to get separate cabins, Lou •
activities.
We would love to hear more from you about what’s on your mind - be it good, bad or indifferent.
Email us at chapter@aveo.com.au
4 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo Chapter
Care and support in the
comfort of your home
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comfort of your own home. So, now you have the choice of receiving care that best suits you
when and where you want it. Let us help you navigate the Aged Care system paperwork and
receive advice from our experienced team of nurses on packages to suit you.
Find out if we’re in your local area and how Aveo Care at Home can assist you or your
loved one. Call 1300 386 158 to book a free, no obligation consultation in your own home.
FEATURE
Clear and
present
danger
Australian scamming victims are losing an average of $6500 each
in their lifetime, with active seniors among the easiest targets.
O
ne in five Australians 30 June, 2018, there were more than
believe their online safety 13,600 reports made to its hotline
has been compromised in with scams or fraud, purchase or sale
the past 12 months. and cyber bullying the top three most
Of these, the largest security popular cybercrimes. This was up
breaches occurred via either an from 11,800 from the same reporting
email account or via social media. period in 2017.
The remainder were made up by Queensland accounted for almost
computer, banking, smartphone, one third of all offences reported
tablet hacks or threats to cloud (30%) followed by Victoria (26%) and
storage facilities. NSW (22%). Over 17% of all victims
That’s just one of the many were aged 60 or over.
frightening scenarios highlighted Similarly, figures come from
in EY’s Sweeney’s Digital Australia: the Australian Competition and Scamwatch, a website run by
State of the Nation’s 2017 report Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s the ACCC, says active seniors are
which unsurprisingly found cyber ninth annual Targeting Scams report an attractive target for would-be
security is uppermost in the minds of found these equated to losses scammers because they tend to have
most Australians. totalling $340 million. more money and more accumulated
And it is not without good reason. As well as noting a $40 million wealth than their younger
The Australian Cybercrime Online increase in reported losses from the counterparts.
Reporting Network (ACORN) is the previous year, the report also showed They are also seen as generally
government’s reporting and referral that investment scams were most less internet and computer savvy by
service for cybercrime and online common, with Australians aged 55 to scammers who rely on the fact active
incidents under Australian law. 64 reporting the highest amount of seniors will be less familiar with new
According to statistics from ACORN, losses, and those over 65 lodging the technologies.
in the three months from 1 April to highest number of reports. As such, many scammers choose
6 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo Chapter
to scour dating sites and social
media for older Australians who have PROTECT YOUR DATA
recently divorced or lost a long-term When it comes to passwords there are a number of
partner, in the hope of identifying key points to remember.
those in a vulnerable emotional state.
• Write them down in an organised way
“Scammers take advantage
• Use unique passwords for each device – don’t duplicate across accounts
of people looking for romantic
• Don’t make them so complex you can’t remember them
partners, often via dating websites,
• Try to ensure they are 12 characters or more
apps or social media by pretending
• Have a password or number code to unlock your devices
to be prospective companions.
• Learn how to change your password
They play on emotional triggers to • If something seems ‘not right’ with your email or other account,
get you to provide money, gifts or change your password Source: ASCCA
personal details.”
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 7
FEATURE
UNDERSTANDING IS KEY
Phone and email scams are the
biggest danger when it comes
to protecting your personal data
• Inform yourself of the kinds of
scams that are out there by
using the SSO website and
or subscribing to their alert
service. Also consider using sites
such as hoax-slayer.com or Other common online scams they’re fishing for information on
snopes.com to check on facts targeting older Australians include you – the ‘ph’ comes from ‘phone’).
• Be wary of conversations that investment scams involving getting Usually the scammer warns that
you did not initiate you or your business to part something might happen to you or
• Realise that scammers are with money on the promise of a your finances if you don’t confirm
criminals that want your money. questionable financial opportunity; your personal information by
They are like ‘actors’, not real unexpected prize, lottery and logging into the website. This site
people and do not care about inheritance scams, where they ask may adopt the appearance of the
you. They often try to frighten you to pay some sort of feed in real website of your bank, power
you into doing what they want. order to claim a prize or winnings or or phone company, but is actually
Do not try to reason with them trick you into sharing your bank or fake, as is the phone number
and cut the conversation short credit card details. provided.
• Don’t agree to pay or click on Another troubling scam doing Mark Young, the club support
links without checking with a the rounds is a so-called rebate officer at Australian Seniors
knowledgeable friend scam where scammers try to Computer Clubs Association
• Don’t click on anything in ‘fun’ convince you that you are entitled (ASCCA) – which has more than
or ‘interesting’ emails. Delete to a rebate or reimbursement from 100-member clubs across every
them – even if they are from a the government, a bank or trusted state in Australia – says the
friend. Source: ASCCA organisation and phishing scams, problem is compounded because
called phishing scams because many seniors feel they have been
8 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo Chapter
pushed by well-intentioned family
members into online social networks TAKING YOUR POWER BACK
and applications such as Instagram, Actions to take if you suspect you’ve been targeted by online scammers
FaceTime and Facebook.
• When dealing with uninvited or unexpected contact from a government
Mark says active seniors who agency or trusted business — whether over the phone, by email, in person or
use the Internet are often passive through social media — always consider the possibility that it may be a scam
viewers rather than posting their
• If you're unsure whether a call or email is real, verify the identity of the
own photos online but have come contact through an independent source, such as a phone book or online
to realise that, without using these search. Don't use the contact details provided by the caller or in the
tools they are likely to miss out on message they sent to you
photos and interaction with their
• Don’t be pressured by a threatening caller. Hang up, then check whether
loved ones. their story is real
Others, he says, are determined
• If you’re still unsure, speak to a trusted friend or family member about
not to use social media and mention what has happened
this at their first opportunity.
• Never send money or give your bank account details, credit card details
Seniors come from a time where or other personal information to anyone you don’t know or trust
people ‘minded their own business’
• A government agency or trusted business will never ask you to pay by
and privacy was a habit. The self- unusual methods, such as a gift or store card, iTunes card, wire transfer
promotion and the broadcasting of or bitcoin
trivial events in social media is alien
• Don't open suspicious texts, pop-up windows or emails and don’t click on
to them, he says. links or open attachments – just delete them
Mark, whose volunteer peak body
• Never give anyone remote access to your computer if they’ve contacted
organisation provides learning you out of the blue – whether through a phone call, pop up window or
materials to member clubs to allow email – and even if they claim to be from a well-known company that you
them to teach seniors how to use know and trust. Source: Stay Smart Online.
digital technology, says the biggest
fears and concerns are a lack of
control when using technology. you understand very little of it. The the essentials of staying safer
“When coming to lessons about possibility of a mobile phone was online such as why we need strong
devices, such as smartphones, active ‘too good to be true’ once and now passwords, how to create and
seniors often say that they ‘just want many of us have one.” remember these passwords and
to know more’. They don’t know To assist active seniors to stay how to avoid common mistakes;
what they don’t know. They don’t ahead of online scammers, the how to download and save
feel ownership of the technology. government has launched a new documents; and how to pay
They sometimes get sporadic help digital literacy program specifically safely online.
by younger people that consists tailored to older Australians to Mark says from ASCCA’s point
of explaining things too quickly or, help them increase their online of view, the best thing Australia’s
worse, doing it for them.” confidence, skills and safety. active seniors can do is to learn
He says active seniors are The program, Be Connected, more about digital technology to
certainly alert to all the media offers free courses on everything help lessen their chances of being
hype about the dangers of the from how to access the internet, to targeted by scammers.
Internet and loss of money is a using your device and keeping in With more knowledge, a person
huge concern to people who have a touch with others online. can evaluate if a website or email
limited amount. Also available in a range of might be a scam while they are also
“Having your privacy invaded is other languages, including Arabic, better positioned to know where to
another. The ‘if it’s too good to be Spanish, Macedonian and Greek, get help should the worst happen,
true…’ cliché is unhelpful when topics covered in the guide include he says. •
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 9
FEATURE
The big boom
Senior entrepreneurship is riding a wave of global popularity with online connectivity
credited with revolutionising the way an increasing number of Australia’s active
seniors are choosing to spend their golden years.
A
s far as digital natives are concerned there are By the numbers
several factors the heads of successful start-ups A 2017 report, The Silver Economy, commissioned
have in common. by NBN, found that tech-savvy entrepreneurs (often
Firstly, most see America’s Silicon Valley as the holy referred to as SeniorPreneurs) represent the fastest
grail of all things technology, innovation and social media- growing sector of entrepreneurship in Australia with
related and, secondly – owing in part to the massive just over a third (34%) of all small businesses being
success of tech entrepreneurs such as the 27-year- led by senior entrepreneurs.
old Snap founder Evan Spiegel, 33-year-old Facebook Expected to contribute an additional $11.9 billon
founder Mark Zuckerberg and Airbnb co-founder Nathan to the Australian GDP in new ventures each year,
Blecharczyk, aged 34 – many see this entrepreneurial the same report found more than half (54%) of them
success as the sole preserve of the young. claim they employ a predominantly online model in
“Young people are just smarter,” Zuckerberg once their businesses, with 61% of them preferring to
remarked, conveniently overlooking the fact that it was upskill online.
baby boomer innovators such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs While the reasons behind their renaissance were
and Tim Berners-Lee who led the information revolution as varied as the business men and women themselves,
in the first place. more than two thirds of the SeniorPreneurs surveyed
Yet with a plethora of business resources now available, for the report claim creating or supplementing their
increasing numbers of Australian seniors are harnessing income was their main motivation for starting a
online tutorials, online video tutorials and online ‘how business.
to’ articles to source inspiration and turn their business In addition, 58% admitted launching because they
dreams into reality. were choosing to pursue passion projects and 55%
While many have yet to reach the dizzying commercial stated they launched their start-up to keep themselves
heights of big name brands such as Apple or Microsoft, mentally stimulated. Other respondents were of the
and those who have invented a product as globally opinion that self-employment helped minimise risk when
significant as the world wide web are few and far it came to future employment opportunities.
between, senior entrepreneurs have slowly but surely been “I think it doesn’t matter what age you are, it’s one
making themselves a force to be reckoned with, actively of the reasons why I decided to start my own business
contributing to fiscal, social, health, active ageing and because when you’re 40-plus people think you’ve got
lifestyle outcomes in their communities in the process. one foot in the coffin. For some reason people have
10 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo ChapterBooming success 1
Carolyn Palliardi was 51 when
she found herself retrenched
from her job as a beauty editor.
Following two years of research
and development, the Melbourne-
based business woman launched
her natural skincare range to
provide a point of difference
to the existing homogenised
teenage male grooming market.
Seven years later and her
business, 808 Dude, continues
to go from strength to strength,
boasting hundreds of Australian
stockists as well as selling across
Amazon in the US and Canada.
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 11FEATURE
“They have better business experience,
superior technical and managerial skills
and are in a stronger financial position
than younger entrepreneurs.”
got this preconceived idea that if you’re under 40 seniors have many advantages over their younger
you’re viable to them, if you’re over 40 you’re half dead cohorts when it comes to founding and then operating
and they don’t want to employ you … this is another their own businesses.
reason why I started my own business, because people Dr Maritz says active seniors are more capable of
don’t discriminate as much when you’re 40-plus when starting a business than their younger peers, are also
you have your own business,” one noted. more productive and have more developed networks.
These findings followed an earlier report on the “They have better business experience, superior
same subject, published two years earlier, which technical and managerial skills and are in a stronger
showed a high prevalence of senior entrepreneur financial position than younger entrepreneurs.”
activity in Australia. This was evidenced by the fact the Dr Maritz says tech-savvy boomers also add significant
entrepreneurship activity rate of 8% for the age group impact to emerging technologies on the creative
55–64 in Australia is approximately 3% above the economy.
average of innovation-driven economies. “Senior entrepreneurs turn their creativity into
Titled, Senior Entrepreneurship in Australia – Active business value and growth by starting new businesses
Ageing and Extending Working Lives, the 2015 report in their prime of life.”
found senior entrepreneurs work fewer hours per Dr Maritz cautioned however, that it wasn’t all smooth
week compared to younger entrepreneurs (18.5 to sailing for those active seniors wishing to launch their
23 hours), have more industry experience (13.25 to own business, arguing that often they faced the same
7.5 years), invest more in their business ($1,487,000 barriers to entry as younger competitors.
to $272,000) and earn greater profits ($264,000 to His own research into the topic had shown that the
$115,000). types of concerns voiced by active seniors in regards
to launching their own start up included: complex
Not just for the money administrative procedures and government ‘red tape’,
LaTrobe University Professor of Entrepreneurship, Dr attitudes and stereotypes others hold of seniors —
Alex Maritz, who was involved with both studies and ‘ageism’, a lack of belief in one’s own capabilities, a lack
who is one of the country’s leading authorities on of information on how to start a new business, and a
Photographs: Fairfax Syndication
senior entrepreneurship, says that while entrepreneurs lack of awareness created by government.
may be pulled or pushed into self-employment, their Yet despite this, SeniorPreneurs who were prepared to
entrepreneurship is often not just an economic take the plunge found themselves competing in a world
phenomenon; with research showing it helps keep them of sectors without borders, he says, and are therefore
mentally stimulated and stay physically active while also more active in digital reinvention.
lifting their self-confidence. “As digital technologies penetrate industries, boomers
With a lifetime of experience behind them, starting are at the forefront to continue its advances by
a business as a late-career alternative means active launching new start-ups,” he says. •
12 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo ChapterBooming success 2
Telecommunications expert
Jeff Downs had also passed
the half century mark when,
in 2007, he sought to make
distance obsolete by improving
the way organisations connect,
communicate and collaborate.
The Canadian businessman
was in his 52nd year when he
launched his start-up, Redback
Conferencing, in Sydney and has
since diversified the business
to incorporate everything
from bespoke HR application
development to resource planning
consultancy.
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 13‘
Cairns cycling cyclone
He has been locked in detention in The Central African Republic on suspicion of
being a member of the press and had an Iranian revolutionary threaten to shoot
him after wrongly assuming he was an American citizen. Clearly, Aveo The Parks
resident Robert Waldthaler is anything but your typical retiree.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY BLUECLICK PHOTOGRAPHY
14 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo ChapterFEATURE
W
hen it comes to cycling, weeks, instead it has lasted 49 years. places it is “safer, better and cheaper
Austrian Robert “My longest cycle tour has been to sleep inside a room”.
Waldthaler is about as from Invercargill in New Zealand “Listening to the locals and asking
sacrosanct as they come. to North Cape in Norway. During them for advice is very important
For more than four decades he has the tour I travelled four years and because they know the area and what
traversed the globe as a professional 55,000 kilometres. To get the money is happening.”
cyclist, visiting 143 countries and needed for such a long trip I worked
being exposed to some of the most during the tour in the Antarctica, New So many highlights
intriguing places on the planet. Zealand, Australia, India, Pakistan, A naturally curious person who
But now he has given up the work Italy and Norway as a pastry chef but speaks, reads and writes in German,
that consumed much of his life, he I also took on casual work.” French, English and Italian, Robert
limits his travels to largely domestic A trip around the world along the says his skills have enabled him to
adventures in and around Cairns. Equator from Dakar in Senegal back enjoy many once-in-a-lifetime-type
But to assume that the 77-year-old to Dakar consumed two years of his experiences the highlights of which
professional’s retirement means he life and resulted in a further 35,000 include a raft of popular travel and
spends less time cycling is to do him kilometres on his trusty bike. dining companions including Bob
a great disservice, with Robert and Marley, the Indian PM Indira Gandhi
wife Renate – whom he met in 2003 The art of fuelling and the King of Tonga.
while on tour in the Algerian Sahara – Robert admits that when he started “[In addition I] travelled by bicycle
typically clocking up around 300-400 cycling back in 1977, he “didn’t know through Iran during the Iranian
kilometres on their bikes each week. very much” about cycling and living Revolution and during the war in Iraq.
By early next year, he is expected to outdoors. Time on the road has since An Iranian woman revolutionary guard
surpass the 500,000 kilometre mark taught him the importance of refuelling wanted to shoot me as she assumed
with grand plans to have cycled one his body as well as not putting himself that I was an American. My Aussie
million kilometres before leaving his in unnecessary danger. passport saved my life.”
mortal coil. Robert says most touring cyclists Another time things got a bit dicey
As someone who didn’t even learn develop their own habits of fuelling was when Robert found himself
to ride a bike until aged 12, he has their bodies during longer rides and locked up for three days in what
clearly come a long way. he is no exception. he terms “one of the most corrupt
Having trained as a pastry chef in Being a lacto-vegetarian helps as countries on earth” after being found
his native Austria, Robert – named this means that he is able to eat dairy carrying a camera and an Italian press
Tilmann at birth – has always been products and eggs which simplifies identity card.
a keen traveller, using his unique travelling. But it wasn’t just being exposed to
cooking skills to help subsidise the “Oats, brown rice, couscous, dried corrupt officialdom that helped make
costs of what were up until that point fruit and vegetables, honey, sprouting Robert’s time on the road enjoyable
fairly traditional adventures. seeds, lots of water and a few other with floods in Cambodia and Thailand,
In 1975, while working and things are the basic nutrients I’ll take an earthquake in Costa Rica, and
travelling around Australia, he met with me. [I’ll visit] market stalls, bazaars volcanic eruptions in both Sumatra
a Belgian cyclist who inspired him and restaurants to source salads and in Bali adding to his extensive
with his stories on the road, so much and meals which give me a healthy memory bank.
so that within two years Robert had boost, vitamins and veggies. Fast food, Ultimately, however, Robert says
returned home, sold many of his snacks and all sorts of other junk food while meeting the odd celebrity
possessions and equipped himself are not on my bucket list.” or breathing in the beauty of his
with a custom-built touring bike that In addition, he ensures he also surrounds has been great fun, the
took 12 months to build and 3200 carries a tent on each adventure, learnings taken from his time on the
German mark to acquire. arguing that while it is not always road have given him far more than
He intended his first trip to last three possible to use the tent, in certain just pictures to look over with friends.
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 15FEATURE
Robert and his wife Renate typically
clock up around 300-400 kilometres
on their bikes each week.
“I have used the roads of the world opportunity to go some of the way on his bucket list, there are still a few
to discover the path to myself. In all to repaying the people who have remaining.
these years on the road I became assisted him on his escapades. His ultimate goal, however, is
aware that every good trip starts “Travelling through countries in unlikely to be one achieved with
with gathering information about the Africa and Asia I found that the pedal power.
country, culture and people. This type people have been very kind to me. “During my travels I have seen so
of information is vital as it makes Sharing the little they had with a much poverty, injustice and suffering
travelling so much easier. In order to world cyclist, offering me a place to in the world, that I feel very privileged
experience adventures I still have to stay, share their stories, problems, to live in Australia and we can enjoy
leave room for on-the-spot decisions sad times but also moments of joy. the little we have. Due to the many
and changes to the original plans Never asking anything from me. Most trips I have done I love travelling
because situations can change from of my 14 bikes I have offered as but at home at the Aveo The Parks
one minute to the next. souvenirs to real good friends or they Community in Cairns I am at ease
have been auctioned off for a worthy which adds quality to our life. It is a
Lessons learned cause, helping to build a school in privilege to be at home with my wife,
Having established a reputation as India, helping children through the turn on the tap for a shower, cook a
an author (he’s now written 17 books Care for Rare Foundation. This is good meal and sleep in a comfy bed,
documenting his travels), presenter my way of saying ‘thank you’ to the lock the doors and let the world out
and equipment tester during his people of the world who have been there turn around with us on it.
travels abroad, Robert was able to so kind to me.” “My wish is very simple but not very
attract sponsorship from a variety Robert, who fresh from an interview practical. People have not understood
of corporates and successfully by Joan Duplock for Aveo The Parks’ how to best use the resources
negotiated the receipt of 14 bikes, village newsletter, was about to set available to us. The future holds a lot
all of which he was able to keep long off on another cycling adventure to of adventures for us all and I hope
after his latest tour had ended. Western Australia, says while he has that we’ll find a way to manage them
This, he says, afforded him the been able to cross off many countries peacefully and with less violence.” •
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guarantee more care for less cost.FEATURE
A ustralians are a relatively
plugged-in population.
We spend an average
6.8 hours a day online, with
smartphones being our primary point
of connection, research shows.
And it isn’t just the younger
generation switching on to
technology. The Australian Bureau
of Statistics 2016-2017 Household
Use of Technology report shows just
over half (55.2%) of people aged
65-plus are internet users. The top
reasons for seniors to jump online
include entertainment, followed by
banking, making purchases and
social networking.
Digital connectivity can help bridge
the gap between human contact and
isolation and can offer seniors a way
to feel part of a community, learn
new things, access services and stay
in touch with family and friends.
In fact, research by National
Seniors Australia found that for
people of culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds, digital literacy
prevents social isolation.
“Being online allows them to find
and connect with other people of
similar backgrounds, to share their
stories and experiences, as well as
staying connected with family and
Switched on
friends near and far through the likes
of Skype, Facebook and email,” a
report into Bridging the Digital
Divide explained.
seniors
Seniors are successfully turning to blogs to enhance their social
Blogging benefits
One digital form of connection (and
entertainment) is blogs, which are
conversational webpages created
by either a person or a group and
updated regularly. They usually
connections and share their lives with a virtual community. have a following of interested
Chapter explores the basics, and the benefits, readers whom enjoy the writing
of blogging later in life. style, themes and topics, and some
18 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo Chapterpeople even participate in the blog’s
“The connection with others has been
associated online community. There
is opportunity to keep informed and
entertained, relate to someone else’s
journey or step into someone else’s
one of the benefits of blogging and when
shoes to understand their point of someone writes that I have inspired or
view. It has benefits for both the
blogger and the audience. motivated them, it makes my day.”
Sixty-one-year-old Brisbane-based
blogger Sue Loncaric launched her
blogging journey four years ago after life can change in the blink of an eye commenting on other blogs.
taking early retirement to spend time encouraged him to step outside his Sue says the blogging landscape has
with her husband. However, after one comfort zone and travel solo. also become easier in recent years.
year in she found it hard to settle. While backpacking around the “There are many sites that just
“I had worked full time for most world, Chris documented his journey concentrate on teaching people how
of my life [and] felt I had lost my in a weekly blog (myseniorgapyear. to set up a website and of course
purpose and was floundering. I com), inspiring many with his analytics such as Google Analytics
needed something for me to put my experiences. Positive feedback from are very helpful to gain an insight
energies into” Sue explains. his readers encouraged him to grow into who your readers are and what
“I knew I was passionate about his blog posts into a book, which they like to read,” she explains.
living a healthy and active life, was launched earlier this year by the “Setting up a website is much
so I decided to start my blog to federal Minister for Aged Care and easier these days, as you can use a
encourage women over 50 to Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt. free design to start with that has all
embrace life with an ageless attitude. you need without even having to be
I wanted to inspire them to focus Launching a blog tech savvy. If you want something
on enjoying their life rather than If you are considering starting your more you can purchase a website for
their ‘number’ and to realise that own blog, it can be a steep but as little as $50. You just type in your
retirement only means retiring from rewarding learning curve. There are website name basically and away
work, not life.” many online tutorials and programs you go.”
Her creation, Sizzling Towards 60 that take the complicated work out As for the personal benefits that
& Beyond (sizzlingtowardssixty.com. of blogging and free sites to get you come with running your own blog, it
au) is the end-result and is all about started without upfront payment. has been a pleasant surprise for Sue.
making the most of this “fabulous “If you want to be serious about “My self-confidence has grown,
time of life”. The blog attracts building your readership, or to gain I’m connecting with fabulous women
around 6,000 visitors per month, affiliates or make money from your over 50 who, like me, aren’t giving up
predominantly from Australia, USA, blog, you need to put the time and on life because they are ageing, but
UK and Canada and she has over effort into producing quality writing rather starting new careers or taking
2000 followers on Facebook and about topics of interest and, most new directions in their lives.
more than 1500 on Instagram. importantly, reply to comments left “I have also found the self-
on each post. You are building a confidence to become a guest
Blogging through life changes relationship with readers and this speaker and emcee and I’m in the
Another successful blogger, Chris takes time,” says Sue. process of starting a life coaching
Herrmann from Western Australia, Now, she spends up to 15 hours business. The connection with others
has been writing about his travels a week on her blog, which includes has been one of the benefits of
since embarking on what he dubbed topic planning, writing posts, blogging and when someone writes
his ‘senior gap year’. After losing his which she publishes three times a that I have inspired or motivated
wife to cancer, the realisation that week, replying to comments and them, it makes my day.” •
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 19FEATURE
Letters of significance
Reaching a milestone birthday or anniversary is an event worth celebrating.
Chapter investigates how you go about securing a letter from the royal family
or other officials and finds out whether the effort is worth it.
T wo years ago 81-year-old
Geoff Thornely and his
gorgeous wife Carolyn, aged
72, found themselves the centre of
some unexpected attention.
responded by asking “why stop there?”
“Most people responded really
quickly, like within 48 hours. It was
so great. Reading back over all the
sneaky emails between my brother,
names and marriage date on it.
“We simply introduced ourselves,
mentioned that we were seeking
messages from our parents’ favourite
figures, told them a bit about what
The Toronto, NSW-based couple sister and me, I recall it was a very our parents meant to us, and asked
were commemorating 50 years intense period of sending stuff very, very politely. I would say it was
of marriage and had arranged a out, and we had a little celebration definitely worth the effort.”
weekend away with their three among ourselves every time we got Alongside the assortment of
children and three grandchildren to something back.” handwritten notes, emails and cards
toast the occasion. While they learnt they would from other local and state politicians
Having met when they became have to wait a decade to reach the trio accrued were messages from
colleagues at Qantas more than their Diamond anniversary before some of the Thornely’s favourite people
half a century earlier, the pair qualifying for a letter from The Queen, including former Australian cricket
anticipated a quiet luncheon correspondence was received from the captains Ricky Ponting and Michael
celebration with immediate family then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Clarke, Restauranteur and author
at an Airbnb in Melbourne. Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, Maggie Beer, comedienne Jo Brand,
But eldest son Michael, then aged Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, entrepreneur Dick Smith and television
47 and twin daughters Joanne and then NSW Premier Mike Baird and the host Karl Stefanovic - who appeared
Shelley, aged 45 and both writers, Governor of NSW David Hurley. in a video dressed in footy shorts while
had other ideas. Shelley says in terms of the official holding a bottle of champagne.
Instead of toasting the couple’s correspondence, the process was The trio later collated the messages
celebration with a few glasses of far easier than anticipated, coming appropriately enough in a gold-coloured
Marlborough’s finest, the trio instead as a result of a quick Google folder, which was presented to their
made a hit list of their parents’ search and then an official email parents over a restaurant lunch.
favourite political figureheads and sent to the federal member for “We surprised them. Oh boy, did we
sportsmen and women and together Shortland, her parents’ electorate, surprise them. In Dad’s words, “We
with letters flooding in from much requesting correspondence from any were completely gobsmacked”.
loved friends and family vowed to Commonwealth representatives who Shelley says the contents of the
contact each one to get a personal would be willing to oblige. folder proved so overwhelming that
message of support. Shelley says she was initially asked by the time Geoff and Carolyn worked
Starting out about six weeks ahead to provide her parent’s marriage their way through the messages from
of the actual anniversary date, Shelley certificate, but because of the need significant friends and got to the
says the trio’s mission began when to keep the whole thing a secret, the PM, GG and celebrity component,
her brother suggested contacting officials later accepted a copy of her her mother refused to believe the
The Queen and the PM and the twins birth certificate, which had both parents’ messages were real.
20 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo Chapter“I can’t recall Mum’s exact words,
but I remember when she saw the
PM’s letter she said something like
‘Oh really?’ with her best sceptical
voice. Then as they read more
and more, she realised they were
authentic and she absolutely ‘lost’
it. Dad just smiled a lot and looked
impressed. Mum was in tears and
kept saying ‘But how did you…?
When did you…?’”
Requests were also made to a
number of others who either didn’t
respond or had commitments that
prevented them from answering in
time – for example, it was David
Attenborough’s 90th birthday the
same week. Despite this, Shelley
estimates their efforts achieved
around a 30% success rate, much
higher than expected.
Two years down the track and
Shelley is adamant she could not have Carolyn and Geoff Thornely and some of the many letters of congratulations
asked for a more satisfying response. they received marking their 50th wedding anniversary.
“To be completely clichéd about it,
it was the kind of happiness money
can’t buy.”
Who is eligible?
The Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet’s Honours,
Symbols and Legal Policy branch
says there are a number of different
instances where Australians qualify
for anniversary messages.
Those eligible to receive a
message from the Prime Minister celebrated, or be about to celebrate the anniversary and the date of the
include those celebrating their 50th their 60th wedding anniversary (and anniversary and can include items
wedding anniversary and those every fifth year after) or their 100th such as copies of birth certificates,
marking their 90th birthday. birthday (and every fifth year after). passports or marriage certificates.
To receive a message from the If you are unable to locate the
Governor General, you must have Requesting a message appropriate documentation, a
celebrated, or be about to celebrate, Ensure you gather supporting statutory declaration – sourced
your 50th wedding anniversary or documentation for the relevant from any post office or online from
your 100th birthday. birthday or wedding anniversary. the Attorney-General’s Department
Those who wish to receive a The document needs to clearly state – with the relevant names and
message from The Queen must have the full name/s of those celebrating anniversary details will suffice. •
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 21A balancing act
Good nutrition plays a key role in reducing the risk of injury by helping strengthen your bones.
Our resident rehabilitation expert outlines the importance of a balanced diet.
Y
ou’ve heard the saying ‘you often result in serious injury, which many people don’t know of the direct
are what you eat’? In this can then lead to hospital time, correlation that nutrition plays in
case, it means that if you’re multiple appointments and potentially reducing falls risk and aiding recovery.
not eating a well-balanced diet, you longer term issues. It’s important for The link between exercise,
certainly won’t be as physically well- the health of ageing Australians to be increased strength and balance
balanced, which can lead to a fall. aware of the significance of nutrition is more well known. Sometimes,
Even the simplest stumble can status as a risk factor for falls; yet however, while you might think you
22 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo ChapterHEALTH
are eating ‘well’ your diet may not Both men and women lose So what can you do with your diet
be providing the nutrition required. bone mass. However, women lose to help reduce the risk of falls?
Poor nutrition (often referred to as more calcium from their bones in the Ensure you have a well-balanced
malnutrition) can lead to reduced five to ten years around the age of diet by:
muscular strength and decreased menopause. While a diet high in calcium
• Including adequate energy
mobility. This is where healthy eating cannot reverse age related bone loss, it (calorie) and protein intake which
coupled with a balanced diet comes can slow down the process. is important to promote strength,
into play. You shouldn’t have one A balanced diet giving you the mobility, balance and cognitive
without the other. daily nutrients required is the best function
If the word ‘malnutrition’ conjures way to combat malnutrition, and to
• Introducing variety in your diet;
up a picture of a thin and slight stay healthy. Seeking advice from an eg. whole grain foods, fruit,
person, you are not alone in these accredited dietitian is a great way to vegetables and dairy
thoughts. While this can be the find out if you are in fact meeting your
• Ensuring you are getting enough
case, many people with malnutrition daily nutritional requirements. vitamin D to help improve muscle
aren’t even aware they have it, until function; the best source of
they have a fall, or become ill, and The role vitamin D + calcium play vitamin D is actually the sun
only then it may be picked up by a It is also important to understand the
• Including calcium to help
health professional. role that vitamin D and calcium play in minimise bone loss.
Malnutrition is a physical reducing your risk of falling.
condition resulting from either: a)
• Vitamin D helps improve muscle Staying hydrated by:
an inadequate diet or b) a physical function and coupled with calcium,
• Starting the day with a glass
inability to absorb or metabolise helps minimise bone loss of water
nutrients. Think about your diet; is it
• Vitamin D helps the absorption of
• Drinking water with every meal,
adequate? Do you get enough of the calcium into our bones and in between meals.
nutrients your body requires?
• Good sources of calcium include
dairy foods: cheese, milk, yoghurt Remaining active by:
Your changing diet + nutritional and custard, fortified soy products
• Ensuring you maintain a stable
requirements and bony fish (such as sardines) weight as this promotes a
As we age, our metabolism slows and
• Vitamin D can be found in some reduction in falls risk
our appetite decreases. The way we food sources including eggs,
• Regular exercise can help with
process food also changes, as do our margarine and oily fish muscular strength and balance
daily nutritional needs. Unfortunately,
• The best source of vitamin D is
• Incidental exercise is a great
our taste buds don’t always get this actually the sun. Try not to spend way to ensure you are moving
message. more than 10 minutes a day and (take the stairs, not the elevator,
Generally speaking, the number of cover up with a hat and sunscreen. walk a few laps inside the
calories we require in our older years shopping centre).
decreases, usually due to a reduction Other vitamins associated with aiding
in the amount we exercise, while our a person’s mobility are Vitamins A, If you are concerned about your
nutrient needs tend to stay the same B12, C, E and folic acid. Deficiency in nutrition, it is recommended you
or increase. This means that if dietary these vitamins can cause vision loss consult an accredited practising
changes are made to accommodate which can lead to confusion, poor dietitian. Some companies, including
these changing needs, we should stay balance and disorientation… which, in Mobile Rehab, even have dietitians
healthier, longer. turn, all increase the risk of a fall. to visit you in your home. •
Mobile Rehab has over 20 years’ experience in working in allied health in the community – and they visit you in your own home.*
Visit www.mobilerehab.com.au or call on 1300 363 483 to find out more. *Only available in Queensland.
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 23FEATURE
Legal talk
Retirement village contracts are complex and can prove rather confusing for the uninitiated.
Here, Danielle Lim outlines the three types of tenures and the key features of each.
Danielle Lim is the principal of DSL Law.
She is a solicitor of the High Court of Australia
and the Supreme Court of Queensland. Danielle has
consulted with the government about seniors living legislation,
she sits on various committees regarding seniors living and
regularly works for retirement village operators and residents.
24 Summer 2018-19 / Aveo ChapterA s a solicitor, I am lucky enough to help people
with the contract documents involved in moving
into a retirement community almost every day.
Most of my wonderful clients have bought or sold property
throughout their lives – some have done so many times. With
contribution’ in exchange for an exclusive ‘right to reside’ in
a unit. The right to reside continues until the death of the
last surviving resident, or until the lease is terminated.
Leasehold units are great for residents for many reasons,
including:
this in mind, they think they know what to expect with their
• The interest in the property is to the exclusion of all
retirement village contract. But retirement village contracts others (in much the same way as freehold);
are a completely different kettle of fish. The main reason for
• The interest in the property is registered in the Land
this is something lawyers describe as the underlying ‘tenure’. Titles Registry. The registration status provides an
This article seeks to outline the main features of three of the additional layer of protection;
most common types of tenures found in retirement village –
• There is no stamp duty, which can save residents
freehold, leasehold and licence. The differences are far less thousands of dollars;
significant than residents might first think.
• The transaction is simple compared to a freehold
transaction as it is all documented in one lease document
Freehold with the operator.
Freehold tenure represents the ‘traditional’ form of tenure
– it is the way that any member of the general public would Licence
typically buy or sell a home in the suburbs. In exchange Retirement village units of ‘licence’ tenures are very
for payment of a purchase price, the title to the property is similar to leasehold. The operator retains ownership, and
registered in a person’s name and is also recorded on the the resident pays an ingoing contribution in exchange for
Land Titles Register – which is searchable by anyone. a ‘right to reside’. The main difference between licence
When a resident purchases a freehold unit in a and leasehold is that the licence is not registered on
retirement village, the documents that they sign are: title. However, additional protection is provided under the
a. the contract of sale (between the seller and the buyer); Retirement Villages Act under the relevant state.
and Licences are fairly uncommon, except for South Australia
b. a management contract (between the buyer and the where they are the dominant type of tenure offered.
retirement village operator)
While ‘freehold’ does tend to give a sense of comfort and What does it all mean?
familiarity – there are some important differences in a In practical terms, the differences between the types of tenure
retirement village context including: are largely limited to expense and complexity. Freehold units
i. Q
uite often the retirement village operator will place involve a significantly more complex set of documents, which
documents on the title to the property in order to secure often translates to a more expensive conveyance.
obligations under the management contract (e.g. the If a resident was to obtain advice about each of the
payment of an exit fee). An example of a document that three types of tenure, they would see that they all have
an operator might lodge on title is a caveat. very similar rights, responsibilities and restrictions. This
ii. The retirement village unit is an asset, but it is similarity is achieved by the introduction of contractual
different to other assets that you may own because terms by the operator, and is supported by documents
it generally cannot be transferred or gifted. The lodged on title. Importantly, in all three types of tenure, the
exception to this is where there are two people who resident has a secure right of residence and, in the case
own the home as ‘joint tenants’, and one passes away. of lease and licence, a protected right to recover their
In this case, the property may be transferred to the ingoing contribution.
remaining owner. While a solid understanding of the legal and financial
implications of retirement living is important, it is my
Leasehold firm belief that the most important reason to choose
Leasehold property is by far the most common type of a retirement village unit goes far beyond tenure. The
tenure in retirement villages. determining factor should be the cultural and emotional fit
From a resident’s point of view, they pay an ‘ingoing with you and your lifestyle.•
Aveo Chapter / Summer 2018-19 25You can also read
