E67 - Life Advice With A 90 Year Old

09/26/23 • 31 min

The podcast theme for September is 'Living Longer, Living Better', so with my own Grandma turning 90 on the 17th September it seemed like the perfect time to sit her down and soak up all her wisdom.
For those who have listened to her previous episodes or who know her personally, her no nonsense approach to life will come as no surprise. Her reminder to not take life too seriously, to trust in the good in others and the importance of family are lessons she's passed down the family for many generations. I hope through this episode that she gets to spread those lessons a little further.
If you want to get in touch with me, please head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au.
You can find me on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing.

Previous Episode

E66 - Living Longer, Living Better

We are all living longer, so how can ensure we spend our days living with a sense of purpose, fulfilment and enjoyment?
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released a report in June 2023 that identified from 1967-2021, life expectancy increased by 13.7 years for males (to 81.3) and 11.2 years for females (to 85.4). During 2016-2018 Indigneous Australians life expectancy was 72 years for males and 77 years for females. What these statistics show us is that a) we have a long way to go in bridging the gap with First Nations healthcare and b) we are living increasingly longer.
In today's episode I discuss the rise of depression in ageing Australians and how social connection can help overcome that.
Small steps to increase connection can go a long way. A check in text each morning or a weekly chat with a neighbour can make a big difference to someones feeling of connection and value. Below are some simple ways to get more connected:

Social Groups - book club, gardening group, Seniors choir, U3A
Getting out in the community - shopping, appointments, exercise class
Family and Friends - regular contact and visits
Volunteering - local library, school groups, Meals on Wheels
Talking to a neighbour - small conversations can make big connections

You can read the full Black Dog Institute Article on depression in older people here - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Depression-in-older-people.pdf
To read Professor Catherine Haslam's article titled 'Social connectedness and health in later life', click here - https://psychology.org.au/inpsych/2016/december/haslam
To sign up to the monthly Navigate Newsletter head to www.navigateagedcare.com.au/newsletter.
As always you can find me at www.navigateagedcare.com.au, on Instagram @thetruthaboutageing and on Facebook @navigateagedcareau
Until next time!

Next Episode

E68 - Home Is Where The Heart Is: How To Know When It's Time To Move

Choosing to move from the family home can be an incredibly difficult decision. 80% of ageing Australians, would like to remain there for as long as possible. And the majority have negative views of Residential Aged Care facilities (what used to be called nursing homes).
What I find most people don't fully understand, are the are many alternatives between 'home' and Residential Aged Care. Whilst it might not be the family home they're staying in, an Independent Living Unit, Serviced Apartment or Semi-Supported Living arrangement may allow them to stay in the community for longer, before moving to a Residential Aged Care home.
In today's episode I talk about re-defining 'home' and when you know it might be time to consider alternate living arrangements.
In next fortnight's episode, I'll be diving deeper into the different options available and when/where you might access them.
As always, you can find me at www.navigateagedcare.com.au, or on Facebook @navigateagedcareau or on Instagram @thetruthaboutageingpodcast