Elder Abuse
Sue Adams addressed us on the subject of Elder Abuse- a topic almost unheard of only a few years ago but now much more in the public consciousness.
Sue explained that she had been part-owner of a fashion store back in the day, but decided to become a social worker following a distressing incident in her shop.
She retrained and has been working in a wide variety of roles ever since, for hospitals, medical centres, the Department of Justice and latterly in private practice. She specialises in mediation, which takes her into challenging areas such as family disputes, child custody, employment and religious matters.
She is now a member of a group lobbying the government to support elder harm interventions. She is also involved in the Korero Tahi research project which is studying 20 cases to see whether restorative processes are effective.
The statistics around elder harm are sobering. There is rapid growth in the 65+ age group, and it is thought that up to 37% of older people may have been abused in some way. The abuse takes many forms: psychological, financial, physical, neglect, sexual, and institutional.
Abuse is poorly reported, mostly because 75% of abusers are family members, with 50% being adult children, both male and female. Over 50% of victims are over 80. Often victims blame themselves, have dementia, or don’t know who to turn to.
Warning signs include injuries, fear, and unpaid bills.
The effects can be dire, leading to loss of independence, loss of home and/or savings, dignity and self-esteem.
A difficult and depressing subject, which Sue dealt with in her usual restrained but determined manner.
Turn downsizing stress into strength
Downsizing can open the door to a new stage of your life that is rich in opportunity. However, it can be a daunting prospect. If you are embarking on a new chapter of life, the thought of shedding familiar possessions can feel even more stressful. This can be true even if the life changes are a good thing, such as a move to somewhere you will love to live.
Once you understand why you have this feeling, you can reframe it as creating a new environment that will support your present life while reminding you of your best experiences.
Click read more for the full article.
Minimalist Design in Apartment Living
Ryman’s Charles Upham Retirement Village resident Di is a former fashion designer, artist and self-confessed shoe hoarder who travels, still paints and has stamped her eclectic minimalist style on her apartment.
She gives us her top 3 design tips on how she’s turned her space into a beautiful home.
Hi, what's your name?
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Simply share a little about yourself on the Know Thy Neighbour page and others will follow suit (you could also win one of our 10 x $50 Prezzy® cards!).
Are you the go-to person for baking advice (and a cup of sugar!) or have some computer skills that you're happy to share? We'd love to know.
Whether you're looking for others to join you on your walks, or just wanting to know more about your neighbours, go ahead and introduce yourself.