There have always been three big age-stages in our lives – marked by turning 21, 40 and 65 (the key to the door, life begins at, the gold watch). So, as we live longer is a fourth turning up or ...
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Dick Johnson is Dead: Netflix tackles death and dementia
The premise to Netflix’s new film, Dick Johnson is Dead, is simple. Documentarian Kirsten Johnson’s father, the eponymous Dick, is diagnosed with dementia, so to work through the grief, loss and impending death, she decides to chronicle the last few ...
More »Through the fog: the couple fighting dementia discrimination
Eileen and Dubhglas Taylor tell me a bit about their history. They tell me about how they met; Dubhg was a drummer in a band, Eileen was a babysitter, they met a party. They are closing in on 53 years ...
More »Elder orphans, who are they?
Hiding in the community are a group of older Australians who are friendless, have no family and are most at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts are using the term ‘elder orphans’ to describe these people and they are increasingly worried about the consequences of extreme isolation in this cohort. Dr Jed ...
More »A contemporary take on aged care norms: a designer’s perspective
When you enter Eva Tilley Memorial home in Melbourne’s leafy North Balwyn, you immediately get a sense that it’s different to other aged care residences. That’s because it is. We were tasked with rethinking and re-energising an existing offering, developing ...
More »Art is long, but life is short: changing aged care homes one mural at a time
Ars Longa, Vita Brevis has a nice ring to it. Translated as ‘art is long, life is short’, one might interpret this saying as an opinion on the long lasting qualities of fine art. It was said to have been ...
More »Evelyn Jenkins, better than Bradman
The secret to ageing well, to making it to a grand old age, is work. That is according to Sydney woman, and recent centenarian, Evelyn Jenkins from the Uniting Bernard Austin Lodge in Liverpool. Hard work has been the bedrock ...
More »Aussies pen nearly 1,000 letters to aged care recipients in national challenge
A couple of weeks ago, I ordered some plant seeds from an online seller. They came with a personalised note detailing care instructions. I read it twice. Not because the message was unclear but because I wanted to make the ...
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