Older People Speak Out (OPSO) in Mount Gravatt, Queensland, Australia | Public & government service

Older People Speak Out (OPSO)

Locality: Mount Gravatt, Queensland, Australia

Phone: +61 417 729 315

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• Non-profit organisation
• Public & government service
• Health & wellness website

25.01.2022 Looking forward to retirement? You might be caught off-guard by an unexpected emotion: depression after retirement. Post-retirement depression is not widely talked about and more common than many realize. One would think our golden years would bring enjoyment and freedom, but the transition from work-life to retired-life brings a lot of emotions, including sadness. Some retirees may feel a loss of identity when they are no longer defined by a job title. Others are unsure ...of how to fill their extra time. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with post-retirement depression. Below are some tips that could help get you on the right path to beating depression, but remember it's important to talk to your doctor or a loved one first about any concerns you have on depression. Keep your day planner: Schedule your days like you would schedule meetings for work. Set aside time for exercise, errands and social activities. Adding physical activities to your routine will also help your body release those feel good endorphins to beat the blues. Don’t be alone. Social activities are imperative to better health, especially as we get older. Fortunately, retirement communities offer a wide variety of events and outings to fit all interests. Talk about it. Never feel ashamed about feeling down or suppress those feelings because you’re embarrassed by it. Research suggests a significantly higher number of older men than women struggle with depression because they may be less likely to ask for help.

21.01.2022 Grandparents often play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren, especially in retirement. Often, retired grandparents are positioned as care givers for the grandchildren while Mom and Dad are at work. As the children grow, the key to maintaining a strong relationship between the two generations is finding common ground. Discovering similar interests and activities both can participate in can be a great way to achieve this. The infographic below describes some possible activities, brought to you by a grandchild (now college-aged) who has a very close relationship with his own grandparents.

20.01.2022 There is no right age to do what you like. Live and enjoy every day

20.01.2022 Good: High-Fiber Foods What do raspberries, peas, lentils, and black beans have in common? They’re all high in fiber, which is great for your lungs. Research suggests people who eat more fiber have lungs that work better than those who don’t eat much fiber. Other fiber-rich foods include whole-wheat spaghetti, baked beans, chia seeds, quinoa, pears, and broccoli. Bad: Processed Meats Studies show a link between processed, or cured, meats and worse lung function. Researche...rs think the nitrites used in processing and preserving cured meats may cause inflammation and stress to the lungs. Bacon, ham, deli meat, and sausage all fall into the category of processed meats. Good: Coffee Good news for coffee lovers: Your morning cup could be doing your lungs a favor. Research points to a connection between regular coffee and healthier lungs. This could be due to the caffeine, which is anti-inflammatory, and polyphenols, which are antioxidant and also anti-inflammatory. Bad: Too Much Alcohol Heavy drinking is bad for your liver and for your lungs. Sulfites in alcohol can worsen asthma symptoms, and ethanol affects your lung cells. If you drink too much, you’re more likely to get pneumonia and other lung problems. But a little bit is OK. Two drinks or less per day, especially if it’s wine, may be good for your lung health. Health experts don’t recommend anyone start drinking, though -- and if you do drink, keep it moderate. Good: Whole Grains Whole grains are great for your lungs. They include brown rice, whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, oats, quinoa, and barley. Not only are whole-grain foods high in fiber, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, but they’re full of vitamin E, selenium, and essential fatty acids, which are good for lung health. Refined grains, like white flour and white rice, lose many of their nutrients in the milling process. Bad: Sugary Drinks Do your lungs a favor and swap out soft drinks for water. A study found adults who drank more than five sweetened soft drinks a week were more likely to have ongoing bronchitis, and kids were more likely to have asthma. It’s not clear that the sodas were the reason why, but the pattern stood out. If you smoke, even unsweetened soft drinks can be bad for your lungs. What other foods do you think are good or bad for your health?

19.01.2022 Life is all about connecting with people https://theupsidetoaging.com//5-tips-for-making-new-frien/

17.01.2022 Read our newsletter - September 2020 Click here: t.ly/MCGF

16.01.2022 Legacy Week is Australia’s iconic fundraising campaign which began in 1942. It is also known for its Badge Day and the iconic badges offered as a token of appreciation for the donation made by the public. The funds raised from Legacy Week help Legacy continue to assist approximately 60,000 beneficiaries, with 96% of them being elderly widows throughout Australia, with essential services such as, counselling, special housing, medical, advocacy and social support. Public suppor...t will also help Legacy nurture children’s education, by contributing towards their school fees, books, uniforms, and recreational activities to aid their self development and confidence. There are thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel currently deployed overseas. Legacy stands ready to assist their families should the worst happen. Visit www.legacy.com.au/LegacyWeek to donate

16.01.2022 Friendship in the time of dementia - By Anne Ring I’m not unfamiliar with dementia and how it can work on the mind of a loved one. I supported my beloved mother and a much-loved aunt through all of its phases. But that was something that I did as part of my care for them as members of my older generation, and it was naturally complicated by all kinds of familial responsibilities. Now, with the passing of the years, I have become a member of that generation. And so far, I have... been spared any incipient signs of such deterioration. And, up until now, so have my relatives and friends of a similar age. Now, however, I have a friend who after worrying for some time about her cognitive functioning while seemingly fine to me has reached the stage where that diagnosis is not only the likely one, but is also showing its signs of repetition in our conversations. And this highly intelligent woman is understandably filled with worry and anxiety and sorrow about what is happening to her, and what will happen to her. Fortunately for her, she has family who will care for her as family. But what she also needs now are her friends to stand by her and to keep her company on this journey. Visit www.opso.com.au/life-times/ to read the full article and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated

16.01.2022 1. Surprise! No Calorie Counting You won't need a calculator for this meal plan. Instead of adding up numbers, you swap out bad fats for heart-healthy ones. Go for olive oil instead of butter. Try fish or poultry rather than red meat. Enjoy fresh fruit and skip sugary, fancy desserts. 2. The Food Is Really Fresh You won't need to roam the frozen food aisle or hit a fast-food drive-thru. The focus is on seasonal food that's made in simple, mouth-watering ways. Build a yummy sa...lad from spinach, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Add classic Greek ingredients like black olives and feta cheese with a Quick Light Greek Salad recipe. 3. You Can Have Bread Look for a loaf made with whole grains. It's got more protein and minerals and is generally healthier than the white flour kind. Try whole-grain pita bread dipped in olive oil, hummus, or tahini (a protein-rich paste made from ground sesame seeds). 4. Fat Isn't Forbidden You just need to look for the good kind. You'll find it in nuts, olives, and olive oil. These fats (not the saturated and trans fat hidden in processed foods) add flavor and help fight diseases from diabetes to cancer. 5. The Menu Is Huge It's more than just Greek and Italian cuisine. Look for recipes from Spain, Turkey, Morocco, and other countries. Choose foods that stick to the basics: light on red meat and whole-fat dairy, with lots of fresh fruits and veggies, olive oil, and whole grains. 6. The Spices Are Delicious Bay leaves, cilantro, coriander, rosemary, garlic, pepper, and cinnamon add so much flavor you won't need to reach for the salt shaker. Some have health benefits, too. Coriander and rosemary, for example, have disease-fighting antioxidants and nutrients.

15.01.2022 Watching our parents age is never easy. Often we are forced to observe their health decline and later become a member of a sandwich generation. Caring for parents will come with a great deal of hardship. Personality changes and temper tantrums are only a few changes that can occur. But focusing only on drawbacks is never a good idea. It is scientifically proven that grandparents have beneficial impact not only on grandchildren, but on a whole household. 1- Decades of life e...xperience We already wrote all about the truth behind the saying knowledge comes from learning, wisdom comes from living. You can be highly educated, but no amount of studying will ever compare to life experience that your elderly parent have. 2- Grandparents are important Kids who have greater emotional closeness with grandparents are less likely to be depressed as adults. Being in the close proximity with unconditional love from grandparents manifests in happier, more confident and healthier children. Moreover grandparents can help connect children to their tradition and heritage. It gives the little ones sense of identity, who they are and where they’ve come from. 3- Grandparents reduce household stress Easy-going attitude is in the grandparents nature. They don’t have to stress out about new boss at their job anymore. Elderly parents are often a voice of reason, explaining everything calmly as they recently slowed down and started to gain a wider perspective.

14.01.2022 Start a new project, maybe write a book, learn a language or a new hobby. Every day is a perfect day to do what you want to do.

13.01.2022 September is the month of dementia, so we bring these tips on how to exercise our brain to reduce the risk of suffering from this disease Mental exercise helps to build new brain cells and strengthen connections between them. This helps to give the brain more ‘reserve’ or ‘back up’ so that it can cope better and keep working properly if any brain cells are damaged or die. Depression is often associated with an increased risk of dementia. It is important to seek medical advi...ce should you recognise the symptoms of depression and to look after your psychological wellbeing. There are many ways to look after your mind: Stay social, enjoy the company of others Play games like puzzles, crosswords and card games Learn a new language Take up a new sport Learn a new hobby like painting, sewing, woodwork and cooking Vary your daily activities

13.01.2022 Women's Health Week is a nation-wide campaign of events and online activities all centred on improving women's health and helping you to make healthier choices. With the stress COVID-19 has placed on everyone's lives, it’s now more important than ever to look after your overall health and wellbeing. This September, Women’s Health Week will be a great reminder to take time out to check in on your health and to keep making positive changes that can last a lifetime. Visit https://www.womenshealthweek.com.au/the-week/ to be part of the action week

12.01.2022 Active Hobbies for Retired People Want to stay physically active during retirement? Here’s a few ideas of what to do when you’re retired and bored: Babysit: Spend more time with your grandchildren and give your children a break from the kids by babysitting!... Pick Up Tennis, Softball (or Any Sport You Want!): What sport would you like to take up, or what sport do you wish you had more time to dedicate to before retirement? Whether you take up a new sport or want to get back in to a sport you love, retirement gives you that opportunity. Start a Blog/Write a Book: Have you always wanted to write? Maybe you dreamed of writing the great American novel? Or you just want to put down your thoughts into an online journal.

12.01.2022 OPSO Newsletter August 2020 - https://mailchi.mp/f08dd81e2bc3/opso-newsletter-june-4833341

11.01.2022 The Queensland Government will end the eviction moratorium for residential tenants on 30 September 2020. The community service sector is on the frontline responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assist vulnerable Queenslanders every day, and we know that not extending the eviction moratorium for renters is dangerous. We urge the Queensland Government to extend the moratorium until at least 31 December 2020 to protect housing security and provide certainty for industry and the ...economy. QCOSS has created this quick and simple form for you to send an email to the Queensland Premier and Housing Minister to urge them to extend the moratorium. From start to finish, it should only take 90 seconds to complete. https://www.qcoss.org.au//email-the-premier-to-protect-qu/

10.01.2022 Worth the time to listen all the way through. Very funny.

10.01.2022 We’d all like to live a long time in good health. Now a recently published study has concluded there are lifestyle factors that can increase your odds of reaching an older age without chronic health issues. We wanted to see whether following a healthy diet and exercise can prolong life, not just life expectancy but life expectancy free of chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, Dr. Frank Hu, MPH, a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of... Public Health in Massachusetts and lead study author Because we’re not just looking at life span but also health span, meaning that there are increased years of life free of chronic disease, he said. Researchers examined data from roughly 73,000 registered female nurses in the United States from the Nurses’ Health Study and from almost 40,000 male health professionals in the United States from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The study participants didn’t have cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes when they were enrolled. Study participants were routinely assessed for new diagnoses and deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years. Researchers adjusted for age, ethnic background, family medical history, and other considerations. The low-risk lifestyle factors used to calculate a healthy lifestyle score included: never smoking at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity moderate alcohol intake maintaining a moderate weight (defined as a BMI less than 25) a good quality diet Keep in mind that a healthy lifestyle with low impact, tolerable physical exercise; a good, well-balanced, colorful diet; hydration; and an appropriate amount of sleep can do wonders to help maintain a positive mental outlook and physical state.

06.01.2022 Educational & Rewarding Hobbies for Retired People Retirement can be a great opportunity to enrich yourself and expand your mind. Below are some of the best educational hobbies to explore in retirement. Be a Mentor:... Want to impart your wisdom to others? There are many mentor programs out there that are always looking for people willing to help. Take Classes: There are plenty of free (or inexpensive) classes available for you to learn a new skill or explore a topic in further detail. Read: Just like with exercise, everyone wishes they could read more. Perhaps there are books you always wished you could read. Or you could just do a search online for the best novels of the past 25 years and start there. Either way, reading is a fun and rewarding hobby that will also help keep you mentally fit. Learn a Second Language: Even if you don’t travel the world in retirement, learning a second language is a popular hobby among retirees and can even help stave off mental decline. Volunteer: Perhaps you’re not ready for a part-time job just yet. Volunteering can be a rewarding hobby, as well. Find a cause/non-profit that means a lot to you and see if they accept volunteers.

06.01.2022 World Heart Day 2020 On 29 September, #UseHeart to beat cardiovascular disease Use Heart for society, your loved ones and you... We are living in unprecedented times. The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on the healthcare profession, national healthcare systems and our individual responsibilities for our own health and for the vulnerable in society. We don’t know what course the pandemic will take in the future but we do know that taking care of our hearts right now is more important than ever. So this year on 29 September, our campaign is asking the world to: USE TO BEAT https://www.world-heart-federation.org//world-heart-day-2/

06.01.2022 Happy monday! A new week to start whatever you like

05.01.2022 We are preparing a big project and we need your support, follow us on our new fanpage @ancawards

03.01.2022 https://veritascare.co.uk/activities-for-elderly-and-their/ keeping up mental strength in old age is essential. It can be done by implementing a couple of fun exercises into the daily routine. Most of them can be enjoyed in a caregiver-elderly tandem. Bingo it is an example of fantastic group activities for elderly that not only promotes mental exercise, but encourages social participation. Seniors have to match numbers (announced by a game host) printed in different arran...gements on cards. Going out and becoming a bingo group member will help seniors with building a beneficial connection with someone their age. Jigsaw puzzle it will be wise to invest in a jigsaw puzzle targeted towards elderly. They are larger hence easier to handle for people with limited mobility or sight problems. Scrabble one of the group activities for elderly and their carer. Ideal for older people with busy mind, who like to solve problems. Sudoku and Crossword they are a logic-based games, that require mathematical or language skills. Besides being a great tool to sharpen elders mind, it can also give them a sense of accomplishment. Chess and card-matching depending on elders age you can also go for chess (for younger seniors) and card-matching (for slightly older people). Both train brain and increase memory skill. See more

01.01.2022 The service was set up by the Queensland Government Department of Communities to support grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. We have an information resource directory where you can search for services in your area. Visit www.grandparentsqld.com.au for more information