Published on Jul 02, 2024
Successful “Preparing to Age Well” Forum hosted by Local Member David Basham.
Local Member David Basham recently hosted a highly successful event titled “Preparing to Age Well,” which saw an overwhelming turnout of more than 180 attendees. The two-hour session featured insightful speakers, an expo, a delightful morning tea, and a showbag filled with useful resources.
In his opening remarks, David Basham highlighted the role of the government in supporting aging citizens. “There is much on offer from all levels of government,” he stated, “and my office is here to help you navigate those services and support. It is also important to know when the government is not the answer.”
The forum underscored the importance of sharing information and learning to navigate the complexities of aging. Understanding how to connect to the right services, both in a crisis and beforehand, was a central theme.
The highlight of the session was an engaging presentation by Gail Ruth Miller, an author, speaker, and facilitator known for her expertise in simplifying aged care. Gail’s message resonated with the audience as she debunked common myths about aging and emphasized the importance of early action. She advised that everyone over 65 should register for aged care, plan ahead, declutter, and utilize available help. Gail also stressed the significance of legal preparations, such as wills, powers of attorney, and Advance Care Directives, as well as seeking financial advice and consulting aged care experts to handle paperwork. Her personal experiences and relatable presentation style made the complex topic of aged care more accessible to all.
Leann Symons from the City of Victor Harbor also spoke, detailing the vast array of programs and services available through the council, many of which extend to the broader Fleurieu region. She highlighted the Caring Neighbourhood program, Active Wellbeing initiatives, library programs, and the transport scheme (SCOTS). Leann also noted the City of Victor Harbor’s assistance with aged care directives and Justice of the Peace services.
The enthusiastic response from the community was evident, with the event fully booked five days in advance. David Basham expressed his commitment to offering more such opportunities for information, learning, and questions.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive:
“Thank you so much for offering this free forum this morning at Encounter Bay Football Club rooms. I thought the forum was totally worthwhile; exceptional speakers providing us with awareness on how to age well.”
“This was such a well-organized and presented forum. I walked away with information pamphlets, books, and a plan on where and how to start to age well. The forum exceeded my expectations.”
“The guest speaker was brilliant, so easy to understand and listen to as she explained about aged care. The opportunity to access other aged care-related organizations was also appreciated. We learned so much on the day!”
The success of the “Preparing to Age Well” forum highlights the community’s eagerness to engage with and prepare for the challenges and opportunities of aging. David Basham and his team look forward to hosting more events that empower and inform the local community.
The next event on August 20, will help us understand SCAMS and cyber safety. This topic is relevant to us all with 13.2 million Australian encountering scams so we need to be aware and cautious. Senior Constables Libby and Luke from SAPOL will tell us how – please register to attend.
** More than 180 local community members registered to attend the "Preparing to Age Well" forum held on Tuesday 30 July at Encounter Bay Football Club.
Shout out to all the contributors including Gail Ruth Miller and City of Victor Harbor. A grateful thank you for the assistance of Wayne Tonkin and his volunteers that set up and provided morning tea.
The morning was a fabulous opportunity to mix and mingle and learn some important tips when preparing to age around Victor Harbor.
Please look out for our next event and book early to avoid missing out. “SCAMS AND CYBER SAFETY with SOUTH AUSTRLIA POLICE”
Media Contact: Catherine Jamieson 0417874942
