Archived News (2022 and Earlier)

Southern Tasmania Forum 18 October 2022
Residential Aged Care, Supported Accommodation and Retirement Village Living

On Tuesday 18 October, 54 Members and guests heard from an entertaining and informative panel of speakers involved in Residential Aged Care, Supported Accommodation and Retirement Village Living. Representatives from the Tasmanian Government's Consumer, Building and Occupational Services department (CBOS) which is responsible for Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading among other matters, the Council of the Ageing (COTA) and Queen Victoria Care (QVC) explained the legalities and their involvement in these facets of life which are so important to many, if not all, of us. The presenters happily accepted and answered questions and COTA had Aged Care booklets available for those who wanted further information. The Queen Victoria Care representatives circulated written material relative to their accommodation and care options and took expressions of interest from those present to reserve a tour of their facilities at a future date.

Over afternoon tea we were able to continue talking to the presenters about any concerns we had. The Forum was very well received and we look forward to being able to present similar events in the future.

We are mindful of the fact that this Forum was also planned for the North of the State. We continue to work towards that for a date in 2023 as presenters were not available prior to the end of this year.

If you have an idea for a future forum subject that is relevant to retirees, please make sure to tell us and we will do our best to arrange speakers of interest.

Queen Victoria Care (QVC) summary of presentation

Carmen Rocchia (Corporate Services Manager) provided an overview of the history of Queen Victoria Care and the Chief Executive Officer, Jacqui Marden. "We are a community organisation that places individuals at the centre of everything we do. Situated in the beautiful community of Lindisfarne on Hobart's Eastern Shore, we have offered tailored aged care services for older people for over 130 years. Our mission is to be the Centre of Excellence for an ageing-well community, providing respectful, compassionate, individual care that supports the independence of every resident."

More information can be found on the website www.qvcare.com.au.

Chloe Doddridge (Client Liaison Officer) provided an overview of the services and facilities that are available onsite at Queen Victoria Care, these include, Residential Aged Care permanent and respite, Retirement Living, Fee for Service and Home Care.

Queen Victoria Care has four different unit types, both one and two bedroom options, with current prices ranging between $380,000.00 to $650,000.00. Chloe provided information and specifics on the ingoing contribution, deferred management fee and ongoing management fee. Fee for Service and Home Care are available within your unit to support you to stay well at home.

Chloe detailed the costs and daily fees for residential aged care respite and permanent options, providing specific information of the current fees.

Chloe will be conducting a group tour in the coming weeks, for those who expressed interest at the Forum. We would like to encourage you to contact Chloe Doddridge at Queen Victoria Care on (03) 6243 3100 or cdoddridge@qvcare.com.au if you have any questions, would like an information pack, or would like to arrange a time for a tour of the facility.

TASS Forum Tuesday 18 October 2022

Residential Aged Care, Supported Accommodation

and Retirement Village Living

Time:  1.30pm to 3.30pm (including afternoon tea)

Venue: Motor Yacht Club of Tasmania (MYCT) 1 Ford Parade, Lindisfarne

If there is anything you wish to know about Residential Aged Care, Retirement Village Living or Supported living make sure you come along to this Forum.

We have a panel of expert presenters including a leading nursing home/retirement village CEO, Government agencies and the Council of the Ageing (COTA) who will be able to cover every aspect of aged care living and answer all your questions from what to expect to how much various options cost and much more.

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance by Tuesday 11 October to John Chalmers, 0448 731 845 or by email to info@tass.org.au.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 18 October, please mark it on your calendar now!

We are planning to hold a Northern Forum on the same topic on Tuesday 15 November. Further details will be circulated as soon as arrangements have been finalised.

 “10% Cap” Legislation Campaign Update

TASS Executive members met with Sen. Carol Brown on 21 April to discuss the 10% Cap Issue and what the Labor party could or would do in relation to a potential review of the legislation as suggested by Sen. Eric Abetz as part of his ongoing support.

Sen. Brown is individually supportive of TASS’ position, but bound by Labor processes. She gave a commitment to take the issue to the Tasmanian Labor caucus members, and then, with their support, to the broader caucus and then into parliament for action.

The Greens have told TASS that they support a Senate inquiry in principle, and that if there is any indication that a new Labor government would seek to legislate changes, then a Senate inquiry into such legislation would be the most pertinent avenue to inquire into this issue.

Senator Jacqui Lambie has previously indicated support for TASS in doing whatever she can to assist. Andrew Wilkie MP has been steadfast in his support for TASS’ campaign to have this inequitable and unfair legislation repealed.

We have also had undertakings of support from some minor party candidates from United Australia Party and One Nation.

What we haven’t got is a commitment from the Liberal Party for at least a review. They are continuing to run the line that the Act is doing what was always intended and won’t be changed.

We will continue to try to convince them that a review is the only sensible course of action at this stage.

John Minchin

President

New Executive for 2022

At the AGM on 15th March, the following members were elected to the Executive. We welcome Ross Butler to the Executive for 2022

TASS AGM Tuesday 15 March 2022

Guest Speaker

We are pleased to advise the guest speaker for the TASS Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 15 March is Professor James Vickers.  

Professor James Vickers is the Director of the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre.  This Centre is at the forefront of research and support for issues confronting people with dementia and their carers. Its projects are being carried out in Tasmania and nationally, across research fields such as neuroscience, medicine, nursing, psychology and sociology, health, economics and policy.

The Wicking Centre is a flagship of the University’s College of Health and Medicine and was established in 2008.  

The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (WDREC) is unique in Australia as an integrated dementia centre that is active across a range of disciplines, seeking to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers. The WDREC aims to:

• Better understand the diseases affecting the brain that cause progressive decline in functioning affecting memory, problems solving skills, function and social behaviour;
• Develop evidence-based models of care provision for people with dementia and their carers;
• Explore the trajectory of brain and functional changes in ageing through dementia;
• Provide educational programs to build knowledge and understanding of dementia within the community.

Professor Vickers’ talk will cover the work being undertaken at the Centre and how its work is of benefit to older Tasmanians.  His address is sure to be of interest to all who are able to attend.

Kind regards

John Minchin

President

Link to Professor Vicker's profile

TASS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 15 March 2022

Venue: Motor Yacht Club of Tasmania (MYCT), 1 Ford Parade, Lindisfarne

(Access from East Derwent Highway, via Lincoln Street and Park Road) Parking is available at the MYCT or on the street

Time: 1:30 to 3:00pm (including afternoon tea)

Guest Speaker: Professor James Vickers, Director of the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre

RSVP: By 5:00pm Thurs 10 March 2022 to John Chalmers, 0448 731 845, or info@tass.org.au

Concessions and Rebates for Older Tasmanians

The Tasmanian Government currently offers a range of concessions and rebates to older Tasmanians (those on pensions, or with low and fixed incomes). These cover such items as electricity, council rates, water and sewerage, stamp duty discount, vehicle registration and taxes, licences and many others.

TASS has written to the Premier requesting confirmation that, if successful in the upcoming State Election, his Government will continue to provide these concessions and rebates into the future, and in particular that they will be included in the upcoming 2021-22 State Budget.

TASS also wrote to the Opposition and Greens asking that, if successful in the upcoming State Election, they will support the continued provision these concessions and rebates into the future, and in particular that they will be included in the upcoming 2021-22 State Budget.

TASS also stated that it believes that these concessions and rebates should be indexed to reflect the change in the costs of the underlying services being supported. The costs of these services are increasing faster than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and in order to maintain the benefits of the concessions and rebates, an appropriate index needs to be developed by Treasury, in consultation with key stakeholder organisations such as TASS.

Our members are encouraged to contact their local candidates to reinforce our position on these concessions and rebates.

April 2021

Executive Committee 2021

At the AGM in March 2021, the following Executive members were elected.

President: John Minchin

Vice-President: John Pauley

Secretary: John Chalmers

Treasurer: Michael Walker

Membership Officer: Charles Thomas

Super-News Editor: Jeneane Thomas

Executive Members - Christopher Bevan, Ross Brown, Stephen Graetzer, Murray Harper, Jean Walker.

There remains one vacancy on the Executive. Please contact John Chalmers, Secretary, if you are interested in being considered for that position - Email secretary@tass.org.au, or Phone 62491240 or 0409491245

Superannuation issues

TASS has recently raised its concerns about some superannuation issues with the Premier. These relate to changes to the Superannuation Commision structure, and to the planned use of $200M from RBF for COVID recovery projects. The linked article from the Examiner deals with these matters.

https://www.cpsu.com.au/2020/10/public-sector-super-worry/

Change To TASS Banking Arrangements

The TASS Executive has decided to consolidate it's banking with the one organisation. We have opened accounts at MyState Bank.

For members who renew using direct deposit either online or at a branch, changes will be minimal. The Bendigo Bank account that you have been depositing into will be replaced by:

MyState Account BSB: 807-009
Account Number: 30137067
Account Name: Tasmanian Association of State Superannuants.

In Tasmania, MyState has branches at Glenorchy, Hobart, Kingston,  Rosny,  Launceston, Burnie and Devonport.

For those who pay by cheque, there is no change: TASS remains the Payee. Please note that MySate no longer excepts MyState cheques but will except other bank cheques.

If you have TASS’s account details saved in your online banking address list, please ensure that you alter the details to those above.

The online membership forms will be updated with this new information in the near future