Free sessions tackle difficult topics

Thursday, 1 March

Uniting AgeWell is hosting free community information sessions across Victoria and Tasmania to help older people understand complex and emotional topics, like mental health and legally protecting their assets.

At the free Planning Ahead Information Sessions, attendees will hear from external presenters, local community partners and Uniting AgeWell experts, and have the opportunity to ask questions relevant to their situations.

The sessions – which cover topics like Understanding Dementia, Powers of Attorney and Wills, and Funerals – were hugely popular among attendees in 2017.

Martha Tomlinson attended several of last year’s information sessions and said they provided her coping mechanisms and practical information at a really difficult time.  Martha’s husband had just moved into residential aged care, after being cared for by his wife for many years.

“We all know someone who has gone into residential care, but it’s a whole different ball-game when it’s your spouse and you are guilt-ridden,” she said.

“The psychologist at the Uniting AgeWell session had a lot of experience dealing with these sorts of issues. 

“It was nice to be able to talk and express my feelings somewhere like this, and I realised that what I was thinking and feeling were normal.”

The Planning Ahead Information Sessions are being held monthly until October at the following Uniting AgeWell sites: Noble Park, Manor Lakes, Strathdon, Lillian Martin and Queenborough Rise.  Kings Meadows and Aldersgate Village, and Hobart Community Hub and Strathglen have partnered to host alternate sessions.

The topics covered are:

• April: Understanding Dementia
• May: The Journey into Aged Care
• June: Funerals
• July: Powers of Attorney and Wills
• August: Advance Care Planning and Palliative Care
• September: Grief and Loss
• October: Your Wellbeing, Your Plan

For information about the Planning Ahead Information Sessions, visit unitingagewell.org/planning or call 1300 783 435.