Older People

Australia's aged care sector is entering a stage of "critical" reform. So what do you do when a loved one is hesitant to accept requisite care later in life?

Len Spence is still serving it up to the youngsters in their 80s.

As wildlife handlers set up in the common room of a South Australian aged care home, eyes trace the crates and cages with intrigue — and a little apprehension.

Catherina van der Linden died on Australia Day at Southern Cross Care's West Beach Residential Care home surrounded by her family. Her body will be donated to the University of Adelaide's Body Donation Program.

He's lived through two world wars, the Great Depression and at least two global pandemics but Perth retiree Gordon Ewers says he's nothing but grateful for his life. 

At least 20 people presented to hospital emergency departments with heat-related issues during this week's blackouts across outback WA. A researcher says it's time to rethink cooling strategies.

Keen Queensland beachgoer Brian Devitt was unable to swim due to his age, but his children and a group of lifesavers have helped him relive his youth.

Despite working since her 16th birthday, Elaine retired with just $45,000 in superannuation. Research shows superannuation is the biggest driver of wealth inequality in Australia – and women have much less of it than men.

Miniature donkeys Pedro and Diego are the two latest additions to Jean Arnold's home in Cobram, Victoria. With the support of a few dedicated volunteers, Ms Arnold is training her four-legged amigos to be therapy animals in local aged care homes.

Meet Pedro and Diego, the miniature donkeys helping regional aged care residents overcome isolation and loneliness.

The volunteers from the Woodturners Society of Queensland work all year to handcraft wooden toys to give to children in need during the festive season.

Maureen Mayall's creations are proving the twilight years are much more colourful than people might think, and the 92-year-old has no plans to slow down.

It seemed like a David versus Goliath battle, but eight elderly residents who refused to leave a Feros Care aged care village when it announced it selling up are now claiming victory.

Jenny Nieuwenhuis' birthday wish in her 95th year came true yesterday, after her family arranged for her to go on a motorcycle ride.

The Riverland woman says the experience, which ended with lunch at the local pub, was "better than getting married".

Retirement can bring unexpected challenges from a lack of sense of purpose and missing social network. But these experts say it's a phase of life that has much to offer — if you're prepared.

Julie Harrison worked in a number of roles at Oakden's Older Persons Mental Health facility, which shut in 2017 following a report by the state's chief psychiatrist that uncovered abuse and neglect dating back 10 years.

Following an era of pandemic restrictions and back-to-back natural disasters, many residents in and around Myrtleford were feeling isolated, but a weekly all-ages get-together is changing that.

Friendships across generations are being formed on the New South Wales Mid North Coast through a memoirs project and the idea is proving beneficial to young and old.

Gangsta Granny now has more than 1.7 million followers on TikTok, making her one of Australia's "mega influencers".

The former champion diver recently picked up four gold medals at the Australian Masters Games, only months after having a pacemaker fitted.

With four recent gold medals for swimming at the Australian Masters Games, and an ambition to go hang-gliding, nonagenarian Noeline Dahlen-Maclean says "yes" to life.

Baby boomers have been copping criticism from the day they were born, from being too left-wing and delinquent, to being too conservative and greedy, but researchers suggest much of the criticism doesn't stack up.

Like many aged care providers, Broken Hill's Southern Cross Care relies on agency nurses to plug crucial workforce gaps. It's an expensive process but the organisation hopes "crucial" government funds will help it take care of as many residents as possible.

At 76, rookie glider Godfrey Lowe concedes he's got a lot to learn, but says his new hobby is "absolutely magical" and has given him a new perspective on life.