culture_society

Arts & Culture Caitlin Lynch Caitlin Lynch cl790@uow.edu.au Caitlin Lynch The University of Wollongong 05/28/2009 AU_12 Wollongong Feature usa nortam euro

Community group helps retirees combat recession With the old age pension his only source of income, Ray Clarke

With the old age pension his only source of income, Ray Clarke, 76, of Mt Ousley can barely make ends meet. As he received his daily two-dollar lunch at the local leagues club, he said he was fearful of the future. Meanwhile, Mangerton resident Russell Burkett, 68, lost a huge chunk of his retirement funds when the stock market plummeted late last year. Burkett, a former BHP mining technician says he doesn’t think he should have retired. As the recession lingers, social service workers say that more of the region’s senior citizens are seeking help to access cheap services for food, socializing and staying active. Spokesperson for Illawarra Mental Health Services, Amelia Dellit says that if there is no outlet for the elderly to access such services it could lead to widespread isolation and illness. “A lot of senior citizens could ultimately end up in hospital or institutionalized care,” she admits. Luckily for our local seniors, there are a number of clubs, groups and community organizations dedicated to providing quality meals and social, mental and physical activities too keep spirits high in this time of crisis. For Mr Clarke and Mr Burkett, the University of the Third Age in Wollongong has provided them with the perfect place to fulfill these needs. The University (or U3A as it is dubbed) is a self-help organisation for people who are no longer in full time employment and provides its members with “educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment.” There are a number of U3A locations throughout the region, and all across Australia. Whilst the Wollongong club is the largest in the area, they also operate in places such as Batemans Bay, Milton-Ulladulla, Shellharbour, Kiama, Thirroul and the Southern Highlands. U3A’s programs vary depending on location. For Wollongong retirees they have access to a lunch club, book club, computer courses, photography/camera group, tai chi, card and game playing and theatre parties. “It astounded me that there was so much to do there,” says Mr Burkett. “I was pretty sceptical at first ‘cos I thought it was just for fuddy-duddies… [but] it’s a really rewarding place. They’re doing a really good job there.” “I get a good meal once a week and a nice chin wag too,” chuckles Mr Clarke. “It’s lovely to catch up with everyone there… as long as I don’t miss the bus.” The 400 odd members of Wollongong’s U3A are also treated to lectures twice a week from some of the region’s most knowledgeable people on a range of topics. Sitting in last week on a talk from the University of Wollongong’s Dr Anthony Ashbolt, the gathering of seniors and myself were enlightened as to the direction of the current Obama administration in a lecture entitled; ‘President Obama – A New Deal?’ followed by a talk from local exercise psychologists; ‘Improvements for a Healthy Lifestyle.’ “The talks are great,” says Burkett. “There’s a real variety… I can now tell you all about the history of Chinese inventions [or] the natural wonders of the USA,” he laughs. Indeed, the U3A program offers much more than your average Rotary morning tea. However, it is the variety that doctors say is the most important part of the organization, and the key to its success. As University of Wollongong medical graduate, Jane Findlay reveals, "Seniors need to keep their brain active to stop any deterioration that results from aging.” Scientists have conducted a number of tests that prove that certain activities keep the brain from aging fast, and may even stave off the onset of mentally degenerative diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s. They list activities such as playing mind games, getting physical exercise, entertainment, doing something new and regular social interactions as vital to maintaining good mental health in old age. “I think it’s very important to keep the brain active now that I’m not working anymore,” says Mr Burkett. “And it’s not like I can afford overseas holidays to learn another language or expensive gym memberships to keep in shape… U3A is really my answer to all that.” “I still do the crossword everyday,” says Mr Clarke, “but I’ve noticed the noggin isn’t working as good as it used to.” Findlay says that for most senior citizens simple puzzles or quick outings are not enough to stop degeneration. “The elderly need to know that they must move beyond the norm” she says. “It’s not enough to do a crossword puzzle every night, or to walk around the same block time after time.” “What they really need is a low cost, easily accessible place to exercise their mind and body at least once a week,” says Dellit. “That’s the most important thing in uncertain times like this.” When asked if they U3A was an effective response to this crisis, she is quick to reply. “Of course. The Illawarra is very lucky to have a place like this.” Beth Potter bpotter@upi.com Caitlin Lynch The University of Wollongong 05/28/2009 AU_12 Wollongong Feature usa nortam euro

As the global recession lingers in Australia, social service workers say that more of the region’s senior citizens are seeking help to stay active.

With an old-age pension as his only source of income, Ray Clarke, 76, of Mt. Ousley, Australia, can barely make ends meet. As Clarke received his daily $2 lunch at a community lunch club, recently, he said he was fearful of the future. Meanwhile, Mangerton, Australia, resident Russell Burkett, 68, lost a huge chunk of his retirement funds when the stock market plummeted late last year. Burkett, a former mining technician, says he doesn’t think he should have retired. As the global recession lingers in Australia, social service workers say that more of the region’s senior citizens are seeking help with food, socializing and staying active. If there is no way for elderly people to access such services it could lead to widespread isolation and illness, says Amelia Dellit, a spokeswoman for Illawarra Mental Health Services in Sydney. “A lot of senior citizens could ultimately end up in hospital or institutionalized care,” Dellit says. A number of clubs and community groups provide meals and social, mental and physical activities to keep seniors' spirits high. For Clarke and Burkett, the University of the Third Age in Wollongong, Australia, has provided a place to fulfill these needs. The "university," or U3A, as it is often called, is a self-help group for people who no longer work full-time. It offers its members with “educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment.” There are a number of U3A locations throughout the region and across the country. While the Wollongong club is the largest in the area, others are in Batemans Bay, Milton-Ulladulla, Shellharbour, Kiama, Thirroul and the Southern Highlands. U3A’s programs vary depending on location. Wollongong retirees have a lunch club, a book club, computer courses, a photography/camera group, tai chi classes, cards and game-playing, and theater parties. “It astounded me that there was so much to do there,” says Burkett. “I was pretty skeptical at first because I thought it was just for fuddy-duddies… [but] it’s a really rewarding place. They’re doing a really good job there.” “I get a good meal once a week and a nice chin wag, too,” Clarke says. “It’s lovely to catch up with everyone there… as long as I don’t miss the bus.” The 400-odd members of Wollongong’s U3A also are treated to lectures twice a week from some of the region’s most knowledgeable people. Sitting in last week on a talk from the University of Wollongong’s Dr Anthony Ashbolt, the gathering of seniors and myself were enlightened as to the direction of the current Obama administration in the lecture, ‘President Obama – A New Deal?’ followed by a talk from local exercise psychologists; ‘Improvements for a Healthy Lifestyle.’ “The talks are great,” says Burkett. “There’s a real variety… I can now tell you all about the history of Chinese inventions [or] the natural wonders of the USA,” he says. Indeed, the U3A program offers much more than your average Rotary Club morning tea. However, it is the variety that doctors say is the most important part of the organization, and the key to its success. As University of Wollongong medical graduate, Jane Findlay says, "Seniors need to keep their brain active to stop any deterioration that results from aging.” Scientists have conducted a number of tests that prove that certain activities keep the brain from aging quickly, and may even stave off the onset of mentally degenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. They list activities such as playing mind games, getting physical exercise, entertainment, doing something new and regular social interactions as vital to maintaining good mental health in old age. “I think it’s very important to keep the brain active now that I’m not working anymore,” says Burkett. “And it’s not like I can afford overseas holidays to learn another language or expensive gym memberships to keep in shape… U3A is really my answer to all that.” “I still do the crossword every day,” says Clarke, “but I’ve noticed the noggin isn’t working as good as it used to.” Findlay says that for most senior citizens, simple puzzles or quick outings are not enough to stop degeneration. “The elderly need to know that they must move beyond the norm,” she says. “It’s not enough to do a crossword puzzle every night, or to walk around the same block time after time.” “What they really need is a low cost, easily accessible place to exercise their mind and body at least once a week,” says Dellit. “That’s the most important thing in uncertain times like this.” When asked if the senior clubs were a good way for seniors to keep active, Dellit was quick to reply. “Of course. The Illawarra is very lucky to have a place like this.” UPI Editorial noreply@upiu.com Caitlin Lynch The University of Wollongong 05/28/2009 1 Wollongong Feature

As the global recession lingers in Australia, social service workers say that more of the region’s senior citizens are seeking help to stay active.

With an old-age pension as his only source of income, Ray Clarke, 76, of Mount Ousley, Australia, can barely make ends meet. As Clarke received his daily $2 lunch at a community lunch club, recently, he said he was fearful of the future. Meanwhile, Mangerton, Australia, resident Russell Burkett, 68, lost a huge chunk of his retirement funds when the stock market plummeted late last year. Burkett, a former mining technician, says he doesn’t think he should have retired. As the global recession lingers in Australia, social service workers say that more of the region’s senior citizens are seeking help with food, socializing and staying active. If there is no way for elderly people to access such services it could lead to widespread isolation and illness, says Amelia Dellit, a spokeswoman for Illawarra Mental Health Services in Sydney. “A lot of senior citizens could ultimately end up in hospital or institutionalized care,” Dellit says. A number of clubs and community groups provide meals and social, mental and physical activities to keep seniors' spirits high. For Clarke and Burkett, the University of the Third Age in Wollongong, Australia, has provided a place to fulfill these needs. The "university," or U3A, as it is often called, is a self-help group for people who no longer work full time. It offers its members with “educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment.” There are a number of U3A locations and across the country. While the Wollongong club is the largest in the area, others are in Batemans Bay, Milton-Ulladulla, Shellharbour, Kiama, Thirroul and the Southern Highlands. U3A’s programs vary by location. Wollongong retirees have a lunch club, a book club, computer courses, a photography/camera group, tai chi classes, cards and game-playing, and theater parties. “It astounded me that there was so much to do there,” says Burkett. “I was pretty skeptical at first because I thought it was just for fuddy-duddies… [but] it’s a really rewarding place. They’re doing a really good job there.” “I get a good meal once a week and a nice chin wag, too,” Clarke says. “It’s lovely to catch up with everyone there… as long as I don’t miss the bus.” The 400-odd members of Wollongong’s U3A also are treated to lectures twice a week from some of the region’s most knowledgeable people. Sitting in last week on a talk from the University of Wollongong’s Anthony Ashbolt, the gathering of seniors and myself were enlightened as to the direction of the Obama administration in the lecture followed by a talk from local exercise psychologists on "Improvements for a Healthy Lifestyle." “The talks are great,” says Burkett. “There’s a real variety … I can now tell you all about the history of Chinese inventions [or] the natural wonders of the USA,” he says. Indeed, the U3A program offers much more than your average Rotary Club morning tea. However, it is the variety that doctors say is the most important part of the organization, and the key to its success. As University of Wollongong medical graduate, Jane Findlay says, "Seniors need to keep their brain active to stop any deterioration that results from aging.” Scientists have conducted a number of tests that prove that certain activities keep the brain from aging quickly, and may even stave off the onset of mentally degenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. They list activities such as playing mind games, getting physical exercise, entertainment, doing something new and regular social interactions as vital to maintaining good mental health in old age. “I think it’s very important to keep the brain active now that I’m not working anymore,” says Burkett. “And it’s not like I can afford overseas holidays to learn another language or expensive gym memberships to keep in shape … U3A is really my answer to all that.” “I still do the crossword every day,” says Clarke, “but I’ve noticed the noggin isn’t working as good as it used to.” Findlay says that for most senior citizens, simple puzzles or quick outings are not enough to stop degeneration. “The elderly need to know that they must move beyond the norm,” she says. “It’s not enough to do a crossword puzzle every night, or to walk around the same block time after time.” “What they really need is a low-cost, easily accessible place to exercise their mind and body at least once a week,” says Dellit. “That’s the most important thing in uncertain times like this.” When asked if the senior clubs were a good way for seniors to keep active, Dellit was quick to reply. “Of course. The Illawarra is very lucky to have a place like this.” 2010-01-23 03:46:40 UTC 2010-03-12 01:44:17 UTC