IFA2016 Report

13th Global Conference International
Federation on Ageing
Conference Report
Brisbane, Australia 2016

Introduction
Between Tuesday 21 – Thursday 23 June 2016 683 delegates from over 36 countries met in Brisbane
for the 13th Global Conference International Federation on Ageing, hosted by the Council on Ageing
(COTA) Queensland and the International Federation on Ageing: Disasters in an Ageing World. This
was the first time the conference had been in held Australia. The program continued to advance
IFA’s agendas in Age-friendly Cities and Communities, Aged Care, Elder Abuse and Income Protection
as well as focusing on Disasters in an Ageing World. This document provides a snapshot of
conference highlights and links to media coverage from the event.
IN THE NEWS
Healthy Ageing on the Agenda
By Gail Forrer, Seniors News
Yesterday I listened and interviewed three experts
in the field in of ageing. Their new knowledge,
community and government engagement
convinces me that we have the equipment to
respond to the changing age demographic of the
contemporary world. From these voices, I head a
new narrative expounded on healthy ageing. Read
more.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
Mark Tucker-Evans, CEO COTA QLD
Brisbane Hosts 13th Global Conference on
Ageing
Chief Executive Officer of COTA QLD Mark
Tucker-Evans welcomes delegates and provides
an overview of the conference. COTA QLD cohosted
the conference with the International
Federation on Ageing. Watch now on Seniors
News.

Keynote Address
Professor Raina McIntyre, Head of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the
University of New South Wales and Professor of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology provided the
keynote address.
In her presentation - based on her paper 'Elderly vaccination—The glass is half full', (MacIntyre CR,
2013,Health, vol. 05, no. 12, pp. 80 - 85,http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/health.2013.512A011 - Professor
MacIntyre made the case for vaccination in older adults.
Key Points:
Older age of retirement and greater reliance on older adults for economic sustainability will
drive incentives for healthy ageing.
Vaccines are low hanging fruit for healthy ageing, yet under-utilized.
Whilst the number of available vaccines for the elderly and the need for these vaccines has
increased, health provider attitudes to elderly vaccination remain negative.
A new approach to elderly vaccination is required.
NEWS ITEM
MJA Insight (Medical Journal of Australia)
Read the Opinion Piece written by IFA President Jane
Barratt and Professor MacIntyre, Published in MJA
Insight (Medical Journal of Australia)
IN the current climate of heated debate around
childhood vaccination and “no jab no play” laws, it is
easy to lose sight of society’s other disease-vulnerable
group: the elderly.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
Professor Raina MacIntyre interviewed by Seniors
News
Watch the video interview and read the article with
Professor MacIntyre in Seniors News.

NEWS ITEM
Aged Care Insight
Vaccination rates for over 65s too low
Older Australians aren’t getting vaccinated enough and
it’s putting them at undue risk. This is the call from the
International Federation on Ageing (IFA), made during
the 13th Global Conference on ageing in Brisbane this
week. The group said a new approach to adult
vaccination in Australia is required.
Read the article and listen to the audio interview with
IFA Secretary General Jane Barratt.
NEWS ITEM
Medical Republic
Low Elderly Vax Rates Create Needless Risk
The uptake of vaccinations by older Australians
remains too low, creating an undue health risk and
detracting from the quality of life of the elderly, ageing
experts have warned.
Immunisation was “the low hanging fruit” in primary
prevention and healthy ageing, Professor Raina
MacIntyre, head of the School of Public Health and
Community Medicine at UNSW, told the IFA
conference in Brisbane last week. Read more.
SENIORS NEWS INTERVIEWS PLENARY + KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Professor Sarah Harper, Professor
of Gerontology
Sarah serves on the Prime Minister’s
Council for Science and Technology,
which advises the Prime Minister on
the scientific evidence for strategic
policies. She speaks with Seniors
News about planning for age shift
Professor Bradley J. Willcox
Department of Geriatric
Medicine
Bradley J. Willcox MD, MSc is
Director of Research, Department
of Geriatric Medicine, Burns
School of Medicine, University of
Hawaii. Read about his work.
Ms Lynda O'Grady,
Chairman of Aged Care
Financing
Ms Lynda O’Grady is the
Chairman of the Aged
Care Financing Authority.
View her profile.

Age-Friendly Cities
An international network of cities and communities are transforming both urban and rural centres
around the world.
The Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, established by the World Health
Organization, has 300 member cities in 35 countries.
The initial interest and support in this initiative has generated vibrant networks of cities and
communities, useful models of action, and a wide range of resources to advance regional and local
age-friendly initiatives. Creating truly great places to grow up and grow old, however, requires a
sustained investment in infrastructure, programs, and services - well beyond traditional
philanthropic support, one-off government funding, and modest volunteer contributions.
In addition to sharing experiences from communities around the world, IFA 2016 posed the
questions: How then do we build on the movement's successes to date and accelerate sustainable
progress at a local, state, national, and international level? And how can the age-friendly work be
made sustainable?
“Age-friendly environments hold the
key to enabling older people to do
what they value. Our global
conference is an important platform
to learn and exchange good
practices that build on the voices of
older people.”
Secretary General International
Federation on Ageing, Dr Jane
Barratt.
View Jane Barratt’s profile
"The Network connects cities from
around the world that are committed to
becoming better places in which to
grow older. This requires environments
that both help people retain their
physical and mental health and enable
people who have experienced losses of
capacity to adapt to and compensate
for these.”
Dr John Beard, Director of the WHO
Department of Ageing and Life Course
Read a profile piece on John Beard in
the Medical Journal of Australia

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: What does actually mean to be age-friendly?
Guest speaker Dr Debra Whitman explains in an interview with Senior News.
Dr Debra Whitman
Debra Whitman is AARP's Chief Public
Policy Officer, leading policy development,
analysis and research, as well as global
thought leadership supporting and
advancing the interests of individuals 50+
and their families.
PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
CREATING A FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINING AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
John Feather, Jennifer CAMPBELL, Greg SHAW, John Beard
Age-friendly sustainability extends beyond funding to encompass establishing an
infrastructure of partnerships, evaluating results, and securing resources to keep the work
moving forward.
It also includes creating an infrastructure where principles are embedded across multi-sector
partnerships of organizations and communities.
Age-friendly work thrives when this is done across multiple organizations and their missions
and changes occur in internal or external political leadership.
A POLICY DIALOGUE ON AGEING POPULATION BASED ON THE WHO REPORT ON AGEING AND
HEALTH Alana OFFICER, Jane BARRATT. View the presentation.
Alana Officer, Senior Health Adviser for WHO and an editor and author of the World Report,
facilitated a workshop aimed at a broad range of stakeholders, including governmental
officers and policy makers, NGOs and academia.
Purpose was to facilitate an understanding of the World Report on Ageing and Health and
the related WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health and discuss how the
Report and the Action Plan can be used to influence governmental policy, research,
education and so on was discussed.
GROWING OLDER IN RURAL COMMUNITIES Jeni WARBURTON, Rachel WINTERTON, Suzanne
HODGKIN, Maree PETERSEN, Suzanne GARON
Symposium to explore which systems and supports enable older people to age well in rural
communities, and how rurality impacts on age-friendliness within these settings.
Research demonstrated the complexity and diversity of ageing in rural communities.
Nevertheless, outcomes provide important lessons for how rural communities can best
support older people as they age.
THE AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE OF AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES Christine YOUNG, Jan BRUCE,
Janey DOLAN, Dee Dee SAN JOSE, Sue LEITCH, Scott HOLLINGWORTH, Mark TUCKER-EVANS, Jane
THOMSON. View Christine Young’s presentation.
Many champions of the age friendly approach are hampered by lack of commitment from
their organisation resulting in problems such as stalled activity and a stop-start approach.

These presentations provided practical ideas, examples and methods to making it work in
your municipality or organisation.
MEASURING AFCC: WHY? HOW? AND WHAT MATTERS? Kathleen BRASHER, Melanie DAVERN
Workshop aimed at those seeking to understand the role of community indicators for evidencebased
policy development, planning and monitoring of age-friendly cities and communities.
WHY MEASURE? POLICYMAKERS' PERSPECTIVE ON METRICS AND ASSESSMENT FOR AGE-
FRIENDLY CITIES Paul ROSENBERG, Brenda DONALD, Furio HONSELL, Lisa RAYWOOD, Angelique
PHILIPONA
4 mayors of Age-friendly cities in Australia, the USA and Europe discussed the challenges and the
benefits of using metrics to promote age-friendliness.
REDEFINING AGE FRIENDLY Julie ANDERSSON, Joan CARR, Margaret BIRD
One council's experience of redefining age-friendly to encompass a life perspective i.e. children,
youth, older people, aged care, all ages, all abilities, all backgrounds.
BECOMING AN AGE FRIENDLY EMPLOYER OF CHOICE Geoff PEARMAN, Greg BURNS
View the presentation.
The next frontier for employers aspiring to be an employer of choice will be to become an
age friendly employer of choice.
This workshop provided practical frameworks and tools for those leading organisations
through this change.
Participants discussed the challenges and risks faced by employers from the ageing of their
workforce; were introduced to a process for building a mature aged workforce strategy and
identified 6 fields of better practice.
ADVISORY TASKFORCE ON RESIDENTIAL TRANSITION FOR AGEING QUEENSLANDERS WORKSHOP
John STALKER, Valmae ROSE
Focus on Queensland, where the ageing population will provide enormous challenges and
opportunities over the coming decades, particularly in the area of housing.
In this workshop, the QLD government's 'Advisory Taskforce on Residential Transition for
Ageing Queenslanders' outlined the housing circumstances of older Queenslanders and the
impediments or issues that prevent older Queenslanders from adapting and transitioning to
appropriate and suitable housing.

AGE-FRIENDLY IN THE MEDIA
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
Suzanne Garon is a sociologist and a full professor at the
School of Social Work at the Faculty of Literature and Human
Sciences of the University of Sherbrooke (Canada). Watch this
video interview with Seniors News.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
IFA Japan Director Ayuk Eyong Christian spoke with Seniors
News today at the IFA 13th Global Conference in Brisbane on
his interest in the age-friendly cities and communities
initiative. Watch the video interview with Seniors News.
NEWS ITEMS
The Senior
Which Australian state leads the age-friendly stakes?
Thursday, 23rd June, 2016
The Queensland government has used the gathering of the
International Federation of Ageing in Brisbane this week to
announce its first steps to build more age-friendly
communities
NEWS ITEMS
The Medical Journal of Australia; ABC News 24
Dr John Beard, Director of the Department of Ageing and Life
Course at WHO did interviews with ABC TV and radio,
broadcast across Australia, and was profiled in the Medical
Journal of Australia. Read the profile piece on Dr Beard in MJA
Insight here.
NEWS ITEM
State Government’s new plan to support Queensland seniors
Queensland is set to become a more inclusive state, with the
Palaszczuk Government launching a new action plan to build
more age-friendly communities.
Seniors Minister Coralee O’Rourke today launched the new
Queensland: an age friendly community action plan at the
International Federation on Ageing (IFA) Global Conference in
Brisbane.

Disasters
Historically, a disproportionate number of older adults die during disasters. This international trend
is unlikely to change without the introduction of novel approaches with demonstrated effectiveness.
Disaster risk management, policy and practice must protect older people in crisis.
In addition to bringing together international research on this issue, IFA 2016 also looked at how the
skills, knowledge and wisdom of older adults can be harnessed to reduce disaster risk.
PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
OLDER ADULTS AND DISASTERS: COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, PHILANTHROPY AND CREATING AGE-
FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES Jennifer CAMPBELL, Lindsay GOLDMAN, Gail KOHN, Jeffrey STIEFE
Presentation 1: Analysis of response to Hurricane Sandy
A neighborhood's response to, and recovery from, a disaster is largely determined by how
that neighborhood functioned prior to the disaster.
Older people can be recognised as change agents whose social and intellectual capital can
be mobilised to meet community needs.
A Community Resilience Framework as an alternative to an individual preparedness
approach is key.
Recommendations: Resources should go toward enhancing communities' social networks,
connectedness, and integration of assets long before disaster strikes.
Presentation 2: Role of philanthropy to help older people after Hurricane Katrina
Philanthropy has a key role to play in helping older adults recover however it requires
targeted and context-specific fundraising
Older adults need advocates.
Vetting projects and local capacity to use funds effectively needs to happen quickly.
Presentation 3: How emergency preparedness and resilience can be embedded in and age-friendly
city strategy: Case study of Washington DC.
Goals include being able to identify, locate and reach special, vulnerable and at-risk older
resident populations in an emergency and to build individual and community resiliency.
The City Resilience Framework (CRF) provides a lens to understand the complexity of cities
and the drivers that contribute to their resilience.
Emphasis was placed on local connectedness through villages.
DETAILED EVACUATION, TRACKING AND REBUILDING PLANS IN A CRISIS Robin KELLER, Alexandra
MARSH, Phil NICKERSON, Mal CHURCHILL, Matthew DYER, Grant MARCUS
Case study showing how facilities and services can prepare for disasters. Information and resources
shared relating to:
Client tracking system
Crisis and evacuation manuals
Rebuilding housing
Disaster preparedness surveys for residents
Annual staff site training
Annual resident training

READY OR NOT: LESSONS LEARNED FROM OLDER PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES OF DISASTERS TO GUIDE
THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW APPROACHES TO PREPAREDNESS. Lisa BROWN, Sally KEELING,
Christine STEPHENS, Brendan STEVENSON
Results of studies from New Zealand and the United States looking at older people's experiences of
disasters and ways to increase disaster preparedness and speed recovery.
Presentation 1: Older people in a national sample surveyed three years after Canterbury
earthquakes in NZ
Older adults were aware of public messages re preparedness.
Older people keen to take appropriate steps although the messages were not always age or
mobility status appropriate.
Presentation 2: On older adult hurricane survivors in the US
There was a mismatch between literacy skills and readability levels of existing materials,
challenges in understanding content, acceptability of format, and ability of the intended
audience to act on presented information.
Study revealed the importance of tailored approaches to preparedness materials and
education.
Recommendations
To keep disadvantaged groups safe during disasters, disaster literacy should become a public
health priority and social marketing campaigns developed for specific target audiences.
Preparedness and planning for later life (i.e., housing, economic security and health
maintenance) may also need to be broadened to include disaster preparedness.
Cross-national research and dialogue that results in the development, implementation, and
evaluation of targeted strategies and programs for older adults needs to occur.
SOCIAL ISOLATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS FOLLOWING NATURAL DISASTERS: COMPARATIVE
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES Junko OTANI, Michael ANNEAR, Yonghan YOU, Kate BOOTH
NZ
Older adults have indicated specific needs for social recovery related to amelioration of
transport networks, restoration of community and religious venues, the return of outreach
services, feelings of safety and security, and the provision of information to facilitate reengagement.
AUSTRALIA
In Australia, housing is increasingly relied upon for material security, and householders are
dependent on private insurance to protect their asset.
These trends coincide with rising populations and increased demand for housing in areas at
risk of natural disasters.
Findings: Insurance is not necessarily as reliable as it seems: Insurance may re-build a house,
but not lives and not communities
CHINA
Research explored levels of depression, life satisfaction, and related factors.
JAPAN
Sudden living environment change triggers dementia in the elderly.
Don’t leave the elderly in isolation and housed separately from family: Less depression when
with social support from the extended family and neighbours, and social participation.
Keep in mind need for barrier-free construction for the elderly and the disabled.

Importance of activity and diet.
A GUIDE TO PLANNING POLICY AND PRACTICE Peter ORPIN, Kim BOYER, Brendon DAVIDSON
Research advocating for the introduction of two additional modelling techniques to move broad
policy aspirations to concrete, evidence-informed policy and programmatic interventions.
Videos, guide and templates available, including for rural areas.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN AN AGEING POPULATION Victoria CORNELL, Lisa BROWN, Sandra
GLAISTER, Iain MACKENZIE, Paul GARDINER
Bringing together Queensland and international thought leaders in a panel format, this symposium
investigated how best to tailor disaster preparedness for an aging population.
Findings: By understanding what influences older people living in each community to prepare for
emergency events, the sector can establish how best to assist them in their emergency
preparedness planning; rather than making assumptions about their wants or needs.
THE CENTRAL ROLE OF OLDER PEOPLE IN BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES: SHARING SKILLS
AND PERSPECTIVES FROM OLDER PEOPLE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PRACTITIONERS IN SOUTH
EAST ASIA Godfred PAUL, Emily BERIDICO
As well as contributing knowledge and experience, older people have been leading efforts to assess
disaster risks within their community and to develop innovative solutions to build the resilience of
their communities and environments across South East Asia. This workshop brought together older
people disaster risk reduction (DRR) practitioners from across this region to highlight the innovative
strategies.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
HelpAge International Seniors Regional
Programme Manager Godfred Paul spoke with
Seniors News about the importance of including
older people in disaster preparedness and
harnessing their skills and experience. Watch the
video.

Elder Abuse
The issue of elder abuse has gained recent importance at international and EU levels. The World
Health Organization (WHO) and International Network of the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)
have recognised the abuse of older people as a significant global problem.
Key questions:
Is legislation the panacea against elder abuse?
What are the most effective evidence based elder abuse programs?
Are legislative and administrative frameworks adequate?
Can a rights based approach make a difference?
Should legal safeguards be mandated?
What is the function of the UN Open-ended Group in Ageing?
Is there an opportunity for the WHO Strategy to put elder abuse on the global agenda?
What strategies are effective for those older persons most at risk?
How can stronger legal rights be established?
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
Seniors Rights Victoria manager Jenny Blakey spoke to
Seniors News at the IFA 13th Global Conference in Brisbane
about her interest in to elder abuse research and the
similarities and differences of elder abuse in America verses
Australia. Watch the video.
PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
ELDER ABUSE: TRAINING AND AWARENESS RAISING MATERIALS DEVELOPED IN EUROPE Bridget
PENHALE, Liesbeth DE DONDER, An-Sofie SMETCORE and DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF ELDER
ABUSE IN THE COMMUNITY: WHY? HOW? WHO?
Professor Liesbeth De Donder (Belgium) - who trains professionals to prevent and assess elder
abuse using the Elder Abuse Risk Assessment Instrument – ran a training session for delegates that
included case studies from the instrument’s use in 4 European projects.
OLDER LGBTI PEOPLE'S RIGHTS - THEN AND NOW Catherine BARRETT, Pauline CRAMERI, Jill
BOLEN, Brian DA
Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Australians have been relatively
invisible until recently.
Their needs have not been well understood, nor addressed in policy, legislation or service provision
until recently. This symposium:
Outlined recent legislative and policy reforms
Provided an overview of the evidence relating to older LGBTI people's health and wellbeing.
Shared individual stories
Provided a framework for the development of LGBTI age friendly cities

AN INTERCONTINENTAL COMPARISON OF ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION MODELS Kim BOETTCHER,
Susan SOMERS, Marie BEAULIEU, Elsie YAN, Tova BANDWINTERSTEIN
Hong Kong, Israel, Australia and Quèbec presented existing elder abuse prevention models.
Special attention given to interagency approaches in the community: attorneys, police,
housing providers, community workers and welfare services.
EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY FOR OLDER PERSONS - LESSONS FROM THE ROAD Bill MITCHELL
A human rights approach to advocacy recommended.
The Convention on the Rights of Older Persons (CROP) campaign used as a case study to
illustrate how to engage with domestic and international human rights processes.
TAKING ACTION TOWARDS A CONVENTION TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS OF OLDER
PERSONS Susan SOMERS, Frances ZAINOEDDIN, Greg MAHNEY, Bill MITCHELL
It is crucial that older persons get a convention to protect and promote their rights. The goal for
2016 is to increase the number of countries, as well as civil society organizations, supporting the
establishment of a convention.
This interactive workshop looked at the efforts being made at the United Nations to draft a
multilateral instrument (a convention) to protect and promote the rights of older persons.
Participants were briefed on the work of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG); the
work of the United Nations Independent Expert to review the rights of older persons; the United
Nations Group of Friends, comprising 21 Member States, whose primary goal is to ensure the
establishment of a convention; efforts of National Institutes of Human Rights, and the work of the
Global Alliance for the Rights of Older Persons (GAROP).
Discussions also addressed concrete ways to disseminate information, increase awareness, lobby
governments, advocate for the rights of older persons.

Care and Support
“Regardless of their age or level of intrinsic capacity, older people have a right to a dignified and
meaningful life. For people with significant losses of intrinsic capacity, this is often possible only
with the care, support and assistance of others.”
World Health Organization (WHO) Report on Ageing and Health, 2015
A radical shift in thought, innovation, and action is required in the development of models and
modes of care to meet the expectations and needs of future generations of older people.
Healthy ageing is more than just the absence of disease, but the maintenance of functional ability
Gathering further evidence and innovations in care is not just an option, but a responsibility for
practitioners and researchers.
KEY ISSUES
New ways of thinking about long-term care is required to shift to the focus to optimising
functional ability.
Older people and their families want greater choice in care options at the same time that
governments worldwide are seeking to reduce spending.
The demand for intensive rehabilitation and therapy based services to improve functioning
of older people, rather than just maintaining the status quo means increased costs.
With high rates of immigration and internal migration to urban areas many countries are
now experiencing rapidly ageing ethno-cultural populations.
Creating and sustaining a workforce prepared to provide long-term care.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
Gertjan Baars is an information management and
technology expert and Senior Director within the
PwC Netherlands' Regional Government group.
Through his work and research into the ageing
population, he strongly believes in the benefits of
robotics in aged care facilities, nursing homes and
even in the aid of every day chores for the older
person still living independently.
Watch his interview in Seniors News about robotics
in aged care.

PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
THE POWER OF THE CONSUMER VOICE IN AGED CARE REFORM IN AUSTRALIA
Ian YATES, Ronda HELD, Judy GREGURKE, Hal KENDIG
Presentation mapping the journey to increase the level of consumer direction and choice in home
care services in Australia, and the role that consumers through COTA Australia and the consumer
movement have played in helping to bring this about. View the presentation.
COLLABORATION IN COMMUNITY AGED CARE: A CONSORTIUM APPROACH
Michele SMITH, Paul JOHNSON
Brisbane North PHN is the lead agency for a Consortium of thirteen community care providers
delivering government-funded, entry level, in-home support services for older people through the
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). The workshop:
Shared learnings of this innovative consortium model
Explored tensions between collaboration, competition and control
Examined the key skills and attitudes needed in order to work collaboratively
Read about it on the AHHA website.
INSIGHTS, PREDICTIONS, HOPES - THE FUTURE OF CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Marcus RILEY, Desley VINE, Tracey MACKIE, Paul JOHNSON, Barry EAME
This examined the impact of recent reforms to the Australian Aged Care system, including:
Future challenges and opportunities
Key issues for consumers
Possibilities in new service delivery models
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
Japan’s Robotic Baby Seal
By Gail Forrer & Taya Sweeney
Seniors News
THERE were many things I expected to learn and
experience at The International Federation of
Ageing 13th annual global conference in Brisbane,
but falling in love with a fluffy, white, baby toy seal
lying cutely and sedately on a stallholders desk was
not top of the list. Read the article and watch the
video.

OTHER CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
On Changing Demographics
IFA 2016 speaker Professor Sarah Harper of Oxford
University has recently finished a two-year study and reform
into population ageing in the United Kingdom and said that
the rapid ageing population of the world’s population
should be seen as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
Watch her interview with Seniors News
From the IFA 2016 Exhibition Space: Circus
Play for Seniors
WHEN Kate Riegle Van West joined the circus 10 years ago
and first picked up a Poi she didn't realise this bizarre form
of 'object manipulation play' would consume her life for the
next decade.
Watch her in action and read the article in Seniors News.
Healthy Ageing on the Agenda
By Gail Forrer, Seniors News
Yesterday I listened and interviewed three experts in the
field in of ageing. Their new knowledge, community and
government engagement convinces me that we have the
equipment to respond to the changing age demographic of
the contemporary world. From these voices, I head a new
narrative expounded on healthy ageing. Read more.
Conference in Focus: Day 2
By Taya Sweeney, Seniors News
DAY TWO of the IFA 13th Global Conference in Brisbane has
begun with a keynote address from Dr Bradley Willcox and a
presentation from the Queensland Minister for Seniors
Coralee O'Rourke. Read more.

With special thanks to Seniors News and journalists Gail Forrer and
Taya Sweeney for their extensive coverage.