Older Victorians and their families will have the opportunity to find out more about the state's rapidly evolving aged care industry at Melbourne's first Care & Ageing Well Expo.
Plenty of new technology to try our at the Care & Ageing Well Expo
The weekend event on February 11 and 12 at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre will host more than 80 exhibitors across a range of industries impacting on older Australians such as residential care, home care, retirement living, equipment, service providers, health care, legal and financial, medical, consultants, technology, and support groups.
More than a dozen expert speakers will tackle issues that impact older people and will take to two stages across the weekend to talk about everything from dealing with scams, healthy diets for the aged, advice for carers and how to continue playing a role in the community.
Speakers will take to two stages to address issues important to older Australians
The expo, which has been delayed for the past two years because of Covid will be held under the auspices of the newly formed Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA).
CEO Tom Symondson says the new organisation, replacing both Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA), is advocating on key issues affecting older Australians.
Mr Symondson says the Expo would inform and enable older Australians and their families to explore how to age well with confidence.
Every aspect of healthy ageing will be covered
That will include how older Australians are cared for, the new technology and new equipment that's available and the different options for in-home and aged care facilities.
The Expo's organiser Richard Campbell, Director of CMS Events says Australians are growing older, with more than 4.1 million Australians - almost 16 per cent of the population - aged over 65. By 2057, this will rise to 8.8 million - or 22 per cent of the population - and by 2097 it will reach 12.8 million people or one in four Australians.
This means it is crucial that Australians keep up to date with a rapidly changing world that offered a host of solutions to enable them to age well.
There will be plenty of space to sit and relax with a coffee
On the Saturday, MC David Mann from radio 3AW 693 and Magic 1278 will host the Lifestyle Stage with speakers including Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention, Gerard Mansour; Sue Poscic, a community engagement professional from ILA Live Up talking about the upside of ageing; Lead Learning Designer, Innovation for Dementia Australia, Kelly Burns; Anita Craike, Carer Engagement Coordinator and Georgia Gardner, Young Career Advisor, both from Carer Gateway, who will talk about the organisation which supports unpaid carers across Australia.
On the Sunday on the Lifestyle Stage speakers will include Alyce Woodrow, National Marketing Manager for the Arcadia Group; Holly Markwell, National Program Manager at Hammondcare talking about their staying-at-home program; Principal at Russell Kennedy Lawyers, Ilana Kacev, unravelling the world of wills and advance health directives; and Nurse Unit Manager at the Victorian Palliative Care Advice, Esther McMillan-Drendel, talking about palliative care.
Two stages will provide an opportunity to listen to experts on a wide range of subjects
The Uniting AgeWell Chat Lounge Stage, hosted by ACCPA Victoria State Manager, Danni Campbell-Manley on both days, on the Saturday will feature Senior Dietician from Lite n'Easy, Ashleigh Jones talking about food quality and nutrition for older Australians; General Manager Marketing and Communications at Uniting AgeWell, Rebecca Ryan; Carer and Community Educator for Carers Australia, Helen Carr exploring common challenges faced by carers; Health Communications Advisor for Dairy Australia, Madeleine Borg discussing the importance of dairy for older adults to tackle malnutrition and bone health.
On the Sunday the Uniting AgeWell Chat Lounge Stage will feature the Head of Cybercrime Unit Victorian Police, Mary Welsh, discussing the scams older Australians should watch out for; the Country Fire Authority's Angela Cook talking about measures older Australians should take to keep themselves safe from bushfires and house fires; and Darren Scicluna the Regional Coordinator of Victorian Men's Shed Association, talking about the importance of community.
An opportunity to compare products and services
A help and information desk manned by ACCPA will be operating each day from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
For visitors looking to relax between sessions, the Retreat lounge area will provide a space to regroup over a coffee or a bite to eat from the pop-up café.
The Melbourne Expo will be open from 9.30am to 4pm on February 11 and 12. Entry is free but pre-registration is encouraged to assist with crowd flow.
More information is available at
www.careandageingexpo.com.au
