Our CEO Pat has been reflecting on what a busy start to the year it has been for the team. Our Autumn 2024 Update has now been sent to all supporters. Join our community and sign up for our newsletter at buff.ly/3w8Cl9q or get a snapshot of news at buff.ly/49BhMks

This week is #AgeWithRights Global Rally Week - an initiative by Global Alliance. While not campaigning ourselves this year, we support GAROP’s call for Governments to support the drafting of the United Nations convention on the rights of older people. More at buff.ly/3voEZb1

Older Australians have already waited three long years since the Royal Commission's top recommendation for a new rights-based Act. We stand by our call to see the new Aged Care Act enacted this year. Media release - buff.ly/4cHudxq . #newagedcareaustralia #agedcareact

Our sincere congratulations to Robert Fitzgerald AM on his appointment as Age Discrimination Commissioner. It was great to catch up with Robert at the “Preparing for the New Aged Care Act' conference in Sydney last week. Looking forward to working with you! #agediscrimination

We are excited to share that a new COTA Australia website is coming! Featuring updated navigation and search tools, resources for businesses and individuals, video updates and a new media hub – we can’t wait to share our new online home with you as soon as it’s ready.

To everyone who celebrates, we wish you a wonderful Easter filled with laughter, peace and joy.

Did you know that 73% of Australians support the introduction of a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme and 4 in 5 people believe dental care should be covered by Medicare? The Federal Government should introduce a publicly funded Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme- buff.ly/43njeoD

Recent polling by Essential Research and ourselves has highlighted the number of older Australians who are putting off dental care due to cost. We urge the Federal Government to introduce a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme, funded by Medicare. Learn more at - buff.ly/43njeoD

Right now, too many older Australians are delaying or avoiding getting the oral and dental treatment they need due to cost. Do you believe that dental care should be covered by Medicare? If so, learn more about our planned advocacy in this area - buff.ly/43njeoD

COTA Australia recently partnered with Catalyst Research to conduct a study into Home Care Services. This study closes 5pm today - Friday 15th March! Don't miss your chance to have a say! buff.ly/3v8KZ7K

COTA Australia, and 11 other national organisations working with older people and carers yesterday released a submission on the #exposuredraft for the new #agedcareact . Read the submission - buff.ly/3IA7lSM.

Overnight, the Government released the Final Report from the Aged Care Taskforce. Read our media statement - buff.ly/4a5TnUi. For more information sign up to our email list here. #agedcare #advocacy

This #internationalwomensday , we acknowledge the obstacles that many women face when it comes to financial security. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency suggests that women aged 55-64 can face up to a 31.9% gap in earnings, paving way for retirement on shaking financial ground.

Only 2 days left before consultation closes on the #exposuredraft of the #newagedcareact - don't miss your chance to have a say! We believe that older Australian’s need their rights-based care urgently and can't wait for their rights to be enforceable. They need the Act now!

Happy Birthday to all our Leap Year Babies! Please tell us how you’re celebrating, we’d love to hear more about your 2024 birthday.

The Hon. Christopher Pyne has joined COTA Australia as our new independent Chair. Mr Pyne replaces outgoing independent chair, Jane Halton AO PSM. Read our media release - cota.org.au/news/ #olderaustralians #advocacy

We identified some key concerns through our survey into #supermarketpricing and its impact on cost-of-living. We heard that many older Australians are facing affordability challenges which are impacting their decisions at the supermarket. For updates - buff.ly/3w8Cl9q

We welcome Westpac Bank's initiative to monitor alerts and investigate suspected financial abuse. Our CEO Patricia Sparrow said, 'This initiative is a great step forward that will hopefully result in far fewer older people being taken advantage of.'

We need a strong and effective regulator when it comes to dealing with the rights of older Australians. An #agedcareact doesn’t just need to guarantee the rights of older people – it needs to actively enforce them! Read our Key Issues Paper for more - buff.ly/42lWAfI

This morning, CEO Pat Sparrow & OPAN CEO Craig Gear shared their concerns about the exposure draft of the new Aged Care Act with the The Australian. This article highlights our concern that the Albanese government is set to miss one of its key commitments: new legislation by 1 July.