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How one elderly couple made their big move to Italy

US couple Tony Smarrelli, 74, and his wife, Francine, 75, were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in Venice, Italy when they decided to move to Italy for good. The Smarrelli's, who are retired elementary teachers from New York and both of Italian descent relocated to the picturesque coastal town of Scalea in southern Italy. “We were in St Mark’s Square (in Venice) when a quartet started playing (classic Italian song) Malafemmina,” Tony recalled the day they decided to make the big move. “It brought tears to my eyes, because my father would put on his Italian records every Sunday for dinner and would sing that song to my mother.” Looking to reconnect with their Italian roots, they purchased a 139 metre property with three bedrooms, a dining room and a walk-in-closet for for €150,000 ($A247,754) in November 2023. “We flew to Italy for the second time in 2023 and put an offer in for that home. We then secured our visas in the US in three hours, sold our home (in the US), packed up our belongings and flew back to Italy in December 2023,” Tony said. While their home in the peaceful coastal time was already livable when they bought it, the couple chose to renovate it, spending an extra €80,000 (about $A132,086) to retile the property, add a new plumbing and electric system, as well as two new bathrooms, an entire kitchen, doors, windows and screens. The property was renovated within four-months, and they said that a similar home in the US would have been nearly impossible for them to afford. “It would be easily $US1 ($A1.5) million to $2 million to live on a coast of South California or (a place with) any coastal views on the Eastern Seaboard,” Tony said. Tony's father and grandfather initially immigrated to the US in 1983 to make a better life for themselves, now 86 years later, Tony has returned to his homeland. “Some of my best friends said it takes a lot of guts to pick up and move to another country at 74 years of age. “I tell them it took guts for my father and grandfather to come to another country on a boat for eight weeks with no home, no work, very little money, no resources to make a better life for themselves,” Tony said. “In our modern world, it’s just a lifestyle change and for us, it was a good choice.” The couple said since their big move, they've cut back nearly y $3000 ($A4574) per month on expenses, which amounts to $36,000 ($A54,894) a year. The couple now spends about $1200 ($A1825) a month between the two of them. Back in the US, the couple's mortgage alone was $US1500 per month ($A2281) “Monthly expenses in the US before leaving were between $US4800 to $US5000 a month. In all we are about $US3000 less monthly living here in Italy,” Tony said. Tony plans to apply for an Italian citizenship, and while his father was naturalised as an American citizen before he was born, he plans to rectify this by appealing to a local court. Images: CNN

International Travel

Who dies in a heat wave? How to help protect the vulnerable in our communities

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/myles-david-sergeant-1542267">Myles David Sergeant</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/mcmaster-university-930">McMaster University</a> Extreme heat is a silent killer. From time to time, we hear about shocking cases of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/24/football-player-heat-deaths-athlete">football players</a> and other athletes who die suddenly while exerting themselves on hot days. Those deaths are certainly tragic, but statistically they are very rare. Most deaths from extreme heat <a href="https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heat-related-deaths">are in older people</a>, who frequently die alone inside their homes. They often die slowly, as the heat creeps up to and sometimes past body temperature, especially when heat domes park themselves over cities and keep the temperature high all day and all night. When such deaths happen, they rarely make the news. Of all the climate change disasters our world is already experiencing, heat is the top killer, <a href="https://library.wmo.int/viewer/68500/download?file=1335_WMO-Climate-services-Health_en.pdf&type=pdf&navigator=1">as the World Meteorological Organization reported</a>. The planet was more than <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/08/temperatures-1-point-5c-above-pre-industrial-era-average-for-12-months-data-shows">1.5 C above the pre-industrial baseline</a> for 12 consecutive months from July 2023 to June 2024. In July this year, we saw the hottest three days ever on record, prompting <a href="https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-07-25/secretary-generals-press-conference-extreme-heat">a special statement from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres</a>. <h2>Health risks and heat</h2> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499843/">Our bodies are made to dump excess heat</a> when we are too warm, but that process goes into reverse when the air is warmer than our core temperature. Our other main defence, sweating, doesn’t help when humidity saturates the air, making it impossible for our own moisture to evaporate. For the frail and elderly, who are more likely to be labouring with heart troubles, COPD or other challenges, simply sitting still in a heat wave requires an effort equivalent to walking on a treadmill. The effort is not great, but it is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjco.2021.10.002">steady and relentless</a>. It exhausts the body, sometimes to the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00117-6">point of no return</a>. Tracking heat-related deaths is challenging, and it’s changing as authorities become more aware of heat as a contributing or underlying factor to deaths by other causes. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2006.100081">A paper published by the American Journal of Public Health</a> points out that the 1995 heat wave in Chicago likely contributed to hundreds more deaths than had first been attributed to heat itself. <h2>Who is at risk?</h2> Many people lack air conditioning or a way to get to a place that has it, such as a library, recreation centre or shopping mall. As a result, too many people in cities are forced to <a href="https://wmo.int/publication-series/2023-state-of-climate-services-health">endure long waves of heat</a> — waves that are occurring more frequently, lasting longer, and reaching higher temperatures — in a trend that appears set to continue getting worse. Air conditioning, <a href="https://www.lpm.org/news/2015-07-24/the-history-of-movie-theaters-and-air-conditioning-that-keeps-film-lovers-cool">once a luxury that drew people to summertime movie theatres on hot nights</a>, has become a necessity. Increasingly, it is also a legal requirement, as cities pass bylaws requiring landlords not to allow the temperature in their tenants’ quarters to rise above a certain level. Toronto has <a href="https://www.toronto.ca/home/311-toronto-at-your-service/find-service-information/article/?kb=kA06g000001xvbiCAA">such a bylaw</a> for rental units that have air conditioning available, capping indoor temps at 26 C between June 2 and Sept. 14. Such laws recognize the vulnerability of tenants who lack control over the temperature in their rental units, making heat death an especially urban tragedy, as confirmed in <a href="https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/82-003-x/2024006/article/00001-eng.pdf?st=e6jLNMuq">a recent Statistics Canada study</a> between 2000 and 2020. Deaths from extreme heat were more likely in cities with a higher percentage of renter households. During a single week-long heat wave in June 2021 — the year after the period captured in the Statistics Canada study — <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-heat-dome-sudden-deaths-570-1.6122316">B.C.’s chief coroner found that 570 people died from heat-related causes</a> — 79 per cent of them were seniors. <h2>Taking action at the community level</h2> From this Global North perspective, the community members who are most likely to die from extreme heat included: <ul> <li>Those over 65</li> <li>Those with more than one chronic condition (including hypertension, mental health, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease)</li> <li>Socially disadvantaged populations in our communities</li> <li>Those with mobility issues</li> <li>Those experiencing social isolation (living alone)</li> <li>Tenants with lack of air conditioning</li> <li>Those living in an urban heat island</li> </ul> This problem is not going away. Some of the <a href="https://www.intactcentreclimateadaptation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/UoW_ICCA_2022_04-Irreversible-Extreme-Heat.pdf">actions we can take</a> to protect our most vulnerable community members include: <ul> <li>Increase awareness that excessive heat is not merely uncomfortable, but dangerous.</li> <li>Make sure people are warned about impending heat waves.</li> <li>Advocate for everyone to have access to air conditioning.</li> <li>Check on and support people who live alone, especially those with no air conditioning.</li> <li>Invite people over if you have air conditioning, or help them get to community cooling stations.</li> <li>Help vulnerable people who do not have air conditioning to improvise, by freezing wet cloths, for example, to take out and hang around their necks. Doing this, especially with a fan blowing, can be surprisingly effective.</li> <li>Learn and share the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/fact-sheet-staying-healthy-heat.html">warning signs of heat-related illness</a>.</li> <li>Make sure they drink plenty of water and other replenishing fluids.</li> </ul> While we must do our best to limit climate change to keep our planet from getting ever hotter, we must also make every effort to protect the vulnerable from the impacts of the heat that is already here.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236829/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/myles-david-sergeant-1542267">Myles David Sergeant</a>, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/mcmaster-university-930">McMaster University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/who-dies-in-a-heat-wave-how-to-help-protect-the-vulnerable-in-our-communities-236829">original article</a>.

Caring

Elderly couple left stranded by cruise ship

An elderly American couple was left behind by a Norwegian Cruise Line while on holiday in Spain this week. Richard and Claudene Gordon- aged 84 and 81 - were on a Mediterranean cruise aboard the Norwegian Viva with plans to celebrate Richard's birthday before things went downhill. The couple decided to take an independent excursion by themselves while the ship was docked in Motril, Spain, but on their return, their bus was delayed for an hour due to poor weather, so they ran late for the 5:30pm all-aboard time ahead of a scheduled 6pm departure. “I am a very experienced traveler and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime,” Richard told CNN. “Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system.” Richard claimed that at 5:45pm they notified a relative on board who raised the alarm that they were nearby and running late, but nothing could be done at that point as the ship had to leave on time. By the time the couple arrived at 6:10pm, the boat had left the harbour, but Richard claimed that the cruise line had a tendency to depart behind schedule, and made no attempt to contact them until late Tuesday. “Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4pm,” he claimed. “Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled.” The couple were left stranded without their medication, eyeglasses and spare hearing aid batteries, which were left on board. Their daughter ended up having to book her parents a flight to Palma de Mallorca, where the boat was making its next call Wednesday morning, according to the publication. By the time the couple got to Mallorca, they were met with "a beautiful black BMW limousine" which took them back to their ship. "There we were met by the head of ship services who escorted us inside the ship to meet the general manager of the ship, then they escorted us to breakfast, then they escorted us to our cabin.They said they have already complained about the harbour master who was supposed to take care of things for them. "But of course the ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn’t speak so well for them.” The Norwegian Cruise Line disputed the couple’s account of what happened. “After several attempts to contact these guests with the phone numbers provided, as well as trying to phone their emergency contact, we were unable to speak to them directly. However, we worked closely with the local port agents to make arrangements for the guests to rejoin the vessel,” a spokesperson said. “It is important to note that a delayed departure has the potential to impact the ship’s ability to deliver its planned itinerary and thus influence the experience for all guests on-board. While this was a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.” Image: Getty

Travel Trouble

Hall of Fame fighter hospitalised after saving elderly parents from fire

In the heart of Ohio, a story of heroism and sacrifice has emerged from the flames of a devastating house fire. Mark Coleman, a revered figure in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) and the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), found himself in the midst of a harrowing ordeal, where his actions transcended the octagon to demonstrate unparalleled bravery and love for family. On a fateful Tuesday morning, as the dawn painted the sky over Fremont, Ohio, tragedy struck the Coleman household. Details of the fire initially emerged through local news outlets, shrouded in anonymity. However, it wasn't long before the truth surfaced – it was Mark Coleman, the UFC legend, who had selflessly rushed into the inferno to rescue his elderly parents from imminent danger. Reports indicated that Coleman, aged 59, wasted no time in the face of adversity. With unwavering determination, he courageously carried both of his parents, Dan and Connie Foos Coleman, to safety, braving the engulfing flames that threatened to consume their home. Yet, his valour knew no bounds as he plunged back into the fiery abyss, driven by an instinctive urge to save another beloved member of the family – their loyal dog, Hammer. Tragically, despite his desperate efforts, the canine companion did not survive the blaze. Coleman's daughter, Kenzie, revealed on social media that Hammer's persistent barking had roused her father from slumber, ultimately saving his life. This heartbreaking loss added another layer of sorrow to an already traumatic event. As news of Coleman's heroic act spread, an outpouring of support and prayers flooded social media platforms. His second daughter Morgan, in an emotional Instagram post, recounted her father's selfless deeds and pleaded for continued prayers during this trying time. To the Coleman family, Mark wasn't just a UFC pioneer; he was a beacon of strength and resilience, a cherished father and a beloved friend. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4bQHaopteq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4bQHaopteq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Morgan Coleman (@mocoleman18)</a> </div> </blockquote> Mark Coleman's legacy in the world of MMA is undeniable. Dubbed "The Godfather of Ground-and-Pound", he etched his name in the annals of UFC history as the organisation's inaugural heavyweight champion in 1997. His contributions to the sport earned him a well-deserved place in the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008, solidifying his status as a true icon. However, beyond the glitz and glory of the octagon, Coleman's journey has been marked by personal struggles and triumphs. In 2020, he battled a heart attack, a testament to his resilience in the face of adversity. A year later, he confronted his demons, seeking rehabilitation for alcoholism, and emerged stronger, embracing a healthier lifestyle. Author Jonathan Snowden, who shared a close bond with Coleman and was poised to document his remarkable life story, offered a glimpse into the aftermath of the fire. Through poignant images capturing the devastation, Snowden provided a raw and unfiltered portrayal of the ordeal. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> This is what's left of the house Mark Coleman and his family were in last night. Mark's dog Hammer woke him up to a house in flames. He saved both his parents and is fighting for his life. <a href="https://t.co/hicYhv7SDm">pic.twitter.com/hicYhv7SDm</a> — Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JESnowden/status/1767637195555299781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a></blockquote> Images: Instagram / Twitter (X)

Caring

Uber driver shocked by elderly passenger's intrusive questions

A young Aussie Uber driver has shared the moment he was grilled by an elderly female passenger with a line of very judgemental questions. James Bade, 23, regularly uploads dash-cam footage to social media from his Uber journeys with colourful characters. In a video he posted on Wednesday, Bade picks up an elderly female passenger, who quickly begins quizzing him about his schooling and career. The woman asks Bade what his Year 12 ATAR rank was, before judging his answer. "What was your score like at the end of the year?" the woman asked. "Uhh, not great," Bade awkwardly responded. The passenger then pressed further, asking if his mark was "70? 80?", with Bade stated he got "65". "You did s***", the woman bluntly said. "Yeah, but that's okay," Bade said, to which the passenger responded, "No, it's not okay. It's s***." Bade, who appeared momentarily stunned by the woman's brash assertions about his school results, told her that he gave his final tests "a good go", with the passenger saying, "You did not." <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7277944950711438599&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40jamesbadeofficial%2Fvideo%2F7277944950711438599&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2F65176828c7d846a09f542b7a8ccae59d_1694528612%3Fx-expires%3D1694826000%26x-signature%3DJ1LS93ofX1akA%252F3OHw4mxLNRhyI%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> Later on in the drive, she began questioning the young man about his career aspirations. Bade mentioned that he was "doing real estate for a few years" that gave him "some opportunities" but that he was happy being an Uber driver in the meantime. "Oh, God. Well you've gotta sort of get it together," the elderly passenger said. "It is together!" the young driver hit back. "I'm always chatting to new people and they're giving me new ideas for different things." The woman responded, "No it's not, my idea is to get it together." Bade posted the interaction to his TikTok account, as the video has quickly accumulated hundreds of thousands of views. Viewers were quick to praise Bade's patience with the elderly passenger, while slamming the woman's judgement of Bade's personal life decisions and her condescending attitude. "Nothing like an elderly alcoholic telling another person to get it together," one person commented. Another wrote, "I'm so sorry you had to deal with that...she's using your services and simultaneously looking down on it. It's insane. A job is a job." "You're so patient and calm with her, I would have kicked her out. Who gives her the right to judge?" added another. Image credits: TikTok

Travel Trouble

Elderly woman hospitalised by royal motorcycle escort

A pensioner in her 80s is in critical condition after a collision with a police motorcycle that was escorting Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. The rolling motorcade, manned by motorcycle outriders, was escorting the Duchess when the collision happened. The Duchess was being escorted by the Met Police‘s Special Escort Group, who provide armed escorts for Royal Family members, VIPs, protected members of the Government, visiting royals, heads of state and other visiting dignitaries. Met Police released a <a href="https://news.met.police.uk/news/woman-injured-following-collision-with-police-motorcycle-in-west-london-466651#:~:text=A%20woman%20has%20been%20injured,Road%2C%20Earls%20Court%2C%20SW5." target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> that said: “A woman has been injured after being involved in a collision with a police motorcycle in west London. “At approximately 15:21hrs on Wednesday, 10 May a police motorcycle on escort duties was involved in a collision with a member of the public on West Cromwell Road, Earls Court, SW5. “Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended and a woman, aged in her 80s, was taken to hospital. “She remains there in a critical condition. Her family have been informed”. Road closures were in place and two bikes – one with King Charles‘ cypher – were seen inside the cordon after the collision happened. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace has said: “The Duchess’s heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family. “She is grateful for the swift response by the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments. “Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated.” Image: Getty

News

Elderly pizza lady receives $390k tip after falling during delivery

Barbara Gillespie was completing a typical Friday night pizza delivery when things took an unexpected turn. The 72 year old had just made her way up a home’s front veranda stairs, arms laden with her pizza boxes, when she stumbled and fell on to a small white chair. The family, whose <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@momofthe5ks/video/7195696356508372266" target="_blank" rel="noopener">security camera captured the entire tumble</a>, came outside to see what had happened as the elderly driver was picking herself up from the ground. On shaky legs, Barbara apologised again and again for what had become of the family’s food, telling them that she’d “ruined” it. But the family - otherwise known as the Keighrons - were only concerned about her. “I opened the door and there she is, just laying on the ground trying to get up,” Kevin Keighron said on Good Morning America. “She was more worried about the food than anything else. And I was like, ‘I don't care about the food. I care about you’.” Kevin and his wife, Lacey, described Barbara as being “the sweetest”, and after the incident - which occurred in early February - the pair decided to set up a GoFundMe to give Barbara a “tip” for her hard work. “We would like to bless her by bringing by a ‘tip’ to help her with anything she may need,” Kevin said. “She is an older woman who fell and only cared about the food she dropped. “Let’s show her some kindness and take off some of this burden that our economy is causing the older generations especially!” More than 14,000 people donated, and the fundraiser achieved a whopping $390,000. “We thought we would get her a bigger tip and bring it to her. We never expected to get as much as we did,” Kevin said of their successful campaign. “We were just so excited and thrilled to be able to tell her the next day.” And when taking the surprise to Barbara, Kevin - Lacey, and two of their children - decided to make the grand reveal at her work. They later shared footage of the reunion to their TikTok account. <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620.262px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7195971641262755114&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40momofthe5ks%2Fvideo%2F7195971641262755114&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F763d48ec7b5b4f728dcbe02bb60cc22f%3Fx-expires%3D1677142800%26x-signature%3DPCfbQDrxw5It6Ey%252FV9NWSJXsZ6A%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> They have since shared that with the extra funds, Barbara was able to put in her two-week notice and finally enjoy her well-deserved retirement. Barbara said that the generosity of everyone involved was overwhelming, and admitted she was close to giving up on people because some of them can be “so mean.” “And here we got loving, caring people. They care about someone else” she declared, seemingly delighted to have had her mind so thoroughly changed, “about an elderly woman.” Images: TikTok

Money & Banking

Detective steals thousands from elderly woman

An elderly woman who was scammed out of $30,000 in an online scam has once again been stolen from, after the police officer helping her recover the money stole her bank details. In May 2021, 74-year-old Sonia was robbed by fraudsters pretending to be NBN workers after they convinced her to transfer the hefty five-figure sum. After discovering it was a scam, Sonia then reported the crime to NSW Police, who sent a detective to her home to investigate. The officer was supposed to be helping Sonia recover her stolen money, but instead tried to use her credit card and banking details and purchase almost $20,000 worth of goods. The police officer fronted Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday where his barrister tried to explain his client's behaviour saying he had gone "off the rails" and fallen into a depression due to the nature of his work. In June 2021, the detective, who cannot be named, attended Sonia's home several times to investigate what happened, often wearing his full police uniform. To gain her sympathy, he said he had a brain aneurysm and had not yet told his girlfriend or work. According to police documents tendered to the court, Sonia trusted him and he told her she "reminded him of his own grandmother", the <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nsw/detective-investigating-30k-fraud-on-74yo-woman-steals-her-credit-card-for-16k-shopping-spree/news-story/1823067b8a55dc184f1278ce6a933b69" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Daily Telegraph</a> reported. When he asked to see her online banking details, credit cards and passwords, Sonia gave them to him willingly, assuming they were needed for his investigation. The detective tried to buy close to $20,000 worth of items from JB Hi Fi, Big W and Myer, including iPhones, GoPro cameras and Apple Watches. Thankfully for Sonia, none of the attempted purchases went through, as they were all rejected by Sonia's bank as suspicious activity. When Sonia was notified of the attempted transactions, she immediately suspected the detective who had been supposed to be helping her. In court this week, the now former detective pleaded guilty to stealing Sonia's bank details, and will will face Downing Centre District Court in Sydney on May 12th when he will be sentenced. More than 18 months after the events, Sonia is still very troubled by what happened and blames herself. "I can't switch off a feeling that I was stupid in the first place ... I trusted this guy and then he did that," she said. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

5 reasons to check on your elderly neighbour during a heatwave

We all know someone who insists on wearing a cardigan in summer or refuses to turn on the air conditioning because “it’s not that hot”. Chances are this is an older person, and there’s a good reason for that. As we get older, we tend to not “feel” the heat <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163710000450?casa_token=LxiONa0xZXQAAAAA:8IYLW0YquTHHUGkd2qiMgz6FNU3y2f4FIW96Lu9a-gjbAWw8iOgt7AOQ9C0UWMmDtXWOkqw#fig4">as much</a> even though our bodies are <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00202.2003">less able to handle the heat</a>. This contradiction can have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412017321980?casa_token=-nCG3M20MawAAAAA:VYwlO1kZIpibQnCLlm4LuSKMkK9nNvOgvdrXzUPHglOknNKp20UX0oty1DS2uWrlCZnoZhg">lethal consequences</a>, especially during periods of extreme heat. So, why is extreme heat so dangerous for older people? And what can we do to help? <h2>Why are older people at risk?</h2> <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420921006324">Extreme heat kills</a> more Australians than <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901114000999">all other natural hazards</a>, and people aged 60 or older account for 69% of those deaths. There are five key reasons we’re more susceptible to heat as we get older. 1. Bodily changes One of the main ways we lose excess heat, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228253/">blood flowing to our skin</a>, isn’t as effective as we get older. This is in part because the blood vessels in our skin don’t expand fast enough, and we may have less blood pumping with each beat of our heart. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202031864X#f0010">Many other changes</a> in our bodies also lead us to gain and store more heat as we get older. These include how our bodies control sweat and how well our kidneys balance fluid, which are both important for staying cool. 2. Social isolation Loneliness and social isolation are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1064748120304425">health risks</a> on their own, but also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020318237#b0065">multiply the risk</a> of heat-related illness. A South Australian <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/10/12/6721">survey</a> of older people showed those who were socially isolated were less confident in asking for help during a heatwave. This is concerning as many older Australians <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians/contents/housing-and-living-arrangements">live alone</a>, and we are more likely to live alone as we get older. 3. Beliefs and behaviour Older Australians may not respond to heat in ways that protect their own health and wellbeing. Australian culture tends to view heat tolerance as a matter of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3290974/">resilience</a> and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3402/gha.v5i0.19277">identity</a>, where there is a sense of generational pride in being able to cope with the heat. <a href="https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/c67cf100436d8e7082a2dfc9302c1003/Adaptive+capabilities+in+elderly+people+during+extreme+heat+events+in+SA+-+Public+Health+Service+-+scientific+services+20140328.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-c67cf100436d8e7082a2dfc9302c1003-nKKgCmQ">Reports also suggest</a> many older people have concerns about the cost of air conditioning, may be hesitant to use it, or accidentally use reverse cycle units as heaters. 4. Medical issues Many chronic illnesses that are more common with age are also associated with an increased risk for heat-related illness. Because blood flow is so important for regulating our body temperature, it’s not surprising that conditions such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071916417300969?casa_token=LEe23NWx7V0AAAAA:-cw7TgysaYdqXq0FTuTtIxxE3Oua1NImlwmmvWWSyt39guUUWbzOsevcsoBI8tw5hbbkwaI">heart failure</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4861190/">diabetes</a> are associated with increased heat risk. Similarly, many medications commonly prescribed for chronic illnesses can <a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/extreme-heat-information-for-clinicians">interfere</a> with how our body regulates temperature. For instance, some blood pressure medicines reduce our ability to sweat and lose heat. 5. Home environment It is <a href="https://www.anglicare.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Australia-Fair-Ageing-in-Place.pdf">increasingly difficult</a> for older Australians to find affordable and appropriate housing, especially pensioners and renters. Poor home design, lack of insulation, inability to pay their energy bills, and limited income <a href="https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/heatwaveshomeshealth-briefing-paper_rmit-2.pdf">all contribute</a> to being vulnerable to heatwaves in Australia. This is particularly troubling as energy prices soar. <h2>What can we do?</h2> Older Australians Knowing the risks of extreme heat is the first step. Don’t <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/10/1/1">underestimate</a> your own risk during a heatwave. There are many practical ways we can all keep ourselves and our homes cool, both safely and efficiently. These include: <ul> <li>using a fan, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-humid-is-it-3-things-to-keep-you-cool-in-a-hot-and-sticky-summer-and-3-things-that-wont-176365">which is effective</a>, especially when it’s humid, but may <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687014001355?casa_token=NoCMHlZZ_SUAAAAA:vu-Yk1WnHpy5RsumlwQ-5_SvvuMjJLeV5Cm087QTUYKI6kLUKwjnZ1-FuATlzGDC36WyCTI">not be enough</a> when it’s very hot and dry. If you have an air conditioner, consider using it</li> <li> knowing the conditions inside your home by installing thermometers that ideally also <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-humid-is-it-3-things-to-keep-you-cool-in-a-hot-and-sticky-summer-and-3-things-that-wont-176365">measure humidity</a> so you know which ways will work best to cool down </li> <li> opening windows facing away from the sun when it’s cooler outside; otherwise keep blinds closed in the heat of the day </li> <li> taking cool showers or applying a damp cloth to the back of your neck can help cool the skin </li> <li> taking regular, small drinks of water, even when you’re not thirsty (unless you have <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/heat-stress-and-older-people#how-to-help-an-older-relative-or-friend">heart or kidney problems</a> in which case you need to talk to your doctor first as too much water may be a problem for you) </li> <li> <a href="https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/6023f98b-bdcf-416b-9d3a-cfff9ea728c8/A4+Poster+-+Signs+and+symptoms+of+heat+illness.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-6023f98b-bdcf-416b-9d3a-cfff9ea728c8-nwMnDGl">knowing the signs</a> of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. </li> </ul> Older relatives, friends and neighbours We can all keep an eye on our older relatives, friends and neighbours as: <ul> <li> keeping in touch is <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.17269/s41997-020-00309-2">great protection</a> from heat-related illness; check in regularly </li> <li> when an older person can’t keep the house cool, support a day trip to a cooler place such as a library, cinema, or shopping centre </li> <li> encourage them to talk to their doctor about how medical conditions or medications might increase their risk to heat. </li> </ul> <h2>We need to raise awareness</h2> Australians are growing complacent about the health risks of extreme heat, see heatwaves as normal and public health messages <a href="https://widgets.figshare.com/articles/7618403/embed?show_title=1">aren’t cutting through</a> any more. It’s also important to remember that older people aren’t all the same, so any public health approaches to extreme heat should be tailored to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378010001135?casa_token=e3YcjpeKWsgAAAAA:jzFlD6Wk7dvO05YEuoteZ0jUmMVc6eJczVhLxpDcw8qrLvCoTkvo2dz_wH_puWE-frzQNx4">communities and individuals</a>. One way we’re trying to help is by working directly with older people. Together, we’re <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/research/climate-action/climate-transitions/health/ethos-project">researching and developing a smart device</a> that makes it easier to know when your house is getting warm, and customising strategies you can use to cool down safely. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Image credits: Getty Images <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/5-reasons-to-check-on-your-elderly-neighbour-during-a-heatwave-196218" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Retirement Life

"That's what it's all about": Bunnings worker praised for act of kindness

A Bunnings worker has been praised after his wholesome interaction with an elderly customer went viral. The employee, who at the time was on shift at Rothwell Bunnings in Queensland’s Moreton Bay Region, was applauded for his kind act as he helped a woman back to her car. He was spotted slowly guiding an elderly woman across the road while having a “lovely conversation”. The sweet moment was later shared to social media where it has since attracted a huge reaction. “I wanted to share a photo that makes my heart sing,” the woman behind the post to Facebook wrote. “A worker from Bunnings at Rothwell accompanying an older lady to her car. They were having a lovely conversation and he didn’t seem to mind that it took her a bit longer.” She went on to praise the worker on his patience and kindness, and called for his employer to share their recognition of the young man. “Well done to this young man for his kindness and compassion, he should be very proud of the person that he is. “I would also like to say to Bunnings Warehouse Australia that this staff member’s a superstar and should be acknowledged because his humanity and kindness also reflects well on Bunnings.” Dozens of people flocked to the comments to agree with the post, singing their praises for the young worker. “It’s great to see employees going out of their way to help their customers. Bunnings is one company where this is not a rarity. Well done to the employee, it warms the heart to see this happening nowadays,” one comment read. “He is amazing. I hope Bunnings realise how valuable he is,” someone else wrote. “Well done, what a caring young man. I hope you have a lot of happiness in your life. You deserve only the best,” a third wrote. Others agreed gestures of this nature made a significant difference in the community. “And that’s what it’s all about, helping elderly people in the community. It all makes a difference to them and they appreciate it very much,” one remarked. Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook

Caring

“You can’t park there”: Elderly driver mistakes brake pads for accelerator

An elderly woman who mistook her accelerator for her brake pads when entering a shopping centre car park saw her vehicle end up on top of another. Shocking images shared to social media show a Honda Civic sitting on top of an expensive Mercedes in Westfield Hurstville, Sydney. It is understood that the driver was a 73-year-old woman who confused her brake and accelerator pedals. She drove through the boom gates before her car somehow drove onto the Mercedes about 9.45am on October 13. A 50-year-old man was taken to hospital with minor injuries following the terrifying incident. CCTV is yet to be released to show exactly how the incident occurred, with many questioning how the car wound up on top of the other. “I honestly don’t understand the physics behind this,” someone commented. “Imagine coming back from your shopping to see a car parked on top of yours,” another wrote. “You can’t park there,” someone else joked. Images: Nine News

Travel Trouble

Sports watches could help reduce falls and injuries in elderly people

Falls are a significant health issue in Australia – in <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/falls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2019-2020</a> they were the largest contributor to hospitalised injuries and the leading cause of deaths due to injury. But people aged 65 and over are more likely to be hospitalised or die due to a fall compared to any other age, so Australian researchers have created an algorithm that could be used to help improve their walking stability and reduce the risk of falls. When paired with a wearable technology device, like a smartwatch, The Walk Watch algorithm accurately measures walking steadiness and speed. The algorithm was developed in a new study <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-20327-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in Scientific Reports. One of the lead authors of the paper, Lloyd Chan, PhD candidate at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and the University of New South Wales Medicine & Health, says this is the first time an algorithm for measuring gait quality has been widely tested in real-world environments and will be made commercially available. “We know that the way people walk is a predictor of their health. For example, people who walk more slowly, infrequently, in smaller steps or for shorter distances are typically more likely to suffer a fall,” says Chan. “Our goal was to capture this data through looking at how people naturally walk in their daily lives – and then test this broadly on over 70,000 individuals.” Digital gait biomarkers are measurements of a person’s gait – such as posture, cadence, walking speed and length of stride – that can provide insight into their overall health, functional decline, and can predict their likelihood to fall. But conventional digital gait biomarker measurements are usually geared towards walking on treadmills in the lab and so they don’t accurately assess gait from walking activities in real-world environments. Also, studies have shown that wearable devices positioned on the lower back and ankle can provide reliable digital gait biomarkers, but these placements can be awkward for the people wearing them. <div> Devices worn on the wrists are much more convenient, but measurements can be less reliable due to arm movements and being situated further from a person’s centre of mass. </div> This study aimed to address both of these issues. In the first stage, 101 participants between 19 and 81 years old, wore the UK Biobank wrist sensor and were recorded performing structured mobility routines in their homes and while walking and running in a lab setting. Using this new data, the researchers then developed a digital gait biomarker extraction algorithm – Watch Walk – that could measure the gait quality of the individuals wearing the wrist sensor device. In the second stage of the study, they then tested the validity of the digital gait biomarkers on 78,822 participants aged 46 to 77 years from the UK Biobank database. Participants wore a sensor on their dominant wrist for seven days, producing a total of 11,646 four-second recordings of movement. These recordings were then classified into ‘walking, running, stationary or unspecified arm’ activities and the Watch Walk algorithm was found to measure these activities with a 93%, 98%, 86%, and 74% precision, respectively. The authors acknowledge that the digital gait biomarkers were not validated in participants who use walking aids, and walking speed accuracy was lower for walks slower than 0.7 metres/second and faster than 1.8 m/s – so further studies are still needed. “Our findings build on advances in wrist-worn accelerometer technology, which have previously been more limited to measurements of step count and sleep,” explains Chan. “As a measurement tool, Watch Walk has so many possibilities. Individuals can gain reliable feedback on their gait and track their improvement over time. “In the future, we hope to be able to analyse how people walk and predict their risk of disease or mortality,” says Chan. A Watch Walk app is currently in development and slated for release in late 2023. <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=217683&title=Sports+watches+could+help+reduce+falls+and+injuries+in+elderly+people" width="1" height="1" /> <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/algorithm-smart-watch-falls-elderly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/imma-perfetto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Imma Perfetto</a>. Imma Perfetto is a science journalist at Cosmos. She has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Science Communication from the University of Adelaide. Image: Getty Images </div>

Technology

"So precious": Woman captures an elderly passengers sweet moment

Sharing a sweet moment she recently caught on a flight, TikTok user Re documented a very wholesome interaction that has melted the hearts of thousands of viewers everywhere. The viral video has racked up over 2 million views and shares how Re caught an older woman sitting on her flight, diligently studying several printed sheets of paper to try and learn how to take quality photos of the sky. “My heart literally melted when I saw this on my flight home yesterday,” Re writes in a caption. “She was teaching herself to use a camera to take pictures of the sky.” <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@rere_88_/video/7131568419446557995" data-video-id="7131568419446557995"> <section><a title="@rere_88_" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@rere_88_?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@rere_88_</a> my heart is so full <a title="southwest" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/southwest?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#southwest</a> <a title="greenscreenvideo" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/greenscreenvideo?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#greenscreenvideo</a> <a title="fyp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#fyp</a> <a title="viral" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/viral?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#viral</a> <a title="oldlady" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/oldlady?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#oldlady</a> <a title="adorable" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/adorable?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#adorable</a> <a title="pictureperfect" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pictureperfect?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#pictureperfect</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Re ☀️" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7131568391210830634?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Re ☀️</a></section> </blockquote> The TikTok ends with a shot of the woman intently reading the camera instructions. “My heart is so full,” Re writes. “This is so precious!” TikTok users couldn’t get enough of the video with heartfelt comments rolling in. “People (elders) who put the effort into learning electronics/technology as it continues to change are a different breed and I love them,” one TikToker commented. “This is so precious!” wrote another TikToker. “I am crying. Grandmas are the best ever,” another viewer chimed in. Hopefully the woman got some truly out-of-this-world photos of the sky and enjoyed her travels.

Caring

9 warning signs your elderly parent shouldn’t be living alone anymore

Keep an eye out for these issues Ageing can be difficult, but it’s particularly challenging when the person who is ageing is a parent. Over time, life-long relationships can be upended and the parent – who has presumably spent a lifetime caring for a child – becomes the one who needs help. However, crossing that boundary is tricky and exposes all kinds of feelings and emotions for both the parent and adult child. Older people may want to stay in their home and maintain their independence, and that’s completely understandable. An adult child may not want to fight with a parent who’s determined to live on their own. But there may come a time when a living arrangement needs to change for a parent’s safety and welfare. Role reversal is difficult to navigate and it might be a challenge to know exactly when and how much help an elderly parent needs. Keep an eye out for these warning signs that an older parent or relative probably shouldn’t be living alone anymore. They’ve suddenly lost weight If you notice your parent is looking thinner than usual, it may be a sign that they’re not eating well, which could be a sign of the beginning of a cognitive illness. Lisa Gwyther, director of Duke University’s Family Support Program, explains that people suffering from memory impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease, often either forget to eat certain meals or forget how to properly manage and cook their food, causing them to lose weight. If this is the case, you might want to discuss the possibility of having a home aide to make sure they receive adequate nutrition each day. You may also consider moving your loved one into your home, if that’s possible, or to an assisted living facility. Their home is stacked with unopened mail Towering heaps of unopened mail can be another clear indication of growing cognitive impairment. Gwyther says to keep a close eye out for unopened envelopes from creditors or charities your parents wouldn’t normally donate to. This can be a red flag that they’ve lost control of their judgement when it comes to smart spending, which can drive them into debt rapidly if it goes unnoticed. They’re ignoring their personal hygiene For someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, remembering all of the cognitive steps involved with taking a shower every day can be challenging. It may be difficult for them to understand why they need to take a shower and how to do it, leaving them with an unhealthy hygiene routine. “‘You can tell them that it looks like they need a shower, but they just don’t see it,” Gwyther says. They get lost when going to familiar places Common destinations like the supermarket, the bank, or their place of worship should be familiar and easy to remember for your parent. If you find they can no longer find their way to these destinations, it’s a big red flag that something is wrong. Gwyther explains that if you can no longer trust your loved one’s ability to navigate their own town, it might be time to discuss moving or having live-in help for safety’s sake. You notice changes in their home A cluttered house isn’t necessarily a bad sign if your parent was always a bit messy, explains Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, director of the Institute of Gerontology and Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute. However, if they suddenly begin letting order slide after a lifetime of cleanliness, it might be a sign of an underlying cognitive issue. Additionally, watch out for items showing up in strange places around the home, like a litre of milk in the dishwasher instead of the refrigerator. According to Dr Lichtenberg, changes like these are often some of the clearest signs of dementia, and they could be a clue that your loved one is no longer in a position where it’s safe for them to be home alone. Their Internet habits have shifted For those with Internet-savvy parents, be on the lookout for any strange or unusual new online habits, as this could signal dementia or another similar illness. “People who are cognitively declining are at a real risk of ordering things they don’t need, taking on debt, and facing identity theft,” Gwyther says. “Even if they had been on the Internet and had been perfectly fine before, families need to be looking out for that.” You should also take a look at their Facebook or other social media accounts from time to time to make sure they aren’t accidentally befriending people who could be potentially dangerous. Gwyther explains that this is a common issue for people with cognitive disorders, as it’s hard for them to tell who’s a friend and who’s a foe. They’re always exhausted Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic conditions can disrupt circadian rhythms, keeping your loved one up all night and drowsy all day. As Gwyther explains, sleep is absolutely vital for both cognitive and physical functioning, and missing out on much-needed z’s can make a person’s condition even more serious. (Or a health condition could be the reason they aren’t sleeping.) If it seems like your parent’s lack of sleep is putting a significant crimp in their wellbeing, you may consider more supervision or help. Your parent may also benefit from seeing a geriatric psychiatrist who can help manage sleep issues. They have a strange collection of new medications If your parent’s medicine cabinet is suddenly filled with unusual or possibly unnecessary medications, a cognitive impairment could be the explanation. Gwyther explains that many patients with diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease often accidentally misuse over-the-counter medications, as they’re trying to treat something that isn’t really the problem. She also says to make sure your parent is taking the medications they do need, and that they’re taking them at the appropriate times. If month-old bottles of their daily medication are sitting around completely full, it might be because they no longer can remember to take them. They’re defensive With a disease like dementia, people can become combative or suspicious of those around them – including family – as they can’t distinguish who’s trying to help and who’s trying to hurt them. If they are acting aggressively or appear to be collecting weapons in the house, flag it as a sign that they should no longer be living alone. How do you start the conversation? Bringing up the possibility of having a home aide or moving your parent into a nursing home or assisted living facility can be difficult. Dr Lichtenberg says to approach the topic delicately by asking your parent how they’re feeling and what their goals are, and asking whether or not they’ve noticed any changes in their behaviour. From there, you can introduce the idea of getting help, explaining that it’s a smart first step to achieving those goals. People with declining cognition often can’t understand that something is wrong, so it’s important to take it slow and account for their perspective. Written by Abbey Schubert. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/9-warning-signs-your-elderly-parent-shouldnt-be-living-alone-anymore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images

Caring

Readers respond: What is the best thing about growing older?

We asked our readers to tell us the best thing about growing up and your responses were surprising. From simply being alive and healthy to see another day, to spending more time with the family and great grandchildren, here are just a few of your amazing responses. Barbara Damp - Not being worried about what other people think of you! Jennifer Waldron - Just waking up each day and knowing you are alive! Then enjoying that day. Bernadette Foley - Freedom to do what you want, freedom to spend quality time with family and friends and finally freedom to be happy with your life because of the choices you have made!! Jean Kavanagh - Experience, also at my nursing home, all meals provided, no dishes, feet up, even bed making, although I do my own washing, I also do mine. Susan Graham - Retrospectively every age is an adventurous journey that you just get better at navigating. Sherrill Fletcher Brock - Freedom to do as you choose. Narain Lodha - Old age is for relaxation, rest and retrospection. Thomas Gadsden - Maybe just being realistic, about the future! Johanna Shakes - Doing whatever you want and having the knowledge to do it!!!! Vanessa Maloy - Wearing sleeveless tops and dresses and not caring if my bat wings wobble or not wearing make up if I don't feel like it. To leave a memory of your own, or to check out more of the inspiring responses head <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oversixtyNZ/posts/pfbid0PYJDNFjSyh4WygmqQ6kL4AFzhNdt3NeCgxHstZmMcgjyQqZUAdXeoi7HBhdSRFtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

Elderly couple turn down million-dollar offer to buy their home

An elderly couple has had a seemingly endless amount of money thrown at them by The Augusta National Club, which hosts the annual Masters Tournament, but they have continued to refuse to sell their long-held home. Herman and Elizabeth Thacker first built their home in Augusta, Georgia, in 1959, and have watched as the homes in their neighbourhood have been bought out and turned into a free car park across from the golf club over the last 10 years, according to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/04/12/owner-of-holdout-house-on-masters-golf-course-shun-1m-offer-to-leave/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a>. In a 2016 interview with <a href="https://www.nj.com/golf/2016/04/masters_2016_the_house_that_au.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NJ.com</a>, the Thackers said their modest home was where they hoped to live out their final days. “We really don’t want to go”, Elizabeth said. “Money ain’t everything,” Herman added. Whenever a representative from the golf club came by to make an offer, including up to $1 million offers, the pair always invited him inside. “He’ll come by here every so often and he’ll say, ‘Just want to let you know we’re still interested in your property’,” Herman said. “And we’ll tell him the same thing again.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/google-maps-georgia.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Herman and Elizabeth Thacker have lived in the home since they built it in 1953. Image: Google Maps For Herman, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home he’d lived in for more than 65 years was where he took his final breaths. The golf fan passed away in 2019 at age 86. Elizabeth, his wife of 64 years, is still living in their home. Over the years, the couple raised their two children in the home, and their family has since grown to include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who all manage to squeeze in when they visit for the holidays. Over the last 20 years, the golf club has spent more than $200 million purchasing over 100 properties that span a whopping 270 acres, according to the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/augusta-nationals-makes-a-200-million-land-grab-11554897600" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wall Street Journal</a>, including a smaller property the Thackers owned across the street. They eventually sold their second home to the glub for a hefty $1.2 million. “They called us over there for the first time and made us an offer,” Herman said in the 2016 interview. “I asked him: ‘Is that your bottom line?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ I said, ‘Well, we’ll see you then’, and we got up and walked out. It wasn’t long before he was calling back over here, wanting to know if he could talk to us again.” Image: NJ.com

Real Estate

Elderly couple's car vandalised while babysitting grandkids

A mother-of-three has been left "absolutely sickened" after her a neighbour vandalised the car of her elderly parents. The woman's parents, who are both in their 70s, were babysitting their grandchildren in their daughter's Sydney home when an angry neighbour wrote on the car in permanent marker. When they returned to the car, they found 'footpath' scrawled in the difficult to remove ink across the bonnet. The north shore local posted a photo of the vandalism to a local community Facebook group to appeal for more information. "My dad parked in our driveway to help my mother get closer access to the house given her abilities," she wrote. "In doing so, they were blocking the footpath but walkers could still walk around the back of the car." The woman explained that her parents had planned to move the car, but didn't get the chance as their three young grandchildren required constant supervision. The couple went to move their car at 9 am on Sunday morning when they saw the permanent marker across the bonnet of their white Toyota Camry. "I totally understand the concerns of blocking the footpath but to write with permanent marker all over their front bonnet is disgusting erratic behaviour and I'm absolutely sickened to think a person such as this lives nearby," the post read. "This is vandalism and is illegal!! I feel so sorry for this person in every way as they would have had so much hatred at the thought of walking around a car to go home and get a marker, come back and vandalise a car." "Just WOW!!! Next time be a big enough person to ring the doorbell and advise [us] directly so we can fix this in an amicable way and you can walk the straight path that you so desire. Or if you wish to remain anonymous write it on PAPER!" The post was flooded with sympathising locals, while others believed her parents should have seen it coming. "Wow I can't believe someone did this what an a**hole!!!! Your poor parents I hope they are ok and not too upset," one local wrote. In opposition, one person wrote, "Unpopular opinion, but I don't have much sympathy available for this. Don't block the footpath. Easy as." Image credits: Facebook

Legal

Community reeling after elderly couple found dead together

An elderly couple has been found dead at their semi-rural property in a suspected murder-suicide, with neighbours and friends remembering them as well-loved socialites. Stephen, 74, and Sally Starling, 75, were living a seemingly dream retirement filled with extensive global travels and events where they entertained their neighbours. But, one of their neighbours tragically discovered the pair’s bodies at their Darling Downs property, near Armadale to the southeast of Perth. After police were called to the home at around 6.45pm on Monday, the peaceful street was transformed into a crime scene as they scoured the property for evidence. Detectives and forensic police returned to the scene to continue their search on Tuesday. Neighbour Maureen Parkes said she was woken up in the early hours on Tuesday morning by lights coming up and down the driveway. “About 2am I got up, looked out the window and police cars were there … the whole of the driveway was floodlit, so I knew something was wrong,” she <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/wa/neighbours-grisly-discovery-sparks-investigation-as-elderly-couple-found-dead-at-darling-downs-property-c-5886688">said</a>. “This is a quiet place … I knew something was different. Fellow neighbour Pat Hogge was surprised when police first appeared. “It’s worrying that we were just sitting on the patio and suddenly police cars were coming,” she said. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/forensic-police.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Forensic police continue to search the Darling Downs property. Image: 7NEWS Ms Hogge remembered how the Starlings welcomed her into the neighbourhood when she first moved there eight years ago. She said Sally’s “flamboyant, social” personality complemented the “quiet and intelligent” Stephen. “They were very sociable and very welcoming,” Ms Hogge said. “They have a yacht, a Jag, did a lot of travelling. “Just gorgeous people.” Mr Starling, the Grand Tourer Register Secretary of the WA Jaguar Club, also documented their travels on an online travel blog, where he combined his passions for travel writing and photography. “Travel, writing and photography have been my passions since the 1970s when I boarded a train at a wet and windswept station in Blackpool, England, bound for a new life in sunny Perth, Australia,” his <a href="https://stephenwstarling.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> reads. Major Crime Division officers are treating the deaths as a murder-suicide as they continue to investigate the surrounding circumstances. Though police have confirmed that no one else was involved, they have not revealed who carried out the killing. Images: stephenwstarling.com

News

Heart broken widow speaks following the death of her husband

A heartbroken widow has opened up about her husband dying in her warms, while the couple waited over 40 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Stewart Grant, aged 82, suffered breathing difficulties at 12:30 pm on January 29 at his Phillip Island home in Victoria, but paramedics were not dispatched immediately despite his family calling triple-zero. His wife of more than 50 years, Carol Grant, said she was initially told no one was coming. But a short time later, Mr Grant stopped breathing. An operator called back 12 minutes after the initial conversation and counted with Ms Grant while she performed CPR on her husband. “She asked me to get him out of bed, and put him on the floor, lie him on his back and to start CPR,” she said. After the ambulance was finally dispatched, an alert system to find trained volunteers was initiated and three locals came to help. “I’d just like to thank them for everything they tried to do. I’m just so grateful for their help as I couldn’t have continued (performing CPR),” Ms Grant said. “Even though it wasn’t successful, I’m just so grateful to them for trying.” Health Minister Martin Foley said the case was tragic, and told reporters on Thursday that there were issues with how the call was prioritised by the triple-zero call service ESTA. “As I understand, the issue wasn’t so much the dispatch of the ambulance. The paramedics were there, other volunteers in the nearby community were there, once the call was distributed,” he said. State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the case was horrifying and demanded an explanation from the government. “If it’s the call-out and dispatch system, then it’s the government’s to manage ... It’s just not good enough to say it’s someone else’s fault. How the hell can this happen in Victoria in 2022?” he asked. Premier Daniel Andrews sent his condolences and said the coroner would examine the tragedy. “This pandemic has made the job of our ambos really tough, they’re all working as hard as they can and any time that a patient dies I know that that’s carried by our paramedics; they feel it very heavily,” he told reporters. Ambulance Victoria has also sent its sincere condolences to the Grant family and said it had undertaken a review of the case. Mr Grant’s case is not the only recent death in Victoria following a long wait for paramedics. Victorian paramedics experienced their busiest quarter on record in the last three months of 2021. Data shows ambulances were called to 91,397 code-one cases during that period, a 16% increase on the same time in 2020. Images: 7News

Caring

Elderly royal tests positive for COVID-19

The Danish royal palace has confirmed that Queen Margrethe of Denmark has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in isolation.The 81-year-old is fully vaccinated, experiencing “mild symptoms” and has cancelled a planned winter holiday to Norway in order to make a full recovery.She is currently isolating at the royal residence Amalienborg in Copenhagen, according to a statement released on Wednesday.Margarethe is the mother of future king Prince Frederik, who is married to Australian-born Crown Princess Mary.It comes after the Danish Royal House last week released new photos of Tasmanian mother-of-four Mary and her family as she celebrated her milestone 50th birthday.<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/Princess-mary-family.jpg" alt="" width="602" height="332" />At the same time, Spain's King Felipe VI – who was also fully vaccinated against the coronavirus – has also tested positive for the virus.The 54-year-old monarch was tested after he developed 'mild symptoms' of COVID-19, his royal house reported on Wednesday. King Felipe's 'overall health' is said to be fine and he will remain in isolation for seven days, following national health protocols.The royal house said that his wife Queen Letizia has not displayed any symptoms.Images: Getty

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Readers respond: What is the best thing about growing older?

Elderly couple turn down million-dollar offer to buy their home

Elderly couple's car vandalised while babysitting grandkids

Community reeling after elderly couple found dead together

Heart broken widow speaks following the death of her husband

Elderly royal tests positive for COVID-19