Search

Why do airlines charge so much for checked bags? This obscure rule helps explain why

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jay-l-zagorsky-152952">Jay L. Zagorsky</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/boston-university-898">Boston University</a> Five out of the six <a href="https://www.oag.com/blog/biggest-airlines-in-the-us">biggest U.S. airlines</a> have <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/05/delta-is-the-latest-airline-to-raise-its-checked-bag-fee.html">raised their checked bag fees</a> since January 2024. Take American Airlines. In 2023, it cost US$30 to check a standard bag in with the airline; <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2024/02/20/american-airlines-bag-fees-mileage-earning/72669245007/">today, as of March 2024, it costs $40</a> at a U.S. airport – a whopping 33% increase. As a <a href="https://www.bu.edu/questrom/">business school</a> <a href="https://www.bu.edu/questrom/profile/jay-zagorsky/">professor who studies travel</a>, I’m often asked why airlines alienate their customers with baggage fees instead of bundling all charges together. <a href="https://www.vox.com/2015/4/16/8431465/airlines-carry-on-bags">There are</a> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/2023/06/21/bag-fees-will-stay-a-while-cruising-altitude/70338849007/">many reasons</a>, but an important, often overlooked cause is buried in the U.S. tax code. <h2>A tax-law loophole</h2> Airlines pay the federal government <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-49/subpart-D">7.5% of the ticket price</a> when <a href="https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/tax/library/aircraft-club-nov-2023-air-transport-excise-tax-rates-for-2024.html">flying people domestically, alongside other fees</a>. The airlines dislike these charges, with their <a href="https://www.airlines.org/dataset/government-imposed-taxes-on-air-transportation/">trade association arguing</a> that they boost the cost to the consumer of a typical air ticket by around one-fifth. However, the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-49/subpart-D/section-49.4261-8">specifically excludes baggage</a> from the 7.5% transportation tax as long as “the charge is separable from the payment for the transportation of a person and is shown in the exact amount.” This means if an airline charges a combined $300 to fly you and a bag round-trip within the U.S., it owes $22.50 in tax. If the airline charges $220 to fly you plus separately charges $40 each way for the bag, then your total cost is the same — but the airline only owes the government $16.50 in taxes. Splitting out baggage charges saves the airline $6. Now $6 might not seem like much, but it can add up. Last year, passengers took <a href="https://www.transtats.bts.gov/Data_Elements.aspx?Data=1">more than 800 million trips on major airlines</a>. Even if only a fraction of them check their bags, that means large savings for the industry. How large? The government has <a href="https://www.bts.dot.gov/topics/airlines-and-airports/baggage-fees-airline-2023">tracked revenue from bag fees</a> for decades. In 2002, airlines charged passengers a total of $180 million to check bags, which worked out to around 33 cents per passenger. Today, as any flyer can attest, bag fees are a lot higher. Airlines collected over 40 times more money in bag fees last year than they did in 2002. When the full data is in for 2023, <a href="https://www.bts.dot.gov/baggage-fees">total bag fees</a> will likely top $7 billion, which is about $9 for the average domestic passenger. <a href="https://viewfromthewing.com/the-real-reason-airlines-charge-checked-bag-fees-and-its-not-what-you-think">By splitting out the cost of bags</a>, airlines avoided paying about half a billion dollars in taxes just last year. In the two decades since 2002, flyers paid a total of about $70 billion in bag fees. This means separately charging for bags saved airlines about $5 billion in taxes. <iframe id="88MYD" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/88MYD/2/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> It seems clear to me that tax savings are one driver of the unbundling of baggage fees because of a quirk in the law. The U.S. government doesn’t apply the 7.5% tax to <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-49/subpart-D/section-49.4261-3">international flights that go more than 225 miles</a> beyond the nation’s borders. Instead, there are fixed <a href="https://www.airlines.org/dataset/government-imposed-taxes-on-air-transportation">international departure and arrival taxes</a>. This is why major airlines charge $35 to $40 <a href="https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/checked-baggage-policy.jsp">for bags if you’re flying domestically</a>, but don’t charge a bag fee when you’re flying to Europe or Asia. <h2>Do travelers get anything for that money?</h2> This system raises an interesting question: Do baggage fees force airlines to be more careful with bags, since customers who pay more expect better service? To find out, I checked with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which has been <a href="https://www.bts.gov/content/mishandled-baggage-reports-filed-passengers-largest-us-air-carriersa">tracking lost luggage for decades</a>. For many years, it calculated the number of mishandled-baggage reports per thousand airline passengers. The government’s data showed mishandled bags peaked in 2007 with about seven reports of lost or damaged luggage for every thousand passengers. That means you could expect your luggage to go on a different trip than the one you are taking about once every 140 or so flights. By 2018, that estimate had fallen to once every 350 flights. In 2019, the government <a href="https://www.bts.gov/topics/airlines-and-airports/number-30a-technical-directive-mishandled-baggage-amended-effective-jan">changed how it tracks</a> mishandled bags, calculating figures based on the total number of bags checked, rather than the total number of passengers. The new data show about six bags per thousand checked get lost or damaged, which is less than 1% of checked bags. Unfortunately, the data doesn’t show improvement since 2019. Is there anything that you can do about higher bag fees? Complaining to politicians probably won’t help. In 2010, two senators <a href="https://www.nj.com/business/2010/04/us_senators_present_bill_to_ba.html">tried to ban bag fees</a>, and their bill went nowhere. Given that congressional action failed, there’s a simple way to avoid higher bag fees: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/packing-expert-travel-world-handbag/index.html">travel light</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/08/opinion/carry-on-packing-airlines-lost-luggage.html">don’t check any luggage</a>. It may sound tough not to have all your belongings when traveling, but it might be the best option as bag fees take off.<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/225857/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jay-l-zagorsky-152952">Jay L. Zagorsky</a>, Associate Professor of Markets, Public Policy and Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/boston-university-898">Boston University</a> 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/why-do-airlines-charge-so-much-for-checked-bags-this-obscure-rule-helps-explain-why-225857">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

Could you cope with a shock to your bank balance? 5 ways to check you are financially resilient

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> Imagine the dentist has just said you urgently need a A$2,000 dental crown. A week later, a pipe in your bathroom bursts, causing $8,000 worth of damage. Suddenly, you’ve been hit with a $10,000 financial shock. As the cost-of-living crisis plunges more households into financial uncertainty and at least <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/data/taking-the-pulse-of-the-nation-2022/2023/australians-face-challenging-budgetary-constraints#:%7E:text=Over%20the%20past%20six%20months,has%20increased%20to%2060%20percent.">one-third</a> of Australians struggle to make ends meet, it’s more important than ever to ask yourself: how financially resilient am I? Being financially resilient means you aren’t left financially devastated when an expensive emergency creeps up on you. Here are five key signs of financial resilience. <h2>1. You have a plan for what you’d do if you suddenly lost your salary</h2> Financial resilience means having a plan to fall back on during tough times. This extends to how you’d make money if you lost your job. In practice, that means things like making sure your skills and contacts are kept up to date so you can more easily find a new job. You might also consider whether a “side hustle” job such as tutoring could work for you in the short term, and how you’d put that plan into practice if needed. Perhaps you have a spare room in your home you could rent out for a period of time if you lost your salary. Those examples won’t work for everyone, of course, but it’s still worth asking yourself the question: what would I do if I lost my salary tomorrow? <h2>2. You have enough liquid assets to meet an unexpected financial expense</h2> Liquid assets means money that can be accessed quickly and easily to overcome an unplanned financial expense. Savings are a good example. They provide a buffer so you can cope in the short term if a financial shock strikes. The federal government’s Moneysmart website suggests you aim to have enough in your emergency savings fund to cover <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/saving/save-for-an-emergency-fund">three months of expenses</a>. Having an <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/glossary/offset-account">offset account</a> as part of a mortgage is another option that provides a buffer. Putting money in an offset account helps you save while reducing the amount of interest on a home loan. You can still access the money in an offset account at any time. <h2>3. You have bought the right financial products, such as insurance</h2> Financial products, such as insurance, hedge against potential losses. Personal insurance is important because it provides income in the event of death, illness or injury. Examples include: <ul> <li> life insurance (which pays out to your beneficiaries, such as your partner or children, when you die) </li> <li> total and permanent disability insurance (which means you may get some money if you acquire a disability that prevents you from working) </li> <li> income protection (which provides you with an income if you can no longer work) </li> <li> trauma cover (which covers a life-changing illness or injury, such as cancer or a stroke). </li> </ul> Check if your superannuation has any of these insurances included in it. <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/295770/FPRJ-V4-ISS1-pp-53-75-insurance-literacy-in-australia.pdf">Research</a> has found that many Australians are underinsured. <h2>4. You can still pay your debts when times are tough</h2> Being able to borrow money can help when you’re in a tight spot. But knowing where to borrow from, how much to borrow and how to manage debt repayments is crucial. Financially resilient people use debt responsibly. That means: <ul> <li> not using debt for frivolous expenses like after-work drinks </li> <li> staying away from private money lenders </li> <li> being cautious about buy-now-pay-later services </li> <li> watching out for debts with high interest rates, such as payday loans and credit card debt </li> <li> maintaining debt repayments consistently. </li> </ul> If you’re having debt problems, talk to your lender about renegotiating your repayment arrangements, or contact the <a href="https://ndh.org.au/">National Debt Helpline</a> on 1800 007 007. <h2>5. You are financially literate</h2> Being financially literate means you can assess the benefits and risks of using savings or taking out debt to meet an unplanned financial need. As I have <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-you-financially-literate-here-are-7-signs-youre-on-the-right-track-202331">written</a> before on The Conversation, key signs of financial literacy include tracking your cashflow, building a budget, as well as understanding what debts you have and which to pay first. It also means storing your money across different places (such as superannuation, savings accounts, property and the share market) and understanding how financial assets like cash, shares and bonds work. Being aware of your financial strengths and weaknesses, and having financial goals is also important. Nobody is born knowing how to make sound financial decisions; it’s a skill that must be learned. It’s good to think about the resources you would draw upon to help get yourself out of a difficult financial situation – well before disaster strikes.<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/218126/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, Assistant Professor in Finance and Financial Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/could-you-cope-with-a-shock-to-your-bank-balance-5-ways-to-check-you-are-financially-resilient-218126">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

"They checked the lungs": Jackie O rushed to hospital mid-show

Radio star Jackie O Henderson, known for her vibrant presence on the airwaves, has faced a serious health scare that led to her being rushed to Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital in the middle of the Kyle and Jackie O show. The 48-year-old opened up about the incident, revealing details of the tests and emotions she experienced during this unexpected hospital visit. Jackie O's health ordeal unfolded during a live segment on her KIIS FM radio show, where she left the show abruptly, citing symptoms akin to a heart attack, including tingling down her arm – a classic indicator of cardiac distress. Upon arriving at the hospital, Jackie O underwent a battery of urgent tests, ranging from an ECG to a CAT scan. Speaking to her concerned listeners the next morning, she highlighted the professionalism and dedication of the hospital staff, emphasising the seriousness with which they approached her situation. “I just got a bunch of tests done all day and they have to go all out on everything so I had to get an ECG done," she explained. “Then they checked the lungs because those are the two things that cause chest pains. They take it super seriously, and they were incredible at the hospital.” Despite the initial concerns, Jackie O shared the relief of being given the all-clear by the hospital. Surprisingly, her symptoms were attributed to an infection rather than cardiac issues. Even in the midst of health concerns, Jackie O found moments of levity during her hospital stay. She humorously recounted an encounter with a man who, even in a post-anaesthesia haze, was able to recognise her. “He looks at me and he locks eyes with me and gives me this puzzled look of recognition," she recounted. "I’m laughing so much because I’ve never seen someone bewildered so much in my life.” Henderson said the man then looked at another man resting on the other side of her before he “turned to me and said, ‘Is that Kyle?’” Jackie O had recently undergone surgery to remove a uterine polyp, a procedure she <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/body/john-laws-hangs-up-in-disgust-on-kyle-and-jackie-o" target="_blank" rel="noopener">infamously shared with her audience</a>. The lack of sleep post-surgery, combined with the impact of melatonin tablets and energy drinks, likely contributed to her overall fatigue and health episode.

Caring

5 important things to check off your list before your next cruise

The tickets are booked! Here’s what you need to do before you set sail. 1. Visit your doctor Hope for the best and plan for the worst – it’s a good motto to travel by. Visit your doctor to see if you need any vaccinations or medications for exotic locations, and make sure you’re stocked up on all your regular medications. It is a good idea to bring some extras as well as some basic first aid meds (think pain killers and anti nausea tablets) as these can be expensive or hard to come by. 2. Research your ports You only have a short time in each port, so you’ll want to make the most of it. Do some research before you leave and decide what you want to see, how long it will (realistically take) and think about whether you want to take an organised tour. We’re not saying you have to plan a rigid schedule and stick to it, but a rough plan of how you want to spend your day will save time and stress. 3. Check the weather It’s amazing how quickly the weather can change or an unexpected storm can spring up. Keep an eye on the weather for the days before your cruise so you can pack accordingly. That might mean adding in a few extra jumpers or doubling up on the sunscreen. You will have limited opportunities to buy these things onboard and they can be really expensive. You also don’t want to waste a day in port running around looking for something to wear. 4. Talk to your travel buddy How do you imagine you’ll be spending your days? Flopped by the pool or out exploring your next port? Hitting the dancefloor til the wee hours or getting an early night so you can be up for sunrise yoga? These are good conversations to have with your travel partner before you set sail. There’s no right or wrong answer, but many travel arguments have started because people have different ideas of the perfect holiday. 5. Organise your insurance You really should do this when you book your tickets as you’ll be covered from then right up until your cruise at no extra cost. But if you’re left it to the last minute, never fear! Jump online and get yourself insured. Many companies offer policies specific to cruising, so everything you need will be covered. And don’t think that you can skip it if you’re only cruising in Australian waters – Medicare won’t cover you onboard. Image credits: Getty Images

Cruising

Forcing people to repay welfare ‘loans’ traps them in a poverty cycle – where is the policy debate about that?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hanna-wilberg-1466649">Hanna Wilberg</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-auckland-1305">University of Auckland</a> The National Party’s <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/26/more-sanctions-for-unemployed-beneficiaries-under-national/">pledge to apply sanctions</a> to unemployed people receiving a welfare payment, if they are “persistently” failing to meet the criteria for receiving the benefit, has attracted plenty of comment and <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/26/nationals-benefit-sanctions-plan-cruel-dehumanising-greens/">criticism</a>. Less talked about has been the party’s promise to index benefits to inflation to keep pace with the cost of living. This might at least provide some relief to those struggling to make ends meet on welfare, though is not clear how much difference it would make to the current system of indexing benefits to wages. In any case, this alone it is unlikely to break the cycle of poverty many find themselves in. One of the major drivers of this is the way the welfare system pushes some of the most vulnerable people into debt with loans for things such as school uniforms, power bills and car repairs. The government provides one-off grants to cover benefit shortfalls. But most of these grants are essentially loans. People receiving benefits are required to repay the government through weekly deductions from their normal benefits – which leaves them with even less money to survive on each week. With <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/132980318/auckland-mother-serves-up-cereal-for-dinner-due-to-rising-food-costs">rising costs</a>, the situation is only getting worse for many of the 351,756 New Zealanders <a href="https://figure.nz/chart/TtiUrpceJruy058e-ITw010dHsM6bvA2a">accessing one of the main benefits</a>. <h2>Our whittled down welfare state</h2> Broadly, there are three levels of government benefits in our current system. The main benefits (such as jobseeker, sole parent and supported living payment) <a href="https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/benefit-rates/benefit-rates-april-2023.html">pay a fixed weekly amount</a>. The jobseeker benefit rate is set at NZ$337.74 and sole parents receive $472.79 a week. Those on benefits have access to a second level of benefits – weekly supplementary benefits such as an <a href="https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/accommodation-supplement.html">accommodation supplement</a> and other allowances or tax credits. The third level of support is one-off discretionary payments for specific essential needs. Those on benefits cannot realistically make ends meet without repeated use of these one-off payments, unless they use assistance from elsewhere – such as family, charity or borrowing from loan sharks. This problem has been building for decades. <h2>Benefits have been too low for too long</h2> In the 1970s, the <a href="https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/12967">Royal Commission on Social Security</a> declared the system should provide “a standard of living consistent with human dignity and approaching that enjoyed by the majority”. But Ruth Richardson’s “<a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/124978983/1991-the-mother-of-all-budgets">mother of all budgets</a>” in 1991 slashed benefits. Rates never recovered and today’s <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/29/benefit-increases-will-still-leave-families-locked-in-poverty/">benefits are not enough to live on</a>. In 2018, the <a href="https://www.weag.govt.nz/">Welfare Expert Advisory Group</a> looked at how much money households need in two lifestyle scenarios: bare essentials and a minimum level of participation in the community, such as playing a sport and taking public transport. The main benefits plus supplementary allowances did not meet the cost of the bare essentials, let alone minimal participation. The Labour government has since <a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-delivers-income-increases-over-14-million-new-zealanders">increased benefit rates</a>, meaning they are now slightly above those recommended by the advisory group. But those recommendations were made in 2019 and don’t take into account the <a href="https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/annual-inflation-at-6-0-percent">sharp rise in inflation</a> since then. Advocacy group <a href="https://fairerfuture.org.nz/">Fairer Future</a> published an updated assessment in 2022 – nine out of 13 types of households still can’t meet their core costs with the current benefit rates. <h2>How ‘advances’ create debt traps</h2> When they don’t have money for an essential need, people on benefits can receive a “special needs grant”, which doesn’t have to be repaid. But in practice, Work and Income virtually never makes this type of grant for anything except food and some other specific items, such as some health travel costs or emergency dental treatment. For <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/02/27/very-stressful-beneficiary-says-he-cant-afford-msd-debt/">all other essential needs</a> – such as school uniforms, car repairs, replacing essential appliances, overdue rent, power bills and tenancy bonds – a one-off payment called an “advance” is used. Advances are loans and have to be paid back. There are several issues with these types of loans. First, people on benefits are racking up thousands of dollars worth of debts to cover their essential needs. It serves to trap them in financial difficulties for the foreseeable future. As long as they remain on benefits or low incomes, it’s difficult to repay these debts. And the <a href="https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2018/0032/latest/whole.html">Social Security Act 2018</a> doesn’t allow the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to waive debts. <h2>Contradictory policies</h2> Another problem is that people on benefits have to start repaying their debt straight away, with weekly deductions coming out of their already limited benefit. Each new advance results in a further weekly deduction. Often these add up to $50 a week or more. MSD policy says repayments should not add up to more than $40 a week, but that is often ignored. This happens because the law stipulates that each individual debt should be repaid in no more than two years, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Paying this debt off in two years often requires total deductions to be much higher than $40. The third issue is that one-off payments can be refused regardless of the need. That is because there are two provisions pulling in opposite directions. On the one hand the law says a payment should be made if not making it would cause serious hardship. But on the other hand, the law also says payments should not be made if the person already has too much debt. People receiving benefits and their case managers face the choice between more debt and higher repayments, or failing to meet an essential need. <h2>Ways to start easing the burden</h2> So what is the fix? A great deal could be achieved by just changing the policies and practices followed by Work and Income. Case managers have the discretion to make non-recoverable grants for non-food essential needs. These could and should be used when someone has an essential need, particularly when they already have significant debt. Weekly deductions for debts could also be automatically made very low. When it comes to changing the law, the best solution would be to make weekly benefit rates adequate to live on. The government could also make these benefit debts similar to student loans, with no repayments required until the person is off the benefit and their income is above a certain threshold. However we do it, surely it must be time to do something to fix this poverty trap.<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/212528/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hanna-wilberg-1466649">Hanna Wilberg</a>, Associate professor - Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-auckland-1305">University of Auckland</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/forcing-people-to-repay-welfare-loans-traps-them-in-a-poverty-cycle-where-is-the-policy-debate-about-that-212528">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Should I be getting my vitamin D levels checked?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/elina-hypponen-108811">Elina Hypponen</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Australia has seen a <a href="https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2023/29/gps-urged-not-to-routinely-test-children-for-vitamin-d/">surge in vitamin D testing</a> of children, with similar trends reported for adults around the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29659534/">world</a>. GPs are now <a href="https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2023/29/gps-urged-not-to-routinely-test-children-for-vitamin-d/">being urged</a> not to test for vitamin D unnecessarily. So when is low vitamin D a potential concern? And when might you need to get your levels tested? <h2>How much vitamin D do we need?</h2> Vitamin D is not only a nutrient – when metabolised in the body it acts as a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29080638/">hormone</a>. We have receptors for this hormone all around our body and it helps regulate the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D also has many other roles, including helping our immune defences and contributing to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11295155/">DNA repair</a> and cell differentiation. We can thank the sun for most of our vitamin D. A chemical in our skin called 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to vitamin D after contact with UVB radiation from the sun. While we get some vitamin D also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35253289/">through our diet</a>, this makes a relatively small contribution. It’s difficult to get much more than one-third of our daily vitamin D requirement from diet without supplementation. Nutritional vitamin D status is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcifediol">typically measured</a> via a blood test. This checks the calcidiol (calcifediol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D) concentrations, which reflect the average intakes from the sun and diet over the past three to four weeks. The <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22708765/">current recommendation</a> is that we should all aim to have at least 50nmol/L (20ng/mL) at the end of winter. However, one problem with vitamin D tests is that there is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37182753/">variation</a> in measured concentrations between the laboratories and between the assays, and whether you’re deemed to have a deficiency can depend on the testing method used. Doctors do not always agree with what is deficiency. While very low concentrations are likely to prompt doctors to recommend a supplement (and, potentially, follow-up testing), some may consider even relatively high concentrations as inadequate. This is all understandable as research in this space is still evolving, and we know low concentrations do not always cause any symptoms. <h2>Why avoid vitamin D deficiency?</h2> Prolonged, severe vitamin D deficiency will lead to softening of bone tissue and cause diseases such as rickets (children) and osteomalacia (adults). However, avoiding low concentrations is likely to be good for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37483080/">many aspects of health</a>, with consistent evidence suggesting benefits for <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.i6583">infectious diseases</a> and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Randomised trials have also provided evidence for lower <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35676320/">cancer</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24414552/">all cause mortality</a> by daily supplementation, although any benefit is likely to be restricted to those who otherwise have insufficient intakes. <h2>Who is at risk of deficiency?</h2> Most of us do not need tests to have a relatively good idea whether we might be at risk of a clinically important deficiency. If it’s not late winter, we spend regularly at least some time outside with skin exposed to the sun, and we do not belong to a specific high-risk group, it is unlikely that our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22168576/">levels would be very low</a>. The two main reasons for vitamin D deficiency typically relate to: 1. not getting (enough) vitamin D through sun exposure. Deficiency risk <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vitamin-d-deficiency">can be high</a> for anyone who is housebound, such as older or disabled people in residential care. The risk of deficiency increases if we always cover our skin carefully by <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19211395/">modest cultural dress,</a> and also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6119494/">dark skin pigmentation</a> is known to reduce vitamin D synthesis. 2. having a chronic disease that alters your requirement. Medications such as anticonvulsants used to treat epilepsy, and conditions such as <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency">liver and kidney diseases</a> can interfere with vitamin D metabolism. Some <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency">digestive diseases</a> can reduce vitamin D absorption from your diet, while <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30020507">obesity</a> will increase your vitamin D requirement and make it more difficult to raise your blood levels. <h2>Am I getting enough sun exposure?</h2> In Australia, it is possible to get enough vitamin D from the sun <a href="https://healthybonesaustralia.org.au/your-bone-health/vitamin-d-bone-health">throughout the year</a>. This isn’t so for many people living in the northern hemisphere. For those who live in the top half of Australia – and for all of us during summer – we <a href="https://healthybonesaustralia.org.au/your-bone-health/vitamin-d-bone-health">only need</a> to have skin exposed to the sun a few minutes on most days. The body can only produce a certain amount of vitamin D at the time, so staying in the sun any longer than needed is not going to help increase your vitamin D levels, while it will increase your risk of skin cancer. During winter, catching enough sun can be difficult, especially if you spend your days confined indoors. Typically, the required exposure increases to two to three hours per week in winter. This is because sunlight exposure can only help produce vitamin D if the UVB rays reach us at the correct angle. So in winter we should regularly spend time outside in the middle of the day to get our dose of vitamin D. If you are concerned, you have very dark skin, or are otherwise in a high-risk group, you may want to talk to your GP. In any case, taking a modest daily dose of vitamin D (1,000-2,000 IU) during the darker winter months is unlikely to cause harm and it <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37483080/">may be beneficial</a>. <h2>Why does excess vitamin D testing matter?</h2> When not indicated, testing can cause unnecessary worry and promote a cascade of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32675268/">laboratory, prescription and imaging services</a> that are of low value. Excessive testing is also a waste of health-care resources, with one <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.50619">single test</a> costing about the same as a years’ worth of vitamin D supplementation. Very often, we can make relatively small changes to our lifestyles to reduce the risks of vitamin D deficiency. <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/211268/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/elina-hypponen-108811">Elina Hypponen</a>, Professor of Nutritional and Genetic Epidemiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/should-i-be-getting-my-vitamin-d-levels-checked-211268">original article</a>.

Body

Don’t believe the hype. Menopausal women don’t all need to check – or increase – their testosterone levels

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-davis-10376">Susan Davis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Ever heard “low testosterone” blamed for low mood, brain fog and loss of vitality? Despite all evidence to the contrary, social media influencers are increasingly promoting testosterone therapy as an elixir for women experiencing troubling symptoms of menopause. In a series of documentaries and <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11792553/Davina-McCall-effect-sparks-menopause-testosterone-treatment-rush-putting-women-risk.html">social media posts</a> about menopause in 2021 and 2022, British TV presenter Davina McCall promoted the use of testosterone therapy in addition to standard <a href="https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/combined-menopausal-hormone-therapy-mht">menopausal hormone therapy</a>. The “<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/17/davina-effect-fuels-surge-menopausal-women-using-testosterone/#:%7E:text=Chelsea%20Magazine%20Company-,'Davina%20effect'%20fuels%20surge%20in%20menopausal%20women%20using%20testosterone,NHS%20prescriptions%20for%20the%20hormone">Davina effect</a>” has helped fuel a <a href="https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/nhs-testosterone-prescribing-in-women-rises-ten-fold-in-seven-years#:%7E:text=The%20number%20of%20women%20in,The%20Pharmaceutical%20Journal%20has%20revealed">ten-fold increase</a> in prescribing of testosterone for women in the United Kingdom since 2015. Data isn’t available for Australia, but in my clinical practice, women are increasingly asking to have their testosterone level checked, and seeking testosterone to treat fatigue and brain fog. But while testosterone continues to be an important hormone before and after menopause, this doesn’t mean women should be having a blood test to get their testosterone levels checked – or taking testosterone therapy. <h2>What does testosterone do?</h2> Testosterone is an important hormone in women’s bodies, affecting the blood vessels, skin, muscle and bone, breast tissue and the brain. In both women and men, testosterone can act on its own or be converted into estrogen. Before menopause, testosterone is made in the ovaries, where it helps developing eggs grow and aids in estrogen production. The ovaries release both testosterone and estrogen into the bloodstream, and the levels of the two hormones in the blood peak around ovulation. Some of the testosterone measured in blood is also produced outside the ovaries, such as in fat, where it is made from “pre-hormones” secreted by the adrenal glands. This source of production of testosterone takes over after menopause. <h2>Do we have more testosterone before menopause?</h2> The claim is often made that pre-menopausal women have more testosterone in their bloodstream than estrogen, to justify the need for testosterone replacement after menopause. But, when sex hormones have been measured with precision, studies have shown this is not true. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31390028/">Our research</a> found estrogen levels are higher than testosterone levels at all stages of the menstrual cycle. Blood testosterone levels <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31390028/">fall</a> by about 25% between the ages of 18 and 40 years in healthy women. The fall in testosterone coincides with the decline in eggs in the ovaries but whether this is a marker of the decline, a consequence, or a cause of the decline is not known. From around 40, the rate of decline slows and blood testosterone levels don’t change when <a href="https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/what-is-menopause">menopause</a> occurs naturally. Studies have not shown testosterone levels change meaningfully during the menopause transition. <h2>Can blood tests detect ‘low testosterone’?</h2> Some influencers claim to have a condition called “testosterone deficiency syndrome” or low levels of testosterone detected in blood tests. But there is no “normal” blood level below which a woman can be diagnosed as having “testosterone deficiency”. So there’s no such thing as having a testosterone deficiency or testosterone deficiency syndrome. This is also in part, because women have very low testosterone concentrations compared with men, and most commercial methods used to measure testosterone cannot separate normal from low levels in women with any certainty. Pre-menopausal women might also be told they have “low” testosterone if blood is drawn early in the menstrual cycle when it is normal for testosterone to be low. (However, it would only be clinically necessary to do this type of blood test to look for high testosterone, in someone with with excessive hair growth or severe acne, for example, not for low testosterone.) In post-menopausal women, much of the action of testosterone occurs in the tissues where it is made, after which testosterone is either converted to estrogen or broken down before it leaks back into the circulation. So blood testosterone concentrations are not a true reflection of tissue concentrations. Further complicating the picture is the enormous variability in the effects of testosterone. At a given blood level of testosterone, some women might have oily skin, acne, increased body hair growth or balding, while others will have no such effects. So, looking for a “low” blood testosterone in women is not helpful. <h2>Can testosterone improve sexual desire? What about other conditions?</h2> There is sound evidence that testosterone therapy may improve sexual desire in post-menopausal women who have developed low sexual desire that bothers them. This was <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2019.1637079">confirmed by</a> a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31353194/">systematic review</a> of clinical trials comparing testosterone with a placebo or an alternative. These trials, all of which involved a treatment time of at least 12 weeks, showed testosterone therapy, overall, improved desire, arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction in post-menopausal women with low desire that caused them distress. Treatment is only indicated for women who want an improvement in sexual desire (after excluding other factors such as depression or medication side effects) and its success can only be determined by each woman’s personal self-reported response. But there is <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2019.1637079">not enough evidence</a> to show testosterone is beneficial for any other symptom or medical condition. The overall available data has shown no effect of testosterone on mood or cognition. As such, testosterone therapy <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2019.1637079">should not be used</a> to treat symptoms such as fatigue, low mood, muscle weakness and poor memory, or to prevent bone loss, dementia or breast cancer. However research continues to investigate these potential uses, including from my <a href="https://www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/units/womenshealth">research team</a>, which is investigating whether testosterone therapy can <a href="https://asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbmr.534">protect against bone density loss and muscle loss after menopause</a>. You can learn more about participating in one of our studies <a href="https://www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/units/womenshealth/join-a-study">here</a>. <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/209516/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-davis-10376">Susan Davis</a>, Chair of Women's Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/dont-believe-the-hype-menopausal-women-dont-all-need-to-check-or-increase-their-testosterone-levels-209516">original article</a>.

Body

5 memorable locations from ‘80s films to check out

Everyone loves a good movie, and everyone loves a holiday, so what do you get when you combine the two? The time of your life! It’s widely known that the ‘80s spawned a whole host of films that went on to become cult classics - from the likes of Heathers to Footloose, Dirty Dancing, and The Terminator - and forged the way for cultural changes that ring true decades later. But did you also know that for many of these iconic films, real-life locations served as the inspiration for many memorable scenes? And while some may have changed slightly in the years since cast and crew flocked to them, some are like stepping into a time capsule - or a stage for you to re-enact the films as you see fit. Lake Lure, North Carolina - Dirty Dancing (1987) Anyone who’s seen Dirty Dancing can tell you that ‘the lift scene’ is one of the film’s most iconic moments. And it - along with a few others from the film - were filmed in North Carolina’s very own Lake Lure. And with the spot boasting its very own Lake Lure Inn & Spa - where, coincidentally, the movie’s stars stayed while working on the project - it could be the perfect getaway location for your next holiday. Guesthouse International Hotel, California - National Lampoon Vacation (1983) For those embarking on their very own National Lampoon Vacation, you’re in luck - the hexagonal pool is near exactly the same as it was when Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold enjoyed a nighttime swim with Christie Brinkley’s The Girl in the Ferrari. New York Public Library, New York - Ghostbusters (1984) The 1984 film sparked an entire host of sequels, games, parodies, and conventions for avid fans across the globe - as well as one incredibly catchy song. However, for those that would like to go above and beyond just calling their friendly neighbourhood ghostbusters, the New York Public Library’s flagship Stephen A Schwarzman building is the spot where the team had their very first encounter with the film’s ghosts. Griffith Observatory, California - The Terminator (1984) Fans of The Terminator should immediately recognise this site as the one where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator arrived in the nude, and basked in the glory of LA at night. It’s a popular location, and while a must-see for fans of the film, it also makes for a good afternoon out - the observatory itself boasts free entry, stunning views, and a range of fascinating exhibits inside to entertain the keen mind. The Grand Hotel, Michigan - Somewhere in Time (1980) The Grand Hotel was the primary location for romantic drama Somewhere in Time, and they’re proud of it. In fact, a poster for the film is reportedly even still on display there, and hosts weekends of celebration for the 1980 hit, too. The island the hotel is set on doesn’t allow cars, so anyone hoping to throw themselves back in time and fully immerse themselves in a ‘different world’, this National Historic Landmark may be just the place to do it. Images: Getty, Booking.net

Movies

Can you lend a paw this tax time to help cats in need?

With a proud reputation of caring for cats for more than 60 years, the Cat Protection Society of NSW runs Sydney’s only no-kill shelter just for cats, as well as providing feline welfare programs to help cats and the people who love them. Cat Protection began in 1958 as a small group of people dedicated to reducing the number of street cats and while our organisation has grown over the years, our vision remains the same; that every cat deserves a loving and responsible home. Over the years, Cat Protection has helped literally hundreds of thousands of cats, kittens, and people. We’ve led the way in setting the standards for best-practice feline sheltering, and our health and welfare services extend far beyond our adoption centre. And while technology means we can offer a great range of free cat care resources online, we’ve never lost our human touch and we still help thousands of people every year with advice and tips on cat care by phone or in-person, at no cost. Our subsidised desexing, vaccination and microchipping programs promote cat health and welfare in the community and our newest program, Adopt-a-Stray, offers a complete and affordable package for those who wish to fully welcome a street cat into their heart and home. What sets us apart from many other animal shelters is our holistic approach to each individual cat or human client. Cats are not given a time limit, although most are adopted within days or weeks. Every cat is individually assessed and provided with a care plan to meet their unique needs. If they need complex surgery, allergy trials or behavioural interventions our highly qualified team will work with veterinarians and specialists to ensure the cat gets everything they need to set them on the path to living their best life. A kind person found Snake, a four-week-old sickly orphaned kitten. In addition to cat flu, our vets identified corneal scarring in his right eye, a blocked tear duct, and an adhesion on his eyelid restricting the normal movement of his third eyelid. Treatment resolved the flu and improved his eye, but Snake will live with limited vision in that eye. This has not dampened his playfulness or zest for life. As well as poor physical health, orphaned kittens miss out on the important lessons of being a cat from their mum and siblings, and this can lead to behavioural issues. Where we can, we will make sure such kittens get to join a stepfamily, but in cases such as Snake’s, illness means that isn’t always possible. It is then up to our human team to work with these little ones to help them learn to navigate the world with good manners! In contrast, Banjo had all the behavioural benefits of his brother but alas at seven weeks of age Banjo weighed only 560 grams while his brother Clancy weighed 900 grams! Banjo was diagnosed with a rare form of congenital hypothyroidism. Because his condition was diagnosed early, his prognosis is very good. He was started on a medication called Thyroxine and went back into foster care so that we could monitor his progress and adjust the dose of his medication as necessary with follow-up blood tests. After six weeks in foster care, Banjo graduated to the adoption centre. He will need to be on Thyroxine for the rest of his life, but that didn’t daunt his new family who’ve told us Banjo is now thriving in his loving forever home. From individualised TLC and veterinary care for every cat and kitten, to helping human clients resolve cat challenges (from furniture scratching to strata bans) and strategic research and advocacy on behalf of people and cats, Cat Protection’s impact is so much greater than our budget. As an independent registered charity for cats, we’re dependent on donations and bequests to do our work. We are compliant, open and transparent; on our website you can see our audited annual reports for details of what we do and what it costs. We have a strict “no harassment” fundraising policy which means under no circumstances will your information be sold on, and we do not employ pressure-tactics or door-to-door solicitations. We don’t spend money paying fundraising companies to ring you at dinner time asking for money or send you five-page long letters insisting you give more. And we never will. Donations are invested in helping our feline friends and nurturing the unique bond between cats and people. Your generosity will mean that we can continue to help thousands of cats and people each year. If you can lend a paw, please <a href="https://www.givenow.com.au/catprotectionsocietynsw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">make your tax-deductible donation here</a>! For general advice on cat care and everything feline, call the Cat Protection Society of NSW on 02 9557 4818 or visit <a href="https://catprotection.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">catprotection.org.au</a> Images: Supplied. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with the Cat Protection Society of NSW.

Family & Pets

"Get a job": Ben Fordham slammed over interview with welfare recipient

Ben Fordham has come under fire for a patronising interview with a welfare recipient, in which he tried to get the man, who is unable to work, a job live on air. On Wednesday morning, the 2GB radio host spoke with Jez Heywood, who is president of the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union, and has been out of work since 2017 due to several health conditions. Mr Heywood had recently spoken to The Australian, sharing his frustration about the $20-a-week increase to Jobseeker, saying he was “angry” and “annoyed” at the federal government, describing the $2.85-a-day increase as “absolutely nothing”. Mr Heywood's commentary on the Jobseeker budget increase caught the attention of 2GB, who invited him to speak to Fordham, saying he “wanted to see whether we can find Jez a job”. Fordham asked Heywood if he was looking for work, to which Heywood shared that he is looking for work, but it is hard to find a job that would be suitable given his physical and mental health barriers. In response, Fordham told Heywood that "there are 54,000 jobs available right now in Melbourne". "That’s on the Workforce Australia website. So none of those 54,000 jobs are suitable to you or you’ve applied for them and they’re just not giving you the nod?" Heywood said he is applying for jobs that are "suitable" for his conditions, and is hearing nothing back from prospective employers. Fordham said a job would seemingly fix everything for Heywood, saying, "I reckon we can help your mental health if we get you into a job." Heywood seemingly appreciated the help, but also said it is important for him to consider what he is able to achieve in a job given his limitations. The tense exchange between Fordham and Heywood continued, as Heywood voiced his concerns and limitations with working, as Fordham seemed to dismiss his worries and said everything would be fine if he simply returned to work as a graphic designer. After the call, Heywood took aim at Fordham on social media, slamming the host as a “coward and a bully who’s been taking potshots at welfare recipients from the safety of his cosy radio studio for years”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> You're a dog Ben Fordham — Vulgar Boatman (@satisjacktion) <a href="https://twitter.com/satisjacktion/status/1658691768706269184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I’ve never met a dole bludger. I *have* met plenty of people with unresolved trauma and mental and physical illnesses (often not-yet-diagnosed), who probably LOOK like bludgers, through a telephoto lens. People who are doing okay WANT to be busy and to work. — Catherine Caine (@CatherineCaine) <a href="https://twitter.com/CatherineCaine/status/1658665436916101120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2023</a></blockquote> He stood by his opinion that the Jobseeker payment should be at least $88 a day to keep recipients above the poverty line, and condemned Fordham for “calling me a dole bludger on national radio”. Fordham doubled down on his condescending treatment of Mr Heywood, saying, "I just want to find you a job, Jez." Image credits: Getty Images / Twitter

Money & Banking

“Extremely difficult”: Woman forced to live in car for over two years

A Queensland woman has revealed the “extremely lonely” reality of living in her car. Wendy lived in shared accommodation for seven years, with a weekly room rent upwards of $200 a week. With the rent increases showing no signs of slowing down, the 52-year-old found herself living in her car for the past two and a half years. She has shared some tips for those in the same boat. “Downsize to the bare necessities you need, with just those few little luxuries like a good coffee and the barbecues,” Wendy said. She allows herself some luxuries, such as a gym membership, so she can have a shower, coffee and the occasional hot dinner. If she can’t keep up with her gym payments, Wendy exercises until she’s warm and hops into one of the cold public showers. She worked in construction cleaning, but the early start and late finishes became too difficult. “Transforming my car into a cleaning business was, as you can imagine, a bit unhygienic,” she said. She relies on welfare to get by, which is “extremely hard”. Wendy has a storage shed to help her keep some of her belongings, but the cost of that will see an increase from $45 to $60 a week, “I’m now going to even be pushed out of the storage,” she said. Wendy can access fresh food just once a fortnight when she visits Encircle Redcliffe Neighbourhood Centre, Queensland, otherwise, she’s stuck with a 3-day time frame of storing food in her car. Now with winter just around the corner, she parks her car in underground car parks to shelter from the elements. “As soon as they see you on camera, they’re concerned about me being there,” she said. “So I will be kicked out of there soon too.” It feels as though those in power have “turned a blind eye” to the reality of the housing crisis, Wendy said. “There’s no help out there for us, I’ve applied for housing and been denied.” The extra $40 announced in the federal budget for people on welfare was “definitely not enough”, Wendy said. Even going to the doctor has become “extremely hard”, Wendy said, as many have stopped bulk billing, which has forced her to travel further to find those who do so. She’s now facing car troubles, which only furthers her challenging situation. “I’m only using my car if it’s really necessary,” she said. Aside from discomfort, Wendy confessed living out of her car was “extremely lonely”. “It’s intimidating when people are walking past and staring at you — you feel like an extreme oddball in this world.” Image credit: 7NEWS

Real Estate

Federal Budget 2023: How to make the most of the key promises

Treasurer Jim Charles has handed down his first budget for 2023/24, offering a series of measures aimed at tackling the cost-of-living crisis. Millions of Australians will receive a boost from the federal government medical care, bills and welfare payments, amid the forecast that the budget will be be in the black with a surplus of $4bn. Here’s what it means for you: Bill help Those who are on the pension, a seniors card holder or a recipient of family tax benefits A and B will be eligible to get help with energy bills thanks to a deal between the states and Commonwealth that’s worth $1.5bn. That means over five million eligible households and one million eligible small businesses will benefit from the scheme. The relief will come in the form of credits that apply directly to their power bills rather than cash, and the amount they receive will depend on the state they live in. Medicare Relief The incentives paid to GPs who bulk bill 11.6m eligible Australians including children under 16, pensioners and other concession card holders will increase. GPs will be able to claim the incentives for in-person consultations over six minutes long and certain telehealth consultations. GPs who bulk bill patients in the city will be paid a new incentive of $20.65 compared to the previous rate of $6.60, while regional GPs will receive a $31.40 incentive, up from $10.05. Welfare recipients Over 1.1 million vulnerable Australians will benefit from a $40 fortnightly boost from September, if parliament agrees. The increased base rate will apply to people receiving JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment (partnered), ABSTUDY, Disability Support Pension (Youth) and Special Benefit. Rental assistance For many renters, this budget means that rent is forecasted to increase over the next year as the market tightens. However, for those currently receiving the maximum Commonwealth Rent Assistance allowance their payments will increase by 15 per cent. Here’s what the Federal Budget will look like at a glance: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Budget deficit of $13.9 billion in 2023/24 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Commonwealth net debt to rise to $574.9 billion (22.3 per cent of GDP) in 2023/24 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Economic growth to fall to 1.5 per cent in 2023/24 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Unemployment rate to rise to 4.25 per cent in 2023/24 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Inflation as measured by CPI to be 3.25 per cent in 2023/24 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Wages to rise by four per cent in 2023/24 </li> </ul> And here are the key measures the federal budget has promised: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Energy bill relief for five million households and one million businesses </li> <li dir="ltr"> Triple bulk-billing incentives and more funding for urgent care clinics </li> <li dir="ltr"> Base rate of JobSeeker and other payments to be raised for 1.1 million households </li> <li dir="ltr"> Commonwealth Rent Assistant rise for 1.1 million households </li> <li dir="ltr"> Housing boost including tax breaks for build-to-rent investors </li> <li dir="ltr"> $4 billion extra for renewable energy </li> <li dir="ltr"> Tax breaks for small business to write-off assets and reduce energy costs </li> <li dir="ltr"> Targeted help for jobless aged over 55 </li> <li dir="ltr"> Cut to cost of medicines </li> </ul> Image: Getty Images/ Martin Ollman / Stringer

Money & Banking

Over-55s the only group to receive Centrelink payment boost

Older recipients of JobSeeker will receive a higher welfare payment as the federal budget is set to include an increase in payments for 227,000 Aussies. According to 7News, the budget will include an increase in the base rate of the JobSeeker for people aged 55 and above. The change honours Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ promise that an increase “will be focused on the most vulnerable”. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher previously committed to a “significant improvement” in terms of the budget. When asked if the rate of JobSeeker would be lifted, Gallagher revealed the budget would contain “ongoing” investments to help people with cost-of-living pressures, in addition to one-off measures. “This budget will have a significant cost-of-living package and that cost-of-living package will be targeted to the most vulnerable Australians,” she said. About 227,000 Jobseeker recipients are 55 and over, which is the highest number of any age group and the group most likely to be unemployed long-term, meaning they are without a job for five years or more. The majority of people in this group are women. Senior sources reportedly told 7News that the increase will be modest, not the $100-a-week advocates are hoping for but what the budget can afford. The change is unlikely to please Raise the Rate campaigners, who have called for the government to bring payments above the poverty line. 7News reported that the government will sell the moderate increase as a “responsible first step”, an increase that will help the most vulnerable of JobSeeker recipients and honours its election commitment to do what it can to help within the restraints of the budget. The pressure continues to pile up for the government to substantially increase income support payments above $49.50 a day for singles on JobSeeker and $40.20 a day for Youth Allowance. An open letter to the Prime Minister, which has been signed by more than 300 politicians, community advocates and prolific Aussies, called for an increase to be included in the budget to support those most in need. “Right now, the rate of JobSeeker is so low that people are being forced to choose between paying their rent or buying enough food and medicine,” the letter, coordinated by the Australian Council of Social Service, read. In 2022, the council’s research found six in 10 people on income support were eating less or reporting difficulty getting medicine or care due to their inadequate income. This increased to seven in 10 in March 2023. The budget plans to extend single-parenting payments and increase rental assistance - particularly for women. Around $120 billion in Morrison Government road and rail projects will be reviewed and money reprioritised, with hundreds of smaller projects likely to be stopped. Image credit: Getty

Money & Banking

Jackie O sends welfare check for concerning caller

Radio giant Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has requested a welfare check for a listener after receiving a distressing phone call on The Kyle and Jackie O show. The caller, Michael, who made it on air at about 6:30 am during the First Calls segment on the show, proceeded to sing a song about suicide, blindsiding the presenters. The song was Fade to Black by U.S heavy metal band Metallica, from their 1984 album Ride the Lightning. The bleak track is about wondering if life is worth living and wishing for death. Michael did not advise the hosts that he would be singing the song, and had told producer ‘Intern Pete’ Deppeler off air that he was a ‘comedian’ and ‘had a few jokes to tell’. Henderson seemed concerned and asked the team to make sure the listener was okay. The dismal segment started soon after an ad break, with host Kyle Sandilands asking, “You want to ring up for anything? First Calls, 13 10 65 will get you through. Michael has called in. Hey, Michael.” “Hello,” Michael responded, sounding dismal, which the hosts recognised was off as Sandilands was quick to mimic ‘hello’ back. Sandilands asked how the listener was doing, to which Michael replied, “Oh, not bad. I [inaudible] have a quick ten-second song I'd like to... sing for you.” 'What, sorry? A song?' Henderson asked. “It goes like this,” Michael said, before singing the lyrics to Fade to Black, “.. lost the will to live / Simply nothing more to give / There is nothing more for me / Need the end to set me free.” Michael put his own spin on the song, singing lyrics that don’t appear on the track, “Never cared for no one else” before quickly hanging up. “Don't be like that…”, a baffled Sandilands said after Michael abruptly ended the call. Henderson feared the worst, immediately asking producers, “Is he alright? That didn't sound good, guys. What were you getting off air? Because that sounded like a goodbye song to me.” Sandilands tried to reassure Henderson, saying “He seems fine. He seems fine.” Deppeler, who had spoken to Michael during the ad break and briefed him on what would be discussed on air said, “He was normal to me,” When Henderson asked what they’d spoken about during the ad break, Deppeler told the presenter, "He said, 'I'm a comedian, I've got a few jokes to tell, I've got a new song.'” “So he went rogue on you?' Henderson asked, with Deppeler replying, “A little bit rogue, yeah”. Henderson asked Deppeler to “call him back and check he's okay,” adding, "He just hung up and said this is the end for me. Just check he's alright, that guy.” She awkwardly laughed as she and Sandilands scolded Deppeler for having such a grim listener as the first caller following a two-week break. The presenters then moved on to the second caller, A woman called Debbie. Help is available, speak with someone today. Crisis support is available from <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14. Support is available from <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beyond Blue</a> on 1300 22 4636. Image credit: Instagram

Caring

12 things you should always do before you leave your hotel room

Check under the bed and dresser “I always get down on my hands and knees and look under the bed and under the dresser,” says Suzanne Markham-Bagnera, a former general manager at hotels. Young kids especially like to hide things, and then forget about them. “You get the frantic phone call that a child has left their Lovey, their stuffed animal, or their toy and they realised once they get in their car and start driving, but they’re not able to come right back to the hotel,” she adds. Pull the bed linens back Markham-Bagnera typically removes the bedding to both help out the housekeeper and make sure she hasn’t forgotten anything. “That’s my way of securing: I’ve done the clean sweep of the bed. I’m good,” she says. Guest aren’t expected to strip the bed, but should you decide to, make sure to leave the comforter on a chair or in the closet, not on the floor. And don’t ball the bed linens up with the blanket, keep them separate. Leave the used towels in the tub Markham-Bagnera puts all the towels on the bathtub, especially if they’re still wet. That way they’re out of the way and all together in the pile. And the room attendant only has to pick up one pile of dirty linen. “It makes it a lot faster to pick up,” Markham-Bagnera says. Take the food you want to keep If you’ve used the refrigerator, make sure that you take out the items that you want. “The ones that you don’t want, throw away,” she says. Some guests leave alcohol as a tip for the housekeeper, but policies vary from hotel to hotel on whether they can accept it or not. Stack overflow takeaway boxes next to a waste bin Hotel waste bin are pretty small, and the remnants of last night’s dinner may not fit. If you’ve got overflow, pile the boxes next to the waste bin instead of leaving them scattered all around the room. “The messier you leave the room, the harder it is for the room attendant to clean that room,” Markham-Bagnera says. Check between the mattress and box spring When a room doesn’t have a safe, hotel guests will sometimes hide items they don’t want to leave around the room between the mattress and the box spring. Housekeepers have recovered weapons and sex toys there, Markham-Bagnera says. Move the furniture back If hotel guests are travelling with children, they sometimes move one of the beds against the wall so there’s less opportunity for a child to fall out of the bed. That’s fine, but the courtesy is to move the furniture back where you found it before you leave. Take your medications and supplies with you Forgetting your medication can be dangerous for you, but leaving supplies like needles in your room could also be hazardous to your housekeeper. Also, if you gashed yourself shaving and used a towel to stop the blood flow, separate the towel out from the rest. “Hotels will have protocols for how to clean it or for how they have to bag it and have a company come and dispose of it. Because they can’t just put that in the regular trash and be done with it in a hotel,” Markham-Bagnera says. Make sure you have your charger! “If I had a dollar for every charger that I found, I could take my whole family on vacation,” says hotel manager, Adam Sperling. These days, it’s bad news if your phone dies, so take that last look around. “It’s things that get left behind that can often cause you stress at the end of your journey,” he says. Think about a tip Room attendants are typically paid hourly, so their position is different from a bellhop or a server that might make less per hour with the expectation that they will make more in gratuities, Markham-Bagnera says. That said, room attendants work incredibly hard and tipping is appreciated. Things to consider? The quality of the hotel, whether you’re staying one night or multiple nights, and how messy you’re leaving the room. “If you’ve got a lot of people staying in the room and you’ve got a pullout sofa or a cot, and you’ve used a lot more towels, it certainly is nicer to leave a little extra,” Markham-Bagnera says. Call down to the front desk for transportation Mornings can be hectic at hotels, with out-of-town guests rushing to make meetings and flights in cities they don’t know. You can save yourself some of the hassle by doing a little prep before you leave the hotel room. “Call down and say, ‘hey, I’m leaving at 7.30 tomorrow, can my car be waiting for me?’” Sperling suggests. “That helps everybody. Your car’s waiting for you and we’re not scrambling to go get it at 7.25 when you need it at 7.30.” Book your next stay If you really liked your room and are planning to be back in the area, before you leave your hotel is a great time to rebook, Sperling says. He recommends you ask for the front desk manager for face-to-face treatment that can trump the savings online. “You’re likely to get a great rate, and you’re likely to get upgraded,” he says. Image credits: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/12-things-you-should-always-do-before-you-leave-your-hotel-room?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Travel Tips

A horse died on the set of The Rings of Power: more needs to be done to ensure the welfare of horses used in entertainment

The recent <a href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/rings-of-power-horse-death-lord-of-the-rings-peta-1235564884/">death of a horse</a> on the set of Amazon’s <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7631058/">The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power</a> is the latest incident raising questions about how humans use horses for entertainment and sport. While a statement from producers said the horses’s cardiac arrest occurred before the day’s filming began, animal rights activists PETA used the death to call on all screen producers to replace on-set horses with CGI and mechanical rig alternatives. The incident feeds into growing public concern about horse welfare on film and TV sets, at the track and in equestrian sports. But improving horse welfare is about more than just reputation repair – too often it’s about survival for horses and humans. <h2>Horse welfare in film and TV</h2> The riding of a horse over a cliff to its death for the movie Jesse James (1939) led to the establishment of <a href="https://humanehollywood.org/about-us/">American Humane</a>, which now oversees around 100,000 animals on more than 1,000 productions each year. While things have improved since the early days of film and television, deaths and mistreatment of horses still occur. In 1987, on the set of <a href="https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118307194">The Man From Snowy River II</a>, a seriously injured horse was killed using the blunt end of an axe. More recently, the high-profile series <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/the-real-story-behind-hbos-cancellation-of-luck">Luck</a>, starring Dustin Hoffman, was cancelled following the deaths of three horses. <h2>The good and bad of unprecedented global exposure</h2> In 2021, the Tokyo Olympics beamed to a global audience the excessive <a href="https://7news.com.au/sport/olympics/peta-calls-for-abusive-equestrian-events-to-be-axed-from-olympics-c-3703388">whipping and punching</a> of modern pentathlon horse Saint Boy and show jumper Kilkenny’s <a href="https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/kilkenny-suffers-nosebleed-during-olympic-individual-final">spectacular nosebleed</a> during the controversial show jumping program. While the bleed must have been obvious, officials did not intervene to stop the ride. Confronting images, and the perceived failure of organisers to protect the horses involved, brought into clear and global focus the indisputable welfare issues faced by horses competing at the elite level. The global outcry led to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9892093/Name-price-Kaley-Cuoco-offers-buy-horse-cruelly-punched-Olympics.html">actress Kaley Cuoco offering to buy Saint Boy</a> and the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/02/modern-pentathlon-votes-to-ditch-horse-riding-after-tokyo-olympic-turmoil">withdrawal of the equestrian phase from modern pentathlon</a>. <h2>Risk to humans and horses</h2> Horse welfare does not just impact animals. Since the 1840s, 873 jockeys are known to have <a href="https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/2062/facts-and-figures-jockey-fatalities-australia/">died in race falls</a> in Australia. Internationally, the sport of eventing (where competitors complete three phases: dressage, show jumping and cross-country) reported 38 rider and 65 horse fatalities during or after competition between 2007-15. Riding horses is considered one of the most <a href="https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/evj.13934">dangerous of all sporting pursuits</a>, and the deaths of riders and jockeys, usually from falls, are common. Public concern about risk to horses and humans through horse racing and equestrian sports, as well as screen production, also <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/15/1987">threaten these industries’ social licence</a>. <h2>Better horse welfare is related to better rider safety</h2> Our research offers hope for the horse industry and for those passionate about riding horses. Last year, we <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159121003269">published a paper</a> demonstrating the link between horse welfare and rider safety. We asked riders how they cared for their horses and how their horses behaved when ridden – for example, we wanted to know how often horses were bucking or rearing. From this information, we calculated a relative welfare score for each horse. We also asked riders about their accidents and injuries. After analysing the data from over 400 riders, we found the higher the horse welfare score, the fewer accidents and injuries a rider reported. In a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08927936.2023.2176589">subsequent study</a>, we found horses with better welfare scores are more enjoyable to ride, most likely because they perform better and riders feel more in control, creating a win-win for horses and riders. <h2>Good horse welfare means more than good health</h2> Often good welfare is thought of in terms of an animal being healthy. While this is part of good welfare, good health alone is not enough – especially for a horse competing at the elite level or taking part in a film. Horses are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159117300710?casa_token=5E77h_TYKGEAAAAA:EUBGz7BTnACvpvB_3iYM-urXpBxJbS95G0-05yMRJEbMTg_SEeb_VnSoVgn35su8_aNOZEpSqctL">neophobes</a> – this means they find new things frightening – so most horses are likely to find a movie set or travelling to a new location stressful. The most up-to-date <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/10/1870/htm">understanding of welfare</a> tells us that stress and poor mental health means poor animal welfare. When a horse is stressed or in pain they <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159117300692">behave in a very predictable way</a> – they run away, panic, kick out or buck and rear. Yet, anecdotally and in the media, people seeing a horse behaving in this way often claim the horse is crazy, unpredictable or just plain mean. More likely, an “unpredictable” horse is suffering from poor welfare. As part of our research program, we have developed a <a href="https://hub.rspca.org.au/attachments/88">new framework</a> to help horse owners identify aspects of their care and training that diminish horse welfare. This information can be used to make modifications to improve horse welfare, and, importantly, can be applied to horses in any equine sector, including racing, sport and film and television. <h2>Investing in the future of horses in entertainment and sport</h2> Although a veterinarian assessed the recent horse death on the set of The Rings of Power as “unlikely to be associated with the horse’s participation in the film”, more can be done to protect horses and the industry. In Australia, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/7/1986">no specific standard exists for the use of animals</a> in filmed media, and each state and territory has differing risk management guidelines. An opportunity now exists for the industry to set a new standard for horse care and training. An easily executable first step for the industry could be to insist a scientifically trained and credentialed equine behaviour expert be involved in the recruitment and supervision of horse actors and their trainers at all stages of production. This would ensure horse actors are appropriately trained to be on set and that horses are trained using the most up-to-date ethical methods. Horse behaviour experts could also help in scene design to minimise horses’ exposure to stressful situations and identify tasks that are incompatible with good horse welfare. If these suggestions were to be adopted, the film and television industry would be setting the benchmark for horse welfare – and pressure other horse industries to follow suit. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-horse-died-on-the-set-of-the-rings-of-power-more-needs-to-be-done-to-ensure-the-welfare-of-horses-used-in-entertainment-202939" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Images: The Rings of Power / Amazon

Check your rates: Couple's warning after being overcharged for more than a decade

A disgruntled couple from the NSW south coast town of Kiama have slammed their local council after discovering they have been overcharged by around $8,000 for a rubbish bin they weren’t even using. The couple, Kim and Geoff Oppert reached out to A Current Affair to warn other ratepayers to carefully check the fine print on their bills. The pair had made the decision to downsize their red-lid general waste bin after their daughter moved out of the family home, which ideally would have lowered their rates. Due to a mistake on their bills - clouded by legal jargon - the couple were paying twice as much for their red-lid garbage bin. This meant Kiama Council had been charging them for TWO bins for the past 12 years. "Look at your rates notice and check you're paying for just one bin," Mr Oppert told A Current Affair. "Over 12 years we paid $16,000 in garbage waste disposal and it really should have been half that," he said. "Our rate notice doesn't clearly say how many bins we have. It's bureaucratic speak no one could understand." When the couple finally realised the mistake they went straight to the council. "But they would only give us a refund for two years and quoted some tax act as the reason why," Mr Oppert explained. "It is so unfair and just not right," Mrs Oppert added. "It was their mistake not ours, and they admitted it.” Mr Oppert seeks to warn all Australians paying a council for a bin service, "Check your rates notice and make sure you're not getting ripped off.” Kiama Council were made aware of the situation and gave a partial refund to the couple. "When this matter was brought to our attention, Kiama Council acted quickly to rectify the situation, in accordance with the law, as outlined below.”, a Kiama Municipal Council spokesperson said in a statement. “We refunded the amounts of $805.72 for 2021-22 and $818.61 for 2022-23. The couple have not received a full refund due to tax laws. "The Office of Local Government has advised that, where charges go back more than 1 year, the Recovery of Imposts Tax Act 1963 applies as follows", the spokesperson continued. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/03/BINS-PIC.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> "In addition, Kiama Council is now working on an audit of all our urban and residential waste services to ensure our charges are correct. "Council reminds all ratepayers to check their bills and if anything is unclear, please get in touch with us to discuss, we are always happy to help." Image credit: A Current Affair/Kiama Municipal Council

Real Estate

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="font-size: 16px; 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'; background-color: #ffffff;">Image credits: Getty Images <p style="font-size: 16px; 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'; 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

"You have to beg for help": how our welfare system pressures people to perform vulnerability

People who rely on welfare payments to survive are often required to repeatedly tell stories of their personal hardships. In a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/07/job-seekers-could-have-welfare-stopped-under-onerous-new-points-based-system-advocates-warn">conditional welfare system</a>, many must regularly attend compulsory appointments, job search training courses, and self-development and treatment programs simply to receive their payments. People in extreme hardship often tell their stories even more frequently as they seek extra relief from non-government charities and community providers. Those on income support payments below the relative poverty line feel the crunch of <a href="https://www.ncoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NCOSS_CostOfLiving22_FINAL_DESIGNED.pdf">inflation and rising living costs</a> most severely. This means many will require extra support from welfare services to meet their basic needs. Integral to this system is the idea of “performing vulnerability”. “Performing vulnerability” – a term I borrow from UK-based researcher <a href="https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/vulnerability-and-young-people">Kate Brown</a> to update Australian academic <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/lowest-rung/FA159318C2D046EDD3C9347C8B8E4F2E">Mark Peel’s</a> idea of “performing poverty” – is not just about repeatedly describing personal hardship. It points to the expectation to describe hardship in particular ways that are recognisable – and hence believable – to support providers. My book, <a href="https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/making-a-life-on-mean-welfare">Making a Life on Mean Welfare: Voices from Multicultural Sydney </a>shows how the expectation to perform vulnerability to access support shapes experiences on both sides of the welfare frontline. It can compound the cycle of disadvantage associated with receiving welfare in the long term. It does so by <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0038026119876775">fostering mistrust</a> between welfare users and providers, as well as tainting how people in need of support see themselves and their situation. <h2>‘Tell me your story’</h2> For my doctoral research, I spent 18 months speaking to welfare users and workers in culturally and linguistically diverse southwest Sydney. I also observed different aspects of service delivery while volunteering at a community welfare organisation. I interviewed 25 welfare users and 11 community welfare practitioners. As a researcher of everyday experiences of welfare and poverty, I know all too well what it is like to ask people to tell their stories of hardship yet again. I also grew up in an impoverished family reliant on welfare to get by. I know firsthand what the impact of retelling stories of hardship can be, particularly when the audience is, as Peel <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/lowest-rung/FA159318C2D046EDD3C9347C8B8E4F2E">puts</a> it, “someone who has the power to give or deny them something they need”. One of the community welfare practitioners I interviewed summed it up by saying: "They’re coming again feeling ashamed. They’ve knocked on someone’s door, to tell yet again how shitty their situation is." Her response was to chat and put them at ease before saying, “Can you tell me your story?” She would follow up by saying, “You’ve given me some insight, let’s formalise your story a little bit.” Some welfare workers showed more scepticism, particularly when it came to giving out emergency relief. When someone refused to share more than the minimum information required to be eligible for extra assistance, one welfare worker commented: "That person doesn’t want to take responsibility." Another practitioner told me, “That woman dramatised her situation,” but quickly added, “That doesn’t mean she wasn’t genuine.” The willingness of people seeking assistance to disclose personal hardships and do so convincingly impacts on how deserving they may come across to those delivering support. The pressure to perform can overshadow encounters between welfare users and workers even when it doesn’t determine the outcome. <h2>‘It’s your dignity’</h2> Among the most marginal welfare recipients I spoke to, “performing vulnerability” was another toll of poverty. Those experiencing the worst hardship frequently told me about having to explain “the ins and outs” and feeling “embarrassed”, “intimidated” or “uncomfortable” when they had to present to welfare agencies. Two young people (whom I have given fictional names) powerfully conveyed the cost of telling all about their struggles: <blockquote> Kane: Often if you go to them sorts of people (welfare agencies) you’ve gotta put it all out there, that you’re homeless, that you got nothing, you got no friends, no family – and then they’re gonna go boom “alright” (you get the help you came for)… Nessa: Yeah, that’s what I had to do to get a house and it’s embarrassing (talking over each other) I think it’s embarrassing. Kane: You gotta go down to those levels you know – it’s wrong. Nessa: When you gotta expose everything and don’t want to, it’s, like, your dignity. Kane: Yeah, it’s everything. </blockquote> <h2>Performing is not pretending</h2> The most marginal welfare users get a great deal of practice performing their hardship. But knowing how to tell their story a certain way is not the same as pretending. Not only do people at the sharp end of the welfare system have to endure the hardships of poverty, but they must then recite it in a way that registers as genuine, pressing and beyond reprieve. As a woman living on the disability support pension put it:"You don’t have the flexibility that a rich person has to respond to crisis, so you have to beg for help. That takes time! And you know you’ll be judged like it’s your fault." A welfare system that demands disclosure of personal hardships – even when geared towards being <a href="https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/full/10.1111/1468-4446.12740">supportive</a> rather than suspicious – can undermine dignity and hold back those unwilling or unable to tell their story convincingly or in enough detail. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/you-have-to-beg-for-help-how-our-welfare-system-pressures-people-to-perform-vulnerability-180975" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Retirement Income

Record boost to Centrelink payments coming for nearly one million Aussies

Hundreds of thousands of Australians receiving welfare are due to receive the biggest increase to their payments in two decades. The increase will see payments for young people, including parents, students and those on disability, increase from January 1, 2023. From next year, the base rate for singles on Youth Allowance will increase by at least $19.10 - with a maximum $32.40 extra a fortnight - taking the maximum rate up to $569.80. Single Australians with dependents can expect a boost of $41.40, bringing payments up to $729.60, while couples will receive an additional $35.20 a fortnight. For those under 21 without kids who receive Disability Support Pension, including Youth Disability Supplement, the payment increase is expected to range between $27.40 and $40.70 a fortnight. Recipients of Austudy, ABSTUDY, Mobility Allowance, Double Orphan Pension, Carer Allowance and Pharmaceutical Allowance will also be included in the increases, which are part of a routine indexation that happens every January to keep up with inflation. It comes after the Reserve Bank of Australia forecasted that inflation would peak at eight percent by the end of 2022. In comparison, payments for young people and students have been indexed at 6.1 percent. Social services minister Amanda Rishworth said the increase would help ease the pressure coming from the current cost-of-living crisis. “With the cost of living increasing, we need to ensure students and young people can cover basic costs while focusing on their studies and career aspirations,” she said. While young people are the subject of these payment increases, those who receive Jobseeker or the Aged Pension won’t be left out, with indexation increases announced for all welfare payments were announced by the federal government in September. These payments are also indexed at other times of the year, with the Aged Pension increasing in March and September. Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Why do airlines charge so much for checked bags? This obscure rule helps explain why

Could you cope with a shock to your bank balance? 5 ways to check you are financially resilient

"They checked the lungs": Jackie O rushed to hospital mid-show

5 important things to check off your list before your next cruise

Forcing people to repay welfare ‘loans’ traps them in a poverty cycle – where is the policy debate about that?

Should I be getting my vitamin D levels checked?

Don’t believe the hype. Menopausal women don’t all need to check – or increase – their testosterone levels

5 memorable locations from ‘80s films to check out

Can you lend a paw this tax time to help cats in need?

"Get a job": Ben Fordham slammed over interview with welfare recipient

“Extremely difficult”: Woman forced to live in car for over two years

Federal Budget 2023: How to make the most of the key promises

Over-55s the only group to receive Centrelink payment boost

Jackie O sends welfare check for concerning caller

12 things you should always do before you leave your hotel room

A horse died on the set of The Rings of Power: more needs to be done to ensure the welfare of horses used in entertainment

Check your rates: Couple's warning after being overcharged for more than a decade

5 reasons to check on your elderly neighbour during a heatwave

"You have to beg for help": how our welfare system pressures people to perform vulnerability

Record boost to Centrelink payments coming for nearly one million Aussies

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Why do airlines charge so much for checked bags? This obscure rule helps explain why

Could you cope with a shock to your bank balance? 5 ways to check you are financially resilient

"They checked the lungs": Jackie O rushed to hospital mid-show

5 important things to check off your list before your next cruise

Forcing people to repay welfare ‘loans’ traps them in a poverty cycle – where is the policy debate about that?

Should I be getting my vitamin D levels checked?

Don’t believe the hype. Menopausal women don’t all need to check – or increase – their testosterone levels

5 memorable locations from ‘80s films to check out

Can you lend a paw this tax time to help cats in need?

"Get a job": Ben Fordham slammed over interview with welfare recipient

“Extremely difficult”: Woman forced to live in car for over two years

Federal Budget 2023: How to make the most of the key promises

Over-55s the only group to receive Centrelink payment boost

Jackie O sends welfare check for concerning caller

12 things you should always do before you leave your hotel room

A horse died on the set of The Rings of Power: more needs to be done to ensure the welfare of horses used in entertainment

Check your rates: Couple's warning after being overcharged for more than a decade

5 reasons to check on your elderly neighbour during a heatwave

"You have to beg for help": how our welfare system pressures people to perform vulnerability

Record boost to Centrelink payments coming for nearly one million Aussies

Our Partners

Join Over60