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Even calm people can fly into a rage behind the wheel. Here’s how to curb your road rage – before it’s too late

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/milad-haghani-1454675">Milad Haghani</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> If someone bumps into us on the footpath or in the mall, we’re generally quite forgiving. We instinctively apologise or step aside, and usually don’t scream at, stalk, or attack the other person. But put us in a car, and <a href="https://x.com/Boenau/status/1755234912540459059">something changes</a>. People who appear calm in everyday life suddenly tailgate, honk, or shout at strangers. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753524002467?casa_token=76NSmREtG8MAAAAA:yFEcndOLjARRfthZMFwOQ3UmPeqgJEwSuAvkaA51rH8fA7v8RzHDamohBhf8Ai7jb3Nrp98pz4I">Problems at work</a> or home can suddenly explode in the form of righteous anger toward other road users. Road rage <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457523000192">increases crash risk</a>, and victims of road rage incidents often have <a href="https://www.mynrma.com.au/media/press-releases/2024/nrma-releases-worrying-road-rage-data">children in the car</a> with them. So, why does driving <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022437524000914?dgcid=raven_sd_recommender_email">bring out the worst in us</a>? And more importantly, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457521001755?dgcid=raven_sd_recommender_email">what can we do about it</a>? <h2>Road rage remains common</h2> <a href="https://www.mynrma.com.au/media/press-releases/2024/nrma-releases-worrying-road-rage-data">Recent</a> <a href="https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/research/road-rage-study.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com">surveys</a> indicate road rage remains common in Australia. In September 2024, insurer NRMA <a href="https://www.mynrma.com.au/media/press-releases/2024/nrma-releases-worrying-road-rage-data">reported</a> a survey of 1,464 of its members in two states found many had witnessed road rage incidents such as: <ul> <li>tailgating (71%)</li> <li>drivers beeping other drivers (67%)</li> <li>drivers gesturing angrily at other drivers (60%)</li> <li>drivers deliberately cutting in front of other vehicles (58%)</li> <li>drivers getting out of their car to confront to confront another driver (14%)</li> <li>stalking (10%)</li> <li>physical assault (4%).</li> </ul> Another insurer, Budget Direct, <a href="https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/research/road-rage-study.html">reported</a> last year on a survey of 825 people that found about 83% had experienced shouting, cursing, or rude gestures from other people on the road (up by 18% since 2021). And of the female respondents, 87% reported they’d copped this kind of behaviour from other road users. Common triggers for driver anger include tailgating, perceived rudeness (such as not giving a “thank you” wave), and witnessing another person driving dangerously. Aggressive driving behaviours tend to be more common in <a href="https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.031918298391749">younger, male drivers</a>. Road rage is a global problem, with studies finding road rage remains common in places such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457509002012?casa_token=G4nhNdF3olAAAAAA:8tdP0GyMiwN4_n4fekvQB-EiUSLa8Q2sgbpMhfUNWh0w9YqeiWft1aPY2ZSFLngcSFZAHfMOQhA">Japan</a>, the <a href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/07/nearly-80-percent-of-drivers-express-significant-anger-aggression-or-road-rage/">US</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1369847805000884">New Zealand</a> and the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1369847898000096">UK</a>, but the degree varies significantly from country to country. <h2>Who is more likely to fly into a rage on the road?</h2> Some of us are more likely than others to fly into a rage while driving. One way researchers <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847815001722">measure</a> this is via a testing tool known as the <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/rokada/psyctest/driving.pdf">Driving Anger Scale</a>. Data from many studies using this test show drivers who are more prone to anger in general are <a href="https://research.monash.edu/en/publications/driving-anger-as-a-psychological-construct-twenty-years-of-resear">more likely to turn that anger into aggression</a>. They get annoyed by more things, are quicker to act on their feelings, take more risks, and as a result, are more likely to be involved in anger-related crashes. Research suggests that while female drivers experience anger just as much as male drivers, they are less likely to act on it in a <a href="https://www.turkpsikiyatri.com/PDF/C18S3/en/angerExpression.pdf">negative way</a>. Female drivers tend to feel more intense anger in certain situations, such as when <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847815001722#f0010">faced with hostile gestures or traffic obstructions</a>, compared to their male counterparts. <h2>What can I do to reduce my road rage?</h2> In a car, we’re physically separated from others, which creates a sense of distance and anonymity – two factors that lower our usual social filters. Encounters feel fleeting. There’s a good chance you won’t be held accountable for what you or say or do, compared to if you were outside the car. And yet, we perceive the stakes as high because mistakes or bad decisions on the road can have serious consequences. This mix of isolation, stress, and the illusion of being in a bubble is a perfect recipe for heightened frustration and anger. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001457521001755?dgcid=raven_sd_recommender_email">Research</a> suggests techniques drawn from cognitive behavioural therapy may help. These include learning to identify when you are starting to feel angry, trying to find alternative explanations for other people’s behaviour, using mindfulness and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847815001758">relaxation</a> and trying to move away from the trigger. The American Automobile Association also <a href="https://exchange.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Road-Rage-Brochure.pdf">suggests</a> you can reduce road rage incidents by being a more considerate driver yourself – always use your indicator, avoid cutting others off and maintain a safe distance from other cars. Try to stay calm when other drivers are angry, and allow extra time in your journey to reduce stress. If driving anger is a frequent issue, consider seeking support or <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anger-management">anger management resources</a>. Avoiding — or at least being aware of — <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847821002667">anger rumination</a> can make a big difference. This happens when someone replays anger-inducing events, like being cut off in traffic, over and over in their mind. Instead of letting it go, they dwell on it, fuelling their frustration and making it harder to stay calm. Recognising this pattern and shifting focus — like taking a deep breath or distracting yourself — can help stop anger from escalating into aggression. More broadly, public awareness campaigns highlighting the link between anger and risky driving could also encourage more drivers to seek help. The next time you get behind the wheel, try to remember the other driver, the cyclist, or pedestrian is just another person — someone you might pass on the street without a second thought. We’re often good at forgiving minor missteps in non-driving contexts. Let’s try to bring that same patience and understanding to the road.<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/244402/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/milad-haghani-1454675">Milad Haghani</a>, Senior Lecturer of Urban Risk & Resilience, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/even-calm-people-can-fly-into-a-rage-behind-the-wheel-heres-how-to-curb-your-road-rage-before-its-too-late-244402">original article</a>. </div>

Mind

"29-year-old child": Footy great slams Nick Kyrgios

AFL Premiership winner Kane Cornes has slammed Nick Kyrgios after the tennis superstar has been making headlines for his Australian Open exit. There have been plenty of stories about the tennis player's fitness and his future in the sport, and Cornes, who is now one of the most outspoken members of the sporting media has had enough of the Kyrgios drama. “I just feel we talk about this guy too much,” Cornes began on SEN 1116 radio. “I understand why, but he’s absolutely dominated the headlines in the last two-to-three weeks in the lead-up to the Australian Open. “That’s not unusual, that happens, and we’re not going to hear the last of him. “I feel like his role in the game will be significant whether he’s playing or not because he is box office. “And despite him being our most disappointing Australian athlete ever, he will still have a role to play because people are interested in him.” “This is a guy who sits there and criticises everyone else,” Cornes continued. “He sits on his high horse and criticises everyone, be that ball kids, line judges, other opponents. “Look at the class which Roger Federer or other players with a similar level of talent as Nick carried themselves. “He’s a child. He’s a 29-year-old child. The way that he carries himself, the ambassador that he’s been, put all that in the mix, I think no one has disappointed more. “No one has been spoken about more with less results than this guy over a long period of time. “Yet still, here we are, and I get it and it’s a credit to him that people are interested in him, that we’re still talking about him.” Kyrgios has hit back at the comments on X, saying that Cornes' criticism was unfounded. "Gotta love comments from an athlete who didn't play a global sport," he posted. Social media users were quick to share their own opinions on disappointing athletes in response to Cornes' comments, with one person writing: “He’s not even the most disappointing tennis player. Tomic has him well covered.” Another sports fan said: “Cmon guys... Nick is Nick but that Raygun could not even be defined as an athlete so she leads the list of ‘international disgraces’ and its daylight to second, whoever that may be.” However others backed Kyrgios, with one writing: “Nick has played in an era where there are 3 absolute legends of the game who have dominated and he’s beaten all 3 something no one else has managed to do!! Wake up you clowns comparing Nick to Raygun, Ben Simmons, Tomic, Jarryd Hayne etc absolute disgrace you guys are!” Image: Channel 7/ Rachel Bach/Shutterstock Editorial

Retirement Life

Woolies shopper shocked by 15-year-old grocery receipt

A Woolworths shopper has been left stunned after unearthing a 15-year-old grocery receipt and comparing what the same order would cost today. Amy Coulston took to TikTok after finding her mum's grocery receipt from January 14th 2010 and decided to do a comparison to 2025 supermarket prices. "It's been 15 years since this shopping trip and I wanted to see the difference in price from then and now," she said. "I added in as much as I possibly could (but) there's brands on here that just don't exist anymore." The overall price for 30 items, which included chicken pies, salami, cereal and a DVD of the Pixar animated film Up, came to $127.26 in 2010. She looked for all the same items, or close comparisons, on the Woolworths website and the January 2025 bill came to $170.45. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEopeK3yGWq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEopeK3yGWq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Amy │ Aussie Side Hustles 📲 (@amycoul.money)</a> </div> </blockquote> "That's an increase of 35 per cent," Ms Coulston said. While many people took to her comment section to say the price comparison wasn't as significant as they thought it would be, others took another factor into consideration. "A 35 per cent (increase) over (that) period isn't actually that bad. It's the fact that the product is shrinking as the price goes up," they wrote. While Ms Coulston did not claim that all, or even most, of the products had shrunk in size over time, she did mention one popular treat in particular. "There's definitely a lot of discrepancies on here when it comes to things getting smaller, so for example, the Turkish Delights were 55 grams and now they're 50 grams," she said. One commenter spoke for many, though, in pointing out a glaring detail in the most recent shop. "It doesn't seem like a big increase over that period of time. The majority of the increase was over the last two years!" they wrote. "Like cheese prices didn't gradually increase, they just jumped from 6 dollars to 10 dollars overnight." Image credits: Woolworths / TikTok

Money & Banking

19-year-old dies after battle with rare genetic condition

TikTok star Beandri Booysen has died at the age of 19, her mother confirmed in a heartbreaking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19b59a3bfL/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribute</a>. Booysen died following a battle with Progeria – a rare genetic condition that causes children to age prematurely. According to the Mayo Clinic, children battling the condition typically have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. In a tribute shared to Facebook, her mother said that Booysen was "one of South Africa's most beloved and inspiring young women" and said she "radiated hope and joy" despite her battle. "In Loving Memory of Beandri Booysen," the post began. "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beandri Booysen, one of South Africa's most beloved and inspiring young women." The 19-year-old had more than 278,000 followers on her original TikTok account, becoming a symbol of awareness for the rare genetic condition and inspiring people worldwide. "Beandri was not only known for her vibrant personality and infectious laugh but also as the last surviving individual in South Africa living with Progeria – a rare genetic condition that causes children to age prematurely. "Despite the challenges she faced, Beandri radiated hope and joy. She became a symbol of awareness for Progeria and other special needs, using her unique spirit to inspire thousands of people worldwide." "The Booysen family kindly requests privacy during this profoundly difficult time as they mourn the loss of their beloved Beandri. Further details regarding the memorial service will be shared in due course," she added. Followers were quick to share their condolences to her heartbroken family, with one writing: "So sad. What an inspiration she was. Fly high with the angels sweet girl." "Rest in peace and without pain Beandri," another added. Images: Facebook

Caring

Christmas can be challenging for people with hearing loss. Here are 7 ways you can help

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-ekberg-1534998">Katie Ekberg</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-hickson-2280688">Louise Hickson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> For many people, Christmas can be the most social time of the year. The holiday period is often filled with parties, lunches, dinners and celebrations of all kinds with family, friends and colleagues. For adults with hearing loss, however, these social gatherings can bring unique challenges. Communicating with others can be difficult, particularly in group conversations. And the more <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2019.1670363">background noise</a> there is (for example, Christmas music or children playing), the harder it is. For age-related or acquired hearing loss, hearing ability typically starts to decline from <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0107720">age 50 onwards</a>. <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/hearing-health/resources/publications/one-in-six-australians-experience-hearing-loss-poster-0?language=en">One in six Australians</a> experience some hearing loss, so it’s possible someone around your Christmas dinner table will be struggling to hear. Unfortunately, many adults with hearing loss suffer these challenges in silence. Our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">research</a> shows adults with hearing loss often hide their hearing loss from others, even close family members and friends, because of feeling shame due to stigma. But there are some things you can do to ensure a loved one with hearing loss is included this Christmas. <h2>Stigma and stereotypes</h2> Stigma is when someone is treated differently by others due to a particular physical or social attribute. Across a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">series of studies</a>, we conducted surveys and interviews with adults with hearing loss, their families and hearing care professionals to explore experiences of stigma for adults with hearing loss. Our research also included video recordings of real-life conversations between adults with hearing loss and their families and friends. The <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2353862">results</a> suggested people often associate hearing loss with negative stereotypes of ageing, disability, reduced intelligence, having a problem or weakness, and difference. For example, one participant with hearing loss told us: <blockquote> Once they are aware that you can’t really comprehend or hear what they’re saying, they treat you different. And it’s not always positive, it’s quite often negative […] Even people who are familiar with you, my twin brother, he thinks that there’s something wrong with me because I can’t hear him properly. </blockquote> Old age was the most common stereotype associated with hearing loss. For example, one adult with hearing loss commented: <blockquote> I guess it’s just a sign of ageing. Like wearing glasses and grey hair. </blockquote> But as hearing can start declining from middle age, many adults experiencing hearing difficulties do not fit this stereotype. We see this stereotype appear in popular media as well. For example, in the TV show Bluey, the character Bingo dresses up as a “<a href="https://www.bluey.tv/characters/granny-rita/">Can’t-Hear-Anything granny</a>” in a number of episodes. In <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2418970">our research</a>, people with hearing loss reported feeling embarrassment, shame, frustration, sadness and fatigue from trying to manage their hearing difficulties during everyday conversations. In the results of <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">a survey</a> currently under peer review, almost two-thirds felt other people laughed about or treated their hearing loss as a joke, often making them feel uncomfortable. An example <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2389189">of this teasing</a> can be seen in a real-life conversation we recorded with a grandfather with hearing loss and his extended family while having afternoon tea. After the older man has ongoing trouble hearing his granddaughters, his wife teases him with the question “You got your hearing aids in Grandpa?”, which receives laughter from his son and granddaughters. While this sort of teasing might seem light-hearted, it can cause someone with hearing loss to feel embarrassed when they have trouble hearing. A key finding from <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2406885">our interview research</a> was that adults with hearing loss respond to experiences of stigma by not telling others about their hearing loss. Similarly, in an international <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">survey of 331 adults</a> with hearing loss, the results of which are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, one in four had not told anyone about their hearing loss. Others only told certain people in specific circumstances. There might, therefore, be family and friends at your Christmas gatherings facing the challenges of hearing loss without anyone knowing. <h2>Supporting loved ones with hearing loss this Christmas</h2> For adults with hearing loss, experiences of stigma can cause them to start to withdraw from social situations, participate less in conversations, and become more <a href="https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/abstract/2013/02000/social_isolation_and_loneliness__relationships.9.aspx">socially isolated and lonely</a>. But a greater awareness about hearing loss and inclusive communication can help tackle the stigma. Here are some simple ways you can be more inclusive of people with hearing loss this festive season: <ol> <li> Think about the location of your event – how noisy is it? When possible, choose restaurants and social settings that are quieter. Outdoor settings will generally be less noisy than indoor ones (apps such as <a href="https://theambientmenu.com.au/">The Ambient Menu</a> can help you choose). </li> <li> Turn down background noise if you can (for example, TV, radio, music). </li> <li> Speak face-to-face as much as possible. This allows for lip-reading so that people are not just reliant on their hearing. If you know someone has difficulty hearing, move closer to them and talk clearly and slightly more slowly. </li> <li> Arrange seating in a way that allows everyone to face each other. Round tables are best. </li> <li> Give people the opportunity to choose where they are seated around a table or in a restaurant. Adults with hearing loss may position themselves in the middle of a table or next to specific people they need to hear. </li> <li> If you are at an event with speeches, use a microphone when possible. </li> <li> If you notice a person not joining in the conversation you could ask them if they can hear OK and, if not, what you can do to help.<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/245943/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> </li> </ol> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-ekberg-1534998">Katie Ekberg</a>, Senior Lecturer, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-hickson-2280688">Louise Hickson</a>, Professor of Audiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/christmas-can-be-challenging-for-people-with-hearing-loss-here-are-7-ways-you-can-help-245943">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Eight people take their own lives after being denied voluntary assisted dying

Warning: This article contains discussions on suicide which some readers may find distressing. Eight people with declining health who were denied access to voluntary assisted dying have taken their own lives after the laws came into effect in Victoria, a coroner said. Coroner Simon McGregor reviewed cases in which people had died by suicide after failing to meet the strict eligibility requirements for voluntary assisted dying, and has asked the state's Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board to take the suicides into consideration. He did this while investigating the death of Melbourne man Geoffrey McConachy, who suffered from a stroke in late 2022 while on a trip to visit his son overseas, and as a result had lost his life enjoyment after his speech was profoundly impacted. McConachy took his own life year later in September 2023, aged 83, after he was deemed not eligible for voluntary assisted dying because he did not have a terminal prognosis. The coroner found that McConachy had a “greatly reduced quality of life” after he developed a depression and lost interest in life. Under Victorian law, voluntary assisted dying is accessible to those who are suffering from an incurable disease, are experiencing intolerable suffering and are expected to die within six months (or 12 months in the case of neurodegenerative conditions). Coroner McGregor said there had been eight deaths by suicide since the laws came into effect in 2017, and found that their decline in health was irreversible, but their access to voluntary assisted dying were denied “because they did not meet the strict criterion”. “A recurring theme throughout many of these deaths was the impact that voluntary assisted dying refusal had on the deceased,” McGregor said in his findings. “Family members often reported that when people believed they would have access to voluntary assisted dying they maintained hope that they would be able to exercise control over how they died; when their access to voluntary assisted dying was refused, their consequent despair and frustration contributed to their decision to take their own life." “I would ask the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board to remain open to considering this finding as part of a developing body of evidence about where there may be opportunities to improve the operation of voluntary assisted dying in the state.” Image: Shutterstock <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Lifeline: 13 11 14, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifeline.org.au </a> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">SANE Support line and Forums: 1800 187 263, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://saneforums.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saneforums.org</a> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Headspace: 1800 650 890, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://headspace.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">headspace.org.au</a> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Beyond Blue: 1300 224 635, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/beyondblue.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beyondblue.org.au </a>

Caring

"Just leave Christmas": Barnaby Joyce fires up over gender-neutral cookies

Some stories are big: wars, elections, pandemics. Others are tiny – crispy, vaguely human-shaped and destined for dunking in tea. The humble Gingerbread Man – or rather, its gender-neutral successor, the Gingerbread Person – has sent shockwaves through Parliament House and left a trail of crumbs all the way to the nearest bakery. The biscuit's modern makeover has Barnaby Joyce and Nationals Senator Matt Canavan crying "Save Christmas!" faster than you can say, "Not my gumdrop buttons!" While many of us would struggle to find outrage over baked goods – especially baked goods with no opinion on pronouns – Joyce sees a far darker picture. For him, this is political correctness gone so far off the rails it could inspire an army of ginger-fuelled Trump supporters. “It’s just like, all this stuff has been forced on me, just leave it,” he declared, presumably staring down a gender-neutral cookie in his local parliamentary cafeteria. “Just leave Christmas. If you don’t want to buy Gingerbread men, you don’t have to.” Then, proving politicians aren’t immune to comedic flair, he added: “Can I have one for me and one for it on table 3?” Meanwhile, Senator Canavan was equally distraught at the development, lamenting the apparent death of whimsy. “Please tell me they haven’t done this to the muffin man as well?” he begged, as if imagining a bleak future where fairytale characters are stripped of gender and fun. If you thought Parliament was alone in this existential ginger-crisis, think again. Supermarket giant Woolworths has already abandoned the “man” for a more inclusive “Gingerbread People”, and even Women’s Weekly, that wholesome bastion of baking, has shared a recipe for the modern, genderless cookie. It was Woolworths' decision that drew particular ire from a radio caller named Harry, who tattled to Melbourne’s 3AW like a child narking on a sibling. “Woolies has decided to start selling – under their own brand – non-binary Gingerbread people,” he reported solemnly. This news rocked radio host Tom Elliott, who lamented that none of the gingerbread figures “resemble women”. (For clarity’s sake, it’s worth noting that Gingerbread Men have never been renowned for their realistic depiction of human anatomy.) Online, the social media masses weighed in with their usual measured, level-headed takes. One user proclaimed they were “too busy caring about my electricity bill doubling” to give a crumb about cookies. Another’s sarcastic sympathy dripped from the screen: “If you can’t handle a biscuit with ‘man’ in the name, simply grab a box of tissues and retreat to your safe space.” And in the darkest corner of the internet, one person’s exasperation boiled over: “Jesus Christ. It’s a biscuit vaguely shaped like a human. Do we need to make a biscuit gender neutral so we don’t offend people?” Let’s face it: the Gingerbread Man is not, and has never been, the hill anyone expected society to die on. It doesn’t vote, drive or go to Centrelink. It’s a biscuit. Yet, here we are, watching as Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan rise like knights to defend a sugary snack from the insidious forces of progress. Does the average person truly care if their Gingerbread Man identifies as a Gingerbread Person? Is anyone truly shaking with rage while browsing the supermarket biscuit aisle? Or are most of us too busy, well, eating them? In the end, we must ask ourselves the hard questions: Will the Muffin Man survive the purge? Is Santa’s reindeer team next? And most importantly: if they’re still delicious, does it even matter? For now, the only certainty is that political correctness has officially reached the snack table. Somewhere, a batch of gender-neutral gingerbread people is cooling, blissfully unaware that their mere existence has triggered a full-scale political bake-off. And so, in the spirit of the festive season – let’s agree to eat the biscuit and leave the outrage for another day. Images: Supplied

Food & Wine

Many people don’t get financial advice even though it can help ensure a comfortable retirement

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/antonia-settle-1019551">Antonia Settle</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Many Australians, particularly those on lower incomes, are often characterised as <a href="https://www.mpmwm.com.au/latest-news/50475">lacking knowledge or interest</a> in superannuation. <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Research-Note-Survey-on-superannuation-and-retirement-Advice-Sept-2024.pdf#_msdynmkt_linkid=48e751d5-debe-4eb2-9309-4bc96b01930a">Research</a> by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) confirms this. It found only 51% have sought any sort of financial advice before retiring. Financial advice plays a critical role in helping people maximise their super. But most of us don’t seek professional guidance. To make matters worse, <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wealth/retirement-and-superannuation-questions-not-being-asked/news-story/cc2142c3b32c706ea6ff1dc99dab62a5">superannuation experts</a> say those with small amounts of super are the least likely to seek it. <h2>Financial literacy</h2> The failure of households to approach super like experienced asset managers is often attributed to <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/p2020-100554-ud00b_key_obs.pdf">poor financial literacy</a>. Better <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-literacy.asp#:%7E:text=%25%2025%25%200%25-,What%20Is%20Financial%20Literacy%3F,management%2C%20budgeting%2C%20and%20investing.">knowledge</a>, it is often reasoned, would help lower income households make financially savvy decisions. This would help give them a better chance of achieving a comfortable retirement. Getting professional advice about managing retirement savings is a first step towards knowing what you don’t know. Learning to trust independent advice can optimise risk and returns, even if those decisions conflict with our instincts. ASFA <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Research-Note-Survey-on-superannuation-and-retirement-Advice-Sept-2024.pdf#_msdynmkt_linkid=48e751d5-debe-4eb2-9309-4bc96b01930a">research</a> found while trust in super funds was relatively high, only 12% sought information or advice from the funds. <h2>Career interruptions</h2> Some households might have little superannuation because their hourly wages are low and they have long breaks from the workforce. This might be due to raising children, personal illness or caring for others. Instead of being able to rely on public healthcare or pay others to provide this support, they are required to reduce or abandon paid work to do it themselves. This group consists overwhelmingly of <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/publications/superannuation-gender-pay-gaps-by-age-group">women</a> They are also unlikely to have benefited from high employer contribution rates, such as those of <a href="https://www.csc.gov.au/Members/Funds-and-products/PSSap">federal public servants</a> or university employees, who have long earned a standard 17%. <h2>Tax and other benefits</h2> Low balance households are also unlikely to have paid large sums into super to avoid income tax. <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-superannuation-statistics-for-june-2024">One in every four dollars</a> contributed to super is deposited as voluntary contributions, which attract a low tax rate. But most of these low tax contributions are made by <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1527-Who-benefits-The-high-cost-of-super-tax-concessions-Web-1.pdf">the 20%</a> with the highest incomes. In fact, with <a href="https://povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/inequality/">70% of superannuation assets owned by the wealthiest 20% of households</a>, low balance households have relatively little to gain. Research shows those with the <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/4630688/ri2023n03.pdf">lowest balances</a> believe superannuation is a largely a tool for high income earners to avoid tax. And while financial advice will always be more useful to those who are able to use <a href="https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/tax/five-ways-to-save-tax-using-superannuation.html">super as a tax minimisation strategy</a>, even for low-balance households – getting financial advice is worthwhile. Financial advice can help households choose investments that optimise the risk/return profile of superannuation at each stage of the life cycle. It can help avoid unnecessary fees and taxes and help people make the best decisions about <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/drawdown.asp#:%7E:text=A%20drawdown%20in%20retirement%20is,known%20as%20a%20drawdown%20percentage.">spending in retirement</a> so they can get the most out of their super. <h2>Potential sticking points</h2> The <a href="https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/banking#:%7E:text=The%20Royal%20Commission%20into%20Misconduct,into%20misconduct%20in%20the%20banking%2C">2017 royal commission</a> into banking and finance misconduct revealed major conflicts of interest in the advice sector. This only made some people more wary about trusting a stranger with their life savings. At between $4,000 and $12,000 for a <a href="https://www.moneymag.com.au/financial-planning/learning/how-much-does-financial-advice-cost">personal financial plan</a>, independent financial advice is not cheap. There is free counselling to manage debts but there is no free, independent advice for longer-term financial planning. Recent <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/stephen-jones-2022/media-releases/government-unveils-comprehensive-financial-advice">regulatory efforts</a> to better position superannuation funds to provide free financial advice to households will improve access for many. But these efforts won’t resolve the conflict of interest issue, given there is little incentive for funds to suggest investment strategies using other providers. This is particularly important during the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/withdrawing-and-using-your-super/retirement-withdrawal-lump-sum-or-income-stream">draw down phase</a>. This is where people start using their super which they receive as either a lump sum or income stream. The products offered by any single super fund to set this up are limited. Superannuation balances can be seriously eroded by <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/calculators-and-tools/super-yoursuper-comparison-tool">unnecessary fees</a>, inappropriate investments and poorly planned <a href="https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/minimum-pension-payments-reduced">draw down</a> strategies. This is particularly damaging when low balances are involved. <h2>Facing poverty in retirement</h2> As a result, failure to seek financial advice can increase the risk of elderly poverty, especially if people retire without having bought or paid off a home. Any savings that can be preserved can make a meaningful difference to the capacity of such households to have a dignified retirement. For these reasons, access to free and independent advice is critically important for the superannuation system to better serve low-balance households. But free, independent advice is still not available in the superannuation system. It is not surprising low-balance households are reticent to engage in super given the lack of accessible advice. But the peripheral role of low-balance households in a system dominated by Australia’s wealthiest households may play a role in that reticence as well.<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/240207/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/antonia-settle-1019551">Antonia Settle</a>, Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/many-people-dont-get-financial-advice-even-though-it-can-help-ensure-a-comfortable-retirement-240207">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Police ramp-up desperate search for missing 8 year old

NSW Police have ramped up their search for missing eight-year-old Molly Noonan-Medley, who was reported missing seven weeks ago. The child was last seen in Woonona, south of Sydney, about 11am on October 31st. Police believe Molly is with an adult who is known to her. Officers attached to Wollongong Police District were notified on November 1st of Molly's disappearance and immediately commenced an investigation to locate the child, after attempts to contact the adult were unsuccessful. In a statement on Monday, NSW Police said they were re-appealing to the public for any information to help find the child, almost seven weeks after Molly was first reported missing. Molly is described as caucasian appearance, 120cm, thin build, blue eyes and blond/brown hair. The woman believed to be in company with Molly is known to frequent the Woonona, Wollongong and Huskisson areas, a NSW Police spokesperson said. Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Wollongong Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Image credits: NSW Police

Caring

Midwife turns comedian at the grand old age of 62!

At an age when many are settling into retirement, Sarah Stewart decided to rewrite the script of her life – literally and figuratively. After decades as a midwife, wife and mother, the 62-year-old has gone from delivering babies to delivering punchlines by taking to the stage as a stand-up comedian, proving that it’s never too late to pursue a dream. With a sharp wit and an abundance of life experience, she’s been blowing audiences away with her hilarious and heartfelt reflections on family, ageing and the absurdities of modern life. But her journey to comedy hasn’t been without its challenges. Juggling her blossoming career with personal trials – including her husband’s battle with cancer – Sarah has had to navigate the delicate balance between ambition and devotion. Through it all, she’s maintained a fierce determination to follow her passion and inspire others. We sat down with Sarah to discuss the triumphs and setbacks of chasing a dream later in life, and her upcoming plans to take her one-woman show, Midwife Crisis, to new heights: “When I hit 60 a couple of years ago, I had a sudden thought: ‘Gosh! Death is just around the corner!’ “Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but as you get older, you start to reflect on all the things you have always wanted to do but never achieved and realise that now is the time to do it before it is too late. “In my case, I had always wanted to become an actress but with being a wife, mother and an on-call midwife, over the years I had lost touch with my artistic side. I know it sounds like a horrible cliché but when I turned 60 I realised now was the time for me to reconnect with my creative soul, follow my dreams and put me first in my life for a change. “In 2020 I thought I would explore the possibility of becoming a comedian. I completed a couple of comedy courses and took part in a few open mics in Canberra. I discovered I have an ability to make people laugh, especially when talking about the highs and lows of being a wife for 40 years, wrangling grown-up kids who refuse to leave home, dishing the goss on being a midwife, and reflecting on the ageing process and how I’m preparing for my funeral. “Only 20 percent of women are comedians, and very few are over the age of 60. Thus, I have found a performance niche and an audience of the over 60s, especially women, with whom my material really resonates. I regularly have people say what a positive role model I am ‘at my age’! My unspoken response is I’d rather be doing comedy than spending all my time baby-sitting snotty grandchildren! “Over the last couple of years, I’d been building to debut my solo show ‘Midwife Crisis’ at the Australian Festival of Arts in Townsville in October 2024. But in May 2024, my husband Mark was diagnosed with stage 4 oesophageal cancer. “He went through a course of intensive chemotherapy and was scheduled for surgery in the middle of September. I didn’t know what to do; cancel my show straight away, or hang on while we waited to see the outcome of Mark’s surgery? “Obviously, my priority was to support my husband but at the same time I was gutted that I might miss this opportunity to achieve a goal that I had worked so hard for. “At the age of 62 these openings do not arise in the same way as they do for comedians in their 30s. To make matters ‘worse’, the two shows quickly sold out, so it looked like I had an instant success on my hands. “Mark had extensive but successful surgery on the 18th of September, and with the assistance of our son and Mark’s fabulous friends, I was able to go to Townsville and do my shows knowing Mark was being looked after at home. Our beautiful daughter who lives in Townsville did an amazing job of supporting me and resisting the temptation of rolling her eyes at how crazy her mother is. “Today, Mark has finished his last course of post-surgery chemotherapy and at the moment he is cancer-free. We don’t know what the future holds for us. That being said, another one of my favourite clichés is ‘onwards and upwards’. And so I am taking ‘Midwife Crisis’ to the Adelaide Fringe Festival in February 2024 and I am hoping I will be able to tick off another bucket list item, which is performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2026. “That’s as long as I don’t suddenly get snotty grandchildren to look after!!” Sarah is performing her Midwife Crisis show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival from Friday 21 – Sunday 23 February 2025, 2pm and 6pm. For more info and to book tickets, check out <a href="https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/midwife-crisis-af2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/midwife-crisis-af2025</a> Images: Supplied

Retirement Income

Couple accused of faking six-year-old child's cancer

South Australian couple has been arrested after allegedly faking their child’s cancer diagnosis. A man and woman, both aged 44, allegedly requested donations to fund ongoing medical treatments for their six-year-old child. They even allegedly shaved their child's head, eyebrows and placed them in a wheelchair with bandages to imitate the effects of cancer treatment, but their child was healthy. “Our investigation has confirmed the child is not seeking medical treatment,” Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia said. “We believe this farce illness is causing significant and serious psychological harm to the child and their sibling.” The pair allegedly received around $60,000 in donations over a two-week period. The allegations were first reported to police on November 26, with the couple being arrested and charged with two counts of criminal neglect and deceiving another to benefit self on Friday, according to SA Police. Both of the couple's children have been removed from their custody and are now staying with a relative. The parents were refused bail and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday. Anyone who may have donated money or has further information have also been asked to contact police. Image: Shutterstock

Legal

Young influencer's "sick act" while 80-year-old boyfriend is hospitalised

Social media users have been left horrified by a young influencer's lack of sympathy after she shared a "disturbing" video of herself dancing next to her elderly boyfriend's hospital bed. Bronwin Aurora, 22, filmed herself doing a trending TikTok dance and boasting about being included in her 80-year-old boyfriend's will, dancing around the elderly man who was lying in his hospital bed surrounded by medical equipment. “Guys, I got on the will, should I pull the plug?” she captioned the clip. The video gained nearly half a million views, and while some thought it might be satirical, others expressed their concern and outrage. “Love your care for humanity," one commented sarcastically. “I’m going to cry. I hope he gives everything to his kids," another wrote. “A prelude to an episode of Law and Order,” commented a third. Some even suggested it was "elder abuse", while many called her out for the "sickening" and "outrageous" act calling it "a new low". The 22-year-old appears to have a "sugar daddy" arrangement with the man, who often buys her extravagant gifts, including a $20k Cartier bracelet, among other things. While the influencer did not disclose her boyfriend's medical condition, she has been documenting his health across multiple posts on social media, with the most recent one showing him in a wheelchair. In one video she even told fans that she "loves" him and doesn't shy away from sharing details of her relationship online. Images: TikTok

Relationships

Planning for old age? Here’s what the aged care changes mean for you

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anam-bilgrami-1179543">Anam Bilgrami</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a> Last week, Parliament passed sweeping reforms to Australia’s aged care system. These “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms">once-in-a-generation</a>” changes, set to begin next year on July 1, aim to improve how care is provided to older Australians at home, in their communities and in nursing homes. The new Aged Care Act focuses on <a href="https://insideageing.com.au/new-aged-care-act-passes-parliament-ushering-in-historic-reforms/">improving quality and safety, protecting the rights</a> of older people and ensuring <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/news-and-updates/big-changes-aged-care-sector">the financial sustainability</a> of aged care providers. A key change is the introduction of a new payment system, requiring wealthier people to contribute more for non-clinical services. If you – or a loved one – are planning for aged care, here’s what the changes could mean for you. <h2>What to expect from the home care overhaul</h2> Over the past decade, there’s been a noticeable shift towards “ageing at home”. The number of Australians using home care has <a href="https://www.gen-agedcaredata.gov.au/getmedia/2fbaacd8-1fbf-4ef5-ab1c-72dfc4c727bf/People-using-aged-care-fact-sheet-2023.pdf?ext=.pdf">more than quadrupled</a>, surpassing those in nursing homes. To meet growing demand, the government is adding <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/press-conference-parliament-house-25-november?language=en">107,000 home care places</a> over the next two years, with a goal to reduce wait times to just three months. Starting July 1 2025, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about">Support at Home</a> will replace the <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/home-care-packages">Home Care Packages</a> program. The table below shows some of the key differences between these two programs. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=546&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=546&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=546&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=686&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=686&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=686&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Department of Health 2024</figcaption></figure> Home Care Packages are currently delivered under <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/home-care-packages">four annual government subsidy levels</a>, covering care and provider management costs. Under Support at Home, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/features">the number of home care budget levels will double to eight</a>, with the highest level increasing to A$78,000. This aims to provide more tailored support and accommodate those needing higher levels of care. Under the new system, recipients will receive quarterly budgets aligned to their funding level and work with their chosen provider to allocate funds across <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-11/support-at-home-service-list.pdf">three broad service categories</a>: <ul> <li> clinical care, such as nursing or physiotherapy </li> <li> independence support, including personal care, transport and social support </li> <li> everyday living assistance, such as cleaning, gardening and meal delivery. </li> </ul> Clinical care services will be fully government-funded, as these are crucial to supporting health and keeping people out of hospitals. But recipients will contribute to the costs of independence and everyday living services under a new payment model, reflecting the government’s stance that these are services people have traditionally funded themselves over their lifetimes. This will replace the basic daily fee and income-tested care fee that some people currently pay. Contributions will vary by income and assets (based on the <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/who-can-get-age-pension?context=22526">age pension means test</a>) and by service type. Support at Home also includes additional funding for specific needs: <ul> <li> older Australians with less than three months to live will receive priority access to $25,000 in funding over 12 weeks </li> <li> up to $15,000 will be available for assistive technologies and home modifications, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/support-at-home-fact-sheet.pdf">eliminating the need</a> to reserve home care budgets for these. </li> </ul> <h2>What if I or my loved one is already receiving a Home Care Package?</h2> If you were receiving a package, on the <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/hcp/about/how-it-works">waiting list</a>, or assessed as eligible for one on September 12 2024, the government’s “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms#:%7E:text=in%20aged%20care-,A%20no%20worse%20off%20principle%20will%20provide%20certainty%20to%20people,greater%20contribution%20to%20their%20care.&text=When%20Home%20Care%20participants%20transition,and%20retain%20any%20unspent%20funds.">no worse off</a>” principle guarantees you won’t pay more under the new system. Current recipients will have their Support at Home budget aligned with their existing package, and any unspent funds will roll over. <h2>How nursing home fees will change</h2> Australia’s nursing home sector is struggling financially, with <a href="https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/executive/sectors-annual-financial-report-lands/">67% of providers</a> operating at a loss. To ensure sustainability and support upgrades to facilities, the government is introducing major funding changes. <h2>What stays the same?</h2> The Basic Daily Fee, that everyone in nursing homes pays, set at 85% of the basic age pension (currently <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/schedule-of-fees-and-charges-for-residential-and-home-care.pdf">$63.57 a day</a> or $23,200 annually), will not change. <h2>What’s changing?</h2> The government currently pays a Hotelling Supplement of $12.55 per day per resident to cover everyday living services like cleaning, catering and laundry ($4,581 annually). From July 1 2025, this supplement will become means-tested. Residents with annual incomes above $95,400 or assets exceeding $238,000 (or some combination of these) will <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-residential-care-contributions.pdf">contribute partially or fully</a> to this cost. Currently, residents with sufficient means also pay a means-tested care fee <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-home-costs-and-fees">between $0–$403.24</a> per day. This will be replaced by a “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-residential-care-contributions.pdf">non-clinical care contribution</a>”, capped at $101.16 daily and payable for the first four years of care. Only those with assets above $502,981 or incomes above $131,279 (or some combination of these) will pay this contribution. Importantly, no one will pay more than $130,000 in combined contributions for Support at Home and non-clinical care in nursing homes over their lifetime. <h2>Changes to accommodation payments</h2> The way nursing home accommodation costs are paid is also changing from July 1 2025: <ul> <li> residents <a href="https://theconversation.com/lump-sum-daily-payments-or-a-combination-what-to-consider-when-paying-for-nursing-home-accommodation-207405">who pay</a> their room price via a refundable lump sum will have <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-accommodation-reform.pdf">2% of their payment retained annually</a> by the provider, up to a maximum of 10% over five years. For example, a $400,000 lump sum payment would result in $360,000 being refunded if a person stays five years or more, with the provider keeping $40,000 </li> <li> <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-accommodation-reform.pdf">daily accommodation payments</a> (a rent-style interest charge) will no longer remain fixed for the duration of a person’s nursing home stay. Instead, these payments will be indexed twice annually to the Consumer Price Index </li> <li> providers will be able to set room prices up to $750,000 without government approval, an increase from the current $550,000 limit. </li> </ul> People with lower means (those who are fully subsidised by the government for their accommodation costs) will not be affected by these changes. <h2>What if I own my home?</h2> The treatment of the family home in means testing for nursing home costs will <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-residential-care-contributions.pdf">remain unchanged</a>. Its value is only assessed if no “protected person” (such as a spouse) lives in it, and even then, it’s capped at $206,039 (as at September 20 2024). <h2>What happens to current nursing home residents?</h2> The new rules for contributions and accommodation will apply only to those entering nursing homes from July 1 2025. Existing residents will maintain their current arrangements and be <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms#:%7E:text=in%20aged%20care-,A%20no%20worse%20off%20principle%20will%20provide%20certainty%20to%20people,greater%20contribution%20to%20their%20care.&text=When%20Home%20Care%20participants%20transition,and%20retain%20any%20unspent%20funds.">no worse off</a>. <h2>Feeling overwhelmed?</h2> These reforms aim to improve care delivery, fairness and sustainability, with the government emphasising that many older Australians – particularly those with <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms#:%7E:text=in%20aged%20care-,A%20no%20worse%20off%20principle%20will%20provide%20certainty%20to%20people,greater%20contribution%20to%20their%20care.&text=When%20Home%20Care%20participants%20transition,and%20retain%20any%20unspent%20funds.">lower incomes and assets</a> – will not pay more. The government has provided case studies to illustrate how <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/case-studies-support-at-home_0.pdf">home care</a> and <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/case-studies-residential-care_0.pdf">nursing home</a> costs will differ under the new system for people at various income and asset levels. Still, planning for aged care can be daunting. For more <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/financial-support-and-advice">tailored advice and support</a>, consider reaching out to financial advisors, <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/aged-care-specialist-officer-my-aged-care-face-to-face-services?context=55715">services</a>, or online tools to help you navigate the changes and make informed decisions.<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/244816/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anam-bilgrami-1179543">Anam Bilgrami</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/planning-for-old-age-heres-what-the-aged-care-changes-mean-for-you-244816">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

102-year-old woman fulfils bucket list dream of visiting Australia

A 102-year-old woman has successfully fulfilled her bucket list dream of visiting all seven continents with the help of two Youtubers. Dorothy Smith, who lives in a retirement home in San Francisco, had travelled all over the world except Australia. When the guys behind the YouTube channel Yes Theory, Staffan Taylor and Ammar Kandil heard about this, they were determined to make her dream come true. The two men, who met her in the retirement village, asked her "‘is there anything on your bucket list you haven’t ticked off yet?’ and she said, ‘I’ve been to six continents but I’ve never been to Australia,’” Yes Theory filmmaker Staffan Taylor explained. The centenarian recalled how she received a note from them. “He gave me this little piece of paper that said something about ‘dreams come true’,” Dorothy told Sunrise on Tuesday. “I showed it to a friend, and they said, ‘look, there is no signature, there is no telephone number, there is no address — it’s fake’,” she added. But it wasn't a scam and with the help of Destination NSW and Qantas, the Youtubers made her dream come true, and shared a clip of her experience online. She chose Sydney as her Aussie destination because of the Opera House, which she is twice the age of. “This is like Disneyland for grown ups,” she joked while visiting the iconic landmark. She also visited visited Wild Life Sydney Zoo to see some koalas and kangaroos, the Botanic Gardens, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and went for a cruise on the harbour. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/38PwG3zGDDI?si=dqhuCIqOoKfokdCq" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> She described Aussies as “charming” and complimented the food, scenery and weather. “These two gentlemen have been delightful, and there is a whole crew, and each one is as nice as the other, and they have been around this town very well,” she told Sunrise. “It’s just beautiful — I’ve seen things like the zoo and the real animals. “It is much more metropolitan (than I would have thought), and the people are charming,” she added. The centenarian said it is "never too late" for a new adventure, saying: “You can either rust out or wear out and I’m trying to wear out rather than rust out." Yes Theory co-founder Ammar Kandil who went on the trip with Dorothy and her daughter, said he was in awe of the centenarian's curiosity during the trip and had been inspired by her. “One of the cornerstones of the experiences in our videos is actually whenever we go somewhere, we always try to ask the elders and get a lot of the wisdom out of them from their life experiences,” he said. “Staffan (and I) had the opportunity to double down and do a full episode on elders, only to meet the most epic one of all (Dorothy) — it doesn’t get better. “(As soon as we heard) we just went for it, and it was a no-brainer — as soon as she said she hadn’t been to Australia, we thought God bless her soul. “She is so powerful and still moves, and if anyone can go to Australia at 102 years old, it is Dorothy.” “Even at 102 years old she is still appreciating everything she is seeing,” he added. Images: Yes Theory/ Youtube

Retirement Life

Eight-year-old cancer survivor pushed down stairs at NFL game

Mia DeCamilla, an eight-year-old 49ers fan and cancer survivor was beyond excited to attend her first ever NFL game on Sunday. DeCamilla inherited her love for the team from her father, saying: “Me and my dad, [when I’m] in the hospital, we’ll watch football together, and then when I come home sometimes for breaks, I will sit down and just relax and watch football all day. That’s what I like and how I made my team.” The young girl - who battled and beat liver cancer twice - attended the event at the Highmark Stadium in New York Decked in 49ers red and a hand-drawn sign that read “I beat cancer! My first NFL game!” What should've been a night to remember turned into a nightmare situation when DeCamilla was shoved out of her seat and down the stairs by an allegedly drunk Bills fan, following the team's win. Her father, Mike DeCamilla told local news outlet WIVB that he saw the fan making his approach and heard him saying “‘I’m going to push through all these Niner fans'." “He actually bumped me and my son a little bit and then got past me and pushed her. [She] almost slid off the stairs… “He had to be six foot, and she is less than 100 pounds … I know that there’s competitiveness and whatnot, but there’s a point where it’s a family event.” While DeCamilla was not physically hurt, her family said they decided to leave the game after the incident. Her mother posted the incident on social media, and it has since gained traction, with many outraged over the adult fan's behaviour. “Mia DeCamilla beat cancer and wanted to go to her first football game and it ended poorly," one fan wrote. "Great game to go to, but what horrible fans.” “This cancer survivor got pushed down the stairs at a the bills game last night. I’m furious," another added. Buffalo fans have since rallied to show the family support, with many of them donating to a GoFundMe that was organised to ease the burden of DeCamilla's treatments, with the fund reaching over $20,000. Retired NFL cult hero Antonio Brown also commented on the situation, writing on X: “Is it true this little girl got thrown down the stairs at the Bills game? Someone get me in contact with Mia’s family please. I want to get her some gear.” The team’s official supporters group, Bills Mafia, also rallied behind the family, writing on X: “So sorry to hear about Mia’s experience at the game yesterday. “We all know one bad apple can ruin the bunch. Let’s show Mia that her experience yesterday is NOT what #BillsMafia is about.” Despite everything that happened, DeCamilla didn't let the incident ruin her night. “My favourite part was getting to see Brock Purdy,” the young 49ers fan told local radio station WHAM. “He’s my favourite player and I have his jersey, too.” Images: X/ Facebook

Caring

Many people don’t measure their blood pressure properly at home – here’s how to get accurate readings

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/niamh-chapman-2262829">Niamh Chapman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dean-picone-2264237">Dean Picone</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/eleanor-clapham-2264235">Eleanor Clapham</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Measuring your blood pressure at home means you can take readings over several days to get a better picture of your health, instead of one-off measurements at the doctor’s clinic. It’s important you follow specific steps to get an accurate reading. But <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.23678">our study</a> found most Australians do not measure their blood pressure correctly at home and very few were told the steps to follow. We have created <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/">resources</a> to help people measure their blood pressure at home, understand their readings and take action with their health-care team. <h2>High blood pressure is a big issue</h2> High blood pressure is a major health problem in Australia and globally. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.51350">One in three Australian adults</a> have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. This is when your <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/blood-pressure-and-your-heart">blood pressure</a> is <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.15026">at or above 140/90mmHg</a> (mmHg refers to millimetres of mercury, a standard measurement of blood pressure). High blood pressure is the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10881002/">leading contributor</a> to preventable health issues and early death among Australians because it is the main risk factor for heart disease, stroke, dementia and kidney disease. <h2>Why measuring blood pressure is important</h2> High blood pressure often has no symptoms. So the only way to know if you have it is to measure it. You may also need to check if your blood pressure has lowered after starting medication or if you’re making changes to your lifestyle, such as doing more exercise, giving up smoking or reducing salt intake. Low blood pressure (<a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/blood-pressure-low-hypotension">hypotension</a>) can also be an issue. But blood pressure changes based on how we are feeling, what we’ve eaten or the activities we have just been doing. These normal responses mean our blood pressure can change from minute to minute and hour to hour. This is why there are specific, recommended steps to follow to reliably measure your blood pressure and to be able to compare readings taken days, months and years apart. <hr /> <iframe id="lBVm6" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lBVm6/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> <h2>Mistakes are common</h2> We surveyed and interviewed 350 people (who were all measuring their blood pressure at home) from around Australia to find out how Australians measure blood pressure at home and if they receive any education to help them know what to do. Our study found no one followed all of the specific, recommended steps to measure their blood pressure. Instead they said they measured their blood pressure at different times of the day after doing different things. We found most people measured their blood pressure while sitting down (90%) and with the cuff on their bare arm (77%), which is the right thing to do. While 58% of people took two blood pressure measures each time, which is correct, only 40% used the average of the two blood pressure readings. Very few (15%) measured their blood pressure over several days in both the morning and evening. Only half of the people in our study used a blood pressure device that had been <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/what_device_should_i_use">clinically validated</a>. This means the device has been <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10237">tested for accuracy</a> by the manufacturer according to <a href="https://www.iso.org/sectors/health">international standards</a>, not just safety. <h2>Consultation and communication</h2> Regardless of whether or not a doctor had recommended they measure their blood pressure at home, most people (78%) reported their blood pressure readings to their doctor. These findings tell us doctors often use home blood pressure readings to help diagnose and manage high blood pressure. This emphasises how important it is to ensure people measure blood pressure correctly. Many people were measuring their blood pressure a few times a week or month. But most <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4671913/">guidelines</a> recommend blood pressure only needs to be measured at home: every day over a week, every six months; and ideally before you see your doctor and after you start or change blood pressure medication. Measuring blood pressure at home can bring peace of mind, which many study participants described. But measuring your blood pressure too often may create unnecessary stress, potentially leading to higher blood pressure readings. Instead, it’s better to agree with your doctor how often you should measure your blood pressure and to follow the recommended steps each time to make sure your readings are as accurate and useful as possible. <h2>Support for blood pressure measurement</h2> We found few people had received any education or guidance from health-care professionals about how to measure their blood pressure at home. Instead, many study participants looked for information online to help them know what their blood pressure numbers meant and changes they could make to lower their blood pressure. They were less interested in learning how to measure accurately. So we have worked with people who measure and manage their blood pressure at home to create a <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/">simple guide</a> to help you choose a blood pressure device, measure your blood pressure accurately, understand your blood pressure readings and take action to control your blood pressure. <hr /> For more information about managing your blood pressure at home, <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/">see our resources</a>. You can also check if your blood pressure device has been <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/what_device_should_i_use">tested for accuracy</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/244161/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/niamh-chapman-2262829">Niamh Chapman</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Hypertension and Patient Engagement, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dean-picone-2264237">Dean Picone</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/eleanor-clapham-2264235">Eleanor Clapham</a>, PhD candidate, School of Health and Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/many-people-dont-measure-their-blood-pressure-properly-at-home-heres-how-to-get-accurate-readings-244161">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Life-support of 16-year-old turned off after deadly snake bite

Beau Horan, 16, was in the backyard of his family home in Gladstone, Queensland on Monday afternoon when an eastern brown snake bit him on the leg. The teenager wasn't aware that he had been bitten, and it was only when he collapsed that his family knew something was seriously wrong. "By the time they found him collapsed, they called an ambulance and it was only then they realised he'd been bitten by a snake," family friend Shaun Connolly told Yahoo News. Beau was rushed to a nearby hospital before he was medically airlifted to Brisbane where he was put on a life-support machine. "I'm going off what his mum has told me... she's distraught as you can imagine," Connolly said. "We don't know too much what the circumstances were, but we think he wasn't aware he had been bitten," Shaun said. Brown snakes are extremely venomous and responsible 41 per cent of snake bites in the country. While fatalities remain relatively low, with two deaths reported on average each year, the potency of their venom is incredibly strong, containing severe neurotoxins that result in progressive paralysis and heart failure. The family has since had to make the heartbreaking decision of turning off Beau's life support machine, with his mum, Bek Eddy, and two sisters having to cover the unexpected medical and funeral costs. Connolly has set up a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-tradgic-loss-of-16-year-old-beau-horan?cdn-cache=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page to help alleviate some of the pressure for the family during these uncertain times. "It's just so sad," Shaun said. Beau's family have described him as a "vibrant, compassionate [and] a loving young man" who had a "bright future ahead of him", and they have been left with "indescribable emptiness" following his death. Image: GoFundMe

Caring

Eight people detained over Laos methanol poisoning

Eight men have been detained over the suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos that killed six tourists, including two Australians. Police in Laos told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-26/laos-methanol-poisoning-detained/104650642" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a> that detained men were staff and management of the Nana Backpackers hostel, where Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were staying when they fell sick. The two 19 year olds had consumed the alcoholic beverages in the party town of Vang Vieng, and later died in seperate hospitals in Thailand. Four other tourists from Denmark, the UK and the US have also died. Police in Laos last week forcibly shut down the Nana hostel, where five of the six victims who died were staying. They questioned staff, ranging in ages from 23 to 47, including the bartender and owner, while the Laos government vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The arrests come as the bodies of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles arrived home in Australia on Tuesday night, with Bianca's father Mark fronting the media at Melbourne Airport to welcome the news of the arrests. "We want to grieve. We miss our daughters desperately. I was happy to hear there's been some movement over in Laos," he said. "I would continue to urge our government to continue to pursue whomever. We will make every effort we can to help raise awareness of methanol poisoning." Image credits: RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Legal

Sixteen people missing after tourist yacht sinks

Egyptian officials have confirmed sixteen people are missing after a tourist yacht capsized in the Red Sea after being struck by strong waves. The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, said rescuers saved 28 people from the sinking vessel south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, and some were airlifted to receive medical treatment. The Egyptian Navy warship El Fateh and military aircraft have intensified their efforts to locate the missing, with rescue teams working around the clock. A total of 44 people were on board the yacht, including 13 Egyptians, and 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain and Ireland. The governor confirmed that 16 people are still missing, including four Egyptians and 12 foreign tourists. The boat had no technical issues, while passengers onboard said the reason behind the sinking was a strong wave that hit the boat, causing it to capsize. The governorate received a report shortly before dawn on Monday of a distress call made from the yacht, which had left Marsa Alam for a five-day journey. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday. The boat is the second vessel to sink in the area this year. Image credits: Facebook

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What is ‘doll therapy’ for people with dementia? And is it backed by science?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nikki-anne-wilson-342631">Nikki-Anne Wilson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> The way people living with dementia <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/how-dementia-changes-perception">experience the world</a> can change as the disease progresses. Their sense of reality or place in time can become distorted, which can cause <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/symptoms/restlessness">agitation and distress</a>. One of the best ways to support people experiencing changes in perception and behaviour is to <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/professionals/designing-dementia-friendly-care-environments">manage their environment</a>. This can have profound benefits including <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/resource-library/reducing-use-sedatives-aged-care-video">reducing the need for sedatives</a>. One such strategy is the use of dolls as comfort aids. <h2>What is ‘doll therapy’?</h2> More appropriately referred to as “<a href="https://www.dementia.com.au/resource-hub/the-use-of-dolls-in-dementia-care">child representation</a>”, lifelike dolls (also known as empathy dolls) can provide comfort for some people with dementia. Memories from the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/symptoms/memory-loss#:%7E:text=Older%20memories%20%E2%80%93%20which%20have%20been,detailed%20memories%20from%20earlier%20life.">distant past</a> are often more salient than more recent events in dementia. This means that past experiences of parenthood and caring for young children may feel more “real” to a person with dementia than where they are now. <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/hallucinations#:%7E:text=Visual%20hallucinations%20are%20more%20common,hallucinating%20and%20how%20others%20respond.">Hallucinations or delusions</a> may also occur, where a person hears a baby crying or fears they have lost their baby. Providing a doll can be a tangible way of reducing distress without invalidating the experience of the person with dementia. <h2>Some people believe the doll is real</h2> A recent case involving <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/06/deplorable-nurse-slammed-therapy-doll-dementia-patient-believed-was-real-baby-on-table-nsw-tribunal-hears">an aged care nurse mistreating a dementia patient’s therapy doll</a> highlights the importance of appropriate training and support for care workers in this area. For those who do become attached to a therapeutic doll, they will treat the doll as a real baby needing care and may therefore have a profound emotional response if the doll is mishandled. It’s important to be guided by the person with dementia and only act as if it’s a real baby if the person themselves believes that is the case. <h2>What does the evidence say about their use?</h2> Evidence shows the use of empathy dolls may help <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197457223002677">reduce agitation and anxiety</a> and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/14/4/200">improve overall quality of life</a> in people living with dementia. Child representation therapy falls under the banner of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763423004761">non-pharmacological approaches to dementia care</a>. More specifically, the attachment to the doll may act as a form of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6494367/">reminiscence therapy</a>, which involves using prompts to reconnect with past experiences. Interacting with the dolls may also act as a form of <a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/dementia-friendly-environments/sensory-stimulation">sensory stimulation</a>, where the person with dementia may gain comfort from touching and holding the doll. Sensory stimulation may <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocn.13169?casa_token=ro96fxe2VPoAAAAA%3AKOS10VkTdcrf0yTI_F9p6cI5Kpbj85ZTFq13PQ56YHxi0i3-5BOnFQfW1WFWqiCZ8-mk5sp_EGkGtKM">support emotional well-being and aid commnication</a>. However, not all people living with dementia will respond to an empathy doll. The <a href="https://www.alzheimerswa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2.00-Guidlines-for-Use-of-Dolls-and-Mechanized-Pets-as-a-Therapeutic-Tool-4-pages.pdf">introduction of a therapeutic doll</a> needs to be done in conjunction with careful observation and consideration of the person’s background. Empathy dolls may be inappropriate or less effective for those who have not previously cared for children or who may have experienced past birth trauma or the loss of a child. Be guided by the person with dementia and how they respond to the doll. <h2>Are there downsides?</h2> The approach has <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33125455/">attracted some controversy</a>. It has been suggested that child representation therapy “infantilises” people living with dementia and may increase negative stigma. Further, the attachment may become so strong that the person with dementia will <a href="https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/living-with-dementia/doll-therapy/">become upset if someone else picks the doll up</a>. This may create some difficulties in the presence of grandchildren or when cleaning the doll. The introduction of child representation therapy may also require additional staff training and time. Non-pharmacological interventions such as child representation, however, have been shown to be <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10180718/">cost-effective</a>. <h2>Could robots be the future?</h2> The use of more <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8247474/#:%7E:text=Therefore%2C%20an%20interactive%20baby%20robot,mental%20support%20for%20older%20adults.">interactive empathy dolls</a> and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14713012231155985">pet-like robots</a> is also gaining popularity. While robots have been shown to be <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163722000757">feasible and acceptable in dementia care</a>, there remains some contention about their benefits. While some studies have shown <a href="https://academic.oup.com/innovateage/article/5/2/igab013/6249558?login=false">positive outcomes</a>, including reduced agitation, others show <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163722000757">no improvement</a> in cognition, behaviour or quality of life among people with dementia. Advances in artificial intelligence are also being used to help support people living with dementia and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1471301221998888">inform</a> the community. <a href="https://feel-lab.org/research_projects/ai-viv-and-friends/">Viv and Friends</a>, for example, are AI companions who appear on a screen and can interact with the person with dementia in real time. The AI character Viv has dementia and was co-created with women living with dementia using verbatim scripts of their words, insights and experiences. While Viv can share her experience of living with dementia, she can also be programmed to talk about common interests, such as gardening. These companions are currently being trialled in some residential aged care facilities and to help educate people on the lived experience of dementia. <h2>How should you respond to your loved one’s empathy doll?</h2> While child representation can be a useful adjunct in dementia care, it requires sensitivity and appropriate consideration of the person’s needs. People living with dementia <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38325063/">may not perceive the social world the same way</a> as a person without dementia. But a person living with dementia is not a child and should never be treated as one. Ensure all family, friends and care workers are <a href="https://www.alzheimerswa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2.00-Guidlines-for-Use-of-Dolls-and-Mechanized-Pets-as-a-Therapeutic-Tool-4-pages.pdf">informed about the attachment to the empathy doll</a> to help avoid unintentionally causing distress from inappropriate handling of the doll. If using an interactive doll, ensure spare batteries are on hand. Finally, it is important to reassess the attachment over time as the person’s response to the empathy doll may change.<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/243589/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nikki-anne-wilson-342631">Nikki-Anne Wilson</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-doll-therapy-for-people-with-dementia-and-is-it-backed-by-science-243589">original article</a>. </div>

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What is ‘doll therapy’ for people with dementia? And is it backed by science?

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