Part of the work COTA does is to deliver programmes to the community that will be relevant and important to older people. COTA (ACT) has available a series of Community Education topics that inform, educate and assist older people.
We provide information that will encourage and enable those aged 50 years and over minimise the risks to their health and wellbeing, increase awareness of services and support and provide practical, empowering information pertinent to the subjects offered.
We offer education sessions by seniors for seniors that are interactive and designed for your group using a “Peer Education” model.
What is Peer Education?
Peer Education is a method whereby education sessions are conducted by volunteer Peer Educators – older people who have completed training on the topics offered – who know how to run interesting, interactive sessions. Our peer educators are from all walks of life, with a broad range of experiences.
What Sessions are Available?
COTA (ACT) is currently delivering the following Peer Education programmes. These sessions are interactive and informative and take about one hour. We come to your venue and provide take home materials of relevance to your attendees, most sessions last for 1 hour. The service is free.
Currently we offer:
Moving Right Along – Falls Prevention and Mobility
Moving Right along focuses on trip and slip hazards in everyday life, how best to maintain maximum mobility, things that change in life as one ages and how to manage them to live more independently and healthily. For example, did you know that at age 65, one needs three times the illumination to see well than when we were 20? Small changes can be made with maximum positive impact.
Quality Use of Medicines: Get to Know Your Medicines
Get to Know Your Medicines promotes active involvement in ones health care. It informs people about the possibility of drug interactions, prescriptions, over-the-counter, herbal and natural. It gives people tools to manage their medication and those they care for better. It provides avenues for consumers to better manage their health care.
Brand name or Generic medicine: Choosing Wisely
“Brand Name or Generic: Choosing Wisely” informs people just what a generic medicine is, how they can make an informed decision when the pharmacist says “ would you like a cheaper version?” what the differences and similarities are between brand name and generic and how they can best manage a change.
Beyondmaturityblues – depression and older people
Our most recent partnership is with beyondblue, the national depression initiative. Depression in older people is often ignored or misdiagnosed due to a vast array of reasons. Depression is more than just feeling blue and people need to know how to spot changes in people that may indicate a bout of depression. 1 in 5 people will experience depression in their lifetime. This session alerts people to the signs of depression and what they can do about it.
Organising a Session
Community organisations, clubs, special interest groups, church groups, service clubs, Neighbourhood Centres – anywhere that older people meet together – are welcome to contact us to arrange a session at a time and place convenient to you. Our sessions are especially aimed at seniors aged 50 and over.
Please contact the Peer Education Manager (Christine Spicer), if you would like any further information or to make a booking. Email peereducation@cota-act.org.au or telephone (02) 6282 3777.