Older People

First-time mum Nina Peterson felt lonely in the first months of her daughter's life so she decided to find daughter Millie a grandparent. And along came Christine.

Stimulating the right side of the brain with creative activities has helped residents with dementia be less aggressive, less reclusive, and even talk again at this high-level care home.

As the federal government prepares to make a final decision on how to properly fund aged care, the prime minister says there is no plan to revisit how the family home is counted in the aged care assets test.

John Thompson is visiting his wife Di for Valentine's Day at a Queensland aged care home. She is among more than 60 residents who received a gift from the community after a six-week COVID-19 lockdown.

Jose Petrick became a cadet journalist at age 52, was one of the pioneering teachers of School of the Air and earned a Medal of the Order of Australia for a book on the history of her town.

Cases of whooping cough are surging across Australia, with an infectious disease expert warning that the respiratory disease is "back with a vengeance".

Australia's aged care sector is entering a stage of "critical" reform. So what do you do when a loved one is hesitant to accept requisite care later in life?

Len Spence is still serving it up to the youngsters in their 80s.

As wildlife handlers set up in the common room of a South Australian aged care home, eyes trace the crates and cages with intrigue — and a little apprehension.

Catherina van der Linden died on Australia Day at Southern Cross Care's West Beach Residential Care home surrounded by her family. Her body will be donated to the University of Adelaide's Body Donation Program.

He's lived through two world wars, the Great Depression and at least two global pandemics but Perth retiree Gordon Ewers says he's nothing but grateful for his life. 

At least 20 people presented to hospital emergency departments with heat-related issues during this week's blackouts across outback WA. A researcher says it's time to rethink cooling strategies.

Keen Queensland beachgoer Brian Devitt was unable to swim due to his age, but his children and a group of lifesavers have helped him relive his youth.

Despite working since her 16th birthday, Elaine retired with just $45,000 in superannuation. Research shows superannuation is the biggest driver of wealth inequality in Australia – and women have much less of it than men.

Miniature donkeys Pedro and Diego are the two latest additions to Jean Arnold's home in Cobram, Victoria. With the support of a few dedicated volunteers, Ms Arnold is training her four-legged amigos to be therapy animals in local aged care homes.

Meet Pedro and Diego, the miniature donkeys helping regional aged care residents overcome isolation and loneliness.

The volunteers from the Woodturners Society of Queensland work all year to handcraft wooden toys to give to children in need during the festive season.

Maureen Mayall's creations are proving the twilight years are much more colourful than people might think, and the 92-year-old has no plans to slow down.

It seemed like a David versus Goliath battle, but eight elderly residents who refused to leave a Feros Care aged care village when it announced it selling up are now claiming victory.

Jenny Nieuwenhuis' birthday wish in her 95th year came true yesterday, after her family arranged for her to go on a motorcycle ride.

The Riverland woman says the experience, which ended with lunch at the local pub, was "better than getting married".

Retirement can bring unexpected challenges from a lack of sense of purpose and missing social network. But these experts say it's a phase of life that has much to offer — if you're prepared.

Julie Harrison worked in a number of roles at Oakden's Older Persons Mental Health facility, which shut in 2017 following a report by the state's chief psychiatrist that uncovered abuse and neglect dating back 10 years.

Following an era of pandemic restrictions and back-to-back natural disasters, many residents in and around Myrtleford were feeling isolated, but a weekly all-ages get-together is changing that.

Friendships across generations are being formed on the New South Wales Mid North Coast through a memoirs project and the idea is proving beneficial to young and old.