If you’re feeling the cost-of-living pinch right now, these ten independent organisations offer discounts on a huge range of goods and services. Cashback when you shop:  Cashrewards: www.cashrewards.com.au  App form: RetailMeNot (coupons, promo codes and cashback)Almost everything: (homewares, clothes, furniture, electronics, appliances…):   Catch: www.catch.com.au  Groupon: www.groupon.com.au Honey: www.joinhoney.com (discount codes) Temu:  www.temu.com Travel/flights:  Cudo: www.cudo.com.au Skyscanner: www.skyscanner.com.au Senior Discounts: Coupon65:  www.coupon65.com (if you’re born before 1964)Community driven: OzBargain: www.ozbargain.com.au We hope this list of discounts and rebate options helps our readership. 

Back Row Left to Right: Marion Witheridge, Lyn Mitchell, Anne Hassett, Robyn McQuireFront Row Left to Right: Jan Weaver, Ann Dawes, Wendy ToomeyJoan Cooper, Bob Young, Annette Young, Peter Cooper

The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme is available to Kiama residents forced to travel for specialist and allied healthcare that’s not available locally. Since August 2022 it's 75 dollars a night for accommodation and 40 cents per kilometre if traveling in a private vehicle. The accommodation rates vary depending on whether it's a non for profit accommodation , or a for profit accommodation, including AirBnBs.To qualify you must be a NSW resident and enrolled with Medicare and not receiving financial assistance from third party insurance or other government services such as veteran affairs. However, full subsidies are also available  with taxi vouchers and even the full cost of economy air fares if approved. The travel must be for treatment at least 100 kilometres for one journey or at least 200 kilometres receiving multiple treatment in one week.To learn more ring 1800 478 227 or search online for IPTAAS or contact the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Health District. 

Kiama Quilters presented founding member Margret Carmichael with a Quilt to mark her 90th birthday at the Kiama Quilters meeting at the Joyce Wheatley Centre in Hindmarsh Park. The Kiama Quilters put on a lovely High Tea to celebrate Margaret Carmicheal’s 90th birthday. For 38 years, Margaret Carmichael has been an essential member of the Kiama Quilters. Unfortunately, the group could not celebrate her contributions due to recent health issues. Kiama and Jamberoo Uniting Church Minister, the Reverend Katherine Merrifield described Margaret as a pillar of her church community and has been a stalwart of many community organisations for years. “Margaret would be the first to say her faith was at the heart of her desire to get involved and make a difference in so many ways,” Rev Kath said. Margaret was presented with a special quilt made by members. She made a short speech, talking about how the Kiama Quilters started 38 years ago and paying tribute to her husband John Carmichael with whom she has shared a marriage of over 70 years. “John has been and always is my rock. When I married him, I knew nothing, and together we taught each other over 70 years of marriage.” Kiama Quilters also had a small fundraiser for R.S.P.C.A during the lunch. The Kiama Quilters met every Wednesday from 10 am to 1 pm at the Joyce Wheatley Centre in Hindmarsh Park in Kiama. 

The future of the regional seniors travel card is in doubt after NSW Premier Chris Minns said he can’t guarantee it will return. The program, which was introduced by the Coalition Government in 2019, provides seniors in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW with a $250 prepaid travel card. The card can be used to pay for pre-booked NSW regional trains and coaches, fuel or taxi services. It’s only available to those that have reached the pension age (67), live in a regional area outside of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, and receive support from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The program is only available for a four-year trial period which ends in 2023. As a result, the program has been suspended, and will stop accepting new applications on 7 July. Existing cardholders won’t be affected and can continue using their cards until their expiry date.Speaking to media in Dubbo on Monday afternoon, Premier Minns said he couldn’t guarantee that the program would be extended beyond its initial four-year trial. "That card was only funded up until halfway through next year, in order for me to keep the program going I have to find the funds to keep it alive,” said Premier Minns."That's important for a few reasons, firstly, the NSW Government is on track to inherit $187 billion worth of debt in the State. It's the largest figure ever recorded by any government in the history of NSW both as an overall figure and as a percentage of gross state product. Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has urged all eligible seniors to apply for the card at the nearest Service NSW or online before it’s no longer available. “The Regional Seniors Travel Card has been a huge help to many in our community who are struggling with cost-of-living expenses rising,” Mr Ward said. “Those eligible have until this Friday to put an application in. I urge all eligible seniors to get in and claim your $250 card that you can put towards petrol, taxis and public transport.” Mr Ward has also created a petition to save the program, which can be signed at his office on Terralong St, Kiama.

We’re all feeling the pressures from the rising cost of living, but the good news for the ‘over 60’s is that there is a raft of entitlements to claim, and a range of discounts and perks offered by the Government: both state and local, as well as some private organisations.For Seniors: (over 60’s)It is possible to access your superannuation after you turn 60, so if it is needed you should speak to your accountant or financial adviser about the best way to utilise the funds at your disposal.Apply for a Seniors Card: this is the best way to access discounts from participating businesses for a range of goods and services, as well as transport concessions. It’s free to eligible persons. The criteria may change slightly from state to state, however in NSW you must be a permanent resident of the state, aged 60 or over, and working no more than 20 hours a week.  At the moment there are more than 1.4 million members of the NSW Seniors Card scheme, and over 3,500 businesses are participating. *  NOTE: The NSW regional seniors travel card (prepaid $250) stopped accepting new applications on 7 July. Premier Chris Minns said that he can’t guarantee it will return.Locally, Kiama Council offers:●      Reduced rates for concession card holders (including seniors card holders) at the Leisure Centre●      Libraries provide a range of services for all ages. Some that are popular with senior citizens include the Home Library book delivery and pick-up service. There are also Makers and Creators workshops, the Friends of Kiama Library book talks, free film screenings and book club kits.Many Kiama cafes and eateries also offer reduced-priced seniors meals, and some hairdressers have senior discounts, however it’s best to confirm with individual businesses first. Carmen Hamburger and Jennifer White, residents of the South Coast, have been able to take advantage of the benefits offered by their Seniors Cards.For Aged Pensioners:The aged pension is available for those over 66 years who meet income and assets test. To find out about your eligibility you can visit the Department of Human Services website.Pensioner Concession Card: You are eligible for at any age if you receive payments including:●      Age Pension,●      Bereavement Allowance,●      Carer Payment, or●      a Disability Support Pension.Further details on the concessions, including bulk billing for doctor appointments and higher Medicare benefits, can be found on the Department of Human Services website.Animal Welfare League have discount vouchers for Centrelink Concession Card holders.Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: This card provides discounts on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines, as well as benefits like bulk billed doctor appointments and cheaper out-of-hospital medical expenses. To qualify for a Commonwealth Senior Health Card you must be of Age Pension age and meet the income test and residence requirements. With the difference in state concessions and varying eligibility criteria, it’s best to use this information as a starting point so you know how you can benefit. Kiama Council also offers rebates on Pensioner rates. Aged care facility Blue Haven has a range of seniors-focused services, such as community transport (available as part of people’s Home Care Packages). Hopefully, this list of discounts and rebate options helps our Senior readership.

This is something we will all face and is relevant to all!Despite living longer, very little is known in Australia about how prepared we feel for ageing – until now. It turns out that a glass half full or empty attitude can make a difference to our preparedness.Head of Research at National Seniors Australia, Dr Diane Hosking talks about new research, based on a survey of 3400 people aged 50 and older, that reveals what aspects of preparation are a priority and what factors impact our capacity to prepare.“Growing up, I was told it is a privilege to get older and reminded not everyone has the opportunity. But rather than later life being celebrated and respected, over time many of us have come to believe it is problematic and therefore something to be feared,” she said. That’s partly because we’re living longer, so collectively older age is somewhat uncharted territory. It requires a lot more preparation than in past generations. Researchers know very little about how prepared we feel for ageing in Australia, what aspects of preparation are a priority and what factors impact our capacity to prepare. National Seniors Australia’s research has confirmed this intuitive link between older people’s attitudes towards ageing and their readiness for it. Just over two-thirds of the survey respondents felt somewhat or very prepared for ageing, but those who had ageing concerns were significantly less likely to feel prepared. Head of Research at National Seniors Australia, Dr Diane HoskingConversely, respondents who agreed there are positive aspects to ageing were 340% more likely to feel prepared for it. That’s a significant difference, associated with a sunnier outlook on getting older. Age, health and wealth all affect our readiness for later life too. The research showed older and wealthier people were significantly more likely to feel prepared, while those in poor health were nearly 30% less likely to feel prepared. So, what does preparation for ageing mean to these older Australians? The survey comments highlighted several life areas in which preparations are required, i.e. health, accommodation and finances. The survey revealed that across all life areas, feeling prepared is associated with taking action, gaining knowledge and having a positive mindset. As one 68-year-old respondent explained, “Our finances and living arrangements have been planned for many years and make ageing somewhat easier.”On the other hand, comments about being unprepared highlighted worry and the barriers to preparation. As a 70-year-old respondent shared, “The biggest concern is my lack of understanding of the aged care sector, options and how to pay for it.” Overall, the comments suggest older people need three kinds of support to prepare for ageing. Structural change such as housing and income security are essential enablers because without access to these material supports any preparations will be inadequate. Good information about how to prepare is also valuable. People need to know what to expect from their ageing bodies, what changes to make in their lives, and how to navigate our social support systems in later life. Emotional resilience is the third factor, to help people challenge negative expectations and fears that prevent them from making preparations. We could all benefit from cultivating that magical positive attitude to ageing. While ageing can present changing circumstances, taking action to prepare for it helps maintain quality of life – it buffers against health-related challenges and increases opportunities for fulfilment and satisfaction. When it comes to maintaining quality of life, preparation is key. National Seniors will use this information to help inform its policy and advocacy work supporting quality of later life for older people.