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Two of Victoria’s leading Seniors groups are coming together to host a state-first forum aimed at improving the life planning options available to older men.
COTA Victoria’s programs – Senior Rights Victoria, and Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) – will host Legal Matters for Older Fellas (LMfOF), a forum featuring legal and education experts, to provide older male Victorians with a suite of invaluable information around planning ahead to protect their rights.
The Senior Rights Victoria preventative education program has developed LMfOF to provide a safe space for older men to consider and discuss planning for the future within a legal context.
The two-and-a-half hour forum will cover a number of topics including Enduring Powers of Attorney and Medical Decision Making and Advanced Care Directives.
Former AFL Sydney Swans player and practicing barrister, Wayne Henwood, will open the morning tea forum and says that education and planning are fundamental ingredients for older Victorians to embrace in order to ensure that their choices are respected in the future.
“Having worked with people in the Guardianship and Administration List of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for more than 17 years, it is such a common occurrence to see older Victorians left in dire and vulnerable situations because they have not put the appropriate plans in place to ensure their wishes are met and respected,” Mr Henwood said
“I am hoping that through this forum, we are able to highlight the importance of planning for the future and discuss the options with trusted family and loved ones. Elder abuse can be prevented by thinking and acting ahead.”
Education Co-ordinator, Senior Rights Victoria, Gary Ferguson said he was determined that through these forums, older male Victorians would be equipped with the information and knowledge they need to make sound decisions for their future.
“Through the SRV Helpline, we know that men make up one in four cases of elder abuse. We hope this forum creates an inviting and relaxed environment for forum participants to have the confidence to ask questions and discuss options with the legal experts present,” said Mr Ferguson.
“By the end of the forum, we expect that they’ll have more clarity and confidence to make informed decisions and protect their future.”
Event details:
Date: Wednesday 6 th April 2022
Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm
Location: Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn.