Author: Alice Mantel

Planning for retirement – online

The Women’s Library and the Older Women’s Network are pleased to present a great conversation with the author of “Every Woman’s Guide to Retirement”.

About the author

As a practising lawyer for over 30 years, Alice Mantel worked in diverse
areas of practice – crime, family law and finally elder law. It has given
her a humane perspective of the legal issues that can arise and confidence
in providing practical advice to uncertain readers. Facing retirement
herself, Alice tried to find the answers to her own questions about aged
care, about working and making the right choice with her superannuation.

Before long, Alice realised that others were experiencing the same dilemmas
and she started to research a book that comprehensively covered those
typical concerns.

Alice brings her own life experience as a parent, caring for her own parent
and listening to others to this book. Currently she is still working as a
professional writer as well as volunteering on a community bank board and
participating in a number of community organisations.

You can submit your questions beforehand to info@ownnsw.org.au

There will also be an opportunity to ask Alice questions during the event.

Share event https://events.humanitix.com/every-woman-s-guide-to-retirement Share event https://events.humanitix.com/every-woman-s-guide-to-retirement

FREE

Date and time
Thu 28th May 2020, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm AEST
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Aged Care Commission calls for submissions on impact of COVID-19

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is calling for submissions from the general public and organisations relating to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the aged care sector.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all aspects of Australia’s economy and society, including the delivery of aged care services. In order to understand that impact fully, the Commissioners are seeking the views of those people directly affected.

The Commissioners would like to receive submissions from recipients of aged care services, families or supporters of recipients, aged care service providers, and those who work in aged care. The Commissioners understand, however, that some of these people and organisations may not yet be in a position to make a submission, because they are dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 upon the delivery of aged care services.

In March, in response to COVID-19, the Commissioners limited public access to hearings and workshops before suspending them altogether in order to minimise the risk to members of the public and to staff of the Royal Commission. Consultations with the aged care sector were also halted to allow those working in the sector to focus their energies on managing the pandemic.

While the public-facing work has been on hold the Royal Commission has continued work on an extensive body of research that commenced in 2019. The research covers a range of topics including the funding and financing of the aged care sector; public attitudes towards the aged and aged care in Australia; public attitudes to aged care funding; and the financial viability of the sector. This research will be released to the public in the coming months.

The Royal Commission’s timeframe for the resumption of hearings, workshops and group consultations remains the subject of ongoing review by the Commissioners. The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2020, but that deadline is also subject to ongoing review, given the effects of COVID-19.

More information on how to make a submission can be found at https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/submissions/Pages/default.aspx

28 April 2020

Isolate and thrive

By Alice Mantel

In this uncertain period, we may have increased the physical distance between each other but we can still be socially connected. It might just require more motivation (and self-discipline to use the words of one very important person).

Here are my suggestions about how to make the most of this enforced retreat from the busy world:

Daily rituals – find a special way to welcome the morning, or the approaching night, perhaps just by paying attention in silent stillness.

Enjoy the solitude – doing things that you like, You could read a book (including downloading a digital version from your library), listen to podcasts, play loud music, take up an instrument you have ignored for a while, flip through photo albums or dance while no one is watching. You could even write your memoirs.

Connect with others – call friends and contacts, by phone or with video calls, or celebrate your special days by hosting an online party. Do a jigsaw puzzle with a family member. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you don’t feel in control of your mental stress or anxiety.

Share – your recipes, your patterns, your ideas – through a curated social media diet or a blog your own thoughts. Use digital media to stay informed.

Create something new – take up painting, sewing, pottery making, knitting again. Find a live streamed class to join. Cook new meals or cakes that you have always wanted to try.

Develop your sense of purpose – reach out and support your neighbours, your school, or disadvantaged groups by volunteering, donating money or following their media posts.

Revise and re-evaluate the obvious – what is in your cupboards, your bookshelves, your kitchen pantry, or your bottom drawers?

Stay active – participate in online classes like yoga or dance classes, walk/run in the fresh air in local parks, breathe deeply on your balcony, set up a home gym using items found around your home, or take up golf or tennis.

Care for yourself – catch up on some sleep, rationalise your old clothes, give yourself an organic facial, throw out old makeup, dress to impress yourself.

Go gardening – pruning, weeding, planting, reorganising your pot plants, buying more plants, mulch and fertilise.

Avoid– non-essential online shopping, too much couch time watching streamed movie marathons, and drinking more alcohol to pass the time.

Six minutes interview

This story appeared in the March 2020 issue of the NSW Law Society Journal:

BY AMY DALE – FEB 27, 2020

Alice Mantel is an experienced lawyer and adviser on the challenges that many women encounter during retirement. She talks about family law, homelessness, and why just planning one big overseas trip won’t cut it for the final third of your life.

What experiences as a lawyer shaped your decision to advise on planning for retirement?
I spent around 10 years practising family and then elder law. In family law particularly, I was surprised and then concerned about how little many of my clients knew about their own personal financial circumstances. Often, they did not know if their name was on the title of the property, or how much was owed on the mortgage or credit cards. Again, when acting for older clients, often they left making their wills or power of attorney until very late, when there was pressure from their children, which, as you can appreciate, is a very difficult situation for any lawyer. It brought home to me that women need to be prepared much sooner for the unexpected.

What inspired you to write your book, Every Woman’s Guide to Retirement?
I started writing this book before I retired. I was initially doing research to answer my own questions. Years ago, when placing my mother into a nursing home, I realised how difficult it was to find any sensible information to assist me. More recently, I wanted some guidance when I was thinking about closing my practice. After a while, I decided that most books or articles did not seem very relevant to me. They were often very friendly but aimed at chaps who were fairly well off or aimed at women who presumably intended to spend the last third of their life on continual holidays. My research gradually grew into a book that is far more extensive than I had ever contemplated and includes mundane topics like accessing your pension as well as more interesting options such as lifelong learning or starting a new relationship.

What issues specifically apply to women? Bulk of carer responsibilities, less superannuation, longer life span?
I see retirement as very different for women than men. Generally, women are the main carers for their parents, children, partners and grandchildren. At the same time, they come into retirement with significantly less financial resources but live on average five years longer. If they do not have enough resources, those last years are going to be close to living in poverty. It can be a very grim prospect if a woman’s health begins to suffer and there is not always the certainty that your children will be there to look after you.

Women aged 55 and above are the fastest-growing cohort at risk of homelessness. How can we do more to ensure financial security?
It is no surprise to me that older women are at risk of homelessness. It can begin if they lose their home in a divorce settlement and cannot recover financially, but also if they are unable to find work and remain unemployed, either as a result of their own or their children’s health issues. When super funds talk about having a modest retirement, or a comfortable retirement, there is always an unspoken assumption that the retiree owns their own home. That’s ridiculous and increasingly unlikely as recent figures have demonstrated. We need to make a secure home a realistic possibility for everyone.

What about social planning for retirement? How can people prepare themselves to leave the workforce and feel at ease that a happy and fulfilling future is still ahead of them?
Most women retiring today can expect to have another 20 years of relatively good health, so it simply isn’t enough to plan your one big overseas trip and think that’s all there is to it. For working women, one of the major issues around retirement is the loss of their work identity, the loss of income and the social connectedness that professional life brings. We need to plan at least a year ahead of retirement about how we can use our skills and experience in the non-employment sphere – and let me assure you, that is a very large sphere. There are so many not-for-profit agencies looking for directors on their boards or volunteers for their operations. Not having to follow a work routine means you can finally pursue your real passion – whether it is art, woodwork, or caring for your grandkids and even if it might take a little time to find what that is, it will give real meaning to the legacy you leave.

In conversation in Albury

Introducing Every Woman’s Guide to Retirement

Sally Denshire and Alice Mantel in conversation in Albury LibraryMuseum
to Albury women was Dr Sally Denshire, a former CSU academic and Albury resident. Sally and Alice discussed how women’s approach to retirement was different to the usual male perspective. A case of “men retire, while women go on cooking”. Most of the 23 attendees were professional women who were concerned about organising their housing to be the most convenient and cost-effective for their later years. And – as could be expected – some were really looking forward to retirement while others wanted to delay it for as long as possible!

Virus closes arts events

Following government announcements, many major arts events are now cancelled due to fears of the Covid-19 virus spreading through large public gatherings.

Amongst the cancelled performances are the Sydney Writers’ Festival, the Royal Easter Show, the Byron Bluesfest and the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Other large events that have been cancelled include the Parramatta multicultural festival and the Blue Mountains Music Festival.

While these steps are acknowledged to be quite extreme, organisations have followed government directives to restrict non-essential gatherings to less than 500 people to reduce any possible transmission from close contacts. Football and cricket games have also been impacted and will be played inside a “silent” stadium.

NSW hospital are implementing contingency plans to deal with the expected influx of cases after 14 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in NSW over the last weekend. Most of these cases were associated with travellers returning to Australia. Aged care facilities have been given specific guidelines asking family and friends to limit their visits to relatives to reduce the likelihood of infection.

To date, five deaths and 368 confirmed cases due to the coronavirus have been recorded in Australia. It is not known how long these new restrictions will apply.

Skills-based volunteering can boost your career prospects

Although this article is written from the perspective of a new graduate, its advice is equally applicable to older people looking for work in this tough employment market.

From giving back to the community to learning new professional skills, GradConnection shares the reasons why you should volunteer – and why a good volunteer role is far more important than just a line on your resume.

As any recent graduate or anyone approaching the end of their university studies knows, the market for graduate jobs is increasingly competitive. In 2019, the ABC reported that the year prior, only 73 per cent of Australian graduates found full-time employment in their field within four months of graduation. Citing research from Universities Australia, the ABC also reported that since the 2008 global financial crisis, the period between graduation and securing long-term employment has lengthened.

Against this backdrop, many graduates are exploring the advantages of volunteering in terms of not only personal development, but helping their resumes and applications stand out. Whether you’re considering working with a small community group or larger not-for-profit organisation, studies have shown that the benefits of volunteering include an increased perception of employability among potential employers.

Here are some of the professional and personal benefits of volunteering:

  1. You’ll develop greater interpersonal skills

Whether you’re joining a small grassroots organisation or an established charity, participating in volunteer work is a great way to sharpen your people skills. Learn how to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life, and develop greater empathy and teamwork skills that will serve you in the early years of your career and beyond.

Beyond teaching you how to empathise with people from different backgrounds, there’s also considerable evidence to suggest that volunteering is good for your health. Volunteer work can make you feel like part of a community and give you a sense of purpose and achievement, all of which can contribute to improved overall mental health. What’s more, all the communication skills you learn in a volunteer job can later be applied in full time employment.

  1. You’ll learn how to be flexible

Other key advantages of volunteer work are the flexibility and resilience it will encourage you to develop. As many charitable and community organisations have a lean staff, they often rely heavily on volunteer contributions to keep things running. In many cases, this will require you to be flexible and quickly adapt to changing deadlines and priorities.

Rather than seeing this as a challenge, think of it as valuable work experience: Even in full-time work, things don’t always go as planned, and the ability to keep a cool head and think on your feet is highly valuable.

  1. You’ll gain experience in a range of roles

In addition to flexibility, the benefits of volunteering extend to exposure to a range of roles. Similar to internships or clerkships that operate on a rotation basis, volunteer work can give you valuable, practical experience in a range of different positions.

For example, you might assist with marketing one day and help plan a fundraising event the next. The close, tight-knit environment of many organisations that benefit from volunteering makes them the perfect environment in which to develop new skill sets. Having a diverse range of skills can ultimately help you find a graduate job in your dream industry, and make you a valuable all-rounder addition to any team.

  1. You’ll make a habit of giving back

Arguably one of the biggest perks of volunteering is the knowledge that you’re giving back and contributing in a meaningful way to the wider community. The benefits of volunteering for the community are clear, wherever you choose to donate your time. Whether you’re working at a community legal centre, soup kitchen, or environmental organisation, volunteer work is a fantastic way to support the less fortunate and those in a difficult stage of their life.

Employers are also keenly aware of the personal benefits of volunteering for the community, and see many of the resulting traits as highly desirable. Research by SEEK Volunteer found that for many prospective employers, applicants with volunteering experience were perceived as motivated, proactive, and socially responsible – and therefore eminently more valuable.

Pro Tip: Don’t overlook the importance of volunteering

For 92 per cent of Australian employers, relevant volunteer experience gives candidates a significant competitive advantage. So what are you waiting for? Now that you know the professional and personal benefits of volunteering, it’s time to get out there and start helping your community.

How to be happier, even when you’re not

Christmas can be a stressful time of year. You will blow your budget, your relatives will annoy you, and you’ll receive gifts that go straight to Vinnies, all in 40℃ heat.

Meanwhile, your friends post pictures on social media of their idyllic vacations, yearly accomplishments, and super happy toddlers and cats. You may feel extra stress from not accomplishing all the goals you set at the start of the year. You feel this stress in the face of other people’s overt jolliness.

So how can the science of gratitude help you not only cope with, but enjoy, the ups and downs of the festive season?

 

Remind me again, what is gratitude?

Gratitude, in short, is a strong feeling of appreciation towards someone who’s helped you. You can also feel gratitude when you make a habit of noticing and appreciating the positives in life. This might be feeling grateful for a cooling breeze on a hot day, appreciating your abilities in the kitchen or as a good friend.

Over the past 20 years or so, there has been quite a bit of research on gratitude.

Some of our own research shows older people are more grateful than younger people; suggests gratitude serves an evolutionary purpose by helping humans bond; and shows it’s possible to become more grateful with practice.

How can gratitude help me?

Practising gratitude often can have many positive impacts, including: an increased sense of well-being and life satisfaction; positive emotional functioning such as more pleasurable emotions and thoughts that life is going well; increased optimism; a sense of connectedness; improved relationships; and more and better quality sleep.

So all in all, researchers really get quite excited about all the positive things gratitude is related to.

 

There is also research indicating gratitude can help increase resilience and cope with everyday life stress, as well as with more major adversities.

Gratitude can help mental health – for instance, a depressed mood or post-traumatic stress disorder – and with coping well from loss after trauma.

Sign me up. How can I use it this Christmas?

So, if you want to buffer against those annoying relatives, blown budgets and be more resilient to life’s stressors, developing a greater sense of gratitude can help.

Among the many ways researchers have tested, you can:

  • write a thank you note for a gift or behaviour you’ve appreciated. It doesn’t have to be a hand written letter. You can express gratitude via text, email or social media
  • visit someone and thank them in person
  • keep a daily journal of things you feel grateful for, such as noting down three things at the end of the day as well as your role in bringing about the three things
  • spend time contemplating being grateful for certain activities, such as having a family or friends to spend Christmas with or opening presents with children. In other words, thinking about being grateful is also helpful, not just the act of being grateful.

 

Hang on a minute. Surely it’s not that simple

However, there are also a few tricks, twists and turns to be aware of:

  • consider cultural nuances: someone’s culture can influence how they perceive and react to gratitude. For example, in East Asian and Indian cultures, receiving gratitude can be accompanied by feelings of indebtedness or guilt. This can put pressure on people to reciprocate. This can also be true, but not to the same extent, in Western cultures
  • gratitude is not for everything: gratitude is not the panacea to all stresses of life; it helps, but it does not cure. It should also not be used to distract from real issues and problems, especially in interpersonal relationships
  • think about when you use it: be purposeful and strategic about expressing gratitude and don’t overdose on it. Start with the people who help you the most and are the most meaningful to you
  • don’t forget yourself: show gratitude towards yourself as well as others, such as being grateful for some of your strengths and capabilities.

If you can’t be grateful …

With all the best will in the world, it can be difficult to be grateful faced with the same present from Aunt Betty three years in a row. In this case, our only advice is to smile, and grin and bear it, rather than to pretend to be grateful. You will feel better and so will she.

Matthew Higgins, who has been admitted to the PhD program at Claremont Graduate University in the United States, co-authored this article.