John's story: A lighter look at life after losing your prostate
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris.
So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men.
There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate.
For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure.
But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes).
A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access.
The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested.
Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised.
The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area.
So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition.
Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category.
The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway".
The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis.
At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants.
Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing.
The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job.
Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty).
Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week.
As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels.
Recovery takes time, but does happen.
The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding.
Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum.
Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good.
Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends.
While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent.
Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area.
There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris.
So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men.
There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate.
For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure.
But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes).
A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access.
The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested.
Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised.
The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area.
So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition.
Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category.
The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway".
The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis.
At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants.
Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing.
The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job.
Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty).
Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week.
As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels.
Recovery takes time, but does happen.
The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding.
Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum.
Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good.
Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends.
While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent.
Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area.
There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris.
So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men.
There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate.
For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure.
But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes).
A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access.
The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested.
Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised.
The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area.
So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition.
Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category.
The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway".
The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis.
At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants.
Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing.
The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job.
Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty).
Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week.
As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels.
Recovery takes time, but does happen.
The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding.
Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum.
Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good.
Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends.
While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent.
Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area.
There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris.
So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men.
There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate.
For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure.
But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes).
A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access.
The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested.
Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised.
The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area.
So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition.
Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category.
The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway".
The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis.
At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants.
Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing.
The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job.
Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty).
Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week.
As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels.
Recovery takes time, but does happen.
The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding.
Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum.
Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good.
Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends.
While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent.
Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area.
There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/
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John's story: A lighter look at life after losing your prostate
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris. So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men. There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate. For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure. But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes). A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access. The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested. Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised. The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area. So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition. Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category. The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway". The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis. At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants. Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing. The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy. The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job. Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty). Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week. As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels. Recovery takes time, but does happen. The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding. Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum. Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good. Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends. While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent. Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area. There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris. So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men. There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate. For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure. But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes). A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access. The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested. Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised. The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area. So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition. Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category. The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway". The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis. At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants. Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing. The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy. The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job. Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty). Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week. As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels. Recovery takes time, but does happen. The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding. Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum. Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good. Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends. While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent. Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area. There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris. So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men. There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate. For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure. But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes). A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access. The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested. Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised. The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area. So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition. Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category. The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway". The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis. At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants. Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing. The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy. The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job. Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty). Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week. As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels. Recovery takes time, but does happen. The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding. Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum. Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good. Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends. While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent. Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area. There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris. So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men. There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate. For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure. But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes). A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access. The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested. Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised. The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area. So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition. Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category. The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway". The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis. At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants. Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing. The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy. The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job. Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty). Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week. As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels. Recovery takes time, but does happen. The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding. Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum. Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good. Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends. While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent. Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area. There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit:
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Inside the life of the sandwich generation: Caring for parents and teens
In some cultures, looking after your elderly parents is part of society norm, in others it's mandated by law (like China and France). In Australia, it can be a personal choice, though many are oblivious to their role and don't identify as a "carer" - meaning wellbeing is often overlooked. "They think 'I'm just looking after my parents' or, you know, 'I'm just caring for a child with special needs' ... [and are not] seeking those supports that are available to them, like respite or counselling, or peer groups that may help," said Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia. Most carers will care for years before they seek out assistance, meaning they're usually in "quite a bad place when they seek help", Ms Reid said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 11.9 per cent of the population were carers in 2024 - including 1.2 million primary carers and 1.9 million carers who were not primary carers - who support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Read more at The Senior: Linley Wilkie, a journalist with ACM (publisher of this masthead), is the eldest child in her family, "and usually [her] parent's first port of call". "Dad is 83 and Mum is 74. They've been fit, healthy and socially active for most of their lives, however, things took a turn when Dad was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2019," she told The Senior. "The ongoing immunotherapy treatment has been amazing, but it ultimately rocked their world and I feel like my status as 'firstborn' grew to include 'carer' at about this point ... on the flip side, care for my teenage sons is daily, filled with the usual things you'd expect in a busy family." The Victorian resident lives an hour and 20-minutes drive from her parents, so teaching them "lifehacks" (like how to do online shopping, how to spot a scam email or how to find Cancer Council support services) and outsourcing jobs like cleaning where she can has been helpful. "When I visit, I'll drive them to the post office, or the bank, and other services they feel more comfortable still undertaking in person," she said. *I think I'd feel incredibly guilty if I wasn't in a position to look after them at the drop of a hat ... not because they'd impress guilt upon me, but because I was brought up to appreciate the importance of people looking after each other - I feel that deeply when it concerns the person who raised me to be who I am today. "I genuinely love caring for them! There's a real sense of pride and satisfaction in seeing them regain their health and independence." Ms Wilkie said she was fortunate to have no financial implications for being "sandwiched between the needs of her ageing parents and growing teenage sons", though she does feel "overstretched" on occasion - a plight of many others in a similar situation. Ms Wilkie said she tries to manage her wellbeing by taking time out for herself, like catching up with friends or watching a favourite television show. "Simple things that give me joy and require minimal effort," she said. "Try not to feel bad for yourself when you're doing the caring while others wait, being able to look after the generations before and after you is part of many modern-day families. Cherish the time you have left with your parents and instil similar values in your children, so that one day, caring for you will come naturally to them (aka the circle of life)!" The latest research around the "sandwich generation" has revealed on average, caregivers spend around 31.7 hours on average per week doing unpaid care for both older and younger generations, juggled with around 21 hours on average of work each week. The Australian Seniors: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 also found nine in 10 of those surveyed had experienced caregiving burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep issues), 65 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about long-term health impacts of caregiving, though a third of carers reported they did engage in self-care strategies (like regular exercise, seeking support and taking breaks). Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. In some cultures, looking after your elderly parents is part of society norm, in others it's mandated by law (like China and France). In Australia, it can be a personal choice, though many are oblivious to their role and don't identify as a "carer" - meaning wellbeing is often overlooked. "They think 'I'm just looking after my parents' or, you know, 'I'm just caring for a child with special needs' ... [and are not] seeking those supports that are available to them, like respite or counselling, or peer groups that may help," said Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia. Most carers will care for years before they seek out assistance, meaning they're usually in "quite a bad place when they seek help", Ms Reid said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 11.9 per cent of the population were carers in 2024 - including 1.2 million primary carers and 1.9 million carers who were not primary carers - who support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Read more at The Senior: Linley Wilkie, a journalist with ACM (publisher of this masthead), is the eldest child in her family, "and usually [her] parent's first port of call". "Dad is 83 and Mum is 74. They've been fit, healthy and socially active for most of their lives, however, things took a turn when Dad was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2019," she told The Senior. "The ongoing immunotherapy treatment has been amazing, but it ultimately rocked their world and I feel like my status as 'firstborn' grew to include 'carer' at about this point ... on the flip side, care for my teenage sons is daily, filled with the usual things you'd expect in a busy family." The Victorian resident lives an hour and 20-minutes drive from her parents, so teaching them "lifehacks" (like how to do online shopping, how to spot a scam email or how to find Cancer Council support services) and outsourcing jobs like cleaning where she can has been helpful. "When I visit, I'll drive them to the post office, or the bank, and other services they feel more comfortable still undertaking in person," she said. *I think I'd feel incredibly guilty if I wasn't in a position to look after them at the drop of a hat ... not because they'd impress guilt upon me, but because I was brought up to appreciate the importance of people looking after each other - I feel that deeply when it concerns the person who raised me to be who I am today. "I genuinely love caring for them! There's a real sense of pride and satisfaction in seeing them regain their health and independence." Ms Wilkie said she was fortunate to have no financial implications for being "sandwiched between the needs of her ageing parents and growing teenage sons", though she does feel "overstretched" on occasion - a plight of many others in a similar situation. Ms Wilkie said she tries to manage her wellbeing by taking time out for herself, like catching up with friends or watching a favourite television show. "Simple things that give me joy and require minimal effort," she said. "Try not to feel bad for yourself when you're doing the caring while others wait, being able to look after the generations before and after you is part of many modern-day families. Cherish the time you have left with your parents and instil similar values in your children, so that one day, caring for you will come naturally to them (aka the circle of life)!" The latest research around the "sandwich generation" has revealed on average, caregivers spend around 31.7 hours on average per week doing unpaid care for both older and younger generations, juggled with around 21 hours on average of work each week. The Australian Seniors: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 also found nine in 10 of those surveyed had experienced caregiving burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep issues), 65 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about long-term health impacts of caregiving, though a third of carers reported they did engage in self-care strategies (like regular exercise, seeking support and taking breaks). Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. In some cultures, looking after your elderly parents is part of society norm, in others it's mandated by law (like China and France). In Australia, it can be a personal choice, though many are oblivious to their role and don't identify as a "carer" - meaning wellbeing is often overlooked. "They think 'I'm just looking after my parents' or, you know, 'I'm just caring for a child with special needs' ... [and are not] seeking those supports that are available to them, like respite or counselling, or peer groups that may help," said Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia. Most carers will care for years before they seek out assistance, meaning they're usually in "quite a bad place when they seek help", Ms Reid said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 11.9 per cent of the population were carers in 2024 - including 1.2 million primary carers and 1.9 million carers who were not primary carers - who support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Read more at The Senior: Linley Wilkie, a journalist with ACM (publisher of this masthead), is the eldest child in her family, "and usually [her] parent's first port of call". "Dad is 83 and Mum is 74. They've been fit, healthy and socially active for most of their lives, however, things took a turn when Dad was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2019," she told The Senior. "The ongoing immunotherapy treatment has been amazing, but it ultimately rocked their world and I feel like my status as 'firstborn' grew to include 'carer' at about this point ... on the flip side, care for my teenage sons is daily, filled with the usual things you'd expect in a busy family." The Victorian resident lives an hour and 20-minutes drive from her parents, so teaching them "lifehacks" (like how to do online shopping, how to spot a scam email or how to find Cancer Council support services) and outsourcing jobs like cleaning where she can has been helpful. "When I visit, I'll drive them to the post office, or the bank, and other services they feel more comfortable still undertaking in person," she said. *I think I'd feel incredibly guilty if I wasn't in a position to look after them at the drop of a hat ... not because they'd impress guilt upon me, but because I was brought up to appreciate the importance of people looking after each other - I feel that deeply when it concerns the person who raised me to be who I am today. "I genuinely love caring for them! There's a real sense of pride and satisfaction in seeing them regain their health and independence." Ms Wilkie said she was fortunate to have no financial implications for being "sandwiched between the needs of her ageing parents and growing teenage sons", though she does feel "overstretched" on occasion - a plight of many others in a similar situation. Ms Wilkie said she tries to manage her wellbeing by taking time out for herself, like catching up with friends or watching a favourite television show. "Simple things that give me joy and require minimal effort," she said. "Try not to feel bad for yourself when you're doing the caring while others wait, being able to look after the generations before and after you is part of many modern-day families. Cherish the time you have left with your parents and instil similar values in your children, so that one day, caring for you will come naturally to them (aka the circle of life)!" The latest research around the "sandwich generation" has revealed on average, caregivers spend around 31.7 hours on average per week doing unpaid care for both older and younger generations, juggled with around 21 hours on average of work each week. The Australian Seniors: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 also found nine in 10 of those surveyed had experienced caregiving burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep issues), 65 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about long-term health impacts of caregiving, though a third of carers reported they did engage in self-care strategies (like regular exercise, seeking support and taking breaks). Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. In some cultures, looking after your elderly parents is part of society norm, in others it's mandated by law (like China and France). In Australia, it can be a personal choice, though many are oblivious to their role and don't identify as a "carer" - meaning wellbeing is often overlooked. "They think 'I'm just looking after my parents' or, you know, 'I'm just caring for a child with special needs' ... [and are not] seeking those supports that are available to them, like respite or counselling, or peer groups that may help," said Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia. Most carers will care for years before they seek out assistance, meaning they're usually in "quite a bad place when they seek help", Ms Reid said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 11.9 per cent of the population were carers in 2024 - including 1.2 million primary carers and 1.9 million carers who were not primary carers - who support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Read more at The Senior: Linley Wilkie, a journalist with ACM (publisher of this masthead), is the eldest child in her family, "and usually [her] parent's first port of call". "Dad is 83 and Mum is 74. They've been fit, healthy and socially active for most of their lives, however, things took a turn when Dad was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2019," she told The Senior. "The ongoing immunotherapy treatment has been amazing, but it ultimately rocked their world and I feel like my status as 'firstborn' grew to include 'carer' at about this point ... on the flip side, care for my teenage sons is daily, filled with the usual things you'd expect in a busy family." The Victorian resident lives an hour and 20-minutes drive from her parents, so teaching them "lifehacks" (like how to do online shopping, how to spot a scam email or how to find Cancer Council support services) and outsourcing jobs like cleaning where she can has been helpful. "When I visit, I'll drive them to the post office, or the bank, and other services they feel more comfortable still undertaking in person," she said. *I think I'd feel incredibly guilty if I wasn't in a position to look after them at the drop of a hat ... not because they'd impress guilt upon me, but because I was brought up to appreciate the importance of people looking after each other - I feel that deeply when it concerns the person who raised me to be who I am today. "I genuinely love caring for them! There's a real sense of pride and satisfaction in seeing them regain their health and independence." Ms Wilkie said she was fortunate to have no financial implications for being "sandwiched between the needs of her ageing parents and growing teenage sons", though she does feel "overstretched" on occasion - a plight of many others in a similar situation. Ms Wilkie said she tries to manage her wellbeing by taking time out for herself, like catching up with friends or watching a favourite television show. "Simple things that give me joy and require minimal effort," she said. "Try not to feel bad for yourself when you're doing the caring while others wait, being able to look after the generations before and after you is part of many modern-day families. Cherish the time you have left with your parents and instil similar values in your children, so that one day, caring for you will come naturally to them (aka the circle of life)!" The latest research around the "sandwich generation" has revealed on average, caregivers spend around 31.7 hours on average per week doing unpaid care for both older and younger generations, juggled with around 21 hours on average of work each week. The Australian Seniors: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 also found nine in 10 of those surveyed had experienced caregiving burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep issues), 65 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about long-term health impacts of caregiving, though a third of carers reported they did engage in self-care strategies (like regular exercise, seeking support and taking breaks). Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Government 'listens' to widespread concern, delays start of Aged Care Act
Once-in-a-generation changes to the aged care sector have been put on pause by the federal government to allow more time for service providers and clients to prepare. The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, released an open letter to aged care providers on Wednesday, June 4, signalling he will defer the start of the Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, 2025. "I have spent my first three weeks as your Minister listening to older people, their families and carers, aged care providers, workers and others in the sector who have generously shared their views and feedback with me," Mr Rae stated. "You have told us you need more time to prepare your clients, support your workers and get your systems ready for the transition to the new Aged Care Act." The letter said the extra time would allow the government to finalise key operational and digital processes - something providers have been crying out for - along with implementation guidance and training. Read more at The Senior: The decision follows months of widespread criticism over lack of information and transparency by aged care providers and advocates for the aged, with many calling to delay the implementation of the new laws - as reported by The Senior. Craig Gear, CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), said the four-month delay was the "right decision" as older people did not have the necessary information to make informed choices, especially around the Support at Home program. "We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition," Mr Gear said. OPAN has also called for the release of at least 20,000 additional home care packages during the delay to reduce the current 83,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care. "This decision is the result of months of intense discussions and calls for practical timelines for the sector. We know that rushed reforms would put levels of care at risk for older people," Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. "We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven't received all the information we need in order to proceed." Mr Symondson said the extra time was a "critical space" to help aged care providers and services finalise agreements with clients, systems and processes - and puts older Australians first. "This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care," he said. "We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal." Catholic Health Australia (which represents more than 350 aged care facilities) also welcomed the government's decision, with CEO Jason Kara saying it would ensure a smooth transition. "Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed," Mr Kara said. "Much of the detail around how the new program will work is incomplete or in draft," said Mr Kara. "Requiring providers and residents to sign agreements without key information such as co-contribution amounts and transitional rules would have risked the discontinuation of care, or care being provided without a legal service agreement, posing legal, financial and regulatory risks." Simon Miller, CEO of Anglicare Sydney, said the delay would help produce "stronger outcomes for everyone". Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Once-in-a-generation changes to the aged care sector have been put on pause by the federal government to allow more time for service providers and clients to prepare. The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, released an open letter to aged care providers on Wednesday, June 4, signalling he will defer the start of the Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, 2025. "I have spent my first three weeks as your Minister listening to older people, their families and carers, aged care providers, workers and others in the sector who have generously shared their views and feedback with me," Mr Rae stated. "You have told us you need more time to prepare your clients, support your workers and get your systems ready for the transition to the new Aged Care Act." The letter said the extra time would allow the government to finalise key operational and digital processes - something providers have been crying out for - along with implementation guidance and training. Read more at The Senior: The decision follows months of widespread criticism over lack of information and transparency by aged care providers and advocates for the aged, with many calling to delay the implementation of the new laws - as reported by The Senior. Craig Gear, CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), said the four-month delay was the "right decision" as older people did not have the necessary information to make informed choices, especially around the Support at Home program. "We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition," Mr Gear said. OPAN has also called for the release of at least 20,000 additional home care packages during the delay to reduce the current 83,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care. "This decision is the result of months of intense discussions and calls for practical timelines for the sector. We know that rushed reforms would put levels of care at risk for older people," Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. "We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven't received all the information we need in order to proceed." Mr Symondson said the extra time was a "critical space" to help aged care providers and services finalise agreements with clients, systems and processes - and puts older Australians first. "This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care," he said. "We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal." Catholic Health Australia (which represents more than 350 aged care facilities) also welcomed the government's decision, with CEO Jason Kara saying it would ensure a smooth transition. "Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed," Mr Kara said. "Much of the detail around how the new program will work is incomplete or in draft," said Mr Kara. "Requiring providers and residents to sign agreements without key information such as co-contribution amounts and transitional rules would have risked the discontinuation of care, or care being provided without a legal service agreement, posing legal, financial and regulatory risks." Simon Miller, CEO of Anglicare Sydney, said the delay would help produce "stronger outcomes for everyone". Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Once-in-a-generation changes to the aged care sector have been put on pause by the federal government to allow more time for service providers and clients to prepare. The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, released an open letter to aged care providers on Wednesday, June 4, signalling he will defer the start of the Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, 2025. "I have spent my first three weeks as your Minister listening to older people, their families and carers, aged care providers, workers and others in the sector who have generously shared their views and feedback with me," Mr Rae stated. "You have told us you need more time to prepare your clients, support your workers and get your systems ready for the transition to the new Aged Care Act." The letter said the extra time would allow the government to finalise key operational and digital processes - something providers have been crying out for - along with implementation guidance and training. Read more at The Senior: The decision follows months of widespread criticism over lack of information and transparency by aged care providers and advocates for the aged, with many calling to delay the implementation of the new laws - as reported by The Senior. Craig Gear, CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), said the four-month delay was the "right decision" as older people did not have the necessary information to make informed choices, especially around the Support at Home program. "We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition," Mr Gear said. OPAN has also called for the release of at least 20,000 additional home care packages during the delay to reduce the current 83,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care. "This decision is the result of months of intense discussions and calls for practical timelines for the sector. We know that rushed reforms would put levels of care at risk for older people," Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. "We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven't received all the information we need in order to proceed." Mr Symondson said the extra time was a "critical space" to help aged care providers and services finalise agreements with clients, systems and processes - and puts older Australians first. "This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care," he said. "We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal." Catholic Health Australia (which represents more than 350 aged care facilities) also welcomed the government's decision, with CEO Jason Kara saying it would ensure a smooth transition. "Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed," Mr Kara said. "Much of the detail around how the new program will work is incomplete or in draft," said Mr Kara. "Requiring providers and residents to sign agreements without key information such as co-contribution amounts and transitional rules would have risked the discontinuation of care, or care being provided without a legal service agreement, posing legal, financial and regulatory risks." Simon Miller, CEO of Anglicare Sydney, said the delay would help produce "stronger outcomes for everyone". Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Once-in-a-generation changes to the aged care sector have been put on pause by the federal government to allow more time for service providers and clients to prepare. The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, released an open letter to aged care providers on Wednesday, June 4, signalling he will defer the start of the Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, 2025. "I have spent my first three weeks as your Minister listening to older people, their families and carers, aged care providers, workers and others in the sector who have generously shared their views and feedback with me," Mr Rae stated. "You have told us you need more time to prepare your clients, support your workers and get your systems ready for the transition to the new Aged Care Act." The letter said the extra time would allow the government to finalise key operational and digital processes - something providers have been crying out for - along with implementation guidance and training. Read more at The Senior: The decision follows months of widespread criticism over lack of information and transparency by aged care providers and advocates for the aged, with many calling to delay the implementation of the new laws - as reported by The Senior. Craig Gear, CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), said the four-month delay was the "right decision" as older people did not have the necessary information to make informed choices, especially around the Support at Home program. "We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition," Mr Gear said. OPAN has also called for the release of at least 20,000 additional home care packages during the delay to reduce the current 83,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care. "This decision is the result of months of intense discussions and calls for practical timelines for the sector. We know that rushed reforms would put levels of care at risk for older people," Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. "We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven't received all the information we need in order to proceed." Mr Symondson said the extra time was a "critical space" to help aged care providers and services finalise agreements with clients, systems and processes - and puts older Australians first. "This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care," he said. "We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal." Catholic Health Australia (which represents more than 350 aged care facilities) also welcomed the government's decision, with CEO Jason Kara saying it would ensure a smooth transition. "Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed," Mr Kara said. "Much of the detail around how the new program will work is incomplete or in draft," said Mr Kara. "Requiring providers and residents to sign agreements without key information such as co-contribution amounts and transitional rules would have risked the discontinuation of care, or care being provided without a legal service agreement, posing legal, financial and regulatory risks." Simon Miller, CEO of Anglicare Sydney, said the delay would help produce "stronger outcomes for everyone". Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
