It’s never easy to say goodbye to a beloved pet. The passing of a pet is like a family member. Our pets give us so much love and joy, but sadly their lives are shorter than ours. We can try and not think about it, but there will be a time when our pet’s pain and suffering comes to an end.

Our guest, the compassionate vet, Dr Mila Kasby has worked as a small animal veterinarian for over 20 years. She travelled extensively, working in England for 5 years before returning to Australia where she and her husband Matt (also a veterinarian) run their family-owned practice, Great Western Animal Hospital in Western Sydney.

Mila feels it is so important that vet visits are as stress free and as enjoyable as possible for patients and their families so the team at Great Western are all Fear Free Certified and use techniques that care for pets emotional as well as their physical well-being.

Mila has worked as a volunteer with Vets for Climate Action, helping to develop a sustainability program for veterinarians and is currently working as a volunteer wildlife veterinarian.

She recently joined her local RFS brigade so that she can better assist with wildlife rescue in the event of bushfire.

The team at Great Western volunteer for Pets in the Park, a charity providing free veterinary care to pets belonging to the homeless.

Links for grief counselling;

Dr Jacqui Campbell owns Sunset Vets which is a mobile palliative care and euthanasia veterinary service - she has these links on her page. Sunset Vets has a partnership with a Psychology service that can offer a complimentary grief counselling service - see the pages below

https://sunsetvets.com.au/services/counselling/

https://sunsetvets.com.au/resources/useful-websites-contacts/

Sponsors: Thanks to PrimeLife Partners

**Disclaimer : This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not intended to replace professional advice.

Why is music important as we age?

Music plays a vital role in the lives of older people, and research has shed light on its significance as we age.

The Benefits of Music for Older Adults

Cognitive Stimulation: Music has been shown to stimulate cognitive function, improving memory and language skills .

Emotional Well-being: Music can alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, promoting emotional well-being.

Social Connections: Music-based activities foster social interaction, reducing feelings of isolation.

Personal Identity: Music preferences reflect personal experiences, values, and cultural background.

Older adults are just as engaged in music as younger adults and many participate in community choirs, bands or attending concerts.

Our guest on Episode 4 Margaret Wright OAM

Margaret received an OAM for a lifetime of volunteering in the community especially in the area of music.

Film Australia made a documentary about her methods of teaching musical literacy using recorders in primary school. This was followed by a Churchill Fellowship in the UK.

In her early career, Margaret was a scientific illustrator in Dept of Zoology at Sydney University and was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London for her drawings of Australian geckos. She signed the same book as Darwin and Wallace.

Some of the musical highlights in her life include:

1. Visiting Yehudi Menuhin's school in Surrey 2. Hearing Yehudi and his sister Hepzibah play through the complete Beethoven violin and piano sonatas 3. Her primary school recorder ensemble playing at the Opera House 4. Her present adult recorder orchestra playing at the High Court of Australia.

Sponsors: Thanks to PrimeLife Partners

**Disclaimer : This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not intended to replace professional advice.

Interesting conversations for people 70+ to stay active and live longer for the best years of our lives. Everyone wants to know as they get older how to stay in the best condition possible. But not everyone has the time or willingness to sit down and do the research. Keep up with some great ideas to stay active and live longer. This episode discusses the importance of relationships, being present and the pros and cons of online dating. Enjoy! Our thanks go to Anne-Marie and the team at PrimeLife Partners for being our sponsors. PrimeLife Partners are committed to transforming how we age, live, care and retire. Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not intended to replace professional advice.

What can happen if your life is on your mobile phone and no one has access to your password when you die.

Plus, an inspiring conversation with 83 year old Margaret Quail. In her aged care nursing career, she met someone who had seen one of the first cars on the road and also watched the moon landing. Enjoy!

Sponsors

Our thanks go to Anne-Marie, Abby and the team at PrimeLife Partners for being our sponsors.

PrimeLife Partners are committed to transforming how we age, live, care and retire.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not intended to replace professional advice.

Funerals are essential for honoring loved ones, processing grief and facilitating healing. Today’s chat is with Catherine Prosser from Tender Funerals. And the following is some information you might like to consider.

Why are funerals important?:

Emotional Significance 1. Grief expression: Funerals provide a space for mourning and expressing emotions. 2. Closure: Rituals help individuals accept reality and begin the healing process. 3. Memory preservation: Funerals celebrate the deceased's life, preserving memories. 4. Support network: Funerals bring family and friends together, fostering connection.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance 1. Tradition and heritage: Funerals reflect cultural, religious and personal beliefs. 2. Rites of passage: Funerals mark life's transition, acknowledging the deceased's impact. 3. Respect and dignity: Funerals demonstrate respect for the deceased and their legacy.

Practical Considerations 1. Pre-planning: Consider advance directives, wills and funeral insurance. 2. Costs: Average funeral costs range from $8,000 to $12,000. 3. Options: Traditional burials, cremations, green burials, home funerals and memorial services. 4. Planning: Choose a funeral home, select services and create a personalized ceremony.

Modern Trends 1. Personalization: Incorporating personal elements, such as music, photos and stories. 2. Eco-friendly options: Green burials, biodegradable caskets and environmentally conscious practices. 3. Virtual funerals: Online memorial services and live-streaming. 4. Death positivity: Normalizing conversations around mortality and end-of-life care.

Key Decisions 1. Burial vs. cremation: Consider personal preferences, environmental impact and cost. 2. Traditional vs. non-traditional services: Choose between formal ceremonies and personalized gatherings. 3. Viewing or visitation: Decide whether to include a viewing or visitation. 4. Memorials and tributes: Consider charitable donations, memorial gardens or personalized tributes.

Support and Resources 1. Funeral directors: Professionals guiding the planning process. 2. Grief counseling: Support for coping with loss. 3. Online resources: National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA). 4. Local support groups: Organizations offering emotional support and guidance.

Legal and Financial Considerations 1. Advance directives: Documenting end-of-life wishes. 2. Funeral insurance: Pre-paying funeral expenses. 3. Estate planning: Managing assets and inheritance. 4. Death certificates: Obtaining official documentation. Conversation Starters 1. What are your end-of-life wishes? 2. Have you pre-planned your funeral? 3. What kind of memorial service would you prefer? 4. How can we honor your legacy? Discussing funerals and end-of-life care can be challenging, but open conversations ensure respect for individual wishes and facilitate healing.

Sponsors: Thanks to PrimeLife Partners

**Disclaimer : This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not intended to replace professional advice.

Ageism is stereotyping, discrimination and mistreatment of people based solely on their age. Ageism directed towards older people imposes a substantial cost to the Australian economy, impacts on productivity and damages the health and wellbeing of older Australians from all walks of life.

The campaign against ageism is striving for a world where older people can participate on equal terms with others in all aspects of life.

An Ageism Awareness Day is being planned for Australia. Our Age Discrimination Commissioner and WHO are running a campaign against ageism. The campaign is striving for a world where older people can participate on equal terms with others in all aspects of life.

Our guest today is Anne-Marie Elias from PrimeLife Partners – our sponsors.

Anne-Marie explains how PrimeLife Partners is dedicated to transforming how we age, live, care, and retire by building and advocating for a resilient longevity economy ecosystem in Australia.