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An elegant century
Centenarian, dancer and advocate for the arts in aged care honoured with Women of Influence Award.
Eileen Kramer. Photo: Cybele Malinowski
-year-old dancer and choreographer Eileen Kramer has
101been named one of the 100 Women of Influence Award winners for 2016. Organised by the Australian Financial Review and sponsored by Westpac, these awards“ identify and celebrate bold, energetic women who capture the spirit of progress, helping shape a vibrant, inclusive, economic and social future for Australia,” the organisers stated.
Kramer was recognised for her contribution as an ambassador for the Arts Health Institute and for her work encouraging the arts and artistry in aged-care settings and the industry at large. She said she was pleased and surprised by the honour.
“ I rely a lot on being excited by other people’ s work,” the centenarian told Aged Care Insite over email.“ And after all, that’ s why we dance and go on stage; we do it for ourselves, but we do want our audience to feel they have been influenced by us.”
Arts Health Institute chief executive Maggie Haertsch paid tribute to Kramer.
“ Eileen’ s long creative career is continuing, with multiple projects underway,” Haertsch said.“ Eileen challenges ageing stereotypes. She is savvy, smart and a woman of style, continuing to inspire people worldwide.”
Ainslie van Onselen, from Westpac, said:“ Influence is the power to make change, and women across Australia are using this power to transform the country and make an impact abroad. We saw this in the calibre of this year’ s nominees. It is an honour to be able to recognise and award the incredible work these women have made ongoing to our society.
“ We know that women have the power and expertise to influence change. This year’ s Women of Influence winners, such as Eileen Kramer, are an example of how women are not waiting for change; they are backing themselves and acting now to make a real impact.” ■
Future HIV support a worry
Older Australians living with the virus fear loss of dignity and companionship in the future.
One of the greatest concerns Australians living with HIV have for the future surrounds the availability of ongoing support.
This was a key finding from research by RDNS’ s HIV team based in Melbourne, which supports 220 clients and has been supporting HIV-positive people in the community since 1986.
The findings, published in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, will inform training programs conducted by the team for RSL Care + RDNS employees and external organisations.
The survey was completed by 86 clients, of whom around 57 per cent were aged 41 – 60 and 25 per cent were over 61. Respondents diagnosed before 1996 were more likely to be“ very concerned” about being forced to leave their home or having to go into residential aged care.
One respondent said:“ My youth is gone. I worry about companionship and being with people and services who are non-judgemental as I age.”
HIV team leader and lead researcher Dr Liz Crock said the study underlined the importance of holistic, expert community nursing services, encompassing psycho-social support, health promotion, clinical care and end-of-life support.“ Such services can play an important role in protecting and improving the quality of life of long-term HIV survivors, and in engaging and retaining people belonging to marginalised groups in HIV clinical care and support,” Crock said.
RDNS HIV team member and clinical nurse consultant Nalla Burk said,“ Initially, our work was around helping people die with dignity at home.” However, as treatments have progressed and become more successful, RDNS’ s priorities have shifted.
“ We have identified that there is a lot of fear around ageing and clients want to know that facilities will be safe spaces and they will retain their dignity,” Burk explained. ■
4 agedcareinsite. com. au