Relationships

1. Can I stop her getting our money?
Bert’s son has married a woman whom neither he nor his wife like. The thought of her getting their money when they die is eating them up. How can they stop her from inheriting everything they have? Do you have a suggestion?

The following organisations may be able to assist with practical advice:
The National Association of Community Legal Centres
Relationships Australia

2. Is there friendship after divorce?
The toughest part of Brian’s divorce was losing contact with his wife’s family. Is this something he just has to accept or can he remain friends with those to whom he became close during his marriage?

The following organisation may be able to assist with practical advice:
Australian Men’s Sheds Association

3. My grandson has stolen from me, what should I do?
Irene is distraught to find out that her grandson has been stealing from her. She really is in a quandary about how to tackle this delicate subject with her daughter. Should she just confront her grandson, or does she need to be more diplomatic?

The following organisations may be able to assist with practical advice:
New South Wales - The Aged-care Rights Service
Victoria - Elder Rights Advocacy
Queensland - Queensland Aged and Disability Advocacy Inc.
South Australia - Aged Rights Advocacy Service Inc.
Western Australia - The Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
Tasmania - Advocacy Tasmania Inc
NT - Darwin - Darwin Community Legal Service
NT - Alice Springs - CatholicCare NT
Australian Capital Territory - ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service

4. How do you handle boomerang kids?
Despite loving their children very much, Bill and his wife would like some time to themselves, without the constant return to the family home of their children. Is it a parent’s job always to be there for children once they’ve grown up, or should boomerang children be told enough is enough?

The following organisation may be able to assist with practical advice:
Relationships Australia Counselling Services

5. When the mind is willing…
Possibly the most difficult part of ageing is when your body stops being capable of doing all the things you still want to. If you have an active mind but a body which doesn’t want to play along, is it time to give up or should you fight the ageing process?

6. Sex and the single grandma
Mary wishes to remain active in every aspect of life and that includes sex. However, it’s been a long time since she was in the dating game and she isn’t sure what she should expect now she’s ready to take the plunge. Should she be thinking of giving sex a miss, or is there a whole new world out there for her to embrace?

The following organisations may be able to assist with practical advice:
Health.gov.au
The Jean Hailes Foundation

7. Can I choose when I want to die?
Tony has watched his mother suffer with Parkinson’s disease and as the condition is hereditary, he does not want to suffer the same fate. But can he choose when enough is enough and end his life? Or should he just accept the fate which life has dealt him?

The following organisations may be able to assist with practical advice:
Centre for Genetic Education
Parkinson’s Australia
Law Council of Australia
Australian Human Rights an Equal Opportunity Commission
Dying with Dignity

8. Dealing with depression
When people are reluctant to talk about how they are feeling, depression often results. This is when the community at large must offer the help and support that individuals need to recover from this debilitating disease. Do you know of an organisation which can help?

The following organisations may be able to assist with practical advice:
Beyond blue
Black Dog Institute

9. How can I get my partner to socialise?
Emily has been with her partner for 50 years but as they get older, he becomes more set in his ways and less willing to get out and try new things, or meet new people. Emily is not willing to give up her social life, nor the man she cares for, but the strain is wearing her down. How can she get her partner to be more social?

The following organisations may be able to assist with practical advice:
Seniors club directory
Rotary
Probus

10. When is it time to surrender the car keys?
At 82, Chloe’s dad is a real menace on the road but driving is his last means of independence. Should Chloe and her family look to take this away from him or are there practical measures which can keep him on the road? Should there be an age after which driving is prohibited?

The following publication may assist with practical advice:
Monash University – Safety of Older Drivers

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