Over Sixty Spring 2022 Digital

5 NEWS OVERSIXTY.COM.AU | ISSUE 2 | 2022 Stay informed on the latest scams and cybercrimes by following IDCARE on Facebook, or subscribe to their newsletter by visiting www.IDCARE.org Photo: Getty Images The results of the Over 60 sleep survey show that the vast majority of us are struggling to get the amount of sleep we need Photo: Getty Images What has your loneliness experience been? Take part in our Loneliness Survey at www.o60.me/ LonelinessSurvey and see our next issue for the results Photo: Supplied question, he had an answer. There were red flags, and my heart was racing, but for some reason I can’t understand I got hooked in.” When your heart is racing, and someone is using technological jargon and giving the impression they are an expert, it is difficult to feel in control. The cybercriminal manip- ulates a small amount of knowledge on the topic to create plausible deception. The vic- tim feels out of their depth and entrusts the process to a person they deem an “expert”. How can I avoid getting scammed? The simplest way to avoid getting hooked in a remote access scam is learn from Shirley’s “Achilles heel” and trust no one when receiv- ing unsolicited calls, texts or emails, particu- larly if they ask for remote access. If you do receive a call warning of some- thing you are concerned about, hang up. Don’t feel pressured to act. Call the organi- sation directly through their official channels and check if someone is trying to reach you. It is exceptionally rare that the real organisa- tion will call you and request remote access. It is also important to stay scam aware. As people become aware of the risks of remote access, scammers develop new methods to get you to download the software, such as hiding it in a link they ask you to click on. LOUISE WATERSON NEWS W ith sleep experts warning Australia’s sleeplessness is at dangerous levels, we invited readers to share their sleep habits with us in our Facebook sleep survey. According to your responses, sleep prob- lems start well before bedtime, with over half of us (53.4%) admitting that most evenings we fall asleep in front of the television, while relaxing in a chair (19%) or reading (18.1%). This short, late-evening nap might well be RACHEL FIELDHOUSE NEWS C ommunity music groups are helping seniors counteract loneliness and social isolation. Even before the pandemic, loneliness was a significant problem in Australia, with one in four Australians experiencing feelings of loneliness. Data from the 2018 Australian Loneliness Report conducted by the Swin- burne University and Australian Psycho- logical Society revealed that at least 13 per cent of over 65s experience loneliness, with the over 75s more likely than any other age group to feel lonely. Since then, Covid-19 and months of lockdowns have only exacer- biting into the bed-based 5-7 hours of broken sleep that 80% of us are struggling to achieve. Here’s what else we discovered: Bedtime: Just over two-thirds (68.9%) of us head to bed between 9.30pm-10.30pm, with one-third of sleepers falling asleep within 15 minutes, leaving behind another one- third lingering for 30 minutes, and the re- maining unhappy one-third often taking over an hour to finally drift off. Sleep habits: Of the unlucky 66% of slee- pers who find it tricky to fall asleep, the ma- jority (43.1%) rely on reading to help relax bated the problem, with a recent Swinburne University survey finding one in two Austral- ians felt more lonely since the pandemic. Despite lockdowns being lifted, Austral- ia’s senior population has been cautious to return to their previous social activities, with one in three interacting less with people since the start of the pandemic, according to new research by Glen 20, supported byMeals on Wheels. Sharyn Broer, president of Meals on Wheels Australia, urges Australians to be in- spired by this research and reach out to their loved ones and wider community. “Wheth- er it’s a phone call, a friendly wave from the street or a hot meal delivered to your door- step with a smile,” she says. into a deep sleep, though it can take time. Deep breathing/meditation (19.8%) and lis- tening to the radio (14.7%) or an audiobook/ podcast (5.2%) are also popular sleep-induc- ing habits. Most surprising of all? One hundred per cent of us wake up during the night at least once (19.8%), 2-3 times (62.9%) or over 4 times (17.2%) every night. Reasons given for waking up include going to the bathroom (80.2%), feeling too hot or cold (37.1%), pain (24.1%) and being woken by a noisy partner (17.2%). Efforts to curb sleeplessness range from taking non-prescription sleep supple- ments (52.6%), drinking herbal tea (33.6%), counting sheep (31.2%), changing our bed- ding (30.2%) and resorting to sleep medica- tion (25%). But it’s no easy feat getting back to sleep, as once awake, we start to churn over thoughts, worries and plans, before re- sorting to efforts to return to sleep, often after a cup of tea or by counting backwards! When all else fails, one reader offered this advice: “I just try to relax and not stress about not sleeping. Resting is also OK.” Along with a lack of social connection, loneliness places a person at greater risk of developing serious health conditions, in- cluding inflammation, heart attacks, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as 26 per cent increased risk of dying early. Finding an activity that gets you out of the house and connecting with others is vital to maintain- ing good health. Community music groups offer a solution with community choirs and orchestras that cater to all skill levels. Greg Butcher, a former RAAF musician and director of the Clarence Valley Orchestra and Choir in the NSW Northern Rivers re- gion, says it’s never too late to reap the ben- efits of picking up an instrument, even if it’s for the first time. “Music is the universal language,” he says. “All it takes is commitment to practise and the passion to do it. Research shows that when a musician plays music (in any form – instrumental or singing), both hemispheres of the brain light up and more connections are made.” Phyl Danvers, who conducts the Univer- sity of Newcastle’s Callaghan Singers – who range in age from 22 to 71 – agrees, adding that it’s a worthwhile pursuit no matter your age or ability. “Being musical is not essential for being involved in music as so many people who have not had any experience in ‘music’ take great pleasure in having musical experienc- es, whether it be listening to music, starting to learn an instrument or just being part of an audience,” she says. “It is all enjoyable and participation is easy – you are never too young or too old.” According to Stephen O’Doherty, musical director of the Golden Kangaroos Concert Our sleep survey results Music bridges loneliness gap NEWS NEWS NEWS Band in Hornsby, NSW, music has huge benefits socially and creates an intimacy you don’t get while playing or singing alone: “To play with others and achieve a pleasing out- come for an audience is a whole new level,” he says. “It both fosters and requires a level of interpersonal communication between per- formers that is beyond words. Such intimacy is rare in everyday life. It enriches the human experience in a unique and very special way.” Danvers agrees, describing singing in a group setting as being very uplifting. “You can see, as a conductor, the joy every member is feeling as they sing, particularly when they sing in harmony. A single ‘unu- sual’ interval (or odd note) gives them great pleasure and their faces show it … not just one person, but quite a few.” She finds age differences “disappear” in her choir, with older members taking pride in the achievements of younger singers, who look to older members for their musical experience. For O’Doherty, the impact of community music can be seen as people find their tribe. “We know that learning music has beneficial effects intellectually and emotionally,” he says. “Learning or performing with others adds a social dimension that is critically im- portant. For many, band is the place where they are most fulfilled. Where their contri- bution matters. Where they will be missed if absent. Joining a community band is a way of finding their people, [it’s] a safe place where people of a like mind can learn, grow and contribute together.” Musical director Greg Butcher says there are no age limits when it comes to learning an instrument