Meet Val Fell - member of the Aged Care Council of Elders
Val Fell is a member of the Aged Care Council of Elders. The council provides advice to the Australian Government about aged care and ageing well. Council members engage with older people and share updates about the changes the government is making to improve aged care.
Val is active in her local community, and on the Council, chairing several dementia support groups, visiting aged care homes to speak with residents, and presenting at consumer and sector events about the importance of creating a better aged care system for everyone.
A retired maths teacher and statistician, Val became involved in aged care a couple of decades ago, when her husband was diagnosed with dementia in 2006.
Val said this personal experience marked the beginning of her work as an advocate, particularly for people living with dementia, and her more recent contribution as a peer educator with the Council on the Ageing and the Council of Elders.
"It's very important for older people to realise that in the future, they will have control and choice of what is happening to them when it comes to aged care," Val shared.
"They will have a say and continue to have agency in their own lives," Val said. "And that's important."
Val has been a member of the council since its inception in 2021. Val said, "We help by interacting with the community and finding out what older people need and want when it comes to aged care.
"There have been many changes made already to improve aged care and there's more to come," said Val. "I'm looking forward to seeing more dementia care initiatives and training to those to support people to remain living in their own home and those residing in residential aged care."
Watch the video to find out more about Val and the role of the Council of Elders:
My name is Val Fell and I live in Wollongong on the south coast of New South Wales and I am a member of the Council of Elders. I have been involved in aged care for more than a couple of decades.
My husband was diagnosed with dementia in 2006, so I have been involved in aged care since then, directly as a dementia advocate and later on as a peer educator with COTA and with the Council of Elders.
I'm very keen on seeing that we have a well trained workforce, because without a well trained workforce we haven't got an aged care system. That may mean changing the culture of the community, where people are willing to work in aged care as they grow older, and you can start that with intergenerational education.
The Council of Elders helps by being the voice of Australians, older Australians. We can interact with the community, find out what they need, what they want and bring those thoughts to the Department by way of meeting with the Council of Elders.
It's important for older people to realise that in the future they will have the control and choice of what is happening to them. They will not be an appendage to somebody else. They will be independent and will be able to voice their own opinions without fear of reprisals, etc. They will be able to have a part, have a say, continue to have their own agency in their lives. And that's important.
To keep up-to-date with the aged care reforms and the work of the council, visit the Aged Care Council of Elders Facebook page or webpage.
Let's change aged care, together
Every Australian should feel confident about accessing high quality and safe aged care, when and where they need it.
The changes mean Older people will have greater choice and control, services that respect and meet their needs, and support to stay independent as they age.
To find out more and help design the changes, visit the Get Involved page or call 1800 318 209.