Paul Absalom is a member of OPAN’s National Older Persons Reference Group, which was formed in 2020 to hear directly from older people about the issues that affect them and to facilitate their active participation in aged care reform.
Tell us a little about your background.
I have lived in Alice Springs since 1982. I came here to visit friends and never left. In that time, I have owned 3 different businesses repairing cameras, age and disability equipment and continuous positive airway pressure machines.
I’m a polio survivor, so I’ve been with the calliper and a walking stick for most of my life. I have been on a Level 3 Home Care Package for 2 years. The main reason for doing this was to take the pressure off my wife, Chris, who is my informal carer, and because of my health issues.
Chris and I have 2 adult children who live 1,500km in opposite directions from us.
What made you decide to join OPAN’s National Older Persons Reference Group?
Polio Australia has a monthly meeting. Two years ago, someone from there, who’s a National Older Persons Reference Group member, asked if I’d like to join.
Do you have an area of speciality?
Being a polio survivor and advocating for disability in the aged care system is a big one. There are a lot of issues there. If you compare My Aged Care to NDIS, we’re at a real disadvantage.
What has been one of the highlights during your time in the reference group?
Having the chance to voice my opinion on how to make the new Aged Care Act better.
What has been one of the biggest challenges?
Aged care is not nuanced enough for people with disability and other people who are just old and need help.
Older people have done their time. We’re not asking for the world. All we’re asking for is a system that assists us with the things that help us stay at home, not having to argue for every little thing that we might need.
What has being part of a reference group member taught you?
Collegiality. Being able to meet interesting, active, intelligent people who are on the same page. Finding your tribe.
What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
Breakfast and the need to keep moving, to engage with life. You can’t do that if you’re lying in bed.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I love riding motorbikes. I had a Can-Am Spyder, which had 2 wheels up front and a sidecar. I did 60,000km on it, including a run around Tassie, before I had to sell it due to ill health.
What’s the one possession you couldn’t live without?
My scooter. Seven years ago, I had a fall and fractured my femur, which took a long time to heal. I gave up on walking, so I rely on my scooter to get around.
What’s the best thing about being an older person?
The things that have happened to me in my life have taught me resilience, patience, and not to get too frustrated about my limitations. That’s been a hard lesson to learn.
If you could have lunch with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
I would like to have a cup of coffee with Steve Earle, a Texan singer-songwriter who writes political songs that I enjoy.
