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As best friends for half a century, Margot and Tina met when they were just 20 years old in Papua New Guinea – they had both moved there with their husbands for work. All these years later they are again together – living at Zion Aged Care in Nundah, constantly by each other’s side having a chinwag.

That’s why they were the perfect duo to help launch Mates4Mates’ “Australia’s Greatest Mate” competition in Milton in July.  Mates4Mates are a not-for-profit organisation supporting current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel and their families.

They asked all Aussies to nominate and thank their greatest mate – whether it be a best mate, housemate, work mate, or family mate. There were four nomination categories (including one for best work mate), and judges chose four of ‘Australia’s Greatest Mates’ to share in a pool of life experiences and prizes.

The launch was at a BBQ at their HQ on Douglas Street, and attendees were able to meet Mates4Mates ambassador Craig Lowndes.

From skits involving synchronised swimming (without the pool) to choir singing and ukulele playing, staff and residents at Lutheran Services’ Trinder Park community came together this month to perform in front of the local community.

Up to 80 people attended the annual “Trinder’s Got Talent” competition, proving age is no barrier to having a good time.

The creative talents of Zion Aged Care residents, and the local community, were again on display at the Zion Art Show this month.

A treasure trove of art, produced throughout the year by residents who attend Zion’s regular art therapy program, is an annual highlight.

The art show also featured performances from the resident choir and dance group.

Many artists from the general public were invited to also display and sell their pieces.

Programs such as dance and art therapy offered at Zion improve older people’s health and wellbeing by offering ways to express themselves, tapping into reminiscence and practicing motor skills.

Tabeel Aged Care residents Allan Goos, Brian Harvey and Jeff Zahnow recently took out the top three places for Best Patio/Unit Garden in the Lockyer Valley Garden Competition.

The hard fought competition meant that each spent hours in their gardens every week, with Mr Harvey winning first place, Mr Goos placing second for his garden beds and flower pots and Mr Zahnow third.

The gentlemen also placed third in the first time entrant category, with Tabeel taking overall five prizes, the major one being the runner up in the street appeal category.

Gardening is an excellent way for retirees to keep mobile and happy, express creativity and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

Their enthusiasm for the competition means all three residents will enter again next year.

Regular visits from the local Cabooolture Kindergarten to St Paul’s Aged Care means new friendships are being forged, despite the age gaps.

St Paul’s resident Olive Reynolds has made a great impression on four year old Melody Webber who regularly visits the facility with her classmates.

The two read, draw and play together in a relationship that benefits both.

Mrs Reynolds says the friendship with Melody makes her feel younger.

Fostering connections between generations is a positive action that is meaningful and enriching.

Immanuel Gardens residents this month relived their memories of yesteryear in a performance called The Sound of Symbols.

The performance was choreographed and the residents used art and music to tell their stories.

There was dance, sunflower paintings, piano playing and spoken word recitals, telling of remarkable lives and amazing achievements.

Connections were made and joy created, for both the residents and the audience.

Acknowledging their lives and using symbols like art and music helps residents remember and reconnect with their memories and passions.

Research has found that pets can add significantly to people’s quality of life, regardless of age.

Lutheran Services agrees.  That’s’ why we allow pets into our aged care services, subject to compatibility.

Sarah Breen, Lifestyle Manager at Tabeel Laidley said having pets in the community makes residents feel at home.

“People’s faces light up when they interact with pets – whether it’s dogs, cats or birds.

“There is one lady who chooses to stay in her room a fair bit and Maude the cat always visits and they share a pet and affection.

“I think pets are wonderful company for older people, certainly for those living in aged care, and it’s partly the company and the sensory experience which residents respond to,” said Ms Breen.

Research completed by the Animal Welfare League of Australia has found that only 18 percent of residential aged care sites allow pets to live with their owners.

Pictured is eight month old Labrador puppy Nugget who lives at Immanuel Gardens Aged Care in Buderim.

Resident Gerda Kuik says Nugget is the joy of her life.

“He likes to sleep a lot after a big play,” she said.

“Just the sight of him makes me really happy.

 

Pastime Memoirs was a performance by the St Paul’s aged care residents at Caboolture, shared with family, friends and the community in October.

Written and presented by the residents, Pastime Memoirs explored the significance of the pastimes, special occasions and memories that define us as individuals and bind us as friends, family and community.

The Pastime Memoirs show took shape over several months as St Paul’s residents would regularly get together to playfully explore familiar topics and fond memories. The emphasis was on sharing stories and a laugh.

The Lutheran Services and St Paul’s Creative Programs teams worked with residents to shape and share the pastimes and memories that make them who they are.

The ‘pastime memoirs’ were then told through the voices and performances of residents, combined with symbolic stage and sound design.

The St Paul’s residents portrayed their past through storytelling, reminiscence, humour, performance and music – many for the first time.

From dances to fishing trips, it was clear that reconnecting to special memories, creating stories from favourite pastimes and sharing these experiences were a source of great joy.

“I spent the whole day fishing. I had a wonderful time. You wouldn’t believe the fish I caught. They were biting well that day. A kingfisher tried to take some of the fish I caught. Phyllis had to come and fetch me because I got so carried away. We cooked the fish for dinner. It was delicious.”

St Paul’s resident Olive said it was good to hear other people’s experience.

“It’s good to share stories and bring back memories from different areas of our lives. My family are coming to see the show. I hope it goes really well. I have never been bored since I came to St Paul’s,” she said.

Activities such as these provide a unique opportunity for aged care residents to engage in activities – reminiscence, storytelling, music, dance and drama – with the aim of improving wellbeing and preventing isolation and depression.

AGED CARE ROYAL COMMISSION: ORGANISATIONAL STATEMENT

Words by Lutheran Services’ Interim Chief Executive Officer John De Angelis

Lutheran Services is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity that operates 10 residential aged care services and 12 home care services across Queensland. With our first service founded in 1935, our mission is to ensure the best care, respect and support is provided to older Australians and those in society who are most in need.

We support the Government’s decision to ensure the current and future care and wellbeing of older Australians is protected. The Royal Commission will shine a light on how the aged care system currently works and pave the way for a better future.

As one of the larger providers in the aged care industry, Lutheran Services was invited to provide an early submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

In the submission, Lutheran Services shared information around the quality of care provided over the past five years to 30 June 2018, along with improvements implemented and a series of initial recommendations for the industry moving forward.

Our aim is to continue to evolve and improve our services, safeguarding the quality of life for seniors now and into the future – to ultimately deliver better outcomes for older Australians.

Please find a summary of our recommendations to the Royal Commission below.

We are doing whatever is needed to protect our older Australians and our strong track record for more than 80 years speaks truly to that. This really is a watershed moment for the industry, we are focused on addressing the challenges and we look forward to seeing much-needed improvements for the sector across the board.

The South Burnett hills came alive with the sound of music and festive activities this month when Orana Retirement Living and Aged Care hosted its popular Hilltop Market.

The market was an opportunity for the Kingaroy community to come together with residents and enjoy 30 stalls, food, kids’ face painting, entertainment and lots and lots of bargains.

Residents were selling their crafts, home made jams and relishes and plants alongside local businesses.

Visitors could also soak up the picturesque Bunya Mountain outlook which Orana enjoys.

Orana General Manager Kym Zischke said it was a great initiative.

“The residents love our markets – it gives them access to food and craft from local businesses and provides them with community interaction,” she said.

“This is our eighth year holding the Hilltop Markets and we couldn’t be happier with how Kingaroy embraces it and our little community here.”