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.

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.

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.

• Funding – a funding system that recognises the additional costs of providing aged care services in rural, regional and remote locations, which is often provided by not-for-profit providers.
• Staffing – addressing the issue of providing the right workforce (recruitment, upskilling and retention) in rural and regional care settings.
• Clinical – better integration between all levels of care; technology-based patient portals; incentives for GPs to work in aged care settings; better access to specialist geriatric and neurological services.
• Quality and compliance – greater emphasis on quality performance measures, rather than a transaction-heavy compliance model.
• Person-centred – a less institutional approach to aged care; providing a person-centred approach; giving individuals more control; a more sensitive funding instrument to support this.
• Home care – faster access to Home Care Packages; greater funding of home care in regional and rural areas; rapid rollout of higher-level Home Care Packages to bridge the gap between home support and full-time residential aged care.
• High care needs – funding for smaller, more highly specialised care environments for residents with high care needs.
• Dementia – a community-wide approach to dementia support with more precise diagnostic services and management plans.
• Special needs – better care environments for people of all ages with special needs.
• Palliative care – greater resources for palliative care training and support across both the healthcare and aged care sectors.
• Mental health – recognition of the complex care needs of older people with mental illness.
• Infrastructure – incentives for not-for-profits (as significant providers of care to concessional residents) to improve care infrastructure.
• Technology – technological aids for sharing resident history, maintaining mobility, monitoring falls and connecting residents with the wider world.
• Innovation – incentives for exploring innovative care environments, multifaceted supported living communities, creative engagement, supported recreation and travel opportunities.

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.”

From us to you – Merry Christmas. Wishing you a joyous day spent with loved ones.

This week, the new St Paul’s Community Hall was officially opened in Caboolture.

Resident and Pastor Colin Scheer, pictured with St Paul’s congregation pastor Mike Neldner, was ordained 75 years ago this week and was pleased to be at the opening celebrations.

The hall accommodates up to 100 people and is constructed in a ‘modern Australian’ style, designed to sit low in the environment, embracing the area’s country feel rather than shouting out loud.

The inspiration for the design comes from an old railway station, or a large farm building.  The building has  a library and fireplace, undercover veranda and barbecue.

Congratulations to Allan Tappin, one of our valued volunteers at Wahroonga in Biloela, for receiving the “Volunteer Award 2019” from the Banana Shire Council on Australia Day.

Allan volunteers at Wahroonga by helping with transport, calling the bingo and taking the gents out to their ROMEO (Really Old Men Eating Out) luncheons.

He is always cheerful, obliging, caring and helpful and gets real enjoyment out of helping others.

Building on Lutheran Services’ 52 apartment Nundah retirement living residence Alondra is continuing, with a new display apartment now open for viewing.

The building has a range of spacious floor plans available to suit every lifestyle, with multiple balconies or a private garden, natural ventilation, air conditioning and ceiling fans.

There is a rooftop entertaining area with sweeping views, a library, meeting areas and a ground floor café.

Get in touch at hello@alondra.com.au  if you’d like to find out more about living at Alondra Residences.

Residents and staff at Lutheran Services’ Trinder Park Retirement Living and Aged Care Community took a journey down the rabbit hole this month when the bushland retreat was turned into “Trinderland”.

People wandering the site had the chance to sit at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and play croquet with the Queen of Hearts.

Students from the Loganlea State High School drama club took to the stage for a day filled with laughter and shouts of “off with their heads”.

Trinder Park aged care manager Maria Mulheran said the special day had a multitude of positive impacts on their retirement living and aged care residents.

“Engaging the elderly in fun, community-based activities such as Alice in Trinderland has the cumulative effect of lifting their mood,” she said.

“Productions like this can help combat the loneliness that sometimes accompanies retirement, and it’s wonderful to watch people bloom when given the chance.

“In the past, we have seen activities that encourage participation similar to Alice in Trinderland really work, leading to happier and more engaged residents across the board.”

Special thanks to St Andrews resident Jan who has raised over $900 over the past 18 months for Lutheran Services’ Mary and Martha’s domestic violence refuge 👏

Her craft stall offers handmade soft toys, decorated hand towels, coat hangers, Christmas decorations and quilts.

If you are in the Tallebudgera area, drop by St Andrews – these lovely offerings are available near the reception area.