extending a hand in care - Southern Cross Care (WA)

SouthernStar
Spring 2010 Edition
IN THIS ISSUE
Meet Board Member
Chris WIlliams
P.2
Proof is in the Pudding
P.2
Reach for the Stars
P.3
Resident of the Edition:
Anthony Snook
P.3
Our New Camillus Wing
P.4
EXTENDING A HAND IN CARE
More Than Words
P.4
Stay on Your Feet Week
P.5
In August 2010, Southern Cross
Care assumed responsibility for
Pilbara & Kimberley Care Inc
(PKC), thereby extending its
service provision into another
remote area of Western Australia.
A Hundred Years in the Making P.6
Left to right: Roman Raudonikis (PKC), Chris Williams (SCC), Graydn Spinks (SCC), Deb Ryan (PKC), John Bryant
(SCC Chairman), Madge Mohi (DSC), Prof Paul Skerritt (SCC), Des Rothe (PKC), Fiona Smith (PKC Chairman),
Tara Mitchell (SCC), Pam Toster (DSC), Frank Prendergast (SCC), Stuart Flynn (SCC), Jeff Beale (SCC).
PKC is a wonderful organisation
doing great work in very challenging
circumstances and is by far the largest
community care provider in the region.
It assists people with disabilities, the
elderly, veterans and those with a
mental illness, to live independently
and to enjoy a good quality of life
in the community. PKC provides a
variety of services including domestic
assistance, social support, home nursing,
transportation and respite care.
Since its establishment as Pilbara
Home Care in 1992, PKC has been
instrumental in the provision of
community care services in remote
Western Australia. Initially supported
solely by funding from the Home and
Community Care Program, PKC now
provides services funded by both the
Commonwealth and a range of WA
government agencies.
PKC originally operated out of the
Nickol Bay Hospital in Karratha. Today
it has service outlets in Karratha,
Roebourne, Port Hedland and Tom
Price. It also operates the Point Samson
Beachstay, a holiday unit located in one
of the most unspoilt and picturesque
seaside resort villages in North Western
Australia, offering an on-site support
worker to assist guests with their care
needs and a holiday break for carers.
In 2004, Pilbara Home Care
commenced services in the Kimberley
with individually funded Disability
Services Commission clients and,
after fourteen years of growth, Pilbara
Homecare became Pilbara & Kimberley
Care Inc in 2006.
“It’s an achievement and a real challenge
to provide services in regions such as
the Pilbara because we are so remote”
said PKC Operations Manager, Deb
Ryan. “We don’t have public transport,
medical specialists or a lot of the
facilities you take for granted in Perth”.
“We don’t have funding for a lot of
things- such as post operative care”
Deb stated. “And of course it’s difficult
to get staff. We have the challenge
of competing with the big mining
companies in recruitment and obviously
we can’t match them on pay.”
Power to the People
P.7
Community Options A Homecoming
P.7
We Love the Wii
P.7
Resident of the Edition:
Dennis Macklin
P.8
Singing the Blues Away
P.8 - 9
Sweating It Out In Success
P.10
A Walk To Remember
P.10
Southern Cross CEO, Stuart Flynn, said
“I cannot speak highly enough about the
staff at PKC and the fantastic work they
do. They provide high quality services to
people with significant needs in a really
tough environment. Their commitment
is remarkable”.
He added “Southern Cross is proud to
be associated with PKC and I know that,
working together, we will significantly
expand the range of community care
services in the region”.
L-R Chris Williams (SCC),Yvonne Moore (PKC), and
Maisie Ingie (PKC).
MEET BOARD MEMBER CHRIS WILLIAMS... AND HIS MUM DOREEN!
Christopher Williams is the
Deputy Chairman of Southern
Cross Care (WA) Inc. Chris has
been on the Board of Directors
for three years and has such
respect for the SCC facilities that
he even recommends them for his
immediate family. In fact, Chris’s
own mother, Doreen Williams,
resides happily at Joseph Cooke
House in Shelley.
“Mum had friends in the [Thomas
Perrott] Village so she was already familiar
with the place. She liked the look of it
so my sister Alex and I helped her make
the decision to move there,” Chris said.
“Some health issues required her to move
from independent living to Joseph Cooke
“Mum would love to reorganise the
whole library. She’d love to get some
high school volunteers in to do the
heavy work and carry out her vision,”
said Chris laughingly.
Board Member Chris is no stranger
to the residents or staff of the facility.
He pops in once a week to visit
his mother and never misses the
annual Christmas party or an awards
ceremony.
Christopher & Doreen Williams enjoying the garden
at Joseph Cooke Care Facility.
House, but she likes it there too.”
A masterful knitter and an avid reader,
Doreen has some grand plans for
the facility.
“I’m looking forward to judging the
Board Awards,” he said enthusiastically.
“I always get to the presentation awards.
It’s nice for people to be recognised for
their hard work.”
PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
Dante Giacomin, a day centre
support worker at both Vincent
House and Success House day
centres, is proof that the SCC
Board Awards can be life changing.
As one of last year’s award recipients,
Dante has been able to commence a
Master of Nursing Science degree at
the University of Western Australia
whilst maintaining his position at the day
centres.
The monetary component of the Award
enabled Dante to purchase his medical
books and equipment, allowing him to
focus purely on his studies. The extra
leave granted by the Award afforded
Dante the flexibility to time manage his
heavy schedule. “I am indeed fortunate
to have two co-ordinators who are
able to accommodate my sometimes
variable work schedule due to my pracs
and compulsory classes,” he said.
The Master of Nursing Science degree
is accredited by the new Australian
Health Practitioner Regulation
Agency which means that Dante will
2
be eligible to become a Registered
Nurse upon graduation. It is a very
intensive program with many practical
components taking place during the
university holidays. As the University
of Western Australia has a close
association with Sir Charles Gairdner
Hospital, many of the practical
experiences held are there.
“You get your hands ‘dirty’ very quickly.
Just six weeks into my course I was on
my first prac. Even though my scope
of practice was very limited, I was kept
very busy. My five years of aged care
experience came in very handy as my
patients still needed to be toileted,
showered [and] transferred with hoists,”
stated Dante.
To prepare for the practical component
of his course, Dante spends one day a
week in a mock hospital ward at UWA.
The ward has all the equipment and
supplies found in a real ward as well as
sophisticated mannequins upon which
students can practice injections, catheter
insertions, stoma care, blood monitoring
and other procedures. “The mannequins
can also groan and cry out which can be
a bit alarming,” jokes Dante.
With upcoming practicals in an
operating theatre, a mental health
component at Graylands and a child
and maternal health stint in Princess
Margaret Hospital to add to the mix,
the Master of Nursing Science degree is
a recipe for an exciting future for Dante
with Southern Cross Care.
Dante Giacomin.
REACH FOR THE STARS
The Southern Star Awards are
a new addition to the SCC staff
recognition program and have
been designed to reward those
staff members who go ‘over and
above’ in their role.
“These awards will help reflect a
culture where our staff are recognised
for their efforts. We know that
our staff work hard caring for and
providing services to our residents
and clients. Often what they do can
appear thankless, so it is great to
be able to establish a program that
recognises them,” said Chief Executive
Officer, Stuart Flynn.
The Southern Star Awards comprise
four categories:
Excellence in Care & Service
Award – Sponsored by HESTA
This will be awarded to those staff
members who show excellence
in their care of our residents/
clients or in providing a service to
a resident, client or family member.
The Excellence in Care & Service
Award honours those who exceed
expectations in providing exceptional
care and service. Nominations are
welcome from residents, clients,
family members and staff.
Innovation & Ideas Award –
Sponsored by Fonterra
This award recognises new ideas
and different ways of working. The
Innovation & Ideas Award rewards
new ideas that improve the way
we work and/or generate better
outcomes for a resident, client or
internal customer.
Leadership on Show Award –
Sponsored by Zenith Insurance
The Leadership on Show Award
will be awarded to a staff member
who is not a manager but has been
considered to show good leadership
to their colleagues through their
actions and/or the way they have
approached a situation.
Safety Award – Sponsored by
River Abilities
The Safety Award will recognise a
staff member who has contributed
to improved safety outcomes for
residents, clients and/or staff through
their service and for the generation of
innovations in safety practices.
Southern Cross Care is delighted
to have strong relationships with
organisations such as Fonterra,
HESTA, River Abilities and Zenith.
Thanks to our generous sponsors
the award winners will each receive
$1000 in cash.
The winners will be announced on
December 6, at the Long Serving Staff
and Board Awards. Information on
how you can nominate a ‘Star’ will be
distributed with staff payslips soon.
RESIDENT OF THE EDITION: ANTHONY SNOOK
A motivated, charismatic man with
a smile for everyone, Tony Snook
is the ideal person for the role of
President of the Donovan Village
Residents Committee.
After retiring from his career as an aircraft
maintenance engineer eleven years ago,
Tony and his wife Lorna decided to move
to Donovan Village in 2004. He joined
the Residents Committee and took up
the position of Secretary for two years
before becoming the President, a position
he has held for the past three years.
When asked about the many wonderful
things he has organised for the residents,
Tony is very humble, passing on the
recognition.
“The Committee arranges many fun
things for the residents. We have
regular bus outings - the last one was to
Dwellingup. We have Fish and Chip night
“I must say that Southern Cross Care has
been very supportive. They donated and
installed the sound system in the Brian
Jackson Community Centre. They also
joined with our committee in purchasing
the shade sail for the outdoor area. The
Committee raised $2,000 in funds and
Southern Cross Care paid the balance
and we’ve been able to put on more
outdoor activities because of the sail.”
Anthony Snook with shade sail bought with the
proceeds from the Residents’ Committee fundraising
and SCC donation.
Fridays, Mahjong Mondays, a Happy Hour
and many organised functions within the
Centre,” he said.
Tony is insistent that Southern Cross Care
should be recognised also.
Recently, Tony has also been instrumental
in the Committee receiving a $6,269
Lotterywest grant for equipment and
furnishings in the community centre.
Tony doesn’t rest on his laurels. Not a
chance! He is also a volunteer bus driver
for Southern Cross.
There is no denying that Tony deserves
recognition for his outstanding
contribution to Donovan Village, Southern
Cross and the community.
3
OUR NEW CAMILLUS WING
concert. Heads bobbed and toes tapped
as entertainer Bob Primmer crooned
well-known and loved songs including Tie
a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree
with a chorus of voices joining in on Bye
Bye Blackbird.
“These songs remind me of my teenage
years,” commented Little Red Riding Hood
(also known as Jo Wann) with a big grin.
Masked Lady (Peggy Martin) & Red Riding Hood (Jo Wann) enjoy the costumed festivities.
An angel with a pink halo clapping her
hands with glee, Little Red Riding Hood
and Pocahontas both sipping cups of
tea and a giant Penguin serving canapés
... could this be a scene from Alice in
Wonderland? Perhaps on any other day
but on 6 August it formed part of the
celebrations at Jeremiah Donovan House
in Forrestfield.
own bathroom and plasma television and
is complemented by the highest level of
care and support for both permanent and
respite residents.
Residents and staff celebrated the
opening of the new Camillus Wing which
offers an additional 15 beds in beautifully
appointed private rooms. Each has its
In honour of the newly built wing and
reception area, residents donned fancy
dress and celebrated with a musical
The new wing was part of the Donovan
Stage 4 project which also included the
construction of 11 additional independent
living units in Donovan Village as well as a
state-of-the-art, purpose built, respite centre.
Amidst the hats, masks, ties and antennae,
many wonderful stories accompanied the
costumes. There was one from Jo herself,
who divulged that her bright and beautiful
red cape was borrowed from her niece who
had lovingly hand sewn it 30 years ago.
Judging from the smiles at Jeremiah Donovan
House, it seemed that all the residents
highly approved of the new wing which
includes specially designed rooms for
activities, social interaction and family visits.
“Can we add that the staff members are
very happy with their new staff room
too?” care giver, Debra Byrne concluded
cheekily.
MORE THAN WORDS
and Uganda – plus seven village residents
participated in the project. Despite the
great age difference, the two groups
managed to find many commonalities.
Batool and Vee.
Blu, Katherine White & Yeama Rogers.
Imagine spending your childhood in a
refugee camp, surviving a rebel attack and
losing your father amongst the chaos, never
to find him again. Imagine not being able
to receive a proper education because
of military government persecution.
Imagine the terror of being sent to war
in a completely foreign country at the
tender age of 17. These scenarios weren’t
from a movie or the product of an
active imagination - they were very real
experiences, shared between the students
of North Lake Senior Campus and the
residents of Foley Village in Hilton.
As part of their school curriculum,
the North Lake students learnt about
the structure and the formulation of
biographies. Their teacher, Liliana Leonte,
then contacted Foley Village manager,
Sheryl Munday, to organise a meeting
between the students and residents so
they could hear each other’s life stories and
also so they could gather information to
write a biography on the seniors. On the
15th of September 2010, these biographies
were presented to the residents.
4
Fifteen students from across the globe
– China, Burma, Thailand, Sierra Leone
“One of the students writing my
biography, Kleh Doh Wah, is called Basar,
which I was told by him is not a good
nickname. Funnily enough, my son’s
name is Barry and lots of people call
him Bazza which sounds like Basar, so I
told him it’s a great nickname over here,”
laughs resident Douglas Mullonray. “They
asked me lots of questions about my life
during World War II but the students,
they’ve had hard lives.”
Not all the stories were sad though.
Eighteen year old Yeama Rogers loved the
romance of resident Katherine White’s
marriage proposal story as did student
Batool Wakili who was paired with
resident Vee.
“I like the story when Vee met her
husband,” Batool said shyly.
MORE THAN WORDS (CONT.)
Though the students produced quality
biographies, some residents picked up a
few mistakes.
“Look you’ve written the wrong birth date,”
Vee pointed out to Batool. “We won’t
worry about it. You’ve made me younger
so that’s all right,” she teased mischievously.
When the residents were asked what
they thought of the biographies, all of
them responded positively.
of making it a yearly thing.”
“Well done! You’ve boosted me up,” said
Vee to her student. “I better not get too
happy and excited, don’t forget I’m eighty
eight,” she joked with a grin.
“It’s been a great experience,” said Village
Manager, Sheryl Munday. “We’re thinking
North Lake Senior Campus students & the residents
of Foley Village with Village Manager Sheryl Munday.
STAY ON YOUR FEET WEEK
Stay On Your Feet Week is a government
initiative that aims to promote healthy
active ageing nationwide and to raise
community awareness of falls prevention
amongst seniors, their friends and family
and health professionals.
This year, the program took place from
the 12th to the 18th of September. Stay on
Your Feet has operated across Australia
for a few years; however it was the first
year that Village Manager, Shelley Konig, had
been in charge of it at Donovan Village.
Residents (left to right) Delores De Rooy, Hazel
Dewsnap, Margaret Grant, Jean Browning (visitor),
Joan Spratling and Ken Batchelor looking decidedly
tropical at the Hawaiian luncheon.
“I was able to put together a program to
encourage activity amongst the residents,”
Shelley said. “It’s an important event in
the seniors’ calendar.”
In formulating the Stay on Your Feet
Week list of activities, Shelley took much
care in including the residents of all three
facilities – Donovan Village independent
living, the on-site respite centre and
Jeremiah Donovan House. “I wanted
community involvement from all areas
and to encourage interaction between
the respite centre, care facility and the
retirement village.”
The week kicked off with group Tai
Chi followed by group exercise and
morning tea. The residents were also
excited to be treated to a talk by Mr
Ean McDonald, author of the book ‘90
Performers Island Breeze entertain the crowd with
traditional live dance.
and Not Out’. There was a large turnout
for the speech, many drawn out of their
homes like moths to a flame to listen to
Mr McDonald’s autobiographical account
of his last 92 years. Ean was an eloquent
and natural speaker who captivated the
audience, even drawing a few gasps with
his tales. “I enjoyed the talk a lot,” said
Donovan Village resident John Easton.
“Especially because I knew Ean way back
when we were both involved in the
Playhouse Theatre in Perth.”
There were many other scheduled
activities for Stay on Your Feet Week
including guest speakers from Living Longer
Living Stronger and Hearing Australia who
also provided free hearing tests. Carpet
bowls, a Heart Foundation exercise
class and the Seniors Healthy Living
Seminar were also on the agenda with
the program culminating in a Hawaiian
luncheon that featured live music and
dancing as well as a performance by
troupe Island Breeze. Organised by
Shelley Konig and catered by Mrs Ann
Sutton, the function was attended by over
75 residents and entertainers.
Stay on Your Feet was an exciting and
enjoyable week for all the residents in
Donovan Village. With the opportunity to
improve their fitness, health and mobility
whilst interacting socially with others, the
residents are definitely looking forward to
next year’s program.
Guest speaker Mr Ean McDonald and Donovan
Village Manager Shelley Konig.
CALLING OUR COUNTRY CLIENTS
For us city-slickers, stories of country life are a breath of fresh air! So we’re putting a call out to all of our rural and regional clients.
If you have any human interest stories, upcoming events or excursions you’d like to tell us about, please submit them. Christmas,
Valentine’s Day, Remembrance Day, Australia Day or even just a funny anecdote – we’d love to publish them right here in the
Southern Cross Care Newsletter.
Contact Tara Mitchell on 9282 9948 or email [email protected].
Submissions can also be mailed to PO Box 76, Burswood WA 6100.
5
A HUNDRED YEARS IN THE MAKING
It might be a good idea to put
on your walking shoes and take
a brisk stroll over to the library
because you may just discover the
secret to longevity.
A passion for reading and daily walks
to keep herself fit are two of the
wonderful reasons Florence Mary
Nightingale has been able to celebrate
her milestone 100th birthday.
Like her namesake the famous nurse
her aunt insisted
she was to be
named after Florence has
been much loved
and respected
throughout her
life. However, it’s her
wonderful sense of humour
rather than her bedside manner that
she’s known for at Margaret Hubery
House.
Over a century ago, on the 29th May
1910, Florence was born in the coastal
town of Lytham-St-Annes in the
district of Lancashire near Blackpool,
to parents Harold and Lily Nightingale.
She was the oldest of three daughters.
and memories, especially during her 25
years as a member of Belmont Senior
Citizens Centre and now at Margaret
Hubery House, for the past year.
At the age of 18, Florence went
to Barrow-in-Furness to work as a
telephonist/switchboard operator in
the Post Office. There, she met her
future husband, James George Hingley
(Jim), who was 20. In 1929, Jim and
Florence were engaged and
were happily united in
marriage in July of 1935
and for the next 41
years. They produced
a beautiful daughter
Marion in September
1936.
Florence and Jim have created an
amazing family lineage. Florence
has two granddaughters, six great
grandchildren and seven great, great
grandchildren - all whom along with
everyone at Southern Cross Care wish
Florence a wonderful 100th birthday
year and continued good health and
happiness for many years to come.
After Jim’s passing in 1976,
Florence decided to join
her daughter Marion who had
emigrated to Australia. She soon made
this beautiful country her home and
became a citizen. Florence has taken
many trips around Western Australia
and has amassed many good friends
Florence Mary Nightingale.
CENTENARIAN SECRETS
Did you know that genetics only plays
a 25% role in determining how long a
person lives? The rest is up to you!
For healthy ageing and longevity,
seniors are encouraged to be
proactive and make positive changes.
Recent studies on centenarians have
revealed several commonalities.
1. Centenarians all have good diets.
A diet high in antioxidants, fibre
and Omega 3 fish oil with calorific
restriction will lessen metabolic
damage from free radicals and slow
down the ageing process.
2. Centenarians exercise. Exercising
for 30 minutes, three times a week
will strengthen the heart and
cardiovascular system, improve
circulation, lower blood pressure,
6
strengthen bone density, reduce
stress and depression and enhance
self-esteem.
3. Centenarians generally have a
strong sense of purpose. Purpose
motivates people to contribute
to society and interact socially,
encouraging overall wellbeing.
Volunteering is a great way for
seniors to give back, stay active and
connect with others.
4. Centenarians are curious. Staying
interested in the world around you
and seeking answers to questions
often leads to fulfilling experiences
that tend to make curious people
happier than others. An agile mind
makes the ageing process more
enjoyable.
5. Centenarians play! Have fun, start
painting, use that green thumb in
the garden, take up golf or bowls
or join a book club – anything
that makes you smile. This will
encourage your body to release
serotonin, a chemical that assists
with sleep disorders, calming
anxiety and relieving depression.
6. Centenarians sleep. Seniors actually
require between 7 to 9 hours sleep
a night. Sleep rejuvenates the body
and mind and is imperative to good
health and quality of life.
7. Centenarians set and keep goals.
Goal setting gives life meaning and
direction.
Why not make your 100th birthday
celebration a goal today!
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
After a long four month process
from submission to response,
July saw the Premier, the Hon
Colin Barnett MLA, approve
a recommendation by the
Lotterywest Board for a grant
of $6,269.00 to be awarded to
the Donovan Village Residents
Committee.
Leading the proposal was Mr Anthony
Snook, President of the Residents
Committee, who requested the grant
money for a TV and DVD player, Wii
games, a laptop, a barbecue and the
extension and modernisation of the
library unit in the community centre hall.
“There were long forms with multiple
pages. We had to describe what and who
we were to qualify, nominate items for
purchase and then justify it,” Mr Snook
explained. “We physically took the
forms to Lotterywest, had them looked
over by a customer service person, an
assessor looked at it, then it went to the
Lotterywest Board and was finally passed
to the Premier’s Department.”
Since the approval, all the items have been
purchased and delivered and the works to
improve the library have been contracted.
“I believe that the new items will
increase social activity. The barbecue is
very popular. We have a regular weekly
Saturday Barbeque Night and we can
now cook on two barbecues at the same
time which allows all the residents to eat
together,” said Mr Snook.
With many getting together for Wii
nights and taking in a movie or two in
the community hall, it appears that the
residents of Donovan Village are really
making the most of the Lotterywest grant
award.
COMMUNITY OPTIONS - A HOMECOMING
For people with mental illness, life is
often bleak, options are often limited
and there aren’t many places that you
can call home. Until recent years,
people living with chronic mental illness
had no choice but to reside in a ward
in Graylands Hospital. That was until
the State Government implemented
the Community Options Program, an
initiative that aims to provide more
community based accommodation for
people living with mental illness.
Southern Cross Care opened its
first Community Options residence
in Mount Claremont last year. A
second residence has been opened in
Stirling and another is currently under
construction in Bentley.
“Our residents need a lot of support
and we offer a home environment that
has staff here 24 hours a day to assist
and support our residents. Some of
our residents had been living in hospital
for up to 15 years so to move to this
setting was a huge adjustment. Our aim
is to greatly improve their quality of life
in every aspect,” explained residential
house manager, Anne Marie Kelly.
The facility has had a successful year.
Five of the seven original residents who
moved into the houses in July 2009 still
remain and say that they have found
themselves a home for life. Three of the
residents are even working in supported
employment, a great achievement for
some as it was the first time they had
worked in forty years.
The 22nd July 2010 marked Mount
Claremont Residential House’s first
birthday and a party was held by the
residents, their families and supportive
health professionals to honour the
occasion. The celebration was both fun
and emotional for the residents. As we
all know – there’s no place like home.
WE LOVE THE Wii!
If you’re visiting Thomas Perrott Village at
2pm on a Saturday afternoon you may
not believe your eyes. Don’t worry –
there’s nothing wrong with your vision – it
really is a group of residents playing golf
and ten pin bowling on the Wii game
console.
When the refurbished Alan Aitken
Community Centre re-opened at the end
of 2008, the Wii was given to the Village
as a gift by Southern Cross Care. Joyce
Mynett then became the ring leader of a
Wii group, which currently comprises four
members.
While the residents have loads of fun,
doctors and physiotherapists have now
concluded that the Wii is a valuable tool
in the maintenance and recovery of health
and fitness in seniors.
to take up the challenge, contact
Thomas Perrott Village Manager
Glenis Trumbich on 9259 5761.
The Wii encourages the movement of
the joints which reduces muscle stiffness
and lessens the effect of arthritis. With so
many social and health benefits why not
give the Wii a try?
The Saturday Wii group are issuing
all SCC residents an inter-village
challenge. To join the group or
Wii challengers (left to right) Irene Kirk, Betty Villiers,
Margaret Dowd and Joyce Mynett.
7
RESIDENT OF THE EDITION: DENNIS MACKLIN
London born Dennis says that it’s his
restlessness that has moved him around
and brought him to Australia.
“I lived in Gravesend Orphanage until I
was 14. That experience made it hard for
me to settle anywhere,” he confided. “It
was 1929, the Big Depression, a woman
with four kids didn’t have much of a
chance,” Dennis said, explaining the reason
why his mother put him there.
Dennis Macklin with his prize winning photograph in
The West Australian’s Scenes from our Spectacular
State Collection.
Eighty four year old Dennis Macklin
hasn’t had the easiest life but he still has
a positive spirit and a twinkle in his eye.
Having been temporarily relocated from
Taylor Dalimore Village whilst it is under
redevelopment to Bethanie Joondanna
Village, Dennis is enjoying the scenery
from his fifth floor apartment until the
new Southern Cross Care facility is
completed.
“This is still a good location with great
views,” he says with a grin.
Dennis’ mother was determined to one
day reunite all her children under the one
roof. At the age of 14, Dennis was finally
able to leave the orphanage and move to
East London to live with his mother and
her partner.
“It was just a place to sleep though, there
was no real love, but I liked her and my
stepfather. We got along well. I was
pleased that I was asked to bear witness
to their wedding just before I came to
Australia in 1957.”
During his time with his mother,
Dennis began an apprenticeship as an
engineer / draftsman. Unfortunately, his
apprenticeship was interrupted when the
East End of London was bombed out,
prompting a quick move to the market
garden camps in North London where he
worked and sheltered. This was where he
met his beautiful wife with whom he was
to have a long and wonderful marriage.
He soon became restless in the market
garden though and decided to join the
army at only 17 years of age. At the
end of the war, Dennis returned from
overseas to finish his engineering studies,
got married, had a daughter named
Jan, and eventually allowed his innate
restlessness to lead him and his wife
and child across the waters to Australia.
In fact, some of us may recognise his
daughter Jan Oliver, a Community Care
Co-ordinator with Southern Cross Care.
Although Dennis is a retired engineer,
he is now a passionate photographer.
In 2008, he entered a photo into a
competition held by The West Australian
which was chosen to be published in
the ‘Scenes from our Spectacular State’
collection. He is currently in the process
of entering another photograph into the
2010 City of Stirling Photographic Award.
So some may ask, does Dennis still have
a wandering spirit? Possibly ... but now he
channels his restlessness into a stationary
exercise bicycle that he rides for seven
kilometres in the morning and another
seven kilometres at night.
SINGING THE BLUES AWAY
Dedicated Southern Cross staff
member Margaret Melrose was
determined to implement a program
that would introduce music into the
lives of clients with dementia. If the
program could at the same time reduce
the stress levels of their carers - even
better. So when Margaret discovered
the Sing for Life program led by Deb
Saville and Martin Meader, it seemed
like her wish had come true.
Sing for Life utilises music as a
therapeutic medium to awaken the
hidden and seemingly forgotten
thoughts, skills, events, actions and
emotions in dementia clients, their
families and carers. It’s more than
8
just singing and dancing – it’s a unique
combination of experiential learning
and motivational activities that together
form a meaningful and rich experience
that addresses the physical, cognitive
and social functioning of everyone
involved.
Deb and Martin create a safe space for
clients to reconnect with others as well
as their past through music. Often, the
opening bars of an old song will bring
back a memory, sometimes wonderful,
sometimes bittersweet. Participant,
Sonia Ford, remembered a song that
she sung during war time in Italy. Even
though terrible things were happening
around her, music enabled her to “forget
Sing For Life Participants having a ball.
all the trouble and sing and dance
during the war.”
The activities selected are adjusted
to the skill set and ability level of the
individual clients and parallel the level of
comfort within the group. Everything is
highly interactive.
Each session uncovers life stories and
SINGING THE BLUES AWAY (CONT.)
experiences through story telling. Both
staff and clients have commented
that this has built new networks and
friendships, reduced feelings of isolation
and close bonds have formed between
the members of the group. “I’ve enjoyed the clients’ histories. There
have been some powerful stories
shared, you see people beyond the
care,” said OT consultant, Elizabeth
Oliver.
It’s a highlight to come here and enjoy
myself,’ said client Norma Collins. “It’s
terrible to be home alone and lonely.”
Fellow participant, Nicholas Lucas
agrees. “I’m a bit of a loner but I’ve had
a really good time being with everyone.”
Deb and Martin then pass out
blindfolds and begin a meditation
session. A recording is played and
a soothing voice urges everyone to
relax and see themselves creating
harmonious relationships and
environments in their mind’s eye. The
meditation is designed to calm the
clients and de-stress staff as Deb takes
over the responsibility of overseeing
the clients.
“Meditation is really beneficial. To let
everything go for ten minutes,” support
worker, Joy Cansell said.
With everyone nice and relaxed the
fun begins. The Sing for Life group
warms up with a beautiful rendition
of Amazing Grace. Martin harmonises
and accompanies the flock of voices on
his guitar. Everyone then joins hands
and angelic sounds fill the room as the
song changes to You are My Sunshine
organised into rounds. Of course, no
sing-a-long would be complete without
Kumbaya, and when Que Sera Sera has
the participants on their feet singing
and dancing along, the joy is evident on
everyone’s rosy cheeked faces.
When it’s time for a breather, Deb
explains how to make a memory bag
to the clients and carers and passes
around her mother’s. The purpose of
the memory bag is to fill a bag with
meaningful items to the client that will
help them make connections. Clients
examine the items to help them make
a connection with their past and
family members. Carers can use the
bag to help learn about their clients
and establish a rapport and common
ground with them. This is especially
important as carers take on new clients
on a regular basis.
“All I want in my memory bag is my
wife ... oh, and a bottle of whiskey,” jokes
volunteer worker, Brian Saville, who is
also Deb’s father.
Deb introduces the use of a journal,
another tool for dementia clients, to
record in and use for communicating
and establishing bonds.
The Sing For Life program culminated
in a grand concert at Margaret Hubery
House on Saturday, 21st August and
featured clients, carers and community
choir, Born to Sing. The performance
was melodic and moving and an
amazing achievement for all involved.
All of the clients, family members and
the carers who have participated in
the sessions have found Sing for Life to
be truly inspirational and life changing.
Aside from conceptualising the
introduction of this therapy, Margaret
worked diligently to secure the funding
for the program as part of an Australian
Government health initiative. She
hopes to acquire more funds in the
future as all the current participants of
Sing for Life would love to maintain their
bonds and for this group to continue.
The Sing for Life Choir in full Finale attire.
Sonia Ford on the tamborine.
Volunteers Mr & Mrs Doug Saville sing & dance
up a storm.
Nicholas Lucas on bongo drums.
9
SWEATING IT OUT IN SUCCESS
Every Friday morning between
9.30 and 10.30 am, the female
residents of Success Village
disappear into the community hall
for an hour of fitness and fun.
leg lifts. Resistance bands are brought out
to strengthen the biceps, triceps, back and
leg muscles and work with hand weights
adds to the program’s intensity.
Led by physiotherapist Elly Walker and
occasionally her daughter Rachel, the
ladies are taken through a program of
stretching, strength building and coordination exercises. These are mostly
performed in a seated position.
“We actually have lots of fun,” Pat said.
Despite the all female presence, the
exercise group is actually open to both
sexes.
“There were a few men but they usually
drop out. They’re a bit shy,” confided Pat
Hempsell, an exercise devotee.
The program begins with gentle breathing
exercises. These are followed by
stretching exercises which lead into the
more strenuous abdominal exercises with
Sound difficult?
“We laugh a lot,” added fellow exerciser
Yvonne Pickup, who uses her leftover
energy to do volunteer work at Frank
Prendergast House.
The group has been going for over five
and a half years and is ideal for anyone
wishing to improve fitness and mobility,
build strength and maintain their coordination and bone density. The classes
cost only $18 per month and new
members are welcome at the community
centre anytime. Residents can contact
instructor Elizabeth Walker on 0437 065
755 or Centre Manager Chris Busby on
9414 3115 for more information.
Maureen Phillips (left) and Janet Turner (right) keep
fit and alert with low impact exercises.
Yvonne Pickup hard at work.
A WALK TO REMEMBER
On the 19th September 2010, Alzheimer’s
Australia WA Ltd - Australia’s oldest and
largest dementia organisation - held a
fundraising walk to honour people with
this disease as well as the memory of
sufferers who had passed on. Currently,
there are 23,000 Western Australians
who have Alzheimer’s disease or another
form of dementia.
Five hundred participants, including ten
Southern Cross Care staff members from
Success and Donovan Villages - Leonie
Hosie, Iris Burtenshaw, Nada Di lulio, Phyllis
Wishart, Pauline Johnston, Kath Bell, Kim
David, Sue Bracken, Katherine Ripepi and
Mandy McKabbin (along with her children
Emma, Christine and Kaitlyn) - gathered
on Curtin University’s Edinburgh Oval to
take part in the Memory Walk. People
were encouraged to walk, jog or run the
half kilometre lap as many times as possible
from 9.30am until 4.00pm. Each time a
person crossed the finish line they were
handed a flag to be placed in the centre
of the oval at the conclusion of their
10
laps to honour a dementia sufferer. Staff
member, Sue Bracken, has been out of
action for a while so the SCC Team were
chuffed when she completed 12 laps.
The day was deemed a great success and
everyone expressed what a great time
they had. The event organisers even gave
a special mention to the Southern Cross
team saying that they had truly made
the day. The walk was a fantastic team
building exercise and the staff members
are excited to participate in more of
these events in the near future.
you can visit the Alzheimer’s Australia
website at http://www.alzheimers.org.au
SCC team members (left to right): Christine
McKibbin, Leonie Hosie, Emma McKibbin, Kaitlin
McKibbin, Pauline Johnston, Mandy McKibbin, Sue
Bracken, Kim David, Kath Bell, Phyllis Wishart, Nada
Di Iulio, Katherine Ripepi, Iris Burtenshaw.
A special thanks to the ladies who
prepared sandwiches and hot drinks
before the event and a big congratulations
to the Southern Cross Care Alzheimer’s
Walk Team!
If you would like to join in the walk next
year, please contact Iris Burtenshaw on
9414 6333.
To find out more information about
support and advocacy for the quarter of
a million Australians living with dementia,
Power walkers Kath Bell (left) and Iris Burtenshaw
(right) with their lap flags in hand.
ON THE GO
Action Outdoors Association Inc.
AOA Infoline: 9487 2548
[email protected]
www.aoa.asn.au
Multi-activity club offering fun, fitness,
friendship. Outdoor activities every
weekend incl bushwalking, cycling,
kayaking, camping. If you enjoy the
outdoors, physical fitness & the
companionship of others, join us.
workshops, library, loan equipment,
camps. Visitors welcome.
welcome. Visitors fee applicable.
Nollamara Autumn Club
Noel Else Tel: 9330 8562
[email protected]
Tee off 6am (summer) & 7am (winter)
every Mon & Thurs at Collier Park,
Hayman Rd, Como. Ladies & gents
welcome.
72 Sylvia Street, Nollamara 6061
Sheryn Donald Tel: 9440 8936
Caters for seniors. Regular activities,
exercises, bingo, Tai Chi, Bowls, line
dancing, painting classes. Monthly
meetings. Members play cards, darts,
pool. Outings approx every 3 months.
The Astronomical Society
of WA (Inc.)
Western Australian
Genealogical Society (Inc.)
Val Semmler Tel: 9246 4190
[email protected]
www.aswa.info
Every month at South Perth Bridge
Club, 2nd Monday – beginners class
7pm; ordinary meeting 8pm; 4th
Monday – Club night 7.30pm. Monthly
viewing nights in hills and Murdoch
Observatory, lunar nights at Whiteman
Park. Astrophotography, practical
Unit 6/48 May Street, Bayswater 6053
Tel: 9271 4311 Fax: 9370 1572
[email protected]
www.wags.org.au
Library: Mon 9.30am–9pm, Wed–Fri
9.30am–2.30pm. Sat 1–5pm Closed
2–3 weeks Christmas & Easter. Trace
your family tree & find out about
your ancestors. Generous annual
membership available. Non-members
Jocular Joshua wins $100
Collier Park Seniors Golf Club
Bibbulmun Track Foundation
Gwen Plunkett Tel: 9481 0551
Fax: 9481 0546
[email protected]
www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au
Not-for-profit organisation helps
maintain and promote the Track. For
all ages & fitness levels. Free sun social
guided walks. Seniors membership $30.
The content of this article is intended for general
information only. Southern Cross Care (WA) is
not liable for any loss, damage or injury incurred
as a result of participation in any of these
activities.
Clever Colin is
a super word
sleuth!
Congratulations to Colin Hyde
at Foley Village who provided the
solution to last edition’s riddle. Lucky
Colin will celebrate in style at Hoyts
La Premiere movie cinemas!
SOLUTION TO THE
LAST RIDDLE
Answers are:
Proving his grey matter is still in good form, Joshua Barker
submitted the winning entry for the last Southern Star Caption
Competition.
Caption: “Inna’s E-plate (Elderly) driving School” “We teach you how to
drive slowly when you’ve given up driving fast cars!”
Designers
Dressing
Singers
Resign
Rings
Sing
Sin
Is
I
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can’t
remember the other two...” Sir Norman Wisdom
11
GUESS WHO?
COMPETITION
SOLVE THE RIDDLE TO
WIN MOVIE REWARDS.
He must have been a beautiful baby! Can
you guess this famous movie star-singer?
Palindromes are words or phrases that read the same backwards
and forwards. The word palindrome is derived from the Greek
word palindromes meaning ‘running back again’. Single words such
as ‘bib’, ‘racecar’ and ‘level’ are easier palindromes, whilst phrases
such as ‘evil olive’, ‘Dennis sinned’ and ‘borrow or rob’ are much
harder to invent.
Email your entries to
[email protected] or
post to PO Box 76,
Burswood WA 6100
ATTN: Guess the Star
Competition
Try inventing your own palindromes. They’re fun, they exercise
your brain power and the best palindrome sent in wins a prize of
two tickets to Hoyts La Premiere with a $50 Candy Bar voucher.
All correct entries
will go in a draw. The
winner will receive a
$50 Coles Myer Voucher.
Competition closes 3
December 2010
The competition closes on 3 December 2010
Send your entry to Tara Mitchell, Southern Cross Care WA,
PO Box 76, Burswood WA 6100
The winner will be notified by telephone.
WORD SLEUTH
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How many of these words
can you find?
Beauty
Knitting
Bowls
Library
Cards
Living
Carer
Luncheon
Chatting
Meditation
Church
Outing
Coffee
Performances
Concerts
Picnic
Cooking
Puzzles
Crafts
Quiz
Crochet
Reading
Dancing
Singing
Excursion
Skittles
Exercise
Social
Friends
Speakers
Fun
Taichi
Games
Walking
Hockey
Weightloss
We want your contributions
If you have a story, an event or photographs you’d like to share with our readers please contact Tara Mitchell on
9282 9948 or email her at [email protected] contribution will be most welcome.