Senior Feature July 2020

Shepparton Runners Club members, retired teachers, Glenys and Peter Frizzell go for a run three to five times a week when they are not riding a bike a hundred or more kilometres.

Photo: Steve Hutcheson

Eye Care Announcement:

As recommended by the Optometry Association of Australia, with careful hygeine and distancing protocols in place, we have returned to normal services and are happy for anyone wishing to have an eye test to book a suitable time with the optometrist of your choice.

We apologise for any delay as we are experiencing high demand for our services

Please Call 5821 2811 with any questions or book your appointment online.

hilleyecare.com.au

Independent living with security

SHEPPARTON Villages has vacancies available now for their Independent Living Units (ILUs).

The units, located on all three Shepparton Villages sites at Tarcoola, Kialla Gardens and Rodney Park Village are two-bedroom units, all modernised with small garden areas and the benefit of emergency alarm buttons.

“This is totally independent living as part of the Shepparton Villages family,” admission coordinator Helen Mathieson said.

“Our ILU residents are a social lot, organising their own bus trips and activities when COVID-19 allows, but at the same time, ILU residents have the benefit of privacy if they choose so, as well as being in close proximity to the residential care facilities.”

Ms Mathieson explained many ILU residents volunteer in the residential facilities or visit loved ones who require the care that the facilities can offer 24/7.

“COVID-19 has restricted a lot of activities, but we are still able to give prospective residents a tour of a unit and some information,” Helen said.

Helen Mathieson can be contacted re Independent Living units on (03) 5832 0800.

Free Public Transport Victoria travel vouchers for seniors

A GREAT COMMUNITY… Edie Poliness loves her independent unit at Tarcoola. Edie is part of the social committee and is secretary of the Tarcoola Support Group. Photo: Supplied.

FOOT PAIN?

Boomers are now Zoomers

By Steve Hutcheson

For those more mature people among us looking to undertake some of the arm’s length courses run by U3A, coming to grips with technology and in particular Zoom meetings, has become an essential requirement if they want to stay connected.

The pandemic has put the spotlight on communications while remaining compliant with the isolation requirements set down by the government. For larger groups, Zoom has surfaced as the program of choice for groups and industry all around the world.

U3A in Shepparton offer a number of courses that are now being conducted through the use of Zoom meetings. I caught up with U3A president, Liz Lee and her husband Harry along with a dozen or so who have been sitting at their computers at home while beginning to continue with their course in Italian. For that occasion, Liz had set a

background of Capri harbour to add flavour to her screen shot.

John Canty, formerly of Shepparton Access is now retired and can be found running a Zoom session on the ukulele. Other groups are engaged in philosophical discussions, others look at science or discuss the news and current affairs.

My own father has recently moved into an independent living accommodation that has imposed very strict rules on visitors as a means of isolating the residents from the pandemic. He has adapted to a family Zoom meeting with my four sisters and myself each week that enables him to stay in touch while isolated.

The pandemic has been aggressive on the older population however technology has shot into prominence by giving older people the ability to stay in touch while staying out of harm’s way through face to face contact.

Residential Care

HERE TO HELP…

From left, Tatura Pharmacy pharmacists, Louise and Heath Robbins can help manage your medicines and do MedsCheck’s.

Everything you need in one place

WHETHER you’re picking up your prescriptions, after some gift ideas, or just chasing something for your cold; Tatura Pharmacy is your onestop-shop for all your pharmacy needs.

Tatura Pharmacy also offer MedsCheck’s, giving you one-on-one time with your pharmacist to review and discuss the best ways to manage and get the most out of your medicines. The idea is to give you a better understanding of your medicines, ensure they are working for you and give you confidence that you are taking the right medicine at the right time.

Tatura Pharmacy retail manager, Tracy Lowry said, “We offer 10 percent off storewide

Home Care & Support

on Wednesdays for pensioners (excludes prescriptions), so pop in and our friendly staff can help you.”

Tatura Pharmacy is also the only place in Tatura to grab a copy of The Senior newspaper and also stocks wool and haberdashery, so locals don’t have to travel to Shepparton just to grab their supplies.

Head in-store to pick up a copy of The Senior, have a MedsCheck or for all your general pharmacy needs at 151 Hogan Street, Shepparton or phone 5824 1043 for enquiries or more information. Tatura Pharmacy also offer free home delivery on weekdays within the Tatura township.

Photo: Katelyn Morse

AGED CARE SERVICES

Rumbalara’s Commonwealth Home Support Program

THE Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) based at the Positive Ageing and Disability Services Unit of Rumbalara, helps Elders (Indigenous 50 plus and Non Indigenous 65 plus) access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home. CHSP can assist Elders at home and in the community with a variety of services which may include:

• Home Care

• Lawn Mowing

• We can do your shopping for you

• One-on-one Social Activities

• Referral and Advocacy

Rumbalara has been providing CHSP (Previously HACC) services for almost 20 years to our local Indigenous Community within the Greater Shepparton Region. Our work force is predominately Indigenous and we have staff with numerous skills and qualifi cations in the Aged Care Sector. We have a whole suite of services that our Positive Ageing and

Combining

Disability Services Unit can access to get greater support that our Elder and family may need.

CHSP is the first point or entry level in to aged care and Rumbalara is unique in that we also have Home Care Packages (HCP), the next level of aged care and we have our Elders Facility (REF) the final level, having the ability to start a journey with an Elder knowing that they can remain with Rumbalara for the entirety of their aged care needs and be supported in a positive way ensuring cultural safety and continuity of care.

To access CHSP or any of the other Aged Care Services an Elder first contacts My Aged Care to request an assessment of their needs. Once the assessment has been completed a Support Plan is developed and with consent, the Elder is then referred to CHSP for supports.

Our CHSP staff will then contact you to discuss your Support Plan from your assessment and how we can help with some of your needs. We’ll develop a Service Delivery Plan (Care Plan) with you to ensure

that the services you require are provided to you when you need them.

As you go through your aged care journey our staff will assist you to access greater care levels as and when needed and at all times we will ensure you can access the service you require even if we need to assist you to access other CHSP services from other providers.

For further information or to seek help in accessing CHSP or any other of the aged care services we have, please call and speak with a My Aged Care Representative or if you feel that you would like to be supported to do this or have a few general questions, give our office a call and we may be able to help.

Rumabalara Positive Ageing & Disability Services

Manager : Faye Miller Contact: 03 5822 2866

Or call in: 95 Ford Rd Shepparton (follow the signs to our office)

We’ve modified our delivery of service for the safety of our residents during COVID-19

WORKING TO HELP

PEOPLE REMAIN INDEPENDENT… From left, CHSP clients, Carol Sangster, Lynette Rushen, HCP client, Merle Morgan, REF staff, Valerie Atkinson, CHSP staff, Bronwyn Atkinson, Sharon Weston and HCP client, Sheila Baksh.

LOVE interior decorating? Why not make your home your haven at Lifestyle Shepparton. In times like these it’s never been more important to feel comfortable at home. A home should be more than just somewhere you live, it should be a retreat where you can relax, unwind and enjoy life.

Lifestyle Shepparton offers the perfect blend of provincial and metropolitan living. Shepparton is only a two-hour drive from Melbourne and is renowned for its magnificent food and wine.

We’re excited to announce that if you are the purchaser of the last brand-new home

(Home 270) and settle by January 31, 2021 at Lifestyle Shepparton, you will receive a $4,000 Harvey Norman voucher from us to make your new home your haven. What an amazing deal!

Call 5821 5155 to speak to a Lifestyle Consultant to find out more!

A home is where the heart is New report highlights worsening financial distress before impact of COVID-19

A new independent report conducted by StewartBrown Accountants, highlights the increasing pressures on delivering quality residential aged care, with funding woes worsening well before the full financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study shows 60 percent of surveyed residential facilities recorded an operating loss during the first nine months of this financial year.

The report notes that the care subsidy paid by government (also known as the Aged Care Finance Instrument) has risen by 12 percent since 2016, while direct care costs have gone up by 21 percent.

The report states that the average operating result for aged care homes is a loss of $2,835 per bed per annum. The sector has long advocated to government that this situation is unsustainable and affects the ability of aged care providers to meet the needs of the older Australians in

care.

Residential care homes continue to do an outstanding job in protecting residents from COVID-19 but the financial situation of aged care providers is likely to further deteriorate in the absence of additional government assistance.

The closure of the DP Jones Aged Care Home in Murchison in February highlights the precarious position care homes are facing.

The report recommends the government inject $1.7 billion in residential funding reform to maintain quality care in homes and improve training for staff.

Photo: Supplied.