Life & Love Issue 33 Christmas 2021

Life&L ve A HALL & PRIOR P U B L I CAT IO N H E A LT H & A G E D C A R E G R O U P

ISSUE 33 | DECEMBER 2021

YOUR FREE COPY

Merry and bright Our residents share their memories of Christmas past and present

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Life & Love Issue 33 | December 2021

A HALL & PRIOR PU BL IC ATION H E A LT H & A G E D C A R E G R O U P

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From the Chief Executive Officer

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Cover Story: The magic of Christmas remembered

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Renovations at Concorde

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50 & fabulous

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Visiting VIPs to Tuohy

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Jayne Cummings, Windsor Park

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In Our Homes

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Summer menu launches in NSW

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A new cycle of consolidation and growth

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My Favourite Things: Kathryn Webber

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Festive Teabreak: Puzzles

EDITOR Gabi Mills gmills@hallprior.com.au DESIGNER Jennifer Mattison jmattison@hallprior.com.au CONTRIBUTOR Jacki Downs jdowns@hallprior.com.au PHOTOGRAPHY Ammon Creative COVER IMAGE Karingal Green’s Christmas tree and residents Adele and Ivor by Ammon Creative.

Printed by VANGUARD PRESS, WA

EDITOR'S LETTER I’m sure you’re like me and can’t quite believe that Christmas is just around the corner. This year has certainly been a bit of a rollercoaster - especially for our friends, colleagues and families in NSW. So to mark this festive time of the year, we’ve been collecting some really wonderful memories of Christmas past and present from our residents in WA and NSW. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.

HOGAN PRINT, NSW All rights reserved. No material published in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written authority.

Every endeavour is made to ensure information contained is correct at time of going to print. ©2021 Life & Love is published by Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group.

Visit hallprior.com.au

You’ll also see all the activities residents and staff have been getting up to over the past few weeks - from colourful Diwali, and Melbourne Cup to meaningful ceremonies marking Remembrance Day. We thought it was worth noting that seven key members of staff - all women - celebrated their 50th birthday recently. They share their thoughts on reaching this milestone.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful Christmas and happy 2022.

Gabi

facebook.com/ HallandPriorAgedCare

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Adele and Ivor getting into the Christmas spirit at Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community in High Wycombe, WA.

A WORD FROM THE

Chief Executive Officer

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his is our last issue of Life & Love for 2021 and as we all look forward to the Christmas break, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy festive season with your family and loved ones.

It is a special time of year that I believe is all about family and faith, and taking some time to reflect back on the year that was.

This year, we have continued to face the vagaries of COVID-19, and it has been without a doubt another challenging year in the aged care sector. I am incredibly proud of our people at Hall & Prior and the way they have worked together to continue to keep our residents in WA and NSW safe. They have also worked hard to keep our residents’ families and loved ones informed and up-todate about the ever-evolving virus situation.

who have not been able to visit loved ones.

I sincerely hope that 2022 is a much brighter year for us all.

Thank you again for your unwavering support as we work hard to keep your loved ones safe and well, our number one priority at Hall & Prior.

From my family to yours I wish you all a wonderful Christmas, filled with peace, hope and joy and a safe and happy new year ahead.

Yours truly,

GRAEME PRIOR Chief Executive Officer

I would like to take a moment to say thank you to all of our residents’ families and loved ones for their ongoing support of our homes and their patience and understanding as we have faced various COVID-19 visitor restrictions, especially in NSW. I understand it has been incredibly hard for many people

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COVER STORY

FIRM FRIENDS Rose Adams and Sheila Dunne, both residents at Karingal Green.

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The magic of Christmas

remembered Many of us have treasured childhood memories of Christmas which we hold close to our hearts, so here are some special recollections from our residents in WA and NSW.

Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community, WA

Rose Adams, 89 The excitement of Father Christmas coming was something I remember as a child. We’d look forward to Christmas lunch with all the family coming to my house and I would have lots of fun playing with my cousins. Mum would make a beautiful roast chicken and then we would have homemade plum pudding with custard. Mum always made Christmas lunch so special for us.

I had a beautiful collection of dolls, so receiving one would be a special moment at Christmas.

Sheila Dunne, 84 I loved getting presents and helping put the Christmas decorations up. Mum always made a special Christmas dinner with all the family and my cousins, and we would always have so much fun together. Mum made us a roast and pudding and custard but I didn’t like the fruit in the pudding, so I would just have the custard and I would get extra because I didn’t eat the pudding!

One year, I got a three-wheeler bike - it was fantastic because I could take my dolls for a ride.

Ruth Invargson, 96 Christmas was a great day. There were eight of us and Mum worked so hard to make it a special day for us. We would put up balloons and streamers - it was so much fun, and then after Christmas Day was done, we were allowed to play with them. Mum would make a pudding and put shillings in it. We all wanted to keep eating it until we got one . . .

We would all get a stocking filled with things, and then one year, my sisters and I got a bike to share - it was great.

Brian Burrows, 93 Christmas began with writing a letter to Father Christmas then wondering what we would get because we would never get what we wanted. For instance I really wanted a bike because they were rare and expensive.

Mum would make us a hot lunch on Christmas Day then we would have the cold meat for dinner. My favourite gift was a Dinky toy (they were great because you could just keep building onto it).

As far as the festive food was concerned, I loved my Mum’s Christmas pudding because it was a real one not one of those tinned ones.

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Jim Pickering, 81 A fortnight before Christmas, Dad and Mum would have a Christmas dance in our wool shed with a pig and sheep on the spit and a band. It was a terrific day with everyone coming.

Christmas Day however would just be Mum, Dad, my brother and sisters for a Christmas lunch.

The best thing about Christmas was getting toys and I loved tucking into Christmas dinner with just my family. We’d eat ham and Mum’s homemade boiled Christmas pudding.

I remember getting a red bike which was my best present ever.

Mavis Handyside, 95 I used to love going with my Dad to find and cut down a Christmas tree for the day, two days before Christmas.

I decorated it with my stepmum which was interesting.

We always had family over for dinner and about 12 to 14 people would arrive by horse and sulky (a lightweight cart with two wheels and a seat for the driver). We would eat plum pudding which was made a month before, then wrapped and hung until Christmas.

I remember that I would always get shoes for Christmas.

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My favourite Christmas gift I received was a red bike and I loved the pork mum made. She also made the best pudding.

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I loved my Mum’s Christmas pudding because it was a real one and not one of those tinned ones . . .

- Brian Burrows

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Kevin Flanagen, 96

COVER STORY

Georgina Roberts, 97 Montana Aged Care Home, NSW

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am of English decent, even though I spent my formative years in Zimbabwe, Africa, so at Christmas, I absolutely loved British things. Our family were some of the original British immigrants into Zimbabwe, and we really loved the climate over Christmas which is very hot as opposed to being very cold back in England!

I used to love the Christmas candles and plum puddings (in those days we could not import them from England) that we would cook up as a family. It was actually my grandmother who taught my mother how to make this from scratch and this recipe has been handed down over generations throughout family.

My mother was a practical person who told things as they were! There was no fancy attachments to Christmas. My aunt - mum’s sister (who was a nurse) - was the total opposite, so we were aware of who to go to for different cheer on Christmas Day.

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We’d tuck into traditional Christmas pudding and put penny coins into the bake . . .

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We would decorate the house with lots of bunches of flowers that we could collect off the wild trees. In the early days, there were only the African wild flowers before the British seeds arrived and we could raise European flowers.

We did not have pen and ink in those days; instead we used to get big leaves from trees and scratch stories into them. We would often make lovely invitations to Christmas lunch or dinner on them to give to the family.

My favourite gift was a candle. We didn’t have anything to light things with in those days so the people coming from England brought candles out with them, otherwise we would make our own with wax from a local tree.

We would roll little candles with a dried stalk inside and we would light that for Christmas.

The white wax came from a tree called lanceleaved waxberry – that’s the English name for it. It was a unique tree that was covered with the white wax we would scrape off to mould into candles.

We’d tuck into traditional Christmas pudding and put penny coins into the bake, not too many though. If we had, say, 12 people attending dinner, then we would only put four coins into the pudding so it was only the lucky four who would get them.

Mum used to make custard from our cows’ milk and eggs from the wild geese that you could find out on the plains.

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McDougall Park Aged Care Home, WA

Stavros Mittas, 81 It was winter in Greece at Christmas (Krismas).

We used to get our mules to pull out roots of trees so we could build a bonfire. For Christmas lunch, we would cook a pig on the fire. When we were hungry we could just carve a piece of meat off the pig and put it on our plate.

I have six brothers and two sisters so gifts were very small. We just enjoyed being together as a family. Later we would all sit around the bonfire with our neighbours and play cards.

Christmas was always a very special time with our family and neighbours.

Pat Smith, 90 My most vivid memory was as a child living in England, celebrating Christmas during the war. I remember in 1939 at Christmas most of the children were evacuated to the countryside. Where we lived was near the docks and that was where the bombers dropped their bombs. It became known as Bombshell Alley.

Betty Davison, 91 When Betty was young, she and her brother would find their presents in the lounge under the Christmas tree. The family would open them at the same time. Betty remembers getting a cream-coloured dolly’s pram with a blue cover on it. Her brother got an electric train that went around and around on tracks. Betty enjoyed the train as much as her brother did.

The family went to Communion in the morning then home for Christmas dinner. Usually there was a roast chicken with vegetables and also a ham. There was usually a ‘slap up’ pudding that contained cherries and fruit, and a brandy sauce to go with it.

Often cousins and aunts joined Betty and her family for the big meal and they ate all day.

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For the next three years, my brother and I were separated from our parents for Christmas.

I think over the years we never had Christmas as a family again.

In the girls’ home, we were very excited to be given a doll every Christmas. I do remember we had a lovely time under the circumstances, at Christmas in the children’s home.

COVER STORY

Faye Weatherall, 74 Bexley Aged Care Home, NSW

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or me, Christmas time is where you spend time with friends and family.

Some of my family are in the country living in very small country towns. I grew up in Moree, which was a very small town about 188 miles away from the city. Now some of my sons are in Sydney, which is nice as they are in the same city as me.

When I was young, we would always have family around.

As children, we used to wake up early just to open the presents. Some people could not afford much and we didn’t have extravagant presents at that stage of my life.

We would spend the day playing games together, things like dominoes, checkers and cards, all sitting around the table, having a great laugh and banter.

As a child, I lived with my Mum and Dad’s family as both of my parents had died quite young in an accident.

I was formally adopted by my direct relatives, so I was always with real family.

own decorations, buying paper from the paper shop and put bells on the paper. I loved making the handmade decorations for the tree.

We would always have a good sized Christmas tree and it was always a real one that was freshly cut down by relatives.

Everyone used to go out in those days and choose a tree from the bush and bring it back. We would make our

Back when I was little, things were very tight in a money sense, people were working very hard to make ends meet in the post-war times. Even if we only had one present, we were happy with that. The most important present for

me was always to spend time with my aunties, uncles and cousins - that’s what made me happy.

For our Christmas lunch, I loved a nice roast chicken or turkey with cranberry sauce.

Christmas cake would be on the table and a Christmas pudding with fresh custard and jelly. My sister and I and my aunty would make the puddings for everyone.

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COVER STORY

Mertome Aged Care & Retirement Village, WA Allan Donnelly, 73 I remember being allowed to have cakes and a cool drink and my father would let all us boys have a mouthful of beer. We would travel to Esperance from Kalgoorlie in Dad’s Plymouth. Us boys would stay in the bush in tin huts while my folks stayed in a caravan. We woke up early to presents under our beds, and Mum would make lunch.

We would eat on 40 gallon drums as a family. We’d tuck into a Christmas ham, or a sandwich with the ham and mustard on white bread.

I was given a wind-up train set one year which I absolutely loved.

FESTIVE FUN Left, Allan Donnelly.

Catherine Weiss, 84 I used to love Christmas as a child because we were given lots of things, and gave gifts to our parents that we had bought with money we had saved. We’d give thanks at dinner time - it was a very special family time together and every Christmas was a good one, even during the war.

We would all go to bed early, waiting for Father Christmas to come and then woke up early to presents at the bottom of our beds. We ate lots of food as a family and fed the horses with Dad as this was his only job for the day which was exciting.

It made us realise how hard my parents worked all year round for us.

HAPPY MEMORIES Catherine, with her daughter Sarah, remembers the excitement of Christmas as a child.

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Freshwater Bay Aged Care Home, WA

Loretto Pell, 85

Stella Willis, 67

We would decorate the tree with lights and sing with my friends - it was awesome.

We would prepare lunch, hide all the presents and when they finally found them, sing Christmas songs and dance. My mother gave me a long dress one year and my friends bought me jewellery and lipstick. We loved eating smoky hot turkey and Christmas pudding.

Our first job was to get the Christmas tree ready with lights and ornaments. Then we would prepare lunch roast pork, Christmas pudding and ice cream - and share the presents. One year, I was given a statue of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus and that was my favourite gift.

John Gjench, 72 My parents and I would decorate the Christmas tree together. I loved receiving chocolate as a gift and tucking into roast pork. In later years, all my friends gathered together and we’d have a beer and a good lunch. Some of my friends would play guitar and we all sang songs together.

Stephen Patrick, 64 I got presents from relatives and visiting friends when I was a child at Christmas.

My parents were Scottish, so my father would play the piano while my mother did the cooking. We’d open up presents and have a BBQ with visiting friends. Mucking around with kids and playing all the fun games were the best. Smoking, drinking and singing was absolutely wonderful when I was older.

When I was a 17-year old, my parents gave me seat covers for my first car and I loved it. I was fat and my nickname was ‘Pig’ - so I was on a diet but I loved eating sponge cake at Christmas. I would eat half of it before anyone else got to it.

Wendy Sumner, 78 We would celebrate with some beautiful Christmas food, like roast beef, pudding and ice cream. We’d put presents around the Christmas tree and on the table and one year, my father made me a little horse which lasted a long time.

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Mosman Park Aged Care Home, WA Rosie Harvey, 72 The excitement of receiving toys, and the turkey dinner with roast potatoes and sprouts were highlights of Christmas for me. In our house, Christmas Day itself was quiet and we would have a party on Boxing Day. I remember the year I was given the book Little Women, a pop-up book and a wooden penguin filled with toffees. I loved the snow at Christmas and the chance for peace on earth.

Robert Crawford, 73 I loved receiving toys as a child and tucking into Christmas dinner with the family. One year I received a large pedal car that I could sit in.

Sheila (Anne) Vale, 84 When I was small, I used to look forward to seeing all my family over Christmas.

My three sisters were away fighting in World War II and they got to come home for Christmas! We celebrated Christmas very joyfully in our house. My mother would roast a chicken - it was a very special treat and it was always traditional. We lived in London at the time and one year, I got a Pedigree pram which was my favourite Christmas gift ever.

I don’t really like Christmas now; I do like seeing all the grandchildren but I find the day itself very exhausting!

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IN THE SPIRIT Mosman Park Aged Care Home residents Rosie Harvey, Vivienne Pedlow and Robert Crawford.

Vivienne Pedlow, 71 I remember after Communion in church on Christmas Day, we would have lemonade in the church grounds. We would choose a pine tree from the bush which was usually too big and it bent over to fit the space. I still love the food at Christmas and the chance to get together with my family.

Mitzy Bootsma, 91 When I lived in the Netherlands, we used to celebrate St Nicholas’ Day and a man who was always painted black would throw presents into the lounge room from outside in the hallway. It was always cold but there wouldn’t necessarily always be snow. My uncle was on a big boat collecting spices from India and he sent me a book back from his travels. I was so in awe that this book had come from so many miles away. Meat was very hard to come by when I was young but if we were lucky, we had a rabbit for Christmas Day. We always had Christmas pudding - that was the most important dish of all.

John Sucksmith, 72 I loved seeing all my family, spending lots of good times, singing carols. I was given a model train set one year, my favourite gift ever.

COVER STORY

Hocart Lodge Aged Care Home, WA (Under management) Shirley Armstrong, 88 What I liked about Christmas was the church service and family gatherings. We celebrate Christmas in our home and it’s when all the family try to get together. My favourite Christmas gifts are hugs and kisses from all the family and maybe a box of chocolates. I love to eat Christmas cake and fruit mince pies, also ham and turkey at our Christmas celebration.

Elsie Wilkinson, 100

Lorraine Mckay, 90 The thing that I liked about Christmas when I was young was that we were allowed to have a lot of food. I loved to eat everything on the table during Christmas. We usually celebrated Christmas at home with family and friends. My favourite Christmas gift was when my mother gave me a ring, and I loved her so much.

What I used to like about Christmas was when my family would all get together and have a Christmas tree with a lot of fun.

We celebrated Christmas in our house with the family getting together and putting the gifts under the tree for the young ones.

When I was younger, my favourite Christmas gifts were toys, and when I was getting older, I liked receiving clothes. My favourite food to eat during Christmas is roast chicken and steam pudding.

Kevin Morgan, 88 I used to like a nice party with my sisters, brothers and cousins during Christmas time in our house. We celebrated Christmas by playing games, giving gifts and watching Christmas programs. My favourite Christmas gift that I received was a train set when I was one - my family gave it to me. I love to eat Christmas cake and roast chicken during Christmas.

James Bacich, 82 For me, Christmas does not mean much. It’s nothing for me. My parents tried to make it look nice, but I wasn’t interested at a young age. We celebrated Christmas at home, and my Mum gave gifts to us, invited relatives around, and she enjoyed all the cooking.

She would roast two or three ducks with veggies and she baked a Christmas cake too. I can’t recall my favourite Christmas gift, but I love to eat jelly and custard during Christmas these days.

Edith Whelan, 80 The things that I liked most about Christmas were Christmas trees and family get-togethers. I used to help decorate Christmas trees when I was young. We celebrate Christmas at home with family, putting gifts under the tree and opening presents on Christmas morning. My favourite Christmas gift was a teddy bear, I was about five or six years old. I love eating Christmas cake with cheese and ribs. I don’t know what meat it’s cooked in, but so delicious.

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Concorde

renovation heralds new

essential service The South Perth aged care home has undergone an impressive redesign, ready to accept new clients in Hall & Prior’s innovative From Hospital To Home offering. By Mason Prior.

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n October 2021, I was delighted to be part of an innovative project for both the community and Hall & Prior.

With the guidance and experience of the Streater Group Building company, we embarked on the ambitious program of renovating the Abbey wing of Concorde to an exceptional standard. Our aim was to facilitate a brand new program where people who may otherwise be lost in the hospital system would now come into our care to rest and rehabilitate before

moving on to a space they can call home. Whether that be in our care or somewhere else, this was an important project to see through to a successful conclusion.

The program, christened From Hospital To Home (FH2H) by Janelle McFarlane, the regional leader responsible for Concorde and the overall project, is designed to provide an essential service for those people who might otherwise fall through gaps in the system between returning to home after time in hospital.

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Janelle, Claire Marsh (Hall & Prior’s NDIS Manager) and Daniel Prior worked hard behind the scenes with the State health department and NDIS to obtain funding for the program. From there, things were handed over to me, the Streater Group and Mata Design to make sure the building works were completed fitted out in time for opening on November 8.

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. . . this was an important project to see through to a successful conclusion.

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To say this was a big achievement is an understatement; this project had many layers and all are new areas of success for Hall & Prior.

The team at Concorde were extremely accommodating, and the Director of Nursing, Jesusa Silverio proved herself to be an extremely impressive member of the Hall & Prior family. She not only welcomed us when asked if we could shut down an entire wing of her home but she did so with open arms.

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NEW BEGINNINGS Before and after shots of Concorde’s wing during renovations show the extent of the refurbishment carried out to create a new offering for From Hospital To Home clients.

I’m excited that the project scope has been extended to renovate an additional nine bedrooms, including adding four ensuites to four of the bedrooms, a dining area and staff area which Concorde residents, their families and staff will be able to enjoy and benefit from in the years to come.

Our new From Hospital To Home program has been an especially fulfilling project to be part of as we, as a team, have had and will continue to have a direct and positive impact on the lives of people who have found themselves in often unstable and unsupported positions in their lives.

I’m extremely excited for what the future holds as I know this project is only just the beginning.

Concorde is now welcoming FH2H clients - see details below.

ABOUT FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME (FH2H) This program supports you to move from hospital to a permanent accommodation setting when you are ready for discharge.

It helps you understand the support you need, plan the steps to get there and gives you a place to stay while doing it.

To be eligible you must be: • referred from a Perth metropolitan public hospital.

• Medically ready for discharge from hospital.

• Working towards the goal of moving into a permanent accommodation option.

• Aged between 30-65 years.

• Eligible for funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or other funding.

Contact the From Hospital To Home team at Hall & Prior by emailing FH2H@hallprior.com.au

Scan the QR Code above to find out more about our From Hospital To Home program on our website.

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50

&

fabulous Seven of Hall & Prior’s extraordinary women turned 50 in 2021 (there must have been something in the water in 1971) so Gabi Mills found out what this milestone means to them personally and professionally.

Fiona Prior, Manager Executive Services, Head Office, WA “I was in denial about turning 50 which I have never been in before with my age. 50 is a milestone, and I am glad I had a party to celebrate with my family and friends.

Fiona is 50!

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“I was humbly appreciative of how many people came to celebrate with me. The high was certainly diminished by the card from the local Federal Minister that included bowel screening information in it and then the next day from the Health Department of WA about breast screening - talk about remind you!

“I am looking forward to a lot more years of fun, family and friends. I honestly have to remind myself I am 50 as I often think I am only 42. Cheers to 1971!”

Penny Fielding, Director Social and Community Impact, Head Office, WA “Being 50 is great, but then I thought being 49 was great! I was born on Melbourne Cup Day and turned 50 on Melbourne Cup day so there is definitely some luck in my life.

“I had a fabulous time turning 50 because I realised how dear my friends are to me, and also that friendships have come from unexpected parts of my life. It was all tinged with a bit of COVID sadness as most of my family are interstate and overseas.

“But that just means that I will have to do it all again, another time!”

Penny Celebr ates with friends Janelle McFarlane, Executive Director Regional Leader, Head Office, WA “I am grateful that as a person who has enjoyed the privilege of the best of Australian life, I can call 50 middle age and I enjoy good health.

In our work we assist people who, due to extreme poverty, are prematurely aged and are experiencing significant disability, and thus find themselves in aged care at this same age.

Jan elle and fam ily

“Secondly, because it is a mid-life milestone, I reflect on the many milestones and joys of growing up in a rural setting as well as enjoying in adulthood the business of balancing work, study and life with children. Now that my children are adults, I am looking forward to spending weekends away with my husband Scott, and directing more energy into the important work that we do.”

Angela Day, CNS Infection Prevention and Control, NSW State Office “For my 50th festivities, I was taken out for dinner and a night away at Jonah’s, then it was onto a lunch date with my boys and a live music gig at the Enmore in Sydney.

“I ask myself - what more could a girl want at 50? I have a great job which I love, fantastic and caring friends and a family of charming men who I adore.

“The greatest thing about turning 50 is remembering the memories and making more.”

Happy Birthday AnGe! 21

Armanda Capelli, OSH Manager, Head Office, WA “Turning 50 to me has given me the chance to reflect on what I have done in the last 50 years, and what I want to do in the next 50 years. There is definitely no time to put things off until tomorrow, so be responsible for your own happiness and always lie about your age!

Ton i & friends

“My new quote to live by is “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done!”

Toni Neck, Director/Architect, Think.e (lead architect on Hall & Prior’s award-winning Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community, High Wycombe, WA) “I am loving being 50. I feel like I’m still in my 30s except my eyes, hips and knees remind me daily that I am not!

“My husband and I had a four-day festival in Denmark. We booked out Newfarm caravan park, and set up a projector and screen for the footy grand final in a shed. We did a long, slow dinner on Sunday September 29.

It rained - like all good festivals. My husband David played cocktail barman using our camper trailer and we had grazing plates with local produce for “rock o’clock” at 4pm with the feast around 7pm. We had fire pits to stay warm and had 50 adults and 50 kids attend. We also made festival merchandise - I made transfers and bought t-shirts and hats for people to make, mainly the kids.

“I have noticed that I worry less about the small stuff. I am confident in my knowledge and people’s opinions of me don’t phase me. I am looking forward to focusing on my areas of interest, to getting strong and not let my hips and knees win, and enjoying everything that I have worked hard for.”

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ARMAN DA Turns 50!

Lara Moltoni, Executive Manager, Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community At the time of going to press, Lara was taking a well-deserved break down in the south west with some pals - but we wanted to congratulate her too on reaching this milestone.

Happy 50th year Lara!

Commitment to

care R

ecently our Tuohy Aged Care Home received a visit from Tania Lawrence - WA Labor for Hasluck and Mark Butler MP - Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing to discuss a range of issues in the aged care sector including staff shortages, ageing infrastructure and LGBTQIA+ supported living.

Thank you for coming to visit our home, to see first- hand the hard work, dedication and commitment to care that exists at Tuohy, our Rainbow Tick accredited home in Midland.

VISITING VIPS Tania Lawrence - WA Labor for Hasluck, and Mark Butler MP (Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) visited Tuohy Aged Care Home recently.

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Jayne Cummings Windsor Park Aged Care Home, WA 24

A life-long career in caring for people in aged care has made Jayne Cummings an extremely experienced Executive Manager of Windsor Park Aged Care Home. By Gabi Mills.

L&L: How long have you worked in aged care and what drew you to the profession?

JC: I started working in aged care as a carer in 1990 as a young 18 year old. I worked for a large organisation in Manchester, England, for 17 years before moving to Australia. My mum, sister and aunt all worked in the care industry with the same company so I had grown up in aged care facilities.

L&L: When did you join Hall & Prior and in what capacity?

JC: I joined Hall & Prior’s Tuohy home in Midland as a residential care manager in October 2011. It was my first job in Australia as a facility manager.

L&L: What do you particularly enjoy about your role - and what are some of the challenges you face?

L&L: On a day-to-day basis, what makes your role special and how do you plan on inspiring staff at your home?

JC: Every day is special in aged care. You have to love your job as it takes special people to care for the people we look after. If we can help someone who is having a bad day and make it a better day, then that’s all we can ask for. It’s important to take the time to hear people and allow them to share their thoughts, earning trust from a resident is what makes our job special.

L&L: If somebody was contemplating a career in aged care, what advice would you give them?

JC: Do some volunteer work first and speak to some carers about what is expected of you.

See the person, not the task, empowering the residents and seeing them smile is priceless.

L&L: What kind of leader are you - how do you think your colleagues would describe you?

JC: I am a firm but fair manager, I’m a doer and I love to help with anything I can. I think they would say I am outspoken, and always willing to help anyone who needs support.

JC: I love meeting the new families and residents who come into our care, hearing their stories and looking at how we can continue to enhance their life. We look after some of the most vulnerable community groups and this can be really challenging as some of our residents come in with no family or support. We become their family and show them the love and care they deserve and ensure we always advocate for them. No one walks alone at Windsor Park.

L&L: What makes for a good day in aged care in your chosen career path?

L&L: What made you want to move from Tuohy to Windsor Park - and so far, how do the two homes differ/what are the similarities?

L&L: What plans do you have for Windsor Park - and how do you relax when you get home?

JC: I had worked at Tuohy for seven wonderful years and worked with some amazing people.

During this period, we won two better practice awards and became the first aged care facility in WA to successfully achieve the Rainbow Tick Accreditation for LGBTI people - an amazing achievement. In January 2019, Windsor Park needed a new manager and I thought it was time for a new challenge.

Although they differ in size the one thing that never changes is the dedicated and caring staff we have looking after our residents.

JC: We hope to continue to grow and develop the services we provide, especially to our vulnerable community groups and help them to break down the barriers they fear and have to face when coming into aged care.

When I get home there is nothing better than a nice shower, putting on some pjs on and chilling out watching Coronation Street and EastEnders! Sad I know.

JC: Hearing the laughs from the staff and residents or seeing the smiles of our residents who have difficulty with communication, always makes you smile. Being able to debrief with staff also helps us to understand that it’s OK to have sad days. Taking care of your own mental health enables you to support everyone else.

To find out more about Windsor Park Aged Care Home, visit hallprior.com.au.

25

IN OUR HOMES

l a v i t s e F e d i Pr 2021

Leighton Aged Care Home

t

o celebrate PrideFEST 2021, our Leighton Aged Care Home in West Perth held a colourful Pride Festival in November, which featured activations, performers, a silent disco and food stalls. It coincided with Pride month, which takes place in Perth every November from the 6th to 27th.

This year’s theme was ‘R.E.S.P.E.C.T - find out what it means to us’. The festival was also a chance for our residents, their families and loved ones and our staff to come together and enjoy the fun and festivities.

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PRIDE OF PLACE Performers, residents and their families got into the Pride spirit in November at Leighton and Tuohy Aged Care Homes

IN OUR HOMES

Tuohy Aged Care Home

M

eanwhile at Tuohy Aged Care Home, the team held their Community Pride Information Stall & Pride Parade Day. Many people including staff, residents and members of the community joined us for the Parade and were dressed in some very colourful Rainbow/Pride attire. There were numerous visitors to the Carpark Community Pride Information Stall where people could find out more, celebrate and raise community awareness of Tuohy’s inclusivity and diversity and show support for the LGBTI Community while letting everyone know of Tuohy’s very prestigious Rainbow Tick Accreditation.

Our parade up Morrison Road was quite spectacular and it quite literally stopped the traffic. The team also delivered their 6.5 metre long rainbow balloon garland to the very happy little people at the day care centre just up the road.

Some of the staff also attended the Pride Parade at Gloucester Park for some colourful networking with stakeholders.

RAINBOW TICK Tuohy Aged Care Home has been awarded the very prestigious Rainbow Tick Accreditation - and is a proud participant in their own Pride Parade Day.

27

IN OUR HOMES

A sincere mark

of respect O

n the 11th hour of the 11th day of th the 11 month, Hall & Prior homes in WA and NSW marked this most solemn of moments on Remembrance Day. Staff and residents from coast to coast paused at 11am in a silent minute of reflection, with visits from serving officers, dignitaries and family members making these ceremonies extra special. Veterans who now live in Hall & Prior aged care homes wore their medals with pride, read meaningful poems, showed off photographs of loved ones from the services and saluted the flag.

At Fairfield and Grafton Aged Care Homes in NSW and Mosman Park, Rockingham and Clarence Estate Aged Care Homes in WA, residents and staff paid their respects to veterans past and present, who in some cases paid the ultimate sacrifice for all our freedoms.

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LEST WE FORGET Remembrance Day is a day of reflection across all Hall & Prior homes.

Remembrance Day at Karingal Green Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community in High Wycombe commemorated Remembrance Day with a special service on November 11 which was enjoyed by residents, their families and loved ones. Remembrance Day is a special day at Hall & Prior, we care for almost 100 veterans in our 30 homes in WA and NSW. Lest we forget.

29

All things

bright and beautiful C elebrations for Diwali have been a real colourful highpoint for our homes in WA and NSW over recent days, so we couldn’t resist sharing a few more photos with you all.

At Fairfield in NSW, staff performed some cultural dances for the residents, who loved all the beautiful colours and music.

There was a competition where the residents chose the best dressed staff member and the staff chose the best dressed resident.

30

The lucky winners won a beautiful sari. After the ceremony everybody was treated to wonderful traditional sweets.

Meanwhile at Kensington Park and Rockingham Aged Care Homes in WA, an explosion of colourful traditional attire was the order of the day, as residents enjoyed traditional dancing and treats to celebrate.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Staff members who mark Diwali dressed up in beautifully colourful attire to celebrate this important festival in the Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist calendar.

IN OUR HOMES

Melbourne Cup fun Our gorgeous residents at Karingal Green Health & Aged Care Community in High Wycombe celebrated Melbourne Cup yesterday with fancy hats, delicious food, a glass of bubbles and the race on the big screen in the social hub for everyone to enjoy.

Fascinators were created and worn, Sunday best hats dug out for the day, fingers were crossed and everybody got into the spirit for the race that stops the nation.

Congratulations to all those who picked Verry Elleegant as the winner!

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IN OUR HOMES

Green thumbs at Bexley Bexley Aged Care Home

D

uring spring, Bexley’s garden club bloomed and a new balcony garden for the residents was begun.

This garden was created upstairs close to the home’s main dining area so that all of our residents could access the fresh and uplifting greenery that the garden brings.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW Bexley’s collection of keen gardeners have been working wonders over the past few months.

The vibrant colours of the blooming flowers have everybody smiling as they water, fertilise and tend to their growing plants.

The garden has brought to life the whole lounge area and all Bexley’s residents have commented on how lovely it is to sit and enjoy activities like this while they can smell and gaze at the colourful flowers, herbs and shrubs.

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Budding artists

welcome

Caroline Chisholm Aged Care Home ART THERAPY is a creative way for residents at Caroline Chisholm to relax, unwind and deal with the stresses of ageing. It’s an activity that increases hand dexterity and creates a high morale among the budding artist community within the home.

Therapy sessions involve all types of creative mediums such as watercolours, crayons, chalks, coloured pencils and different types of papers.

The conversations that take place during these sessions often help residents remember things from their childhood, especially those creative learning experiences from early childhood, as often, this is when we are introduced to creative pursuits through schooling.

Many people go for years without nurturing their creative side while others remain creative but give up in old age. Everybody is creative, no matter their skills, age or background. Picking up a paintbrush, making something with your hands, even singing and dancing often brings back memories but it can also uncover hidden talents.

It’s VIRTUALLY a Wheel of Fortune Clover Lea Aged Care Home

S

ome of our Clover Lea residents recently Zoom-linked everyone’s favourite game show - Wheel of Fortune!

It may be one of the best word games in the world, and aside from training your brain, it’s a ton of fun. It’s a game that challenges many parts of our brains and provides opportunities for fun and competitive social interaction.

Come on down!

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PAWS VISIT TO GLENWOOD Glenwood Aged Care Home

G

lenwood went into cuteness meltdown as Bertie the PAWS Pet Therapy dog popped by to visit with residents. Bertie brought huge smiles to the faces of all our residents as he toured from room to room.

PAWS people and pooches are all volunteers who generously give up their time to spread the magic of pet-assisted therapy to people in a range of settings, helping alleviate loneliness and the knock-on effects of debilitating disease.

Staff and the PAWS volunteer were regularly rewarded with a smile or a special moment as they visited Glenwood residents, and little Bertie was very proud of his special role as he gave his style of unique love to each individual resident.

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IN OUR HOMES

OH WE DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE

seaside

Rockingham Aged Care Home

H

ere are some lovely snaps of Marjorie, who, at 99 years of age, still loves the feeling of the warm Indian Ocean water between her toes. Along with some of her pals from her aged care home in Rockingham, Marjorie had fun wading in the water at the Rockingham foreshore on a beautiful sunny day - and all had a lovely time down on the beach, enjoying a nice cup of coffee and a delicious ice-cream.

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IN OUR HOMES

BIRTHDAYS TO REMEMBER Shangri-La Aged Care Home Vaucluse Aged Care Home

S

hangri-la resident Elizabeth (who goes by the preferred name of Jean) turned 98 in November. With a gorgeous cake for a gorgeous resident, staff and friends celebrated Jean’s 98th birthday together as she was showered with birthday wishes and gifts.

Jean received numerous notes and fresh flower bouquets and a special visit from her daughter, Heather, and her adult grandchildren. Jean’s other daughter, Fay, rang in to wish her mum a special birthday as she lives outside of Sydney in a rural area.

Meanwhile in Vaucluse, Luba reached a significant milestone and turned 100!

A gorgeous Triple Chocolate cake (Luba’s favourite) was presented by Director of Nursing, Manezheh along with a huge pavlova cake from her family. Residents and staff wished Luba a very happy birthday, with everyone commenting on how amazing she looks reaching such a great age. There was also a special card from Prime Minister, Scott Morrison congratulating Luba on this important birthday.

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A taste of summer Hall & Prior aged care homes in NSW are celebrating the arrival of summertime with a brand new menu for residents to enjoy.

By Fiona McHugh, Director of Nutrition and Hydration, NSW.

W

e are excited to welcome back some gorgeous seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as some zesty, exciting flavours to our summer dining table experiences.

Our summer menu is currently rolling out in homes after the completion of our ‘Food Focus Activities’ which took place in early November. These activities gave us the unique opportunity to highlight the summer menu and place a focus on educating our residents on menu design and nutrition priorities, including important items such as dairy foods and hydration.

Organised by the lifestyle team and dietitians, activities included milkshake and smoothie making and jelly cube tastings, as well as other refreshing beverages. Our residents were asked to taste test and decide if they would like any of these to be added to the summer menu.

We are excited to reveal that their choices have led to the development of each home’s final menu which includes honey mustard chicken, BBQ glazed pork, prawn, mango and avocado summer pasta

salad, braised lamb chops, herb and parmesan-crusted barramundi, seasonal fruit smoothies and tasty pastas.

For those residents who have favourite dishes on the old menu, don’t worry. Classics like roast dinners, fish and chips and chocolate ripple cake are still available.

Food is such a big part of every day happiness.

It’s why we work so hard in consultation with our residents and families to talk about your loved ones’ diets and what they most love to eat. It’s all done to ensure we put a smile on the plate at every meal.

Our menus are developed by our chefs and dietitians and we listen very closely to the important feedback our residents provide on a daily basis, through our food focus activities, food and mealtime experience meetings as well as through our regular food satisfaction surveys.

We will also be asking for feedback on our new menu items after residents have had the chance to enjoy the new meal selections.

TASTE TESTERS The new summer menu options in NSW’s Hall & Prior homes have been given the thumbs up.

Please feel free to chat to any of our team should you have something to share on your dining experience.

We loved creating this delicious menu, we hope you love it too!

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A new cycle of consolidation and growth

A

s the Federal Government begins to ramp up its compliance regime in light of the Royal Commission’s findings, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ripple around Australia, a new wave of investment in Hall & Prior’s aged care homes and a strong commitment to create and grow new communities is already in progress.

In light of the Royal Commission’s comprehensive roster of recommendations, the Hall & Prior Group is currently engaged in a progressive program of consolidating existing facilities with an eye to future growth in WA and NSW.

By David Holmes, Director Corporate Development Hall & Prior.

38

Whether this is a consolidation of more of the same - like the award-winning new Perth Hill’s aged care community at Karingal Green - or moving into new areas like creating independent living facilities, the Hall & Prior Group has its eyes fixed firmly on the future.

Maintaining infrastructure is a constant, but also remains heavily influenced by markets of the day. The dynamics of the aged care industry even just five years ago was more conducive to growth; now it is much less predictable. Smaller operators and even some large providers are positioning to sell assets or scale up as the uncertainty created

by COVID-19 and the Royal Commission’s findings continue to reverberate.

“

Our aim is to create space and communities for different stages of the ageing community.

39

From our point of view, we are constantly working on new projects and our team is always seeking out new opportunities and creating responses to new challenges.

Having an in-house team tackling these tasks gives the Group a competitive advantage, and allows us to have a long pipeline of projects to work towards.

In many ways, chaotic times present opportunities for organisations well-positioned to benefit from - and there’s no doubt that in a post-COVID world, the aged care sector is a growth market.

We have certainly seen other organisations scaling back and by maintaining a corporate development team - of which I have been a part of since 2013 - we’re prepared to ride out the various cycles the aged care sector is subjected to thanks to economic factors, global influences (like the pandemic) or local challenges.

Since 2013, we have added two brand new assets to our collection of world-class aged care centres: Karingal Green in High Wycombe, WA and Georges Estate, Penshurst in NSW (opened in November 2021). We have an additional six planned over the next 10 years including Woodside, Sister Kate’s and Kelmscott among others.

We continually screen potential target acquisitions in Sydney, Perth and regional areas in WA and NSW. We are often approached too by organisations keen to on-sell

40

their facilities and are particularly interested in acquiring larger parcels of land. We are currently finalising new acquisitions in WA’s south west, with hand-over set for later in 2021 and one in NSW. Residential care has become the backbone of Hall & Prior’s portfolio but we have expanded the traditional care offering to include day respite services, state-of-the-art wellness centres, primary health facilities and adjacent uses like independent living units which have proved popular for those clients who do not require intensive care but require nearby support.

Our aim is to create space and communities for different stages of the ageing community.

We enhance the overall outcomes of aged care which perhaps have not traditionally existed in the sector before, and are continually thinking of ways to add useful services, appealing to new demographics.

“

We are developing a new avenue with the NDIS and the desire to remove young people from residential care . . .

To this end, we are developing a new avenue with the NDIS and the desire to remove younger people from the residential aged care system. In many ways, it’s no longer suitable for these people to live in aged care accommodation but until now, there has been little alternative. We are looking at delivering NDIS services which are more efficient and independent of aged care with co-location of facilities being our driver. We will create the option to offer these younger clients access to care and services without being part of the ageing demographic.

The Royal Commission also highlighted the fragmented nature of much of what makes up the aged care offering in Australia. There are a high number of operators in the sector, each with a small number of facilities. As the Royal Commission gathered intel over three years since its instigation in 2018, many in the sector were waiting to see what the outcome would be. Now that the results have been revealed some

operators have been able to assess what the future will hold as there is a little more certainty about whether they should continue in the sector or not. For those operators which remain, this creates an opportunity for consolidation as those small providers and not-for-profits struggle with staffing and succession issues come to market.

This transformation of the sector is one of the results of what the Government is trying to achieve via the Royal Commission and as such, it means Hall & Prior is a consolidator and a developer of new builds.

Now a rough road map forward exists, the next few years will be key in terms of consolidation and are consistent with what we’re seeing within the industry.

We will continue to grow sustainably to reach an optimum scale, with the interim step to roll out a new generation of aged care facilities which are set to become a benchmark for total care in both WA and NSW.

RAISING THE BAR Award-winning aged care developments like Karingal Green (above) and Georges Estate (opposite) are transforming the sector, one build at a time.

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W

N E H

can be better Understanding how magnification can help those with vision impairments can go a long way in improving the lifestyles of older people, says VisAbility.

Y

our eyes change as you get older. If you’ve been diagnosed with vision loss or a condition such as macular degeneration, magnifiers will help you to see more clearly and are available in all shapes and sizes.

They can come handheld, on a stand or as a video magnifier, and have zoom ranges from two times to ten times. Magnifiers are also available to download on your smartphone. At the top end of the scale, you can get a fixed desktop magnifier.

Shirley was born in Burma and grew up in India before moving to Australia fifty years ago. She has always led a very active and independent life, but a recent diagnosis of wet age-related macular degeneration had left her struggling to see.

“I lost peripheral vision in my left eye and my confidence has also taken a knock.’’

42

Shirley wanted a magnifier so she could read the small print on containers and jars.

These type of magnifiers are commonly known as spot magnifiers and can provide up to four times the normal magnifying strength. Some have inbuilt LED lighting to provide extra illumination.

These would enable Shirley to easily read her microwave, and oven dials as well as bills and letters.

Shirley loves watching sport events on the television as well as daily news. She’d heard about magnifier glasses that would give her a clearer image on the screen and improve her television viewing.

Shirley came to see the team at VisAbility to enquire about magnifiers, and discover what would be best for her requirements.

The glasses are hands-free and head-mounted to provide a higher magnification. Each eye lens can be focused separately.

VisAbility has a Resource Centre in Victoria Park in Perth which has magnifiers on display. The items can be bought online as well.

“These glasses make such a difference, especially with any text that comes up on the screen along the bottom.”

VisAbility Occupational Therapist Katie gave Shirley a demonstration of electronic portable video magnifiers.

“Video magnifiers are perfect for people with vision impairment because of the additional magnification and the larger surface area they offer, which means you can read larger amounts of print,” Katie explains.

“The high contrast options available at the touch of a button make the print clearer. One of the most popular video magnifiers is a touchscreen handheld magnifier that incorporates an eight-inch screen. It’s ideal for people who prefer a large screen but want portability,” she adds.

Shirley was impressed with the portable video magnifier and hopes it will help her to read her recipes and magazines. If she wanted to progress further, there is also a range of desktop magnifiers. These are ideal for anyone wanting to enjoy a hobby such as knitting or scrapbooking and mean you don’t have to hold a magnifier for a long duration of time.

There are also magnifier apps on smartphones which are free to download and use.

Did you know the camera on an iPad or iPhone can be used as a video magnifier?

VisAbility has a range of specialists and services to support people with vision loss. If you live in Perth and want general information and advice about magnifiers, why not visit the Resource Centre?

If you live elsewhere in the

country, investigate what’s available through the VisAbility Online Living Aids shop.

VisAbility offers a wide selection of vision aids, equipment and supports for people living with vision impairment which can be bought from our specialist shop. If you are interested in accessing support from VisAbility, contact 1800 847 466 or visit visability. com.au/oak. It would be helpful to provide a copy of a recent eye check report from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

You can also speak to your White Oak case service co-ordinator, so that it can be incorporated into your home care package or Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) funded services.

VISUAL AIDS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE VisAbility is able to provide magnifying devices to help the visually impaired.

FAST FACTS

about magnifiers

Basic spot magnifiers and television glasses can be bought over the counter - up to three times the magnification.

For magnifiers greater than this strength, you’ll need to arrange an appointment with an orthoptist who can assess for the most appropriate magnifier.

An occupational therapist can also provide you with information about magnifiers up to approximately five times magnification.

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A Q +

2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS

with Roma Cokanasiga, Assistant in Nursing at Montana Aged Care Home, NSW.

Proud Fijian Roma Cokanasiga brings an exuberant and warm approach to her work as an Assistant in Nursing at Montana Aged Care Home in NSW. And those residents in her care love her for it.

L&L: What made you become a care worker?

RC: My mother was a registered nurse in Fiji when I was a child. I always saw how she worked and I appreciated what she did for people. Personally, over my many years in life, I now understand that I like to serve people - especially elderly people. I like to look after people and help them find comfort.

I am Fijian - I have heard that many people say that our nation has a culture of caring for their elderly. This is correct, our culture has a great respect for the elderly and our children. We are a warm and loving community where we all look after each other and our families.

It is a privilege and a sign of respect to be able to care for our elderly and thank them for all they have done for us.

L&L: What does the World Health Organization's International Year of Health and Care Workers mean to you?

RC: I appreciate that the media is putting a spotlight on what we do. It’s a hard job and you have to have patience and compassion.

You have to be the right type of person and 44

have a gentle approach. I have learnt a lot doing this job and have worked in care my whole life - all in Australia, and I appreciate that there is a spotlight on the elderly and the people that work with them.

L&L: How long have you worked at Hall & Prior?

RC: Montana was taken over by Hall & Prior only this year, so I have only worked for this company for a few months. I have worked at this home for 11 years, and in aged care since 1995.

L&L: What does an average day look like for you?

RC: I like to bring a smile every day to the residents. I can’t wait to see them every morning and really enjoy their company. All the people I look after are part of me now they are now part of my family. On an average day, I say hello/good morning and then check on them personally and start the showering routine, grooming and get them looking and feeling good, ready to start their days.

I work five days a week from 6:30am to 3pm which means that I get to spend the whole waking day time with each resident.

MEET THE STAFF

L&L: What is the best piece of advice you ever got about caring for others and from who?

RC: If you want to do this kind of job, you have to have compassion and you have to have patience to deal with another human being.

Especially one that is relying on you to make them comfortable and feel happy and well. I got this advice from my family, especially my mother.

“

It’s the people that make a place special When I have everyone in order, I usually complete my paperwork and then have some fun with the one-on-ones. Later, I make up their rooms doing things like tidying the cupboard and folding clothes.

L&L: Tell us about one part of your job that makes you feel really rewarded and connected to those you care for?

RC: I always say to the staff, when I finish work for the day and I know that I have done everything that I should have done and any little extras that I can think of, then I walk out the door and feel satisfied.

In this job, we touch people all the time. This physical touching really creates a bond and trust, I feel it is a connection to the soul. When you have your hands on people helping them, you really get to know who they are. I love that - I love getting to know my residents as they become my friends.

When I get a new resident in my care at Montana, I always want to know what they did when they were young. I look at that person as someone, not just an older person who requires some help to manage a good day.

I like to know their story and see pictures of them when they were younger or working to understand their personality better.

L&L: What is the best thing about working at your aged care home?

RC: It’s the people that make a place special.

The residents of course, but also the staff. This is a very special home because we all work together and enjoy each other’s company we’re just like one big family.

L&L: How would others describe you?

RC: The staff would say ‘here comes trouble!’ while the residents would say, ‘she’s a big personality, but she really cares’. It’s so funny, the residents always say that they know when I have arrived to work because they can hear my voice down the halls, and they say ‘here she comes!’.

L&L: What qualities are required to make a great care worker in your opinion?

RC: Patience and compassion.

FAST FACTS If I wasn't a care worker I would be a psychologist.

What’s your favourite movie?

I like English TV series Louis Theroux.

What’s your favourite song?

Anything by ABBA! When I’m not at work you’ll most likely find me - at home. My children are away overseas so I see my siblings more often. I have a big Fijian family!

Five words you live by - loud, funny, kind, generous and dancer!

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A Q +

2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS

with Matt Angel, care worker at Mertome Aged Care & Retirement Village, WA

Matt Angel considers his colleagues to be like family at Mertome Aged Care & Retirement Village in WA - and is focused on offering empathetic, dedicated care to all those he looks after.

L&L: What made you want to become a care worker?

L&L: What does an average day look like for you?

MA: I enjoyed doing Cert III in community services and wanted to apply my knowledge into practice. A close friend of mine suggested that I would enjoy working in aged care, so here I am, more than 10 years later.

MA: Every day in aged care is different. It is usually busy, enjoyable with some routines including medication rounds, supporting other staff by providing assistance for some residents, clinical tasks to support the Registered Nurses on duty, some maintenance, IT and miscellaneous jobs around the home to assure smooth operation.

L&L: What does the World Health Organization's International Year of Health and Care Workers mean to you?

MA: I feel strongly about our vulnerable elders and our care workers, who seem to not have enough acknowledgement and appreciation. It is a challenging and hard job, and it deserves more recognition for all that we as care givers do.

46

L&L: Tell us about one part of your job that makes you feel really rewarded and connected to those you care for.

MA: Seeing and making our elders laugh and laughing with them is equally rewarding for me.

L&L: How long have you worked in aged care and when did you join Hall & Prior?

L&L: What is the best piece of advice you ever got about caring from others and from who?

MA: I have been working with Hall & Prior for approximately seven years and I did have a little break to work in disability and mental health.

MA: The best piece of advice I have adhered to is to ”try putting yourself in our residents’ shoes in every single situation and to try to

MEET THE STAFF

FAST FACTS If I wasn't a care worker I would - be a sports turf worker.

What is your favourite movie? It has to be the Avengers series.

What’s your favourite song? Jeez! There are too many to name!

When I’m not at work you’ll often find me playing cricket, at the gym or spending time with my two dogs.

I have cared for are those who have had the most traumatic past. Self-care is very vital; it is a reminder for myself and my colleagues that we need to slow down and look after ourselves to care for others.

L&L: How would others describe you, do you think?

understand why they are the way they are as best as you can”. This was given to me by my work mates at Clarence Estate in Albany, when I first joined aged care.

L&L: What is the best thing about working at your aged care home?

MA: It feels like home: we are all a big family here, from staff to residents and family members.

L&L: What have you learned about yourself and those you care for while you’ve worked for Hall & Prior?

MA: The list is a long one, but here are a few things.

Empathy goes a long way. Some of the happiest elders

MA: Hopefully they would say hardworking, empathetic and compassionate, a little cheeky and somebody who likes to have a laugh.

L&L: What qualities are required to make a great worker in your opinion?

MA: Empathy is arguably the most important quality along with compassion, in my opinion.

Also we should be able to have fun at work and have a laugh with everyone.

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M Y FAVOURITE THINGS

Kathryn Webber For the past two and a half years, Kathryn Webber - or Kat as she’s known has worked in Hall & Prior’s NSW state office as a junior payroll officer. Her hobbies however reveal a creative and quirky side and you’re more likely to find her playing a round of Dungeons & Dragons than tallying up profit and loss sheets at home.

MY CATS My two cats are my baby boys.

Tiny is one and a half (the runt of the litter) while Biggsy who is only six months old, is already bigger than Tiny. They are both lockdown adoptions predictably.

TRAVELLING I love to travel and some of the places I’ve loved visiting include the blue waterhole in Vanuatu with my sister and her bub. I’ve also been to Tasmania’s Cradle mountain with my mum - Tasmania is definitely my favourite place, from the history of Port Arthur to its vast untouched rainforest. I spent my 30th birthday in Cambodia another beautiful place.

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COLOURS My favourite colours are baby blue and purple.

COMIC-CON MY WEDDING

I met Summer Glau, who played River Tam in the series Firefly, as well as the team from Stargate: Atlantis and Richard Dean Anderson. There’s also a photo of me running at Deadpool, my favourite comic book character. It will probably be no surprise to learn that I grew up on Doctor Who.

DECORATING I do jump at any opportunity to decorate the office - our theme this year is Candy Land.

We got married in May this year at the Cathedral of Ferns. It was so cold it snowed there the weekend after our wedding.

PLAYING DUNGEONS & DRAGONS In my current game of D&D, I’m currently playing as a Barbarian mountain dwarf called Strock, who thinks she can sing but really can’t. I collect Age of Sigmar for WarHammer, another desktop game because Mordheim should still be a thing (if you know, you know). I am also a dice goblin - I make resin dice with scenes on them. It’s a bit of an addiction to start work on the next set before finishing the last one.

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PUZZLES CROSSWORD

Bullet (4) Moves in waves (9) Villains (9) Operators (5) Own (7) Idols (5) Dexterity (10) Squirm (6) Propagated (10) Rebel (9) Unexplained events (9) Fund an event (7) Locked and safe (6) Suns (5) Peace (5) Stinging insects (4)

No. 013

3.

4.

5.

QUIoCK QUIZ ANSwerS

2.

What gardens feature the largest Christmas lights display in Australia, with over three million lights on show?

In what country is Christmas traditionally celebrated with a family trip to the sauna?

The first artificial Christmas trees were made using what material: brush bristles, goose feathers or cardboard?

What famous children's music group annually performs at Sydney's Carols in the Domain?

True or false: Christmas Eve in Japan is a romantic holiday with a focus on couples?

1. Hunter Valley Gardens, NSW 2. Finland 3. Goose feathers 4. The Wiggles 5. True

1.

WORDSTEP Complete the list by changing one letter at a time to create a new word at each step.

There may be more than one possible answer.

SANtA

_ _ _ _

_ _ _ _

_ _ _ _

_ _ _ _

_ _ _ _

MerGe

1 9

5 4

SOLUTIONS

9-Letter word

QUICK QUIZ

9 8

7

8 9

6 5

3 3 7

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

Dec, 2021

CroSSword

2 3 4

Another name for Santa, Saint – (4) Just, simply (4) And others (2,2) Move with bounding steps (4)

SUdoKU

DOWN 1

Another name for Christmas (4) Preposition (4) Applaud (4) Radio personality Sandilands (4)

3 5

4

cake, crake, creak, fake, faker, fakir, freak, FRUITcAKe, kerf, kite, kraft, rack, racket, rake, reck, rick, ruck, tack, tackier, take, taker, teak, tick, ticker, track, trek, trick, truck, tuck, tucker

AcROSS 1 5 6 7

8

No. 013

8 6

3 2

4 1 3 5 8 7 6 9 2

4x4

7 8

6 9 5 2 1 3 4 7 8

C

6

8 2 7 4 9 6 5 3 1

22 words: Very good

t

9 1

7 3 6 1 4 8 9 2 5

I

e

1 4 2 9 7 5 3 8 6

30 words: excellent

K

U

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

9 5 8 6 3 2 1 4 7

today’s Aim: 15 words: Good

r

F

A

No. 013

2 8 9 3 6 1 7 5 4

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and teach letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

SUDOKU

3 7 1 8 5 4 2 6 9

9-LETTER WORD

5 6 4 7 2 9 8 1 3

30

DOWN

1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 21 23 24 26

wordSteP SANTA, SANGA, MANGA, MANGe, MARGe, MeRGe

10 11 12 13 15 16 18 20 22 25 27 28 29

Acidic (4) Picking up from where you left off (10) Subvert (9) Fierce weather (5) Coagulate (4) Spreading to wide area (9) Ultimate (7) Cleaning scoop (7) Withstands (7) Siblings (7) Displace (bone) (9) Cut (with axe) (4) Lack of order (5) Meddle (9) Medium size naval vessels (10) Throne platform (4)

4x4 ACROSS: 1. Noel, 5. Into, 6. clap, 7. Kyle DOWN: 1. Nick, 2. Only, 3. et al, 4. Lope

AcROSS

1 3

No. 013

FESTIVE TEABREAK

WORDFIND

CODEWORD

No. 013

No. 013

Can you find all of the words listed below?

The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

BARBECUE

GINGERBREAD

STAR

BAUBLE

MISTLETOE

STOCKING

BOXING DAY

NAUGHTY

TREE

CANDY CANE

PEPPERMINT

WRAPPING

CAROLS

REINDEER

CARROTS

SANTA

+

+

× ×

= 12

T

÷

×

T

Y

= 33

+

? ?

= 14

= 9

= 9

A

N

+

+ –

Can you work out what the missing letter is that spells an 8-letter word? It could read either clockwise or anti-clockwise.

= 29

÷

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

P

L

EIGHT AROUND HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW...

Insert each number from 1 to 9 in the shaded squares to solve all the horizontal and vertical equations. Multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

×

1

No. 013

V

5x5

No. 013

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

S

R R

N

S V

I A

M S R

T

Y

KITTY FLANAGAN 1. On which ’90s sketch show did Flanagan make her television debut?

A. Big Girl’s Blouse B. Full Frontal C. Fast Forward D. The Micallef P(r)ogram(me)

5. What is her character Rhonda’s job title in workplace comedy Utopia?

A. Project manager B. Graphics consultant C. Public relations manager D. Head of human resources

2. What is the focus of The Junkees with Dave and Kitty, the podcast she records with Dave O’Neil?

A. Antiquing B. Junk mail C. Trashy reality TV D. Snack foods 3. Which television network is home to her law firm comedy Fisk?

A. ABC B. SBS C. Network 10 D. Seven Network 4. Who replaced Flanagan on the cast of The Weekly with Charlie Pickering in 2019?

A. Judith Lucy B. Luke McGregor C. Peter Helliar D. Fiona O’Loughlin

1B, 2D, 3A, 4A, 5C

CROSS MATH

Each number corresponds to a letter. Can you crack the code?

D KMO X U F I Z E S P L 14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

QW B Y C H J A R G N V T 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

CODEWORD WORDFIND Secret message: And a Happy New Year 4 × 6 + 5 = 29 + ÷ + 9 + 3 × 8 = 33 – + ÷ 1 × 7 × 2 = 14 = = = 12 9 9

CROSS MATH

EIGHT AROUND NATIVITY N T S Y

A

I

T

T R U M R I S E A V E S

S A N

5x5

E R S

OUR WA HOMES

LEIGHTON WEST PERTH

MERTOME BAYSWATER

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PERTH

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McDOUGALL PARK COMO

AGMAROY WILSON

ROCKINGHAM ROCKINGHAM

HOCART LODGE HARVEY TUIA LODGE DONNYBROOK

CLARENCE ESTATE ALBANY

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact the WA Hall & Prior Aged Care Home of your choice AGMAROY BELMONT CLARENCE ESTATE CONCORDE FRESHWATER BAY HAMERSLEY HOCART LODGE (UNDER MANAGEMENT) KARINGAL GREEN KENSINGTON PARK LEIGHTON MCDOUGALL PARK MERTOME MOSMAN PARK ROCKINGHAM ST LUKES TUIA LODGE TUOHY WINDSOR PARK HEAD OFFICE

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