In Our Homes

Jolly hockey sticks

Clarence Estate Residential & Home Care

CLARENCE ESTATE residents in Albany certainly like to keep active. Staff arrange a range of active games throughout the month to keep residents engaged and having fun, and one of the games that has proven very popular lately is chair hockey. As you can see, the residents use shortened pool noodles as ‘hockey sticks’ and a soft ball, competing in teams. It creates much laughter and brings out the competitive side in many residents. Inbetween hockey sessions, they tend to play pass ball, passing balls up and down the line within our teams and try to be the quickest team to gain points.

Off to the races

Aubrey Downer Aged Care Home

Some lucky residents in our Alcheringa Hostel up in Gosford, NSW, had a ready, set, go good time recently, challenging each other to a race or two. Staff and residents had some fun setting up this amazing racing car track that is housed in Aubrey Downer Aged Care Home’s large living room. Everyone was invited along to come and have some good old-fashioned racing game competitions. A big thanks to resident Russell who very kindly arranged for his personal track to be brought in for everyone to enjoy.

International Nurses Day 2022

International Nurses Day is always a very important day in the Hall & Prior Group’s calendar. It’s the day we lift up each and every nurse who works in our aged care homes in WA and NSW.

The resilience, focus and compassion our nurses have shown as we have navigated COVID-related challenges is nothing less than awe-inspiring. Our nurses, who work from dawn til dusk, looking after our residents with such love and dedication make such a difference to their lives in big and small ways. We see you, we respect you and we thank you with all our hearts. Nurses represent the best of all of us - so we hope they all enjoyed their special day.

A very special Mother’s Day surprise

Vaucluse Aged Care Home

VAUCLUSE RESIDENT, Donald, was missing his mother dearly so as a surprise, we invited Donald’s mother over for morning tea in the Rose Garden for Mother’s Day. At the moment, Donald’s mother lives in a care home in Maroubra. Lifestyle Officer, Ellie, reached out to Janet’s home to work with the team there to organise a bus trip over to Vaucluse to see Donald so they could spend some quality time over Mother’s Day together. The pair enjoyed catching up and spending some time with each other. Prior to the print of this story, sadly Donald passed away. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

ANZAC DAY 2022

From coast to coast, ANZAC Day was marked with respect and solemnity in all Hall & Prior homes. Despite the ongoing effects of COVID (meaning in some cases, ceremonies were much-reduced in scale), residents were still afforded the opportunity to pay their respects to those who gave their lives while wearing the Australian and New Zealand military uniforms. Holding services in our homes in WA and NSW gives our residents and staff the opportunity to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of those who gave so much, for so many. We care for more than 100 brave veterans in our 31 homes in WA and NSW, with 15 living at Karingal Green in High Wycombe. This year we paid special tribute to 103-year-old Karingal Green resident and WWII veteran Mr Arthur Leggett. Arthur was a signaller in the 2/11th Battalion, and fought valiantly against the Italian army in Libya, and in the battles of Bardia and Tobruk.

He was eventually captured by German paratroopers during the battle of Crete in 1941 – he was just 22 at the time. Arthur then spent four years in a prisoner of war camp firstly in Berlin and later was made to work in the coal mines of northern Poland. He was then forced on one of the Nazi’s notorious death marches during the harsh winter of 1944 to 1945, crossing the border from the Czechoslovakian Alps to Bavaria. Somehow, he made it home to WA and went on to work as a purchasing and expediting officer until his retirement.

During much of Arthur’s long life, he has been involved with the RSL and was president of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association for 26 years, going on to receive an OAM for his service to veterans and their families. Arthur - and other veterans like him - are an example to us all. He believes the sacrifice made by previous generations has provided advantages for the future generations of Australians. Lest we forget.

Dance like nobody’s watching

Georges Estate Health & Aged Care Community

Residents of Georges Estate in Penshurst, NSW, put on their dancing shoes recently after a visit from Charles and Candy. The pair danced with everyone, regardless of their mobility. Wheelchairs and mobility aids were all welcome and we had a marvellous time dancing the afternoon away. Just have a look at all the happy faces - Charles and Candy were so popular we have invited them back every month.

DANCING SHOES Visiting dancers Charles and Candy are a popular addition to the routine at Georges Estate.

OUR FRIENDLY BIRDS

Sirius Cove Aged Care Home

LOCAL SIRIUS COVE bird whisperer Phillip spends his sunny afternoons out on the balcony feeding the local birds, an assortment of bush turkeys, cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets.

Each evening, the balcony railing is packed with a variety of birds waiting for their afternoon feed. Phillip has become super-friendly with the birds - you can even find them on his shoulders! Other residents have joined in the fun and will spend the afternoon outside with Phil, helping feed the birds. It’s a beautiful way to end the day at Sirius Cove, sitting outside with one another, enjoying nature.

Hamersley’s resident artistic photographer

Hamersley Aged Care Home

There’s a very talented photographer who calls Hamersley in WA’s Subiaco home, and a recent art gallery displaying Ian Malcolm’s work showcased his skills.

Residents and staff were also involved in creating art work on a regular basis, which was also displayed for all to see. Afterwards, everybody enjoyed tucking into a lovely afternoon tea with cake, hot meat pies and sausage rolls. One of Hamersley’s volunteers, Anne, has been visiting Ian for a number of years through the Community Visitors Scheme, and it is Anne that takes Ian out on his photography trips. He takes photos on bus outings and other excursions (such as Museum photos), but Anne also takes him out on the weekends to wherever he wants to go. It’s just another example of how valuable volunteering can be to the individuals who benefit from their selfless care and attention.

New generation of OT students set sights high

Hall & Prior’s WA three final year OT students, Sophie, Ruth and Shashi attended the Unicare Health Seating Seminar recently to improve their knowledge and ability to prescribe postural seating equipment. The OT students have been on placement for six weeks so far at Hamersley and Agmaroy with supervisors Jenn and Georgia, and finally finished their placement on June 10. Once completed, they will then go on to graduate as occupational therapists. Ruth said that she is passionate about working with the older generation and as a result of this placement, is interested in pursuing her career in aged care. The future of OT is in very safe hands . . .

Celtic Festival celebrations

The National Celtic Festival was celebrated recently, allowing residents who identify as Irish, Scottish, English or Welsh to have some fun. The celebration was held at the Palms Community Centre in Subiaco for Hamersley, St Lukes and Belmont Aged Care Homes. “There was a performance by the Jarrah Celts and they played folk music including the origin stories of many of the songs,” said Madelyne Glover, Manager of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. “The residents had a go at some Highland games and ate some food relating to each of these countries. The whole day was organised by the Occupational Therapist, Georgia Strimaitis and her Curtin OT final year students, Shashi and Sophie.” One of the residents, Nada, was keen to have a try at playing the instruments and strummed the guitar and played the flute. Many of the residents got up to join in and some even attempted tricky Irish Dancing. “The Celtic festival was an opportunity to celebrate many of the cultures that are represented at those homes and it was a great day enjoyed by all,” said Madelyne.

Celebrating a century

Rockingham Aged Care Home

Tuia Lodge Aged Care Home

BIRTHDAYS ARE A BIG DEAL in all Hall & Prior homes, but when residents reach 100 years of age, that’s an especially important landmark to celebrate. Recently, two residents in Tuia Lodge and Rockingham Aged Care Homes reached this great age and both celebrated in style. Rockingham Aged Care Home’s Marjorie Mould marked her 100th birthday with a huge cake and a delicious Devonshire tea. Meanwhile at Tuia Lodge in WA’s beautiful south west, Mary Banes raised a glass on her 100th birthday. She enjoyed a lovely morning tea on the big day on April 1 with one of her sons, David, and her fellow residents. Ann, Tuia Lodge’s resident cook, baked a gorgeous birthday cake to share and Mary put on her favourite pink boa for the occasion. She was also blessed with a visit from the Queen in the morning (pictured behind Mary, top left). . . a suitably right royal affair with somebody with such a sense of style. Sadly Marjorie passed away on June 2 - and is pictured here in happier times with granddaughter Rennae and daughter Dianne. Our thoughts and condolences to her family.

The art of nature Glenwood Aged Care Home

A group of 13 of Glenwood’s residents enjoyed an art class today with art facilitator, Jenna. Working with watercolours, the group enjoyed two hours of painting plants, flowers and other things they’ve spotted in nature. You can see for yourselves in these photos just how much focus and concentration has gone into these beautiful works of art. Not only is this class great for improving and maintaining dexterity and hand/eye coordination, it also has the added benefit of giving all those who took part a wonderful sense of achievement.

National Pet Daya furry success

At Hall & Prior, we know the power of a cuddle with a puppy, kitten or bunny so we celebrated this fluffiest of national days with a special smooch with their favourite furry friend. Many of our homes welcome the pets of residents to spend time with their owners, and often staff members bring their beloved pups in for a bit of TLC. It’s clear to see that the benefits of pets goes way beyond the pleasure of scratching a head or two. It turns out that not only can pets steal our hearts, but they also contribute to overall cardiovascular health by lowering cortisol, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels.

You got a friend in me

Bexley Aged Care Home

OVER THE PAST MONTH we have seen some new faces join us here at Bexley Aged Care Home in NSW.

It is heart-warming to see new friendships developing and further connections being made. They spend such good quality time together, it’s no wonder that they feel so warm towards each other.

One of Bexley’s recent activities saw everyone working together to make some photo cards for the Bridge Street Kids - our intergenerational buddies. What a busy morning and afternoon we had creatively, so much so, some residents did not want to stop for lunch! We all enjoyed this whole experience; we chatted and showed each other our works of art that each resident made for the kids, There was so much genuine encouragement and adoration - this is the stuff of true friendship.

Marking Sorry Day 2022

National Sorry Day, or the National Day of Healing, is an annual event that has been held in Australia on May 26 since 1998. Grafton is home to many Indigenous residents who gave a big smile of approval to our newest posters proudly displayed in our home, depicting the Acknowledgement of Country. Pictured you can see Indigenous residents Albie and Warren proudly holding the poster. We have also created special water bottles and cutlery sheaths to represent what a special day National Sorry Day is for us here at Grafton.

Meanwhile in WA, Windsor Park also took the time to pause and acknowledge Sorry Day in a respectful way. With chocolates provided by All Corners Design and specially made cupcakes, some beautiful art work was created by one of the residents of Windsor Park - Bevan Lane - in honour of Sorry Day 2022. Always an important occasion for this particular Hall and Prior Aged Care Home, Sorry Day reminds the colonist-descended people of the nation to remember the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Pictured are Eileen Gordon, resident artist Bevan as well as Raylene Quinn, Colin Chadd, Brian Gentle and Josie Morrison. Bevan’s artwork is a stunning example of his memories of Country and is proudly displayed in Windsor Park for all to see.

AN IMPORTANT DAY National Sorry Day is held every year in Australia on May 26.

Did you know that all Hall & Prior homes have Registered Nurses on duty 24/7?

This includes a wound care specialist, nurse practitioner and infection prevention control specialist. We also have Allied Health teams on staff with dietitians, speech pathologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, plus extensive lifestyle programs for our residents.

If you'd like to find out more about accommodation available at any of our homes please contact: info@hallprior.com.au