In Our Homes

Festive float fun

Clarence Estate Residential Aged Care & Home Care

this year, to get into the Christmas spirit in some style, the Clarence Estate team entered the Clarence bus as a float for the Albany Christmas pageant. The Clarence creative float team including Dave Shorter, Laura Johnston, Michelle McGregor, Jenna Lange and Kristi Holloway who all worked together to bring some ideas together to try for the top float of 2022. Although Clarence didn’t get a place this year we still think it looked amazing anyway! Some community clients joined the pageant by being on board the float and enjoyed seeing the crowds of people waving them on as well as other staff members who joined the walk down the main street to represent Clarence Estate. Well done to all involved!

Jaca Jill

turns Grafton residents purple

Grafton Aged Care Home

It’s that time of year once again when the town of Grafton turn purple from the gorgeous blooms of the jacaranda trees. The annual Jacaranda Festival, which was founded in the town around the timing of these flowering trees, is kicking off and we are all enjoying some purple fun. Our residents headed out to See Park where they found Jacaranda Jill in all her purple glory. At night, the surrounding trees are lit up with fairy lights and Jill lights up in the centre of them, as part of the jacaranda illumination experience. Residents and staff just managed to assemble in front of Jaca Jill for a photo before it rained, and then five minutes later, the sun was shining again and the residents enjoyed looking at even more jacaranda trees on our scenic drive home (via Hungry Jack’s for ice-cream of course!). “Our residents are enjoying getting into the spirit of jacaranda season and our home staff have been very busy making our home more purple than ever,” said Director of Nursing of Grafton Aged Care Home, Pattie Iredale. “Our massive balloon garland has been a big hit with the residents and our jacaranda art classes have produced some amazing artworks to decorate our walls.”

Birthday joy for Loreto

Freshwater Bay Aged Care Home

Clarence Estate Home Care

STAFF AT FRESHWATER BAY Aged Care Home in Mosman Park, WA, captured some gorgeous snaps of Loreto Pell and her daughter Elizabeth, celebrating her birthday. Elizabeth surprised her mum with a gorgeous spray of lilies and the joy on both their faces proves that there really is nothing quite as special as the love between a mother and her daughter. Happy birthday, Loreto!

Tiger arrives in Albany

On Wednesday November 23 there was a special visitor at Clarence Estate’s Day Centre. One of the clients’ grandsons is Kamdyn McIntosh, a young footy star who plays for Richmond AFL. Our clients enjoyed a catch-up and a few photos with Kamdyn. Thanks for visiting us, Kamdyn and good luck with the 2023 AFL season!

The spookiest time of the year

Hall & Prior homes from Mosman Park in WA to Fairfield in NSW celebrated Halloween in extra-spooky fashion this year. Staff and residents got into the spirit of the day, dressing up in scary costumes and decorating their homes with cobwebs and ghostly apparitions. There were Halloween-themed foodie treats to enjoy as well as fun and games, and of course some Trick or Treating.

PRIDE

at Tuohy a colourful affair

Tuohy Aged Care Home

On November 22, Tuohy Aged Care Home’s Community Pride Information Stall & Pride Parade Day welcomed visitors on a bumper day for the local LGBTI community. Staff, residents and members of the community joined in and were dressed up in some very colourful rainbow and Pride-themed attire for the occasion.

“We welcomed numerous visitors to our carpark Community Pride Information Stall where we offered information, celebrated diversity and raised community awareness of Tuohy’s inclusivity,” said Tuohy’s Fiona Clarkson. “It was an opportunity to show our support for the LGBTI community while also letting everyone know of our very prestigious Rainbow Tick Accreditation. “The parade itself was toned down a little compared to previous years, due to the high temperatures on the day, but enthusiasm was still bubbling away. Staff will attend the Pride Parade in the City on Saturday Night to represent Tuohy and Hall & Prior, and engage in some colourful networking with stakeholders.

Thanks to everyone for their commitment to this and making it a most enjoyable day.

Hands up who loves sushi?

Clarence Estate Residential Aged Care & Home Care

Sushi was the order of the day last month at Clarence Estate in Albany after it came to the staff’s attention that many residents had never tried this Japanese delicacy . Despite this, many were quite interested to give it a go. There was also the chance to try a little sip or two of Japan’s national drink - sake. Our Chef Glenn, maintenance man Dave (former MKR contestant) and Personal Carer Hana, who is Japanese and has experience making sushi, joined forces to hold a demonstration of the ancient art of sushi preparation for our residents. The team made a variety of different sushi, including different flavours, shapes and techniques. Some sushi fun facts and history were also shared with the audience in between demos.

Then the time came for some taste testing - and the good news was that most people enjoyed it and went back for more - always a good sign! A huge thank you to Glenn, Dave and Hana for taking time out of their busy days to create this new experience for the residents.

There has been talk of what the residents might like to see at the next demonstration! Tacos seem to be generating a lot of interest!

It’s ‘so long’ to Menaville’s Patricia

Menaville Aged Care Home

Dear Patricia, we are sad to see you leave Menaville after 27 years. You are, and always will be, part part of the Menaville family. We wish you the very best for the future and look forward to you popping in and sharing your life adventures with us.

Christmas comes early

Montana Aged Care Home

Georges Estate Health & Aged Care Community

Christmas cheer arrived early at Montana aged care home this year, as residents and relatives enjoyed a formal Christmas lunch together at the home. Each year, all our Hall & Prior NSW homes invite relatives and friends to enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch with their loved ones to ensure they enjoy a special moment together during the festive season together. This year, Montana enjoyed all the Christmas traditional favourites such as ham, turkey and chicken followed by some wonderful desserts like Christmas pudding, White Christmas and pavlova. The room was decorated beautifully and the special placemats set off the gorgeous table decorations that adorned our tables. Meanwhile, at Georges Estate in Penshurst, the team held their annual Christmas Carol Service and it was a magnificent day of family, food and festivities. It was lovely seeing our residents spend quality with their family and loved ones, as well as enjoying a delicious meal together featuring some Christmas favourites. Finishing the day with some singing and carols, it was a fantastic day and you could feel the magic in the air! Wishing everybody a wonderful and merry start to the Christmas season.

Giddy up!

THE MELBOURNE CUP was the usual collection of high adrenaline fun for our homes this year. The Race That Stops the Nation lived up to its name this year, and everybody got into the mood with some special food and drink treats to mark the occasion. Fascinators were worn, bets placed and then it was time to watch the horses thunder down the track at Flemington. Congratulations to all those who backed a winner!

FUN AND FASHION Melbourne Cup fashion was the order of the day for many.

We will remember them

Remembrance Day services were held in many Hall & Prior aged care homes in WA and NSW on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, with the chance for residents, relatives and members of staff to pause and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice during conflicts around the world. At Mertome Aged Care and Retirement Village in Bayswater, WA, we held a family Remembrance Service which involved a meaningful wreath-laying ceremony in the home’s Remembrance Garden. Afterwards, all those who attended enjoyed a morning tea in the Village Hall, and the chance to share their thoughts and memories together. Lest we forget.