Life Care - About Life Winter 2014

ABOUT LIFE WINTER 2014

• Liz Scarce speaks from the heart about her passion and joy in volunteering • Latest round of Life Care Way workshops • Stay Strong Men with Life Care Active • Crowmania at Intergenerational Day • People and Places

New extension

VACANCIES AVAILABLE

Are you looking for quality aged care accommodation in the South?

Aldinga Beach Court Newly extended aged care residential home Life Care’s newest aged care residential home, Aldinga Beach Court, has undergone an exciting new extension and accommodation is now available.

Call 1800 555 990 or visit www.lifecare.org.au for more information or to arrange a tour.

Quality aged care services and accommodation Life Care at Home · Respite Services· Retirement Living · Residential Services

About Life is the official publication of the Churches of Christ Life Care Inc.

Corporate Services 263 Melbourne Street North Adelaide SA 5006 Telephone: 08 8239 9800 Facsimile: 08 8239 9850 www.lifecare.org.au

COVER Life Care recently celebrated the annual Volunteers Recognition Luncheon at the Adelaide Pavilion. Our volunteers have devoted more than 20,000 hours of service to Life Care over the past year. The cover picture shows some of our volunteers gathered in the south parklands after the luncheon to mark milestones of service.

Full story inside.

Our Mission: Our purpose is to partner with people to embrace life and live every day.

CONTENTS Our Vision: Life Care is an innovative provider of quality services to the ageing.

We are recognised as a preferred option for active ageing and an employer of choice for staff.

This is achieved by an outstanding team working in a flexible and integrated approach with volunteers and partners.

CEO’s Report Walk to D-Feet Motor Neurone disease Life Care Active’s expanding programs Crowmania at Intergenerational Day Thank you 20,000 times to our volunteers People and Places

LATEST PHASE OF THE LIFE CARE WAY

CEO’s REPORT

The Life Care Way has advanced to a new level with a series of workshops for all staff members to build on Live Every Day, the Life Care Charter and our five guiding principles that we believe are fundamental to creating a better ageing experience.

The principles that are embedded in our values, plans, policies and procedures are to: • facilitate support services that give individuals choice of what they need, where and when, with the expectation and assurance of being able, to the best of their ability, continue enjoying life; • pursue innovation and continual improvement to reinforce our approach to Live Every Day; • create truly positive ageing in place experiences that are more than accessibility to services; • deliver on our own customer focussed service model promoting health, vitality and community connections through

interdependence, and not just independence; and • celebrating what people can do by recognising that wellness is not just about health.

I have attended the workshops at various sites and admire the genuine enthusiasm with which all employees of Life Care – at every level – have embraced the Life Care Way. The workshops, run by our highly regarded facilitators, Tanya Perry and Stewart Mitchell, encourage participants to analyse the role they play in delivering quality care on a daily basis as individuals and members of teams.

Importantly, this round of workshops is based largely on staff members telling us how they believe Life Care can advance our services.

Aged care is constantly evolving to meet new demands and expectations, and Life Care is determined to be at the vanguard of change to ensure our organisation continues to be vibrant, relevant and sustainable.

The focus of the Life Care Way workshops is to proactively drive change, rather than simply reacting to it.

Allen Candy

Accreditation I congratulate Derek Dittrich, Chris Hudson, Ann-Marie Hogan and the entire team at Parkrose Village on recently achieving a perfect score on the 44 requirements of the Aged Care Quality Agency (ACQA).

I also acknowledge the dedicated contribution of Julie Munro, Care Coordinator at Reynella Lodge, who stepped into that role at Parkrose Village to fill a vacancy caused by illness at a crucial stage of the accreditation process.

We are now turning our attention to ensuring our other four residential care sites achieve the same outstanding results in the 2015 accreditation round.

While the ACQA’s accreditation requirements set the standards in aged care, our commitment is to excel beyond those benchmarks to illustrate the passion and purpose we share for the Life Care Way. Volunteers

Allen Candy discussing the Life Care Way workshop with Bev Jolly and Yolanda Yang

Life Care was pleased to welcome Mrs Liz Scarce, wife of the Governor of South Australia, at our Volunteers Recognition Luncheon in May.

EMBRACED BY ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES

Chairman John Stock OAM with Marietta Walker and Lucy Wamugunda

Mrs Scarce is also a volunteer in our sector. Her address to the luncheon reflected her pride in and passion for volunteering, and it certainly resonated with the large audience.

I congratulate those who reached milestones of service this year, and each individual volunteer for their commitment and support.

Earlier this year, Reynella Lodge Residential Services Manager, Raelene Madden, indicated her wish to enter semi-retirement.

I am delighted that she has agreed to take on a part-time role in coordinating our volunteer recruitment and coordination.

Raelene is the ideal choice for this position, and she will play a vital role to ensure that volunteering for Life Care is even more rewarding in the future.

Work, Health and Safety Life Care places great importance on continual improvement in work, health and safety policies and practices.

The three-stage project will be officially opened by His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, the Governor of South Australia, on 15 July, 2014.

Intergenerational Day

Through core training, we are raising safety awareness among all staff members, including a focus on hazard management, along with more efficient incident and injury reporting procedures.

Our elevated workplace safety standards will be subject to an external review as part of a WorkCover SA audit in the second half of this year.

Aldinga Beach Court We are very pleased with progress on the major expansion of Aldinga Beach Court with residents moving into the first of the new houses. I recently visited the site and it is evident that residents have settled nicely into the new facilities.

I was thrilled to participate with my children, Lara and Alex, in the recent Intergenerational Day at Reynella Village.

It was an outstanding success with a big attendance of residents and family members from our various sites, along with Adelaide Crows players Sam Kerridge and Andy Otten.

Many generations within families were present for this event that truly bridged generations and showcased the fun and vitality that Life Care strives to deliver each day.

Allen Candy Chief Executive Officer

STEPPING OUT IN SUPPORT OF CHARITY

Dogs and all ... members of the Life Care team prepare for the Walk to D-Feet Motor Neurone Disease at West Beach

Life Care recently turned out in colourful force to help raise muchneeded funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association of SA. Our team – including representatives from Reynella Lodge, Norman House and Aldinga Beach Court – set a lively pace in the 4km Walk to D-Feet Motor Neurone Disease from the Adelaide Sailing Club, West Beach on Sunday 4 May. Life Care participated in the charity walk after Reynella Lodge staff members discovered one of their colleagues, carer Cathy Apostolides, had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Special support for our colleague who has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease Reynella Lodge Lifestyle & Volunteer Coordinator, Andrea Hanson, said: “We had a beautiful day for the walk and it was great that Cathy was able to be there so that we could show our support. We all had a lot of fun for a good cause and Cathy was very appreciative.”

The Motor Neurone Disease Association thanked the many people who participated in the walk.

Hosted by one of Adelaide’s favourite personalities, Anne Wills, the pleasant stroll from the Adelaide Sailing Club, along Military Road and the beachfront, was a huge success raising funds and awareness of motor neurone disease, which can affect a person’s ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe.

It was another shining example of Life Care’s rewarding relationships with other organisations that support community well-being.

STAY STRONG MEN PROGRAM LAUNCH Life Care Active at Payneham is introducing a new exercise program called Stay Strong Men to help men living with prostate cancer.

Life Care Active Client Liaison & Project Coordinator, Jude Lowe, said the program was designed to support men at any stage of their journey with prostate cancer.

Exercise is now being recognised as an important way to improve psychological well-being, increase survival rates, and reduce the effects of impacts of both drug-based and radiation-based therapies used to treat prostate cancer.

“The medical response to prostate cancer often involves hormonal treatment that aims to reduce the levels of testosterone in the body,” Jude said.

“While slowing tumour growth, it can have many side effects including muscle and bone loss, weight gain, increases in cardiovascular disease, and the risk of developing diabetes.

All these, in turn, may impact on body function and self esteem.

“The Stay Strong Men program involves progressive resistance weight training and aerobic exercises that are carefully, safely and individually developed by our team of physiotherapists and exercise physiologists.

“It assists men with prostate cancer and other chronic diseases that can cause loss of muscle and fatigue to live well with their conditions.

People in these circumstances need exercise, but feel so tired and weak that it is difficult to stay motivated to be more active”.

Life Care Active delivers careful, safe and individually developed exercises

“New evidence indicates the best non-pharmaceutical response to this condition is carefully structured exercise.”

Life Care Active has engaged closely with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and the physiotherapy team from Mount Barker Health, who deliver a similar Build Up Men program in planning the Stay Strong Men program.

Initially classes will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Payneham centre site. The plan is to make it available at all of our sites in the future. For more information, call 8168 7600 and speak with Jude Lowe.

CROWMANIA FOR YOUNG AND OLD AT Intergenerational events allow our residents and clients to invite family members and friends, especially those from younger generations, to engage in a special community environment.

All are welcome – from babies to toddlers and teenagers up to older family members – to celebrate in Live Every Day fashion and to enjoy sharing stories and experiences with each other.

Through Life Care’s unique partnership with the Adelaide Football Club, our most recent Intergenerational Day at Reynella Village was also an occasion of joyous Crowmania.

It was a big and colourful turnout of residents, clients and guests from Reynella Lodge, Reynella Village, Reynella Apartments, Aldinga Beach Court and the Out and About Club.

The special guests were Adelaide Crows stars Andy Otten and Sam Kerridge.

An Easter egg hunt and colouring in were part of the fun at Reynella Village

Interviewed by Life Care’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Candy, the players provided interesting and at times funny insights into the club’s 2014 campaign and the enjoyment of playing at the new venue of Adelaide Oval.

Many youngsters were present at the Intergenerational Day to have photographs taken with Andy and Sam and to obtain autographs from their footy heroes. They also enjoyed a skills session with the players including handball and marking.

“Enjoy your footy and keep practising,” Andy told the youngsters. “And play to have fun with your mates,” Sam added.

After a hearty barbecue, the village hall and outdoor area at Reynella Village was full of conversation and laughter while the children enjoyed colouring in and an Easter egg hunt.

Alan Bahms, a Norman House guest and member of the Out & About Club, was there with his wife, Alma, and grand daughter, Zoe, 3.

“It’s great to see so many of the children here with their older family members,” Alma said. “It is nice to spend time like this together, and having the Crows players here is a special bonus.”

Meeting young autograph hunters ... Sam Kerridge and Andy Otten

Reynella Lodge resident, Mary Walker, enjoyed the barbecue with her daughter, Jennifer, and great grand daughter, Elke, 7, who showed her skills in searching for Easter eggs.

REYNELLA’S INTERGENERATIONAL DAY

Resident Ruth Cadd (right) with great grand daughter, Matilda, and family members (from left) Haimish Whittington, Victoria Witton and Susan McBain

Darcy Awege, 5, the son of Reynella Lodge staff member, Carley, and her husband, Matthew, said it was fantastic having a kick with the Crows players.

“It is great to see the kids having so much fun at an event like this,” Matthew said.

Among those showing his handballing skills was Aldinga Beach Court resident, Alec Kelly, 92, whose

Sam supervising handballing skills

footy career including playing on the wing for Booborowie.

wonderful treat to see the Crows players enjoying their visit.

“I’m having a great time,” he laughed. “I started following the Crows in 1991, and I reckon they will go OK this season.”

“I love all the Crows players,” Fay said. “But my favourite is Rory Sloane,” Shirley added.

It was a memorable occasion for our residents, including Shirley Taylor, Joan Cutting and Fay McVicar from Reynella Lodge, who said it was a

Allen Candy concluded: “I thank everybody who attended the Intergenerational Day to make this such a great occasion, and special thanks to Andy and Sam for making time to spend with us.”

Josh Jenkins is ‘cream on the cake’ at Glenrose Court Adelaide Crows forward Josh Jenkins was a special guest at Glenrose Court in early April.

Among the most excited fans was resident Betty Westley. “I had three brothers and three sons, so I had to be a footy supporter,” she laughed.

“Now I have eight grandsons and they all love their footy.”

Josh said it was a privilege to meet older supporters and to experience the continuing passion they have for the game.

“You don’t have a club without supporters and it’s great to be at Glenrose Court with some of the senior fans of our club,” he said.

Josh Jenkins was especially popular serving cupcakes for afternoon tea on his player visit at Glenrose Court

THANK YOU 20,000 TIMES TO LIFE CARE’ Over the past year, Life Care’s volunteers have dedicated 20,200 hours of service in support of our aged care services.

The varying skills and commitment of our 221 volunteers have contributed greatly to the quality of care that defines Life Care. They fill essential roles in delivering the philosophy of helping people in our care to Live Every Day. Among those to recently congratulate our volunteers for their service over the past 12 months was Mrs Liz Scarce, the wife of the Governor of South Australia.

Mrs Scarce joined Life Care Board Directors, Executive and Management personnel at the annual Volunteer Luncheon in May to formally recognise the people who willingly devote their time to support staff and enhance the spirit of community in our facilities and services.

Mrs Scarce spoke about the power of “passion and commitment that are the right reasons to volunteer.”

It was an occasion to celebrate personal milestones in service, but also to acknowledge the contribution of each individual who wears a Life Care volunteer badge.

Mrs Scarce reflected on her years of volunteering in schools, religious education and aged care saying: “It is the best thing I have done. It makes me feel very humble.

(Back, left to right) Jenny Potter, Opal Biggs and Geoff Thompson (Front) Ken Meyers, Pam Meyers and Helen Burzacott

“Sometimes the smallest thing you do as a volunteer can change a person’s life. Never let me hear you say that you are just a volunteer.”

To rousing applause, she added: “You should be so proud of what you do!”

Life Care’s Chairman, John Stock OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Allen Candy, and General Manager Residential Services, Derek Dittrich, thanked and congratulated the volunteers.

Allen also announced that Raelene Madden would be retiring from her position as Residential Services Manager at Reynella Lodge to take on a new role as Life Care’s Manager of Volunteers.

“We aim to make volunteering in Life Care even more rewarding,” he said.

Volunteers who reached personal milestones of service received certificates from Life Care Directors Alan Young, Anne Lawson, John Olson and Graeme Murley.

It was the biggest attendance at our annual Volunteers Recognition event

’S SKILLED AND DEVOTED VOLUNTEERS

Mrs Liz Scarce, wife of the Governor of South Australia, was a special guest at the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon

2014 Service Awards: Aldinga Beach Court Marylin Smith, Wendy Steel, Libby Houston and Jamie-Lee Cross (5 years) Ian Richter and Pam Second (10 years) Parkrose Village Margaret Hamilton, Judith and Barry Wills (10 years) Glenda Green (15 years) Audrey Jolly (25 years) Reynella Lodge Allan Thompson and Lesley Schilling (5 years) Mary Freund, Andrea Hanson, Jan Nockolds and Jean Young (10 years) Glenrose Court Deborah Wotherspoon and Herbert Schmidt (5 years) Lyn Craig (10 years) Roselin Court David Shaw, Leonie Shaw and Trevor Shaw (5 years)

School visit paved the way for Jamie-Lee At the age of 23, Jamie-Lee Cross (pictured right) is one of Life Care’s youngest volunteers.

She first stepped into Aldinga Beach Court for work experience while a student at Southern Vales Christian College.

“It created a big impression on me and I decided that when the opportunity came about I would volunteer in aged care,” JamieLee said.

“Aldinga Beach Court is a very special place and I enjoy getting to know the residents and hearing their life stories.”

BALAKLAVA BARRACKERS HIT TOWN

Settling in for the big game at Adelaide Oval

PEOPLE & PLACES HAYFIELD PLAINS

Retirees at Life Care’s Hayfield Plains at Balaklava were among the first of the Adelaide Crows fans to experience AFL footy at Adelaide Oval.

On Sunday 20 April, members of the Hayfield Plains community enjoyed a return bus trip to cheer on the Crows in their big win over the GWS Giants.

The Hayfield Plains team stepped off their bus adorned in club colours and assembled in the southern grandstand to watch the Crows defeat the Sydney challengers 21-11 to 10.12.

Life Care and the Adelaide Football Club share a valued partnership with regular player visits to our sites and

reserved seats at home games for selected residents and staff.

to see the Crows defeat the GWS Giants.

Recently, Crows forward Matthew Wright visited Hayfield Plains to meet the locals in the retirement village.

“It was a wonderful day and we sent our congratulations to Matthew after the game,” she added.

Resident Lois Harkness said Matthew was an excellent ambassador for the club.

“He was honest, eloquent and charming,” she said. “It was marvellous to hear some inside stories about the Crows, and Matthew’s visit gave us a personal connection with the club.”

Lois said eight people from Hayfield Plains made the trip to Adelaide Oval

PETER’S BIG DONATION

Helen Pinkatshek

WORDS FROM THE HEART Life Care often receives and welcomes heartfelt words from our residents and clients.

Recently, the newest resident of Life Care’s Hayfield Plains at Balaklava – Helen Pinkatshek – shared words of joy about her life in the retirement village.

In part they included the following: “I moved from around the corner where I lived for 23 years with my husband. After he passed away in October 2012, I was very sad.

“The opportunity came up for me to sell my home and buy a place here at Hayfield Plains. It was like moving to a new town … so quiet with surroundings that are colourful and tidy.

“What a lovely place to live. I have learnt how to play carpet bowls. We have monthly dining out and games nights where we turn back time to play board games.

“The village has Friday morning exercises, barbecues, trips to the movies, lunches at garden nurseries and singing nights.

“I am very happy in my new life.”

Peter Salotti congratulated on his generosity by Jacinta Robertson

Peter Salotti has no hesitation in describing Norman House as a unique aged care asset for the community.

A dedicated and valued volunteer at the respite home at Everard Park, Peter has played a vital role in the success of the Side By Side program that helps to keep people with younger onset dementia positively engaged with the community.

But Peter’s association with Norman House goes deeper than that. For a number of years, his wife, Lois, was a regular guest there providing him with periods of respite as her carer.

Lois is now in permanent residential care with advanced dementia and Peter has devoted much of his spare time providing volunteer support to the Norman House programs, particularly Side By Side.

Earlier this year, Jacinta Robertson, Manager Respite Services, advised Life Care’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Candy, that problems were arising with the vehicle used to take Side By Side participants on their regular outings. Jacinta took up a challenge to raise $5,000 through donations to purchase a new “people mover” with Allen pledging that Life Care would make up the difference.

PEOPLE & PLACES NORMAN HOUSE

Within a week, Jacinta had raised the money thanks to Peter Salotti.

Peter happily donated the $5,000 explaining that it was another way for him to express his gratitude for the caring environment and community spirit at Norman House.

“The old people mover was causing some headaches, and donating some money to the purchase of a new vehicle was something I wanted to do,” he explained.

Peter’s support was formally recognised at Life Care’s Volunteer Luncheon and awards presentation held at the Adelaide Pavilion in May. “We were overwhelmed with his generosity,” Jacinta said. “It left me speechless. We are so lucky to have him.”

Norman House guests are also grateful to Peter and Life Care for being able to travel in more comfort in a new vehicle.

MAKING A HOBBY OF CAREER SKILLS PEOPLE & PLACES LIFE CARE AT HOME

“It all started years ago when my late wife, Beth, and I went to Strathalbyn and we were not able to use the picnic tables in the town,” he said.

“So, I decided to make a folding table for myself and the next thing other people were asking for them.”

As a career fitter and turner, Eddy Burke developed excellent skills with his hands that he maintains with pride and passion.

Having retired due to ill health at the age of 58, Eddy transitioned from metal work to timber to keep himself active and creative.

Today, at the age of 86, he still makes beautifully crafted and practical folding picnic tables that are in demand. In a little workshop behind his Unley home, Eddie turns out the pine tables for friends as a hobby.

PEOPLE & PLACES REYNELLA LODGE

American author F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby, has inspired devotion to fun and indifference to normality since it was first published almost 90 years ago.

Some of our residents were children at the time and grew up celebrating Fitzgerald’s characters in a love story embracing the famous period known as the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties.

Even those born after the novel was published, and through following generations, have been inspired by the book and the opportunity to party and act to the themes of the story about the mystery and passion between a young American millionaire and the girl of his dreams.

Fast forward to Reynella Lodge in 2014 and the literary classic is still

Eddie, a father of three, grandfather of six and great grandfather of 10, receives weekly support from Life Care at Home to help him with tasks including cooking, cleaning and shopping.

He continues to enjoy his independence and likes to pitch in where he can to help with the chores.

But it is in his shed working with wood that keeps Eddy most active.

“For me it is just a hobby, but it is nice to be able to share my

Eddy shows his woodworking skills

enjoyment with others who make good use of the tables,” he said.

Having a ball and jazzing it up in celebration of The Great Gatsby alive and well. In early May, residents, family members, staff and volunteers were invited to dress to the occasion of a Great Gatsby Ball.

It was an evening of fun and laughter.

The Great Gatsby Ball was part of a busy schedule of social and lifestyle activities at Reynella Lodge.

Lifestyle & Volunteer Coordinator, Andrea Hanson, reports a Men’s Group is now up and running involving male residents and volunteers.

Each month Reynella Lodge has a designated theme with the focus on Ladies in May to celebrate Mother’s Day. “Within each month we have special weeks and associated activities,” Andrea explained.

Joan and Colin Steele

“It is all about sharing stories and experiences and encouraging people to engage with each other to Live Every Day, celebrating the present and the past … even back to the days of The Great Gatsby.”

A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY FOR LEO Boarding the bus for a day trip to Victor Harbor and Port Elliott was a much-anticipated occasion recently for a group of residents at Parkrose Village.

Bus trip to the popular seaside towns of Victor Harbor and Port Elliot revives happy memories

But for one of them, Leo O’Reilly, it meant much more than taking in the sights of one of South Australia’s favourite tourism destinations and the spectacular sweep of coastline on the southern flank of Fleurieu Peninsula.

Leo’s career was devoted to property management with the South Australian Housing Trust and later the Catholic Church.

Leo, 88, and his wife, Joan, always loved Victor Harbor, and they enjoyed a decade of retirement living in the seaside town.

After city life, he and Joan enjoyed the slower pace of Victor Harbor and the many scenic locations of Fleurieu Peninsula.

Sadly, Joan passed away in May and the bus trip to Victor Harbor was a timely reminder of the wonderful times they shared there.

“The bus trip was a sentimental journey, but one that was very enjoyable,” Leo said.

“We always felt it was such a fascinating place with the changing moods of the weather and the beautiful seascapes,” Leo said.

He looks forward to sharing his experiences of the trip with his three daughters, grand children and great grandchildren.

Leo leads the way for the bus trip to Victor Harbor and Goolwa

Leo O’Reilly

PEOPLE & PLACES PARKROSE VILLAGE

CAREER CHOICE BEGAN IN SOUTH KOREA ‘Working at Glenrose Court is very special

PEOPLE & PLACES GLENROSE COURT

for me ... It is like being part of a wider family’

As the youngest of four children, Jeonghee Bae has treasured memories of her father and family life in South Korea.

After her mother died when she was still a child, Jeonghee’s father raised the family, lovingly nurturing his children into adulthood.

After coming to Australia five years ago with her husband, June Byen, and children, Seongmin, and Seongmo, she decided to pursue a career in aged care.

Sadly, as he aged, her father’s vitality was stolen in the steady decline of dementia that eventually claimed his life.

Graduating with a Certificate 3 in Aged Care in 2012, Jeonghee grasped the opportunity to volunteer at Norman House and participate in its support programs for individuals with dementia while providing welcome respite relief for their regular carers.

Yet the emotional journey that Jeonghee and her siblings endured during their father’s illness actually inspired her to help others in the same circumstances.

Later, when she successfully applied for a position in hotel services at Glenrose Court, Jeonghee was able to present glowing references from Norman House.

Jeonghee Bae in the cafe at Glenrose Court

“I am very thankful to Norman House, especially to Jacinta Robertson and Eleanor Chiew, for giving me to the opportunity to enter into my chosen career at Life Care,” she said.

“It is very special for me in many ways, but particularly because of my own memories of my father’s illness.

I believe this helps me to support people with dementia and their families who are experiencing the same emotions.

“Working at Glenrose Court is like being part of a wider family. The residents and staff have made me feel very welcome.”

Having started with Life Care as a volunteer, Jeonghee is now happily helping to train a volunteer in the café at Glenrose Court.

YEARS CAN’T SEPERATE LOUIE AND ROZZ Glenrose Court resident Louie Poole and Lifestyle Assistant, Rozz O’Dea, are 60 years apart in their lifespans.

But that generational distance has not separated a special bond of friendship and an abundant, shared sense of fun.

When Louie was lining up for her 100th birthday on April 28, almost coinciding with Rozz’s 40th two days earlier, they made a pledge to do something together that left those around them dazzled.

Family members and friends watched in amazement as Louie and Rozz, joined by her daughter, Ebony, and Seymour College student, Kat, danced with joy.

Seymour College students regularly visit Glenrose Court to spend time with residents with wonderful educational outcomes that bridge generations joining past and present through conversation and shared activities.

PEOPLE & PLACES GLENROSE COURT

It was to dance around a maypole.

And did they do it in style!

Louie has been at Glenrose Court since 2012 joining her “little” sister Rae Nottle, a relative youngster at 91, who became a resident two years earlier.

As the century milestone approached for Louie, with plans for family members to attend the birthday party, she and Rozz decided on a particularly memorable celebration.

For the big day, a maypole was fashioned with streamers attached to a flagpole at Glenrose Court.

For the big day, a maypole was fashioned with streamers, and they danced with joy

Cheek to cheek ... resident Louie Poole and Rozz O’Dea

WARM WELCOME TO JULIE BIGNELL PEOPLE & PLACES ROSELIN COURT Life Care welcomes Julie Bignell as the new Residential Services Manager at Roselin Court.

Julie brings to Life Care a career largely dedicated to enhancing the well-being of older South Australians.

Before her appointment at Roselin Court in May, she was with Southern Cross Care as the Regional Manager for the South and Group Manager Care Governance. Prior to that, Julie was the Chief Executive Officer of Life’s For Living, a disability services organisation with a significant focus on older people in the community.

Prior to that, Julie was General Manager of Aged and Community Health Care for Anglicare following her role as manager of an aged care facility for Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide.

Julie has served as an assessor for the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, the internationally recognised Australian body that sets benchmarks in high quality care.

Her early career was in the public health sector including her position as Executive Director of Nursing (Mid North) based at the Eudunda Hospital.

It was there that Julie became involved in a small aged care facility associated with the hospital.

While small in size and numbers of residents, it made a big difference in her life.

“I especially enjoyed engaging with the older people in our care and realised that as individuals, and in a team environment, we could really make a difference in their lives,” she said.

Julie Bignell and resident Merle Loukes

“Over the years, this became increasingly evident to me and I truly felt that aged care was something I wanted to do from the heart.

“Fast forward to 2014 and I knew that Life Care was an organisation that had special values. I felt closely aligned with Life Care’s focus on not being the biggest provider in aged care, but rather to be the best it could be in this sector.

“The focus is on each person in our care, and not a culture that is about one solution to fit all.

“I have been so warmly welcomed at Roselin Court by residents, staff and volunteers, and I am increasingly enjoying the opportunity to establish relationships with people in our care and to understand their life stories.

“There is a very genuine sense of family here and my focus is on making everyone involved in our care at Roselin Court to feel valued and at home.”

Julie and her husband, Trevor, have two boys – Zachary, 18, and Daniel, 14, – and three treasured dogs. The puppy of the canine family, Alfie, is going to be a regular visitor at Roselin Court.

Away from work, Julie’s enjoyment is being with her family, visiting the Riverland, walking, craftwork, watching her children play sport and supporting the Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide (when they’re not playing the Crows!)

LIFE’S AN OYSTER FOR MAN ON THE MOVE There are many dimensions to the meaning of Live Every Day with Life Care.

This association can sometimes be for many years or for days or weeks.

For each person, time in our care has different meanings and experiences.

The one binding factor for each person who comes to Life Care as a resident or client, or as a family member or friend, is a commitment to make the engagement as enjoyable and memorable as possible – even sometimes when memories are hard to find.

Importantly, the respite period has allowed Brian to maintain his regular oyster lunches at the Fisherman’s Basket, Frewville.

“Peter and I have been meeting for an oyster lunch every Wednesday for the past five years and it is very enjoyable,” he said. “I am sure it does me good.”

When he makes the move to Clare and into his own rental home, Brian will search for a local eatery that serves his favourite meal of oysters Kilpatrick.

At the age of 85, Brian Button is still an active member of the community enjoying his classical music, his mates and his regular routines, including a lunch of oysters with his friend and former neighbour, Peter Challen, every Wednesday.

Sadly, Brian’s wife is in full-time nursing care with dementia. He recently sold their family home at Urrbrae to be closer to their son, David, who lives in Clare with his two children, Cameron, 14, and Teagin, 10.

While waiting for a rental property to become available in Clare, Brian became eligible to respite care and secured a placement at Roselin Court.

He will soon make the move to Clare, but the respite period at Roselin Court has been a welcome transition.

“It has been very convenient for me and I have enjoyed meeting some of the other residents here,” Brian said.

“I have also attended some of the exercise classes at Roselin Court.”

Brian Button

PEOPLE & PLACES ROSELIN COURT

PARTNERSHIP WITH MEALS ON WHEELS Life Care has formed a strategic relationship with Meals on Wheels to help sustain elderly and dependent people living in their own homes in the southern region of Adelaide.

The new arrangement was jointly announced recently by Life Care’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Candy, and Meals on Wheels CEO, Sharyn Broer.

Through this arrangement, Meals on Wheels recipients will be provided with meals from Aldinga Beach Court as part of the program to deliver 6,000 meals each year in the region.

There is a strong synergy between the two organisations and their respect for volunteer support.

Meals on Wheels is assisted by 8,500 volunteers in delivering more than one million meals each year to South Australian homes.

“We are very much a part of this regional community and it is great to partner with another not-for-profit, community-based organisation to deliver essential services,” Allen said.

“We have the capacity to do this, and I hope it will be a long and prosperous relationship with Meals on Wheels.”

Sharyn explained that Meals on Wheels traditionally had prepared meals at the McLaren Vale & Districts Hospital for delivery to homes in the region.

Serving it up from Aldinga Beach Court (from left) Brenton Dawkins and Julie Bonnic from Meals on Wheels, Allen Candy, Sharyn Broer, Derek Dittrich, Helen Cogzell and Sue Mark

‘We have the capacity to do this, and I hope it will be a long and

PEOPLE & PLACES ALDINGA BEACH COURT

prosperous relationship’ But she said a growing need for services over a wider area, with volunteers having to travel longer distances, meant Meals on Wheels

needed another kitchen facility in the Aldinga area.

“We looked for a like-minded organisation in the area and Life Care expressed a willingness to explore the opportunity,” Sharyn said.

“We look forward to a long partnership that will help us to meet the need in this area.”

Aldinga Beach Court Residential Services Manager, Sue Mark, said the kitchen had a capacity to meet the needs of its residents and Meals on Wheels clients.

In the Aldinga Beach Court Kitchen (from left) Helen Cogzell, Belinda Freeman and Jasmin Holloway

“It is a wonderful opportunity for us to assist,” she added.