ECHo! Issue 149 - September 2013

ISSUE No. 149 | 2013

Creativity a winner at ECH

Contents Creativity a winner at ECH

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ECHo! ISSUE No. 149 | 2013

Please share this publication with your family and friends. Opinions quoted in this publication are not necessarily those of the editorial team or the ECH Board of Directors.

Cover image: Southern Day Program art project participants Colin Burnett and Peg Lawrence with Team Leader Cindy Cox (see story on page 4).

ECH Inc 174 Greenhill Road Parkside SA 5063 Telephone: 08 8407 5151 Facsimile: 08 8407 5130 Email: admin@ech.asn.au Website: www.ech.asn.au

Published September 2013. Printed and certified to AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems. Printed on (FSC) stock using 100% vegetable based process inks.

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• Kaleidoscope dazzles crowd at Pembroke • Four Seasons takes out first prize at the Royal Adelaide Show • Seasiders to host art exhibition • Prize winning at the Gawler Show There’s no stopping Trish

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Back into the swing of life

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New names, same great services

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A dynamic duo

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Celebrating 60 years of marriage

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A haven among the hills

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Social pages

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Seasiders serves up a special day

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Ella’s living life to the fullest

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Brought together by fate

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Independent Retirement Living Expo 2013

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From Scotland to Darwin

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Cecilia celebrates a century

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Melva’s keeping motivated

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ECH welcomes resource pool

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Regaining independence through the Restorative Program

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A new lease on life

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Welcoming faces at Walkerville

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Leaning on each other

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Every Generation Festival 2013

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Notices

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Holiday unit booking form

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Contact us

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COVER STORY

Creativity a winner at ECH If you’ve ever visited any of our social programs or residential care centres you’d be forgiven for thinking we were running retreats for talented artists and craftspeople. With Walkerville Day Program’s Kaleidoscope exhibition successfully completed and the Seasiders Imagine exhibition to look forward to, these events are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how deep the vein of creativity runs through our organisation.

At each of our social programs and our residential care centres, art and craft programs are offered both as formal sessions and informal, unplanned activities.

Our staff regularly see the benefits that being involved in creative expression in any form has for older people, particularly those who may have mobility issues or memory loss, or who may be looking for a social outlet. Each person has their own unique experience on their creative journey but some of the wide range of benefits include: • social interaction and making new friends • emotional release or expression • development of new skills or awakening of skills from the past • fostering of confidence in ability despite health concerns • having something to be proud of • receiving recognition from the community through public exhibitions and entering in competitions The variety of works being produced and the level of skill being displayed by residents from our residential care centres and attendees of our social programs are phenomenal and can be seen throughout the following pages detailing recent achievements.

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Kaleidoscope dazzles crowd at Pembroke On the evening of 8th August 2013, thunderous applause was heard when ECH Chief Executive Rob Hankins declared the Kaleidoscope art exhibition open. The artists, an interesting mix of attendees from our Walkerville Day Program and year 10 students from Pembroke School, were bubbling with excitement, eager to share their skilfully crafted works with their family and friends.

“Every year when I come here to Pembroke to look at the exhibition I’m actually blown away by what the artists, our clients and the students, with Violet, our artist, come up with,” Rob says.

“And when you look at it hanging on the wall or standing on the table it is just fantastic the art that has been created in that nine weeks.”

Pembroke student and Kaleidoscope artist Miriam Barker-Lanzi found working with older people invaluable and very enjoyable. “Soon we got to know each other really well and were sharing jokes and stories while creating our artworks,” Miriam says. “I returned each week eager to see what Violet had in store for us.”

“Successful communication between people from different generations is a great way to promote change in our world and, for my generation, to help us shape the future,” she says. “However, what I personally found to be most important was being able to share my passion for art and creative expression with some interesting and inspiring individuals who I came to value as friends.”

The popular art project, which has been running successfully for several years now, bridges the generation gap to bring younger people together with older people in a supportive environment encouraging expression and creativity. The nine week project, culminating in a public exhibition, involved seven attendees from Walkerville Day Program and 10 students from Pembroke School, led by Program Coordinator Sharyn Blows and artist Violet Cooper.

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COVER STORY Four Seasons takes out first prize at the Royal Adelaide Show Created over ten months and involving every attendee, Southern Day Program’s artistic entry into the Royal Adelaide Show saw them take home first prize. Entitled Four Seasons, the artwork is an intriguing collection of four pieces representing each season using various techniques and textures.

The art project was a huge undertaking by the staff and attendees, and every person was able to contribute to the production. The design and length of the project enabled each separate piece to be worked on during the actual season being depicted on canvas, allowing the season to be experienced and reflected on. “In the summer we did some day trips to the coast to collect sand and shells for the artwork,” Team Leader Cindy Cox says. During autumn they collected bark and leaves while the colder months encouraged them to talk about their memories of winter with words put down into poems and included on the winter canvas.

Many different art techniques were used including sponging, painting with credit cards and mixing impasto gel with sand, and many natural elements were included along with items such as buttons and cutouts from magazines. “At times clients worked together in small groups with staff, preparing items for the canvas, or one on one time was spent with a client as they learnt or used a new technique,” Cindy says. “The time allowed for the art to be created and the different techniques used made it possible for many clients to be involved and experience a sense of working together and achievement.”

Peg Lawrence and Colin Burnett are regular attendees of Southern Day Program and

enjoyed taking part in the art project. Both are experienced artists whose knowledge was integral in the composition of the artworks. “I’ve always dabbled in a bit of art,” Peg says. She began painting when she was in her 30s. “It was my hobby in between bringing up six children!

My husband would go away a lot for work so I used art to fill in the time after the kids went to bed.”

For Colin, his passion for art began when he was a young man. He mainly enjoys creating landscapes and would often visit the Flinders Ranges on his own to inspire new works. Colin also spent time sketching along the Murray River during the days when he lived nearby. An accomplished artist, Colin has sold numerous paintings and won several prizes. He enjoys the process of being able to create a piece of art that can be admired.

“I find art relaxing,” Peg says. Both Peg and Colin enjoy being involved in the regular art sessions which have become a favourite pastime at Southern Day Program. Peg is also willing to give anything a go and has recently been introduced to a new form of painting with YUPO paper. Enjoying it immensely, Peg has started experimenting at home. Cindy loves watching Peg try new things, saying “You’re never too old to learn.”

Colin Burnett, Cindy Cox and Peg Lawrence enjoying each other’s company while painting.

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Seasiders to host art exhibition In March this year Seasiders, our newest day program at Henley Beach, began art classes once a week and will hold an exhibition next month to showcase the participants’ artwork. Called Create & Connect, the art classes are held every Monday for 10 members. Its success has been thanks to word of mouth as the classes are very popular.

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3 Program Coordinator Betty Hurrell says “fantastic art” has been created from this class. “The group leave their health issues at the door, sit down where they feel comfortable and start to express themselves creatively,” she says.“These sessions have revealed the unique identity of each individual. It triggers off dormant memories, emotions, conversations, and is something they can discuss either together or when they return home with their family. It makes them feel valued and respected again, and gives back some quality of life.”

Carers of some of the participants have tried a variety of respite services but none have been successful. However, the art group has had positive outcomes for all who have attended.

“The members enjoy each other’s friendship, trying new skills and appreciate art therapist Deb in allowing them to express themselves,” Betty says. “The session is full each week.”

Class member Frances Wetherall, who recently suffered a stroke, attributes her continuous improvement to the art classes. “It brought me out and helped me to repair,” she beams. “When I first came here and I’d had the stroke I was empty and didn’t know I could do anything. It grew with me and I felt a lot better. Without this I wouldn’t have been as forward as I am now.”

Betty and the other staff are extremely proud of the progress Frances has made. “The thrill of creating and letting out her emotions in the art session has given her a new lease of life,” Betty says. “Frances expressed how she felt to the art therapist after she had created one of her art pieces, saying, ‘I am going to take this home and show my family that I am alive. They think I am dead.’” Her grin has turned into a large smile and now we can hear her laughing.”

The Create & Connect art exhibition, titled Imagine, will be held on 17th October 2013 at 11 Laidlaw Street, Henley Beach, from 6pm as part of the Every Generation Festival. If you wish to attend, please contact Betty Hurrell on 8356 5398 by 10th October 2013.

1. Albert Burge with his painting of the baobab trees in the Northern Territory.

2. Rose Holmes painted a kookaburra.

3. Doreen Williams with an oil painting.

4. Joyce Yates enjoys drawing with pastels.

5. Frances Wetherall used a collection of materials for her piece of art.

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COVER STORY Once again our talented residential care residents and social program attendees have taken out many of the top prizes for their handicrafts at the Gawler Show.

From delicately detailed dollhouses and mosaics to perfectly polished paintings and button artwork, the range of entries and skills displayed is extensive. Special recognition goes to Walkerville Day Program attendees Lidia Minicozzi, Maddie McKenna, Alex Galdies and Kevin Stewart, and staff members Emma Sanderson and Cynthia Stewart whose entry of an outback waterhole was awarded the rosette for best exhibit in residential care.

Prize winning at the Gawler Show

Charles Young Residential Care Centre

Thelma’s recycled gems Thelma Ralston (pictured above right) has dabbled in art previously but it wasn’t until she came to live at Charles Young Residential Care Centre that her passion for creativity really took off. Joining up with Ivan from the lifestyle team, Thelma has created numerous works of art and has an interest in recycling items to turn them into masterpieces. Her latest venture has been to create African tribal masks from pieces of bark from a palm tree.

After researching the correct patterns online, Thelma has created three stunning masks which were awarded second place in the Gawler Show. Thelma is very thankful to Ivan for his guidance and support, and says he is a wonderful teacher.

Smithy’s Place

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Marten Residential Care Centre

Smithfield Residential Care Centre

Walkerville Day Program

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There’s no stopping Trish Despite coping with mobility problems caused by a severe stroke in 2005, Smithfield Residential Care Centre resident Trish Davies creates made to order craft items for the staff and their children.

Born and raised in New South Wales, Trish moved to Cairns for a number of years before moving to Brisbane then settling in the Northern Territory in 1986 where she worked as a service station supervisor for 18 years. Trish lived there until March 2005 when she suffered a debilitating stroke.

Smithfield Residential Care Centre volunteer Beryl Peck says she enjoys assisting Trish by purchasing the supplies she needs and helping her when she paints. “Whenever we think we’ve finished there’s another 10 orders,” Beryl laughs.

“Everyone gets a lot of pleasure out of the things she makes.”

Trish may not be as active as she once was but that does not stop her from making choices and decisions when it comes to her creativity. “I’ve got a lot of orders to finish so it will keep me busy for a while,” she says with a smile.

As there were no rehabilitation facilities in Darwin to manage Trish’s condition, her daughter called around and discovered Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre at Northfield in South Australia.

“Everyone gets a lot of pleasure out of the things she makes.”

Trish made the move to the centre’s brain injury unit for a few months where she learnt how to walk again. Following her stay at Hampstead, Trish moved to the now closed Tregenza House and Day Rehabilitation Centre then to Smithfield Residential Care Centre in 2007.

Trish says her crafty side came to life when she was living at Hampstead. “When I was there I made a papier mâché bowl,” Trish says. “I was next to the room that had the craft section in it and I had tried it once before.”

Then one day, at Smithfield Residential Care Centre, Trish had an interesting idea. “I had an empty Pringles container and thought I would paint it then I stuck some stickers on it and put my wooden spoons in it,” she says.

Trish started decorating the tin holders about one year ago and dedicates an hour on Tuesday and Friday each week. “I give the chips to the staff and get the container back once it’s been washed,” Trish says. “I make smaller ones for pens and bigger ones for things like knitting needles.”

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Trish Davies receiving a little assistance from volunteer Beryl Peck.

Back into the swing of life Peter and Joan Rogasch’s mobility and general well being has greatly improved thanks to the activities offered at Greenacres Therapy Service.

Struggling with various physical ailments, Peter and Joan were initially referred to Greenacres Therapy Service by their General Practioners for physiotherapy and their involvement developed from there.

Joan began Tai Chi classes in January this year and Peter has been doing light gym work for more than a year. Peter had hip and leg problems, and had been to a physiotherapist previously without success. Then he met ECH Physiotherapist Mauro Pivetta. “Mauro has helped me walk without the frame and I use the rowing machine, bike and a few other pieces of equipment,” Peter says. “I’ve got a good routine there. The activity has restored strength to muscles in my leg. At home my mobility has improved and I can do light physical work needed around the place.”

A severe lung infection forced Joan to give up hydrotherapy at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre but she was determined to stay active.

“I thought about Tai Chi and I am so glad I did it,” she says. “When I started Tai Chi I couldn’t hang out the clothes or sweep. Now I can, and can also bend over to do more weeding and planting of seedlings in my garden. The improvements in both Peter and myself have been amazing.”

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“The staff get to know us and cover a range of health aspects...”

The keen gardeners and amateur geologists are very grateful for the services offered through ECH. “The staff get to know us and cover a range of health aspects,” Peter says.

“You’re not treated for just one thing. You’re treated as a whole person.”

1. Peter and Joan Rogasch can maintain an active lifestyle thanks to the help of activities at Greenacres Therapy Service.

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2. A Tai Chi class being held in the newly refurbished Greenacres Therapy Services fitness room.

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New names, same great services .

At ECH we continually adapt and enhance our services to ensure we are providing our customers with support that is relevant to their individual situations. Sometimes this leads to changes in the way we refer to particular departments or staff roles to ensure that these titles are an accurate reflection of the type of support our customers can expect.

Such changes were recently made within our Independent Retirement Living department: • Accommodation Services is now known as Retirement Living.

• Coordinators within our Independent Living Services team are now known as Information Officers.

Despite the new names, there has been no change to the supportive range of services provided by these two teams.

Retirement Living assists retirees with establishing their new life as an ECH resident.

Responsible for the marketing, sale and rental of our units, Retirement Living staff initially gain an understanding of individual preferences and then go about matching those preferences to a suitable ECH village and unit. The team supports residents throughout the move from their current home to their new home with ECH.

Retirement Living also manages the terms and conditions of residence contracts throughout each resident’s tenure with us.

The residence contract sets out the terms and conditions of a resident’s agreement with ECH, and details their rights, obligations and the relationship between them and ECH. Residents can be assisted by our Retirement Living team with information about: • residence contracts • their rights and obligations • maintenance fees • car parking availability and allocations • accounts or processing of payments • refunds, if due, and how they will be paid to an estate • what needs to be done upon vacating an ECH unit • the ECH holiday units at Ardrossan and Victor Harbor

Contact Retirement Living on 8407 5115

Retirement Living includes (from left to right): Retirement Living Consultant Jo Armstrong, Rental Property Officer Gill Jordan, Retirement Living Manager Elena Muller, Retirement Living Administration Officer Denise Joy and Retirement Living Consultant Deborah Maiolo.

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Independent Living Services supports retirement living residents throughout their journey with ECH and is the key contact for residents and their families when a significant life event may challenge their ability to live independently. The team offers home visits, regular village meetings and information seminars in addition to phone based support.

Through this service we provide a range of information, strategies and appropriate referrals to community agencies and other services to enhance the health, wellbeing and independence of our retirement living residents.

Independent Living Services can assist retirement living residents by: • answering any enquiries residents may have over the phone

• offering information on residential care • referring residents to an occupational therapist for a home safety assessment • maintaining contact with residents from the time they turn 80 years of age to ensure independence is maintained over the years • providing information on community activities and social networks in specific areas • keeping them informed of concessions available to them •

providing information about how they can manage their long-term wishes through directions such as medical directives and enduring powers

• at request, meeting with residents in their homes to discuss their existing and future lifestyle needs • providing information on the range of services available • linking residents to appropriate services which are best placed to meet their needs

Contact Independent Living Services on 8407 5111

Independent Living Services includes: Independent Living Services Manager Luke Say (centre) and Information Officers (from left to right) Mara Ciric, Lorraine Wilkin, Liz Greenham and Melissa Evans.

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A dynamic duo If you plan on visiting George and Alice Turner unannounced, chances are they won’t be home. The lively and spirited couple is so busy making the most of their days they are hardly in one place for long.

passed away. I lost my best friend when I lost her but I went into a very loving family. George’s mother and father were lovely. I’ve never been so pampered.”

In 1955, George and Alice, who have no children, departed England and sailed for four weeks to Australia. They first landed in Fremantle then made their way to South Australia. Living in the same house at Clearview from 1958, George and Alice moved to ECH’s Rotary Village at Modbury in 1993 and have loved it ever since. “We moved in on New Year’s Eve and there was a street party,” Alice recalls. “We were so tired but we met some nice neighbours and had a good time.”

George and Alice’s calendar is filled with so many social outings and upcoming events they are always on the move. Alice’s volunteer role as a Lavender Lady at the Royal Adelaide Hospital is one of many tasks that keeps her busy every week. “I’m a guide and a life member of 26 years,” Alice says. “George has always supported me. He comes to all the general meetings and has helped out when there’s been a strike.”

Since meeting at a dance class in Manchester, England, in 1949, George and Alice have been inseparable. “I had recently been demobilised from the war,” George recalls.

“In England during those times everyone would go to dance classes and I thought, ‘Maybe I should learn.’ I read about a place and decided to go and that’s where I met Alice,” George says.

“The first thing I noticed about Alice was she had beautiful legs.”

Alice remembers fondly the moment she met George. “I thought, ‘Oh he’s nice’ shortly after I partnered with him to teach him how to dance,” Alice says. “He said, ‘Would you like to come out with me?’ He took me to the pictures. Mind you, we didn’t watch much of the film. We courted for three years before marrying in 1952 in Manchester.”

George and Alice had a quiet wedding with just a few family members attending. “When we came out of the church it was snowing,” Alice recalls.

“We decided to get married on my mother’s birthday, which was a Tuesday, as she had

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Alice’s face lights up at the suggestion that she is a social butterfly. “We go out and meet so many people and we come home saying, ‘That was a pleasant day’,” she says. “We enjoy being out together. We go out for lunch and are very social, and we catch public transport everywhere.”

George agrees, saying, “We’ve got more bus timetables than anything else. People at the RAH always come up to Alice asking which bus to take because she knows them all.”

Living at Rotary Village has enabled George and Alice’s social life to really take off. “We are always doing things with the social committee at the village like wine and cheese tastings, bingo, soup night and going on trips to Tumby Bay, Melbourne, Kangaroo Island, Broken Hill and Queensland,” Alice says.

In 2012, George and Alice celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a big lunch at the Buckingham Arms Hotel. “We tend to have all our celebrations there,” Alice says. “Because we have no children we go with our friends and it’s the way we like to celebrate.”

With a busy rest of the year ahead of them there is certainly no stopping George and Alice Turner.

“We’ve always done everything together,” Alice says. “I’d fight demons and dragons for him. We adore each other.”

Celebrating 60 years of marriage Gordon and Gloria Millikan celebrated 60 years of marriage on 16th September 2013. The venue for the celebration, Brighton’s Esplanade Hotel, had special significance as it was the same place where their wedding reception was held in 1953.

Gordon and Gloria, who were both born and raised in South Australia, married in St Peter’s historic church in the heart of Glenelg. At the start of their married life they resided in the city then moved to Mount Gambier, as Gordon secured a job in a pine forest. From there they moved back to Adelaide then to Leigh Creek where Gordon worked as a plant operator.

Between their years in Adelaide and Leigh Creek, Gordon and Gloria raised six boys. In 1971 they built a house at Dernancourt and Gordon eventually got a permanent transfer from Leigh Creek in 1972 and worked for the Electricity Trust of South Australia.

During this time Gloria worked as an enrolled nurse for 20 years including at Flinders Medical Centre. “I started studying when we lived at Dernancourt and when I finished the course I got a job as a nurse at Carinya Residential Care Centre,” Gloria says. “It was great. I worked nightshift and as the kids got older I worked days.”

Gordon retired in 1987 and the couple bought a caravan to begin travelling around Australia.

“We went several times, always taking different routes and exploring,” Gloria says. “We had some great experiences.”

Gordon and Gloria made the move to ECH’s Duggan Court at Plympton in 2004. “The house at Dernancourt was a big house with a big yard,” Gloria says. “Gordon had a bypass and it was too much work for us to manage so we decided we would get an easier lifestyle. We’ve been here for nine years now. It’s amazing how fast the time goes.”

The days are busy and go quick for Gordon and Gloria. “I’m very busy all day. I like to watch TV

H appy A n n iver s a r y and read,” Gordon laughs. “I still have my driver’s licence but I didn’t want to become a statistic so I bought myself an electric scooter.

I enjoy getting on the scooter and going for a ride.” Gloria spends hours sewing from home, especially quilts, and as an enthusiastic reader she attends a book club once a month.

When asked what their advice is to sustain a long marriage, the great-grandparents both chuckle.

“Survival,” Gloria says. “We’ve had a good time and have been very fortunate. We’ve had six lovely kids and have always been very busy. The biggest argument we have now is who’s going to make the next cuppa? You just get on with life.

If it seems very bad it can only go one way and that’s up.”

Gordon believes to have a successful marriage you have to work at it. “I remember I was waiting at the church for Gloria to come on our wedding day,” he says. “The pastor looked at me and said, ‘There are two doors here. One to the church and one outside. Take your pick.’

I have no regrets and I believe in the marriage ceremony. You can overcome anything with a little bit of nouse.”

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A haven among the hills Hillside Residential Care Centre is located in the picturesque Adelaide Hills suburb of Heathfield and is nestled among an idyllic array of greenery which is home to several species of birdlife. The care centre is an easy 15 kilometre drive from the city of Adelaide along the south-eastern freeway and is a short distance from shopping and medical facilities, and the community hub of Stirling. Set well back from the main road, the care centre’s location provides a tranquil setting so residents can enjoy the benefits of peaceful surroundings.

Hillside Residential Care Centre is home to 36 residents who enjoy single rooms featuring adjoining ensuites. There is one twin share room.

The centre is a high care facility which also caters for residents with a diagnosis of dementia in a secure memory support area. Each room has access to a television point and telephone socket.

Nutritionally balanced meals are provided and are served to residents in homely dining room settings. The lifestyle program offers a range of individual and group activities and outings. Consideration is given to the individual preferences of residents including their spiritual, cultural and lifestyle needs. Church services are also conducted regularly. The care centre has access to a bus for outings to assist residents to stay in touch with the local community.

Hillside Residential Care Centre has homely furnishings and décor, and features: • a variety of lounge and dining areas • snack trolley for residents to purchase sweet treats • sun room • large activity hall for activities and events

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• hairdressing salon • onsite laundering and labelling service • landscaped gardens and courtyards encouraging residents to spend time outdoors • a secure memory support area with its own garden for residents who require such safety • ‘ageing in place’ which minimises the need to move rooms despite changing care needs

Lifestyle Model of Care ECH residential care centres provide care that is responsive to the needs of individuals and enables them to continue making choices about their lifestyle wherever possible. Our Lifestyle Model of Care ensures that our service delivery is flexible so residents can live their life as close as possible to how they did in the community.

Levels of care offered High: Yes Low: No Respite: Yes Transitional: No Awaiting placement: No

Admission and tours If you would like to learn more about the process of moving to residential care, please contact ECH’s Referral Officer by emailing referral@ech.asn.au or phoning 8407 5192.

If you, or a relative or friend, are considering living at Hillside Residential Care Centre, a tour can be arranged by phoning the care centre on 8230 5500.

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A haven among the hills Peter Malpas

A dedicated man

A devoted harmonica player since the age of five, Hillside Residential Care Centre’s Peter Malpas is a respected and highly valued life member of the Country Fire Service.

In June this year he celebrated 30 years since retiring from the service. Peter, 93, was the longest serving staff member of the former Emergency Fire Service with an official 32 years’ association with South Australia’s volunteer fire fighting organisation.

Peter’s initial career was in printing but in 1948 he joined the South Australia Police force and, on graduating, was posted to the Mounted Division, which he chose because of his love of horses. In 1949 he began his association with the Emergency Fire Service when former Director Fred Kerr asked Peter to assist.

Two years later, at Fred’s request, Peter was seconded from the force to the Emergency Fire Service. Peter was one of a small group of police officers who became the nucleus of the administration team. He was promoted to Senior Constable in 1961. When the Country Fire Service was established in 1978, Peter became an Inspector and later Superintendent.

In May 1980 he was appointed Deputy Director.

Awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1980, Peter is also a life member of the Country Fire Service, holds the British Fire Service Long Service and Efficiency Medal, the Police Efficiency Medal, the Australian National Medal, and was presented with a British Fire Services Association Centenary Medal. Peter is also a member of the International Police Association.

“My long association with the EFS/CFS has been a wonderful experience,” he says. “I have worked with some tremendous people and have seen the service, which developed so much under the leadership of Fred Kerr, become the proud and efficient service it is today.”

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Alice McGlashan

Alice turns 100

Spritely and graceful Alice McGlashan turned 100 on 17th July 2013 and marked the occasion with a big celebration at the Buckingham Arms Hotel. About 100 people, including family from interstate and overseas, attended. Hillside Residential Care Centre also put on a spread for all the residents to enjoy, with cake, chocolates and drinks.

The second of seven children born into a Scottish family, Alice spent her years growing up in the town of Pompoota, near Mannum in South Australia. Married at 21 to the late Ron, Alice had three children and named them Donald, Kathleen and Ross. Alice and Ron stayed in the area raising their family before moving to Adelaide.

After Ron passed away in 1985, Alice continued living at their Enfield house before moving to Hillside Residential Care Centre in June this year. “I like it here,” Alice says.

“Everyone is so nice and it will be lovely here in spring.”

Alice enjoys playing cards and carpet bowls and keeping up to date with news and current affairs.

Brian Whibley

Persistence pays off

Not one to take no for an answer, Brian Whibley is as stubborn and determined as they come. His lobbying for a bus shelter outside Hillside Residential Care Centre at stop 39 on Longwood Road got him just that. “I have been catching the bus once a week from stop 39 to Stirling for things like shopping, appointments and to go to the bank,” he says. “I used to get wet some days and I got sick of it so I thought I would get something done about it.”

Beginning his campaign in February 2012, Brian wrote a letter to the public transport services department, who he says were “very helpful”. The letter of reply told him Adelaide Hills Council was responsible for providing bus shelters. He then sent a letter to the council and followed it up over the next 15 months, making phone calls and sending a number of letters to the council to reinforce his point.

Brian achieved his goal in May 2013 when the shelter was installed by the council. “I never thought we’d get it but I must have worn them down with all the phone calls and letters,” he says. “I didn’t expect it to be as good as that to be honest.

I got a surprise when I saw it being assembled.”

Brian’s next goal is to encourage other residents and locals to use the bus more often, and hopefully bus route 868 will receive more services. “It’s a pity we can’t get more locals interested in catching the bus,” he says. “It would really help.”

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Biggest Morning Tea at Kidman Park

Social Pages Oakden Estate Morning Tea

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Smithfield Residential Care Centre residents visit the Gawler Show

ECH awarded SISA Self Insured Employer of the Year 2013 and Superior Performance rating by SafeWork SA

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Seasiders serves up a special day On 4th July 2013, the men’s group at Seasiders was livelier than usual as they enjoyed the company of their loved ones at a special luncheon. The room was packed full with people who sat down to a delicious three course meal, peppered with table games and seasoned with lots of laughter and conversation.

Seasiders offers support to older people with memory loss and their carers in a friendly, welcoming environment. A wide range of services is available including day activity and social programs, outings, art groups, counselling and carer support.

Please contact Seasiders Coordinator Betty Hurrell on 8356 5398 for more information.

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Ella’s living life to the fullest At 100 years old she may be Walker Court’s eldest resident but Ella Murray is young at heart and full of positivity. The cheerful and chatty centenarian, who was born and raised in Kersbrook in the Adelaide Hills, was one of 10 and is the only one alive out of her siblings.

Born on 3rd December 1912, Ella worked hard from a young age, helping her mother and sisters on new country land on Eyre Peninsula at 12 years old after her father passed away from a heart attack only one year after they moved there. Ella remained living on the farm until she married her first husband at 22. “We lived out in the bush and had four boys then the war intervened, my husband joined up and we never got together again,” Ella says. “Three years later I re-married and had two daughters. We bought some land at Greenacres, built a house and lived there for 30 years but my husband and I did not stay together. Both of my ex-husbands died of war wounds.” Ella recalls the war as a depressing time. “I try not to think about all the sad things that happened, I just thank the good Lord every day for what I have,” she says.

In 1990 Ella moved to an ECH upstairs unit at Thebarton but a knee reconstruction forced her to move to a more manageable downstairs unit.

“I’ve been a very happy old girl here and I love waking up every morning,” she says. “They do such a great job.”

Ella reflects back over the years on some of her most memorable experiences with a beaming smile. “When I was 80 I went overseas,” she says. “For my 80th birthday my family gave me $7,000 to go on the trip. I had three months of roaming around France, England and Ireland.

It was absolutely beautiful. I could run and dance back then. Living in the country, if you didn’t dance you didn’t know what to do with yourself. It always entertained me.”

“My family laugh at me and they say, ‘With every generation you remember the names.’ Our family has close contact all the time. The main thing is to keep the family together and I am really proud of my family.” To celebrate Ella’s 100th birthday about 40 people from her family enjoyed a dinner at her son’s house at Clarendon. “All my nieces and nephews visited over a few weeks,” she says. “We had a laugh that the birthday lasted for three weeks. I didn’t want a big party but I had a marvellous time.”

Despite suffering a stroke and a heart attack last year, Ella still does everything around the house except the cleaning. “It takes me a while to do little things but I think, ‘Well, I’ve got all day,’” she says. “I have a job to realise I am 100.”

Looking around Ella’s living room, it is sprinkled with family photos, ornaments, beautiful fresh orchids, trinkets and hand made presents from her grandchildren. These are a testament to the loving, generous and kind-hearted woman who has created three generations of family. “I start to look back over the years at the sad and happy times, the lovely people I’ve known, and I really think I’m blessed to have so many people around me who care,” she says with a smile.

Ella Murray in her Walker Court home.

Ella Murray (left) pictured with her sister Elsie at about 35 years old.

Another amazing milestone for Ella was becoming a great-greatgrandmother to Jasmine in June this year, adding to her big family of 17 grandchildren and 21 greatgrandchildren. “I never forget a name though,” Ella beams.

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Brought together by fate A chance encounter at a wedding brought Arthur and June Frensham together in 1945.

Arthur said, ‘Shut your eyes and stick a pin in somewhere,’” June says. “Well I first picked Alice Springs but Arthur said to have another go so I shut my eyes and hit Adelaide. We talked about moving and made some enquiries first.”

Only 15 years old at the time, June was a bridesmaid in her brother’s wedding when Arthur, who was a guest at the wedding, first spotted her. But it would be 18 months before they saw each other again as Arthur was sent back on duty in the war.

Not a stranger to Australian shores, Arthur had previously been to the country in the early 1940s with the navy. He then returned to England after World War II ended. “I had the joy of seeing General MacArthur sign the peace treaty with the Japanese in September 1945,” Arthur says.

“I saw the sun go down on Mount Fuji. It was a really big thing to witness for a young bloke.”

During that time, June became engaged to another man but this did not deter Arthur from pursuing his love. “I received a note from Arthur through my sister-in-law saying would I meet him on Ilford railway station in England?” June recalls.

“He said I was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.”

Some time later Arthur proposed but it was an experience that has the couple laughing about it even to this day. “When I proposed we were sitting in the local park by the river in Essex and there were all these water rats everywhere,” Arthur says. “I was looking at these rats and I didn’t answer for a while,” June laughs. “Arthur thought I didn’t hear him properly because I couldn’t stop looking at these rats as they were coming out of the water and running around.”

Married at 23 and 19 respectively, the suit Arthur wore was the one he received from the government when he left the war, and June’s wedding dress cost just three pounds.

“Arthur turned up to our wedding with all his relatives on the bus,” June laughs. “Of course, he lived in east London and I lived in a forest so I was close to the church but Arthur had to come quite a way. It was very hard to find somewhere to live during that time so we lived with Arthur’s mother. For our honeymoon we caught the train to Bournemouth and everybody on the train had just got married. There was confetti everywhere.

March was a very popular time to get married.”

Arthur and June decided to make the move to Australia with their three sons during the winter of the early 1960s. “It was a very bad winter,” June recalls. “Everyone’s pipes were bursting in the freezing cold and we said we couldn’t stand another winter. We had a map of Australia and

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set

uji at sun

Mount F

Upon arriving in South Australia, Arthur and June settled into a brand new house in Para Hills where they stayed for many years before moving twice more. During these years, Arthur and June’s only daughter was born. “We went back to England in 1971 and stayed there for about 18 months,” June says. “During that time Arthur worked and I worked part time. My Mum died the week before we returned to Adelaide.

When we got back to South Australia we rented in Brahma Lodge for a while then we discovered there was a spare block of land in Elizabeth so we built a brand new house and stayed there for 25 years.”

nd

Arthur a

ay

edding d

their w June on

Throwing themselves into their community, Arthur and June became volunteers with the Ingle Farm Salvation Army for 10 years.

“Arthur retired at 60 on the veterans’ pension and we thought we would get involved,” June says. “We would go out and do the soup kitchen and if there was a bushfire Arthur would help out with that.

We had always thought the Salvos were very good because they don’t judge and are very kind people. It was a very happy time of our life.” Arthur agrees, saying, “It was nice and I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering there.”

At their Elizabeth home Arthur and June had a big garden and it was getting too much to manage so they enquired about ECH from an advertisement June saw. “We got a phone call one night and we moved in as soon as they finished painting,” Arthur says. It was ready for us and 15 and a half years later we are still here.”

Enjoying

each othe

r’s compa n

y at home

Between spending time with their four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Arthur and June keep themselves busy and love their lifestyle at Torrens Court. Arthur’s driving has been restricted and June never learnt to drive but the location is perfect for them. “That’s what I like about living here,” Arthur says. “It’s convenient to the shops and the bus, which we catch often. It’s only a short walk and it takes you right outside most places we need to be. It’s brilliant.”

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Independent Retirement Living Expo 2013 Independent Living Services conducted ECH’s inaugural Independent Retirement Living Expo on Wednesday 26th June 2013 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The expo gave existing and prospective residents the opportunity to learn more about the services and support available to them from both ECH and other organisations.

Expo visitors attended either a morning or afternoon session, with free parking and easy access via public transport being key features of the central venue. The event was supported by a wide range of exhibitors, with informative presentations and an extensive scope of services ranging from home meal delivery services to financial support and concessions from Centrelink.

Independent Living Services was supported by other ECH business units including: • In-home Programs • Wellness Programs • Social Programs • Residential Care • Capital Works • Property and Facilities Management • Volunteer Programs • Marketing

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A short video was made of the event and can be viewed on the ‘news and events’ page of our website www.ech.asn.au.

Independent Retirement Living Annual General Meeting dates for 2013 Monday 21st October 2013 at 2pm Christ the King Parish Hall 456 Henley Beach Road, Lockleys

Tuesday 22nd October 2013 at 2pm Goodwood Community Centre 32-34 Rosa Street, Goodwood

Wednesday 23rd October 2013 at 2pm Payneham Library Complex, Payneham Hall 2 Turner Street, Felixstow

th Thursday 24 October 2013 at 10am Victor Harbor Civic Centre and Library 1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor

From Scotland to Darwin

Without television in the 50s, Elizabeth recalls having a very active social life. “Saturday night was usually a night out dancing and Sundays were either picnic or barbecue days with other RAAF families,” she says.

Scottish-born Elizabeth Hambleton is a strong and confident woman whose documented history of life in the Northern Territory earned her a published article online.

Some 50-odd years later, Elizabeth is still active in her community of Nightcliff, spending her days catching up with friends over coffee, playing bridge and having a play at the casino. As an Inhome Services client of ECH, Elizabeth receives some support when needed including assistance with cleaning and transportation arrangements.

Elizabeth’s story, A Ten Pound Pom, is available to read on the Northern Territory Government website.

The article came about when Elizabeth, 82, began writing her autobiography. “About three years ago my daughter bought me a computer,” Elizabeth says.

“I took lessons at a Darwin library and started writing my story.”

Elizabeth’s daughter noticed there was a section of the book that would be suitable to submit to Territory Stories, an online library that provides a range of stories that record the history and development of the Northern Territory from the early days to the present.

A “Ten Pound Po

m”

ARRIVES IN THE TERRITOR

Y My husband was in the RAF in Sco demobbed, we decided to imm tland, and in 1954 when he got igrate to Austral ia.

As “Ten Pound Poms”, we arri ved month long voy age on the “Str in Adelaide, with our two girls atheden”. , after a After two yea rs in civilian life, my husband dec first posting was ided to join the to Darwin.

RAAF and his Our trip to Dar win in 1956 was on a Focker Frie left Adelaide at 6am it was late evening befo ndship, and although we Stops along the re we arrived way included: .

Leig Springs, Tennan t Creek, Katheri h Creek, Oodnadatta, Daly Waters, Alice ne and finally Being the mid dle of the “we i Darwin. t” season, it was late evening) still very hot and and as the airp ort was a tin humid (even we felt that we shed on the edg had arrived in e of a very “frontie the tarmac r “town.

You could alw ays tell a new comer to the in mosquito and Territory, they sand-fly bites, would be cov which would treated. ered become tropical ulcers if not AS the RAAF did not supply acc ommodation husband had , we had to find managed to find our own. My a “caretaker with another Tenancy” whi RAAF couple. ch we shared (In those day caretaking som s you paid for eone’s house). the privilege This house (in of Fannie Bay) was on stilts, but push-out bam had no window boo slats. The re was mosquit glass, just sleep under, and o netting, whi the luxury of ch I could nev a small table er fan. In the ear ly days I had

A Ten Pound Pom, which is 1200 words long, is Elizabeth’s story about moving to Darwin with her family in 1956. “My husband was in the Royal Air Force in Scotland and in 1954 when he got demobbed we decided to immigrate to Australia,” she says.

“As ‘ten pound poms’ we arrived in Adelaide with our two girls, after a month-long voyage on the Stratheden. After two years in civilian life my husband decided to join the RAAF and his first posting was to Darwin.”

As the Royal Australian Air Force did not provide accommodation, Elizabeth and her husband were forced to find their own. “It was a very traumatic time,” Elizabeth recalls. “It was a real eye opener. “There was mosquito netting, which I could never sleep under, and the luxury of a small table fan. In the early days I had nightmares, watching the geckos, cockroaches and other ‘wee beasties’ crawling across the ceiling and walls.”

Elizabeth’s autobiography, which took about one year to write, was finished in 2012 and is one of her greatest achievements. “My mother didn’t talk much about the past but now my greatgreat-grandchildren will know what life was like in the 1900s,” she says. “I had to do a lot of research and my daughter showed me how to scan in photographs.

I feel really proud of myself. I went from slate and chalk to using my computer.”

For Elizabeth, Darwin is home. “Five of my six grandchildren were born here, my nine great-grandchildren were born interstate, but, sadly, I am the only one to remain in the Northern Territory,” she says. “I could not imagine living any other place than Darwin. During my time in Darwin, I have seen many changes, gone through many cyclones, including Tracy, and seen unbelievable changes in the Darwin skyline. However, I will always consider myself a Territorian who once was a ‘ten pound pom‘.

To read Elizabeth’s article visit www.territorystories.nt.gov.au and type in ‘A Ten Pound Pom’ under Search Territory Stories.

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Cecilia with her son Stephen

C

ay party

th birthd

her 100 ecilia at

Cecilia celebrates a century Cecilia Watkins was born in Oyster Cove, south of Hobart, on 14th June 1913 to young newlyweds who had recently arrived from London. Her parents and grandparents settled on an orchard of about 10 acres, full of apples, pears, plums and blackcurrants.

When Cecilia was three years old, her mother and father decided to move to Melbourne.

It was here that Cecilia remembers the time her sister was born. “I hadn’t a clue there was to be a new baby. They didn’t talk about it in those days,” Cecilia says. “But I thought she was lovely. She was my little sister and I looked after her.” When she was eight, Cecilia’s family moved back to Tasmania. Her family built a new house and she shared a room with Flo until her younger sisters Winnie and Doris came along. “I was put out then to sleep on the verandah,” she recalls.

Church was an important part of Cecilia’s younger years and was to be the foundation of her strong and lifelong faith. “When we were young we would always say our prayers with Mum,” she recalls. Making a personal dedication at a beach mission when she was almost 12, Cecilia was later baptised while she was studying at the Melbourne Bible Institute.

Cecilia only received four years of schooling because her father didn’t believe in education for girls. However, she was an avid reader and was

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Having

afternoo

n tea wit

h Stan

determined to succeed in life. “At 14 I went back to school as a monitor,” she says.

“I taught classes one, two and three.” Also staying behind for private lessons she was able to finish her own schooling.

Cecilia went to work in Hobart as a domestic helper at the age of 17. She didn’t enjoy it and by the time she was 19 she was off to Melbourne.

Without any prior thought, Cecilia somehow came to consider being a nurse. She attended an interview at The Royal Children’s Hospital and began her nursing career. Three and a half years later, Cecilia was a State Registered Nurse and she began specialling. Specialling involved looking after one person and was a highly paid profession. While she was specialling, Cecilia saw an advertisement in the paper for an air hostess.“You had to be a trained sister in those days,” she says. She applied and got the job.

Air travel was quite new at the time and Cecilia found it exciting.

Already having experienced so much in her short lifetime, Cecilia finally gave in to her mother’s prodding and attended the Melbourne Bible Institute. She enjoyed her time there but not the fact that they were very strict about separation between boys and girls. It was only in her senior year, when they were allowed to mix, that Cecilia came to notice Stan Watkins.

Stan and Cecilia became engaged after college and were married on 4th April 1942 in Sydney.

It was the middle of World War II and everything was rationed. Cecilia’s dress took up a lot of coupons. “The dress was lace with a little bit of mock orange blossom at the neck and buttoned sleeves right down to the cuffs,” she recalls.

“It was a lovely day, the day we were married.”

After their reception, Cecilia and Stan caught public transport out to their flat in Bondi. Their honeymoon came a few weeks later.

Soon after, Cecilia found out she was pregnant.

“We were only allowed to stay in that unit providing we didn’t have any children,” Cecilia remembers. So they moved closer to Stan’s mother at Denistone in northern Sydney. It was here that Cecilia’s first son Graham was born.

When the war ended, Cecilia was pregnant with her second son Stephen. Then Paul came along.

“It was fun having three boys. I loved every minute of it,” she says.

In the mid 1950s came their next adventure as dairy farmers in Tanja, rural New South Wales.

“I didn’t like leaving. And I didn’t know what I was in for,” Cecilia says, “Oh, horror! Horror!

It was filthy dirty.” She got to work on cleaning and furnishing the neglected old farmhouse and made it a livable home with a lovely garden and vegetable patch. It was hard work, milking 60 head of cattle morning and night, and dealing with a temperamental bull. Still, she always found time to run home and pray with her boys before they left for school.

Parting with her children when they reached the age of 17 was very hard for Cecilia but they needed to move into the city for work. “That was one of the drawbacks of country life,” she says.

Times got tougher on the farm once the boys had left. Stan’s poor health put him in hospital, leaving Cecilia to manage the herd on her own.

At the same time, the area was suffering the worst drought they had ever seen. “There were 15 heifers to break in. I didn’t know how I was going to cope with that and the bull,” she recalls.

“That’s why we decided to sell the farm. It was too taxing.”

Cecilia and Stan ended up settling in Adelaide after realising other places would be too expensive. It didn’t take them long to find a house and their son Stephen was already in Adelaide working at the ABC. Cecilia began receiving a pension which gave her more independence. She became heavily involved in helping out a city church mission and was also asked to go into childcare. “And my days were full,” Cecilia says.

Cecilia continued filling her days with caring for others and enjoyed her friendship with Stan as they aged together. Her activities slowed down as she got older and, at the age of 90, Cecilia had a fall causing injuries requiring surgery and rehabilitation. Finding it hard at home afterwards, Cecilia came to live at Charles Young Residential Care Centre in 2004. Then in 2009, at the age of 95, her husband succumbed to cancer.

Cecilia’s son Stephen visits her each afternoon.

Together they share afternoon tea and an extended walk along the river. In June, Cecilia reached a milestone, turning 100. They had a party at the care centre in the hall with guests from far and wide. Cecilia’s deep sense of spirituality remains as strong as ever as she continues to enjoy this next chapter of her life.

Stan and Cecilia on their wedding day

Cecilia with her sons Graham, Stephen and Paul

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Melva’s keeping motivated Melva Laubsch is an inspirational woman who has continued to make the most of each day since losing her husband of 50 years, Glen, in March 2010.

After Melva lost Glen, for whom she had cared for five years, and coping with grief, she became aware of the deterioration of her physical and mental health. “I made many phone calls searching for an afternoon exercise class, however most started around 9am or 10am,” Melva says. “I was very slow and tired in the mornings and could not have managed a morning class. At the local library I found a Living Well program flyer, which was run by ECH whom I had not contacted.”

On phoning, Living Well Project Officer Kasia Parker made an appointment to visit Melva and provide her with some information on how she could become involved. “Well Kasia was wonderful,” Melva says. “She was full of positive suggestions and one was the possibility of attending an afternoon exercise class with Greenacres Therapy Service.”

Melva was assessed and able to attend, and it was in the hands of Physiotherapist Mauro Pivetta and Fitness Instructor Elena Russo that her life really started to change.

“Mauro’s encouragement and praise during the classes was so motivating that I began to regain confidence,” Melva says.

“Monday and Thursday afternoons were the highlight of my week, and I think my family got tired of hearing about Mauro, the wonderful encouraging physio. During Kasia’s visits I would talk continuously as she had a lovely personality and excellent listening skills. Whatever my needs were, they were accommodated.”

After 12 weeks, Melva completed the Living Well program but she is still fortunate to have the motivation and friendship with Mauro and Elena twice a week as she continues to attend the exercise classes at Greenacres Therapy Service.

“The best thing was that it was made possible for me to continue going to the classes,

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Melva with her late husband Glen in the 90s.

and the afternoon session which I love has become ongoing, and I will attend as long as my health allows,” Melva says.

“The motivation of going there and the friendship has been excellent. It gets you out amongst people. Thank you ECH, Kasia, Mauro and Elena and also the caring person on the front desk Shameeta for all the help, as it had made a tremendous difference to my difficult journey.”

During the past few years Melva has also engaged with an online memory game called Lumosity, which aims to improve brain health and performance with games designed by neuroscientists to exercise memory and attention.“I try and do it every day for about half an hour if I’ve got time,” Melva says.

“When you are grieving your brain is off and it has to repair so I told Kasia I wanted something to stimulate my memory. A lot of people are lonely but I am never lonely. I do what I have to do and I keep busy.”

This includes attending Hampstead Lutheran Church every Sunday, keeping in contact with her two children Wayne and Sharelle and their respective wife and husband Jodie and Perry, spending time with her seven grandchildren, and renovating the house, a project Glen and Melva planned to do together before Glen became ill.

Melva says her next goal is to master the art of photography. “My ambition is to learn photography,” she says. “I’m not sure if I’ll get time but we’ll see.”

ECH welcomes resource pool In July this year a resource pool was established to address and manage ECH’s rostering issues in residential care.

Charles Young Residential Care Centre Residential Site Manager Astrid Little explains that ECH has changed the way it recruits new staff and also the way it manages shifts when staff call in sick.

“The concept is that ECH will recruit people who are able to work at more than one site, although they are all allocated a central home site,” she says. “They work as casual staff, filling any roster vacancies such as unplanned leave or vacant shifts. ECH will then recruit from the resource pool to fill the permanent roster vacancies.

This means when someone resigns, ECH can immediately offer someone else the position, where as previously it would take around four weeks to fill the shifts.”

There are several advantages for both residents and staff with this new structure. “The benefit of this new system for residents is that the staff and residents get to know each other, as they are coming back to the same sites,” Astrid says.

“Furthermore, everyone is in the same uniform so it is less confusing for the residents. The benefit for the staff is that they get to know the residents and other staff members, and feel part of the team as they are only working at a few sites. The added benefit for the organisation is we are using less agency staff, which is better for the residents and saves ECH money.”

Staff profile

Laura Walker

Q. Please state your job title and describe your role: A. Reception/administration and resource pool operator. This entails covering all unplanned leave for all the ECH sites.

Staff will call in sick then the operator will find staff from the resource pool to cover the shifts.

Q. How long have you worked at ECH? A. I have worked for ECH for a little over 10 years. I have worked in areas of care, kitchen, laundry, lifestyle and now admin.

Q. What do you enjoy about your job?

A. I enjoy this role as I get to be the first to help with all enquires.

Q. How do you think the resource pool benefits both staff and residents?

A. It can be a challenge but it helps rostering staff at all ECH sites as the resource pool has access to all new staff. It cuts down on agency use and people can end up doing permanent shifts at some sites so this is always a plus for residents.

Currently ECH has about 70 personal care workers in the resource pool, plus one registered nurse and one maintenance officer. ECH is in the process of recruiting registered nurses and enrolled nurses, and will then recruit some ancillary staff.

“We have altered the way staff members ring in to say they cannot work so they are all calling a central number,” Astrid says. “We have three staff managing the phone from 6.30am until 6pm Monday to Friday, and 6.30am to 10.30am and 2pm to 6pm on weekends. When they receive the sick leave notification the resource pool administration staff ring care staff to replace the shift. When sites receive a sick leave call out of hours they use a link on ECH’s internal website to alert the resource pool, who fill the shift when they get in.”

Resource pool operator Laura Walker takes a call

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Regaining independence through the Restorative Program ECH’s Restorative Program aims to prevent hospital admissions and/or premature entry into residential aged care by identifying risk factors and providing early intervention.

Over the last two years: • 82% of participants had no hospital presentation and continued to live at home at least four months after their initial assessment • 63% of participants have improved their functional mobility • 37% of participants have decreased their level of frailty by an average of 25%

Eligibility The Restorative Program is available to older Australians who are: • frail and frequent presenters to their GP • aged 65 and over or 45 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders • not terminally ill and not already in receipt of a care package For further information or referrals please contact: Katey Elding Program Consultant Telephone: 8361 5350 Email: kelding@ech.asn.au

The Restorative Program provides: • comprehensive non-clinical assessment in the community by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist and other allied health as required • targeted allied health follow-up over six to eight weeks • assistance to achieve specific outcomes • chronic disease self management • support to build community connections • assistance with transition to ongoing community services where required • feedback to each participant’s general practitioner

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ECH’s Restorative Program is about: • staying well at home for older Australians aged 65 and over • preventing avoidable hospital or residential care admission • early intervention in the management of risk factors • complementing general practice and assisting as a navigator of services

A new lease on life

Shirley had the odds stacked against her in the health department. In addition to a recent revision of her hip replacement she had also broken both legs, on separate occasions, and has metal shafts from her hips to her knees. Heart problems, among other conditions, further decreased her mobility.

Watching Shirley Murray pedal the exercise bike and tackle the steps in the gym at ECH’s Greenacres Therapy Service, you might think she has been coming for many years. However, it was little more than 12 months ago that Shirley required the constant support of walking aids and relied heavily on her daughters to help her with tasks like shopping.

Taking an interest in her health, Shirley approached her general practitioner. “I asked my doctor what I could do because I felt I needed to be doing more than the standard exercises I’d been given but I didn’t want to do more damage,” she says.

Referred to ECH, Shirley became a participant of the Restorative Program which has been piloted at Greenacres Therapy Service.

Shirley was assessed by our allied health staff and began an individualised program of strength training which she undertook as part of the balance conditioning group run by Physiotherapist Ruth Dignam and Fitness Instructor Elena Russo in the Greenacres Therapy Service gym every week.

“Ruth and Elena worked out a program that suits me based on what I need.” The program has mainly focused on improving Shirley’s balance and strengthening her legs and back.

1

The change in Shirley’s physical wellbeing has been remarkable. She is now able to move around without her walking aids, except if she is going on long journeys. “I’ve got a lot more strength in my legs,” Shirley says. “I’m feeling more confident when I’m walking anywhere now.” Shirley has regained her independence through hard work and determination. “I can’t stress enough how much of a difference it has made for me,” she says. “Now I can go shopping on my own again.”

“I’ve been going for a while and it is so beneficial I would recommend it to anyone,” Shirley says.

“Now I get on that bike and think I may be able to join a bike club!” Shirley encourages others to take charge of their health and highly recommends the exercise classes at Greenacres Therapy Service.

“It’s not easy but if you want the results you have to put in the effort,” she says.

2

If you would like to learn more about the range of wellness programs offered by ECH, please contact your nearest location by using the details on the back of this magazine.

1. Elena Russo, Shirley Murray and Ruth Dignam.

2. Shirley works on strengthening her hands.

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Welcoming faces of Walkerville A friendly welcome, support and guidance is on offer for new residents at our Walkerville Residential Care Centre. Residents William Hilton and Hope Lamond spend their time helping newcomers to find their feet and settle into their home. As volunteers, both William and Hope also spend time visiting with other residents, and gently encourage and escort as many as they can to the wide range of activities available onsite.

William William has been at Walkerville Residential Care Centre for three years now and began volunteering about two years ago. “I feel very privileged,” he says. “I really enjoy helping and I feel that I am doing something that is useful.”

“I don’t know what’s ahead of me so I’m making the best of what I’ve got now,” William says.

“I’m satisfied. I’m doing something that I feel is useful and helpful.”

Prior to living at the care centre, William had an ECH unit at Torrens Court where he regularly offered a helping hand to his neighbours. Now he can be found moving around the care centre on most days, visiting with residents who are feeling unwell, escorting people to meal times and activities, delivering newspapers to his neighbours and helping to set the tables in the dining room.

One of his biggest passions is encouraging residents to participate in the extensive activities program. “There’s such a lot people can do here,” he says. William is at an activity nearly every day but also takes time out to rest and relax. He attends exercise classes weekly to stay fit and enjoys church services on a Wednesday.

“Church is a big part of my life,” William, a lifelong member of the Anglican Church, says.

William has a heart for helping residents to find themselves again after the sometimes difficult transition to residential care. “I think the biggest and most important thing is the attitude to the job,” he says. “You must want to do it without even thinking about it.”

Not long ago William decided to dedicate his volunteering activities as a memorial to his beloved wife Betty who passed away in 1999. “I can think about her while I’m doing it,” William says. When William does get a chance to sit in his room he relishes in having his family all around him in photographs and delights in the beautiful garden view from his window. “This is my holiday camp,” he says. “My mini Hilton.”

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William Hilton and Betty (above)

When William met Betty “I met my wife when I was 12,” William recalls. His grandmother had recently passed away so his mother decided to take the family away for a holiday to the Scottish Riviera. When they went down to the beach they found Betty and her mother already set up in the sand. William and Betty began playing together and the two families spent most of the week together.

When they parted, the families exchanged addresses and kept in touch. When Betty was older, she moved to Edinburgh for nursing training and called up William’s mother only to find that he was serving in the Royal Navy and was out to sea. So Betty began writing to William and sent him a photograph of herself. Meanwhile William’s mother was persistent in trying to find Betty a husband and got a bit of a shock when her son returned and soon after declared his intentions towards Betty.

William and Betty were married in 1947.

Hope For Hope, being caring and welcoming also comes naturally. “I’m just a person that likes to help,” Hope says. “I just want to be friendly with everyone and welcoming.” Welcoming new residents is just a part of the valuable support she provides to her community at Walkerville Residential Care Centre.

Like William, Hope also visits people in their rooms and escorts others to activities.

Hope has always spent her time caring about others.

Born on a farm in Nowra in New South Wales, she was community minded from a young age and remembers knitting scarves during wartime for the Red Cross. Also during wartime, Hope attended Annesley Boarding School at Bowral in New South Wales. With a love for nature, Hope became a florist and ran her business from the home she shared with her mother which allowed her to tend to her beloved garden and manage her home duties. She remembers making many posies for young debutantes for their coming out balls. Not having children of her own, Hope put all her love into her niece and nephew.

In her mother’s later years, Hope enjoyed helping out wherever she was needed. She recalls their outings to the podiatrist, driving her mother and her mother’s friends to their appointments. “I’ve always loved older people and have been with them all my life,” Hope says, “I always had a car full of older people!”

In addition to this, she also regularly visited people in residential care centres in her hometown of Nowra.

Being helpful to and involved with her local community has always been important to Hope. Her pursuits included being the foundation member of the Shoalhaven Garden Club and the Shoalhaven Music Club while also joining the local golf club and supporting the Presbyterian Church. Hope also worked hard for the Country Women’s Association.

After her niece moved to Adelaide, the family eventually followed and Hope moved to a unit at Broadview. She came to live at Walkerville Residential Care Centre in November last year and began helping out almost as soon as she was settled. “I love being here,” Hope says. “I’m very fortunate.”

She’s not sure about the term ‘volunteer’ though as she doesn’t regard what she does as a job. For Hope, being caring and supportive is just a normal part of her day. “It’s a natural instinct,” she says.

Hope Lamond

William and H

ope

tre

ential Care Cen

id Walkerville Res

Want to know more about volunteering with ECH? We have a range of volunteer opportunities available at our various sites.

If you would like to become a valuable member of our volunteering team, please contact Volunteer Program Manager Kylie Maher on 8407 5151.

ECH Inc | 2013 | ECHo! ISSUE No. 149 |

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Leaning on each other David and Violet Fleming have not let a few health troubles stop them from enjoying what they love and living life to the fullest.

After being involved in a car accident in Riverton in 2006, followed by a stroke in 2007, David became muddled and was confused and agitated.

He and Violet moved into their ECH James Martin Court unit in December 2009 and David began attending Seasiders, an ECH day program.

“David has been going to Seasiders twice a week and recently started going on Fridays too,” Violet says. “I can see the difference in him. He’s not so dithery and he’s been able to settle down and think about things more. The staff there are just so lovely and the girls that pick him up from home are so bright and cheery.”

At Seasiders David spends his time having lunch with the other attendees, does a little bit of gardening and occasionally walks to the end of the jetty and back. “I’ve definitely been better since mixing with people at Seasiders,” David says. “They are such a friendly group.”

Both avid spiritual healers, David and Violet received a certificate each in February 2012 for 15 years of dedication and commitment to the South Australian Spiritual Healers Association Inc (SASHA).

“I used to attend a meditation group and David decided he would come along and gradually we started doing hands-on healing once a week with SASHA,” Violet says. “We would put our hands on parts of the body that need attention, like on the forehead if you have a headache, and you can feel the heat from the hands.”

While they are no longer involved with the association, David and Violet are still very active around their home and with their family. “I love being outside in the garden,” Violet says. “I enjoy taking our dog Quenna for a walk and we often catch the bus or get a taxi to Castle Plaza or to the local shops. The position we are in is fantastic for getting the bus. We get some home delivered meals and a cleaner comes once a week.”

David and Violet celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on 9th September this year. “We sat at home and drank a bottle of bubbly between ourselves,” Violet laughs.

“I’ve definitely been better since mixing with people at Seasiders.”

David and

Violet Flem in

g

A busy afrrnoon as seasiders A busy afternoon at Seasiders

34 | ECHo! ISSUE No. 149 | 2013 | ECH Inc

Every Generation Festival 2013 The Every Generation Festival is an annual festival held from 1st to 31st October and brings the community together in a celebration of life.

Each year the festival continues the tradition of celebrating the valuable contribution made by older South Australians.

It demonstrates that people, like anything worthwhile, improve with age and their contributions to society are valuable, welcomed and essential.

During the month of October events and activities are held for people of all ages to come together to celebrate older people’s achievements.

ECH is a bronze sponsor for the festival and as such will hold events throughout the month.

Events will involve staff, residents and business units across the organisation.

ECH is working hard to establish the festival as an organisation-wide activity and an integral part of the ECH calendar in future years.

During the month-long festival ECH will host a range of activities including morning teas, an art exhibition, music sharing, Tai Chi, a cooking class, bus trip and music recital plus many more.

Please visit www.cotasa.org.au to view the Every Generation Festival calendar of events.

For more information about the festival and its events, ECH Independent Retirement Living residents can contact Independent Living Services by email ils@ech.asn.au or by phoning 8407 5111.

Notices Profile 2010/11 APRIL 2012

Do you know someone who prefers their ECH publications in large print or on audio CD? This can be arranged as the Royal Society for the Blind kindly translates our publications into your preferred format.

For a copy contact: Publications Coordinator ECH Inc Reply Paid 83158 Parkside SA 5063 Telephone: 8407 5160 Email: publications@ech.asn.au

| ISSUE

No. 145

rity and secu mmunity mfort, co Court: co Crichton

Independent Living Units Community Services Residential Care

Want to be on the ECH mailing list?

If you would like to be added to the ECH mailing list please contact: Publications Coordinator ECH Inc Reply Paid 83158 Parkside SA 5063 Telephone: 8407 5160 Email: publications@ech.asn.au

ECH Inc | 2013 | ECHo! ISSUE No. 149 |

35

BOOKING FOR

2014 Holiday unit booking form

Please complete the form below and return it to: Corporate Office Reception ECH Inc 174 Greenhill Road Parkside SA 5063

NAME

ADDRESS

Holiday unit bookings ECH provides two well appointed holiday units at Ardrossan and Victor Harbor which are available to independent living unit residents.

Making a booking is as easy as completing the form opposite, cutting it out and returning it to Reception at ECH’s Corporate Office in Parkside.

The holiday units at Ardrossan and Victor Harbor are two bedroom, catering for a maximum of four people (one double bed and two singles).

A few things to remember:

PHONE

• The holiday booking is for seven nights.

MOBILE

• Your week commences on a Thursday with check in after 2pm and check out prior to 10am the following Thursday.

ARDROSSAN

• You will receive a phone call upon receipt of your booking request.

Unit 14, 32 Oval Terrace

•

Fee for seven night stay 1 person/per night $20 = $140.00 2 people/per night $30 = $210.00 3 people/per night $45 = $315.00 4 people/per night $60 = $420.00 Note: No taxi service is available, bus service arrives at Ardrossan in the evening.

VICTOR HARBOR Unit 13, 7 Acraman Street Fee for seven night stay 1 person/per night $20 = $140.00 2 people/per night $30 = $210.00 3 people/per night $45 = $315.00 4 people/per night $60 = $420.00

BOOKING PREFERENCES 1.

2.

36 | ECHo! ISSUE No. 149 | 2013 | ECH Inc

You will also receive a confirmation letter one month prior to your holiday with all the relevant information about what you need to take with you.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us on 8407 5151.

ECH wishes you a happy and enjoyable holiday!

Contact us Corporate Office

174 Greenhill Road

Retirement Living Independent Living Services Property and Facilities Management

Independent living unit enquiries For independent living unit residents

8407 5115 8407 5111

For independent living unit residents

8159 4700

Parkside

5063

8407 5151

Independent Retirement Living

Community Services In-home Programs Clarence Gardens Greenacres Kidman Park Mount Barker Tiwi Victor Harbor

913-915 South Road 1/1 Rellum Road 358 Findon Road 5/2-4 Cameron Road 11 Creswell Street 33 Cornhill Road

Clarence Gardens Greenacres Kidman Park Mount Barker Tiwi (NT) Victor Harbor

5039 5086 5025 5251 0810 5211

8113 6500 8361 5300 8159 4740 8391 4600 8922 6650 8551 0617

19 Cornhill Road 11 Laidlaw Street 1a Warooka Drive Corner Jade Crescent and Hay Street 11 Laidlaw Street 160 Walkerville Terrace

Victor Harbor Henley Beach Smithfield Happy Valley Henley Beach Walkerville

5211 5022 5114 5159 5022 5081

8551 0600 8356 5398 8254 2992 8381 4901 8356 5398 8342 8367

Greenacres Henley Beach Morphett Vale Somerton Park Tiwi

1/19-21 Fosters Road 168a Cudmore Terrace 126 Pimpala Road Grainger Road 11 Creswell Street

Greenacres Henley Beach Morphett Vale Somerton Park Tiwi (NT)

5086 5022 5162 5044 0810

8361 5350 8356 3169 8322 5700 8375 1525 8922 6650

Victor Harbor

33 Cornhill Road

Victor Harbor

5211

8551 0617

Myrtle Bank Morphettville Heathfield Hackham Largs North Ridgehaven Victor Harbor Smithfield Somerton Park Tiwi (NT) Walkerville Kidman Park

5064 5043 5153 5163 5016 5097 5211 5114 5044 0810 5081 5025

8130 6444 8350 3600 8230 5500 8392 6700 8248 9555 8397 0100 8551 0600 8254 4700 8375 1500 8922 6600 8342 8300 8159 4780

Social Programs Ross Robertson Day Respite Seasiders Smithy’s Place Southern Sundowner Plus Walkerville

Wellness Programs

Residential Care Carinya Charles Young Hillside Holly Marten Ridgehaven Ross Robertson Memorial Smithfield Somerton Tiwi Walkerville Food Services

39 Fisher Street 53 Austral Terrace 177 Longwood Road 16-24 Penneys Hill Road 110 Strathfield Terrace Gate 3, Hazel Grove 19 Cornhill Road 1 Warooka Drive Grainger Road 11 Creswell Street 160 Walkerville Terrace 358 Findon Road