Worth a try: rides for residents
The group of riders known as Maldon Cycling has raised funds to purchase a trishaw for the residents of Mountview Nursing Home at Maldon Hospital, who are enjoying the opportunity to view the local neighbourhood at cycling pace … The residents, who simply nominate to have a ride and take turns each Thursday afternoon, are loving the trishaw.
ACCPA hails passing of the Aged Care Bill
The Aged and Community Care providers Association (ACCPA) has welcomed the passing of the Aged Care Bill in the Senate, paving the way for a new Act, as a watershed moment for older Australians. A new, rights-based Aged Care Act was the number one recommendation of the Royal Commission into aged care ... "We congratulate our elected politicians for putting older Australians and the future of aged care above party politics, passing the Aged Care Bill in the Senate, with rare bipartisan support": ACCPA CEO Tom Symondson.
Aged care reforms passes parliament: Neumann
The Albanese Labor Government’s Aged Care Bill has today passed Parliament, ensuring once-in-a-generation reforms to aged care ... Starting from 1 July 2025, the new Act will deliver a range of improvements including a tougher regulatory model, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and a Statement of Rights to ensure older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.
CWA intergenerational initiative a first for Denmark
Serena Kirby. Denmark's CWA is bridging the generational gap with its Nanna’s Next Door initiative. The intergenerational playgroup is the brainchild of local mum Megan Sutton who believes that the Denmark CWA is the only branch offering this type of program ... "Some of these women may not have held a baby in decades and there’s certainly something special that happens when they hold a baby."
New Griffith Hospital to open early 2025, offering expanded healthcare facilities
Hay and other western Riverina communities will soon benefit from new and expanded healthcare facilities with the new Clinical Services Building, a key component of the $250 million Griffith Base Hospital Redevelopment, nearing completion ... The new hospital will include an expanded Emergency Department, two operating theatres, and an additional procedure room in the perioperative suite, new and expanded ICU...
May celebrates 104th birthday
On Tuesday 22nd October, May Craig celebrated her 104th birthday with her usual style, good humour and grace… Merv Schneider, who incidentally is May’s Legacy helper – Reader please NOTE: Veteran Merv 99 years old helps veteran/war widow May 104!! That has to be a first, maybe even a record!
Oldest known man in Australia turns 111
Kenneth “Ken” Weeks, the Clarence Valley’s oldest resident and the country’s oldest known living man, celebrated his 111th birthday earlier this month at his residence at Whiddon Grafton. With his loved ones by his side, Mr Weeks enjoyed a low-key affair this year after his 110th birthday in 2023 was commemorated in spectacular style by Heinz Australia who personalised 300 cans of his favourite food, baked beans, with his portrait in his honour.
Forum tackles aged care issues
The Hay Shire Council Aged Care Roundtable was held last Monday and was organised by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care Local Network. More than 25 people attended, representing Council, Haydays, Hay Multi-Purpose Service, and aged care providers and support services.
Looking to expand
Cycling Without Age Kerang is seeking to expand its services to other nursing homes, but they require more volunteer cyclists to do so ... The TriBike, a trike bike, is electronically assisted, providing an effortless pedal for the cyclist and a safe and enjoyable ride for up to two passengers.
‘Show week’ held at Riverview in Loxton
Sebastian Calderon. A local nursing home recently organised a week of arts, crafts, and creative activities aimed to put smiles on the faces of its residents. The Riverview Lutheran Rest Home in Loxton held a ‘show week’ with residents and visitors enjoying activities organised to boost the mood and happiness of everyone involved.
LHAC hosts successful hospital open day
Hay’s Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) hosted a very well attended open day at Hay Multipurpose Service (MPS) ... More than 65 community members and service providers gathered on the lawns for morning tea, before tours of McFarland Wing were given by Acting Facility Manager Melissa O’Brien.
Musical gift from the Bowe family to Maldon Hospital residents
Kerry Cain. Music plays a vital role in promoting joy and well-being for residents in aged care, and recently, Maldon Hospital welcomed a meaningful gift that will enhance the musical experience for its residents. The family of nursing heroine Ethel Jessie Bowe has donated a beautiful Thalberg piano to the hospital, celebrating the legacy of the remarkable woman for whom Jessie Bowe House is named.
Portrait project Uniting Caroona Yamba community
An innovative portrait project at Uniting Caroona Yamba by renowned local artist Harry Westera is uniting residents and staff, fostering a friendly community and preserving precious memories ... When his wife Grace, a Pastoral Carer at Caroona Yamba suggested he volunteer he took up the opportunity, and in 2 years he has hand drawn 91 portraits of residents, 52 of which adorn the walls of Caroona, with more being added regularly.
High-profile First Nations Australians come together to urge community to have a yarn about abuse of older people
With 1 in 6 people aged 65 years and older across Australia experiencing some form of abuse, high-profile First Nations Elders Yalmay YunupiÅ‹u, 2024 Senior Australian of the Year, and Charlie King OAM have joined together to urge community to have a yarn about the abuse of older people ... "We all know the abuse of older people isn’t part of our culture, so we need to come together and yarn about it so we can stop it from happening,” says Yalmay YunupiÅ‹u.
The need for aged housing in Gingin remains
With a prediction more than 1000 older residents will need suitable accommodation by 2027 some might want the Shire of Gingin to rethink its priorities. In the past six months the shire has controversially spent more than $700,000 for land on Dewar Rd for a future recreational use while the amount of housing available for seniors remains at the same level it was in 2015.
Respect announce $15 million redevelopment of Avonlea
Respect, a leading not-for-profit aged care provider in regional Australia, has announced a $15 million redevelopment project for its residential aged care home, Avonlea, located in Nhill.
The project, set to commence in the second half of 2024, will secure ongoing services and support for older people and their families across Nhill and the surrounding region for generations to come.
Letters from Home: Smile, you’re on candid camera
Well, sooner or later – usually later in life, your plumbing will act up, and your doctor will tell you that you will need a colonoscopy. It’s a word to put fear into your heart, and sympathetic expressions ( or evil chuckles) on the faces of friends and family who have endured the procedure. In case you’ve never had it done, I will share my firsthand experience.
Longridge help?
What’s the future of our community-owned aged care facility, Longridge Aged Care (LAC)? LAC is facing financial pressures due to the increased cost of business and is struggling to retain a stable workforce ... has written to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council to come to its rescue so it can continue to provide the best care for its residents.
Elder abuse warning
Serena Kirby. Statistics reveal that one-in six people over 65 will experience elder abuse and it’s more prevalent in remote areas and country towns ... Christine said elder abuse was not just physical violence or sexual abuse but included coercive control, psychological abuse, neglect, financial abuse and socially isolating someone.
Oldest woman in Australia and her country roots
Australia’s oldest woman, Lorna Henstridge, was born a Paterson and grew up on a Willamulka farm with her parents and two siblings ... Turning 110 last Thursday, June 6,Ms Henstridge was born in 1914 in Adelaide and lived on Yorke Peninsula until 1921.
73-year-old Iluka man’s new Australian record
A 73-year-old Iluka man who says he became "stuck in paradise" during Covid lockdowns has gained a new lease on life by training at Bodyrock Fitness which recently led to him setting an Australian Powerlifting record in his first competition. When they could escape Victoria following the first Covid lockdown, Grant "Riley" Oppy and his wife hit the road travelling around Australia...
Getting life into death right
Wayne Hawthorne. “It's your life and your death – get your words right and the process right” was the message Naracoorte Men’s Probus Club learnt recently. The talk was about “ACD’s” (Advanced Care Directives) which, in 2014 replaced the old Enduring Guardian Power of Attorney ... Brian Gepp spoke of his experience caring for his wife with progressively worsening dementia.
