Kids’ visit brings good cheer
Thirteen children braved a foggy winter’s morning last week and walked from Corryong Pre-school to Mittamatite Lodge Residential Aged Care to meet with residents. They gave each resident a very cheery hello before settling in for morning tea, a spot of colouring-in and some good old-fashioned conversation.
Retirement village residents value keeping their pets
Jann and Alan Page were unequivocal about their choice for a retirement village when they were looking 13 years ago ... Bethanie Beachside was the only provider that accepted furry companions and the Pages were among the first dozen couples to move in.
iPad’s donated to Longridge residents
Mary-Ann Koerner. The local volunteers of the Naracoorte “Meals on Wheels” branch have again supported Longridge ... This time they have purchased two extra-large, 13-inch iPad’s for our residents to use, and needless to say, since their arrival, they have hardly been turned off!
Outdoors made possible
Cohuna District Hospital was the recipient of a donation from the Cohuna Bridge to Bridge Committee ... The money was raised from the 30th annual Bridge to Bridge event held in March, and will go towards improving the outdoor area of the aged care home ... looking at options to enclose the area so that it can be used any time of the day and throughout the year.
Allora Homestead celebrates 40 years
An extra special celebration will take place at Allora Homestead on Friday, 21 July at 10.30am as residents, guests and staff gather to celebrate the aged care home’s 40th anniversary. Allora Homestead has supported families across the generations to age-in-place where they have established connection and belonging. Southern Cross Care Queensland (SCCQ) Residential Manager Majella Baker has served at Allora Homestead for 38 years and has supported individuals and their families at one of the most significant times of a person’s life.
Queensland communities welcome first PNG aged care workers to Australia: Conroy, Wells
The first group of workers from Papua New Guinea to be employed in Australia’s aged care sector under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has arrived in regional Queensland. The eight workers from PNG provinces including Western Highlands, New Ireland and Morobe will be employed by Southern Cross Care at aged care facilities at Chinchilla, Murgon and Taroom in Southeast Queensland, where local aged care staff have been hard to find.
Wheels turn on inclusive cycling
Fin Hansen. Elderly people and those with disabilities are being encouraged to sit back while someone else pedals. Wallaroo Community Development Association has launched a Cycling Without Age chapter and purchased a trishaw bike to transport people across the Copper Coast comfortably.
Neglecting older Australians – A missed opportunity for workforce inclusion and economic progress: Hugh Christie, TFGA
Australia is now grappling with a labour shortage across multiple sectors including health, aged care and agriculture. And our policymakers seem to continue to overlook retirees as part of the solution to the crisis.
New Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provider for Hindmarsh
Recipients of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) in Hindmarsh Shire will continue to be able to access their services from 1 July 2023 after the Commonwealth offered the contract to West Wimmera Health Service. The announcement comes after the decision from Hindmarsh Shire Council to cease providing the CHSP service after 30 June, and West Wimmera Health Service receiving a funding offer from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care to take over the service delivery for the whole shire.
Public health hub for Keith
It’s a sigh of relief for hundreds who have struggled for years to access quality health services at the “unsustainable” Keith and District Healthcare. The hospital will transition into a public health hub soon with seven-day urgent care, implement a community paramedic and nurse practitioner, and upgrade the aged care facility ... under the management of the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN).
Budget 2023 in a nutshell: No relief for bush says Ley
There are certain elements of the Budget the Coalition supports, but Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley thinks most people were looking for something to ease the cost-of-living crunch ... "The government also has a self-imposed delay in funding for important projects in our region. In short they are spending less in the MIA and taking longer to do it, which is hugely disappointing": Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley.
Funding crisis
Not-for-profit aged care facilities in the region are in a funding crisis. Revealing this to The [Naracoorte Community] News, CEO of Naracoorte’s Longridge Aged Care, Mary-Ann Koerner, said this was the most pressing issue facing the state and federal governments, needing immediate solutions. Ms Koerner said the issue was even over and above health in general, with facilities full to capacity, a lack of staff to look after the elderly, and improper state funding.
Buloke aged care decision
The provision of these services has been an important part of the Buloke Shire Council’s operations for nearing 40 years; however, with the comprehensive changes to be introduced as the Commonwealth Government progressively reforms the national aged care system, Buloke, like many other Councils, has reviewed its position and decided to exit service.
Calls to incentivise aged care industry
More needs to be done to incentivize the aged care industry in the Limestone Coast region and make it more appealing, says Shadow Minister for Ageing Penny Pratt. Ms Pratt says as the population in the regional towns continues to grow, with that must come an expansion of services, including aged care ... “More and more people want to age well at home or be assured that their quality of life will be enhanced in aged care facilities”: Shadow Minister for Ageing Penny Pratt.
Dodge’s visit to WWHS
Kaniva Day Centre and Nursing Home had a very special visitor this week ... Dodge an 11 year old AQHA stallion and therapy horse popped in to visit.
Chandlers celebrate 75 years of marriage
Daphne and Archie met in the Spring of 1945 at the Spring Creek Hall Dance. The two were enjoying their night dancing away with alternating partners to the Jolly Miller Waltz.
Marching for mental health
A four-day charity walk from Bonegilla to Corryong last week has raised more than $25,000 to date to promote awareness of veterans’ mental health isssues. Corryong cafè owner, Stuart Spratt, started the ‘March On’ walk three years ago and was accompanied by nine supporters who finished the trek with him at the Corryong cenotaph last Friday afternoon.
Government admission on regional aged care
The Federal Labor Government has been forced to admit it won’t reach its target of 24/7 Registered Nurses in all Aged Care homes, which is an acknowledgement for battling smaller regional aged care facilities. Earlier this week, Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells, revealed to media not every facility would be fully staffed by July 1, following months of pressure and advocacy from the Coalition on behalf of smaller aged care facilities.
Forum to help in-home aged care providers prepare for major industry reform
Tweed Shire Council, with partners Social Futures and Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program, are inviting Commonwealth Home Support Program providers to attend a free educational forum ahead of major changes to the in-home aged care sector next year. Strategy In The Face Of Change – Community Aged Care Forum will inform the sector of changes coming into effect in July 2024.
Marching on saves lives
Corryong cafè owner, Stuart Spratt, is undertaking another charity walk next week to raise awareness of veterans’ mental health issues. He intends to complete the 130-kilometre trek from Boathaven, near Wodonga, to Corryong via Cudgewa over four days, starting on Tuesday and expects to be joined by up to 15 walkers.
At-Home Support Program changes in Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack
At their most recent Council Meetings, Yarriambiack Shire Council moved to transition out of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Hindmarsh Shire provisionally moved (subject to consultation with staff) to exit out of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the State Government funded Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACCPYP) program from 30 June 2023 ... Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor, Kylie Zanker said "This is one of the most difficult decisions we have had to make, and with the significant changes being introduced into the aged care industry it has made it almost impossible for Council to continue to deliver the services".
Celebrating Beryl Meyer’s 100 years!
Kaniva born and bred, Beryl Meyer is the ultimate reminder of the sheer simplicity and joy of life. From humble beginnings, Beryl still maintains that ‘a home full of love is all you need to enjoy life for what it is’.
