Feros Magazine Winter 2018

feros Winter 2018

Cover Story

HUGH’S BOLD LIFE Food Focus

EAT, DRINK & BE HEALTHY WIN

SHARE YOUR BUCKET LIST DREAM

IN THIS ISSUE 03 CEO’s Word

feroscare.com.au

04 Feros News 06

LAC Milestones

08 Cover Story – Hugh Webster

FEROS CENTRAL Ph: 1300 763 583 Fax: 1300 850 770 Email: advisors@feroscare.com.au

FEROS CARE BUSINESS CENTRE 11 All Teched Up but Nowhere To Go? 12 Ability Fest: An Inclusive Party 14 Stepping Out Of The Zone 17 Share Your Bucket List Dream 18 Food Focus Helping Residents Eat, Drink And Be Healthy 20 Ask Gran Not Google 21 Dear Gran 22 The Ripple Effect 25 Make It Spring Whatever The Season 26 How Do We Help More People Live Bold Lives?

Level 3, The Strand 72-80 Marine Parade (Locked Bag 1) Coolangatta QLD 4225 Ph: 07 5669 0555 Fax: 07 5536 7520 Email: info@feroscare feroscare.com.au

AT HOME SERVICES REGIONAL OFFICES Hobart A Melbourne A Sydney Port Macquarie A Tewantin Ph: 1300 763 583

FEROS VILLAGE BANGALOW 6 Byron Bay Road (PO Box 329) Bangalow NSW 2479 Ph: 02 6687 2379 Fax: 02 6687 2286 Email: bangalow@feroscare.com.au

FEROS VILLAGE BYRON BAY Cnr Marvell & Cowper Streets (PO Box 585) Byron Bay NSW 2481 Ph: 02 6685 7676 Fax: 02 6685 5176 Email: byron@feroscare.com.au

FEROS VILLAGE WOMMIN BAY McKissock Drive Kingscliff NSW 2487 Ph: 02 6674 4177 Fax: 02 6674 4171 Email: wommin@feroscare.com.au

FEROS CARE HEALTH & WELLNESS 28 Board Update 29 Social News 30 Brain Games

Level 3, The Strand 72-80 Marine Parade (Locked Bag 1) Coolangatta QLD 4225 Ph: 1300 085 181 Fax: 1300 850 770 Email: wellness@feroscare.com.au

LIFELINK EXPERIENCE CENTRE Unit 22-23/25 Ourimbah Road Tweed Heads NSW 2485 Ph: 1300 851 771 feroscare.com.au/alarms

@feroscare @feroscare @feroscare

2

feros magazine

CEO’S WORD Welcome to the Winter 2018 edition of Feros Magazine.

This season, we want to inspire you to Grow Bold in your own way, by sharing stories and tips around this theme. At 87 years young, Hugh Webster can teach you about the wisdom of living a bold life on page 8, how you can positively step out of your comfort zone on page 14, and get excited about Ability Fest on page 12.

There’s plenty more inside the covers! Our focus for our magazine is information and enjoyment. We’d love to hear your feedback on how we can improve our magazine. You can email marketing@feroscare.com.au if you have any suggestions!

As always, it’s been a busy time for us since the last magazine.

The Commonwealth Games, held on the Gold Coast in April, created many months of planning to ensure our clients in South East Queensland were supported throughout this busy games period. Thankfully it all went well, with the games bringing lots of visitors and excitement to our communities. With Coolangatta hosting the Volleyball, our Feros Care team enjoyed getting amongst it and took the opportunity to spread our Grow Bold message to national and international visitors.

In 2018, we’re challenging Australians to make this the year they choose to grow bold — by pursuing their bucket list dreams, no matter their age, ability or background. The Bold Bucket List competition supports this initiative, with one winner receiving $10,000 support to turn their dream into a reality. Entries close on 15 November, 2018. More details on page 17.

As the nights turn colder, I reflect on how lucky I am to have warm food and a warm bed — every night. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. The number of homeless people aged 55 years and above has steadily increased over the last ten years, while research has shown that people with disability in Australia are more likely to be at risk of homelessness, and live below the poverty line.

This year Feros Care wanted to show our commitment to this cause and have started in small ways to make a difference where we can. That’s why I, along with many of the Feros Care team, have pledged to help local charities provide meals for homeless people this year. In July, I’ll also be taking part in Vinnies CEO Sleepout to help raise awareness and vital funds to end homelessness. I want to thank our staff, members, families and friends of Feros for supporting the cause.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of your Feros Magazine.

Jennene Buckley CEO

Winter 2018

3

FEROS NEWS

MIND OVER MOUNTAIN Charity fundraiser, Grandmother and Feros Care Community Support Worker, Ilka Stark, recently tackled the world’s highest free-standing mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro!

In an ascent that took 9 hours, Ilka followed in the footsteps of indigenous climbers, 19th-century explorers, and, more recently, the oldest climber (aged 86) and several people with physical disability.

“What got me through was my clear- set goals, which were to raise money for my charity, make my grandchildren proud and send out a message that your mind is powerful and we can achieve so much more than we think we’re capable of.”

“I knew the physical aspect would be hard, but did not account for such strong mental and emotional challenge” says Ilka.

You’ve achieved your bold goals Ilka, and your colleagues are proud of you too.

THE FUTURE OF WORK To make sure we’re set up to continue supporting our clients and staff to lead bold lives in the future, we’ve been exploring the ‘Future of Work’.

From research and feedback, we’ve developed a picture of what work in the future looks like for our staff and leaders.

Strong, capable and bold leaders are key to keeping Feros Care at the forefront of innovative practices to support and enhance positive living.

From the top and right through the business, we’re pursuing our mission to develop BOLD leaders. We’ve partnered with Pragmatic Thinking who have combined the research of biology, psychology and anthropology to develop and deliver a bespoke

4

feros magazine

leadership program: BOLD to the Bone – Lead Differently.

We’re excited to see BOLD leadership come to life across the business, with our BOLD to the Bone leadership program currently being rolled out to more than 60 leaders and program managers across the country. Our clients will see the results of this in staff who are even more engaged, and supported by leaders who are empowered to make bold, innovative and effective decisions that improve people’s lives.

WORK BOLD. STUDY BOLD. GROW BOLD! There’s an amazing bunch of people working at Feros Care, who inspire us with their versions of living a bold life.

Take Lisa Miles. Lisa has been part of the team since 2009, as a Community Support Worker in beautiful Byron Bay. During this time she gained a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, and completed her Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology – all while providing the best of care to our clients.

Lisa’s bold journey took her away from us for a few years, while she studied medicine in Wollongong, but the good news is she returned to Northern NSW

in 2017, and re-joined the Feros family while she completes her placement.

At Home Manager Judy Smith said, “I was so thrilled when she said she was returning to the region and looking for weekend shifts while she worked weekdays at the hospital. I couldn’t get her back fast enough! I didn’t want any other provider snapping her up!”

This year, in 2018, Lisa will complete her final year of medicine! We are so pleased to see her bold life unfolding.

THE DREAM TEAM If you’ve always dreamed of a bold adventure but haven’t yet lived it, our Grow Bold Cycle Team are here to show you it’s never too late!

Intrepid Feros Care Board Member Jill McCann recently lead a group of cyclists, with an average age of 71, on an epic bike ride around New Zealand’s majestic South Island.

Trail and the Otago Rail Trail. Over ten days, they each cycled more than 300 kilometres, even finding time for a little horse riding and white water rafting on their ‘rest’ days!

A group of bold adventurers, they pedalled their way along beautiful paths including the West Coast Wilderness

This isn’t the group’s first adventure, nor will it be their last, so stay tuned for more inspiration from this dream team!

REABLEMENT IN PRACTICE: A TEAM APPROACH Lisa MacQueen, one of our Community Support Workers in Northern Tassie, recently assisted a client to do his grocery shopping – no big deal, right? Well, in this case, it was!

George had not purchased his own shopping for around four years. He had become reliant on others and, as a result, had lost his independence and was feeling quite depressed.

George’s Wellbeing Manager, Mel, worked with him to develop a plan with short, realistic goals, and with Lisa’s weekly encouragement they were able to slowly break down the barriers that were

stopping George from changing his set routine. Lisa and Mel provided positive reinforcement and encouraged him to Be Bold and start pushing himself to do things he had given up on – things he no longer believed he was capable of doing.

First it was a trip to the supermarket, then he was confident enough to go out on his own to pay bills, and now he’s visiting friends which he hasn’t done in “forever!”

George looks forward to his outings, his diet has improved, he is feeling more independent and his mood has been boosted dramatically.

The joy and the empowerment he felt in achieving his bold goals was something Lisa was able to share with him – and her one-word description of the experience? “Priceless!”

Winter 2018

5

FEROS CARE

LOCAL AREA COORDINATION

MILESTONES

TOWNSVILLE MACKAY BAROSSA NORTH ADELAIDE

ACT

WITH

588 INTERVIEWS 395 REFERENCE CHECKS TO RECRUIT 196 LAC STAFF

THEY’VE TRAVELLED

AND MET THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DURING

2.2 MILLION

1,837

KILOMETRES

6

feros magazine

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

RESULTING IN

15,000 PARTICIPANTS SUPPORTED

ACT Office Opening

Torres Strait Islander engagement evening

On the road

Local Area Coordinators in the community

Beautiful Bowen

Out and about in Mackay

Winter 2018

7

HUGH’S BOLD LIFE Hugh Webster offers two simple words when asked the secret to living a full life. He then backs them up with a collection of tales that shows he has practised what he preaches across his 87 years.

8

feros magazine

“ I actually volunteered at Feros for a couple of months before I moved in “ “Join in,” he smiles as he leans forward in his favourite lounge chair at Feros Village Byron Bay. That’s right — join in like Hugh did as a little bloke growing up on the south coast of England, forever pedalling his trusty pushbike to the top of his favourite hill to see the magical view below.

“My favourite memory was riding my pushbike to the top of the hill at Baddacombe and Oddicombe. It overlooked the white beaches and blue sea and out on the water were little sailing boats with red sails.

Join in like Hugh did as a young architect working on archaeological sites in Crete and in frontier towns of Papua New Guinea, not to mention criss-crossing the Asia of the 1970s.

“That is a lasting memory and I suppose it gave me a foretaste of the warmer climes I’ve ended up in over here.”

Join in like Hugh did only a few months ago when he and a posse of Feros Village friends teamed with a Bryon street artist to ‘pimp’ their ride, painting the residential village’s bus with the boldest of colours.

‘Here’ is the land Down Under and the family’s destination when they boarded a migrant boat with an assortment of Brits, Germans and Dutch in the latter part of 1964.

“I actually painted ‘Hugh was here’ on the side of the bus but they covered it up,” he laughs.

Hugh has called Feros Village Byron Bay home for the past five years, but his association with the unique model of residential aged care goes back much further.

“My parents actually lived here when it first opened,” he says of the village’s birth in 1990.

“Dad was 90 when he had a little fall and Mum realised it was a good time to find somewhere else to live. We looked in the local newspaper and there was a story about this place opening.

“That was a Saturday and the next day we drove here and they were cleaning up all the debris from the opening celebration.”

Raised as an only child, Hugh’s bond with his parents was strong and had its roots in the UK industrial town of Sheffield before the trio made the move to coastal Torquay.

“It was a very pleasant change,” he recalls.

Winter 2018

9

Like thousands of new arrivals, a 34-year-old Hugh and his parents docked at Sydney’s ‘Pyrmont 13’ wharf on January 2, 1965, and their transition to the Aussie way of life was under way.

Well, almost.

“My initial impression of Australia was waiting for seemingly hours to get off the bloody boat,” Hugh says.

“We had to fill in the forms, go through customs and then wait and wait and wait. No one tells you why you’re waiting but we did eventually get off the boat.

“Would you like to wander around for a look?”

Hugh assumes the role of tour guide, showing off the village and sharing more stories as he goes.

“That was a glorious summer though, just fine weather right through and such a change from the intermittent drizzle of English weather.”

He mentions his late wife, Joy, and the autobiography he’s writing. He recalls the chaos of schooling during World War II and his architectural pride at helping create Brisbane’s Post Office Tower.

He says those words as another summer’s sun is shining on Feros Care Byron Bay.

He also fights back tears as he remembers the sibling he never truly got to know.

A flock of birds are chirping outside the common room. The voices of young children float across the fence from the neighbouring kindergarten. Fellow residents wave and smile as they pass the room.

“I would have had a younger sister but she died at three months,” Hugh reveals.

Hugh seems to have done the right thing by doing as his parents did and calling this place home.

“I actually volunteered at Feros for a couple of months before I moved in,” he says.

“I was living in a campervan up at Main Arm (in the Byron Bay hinterland) … but it was cold in winter, hot in summer and had started to leak. I wanted to get in here before winter really set in and that’s what I did.

“I can never sit around doing nothing … I do the trivia quizzes.

“I go on the outings. I also love gardening. I grow zinnias in that pot out there and other plants in the corner of the yard.”

“Mum actually developed blood poisoning and nearly died as a result of her birth. She remembered a very strong dream during her illness that she was on a ship and people were saying, ‘She’s sinking, she’s sinking’.

“Mum was a very strong-willed person and she said ‘I’m holding on’”. Hugh’s voice cracks. “She just survived — for my sake, I suppose.”

Does he think such determination and strength has guided him in his own life?

“Yes, I suppose it has,” Hugh says before later adding, “I think you’ve just got to enjoy life, have fun …”

He grins cheekily.

“And ignore the rules.”

Learn more about our vibrant residential villages on the beautiful North Coast of NSW. feroscare.com.au/villages 10

feros magazine

ALL TECHED UP BUT NOWHERE TO GO? Bob Dylan said the times they are a-changin’ and don’t we know it, but there’s no reason for anyone to feel left behind when it comes to online technology — and participating in life — no matter what age you are or what your situation is.

If you’ve taken the first bold step and purchased yourself a computer or tablet, but find yourself unsure (or frustrated!) about where to go now, you may want to try Feros Care’s Virtual Seniors Centre (VSC).

Even if you’re not that into technology, Feros Care can help you. The VSC interface has a simple design, is easy to use and will get you connected and participating in social activities.

“ The VSC

interface has a simple design and is easy to use“

You’d be amazed at what’s in the VSC to discover: A book clubs A seated yoga A special interest groups A chat rooms

What’s more, there are people using the VSC just like you. You can participate from the comfort of your own home or wherever you are online.

This offers wonderful benefits for those less mobile, people who live on their own or are feeling lonely.

A tai chi A movement to music; and dance.

You can share your own knowledge and expertise with others in the VSC or you might want to explore the latest topics about healthy living; participate in art and craft workshops; or play games that challenge and stimulate your mind. We also offer support groups for carers and discussions with guest speakers.

So, take the bold next step to a more fulfilling life now by phoning

1300 671 331 or emailing us at VSC@feroscare.com.au

Winter 2018

11

ABILITY FEST:

AN INCLUSIVE PARTY

By Tristram Peters

The inaugural Ability Fest was held in April. Organised

by The Dylan Alcott Foundation & Untitled Group, the aim was to use music as a platform to normalise disability by encouraging everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability or race — to come together in celebration of live music. 100% of the $200,000.00 proceeds went towards helping young Australians with disabilities via the Dylan Alcott Foundation.

Tristram Peters is a writer, editor, and disability advocate with a keen passion for sports. He recently represented Australia at the Powerchair Football World Cup and sits on the sport’s executive board for the Asia Pacific Oceania zone. He also lives for music (because one interest isn’t enough, right?). Tristram was at Ability Fest and has shared his experience with us!

Tristram Peters

KNOW THE LINGO Mosh pit – A spot in front of a band where everyone is dancing. Not for the faint-hearted!

Randoms – People you don’t know randomly interacting with you.

12

feros magazine

Without a doubt, Ability Fest was one of the most accessible and uplifting festivals I’ve ever been to. Being a music lover, I’ve been to my fair share of gigs and festivals. Most times, they’ve been amazing, highlighted by unforgettable people and life-affirming tunes. Every now and then, though, things go a bit pear-shaped, and it’s always because of my disability. Here’s a rundown of the most common issues:

Let’s barrel through the festival’s solutions:

Booking the tickets

norm, that people with disabilities weren’t congratulated for doing normal things like attending a gig.

Booking tickets can be a nightmare for people with disability. Because of mine, I need a companion to come to the gig with me to help. Unfortunately, you often can’t buy companion tickets online, so I have to ring the sellers to do it over the phone. The problem is I get bottlenecked behind thousands, the seller sells out, and I’m left with nothing, unlike everyone else who just bought their tickets online. For many gigs, there’s zero capacity for me to get companion tickets efficiently.

General access Many festivals don’t have viewing platforms, so I’m stuck at the back of the pack in my powerchair, without a view.

A lot of the time I brave the mosh pit, but viewing platforms go a long way. Same goes with flat, smooth, accessible paths: if it rains, I’m stuck, with no paths I can easily traverse. (Thanks though to the Spanish backpacker who once carried me to safety at a festival.)

People I genuinely love people, but when I’m at gigs, I’m accosted by randoms who always tell me how great it is that I’m “out actually doing something”, “living a life”, and “an inspiration”.

For me and my disability, this is the biggest slap in the face.

What else do people expect me to do with my life? Sit at home and do nothing? I appreciate their attempts at being nice, but their comments accentuate how different they think I am. And it hurts. Ability Fest solved all this.

they let people with disabilities buy their tickets 

online, then present companion tickets at the gate for their carer;

they had viewing platforms and accessible paths; and  they made the festival so inclusive, disability so much the 

It’s this last point that was the big turning point. By making the festival so inclusive, more people with disabilities attended. Because of this, it wasn’t such a surprise for people to see us out enjoying the music; we were average music fans just like them.

One of the best things? All the artists donated their time to the festival. Because of their generosity, all proceeds raised went towards helping young people with disabilities. (Dylan even gave an 8-year-old his first tennis wheelchair on stage during the last set. Tears were shed, man.)

What’s the Big Deal?

The greatest fuel to prejudice is ignorance. Every time I’ve suffered from prejudice or had a stupid comment hurled at me, it’s because the person responsible doesn’t know any better. Ability Fest introduced me, and others like me, to people who might not have dealt with disability before.

Importantly, people attended the festival not JUST because it was accessible, but because it was a festival with a stellar line-up. We were all average music fans, regardless of ability or disability or anything else. That was Dylan’s mission, and he succeeded.

OTHER ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES A AUSLAN interpreters A disabled bathrooms A highly visible signage A guide dog relief and water bowls A disabled parking and drop-off zone A quiet area/chill zone A volunteers galore!

This article was originally published by Clickability, an Australian disability service directory that features reviews from people who actually use the services. You can navigate the site to find your perfect disability provider or even join their growing community of reviewers.

Tristram and his carer on the viewing platform.

Visit the website www.clickability.com.au Winter 2018

13

GETTING IN THE ZONE, AND STEPPING OUT OF IT If you’ve had a secret yearning to run your own online shoe store, try camel racing in the Outback, write a book on railway signals, sing outside of the shower (with your clothes on), or trek the Himalayas but you haven’t quite got there yet, you’re not alone.

No matter what your heart’s desire is, if it’s been on the back-burner for some time, but hasn’t burnt out, then maybe it’s time to bring it back to the boil.

We all have a comfort zone — it’s the emotional place we already know and feel safe in. Its historic purpose was as a survival mechanism, to avoid being eaten by bigger animals. But, there’s not much chance of that happening these days unless you jump the fence at the zoo. So, is it time to ask yourself the question: “Are the boundaries of my comfort zone getting in the way of me being bold and living the best life I can?”

Not so long ago, the word “bold” was used to describe a badly behaved child. While this meaning is now outdated, there are some big kids who’ve been around as long as seven, eight or nine decades who still see themselves as a bit naughty. You know who you are.

Being bold in the 21st century is more about being willing to take risks and signifies a person who is “confident” and

14

feros magazine

“courageous”. This beautifully aligns with Feros Care’s view of Being Bold, although being a bit naughty isn’t out of the question. This ethos is expressed through the many options and programs we provide for village residents and those we care for in the community as we help them to lead bold lives.

If you’re feeling a bit stuck in your life, think about what’s the worst that could happen if you tried something different or set about doing the one thing you’ve always wanted to, but haven’t. Accepting the worst-case scenario — which when examined is often not as bad as we first thought — is a good place to start.

“ Live every day like it’s your last, because one day you’re going to be right.“ Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder 1955-2011

From little “things big

things grow.”

Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody, Musicians 1955 - and 1946 -

Cast your mind back to how you were as a child or a younger adult, when you were not afraid to fall or try new things. It was a time when you didn’t over-think and just did stuff. Remember? All those brave acts like speeding down a hill on a go-kart; climbing the fence to enjoy the neighbour’s mulberries; or patting stray dogs and big horses. What about when you rode a motorbike along winding country roads or stayed out all night dancing and strolled home in the dawn light with your friends? This courage, in all its simplicity, is still within you.

Anyone who has decided to make changes in their life will tell you there are great things waiting for you outside your comfort zone. And while they are unknown, the unknown doesn’t have to be scary — it’s all a matter of perception. Being bold and venturing into the unknown

offers wonderful possibilities — fun, laughter, purpose and inspiration.

But how do we get from here to there, especially if we’ve built our fortresses up nice and high over time, with elaborate turrets and a keep, but a rickety old drawbridge? Fear is actually healthy. Along with our comfort zone, fear is part of our survival instinct and prevents most of us from ending up with Darwin Awards. However, irrational fear only serves to hold us back from leading happier, more fulfilling lives.

Winter 2018

15

Being bold and overcoming fear doesn’t have to mean jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane or riding the world’s biggest rollercoaster either. It can be as simple as taking a deep breath and putting one foot in front of the other or saying yes when you would normally say no.

Big journeys are made up of little steps.

At 75, Frank Sebastyan of Adelaide has taken a few steps in his time, on the catwalk that is. He is Australia’s oldest male model. Audrey Kuchel, 90, of Ballarat flew 30 metres above the ground in a harness on a Fijian holiday. At 97, Allan Stewart of Tea Gardens graduated with a Masters in Clinical Science, and Gail Wallace of Murwillumbah, trekked along 50km of the Great Wall of China for a fundraising venture at 62.

“ To infinity and beyond! “

Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger 1995 –

Overseas, 101-year-old Julia Hawkins set a new record for the US 100-yard dash after starting to compete at 75 years old. And the UK’s Charles Eugster decided to get seriously fit at 87. He’s now 98 and a bodybuilder because he “wants to turn beautiful 70-year-old girls’ heads”.

The common thread running through these people is they are boldly stepping outside of their comfort zones to explore what makes them feel passionate and alive.

We all need that at any age.

GROW BOLD GUIDE A Before automatically saying ‘no’ to an idea or opportunity, consider where saying ‘yes’ might take you.

A Own your own flaws and value your strengths.

People who are bold and courageous are

self-aware.

A Speak up for yourself. This doesn’t have to be in a loud or boisterous way. Everyone has a right to say how they feel.

A Minimise risk and appreciate that failure is part of life and represents a learning opportunity.

16

feros magazine

A Be clear about your priorities and what you want. Writing them down helps. All goals need a plan, all journeys need a map.

A Use positive language and never self- deprecate when things go awry. Blame is lame.

A Accept that fear is part of life, but having the courage to overcome fear makes life truly worth living.

A Learn about mindfulness and living in the now.

This will help you to use your time better.

A Remember, the hardest part is making the decision to change, not the actual doing.

ME SEND CE P S A INTO

SEE Y OU AT THE S OUTH POLE

SE ENTRIES CLO 2018 BER,apply.

15 NOsVanEdM conditions

\\\

\

Term

Winter 2018

17

FOOD FOCUS HELPING RESIDENTS EAT, DRINK AND BE HEALTHY Scott Falls may not be a medical expert but he takes immense pride in the role he plays in ensuring the residents of Feros Bangalow Village stay as healthy as possible.

“We can give them medicines and pills, but food is such a vital part of keeping them well,” the head chef said of the 64 seniors who call the village home.

“The better and more nutritional the food we serve, the less they need some medicines. That’s where the phrase ‘food is medicine’ comes from.”

That concept — food as medicine — is not new, with Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, said to have coined the term almost 2500 years ago.

18

feros magazine

Scott Falls

The Greek physician believed eating wholesome food was the basis for good health and hundreds of centuries later, that same philosophy is driving menu creation at Feros Care’s residential villages at Bangalow, Byron Bay and Kingscliff’s Wommin Bay.

“Other than a few specialty items and a small amount of frozen peas and beans, we use all fresh food and produce,” Scott explained.

“There are no artificial additives and it’s all freshly made.

Our soups are made from scratch every morning. We want to ensure our meals have great nutritional value and the best way to achieve that is to use fresh ingredients.”

Scott’s work environment is testament to his words.

A whiteboard in the kitchen outlines key culinary details about each resident – allergies in red, dislikes in blue. The bookshelf in his office is filled with textbooks about food and nutrition, among them the extremely pertinent Eat to Cheat Dementia

by Dietitian Ngaire Hobbins.

“ We do freshly baked

morning teas and the smell of biscuits or cakes flowing through the village can bring a smile to many faces.“

“We have residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and providing food that is enticing as well as nourishing can play a huge role in their quality of life,” Scott said.

“We serve many traditional recipes and dishes that they can identify with. The next generation coming through might have a different palate but meals such as roasts and stroganoff evoke positive feelings for them.

“We’ve also seen how smells of food can inspire memories.

If we serve fish and chips, it can remind someone of being at the beach with their parents or own children years ago”.

Feros Care’s commitment to raising the bar when it comes to its menus has seen Scott and his fellow head chefs attend renowned cook Maggie Beer’s ‘Creating an Appetite for Life’ educational program.

“Maggie has a passion for ensuring residents in aged care receive fresh food filled with flavour and nutrition,” Scott said of the three-day workshop.

“As head chefs, we can help achieve that and it was brilliant to hear Maggie and other aged care industry experts outline how we can deliver the best menus for our residents.

“Take purees – it’s not a case of one-size-fits-all. People with different health conditions swallow differently so it’s vital we are strict about the consistency of our purees. We’re also trialing moulds so a puree on the plate looks like the vegetable it is, for example a carrot.

“So much thought goes into what we do.”

And how does Scott know when they’ve hit the mark?

“You can tell it’s been a successful menu when the residents’ plates are empty – and that’s always a good feeling.”

Did you know we provide respite care at our residential villages? Contact us to learn more today on 1300 763 583 Winter 2018

19

when e ik l e if l s a w What y and social media technoloegren’t around? w How does the world spin around and keep us on it? r?

Why do planes stay up in the ai Ask Gran Not Google suggests seeking answers from a more experienced source before consulting the internet.

20

feros magazine

Ask Gran Not Google is the brainchild of our own Shelly Fletcher, whose family banned technology in favour of going to another trusted source of knowledge and wisdom – grandparents. Shelly and her cousins did a family experiment where all questions were directed at Nana and Pop first before searching online.

What started as an experiment among the family of one staff member has now sparked a much bigger conversation about the wisdom, experience and value our seniors can bring to the lives of young people.

Ask Gran Not Google was launched in 2017, with more than 1,000 primary and secondary students taking part by writing and video messaging their questions to seniors in their life – from close grandparents to family across oceans, neighbours, community members and Feros Care Residential Village residents, asking more than 2,000 questions.

Jennene Buckley, our CEO, believes that Ask Gran Not Google has had a much greater impact than even we imagined when the idea started. It has opened up the hearts and minds of students and teachers, reminding us of the valuable role seniors play in our families and our communities.

“It really brought home the fact that intergenerational connection is still so important, not just for sharing knowledge and advice, but for building deeper relationships, reducing isolation and enriching both seniors’ and students’ lives,” said Jennene.

“The internet is an incredible tool for people of all ages, and it continues to empower people, both young and old. However, the wisdom and life experience of older generations cannot be replaced, and Ask Gran Not Google was an extremely powerful reminder of that,” she said.

In 2018, we’re excited to be able to continue the program and roll it out to more schools.

“Ask Gran Not Google has received such amazing feedback from both students and teachers so we’re thrilled to be able to roll out a second round of programs thanks to the NSW Seniors Festival grant,” she said.

“It’s incredible how much this program has opened up the hearts and minds of all involved and reminded us of the valuable role seniors play, both within our families and our community.”

To learn more about Ask Gran Not Google visit the website or email marketing@feroscare.com.au

Dear Gran, I’m 32 years old, and my mum constantly sets me up on blind dates! She carries photos of me with her, and passes them out to prospective sons-in-law or women who have sons or grandsons who are single! I get random messages from men I’ve never met at least once a month.

It’s embarrassing. I’ve asked her to stop – she says she will stop, but doesn’t! How can I make it stop?!

Single and Happy, Port Macquarie

Dear Single and Happy, As a Mum and a Gran, I know where your mum is coming from. She just wants you to be happy. It sounds like she’s just making you unhappy though. Why don’t you explain to your mum that it’s making you feel unsafe.

That should do the trick!

Gran

Dear Gran,

Got a question for Gran? email marketing@feroscare.com.au

Winter 2018

21

THE RIPPLE EFFECT A genuine passion for their work shines through whenever you speak with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC).

They talk of being thankful for a role where they can assist people to reach their goals, of how they are honoured to be let into a person’s frustrations, challenges and aspirations, and about how they are hopeful for a more connected and supported future for those people with disability.

22

feros magazine

“ Beth listened and

Beth Helmers, Local Area Coordinator

Local Area Coordinators don’t take their position for granted, but nor do they see the support they provide as anything special or life-changing. It’s just ‘what we do’ they’ll say.

It was a recent email from Angela, a parent of a young lady with autism, sent to Feros Care’s ACT Service Area Manager, Helen Malcomess that struck a chord with the team. Angela’s sincere thanks was a reminder to the LAC’s that what they do makes a difference. And, put into context, the letter was a reminder of the ripple effect that a simple conversation, the power of listening and allowing a person to be heard has had on people’s lives.

In 1994 Angela was delighted to find out she was pregnant and, like any new mother, nine months later she was thrilled to welcome into the world a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Caitlin. Initially, Caitlin appeared to be meeting the typical developmental milestones. However, as the months turned into years and Caitlin started to socialise more with her peers and the world around her became more complex, Angela noticed changes in her daughter’s behaviours and the way she interacted with her friends. After many assessments, at the age of 12, Caitlin was diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder, a disorder which according to specialists at Autism Spectrum Australia is “a lifelong developmental condition that affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people.”

Angela describes her daughter as “such an incredible girl” whose goals were just like any other child her age: to leave school, get a job and live independently. As adolescence hit,

established exactly what Gabby needed and then linked us straight into the services that would help Gabby lead the happy and fulfilling life I have always hoped for her.“ Caitlin’s challenges with social interaction saw her become socially isolated, despite attending school and working at a local bakery. Like any mother, Angela’s wish for Caitlin is to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life but she could see the struggle Caitlin was having on a day-to-day basis. It wasn’t until the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was introduced in the ACT that she felt her hopes, and her daughters’ goals, might be fulfilled. With the NDIS in place, Caitlin is finally able to access the supports she requires through a mix of funded and mainstream supports.

When Angela was recommended to make contact with the Feros Care Local Area Coordination service before Caitlin’s existing NDIS Plan was scheduled for review, she once again felt frustrated. She was daunted by the requirement to navigate yet another service, talk to more people and explain her needs over again, always unsure as to the outcome.

Already feeling overwhelmed with supporting Caitlin and wanting to do what’s best for her, Angela confessed she came to Feros Care “very frustrated, bitter and miserable” because of her previous experience. So when she met LAC Beth Helmers, her guard was up. But it wasn’t too far into the conversation that she realised things were about to change, her guard came down, and she felt Feros was able to provide the support she needed. This support was further enhanced by the local knowledge that Beth was able to supply.

“Beth listened and established exactly what Caitlin needed and then linked us straight into the services that would help Caitlin lead the happy and fulfilling life I have always hoped for

Winter 2018

23

“ It is with the care of

and guidance of Beth that we now have the right supports for Caitlin, and her dreams for her future are coming to life“

her. Beth was responsive and offered suggestions and a range of options for what is available for Caitlin. Through Beth going above and beyond, my fears for Caitlin, mainly her not being able to live on her own, disappeared as I knew there were people out there who do support and who care. As for me, I quickly started to become a happier person. Beth brought me back from a bad place as she gave me confidence that the decisions I was making were the right ones,” shared Angela.

With the support of Beth and approved funding through NDIS, Caitlin is now undertaking volunteer work and her goal is to build her skills towards paid part-time employment.

She feels pride in her home, enjoys being in her garden and appreciates the support for home maintenance. She is able to travel independently on public transport and is planning trips for herself to visit family and friends. As a parent, Angela is delighted with this progress. Now that Caitlin is feeling confident in her self-management skills, she is less reliant on her family and is taking on greater responsibility for her life.

“It is with the care and guidance of Beth that we now have the right supports for Caitlin, and her dreams for her future are coming to life. I, too, have the confidence that I can best support Caitlin in whatever she needs to lead a happy and fulfilling life.”

Our LACs are proud to play what sometimes feels like a small part in helping people reach their goals. The reality is that a small ripple creates a wave of opportunity and possibilities for our clients.

WHAT IS LOCAL AREA COORDINATION? The NDIA has partnered with a number of different organisations across Australia to deliver the NDIS. These partners are known as Local Area Coordinators (LAC). Feros Care is a Local Area Coordinator, working in Townsville, Mackay, the ACT, Barossa and Northern Adelaide.

TOWNSVILLE MACKAY

Our mission is to build inclusive communities where people with disability are informed, connected and have the skills and confidence to participate in their communities.

We’re proud to have helped over 13,000 participants to access the NDIS and the services and supports they need. We currently have 13 community capacity building projects underway (with more to come!) that will contribute toward making the community more welcoming and inclusive of people with a disability.

BAROSSA NORTH ADELAIDE

Find out more - 1300 986 970 or visit feroscare.com.au/ndis 24

feros magazine

ACT

Make it whatever the season!

You know the feeling.

Freshly washed blankets.

A sparkling clean oven.

Pantry and cupboards in perfect order.

You don’t need to wait until Spring to give yourself that Spring Clean feeling!

Our fabulous team can arrange additional cleaning services for you, at any time of the year. You may have unused funds in your Home Care Package or you can arrange a Spring Clean as a private service.

Call our friendly advisors to find out more 1300 763 583

Winter 2018

25

HOW DO WE HELP MORE PEOPLE LIVE BOLD LIVES? That’s the question that’s always on our minds. And the answer is often quite simple: shine a light on those who are already living their dreams and passions and be emboldened by their stories.

We find bold stories in the most interesting places, and in 2018 we’ve partnered with Australian Women’s Weekly (AWW) to shine that light even brighter and bring ‘bold’ to the community.

Avid AWW readers may have already found some Feros flavour in their favourite mag. Did Dee’s bold and unapologetic penchant for fun get you in the mood to party?

At 88 she’s not ready to stop anytime soon!

Were you inspired by Ron’s story? Ron has always lived a bold life, including actively campaigning for gay rights in the 1980s and always fighting for justice. Growing older hasn’t stopped his boldness, with his latest adventure being to become a model at the age of 72!

We’re dedicated to bringing ‘bold’ to the community and this year we’re attending AWW’s ‘High Tea Party’ events. Our team had a blast at the Brisbane event, and look forward to meeting you at the upcoming events in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney!

Want to attend the Australian Women’s Weekly High Tea? Follow Feros Care on facebook for your chance to win tickets! @feroscare

26

feros magazine

TIMELESS STYLE EFFORTLESS CONFIDENCE. JILLI, 87 STYLE ICON AND PERSONAL ALARM WEARER

A personal alarm means that Jilli is as active and confident as ever, and has no plans to slow down.

A personal alarm offers freedom and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Call today for a FREE consultation

1300 851 771 feroscare.com.au/alarms

Winter 2018

27

BOARD UPDATE We’re very fortunate to be governed by an exceptionally qualified volunteer Board of Directors with a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors. Past and present directors include company directors, finance managers, Government executives, solicitors, hospital directors and business owners.

The board provides governance and strategic direction, working closely with Senior Management to ensure high-quality care and services. The board conducts regular meetings and holds information meetings for members twice annually.

MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS In April 2018, Jason Bingham was appointed to the board. Jason has diverse experience spanning the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, having spent more than 20 years in senior management and advisory roles in Australia and overseas. Jason brings a wealth of skills and experience to the Board, from strategic direction setting through to sustainable execution and corporate governance. He has a long-held interest in the human services sector, including ageing (and ‘growing bold’) and contemporary issues in the Australian context. In 2013, Jason was awarded a professional doctorate in business administration.

Colin McJannett joins the Feros Care board with extensive consulting and senior management experience, encompassing social services, primary health and the finance industries. His governance responsibilities have included strategic planning, monitoring social service and delivery of primary health contracts for Government and District Health boards amongst others. He is a Trustee of the Manawatu Community Trust with responsibilities for the promotion and provision of housing for the elderly and disabled and promotion of health and wellbeing services for residents.

Previously, as General Manager with Westpac Financial Services, his responsibilities included product design, development, pricing, profitability, service, administration and accounting functions for the national retirement plan and unit trusts.

A warm welcome to Jason and Colin!

Visit feroscare.com.au/board to meet all our board members.

28

feros magazine

SOCIAL NEWS REPRESENTATION MATTERS Since the beginning of human history, humans have communicated using pictures — think Aboriginal cave paintings, Egyptian hieroglyphics and now in the technological age — the emoji. However you feel about them, emoji offer another way to communicate with ease and humour.

Sitting alongside smilies, hearts and the high five guy, Apple are soon to release 13 new emoji representing people with disability including a

person using a wheelchair, a guide dog and a hearing aid.

The images, reportedly developed in consultation with a number of American disability organisations, are a starting point to ensure smartphone communication represents the diversity of humans and has the vision to enhance inclusiveness within communities. With approvals of the images still under way it is hoped the new images will be released in 2019!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIRLEY! Feros Hero, Shirley Nelson celebrated a birthday in April. Known to many locals as ‘Matron’, Shirley is a well-known figure in the Byron community, and was instrumental in making George Feros’ dream of a high quality aged care facility in Byron, a reality.

Learn more about Shirley at feroscare.com.au/heroes

Hangry – a combination of the words ‘hungry’ and ‘angry’. A pretty accurate description of your mood when you haven’t eaten!

Hipster – a person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially those regarded as being outside the mainstream.

Do you follow Feros Care on social media? It’s a pretty fun place to be (if we do say so ourselves!) with lots of inspiring stories, funny moments, health tips and much more. Stay up to date with all things Feros and keep an eye out for our regular social media giveaways!

Who knows what you might win – just by getting involved. In 2018 we’ve already given away Flamingos, High Teas and a $400 wardrobe.

That’s just the start!

@feroscare

@feroscare

@youtube

MEME CORNER

Our favourite meme of the moment!

UPDATED DICTIONARY Each year, the Oxford English Dictionary adds hundreds of new words or new senses of words into their publications.

So far, 2018 has included these gems:

BE SOCIAL – GET LUCKY

DOESN’T NEED FACEBOOK Same-sex marriage – Marriage between partners of the same sex.

Australia said yes!

Self-driving – It’s official - the future is here. Self-driving cars are now officially being tested in the USA. Help us all stay up to date with language – email marketing@feroscare.com.au and share your updated dictionary definitions with us!

TO REMEMBER YOUR BIRTHDAY Winter 2018

29

BRAIN GAMES

SUDOKU CHALLENGE Enter numbers in the empty squares so that the numbers 1-4 appear only once in each row, column and box.

3 2

WORD SEARCH

T

L

P

I

K Q B

I

S P

L

F O W H

L

X Q U H M L

X

E

A

2

3 3

2

4

1

feros magazine

2

S

2

30

GRATITUDE GROWTH HAPPY INNOVATIVE PROUD SILLY SUNSHINE THOUGHTFUL

E

1

ATTITUDE BOLD BRAVE CHALLENGE CHOICE FRESH FUN FUTURE GRACEFUL

F W X G S

1

1

K

3

F B H N O X Q H E O J G E S V C

P N A B B

3

S

F

V E

4

2

N N O V A T

I

T

I

P C O

T

X C

4

4

T

4

F N C S

3

B O

3

2

1

U U Y

2

I

3

U

4

P C O E

1

L

I

2

D

2

L

L N N A A J O

N T

G Y Z

T

3

F H

E H Y U F H O

2

C

L O S

4

H G

F U T U R E D U

1

O Y R H U C D

4

1

E C A R G

4

L U F

4

O E G

2

I

1

3

A

2

I

2

2

I

3

Y P P A H

2

T

C N D V W J H F

3

T

1

S

L

4

N G

4

I

1

T N

T D

3

A

2

T B U E

3

E

4

1

E N A U T

F

1

2

K R A C O V H R

T C R R

2

4

S H U G

3

A F G

3

B O Q X D R E

T

1

P X D W L

4

I

4

E

3

A E

2

T

1

Q

1

FEROS VILLAGE SILENT DISCO ” When the music comes on, they start to sing the words and it brings up memories for them they otherwise cannot seem to access.”

Jennie Hewitt, Positive Living Coordinator

76 AND STILL WONDERING WHAT’S OVER THE HORIZON.

MARY BERGSTROM, ADVENTURER

Health & Wellness A Home Care A Aged Care Disability Support A Residential Villages

1300 763 583

feroscare.com.au