Keeping On - Summer 2022

While I write this today there is a very blustery south west wind. Spring has come but winter does not want to go away with the chance of fresh snow in the mountains. The flowers and blossoms have been lovely and now we are ready to welcome summer.

The Board of Age Concern Canterbury was sorry to receive Simon’s resignation as CEO. Simon has been with us for nine years and has had a big impact on our organisation. The profile of Age Concern Canterbury has increased in the community under his watch and we are very pleased to be the go to place for older people to get help and answers to all their questions. We wish Simon every success in the future and will keep in touch from time to time.

Simon’s successor will be Greta Bond. We welcome Greta as the first lady to be CEO of Age Concern Canterbury and we look forward to her starting in the office from 1 December. Greta comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Greta

will continue to advance the care of older people in the community and progress new work as opportunities arise.

To continue my theme of places to visit here are my ideas for you to explore this time. The Botanic Gardens are looking stunning with flowers and getting set up for summer. The museum is next door and worth a visit before it is closed for extensive renovation and earthquake repairs. There will be a new entrance constructed nearer to the college as part of the renovations. Also the Robert McDougall art gallery is to be included into the museum building. Take a walk around Hagley Park or take a picnic to a place where you can sit and enjoy watching the world go by.

It seems far to early to be thinking about Christmas but in two weeks time it is Show weekend then it is Christmas. I wish you every blessing for Christmas. Have a safe and happy new year and holiday season. Enjoy the summer and look after yourselves. Look out for friends and neighbours who are alone and lonely.

Take care

Trish Adams President

This will be my last addition to Keeping On as CEO of Age Concern Canterbury. After nine wonderful years leading a team of passionate and committed staff and volunteers I am moving on to a new challenge as General Manager at Southern Eye Specialists in Christchurch.

The role here has been the absolute highlight of my career. There have been so many things I am extremely proud of: Working through the post-earthquake rebuilding phase, finding and securing our new building, growing the profile of what we do, increasing outputs to meet the growing needs of the over 65 population in Canterbury (South Canterbury and The West Coast), but most importantly working with, and connecting to, so many wonderful people.

The 70-year history of the organisation is testament to its ability to change to meet the needs of older people. Change is constant in our lives, and the change in CEO will bring a new focus and a new way of doing things – this will ensure we continue to adapt and change to meet the different needs of tomorrows’ older person. I’m sure Age Concern will be here in another 70 years and I look forward to seeing the organisation flourish (as I watch from a distance).

I was delighted when the board said my replacement would be Greta Bond. I have worked with Greta for many years. Many of you will know of her and her work for older people at the former Canterbury District Health Board. I’m sure Greta will give a full introduction in the February 2023 Keeping On– definitely something to look forward to.

As we near the end of 2022, and I’m sure we can all agree, welcome 2023

and some form of return to normality. It’s great to be out and about without a mask – although I encourage people to keep wearing them if they want.

We can’t do our work without the amazing support of our volunteers and those that support us financially – we are a charity and every bit of funding we receive, no matter how big or small – is very welcome and put to good use supporting older people.

On the volunteering front, finding enough people to be willing to volunteer their time to ensure the sustainability of our services is becoming increasingly difficult. We understand the many reasons why, in today’s society, people are time poor.

Volunteering can, however, bring huge personal benefits to our lives. Some of these benefits include:

* Helping to build a community

* Meeting new people, who can lead to lifelong friendships

* Gaining new skills

* Improving physical and mental health

* It makes us feel good to know that we are helping others!

I want to acknowledge the loss of Annette Harris, who died 21 August.

Annette had a long and very close association with Age Concern Canterbury, being our immediate past President. She was a committed and passionate advocate for older people, and a wonderful person. Many of life’s problems could be fixed with a chat over a cup of tea. I will miss our tea drinking sessions and Age Concern Canterbury will miss a great friend and champion of our cause.

I hope you have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year period, we will be closed between the two holidays, but open again from 4 January and look forward to supporting and helping you to flourish in 2023.

Ngā mihi nui Simon Templeton Chief Executive

Editor, Mike CreanJournalist, June Peka - Journalist, Anna-Marie Hunter - Advertising Representative/ Desktop Publisher. Keeping On is printed by Inkwise, Rolleston.

Age Concern Canterbury is very grateful for the support we receive from our advertisers. Without advertisements this publication could not survive. Some of our advertisements are the traditional type and others include advertorial (an advertisement that’s written in the form of editorial content). To be transparent to our readers each of these advertorial pieces is labelled with the symbol A. Views and opinions expressed in Keeping On are not necessarily those of the Editor of Age Concern Canterbury. Neither does publication of an advertisement imply endorsement by Age Concern Canterbury.

Front page photo courtesy of Howard Pettigrew Page 3, Geoff Hallidayoyster baron

One of

Geoff Halliday well remembers when the price of oysters went up from one shilling and eleven pence to two shillings a dozen. In the hue and cry which followed, letters to The Press bayed for the blood of “the greedy oyster barons”. He was one of them, among the biggest in the business.

“And now look at ’em; up to $40 a dozen,” he says. “But it’s not just the price that’s changed. Back in those times we had premises which were set up for 10 or 12 openers. There were four or five women sorting, grading, brining, washing, counting, canning and free flow freezing. Nobody stood around twiddling their fingers. The openers were competitive; they raced every day. It fair boomed.”

Geoff had been in the fish business, with several shops, for many years before he branched off into oysters in the 1960s, setting up in his garage in Rowan Avenue. You had to be in the know he says, to get oysters back then, and contacts through his fish shops were his way in at a time when oyster boats were owned by only a select few. Oysters in the shell came overnight by truck from Bluff in sacks of around 78 dozen and it wasn’t long before he needed help to keep up with demand. A shift to a bigger shed at MacGregors Rd followed and then only a few seasons after that, the final move to Selwyn St. “I remember one season there; we did 6000 sacks. We got around a hundred sacks a day. At times we all worked from 7am to 8pm. The openers had a chute attached to their work stands which the opened oysters slid down until a counter read 300, that’s 25 dozen. That was called a tally. Some of the guns (fastest openers) would aim for three tallies an hour, or more at times. There were a few records broken in those

biggest oyster barons

by June Peka

times. We always wanted top quality for export and local shops of course, so the oysters couldn’t be damaged, just to get a big count. Unions had a lot of power, but the oyster business was a bit different, in that it was a perishable product, and had to be processed quickly. Besides, being a seasonal product too, the team knew they had to make hay while the sun shone. Our guys had the reputation for being the best in town, so fish shops would often phone for them too. After they finished with us at the factory, many of them went off to

open another sack elsewhere.”

Geoff and his late wife Natalie and the team of women, pioneered the free flow freezing method for oysters. Pottles, and cans in 2 and 1/2, five and 25 dozen had until then been the accepted packaging mode, but trial and (some costly) errors, saw the oysters frozen in trays, in a glaze to prevent freezer burn, at -50 degrees.

“So yes, there was money to be made, but I don’t think we were greedy. Some of the openers went to the freezing works in the off season, some went shearing. Some just had

a break because they’d put the hours in. Sometimes 28 days without a break. It was very good money for the women too. Hours I worked would be more than the average guy would do in 12 months. In the off season I’d do a bit of fish, paint and do maintenance on the factory – always something needed doing.”

One of those workers chipped in to say Geoff was a generous boss, sharing the bounty, and the lunch time fish and chips. He could always be hit up for a loan. All workers got a free ‘feed’ of five dozen oysters each week and could buy as many as they wanted at a greatly reduced price. They were shared with neighbours and raffled for sports teams.

Now, oysters arrive in Christchurch in cardboard boxes of around 40 dozen. Some go to factories which also process fish, and some go straight to fish shops. Geoff rarely buys them.

At the height of the oyster boom Geoff and Natalie lived with their sons Michael and Geoffrey, and a couple of foster kids in a swanky place in South Brighton, with a pool room and a suit of armour on the stairs. Geoff’s pride and joy was a red Monaro which “could go like the clappers”. These days he’s happy to bake in the sunshine outside his much smaller unit in Belfast. A sign at the door says, “a very nice person lives here, and a grumpy old b*st*rd does too.”

“Yep, I do get peed off, with myself especially. The body clock is stuffed. I get the paper and if I’m not in the deaths column I start again at the beginning. I’m stuck with emphysema after all that Pall Mall, but I still vape. All up though, it’s been a good life for a bloke who started off giving enemas to stiffs at Hokitika Hospital back in the early 50s.”

Geoff Halliday, one of the biggest barons in the oyster business back in the 1960s.

Discounted and free insulation in spring

The weather may be warmer now, there has never been a better time to install more insulation. CEA Charitable Trust is offering free ceiling and underfloor insulation for those with a CSC endorsed SuperGold card or living in an eligible low income area. For those without a CSC endorsement we have a 40% discount for quotes accepted by the end of November.

Did you know that insulation does not just keep the cold in but also keeps the heat out? That means an extra layer of insulation could keep your house a whole lot more comfortable during hot summer days. And if your insulation has not been installed or checked in the last few years, there is a good chance you could benefit from an extra layer. A quick insulation check by one of CEA’s energy assessors will tell you whether it is worthwhile to look at more insulation. Checks are free for everyone!

Insulation requirements have increased over the years and old insulation may have compacted. If you have had contractors working in

the roof space or under the floor, they may have disturbed the insulation. You may not see the insulation in your house but it makes a huge difference to your comfort levels.

Installation of insulation is easy. CEA assures an easy process and no-mess insulation. Around half our customers are over 65, and improving

the warmth of their homes can help to keep our customers healthier, out of hospital and more comfortable.

Many customers email, write and call us to comment on our work: Glenda and Norman from Rangiora wrote: “We want to say thanks to CEA for the way this project was dealt with to provide us with greater warmth in

our home for the later years of our lives.”

Jess from Shirley emailed us during some cold weather saying: “Our home feels a lot warmer and couldn't have come at a better time with the weather that we are having at the moment. My partner was also very happy with the workers efficiency and professionalism during the install.”

“Thank you to the CEA installers for the great work they did for us. They made the insulation so easy for us. We are looking forward to a warmer house,” Jenny and Steve from Halswell emailed.

And Steve and Jane from Bryndwr called us: “Best most professional group of people we’ve ever dealt with.”

To make an appointment for an insulation check, call 0800 4389276, email info@cea.co.nz or apply online at www.cea.co.nz.

Retirement Villages

Security, freedom from home maintenance worries, support, companionship and on-site healthcare are just some of the reasons why you might be contemplating the move to a Retirement Village. But, the implications of buying in a Retirement Village are varied and often seem quite complex. It’s not the same as buying a residential property. The most important thing to remember is that this decision is about you and the type of lifestyle you want. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re thinking about the move to Retirement Village living.

The Lifestyle – what kind of lifestyle do you want? Think about the things that are “must haves” for you and pick a Village which enables you to achieve your goals. Look at different Villages and speak to the residents if possible, to ensure that the Village you pick ticks all your boxes.

Your Future - does the Village have Hospital or Dementia level care? If your needs change, are you able to move within the Village to a different level of care? And what costs are involved?

Ownership – there are different legal structures used in Retirement

Villages with the most common being Licences to Occupy. These do not transfer ownership, as such, but rather, they confer a licence to occupy a certain unit at the Village until a given event.

The Money – make sure you understand exactly what your purchase price or “Entry Payment” is paying for. What on-going fees are there? Will those fees change? If so, how will they change? On ending your Agreement, what money will be refunded to you? How is this calculated? What costs will be taken out of any refund and when will you receive it?

The decision to move into a retirement village is not one you should rush. Take time and consider all your options. Make a checklist of the reasons for and against and involve your family and friends in your decision making process. It is also important to ensure you have the appropriate legal and financial advice.

At Harmans we have a specialist seniors team experienced in dealing with purchasing in a Retirement Village. Give Phillipa Shaw a call on 03 379 7835 to arrange an appointment to discuss your situation.

Think a new outlook on life.

Retirement isn’t for retiring, it’s for new adventures.

With more freedom to pursue your hobbies and passions, you can live the active, fulfilling retirement you’ve worked hard to achieve.

With four villages Christchurch-wide, Summerset at Avonhead, Summerset on Cavendish, Summerset Prebbleton and Summerset at Wigram, now’s the time to get in touch if you’ve ever been curious about village life.

Think this sounds like you or someone you love?

Request your free information pack today by calling 0800 SUMMER or visit summerset.co.nz

Reverse mortgages - will they impact my estate?

Will reverse mortages impact my estate? In short, the answer is yes.

Reverse Mortgages, however, can be a fantastic option for older persons needing a cash loan. Reverse Mortgages have the benefit of no requirement for regular repayments like a standard bank or financing company loan. The Reverse Mortgage is borrowed against the equity in your home, and repayment of the loan, plus interest, is paid when either you pass away, or you sell your home.

Reverse Mortgages are often used by older persons for home maintenance or repairs, new vehicles and payment of debts and mortgages. However, there is no criteria for what the funds are required for.

One of the most important considerations when getting a Reverse Mortgage over your home is the impact it will have on your Estate, which is why there is a requirement to obtain independent legal advice before going ahead.

As the Reverse Mortgage is borrowed against the equity in

your home, your Estate and your beneficiaries will receive less when you pass away, and your home is sold. Factors which determine how much equity will be taken out of your home are the value of your home at the time of sale, the amount of your loan, and the interest rate on the loan. If your house value increases over the time of your loan, you will of course lose less equity, however this is always a risk as house prices can also drop. Some lenders do offer an “Equity Protection Option” which allows the borrower to protect a certain percentage of the equity in their property. We always encourage clients to discuss Reverse Mortgages with their families due to the impact on Estates. We sometimes find that families step in and assist their loved ones with a gift or loan so that they do not need to go ahead with a Reverse Mortgage.

Reverse Mortgages can be a useful tool to enable older persons to get cash in the bank, however the implications on Estates needs to be carefully considered. If you are

looking for legal advice or further information on a Reverse Mortgage, please do not hesitate to get in

contact with the Elder Law Team at Pier Law on 03 366 5540. www.pierlaw.co.nz

Assisting someone to walk

Keeping older people mobile is good for families, carers and the older people themselves. The more people can do for themselves the less physical strain there is on their helpers.

Often we hook older people under the arm when helping them out of chairs and walking. This can easily damage the older person’s and helper’s shoulders. Other mistakes we often make with older people are, we:

• don’t get their attention

• rush them,

• don’t explain what we want them to do.

To assist an older person walk, first we need them to stand. Just follow the guidelines:

• get their attention

• tell them you want them to get up and walk.

Ask them to:

• put their hands on the arms of the chair

• shuffle their bottom forward in the chair

• place legs shoulder width apart

• tuck feet back

• lean forward,

• feet on the floor, nose over toes

You:

• place your arm across their back, hand on their bottom or hip

• sandwich their shoulder firmly between your shoulder and hand

• keep yourself close to the person

• rock their body back and forth (if required)

• ask to push up through their hands and feet on the command “Ready, steady, stand”

• walk them with your arm across their back, hand on their bottom or hip, shoulder sandwiched firmly between your shoulder and hand.

They may use a walking stick or walker.

You may wish to use a hand grip instead of the shoulder sandwich hold.

Hand grip

Have your hand open upwards and allow the person to grab it.

If you can avoid them grabbing your thumb do so especially if the older person has dementia.

If you need help keeping an older person on their feet, our friendly therapists can help, just contact Therapy Professionals phone: 03 3775280 email: admin@tpl.nz

IS AGEING, DISABILITY, INJURY OR ILLNESS MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT?

Therapy Professionals Ltd’s physio, speech language, music and occupational therapists and dietitians can make life easier.

We can help. We come to you.

For more information contact:

Telephone: (03) 377 5280 Fax: (03) 377 5281 admin@tpl.nz www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz

Retired farmer, Gavin, loves train travel

Gavin Dalzell loves trains.

At 75 he tells of his rail excursions across Australia. What would have been an endurance test for many, was for him “the trip of a lifetime”. Trains took him across vast regions in five states. Stops in interesting towns ranged from a couple of hours to a few days, with visits to farms, mines, museums and factories. Add some side trips to remote places and Gavin rode more than 15,000km by rail.

His wife, Sylvia, chose to stay home in Amberley. Gavin was able to spend time with their son, Ryan, in Western Australia.

Planning was the key to success. Gavin plotted major destinations and longest journeys, leaving gaps for side-trips that would “pop up” along the way. Having visited the Outback before, on a coach and camp tour, and by studying every travel brochure he could get his hands on, he had a good idea of what to expect.

Gavin’s trump card was the rail ticket he bought. It provided 15 days on trains at a reduced price. He used almost every minute of it. His 2nd class rate allowed access to lounge and diner carriages. Use of sleeper carriages was available at extra cost. Prices of side trips were reasonable.

Enjoyable friendships sprang up with fellow passengers. Australian farmer folk chatted readily with this genuine Kiwi bloke. Comparisons between New Zealand and Australian farming and landscapes provided endless topics.

His expedition started at Brisbane. He took the Tilt train north from there to Rockhampton, then inland to Longreach, and return to Brisbane. A mere 1200km warm-up for what

lay ahead. The town of Longreach was where Qantas airline began. Their first Jumbo Jet (Boeing 747) was named Longreach. It was retired long ago, to stand at Longreach as a memorial.

Gavin describes the inland vista as “an endless expanse of straggly gum tree-studded grassland…. a harsh and lonely place”. However, a 200km side trip to Winton revealed the Waltzing Matilda attraction – where Banjo Paterson’s poem was put to music.

During his Brisbane break he visited the Queensland Rail Museum at Ipswich; for him “a railway heaven”. Then he rode the rails down the East Coast to Sydney. There he boarded the famous Indian-Pacific (IP) train, which crosses Australia, from Sydney to Perth and return.

“The great train pulled out of the station.… a moment I had anticipated for years,” he says.

The IP glided through the Blue Mountains and on to the town of Broken Hill. There the train had the first of its three-hour service stops,

when passengers could take exercise or a bus tour to see local attractions. Back on the IP, they soon crossed into South Australia and veered south to Adelaide.

An exciting surprise awaited at Adelaide. At the station he could see The Ghan (Adelaide-Darwin train) lined up next to the IP: “Two of the world’s greatest trains in one place,” Gavin enthuses.

The long, straight, desert stretch on the Nullarbor Plain, between Adelaide and Perth bored some passengers. Gavin was not one of them. He loved the vistas of “endless horizons”.

He explains: “If you want to see nothing, Nullarbor is it. Yet it stirs the imagination, the total difference from any other geographic feature I could imagine”.

Monotony was broken as the train slipped into the historic mining town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (twin settlements now merged). The second three-hour service break was here, late at night. Some passengers took the starlit coach tour.

Next stop – Perth. Gavin enjoyed time with Ryan and family in the wheat belt, south-east of the city.

Then it was back to the IP, waiting at the station. As he boarded he thought he might be one of few tourists to tackle the Nullarbor Plain a second time.

The train’s commentator pointed out the pipeline running beside the railway track. With a diameter of about 50cm it carried drinking water from Perth to arid Kalgoorlie-Boulder, about 600km.

Gavin left the IP at Adelaide to make a detour. He had always wanted to see the town of Echuca, “a unique place with a great atmosphere”, some 200km inland, on the VictoriaNew South Wales border. Here 19thCentury paddle steamers plied the Murray River transporting freight. From Adelaide he took The Overland train to Melbourne, across “utterly and totally dry and barren landscapes where you could see a lizard at 50 yards”. He visited Echuca, Wagga Wagga and Albury. Finally he caught the XPT (Melbourne-Sydney) train to end his travels in Sydney.

Gavin concludes: “I love the feeling of these towns and the romanticism of (their) story.” And these are only some of the highlights of his Travels.

A safe and trustworthy personal driving service for Christchurch

Getting out and about and doing the things you have always done are important parts of keeping independent. Freedom Companion Driving offers a safe, trustworthy and caring service that is about much more than just transport.

While we are well-known in the North Island, we have expanded into the South Island, more specifically in Christchurch. Freedom Companion

Driving is able to provide a friendly, reliable service offering standard transport as well as a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle capable of transporting both manual and larger power wheelchairs.

“We love to support the local community and our service is designed to provide personalised transport and assistance to anyone needing a bit of extra help getting from A to B. We specialise in driving seniors and trips cover a wide range of outings including the usual

medical and business appointments as well as shopping or just a nice afternoon out with a friend or two. Our wheelchair accessible vehicle is a larger hoist model with plenty of headroom for taller passengers to travel in comfort,” says local owner Julian.

“Travelling with Freedom is like riding with trusted friends or family. You can enjoy building a relationship with a very small team of drivers who you will get to know and trust,” adds Julian.

Freedom prices are competitive and comparable to, and often less than, other options or standard taxi services. Our service is highly personalised to your needs with a convenient pick up and drop off at your front door. We always escort you to the car and to your destination and we always go ‘the extra mile’.

We take Total Mobility cards (TM) and we are ACC Registered

Vendors. All our drivers are fully licensed and NZ Police checked for your protection. Our service is pre-

booked and pre-quoted. To find out more please give Julian a call on (03) 352-1599 or 027 364 6877.

Transport you can trust - Christchurch

Retired North Canterbury farmer

by Mike Crean

Gavin Dalzell loves trains.

The classic Indian Pacific train in ghost town Cook at the Nullabor Plain.

When you become a grandparent, you start to think more deeply about your grandparents. Two of mine were dead before I was born. The third died soon after my birth – probably distressed by the ugly new baby. But the fourth lived another 18 years. I remember him.

He was Henry (better known as Harry) Gainsford. His well-to-do family somehow lost their riches in England and emigrated to Christchurch in the early 1880s. Harry was still a child.

By the time I could remember him, he had retired and was living with his daughter and her family in Dallington. He was a true gent, quietly considerate in manner, always presentable in three-piece suit and tie, his accent a sliver of upper-crust.

Memories

by Mike Crean

He never drove a car and, if he drank alcohol, it must have been rarely. And therein lies a story. Following two disastrous attempts at farming in the Nelson region, he moved nearer to us at Hawarden. There he worked for the Waipara County Council. It is said that one scorching day he was digging a grave at the Horsley Down Cemetery, alone, with a shovel and crowbar. Sweat drops were racing down his face when the overseer arrived to check his progress. Shocked at Harry’s appearance, the man grabbed a bottle of beer from his truck and thrust it at him, then drove away. Locals said it was the only time they saw Harry in such a state.

Harry enjoyed telling stories of his past but he did not tell me that one.

Mature Moves is about helping people

If you are considering moving into a smaller home, perhaps a retirement village or residential care and you feel you could use some help Mature Moves could be your answer.

It is a Christchurch based company with local people helping older people to downsize and move when the need arises.

They understand that sometimes your family are not positioned to help as they might like to or have time restraints. True to their motto ‘to treat you like they treat their own families’, the team at Mature Moves can pack up, declutter and move all of your belongings and furniture to your new home.

Then they unpack and set up your new home to the very last detail, setting up the home just the way you like it.

Decluttering can be a bit overwhelming. However, it is made much easier with some understanding

help. Step-by-step you can have things sorted and organised with minimal fuss and stress.

Along with this wonderful service, they can also organise selling things you no longer require, or if you desire gifting them to family or charities.

They can also clean homes inside and out, and complete the gardening to get houses ready for sale.

Mature Moves is about helping people. You let them know what help you need and they will set about showing you just what they can do to help you.

A visit and consultation is free of charge, with no obligation to use their services. However, if you feel they may be of assistance a quotation can be provided for your consideration.

You can phone Mature Moves on 0800 777 214 to talk about your move. We are sure Mike and the team can help you to lighten the load and make your move a smooth transition.

A

He often told me, with a twinkle in his eye, how he and his brother Robert (our “Uncle Bob”) both married Mary Hoban. Of course there were two Mary Hobans. They were firstcousins.

Uncle Bob had a Ford Prefect car. After their wives had died, the impeccable brothers travelled frequently to visit relatives all over Canterbury and Marlborough. I looked forward to the visits, when Harry would sit me on his knee and tell me stories.

My mother, his daughter, was ill in Christchurch’s Calvary Hospital, where Southern Cross Hospital now stands, in 1955. Harry tied a couple of cushions onto the bar of his ancient

bicycle and conveyed 7-year-old me to visit her. From Cowlishaw Street to Bealey Avenue and return; you wouldn’t try that today.

Harry later moved to Nazareth House rest-home on Brougham Street. One night he escaped. He climbed the high front fence and got clean away. Relatives were rung and several formed a search party.

At last, the police received a call from the People’s Palace, an innercity hotel, to say Mr Gainsford had checked in there. The Salvation Army owned and ran the People’s Palace –a genuine “pub with no beer”. He was returned to Nazareth and died there in 1968. Gone, gone; but the memory lingers on.

Arthritis aid and circulation booster

Exercise while sitting watching TV or reading. Affordable, effective and so easy.

Twelve years ago when a lady from Te Horo devised a means of relieving her husband’s severe arthritic pain, stiff joints and swollen ankles, she didn’t anticipate the demand for her Aircycle.

The inflatable cushion, shaped like a pair of feet, allowed her husband to exercise his ankle, knee and hip joints, lower back, wrists, fingers, arms and shoulders while sitting.

It was so effective an arthritis educator requested more be made for other sufferers. Word spread and now it’s used by thousands of people here and overseas.

The gentle exercises not only help aching joints but hugely improve circulation in legs, feet and hands. Users report swollen ankles, night cramps and restless legs greatly improved. Diabetes related problems are eased. Leg muscles are strengthened and balance improved

helping users to walk further with greater confidence. Those who derive the greatest benefit from the Aircycle use it several times a day.

"Aircycle is even better than the information says. The pain in my knees has gone and although I use a walker I don’t need it around the house anymore. I can move more freely and have much less pain in both my hands and feet. My feet are warmer too and now I don’t need bed socks which I’ve worn for years," Gay, Rotorua.

“After using for only four days my Uncle’s swollen ankles disappeared before his eyes,” Susan, Cambridge.

Aircycle is made in NZ, registered with Medsafe and has a lifetime warranty.

Visit www.aircycle.co.nz to see it demonstrated and read testimonials from health professionals and people whose lives have been changed as a result of regular use.

See below ad and order on line or call Sue in Levin on 0800 141415. A

“The richest bank of all is our memory bank. For years we deposited experiences there. Now we can withdraw them. The interest accruing is our enjoyment.”

Myra Harrison sharing Life Stories

by June Peka

Our late Queen Elizabeth wasn’t even a year old when Myra Harrison (nee Carver) was born in Adelaide. Myra’s grateful to be still on the right side of the grass. Her hearing is good, her sense of humour as sharp as a tack, and, sitting beside me she can correct spelling errors and other typos on my screen, from a metre away, without spectacles. She used to be a very good typist after all. But she doesn’t recall seeing me change the ribbons to get some red and blue text into the story we’re writing about her long life? Myra can get a tiny bit confused at times and her memory is not what it used to be. When she noticed the Dementia Canterbury logo on the back page of her finished story she worried people might think it wasn’t true – that she’d made it all up.

No chance of that. Myra came to Life Stories earlier this year with her son Peter Harrison to help prompt that sluggish memory, and a walkertrolley loaded with papers, letters, photographs, trophies, badges, sewing samples, dance programmes, school reports and certificates of achievement in almost everything she’d put her hand to, from the day she started kindergarten.

“Mum and Dad were very good parents, they looked after me well. They made sure I went to a good school, so I could do well in life. They always supported me in whatever I did, and they kept a record that I could add to when I took up sports and hobbies and left school and went to work. I wasn’t sure it would ever be of much use to anyone, but now look.”

“Dad was a chaff merchant; he handled horses. We think he was a

horse whisperer because he was wonderful with horses; he could talk to them for sure. He had such command over them. He was the only man around who could control his horses by voice and signalling from a distance. He could back them up a bridge, like that. Mum kept the home fires burning, looking after Dad and four children. She sewed a lot, and made good meals for us. She didn’t work outside the home.”

By all accounts Myra was a very good all round pupil, from day one. Her school reports boast many A’s and the occasional B, with glowing comments.

“Two years before high school I got my first bicycle. It was green and a bit special because you didn’t get a bike unless you’d worked hard. I had to cycle two or three miles to high school. I always tried to be near the top of the class. I liked composition. I liked all of school really. In my final

year at high school I’d also attended Woodville Arts Centre where I was awarded a Domestic Arts Certificate in Cookery, Food Values, Laundry and Household Management. I must’ve been quite busy because I got a Certificate Of Merit for Dressmaking in that year (1940) as well.”

For the next couple of years Myra studied at a girls Technical School, gaining more certificates which prepared her for the world of work. For a while she helped an aunt at her sewing school, before beginning work at Spicers, a large stationery company. She remembers the racket of the huge printing press on the floor above her, of being a little smitten by the handsome chap who worked nearby, and the pictures of ships which supplied the company on the walls of the reception area.

“One of the ships was called the ‘Wakka Tayne’, I thought. It wasn’t until some years later when I came to live in New Zealand that I realised we’d all been saying that wrong.”

“I loved dancing. Every Friday night there’d be a ball or a dance. I had learned most dances, including the tango, schottische, Maxina and the foxtrot, and quite a few more but I really liked to waltz. The Charmaine was a lovely dance too like a slow tango. We girls sat around the walls and smiled nicely till someone asked us to dance. I made my own gowns and dresses and had done so since I was 12.

I was 35 before I got married. I’d never wanted to get married at all. I liked my own company and independence, but then I met Richard Harrison at a gathering in Melbourne for young business people and I liked him. He was very nice, we just sort of

clicked. We didn’t have a honeymoon because shortly after we were married Richard and I moved to New Zealand. I well remember the day I first saw New Zealand from the air. I could hardly believe we could see both sides of the country – almost at once! I was shocked. It was so unlike Australia which takes five or six hours to fly across. We moved straight to a town called Whakatane – yes Wakka Tayne!

With Richard employed as an engineer for Whakatane Board Mills, Myra busied herself with young Peter and Annette and their activities, and took up spinning and weaving, carding and dyeing the wool in preparation. Unsurprisingly she knitted too, travelling to shows and exhibitions around the Waikato area. China painting, doll making, and smocking followed along with part-time hours at the mill.

When Richard died shortly after he took retirement in the nineties, and Myra suffered some health set-backs, she moved back to her homeland for a few years, but now enjoys life in a bright and cosy unit in Christchurch, surrounded by her life’s treasures and mementoes, with her supportive family only a door away.

She enjoyed her six Friday morning Life Story sessions, put on at South Library by Dementia Canterbury in partnership with Christchurch Libraries.

Myra’s piece of advice for young people today… “ make sure you pick your friends well. Stick with the good types, with good interests and you can’t go wrong. I don’t think I had any heroes or role models apart from my parents; I just knew I didn’t like anyone with a mo.” ( Moustache.)

Wash Bay Attendant

Part Time/Casual (Christchurch)

The successful applicant will need to:

* Meet and greet customers on arrival, to ensure they are comfortable using the equipment.

* Undertake regular cleaning and ensure general tidiness of the site.

* Assist with general maintenance (changing of high pressure hoses and fittings etc)

* Some lifting and shovelling may be required.

We require an enthusiastic person to join the team. Initially two days per week to cover a leave of absence, this may lead to a permanent part time position. The position may suit a retired or semi-retired person. To

Myra Harrison at her Life Story presentation with family and yours truly.

North New South Wales, worth a visit

by Mike Crean

Only one country would give names like Kyogle and Murwillumbah to its towns. Kyogle is inland from Byron Bay, Murwillumbah is south of Tweed Heads, all in north-east New South Wales, Australia. I heartily recommend a holiday there, covid (and flooding) permitting.

Margaret and I flew into Coolangatta, at the bottom of Queensland. We hired a car at the airport and immediately crossed the state border to New South Wales. This border also divides the town of Coolangatta from the city of Tweed Heads, though it seems like one large conurbation.

The vista northwards from Tweed Heads is of far-distant high-rise hotels like lighthouses beaming over the Pacific Ocean. The view is a tourist promotion poster “in the flesh”.

The following week provided days of easy driving and views of surprisingly varied scenery. Oh, and nice people everywhere we went. When I struggled to pronounce Murwillumbah, the locals patiently mentored me.

We stayed a night in a motel beside the beautiful Tweed River and were enchanted by the pelicans on the riverbank. Next day we dropped into Byron Bay. This is a Mecca for surfers so we, being dry-land oldies, felt a little out of place. Still, it is an attractive resort for the young-atheart.

Next we drove up to the small town of Murwillumbah, valiantly prepared to pronounce it in public. My Papanui Club card gave us admission to the RSL restaurant for drinks and dinner. Walking the town before darkness set in was rewarding. This place respects its history with streets of well maintained heritage buildings. Heading inland we climbed through gentle hills of the Tweed Valley. Idyllic rural aspects struck us at every turn. Farm-gate sales of fresh fruit beneath ageless shade trees

were most inviting in the late summer heat. At last we emerged on a wide rolling plain of sunburnt country. We stopped at the township of Kyogle. A supervisor at the tourist information office surprised us with descriptions of a great flood in this arid scene some years before. He pointed to a mark at head-height on a door indicating the level of the flood as it poured through the office.

Such floods occur after prolonged tropical rainstorms 1000km up north, he said. Swollen rivers surge south, spilling over banks and inundating land. By the time they reach Kyogle, citizens have taken warning and moved out.

Driving westward we crossed the Great Dividing Range and came onto the New England plateau. In the graceful city of Armidale we found an oasis of comfortable, classical urbanity in a desert of dry farmland.

On a previous trip a Kiwi mate and I entered a bar in the plateau town of Warwick. A group of patrons glared at us. Our attempts at friendly chat were met with threatening gestures. We

did not stay long. I suppose if Gandhi had been forced to live in dreadful Warwick he might have become belligerent too. What a contrast with loveable Armidale.

Starting back east, we came to Dorrigo, a caricature of Ossie rural towns: two-storeyed pubs with wide verandahs looming over broad streets, a dog or two lying in the shade, dust-clad Holden utes parked willy-nilly.

Near Dorrigo we walked a short bush track to see a scenic wonder. Suddenly a snake scythed across the track in front of me. My screech must have frightened it because it kept going. Some locals rushed to my aid. One “reassured” me with the observation the snake was a deadly poisonous specimen. On our descent to the coastal strip the pretty town of Bellingen was sweet balm to my snake-shock.

Soon we were back on the SydneyBrisbane highway at Urunga, cruising to the seaside city of Port Macquarie. Several Australian localities have the name Macquarie – this must be the

most attractive one.

Town after town along the coast impressed us. Ballina was beautiful.

Grafton even more so. Reclining above the mighty Clarence River, Grafton is old and arty, new and progressive. We loved the blaring blues of its jacaranda trees, the giant Moreton Bay fig trees, the quaint buildings alluding to its colourful history.

Coffs Harbour is pleasantly modern and stylish but I preferred Kempsey. Having read Thomas Keneally’s novel “River City”, I recognised the book’s setting. This was not because of Kempsey’s appearance, which is rather ordinary. Perhaps the remains of its old prison on a rocky headland provoked the thought. Inquiries confirmed Kempsey was the fictional River City.

At last we were back at Tweed Heads and those fascinating pelicans. Distances in Australia can stagger Kiwis but the roads are superb so you can enjoy driving.

Want to go? If you can’t fly to Coolangatta, it is only 80 minutes south by car from Brisbane. You pass the Gold Coast – though I find that unappealling.

Murwillumbah Bridge over the River Tweed.

Dorrigo, a caricature of Ossie rural towns, with two storeyed pubs and wide verandahs over broad streets.

My Book Club recommends

The Herd

Reviewed by Lesley Heal

Set in the UK, this novel tells the story of two families: Elizabeth and Jack, and Bryony (Bry) and Ash. Elizabeth and Bry are best friends — although they have quite different personalities — and godmothers to each other’s daughters (Clemmie and Alba). Their husbands, Jack and Ash, are friends to each other and the two families’ children all play together. The well-being, safety and happiness of their families are their top priorities and life is pretty good for both couples. Unbeknown to each other though, Elizabeth and Bry differ in opinion on one very important issue: immunisation.

Bry’s brother Matty is severely autistic and Bry has grown up listening to her mother who believes that his autism was caused by the MMR vaccination he had received as a baby. Based on this, Bry has chosen not to immunise Alba.

Elizabeth strongly believes in immunisation and her two sons are vaccinated, however she relies on herd immunity to protect Clemmie who was very unwell as a baby and cannot be vaccinated.

Fearful of being judged, Bryony tells a misleading lie before Clemmie’s birthday party which has a disastrous outcome.

Anyone who enjoys a thoughtprovoking read about a divisive issue will enjoy this book. The novel is set in 2019, prior to the Coronavirus pandemic where the topic of vaccination and the accompanying mandates caused a lot of family, community, and country-wide disharmony.

The novel is also a good family character driven story. We have two strong female characters in Elizabeth and Bry, who are on opposite sides

Imagine stepping back in history into a colonial lounge or settler’s cottage at Christmas time. The tradition of decorating our houses with greenery at Christmas was brought to New Zealand by British settlers. Today, it is hard to imagine a Kiwi summer Christmas without the trees and mistletoe wreaths popularised by Queen Victoria.

From 3rd December 2022 to 15th January 2023, Okains Bay Museum will feature displays of Christmas trees throughout the museum’s buildings and collections spaces, including heritage cottages unique to Banks Peninsula.

Visitors will be transported back to a Christmas night over 100 years ago, with uniquely designed trees decorated by talented local groups and individuals. You can even vote for your favourite.

The opening night on Saturday, 3 December, will feature a Christmas market on the grounds of the museum's retro bach. Artists, craftspeople, and producers from Okains Bay will showcase their products, and the grounds will be available for family picnics. 5 pm will herald the arrival of the jolly man in red, followed by an early children's preview of the trees and lights. The official lighting of the Christmas

of the vaccination debate. The reasoning behind their personal beliefs is explored and the reader is left to ponder what they would have done, have done or would do, in similar situations. Relationships are discussed and trust is explored.

I do enjoy a book based around an issue and the subject of vaccination is something we have all lived with over the past few years so this is a timely subject matter. We all have our own personal beliefs and attitudes, and this book does well to explore the issue from both sides of the debate — the fine line between personal choice and collective responsibility.

I loved that the book elicited emotions from me as I dealt with the character’s emotions, especially the mothers involved – heartbreak, anger, pain, and blame. I didn’t warm to the characters but thought they were well written. Truth and lies between couples and friends created tension as you got further into the book.

This is an easy read covering a serious subject and I’m sure it will elicit some great discussion within book groups.

About Lesley Lesley is the Book Notes Administrator at Book Discussion

Scheme in Christchurch, provider of books and discussion notes to New Zealand's book clubs. She began her time at BDS with a (literal) bang — her first day in the office being the day of the infamous February 2011 Canterbury Earthquake!

Already in a book group when she joined the BDS team, Lesley has been reading widely and enjoying the benefits of book club since 2006. She particularly enjoys character-driven fiction such as American Dirt and Mornings in Jenin and is also drawn to compelling true tales, like Forty Autumns.

Book Discussion Scheme

(BDS) provides enough copies for your club to read the same book at the same time, as well as professionally-prepared discussion notes. Membership starts from $70 per person for a year’s membership and includes delivery.

Find a group to join (or find members to start your own) at www.bds.org.nz/join.

Trees will be at sunset, starting with carols sung by Tectonic Tones in the museum at 8:30 pm.

It promises to be the perfect reason to make a special trip to Banks Peninsula and Okains Bay during the Festive Season.

Okains Bay Museum, 1146 Okains Bay Road, Banks Peninsula. (90 minutes from Christchurch, 25

minutes from Akaroa).

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.00am - 4.00 pm.

* Christmas Market and Lights at the Museum. Saturday 3 December from 4 pm - 10 pm. Free entry

Christmas at the Museum will be from 4 December 2022 to 15 January 2023. Usual admission costs apply.

Retirement villages v rest homes

Are you thinking it’s time to downsize but feeling confused about what downsizing might look like for you? Or about the difference between a Retirement Village and a Rest Home?

Whatever your next step might be, it’s important you know that a Retirement Village and a Rest Home are very different and cater to different needs.

A Retirement Village is designed for seniors who are choosing to downsize and who are still be able to live independently or semiindependently. Many villages offer a range of accommodation as well as shared common areas and a range of activities.

A Rest Home is designed for seniors who are no longer able to care for themselves at home and who have higher medical needs. In New Zealand, you can’t choose to go into a Rest Home. You will need to be assessed as requiring care at a level that cannot be provided to you in your home.

Many Retirement Villages offer a ‘continuum of care’, meaning that you can purchase an independent unit now but, if your needs or your health changes, you can transfer to a unit which is either semi-independent or which provides rest home or hospital level care.

As a first step, identifying what your needs are and what’s important to you will be crucial. Do you feel that now is the right time to downsize or have your health needs changed to the extent that you require assistance? What do you need versus what would you like? Are you independent or do you need more help? Do you want to be part of a large village, or would you prefer a smaller, more intimate setting?

Having an idea of what is important to you, both now and in the future, will make it easier for you to find an option that best meets your needs, but has as many of the things you would like as well.

It's also important that you understand what the costs will be to you whether you are living in a Retirement Village or a Rest Home. Will you need a Residential Care Subsidy or Loan, or will you need to fund your costs privately?

When you are making a decision about your next step, it’s important you get good advice from a team who understand Retirement Villages, Rest Homes and the costs involved so you feel confident in the decisions your making. Please contact us at Fleur McDonald Legal on 03 365 1595 or office@fmlegal.co.nz. Together, we’ll find the best solution to meet your needs. A

Test your crossword skills (#22011 by RVT)

CLUES: (Legend: ¶ = combo clue; * cryptic clue; § = sounds like) Across: ¶ *1.&3. Up above others (6, 6), 1. Gets up (6), 3. Higher (6), 8. Benefit (5), 10. Binds (7), 11. Germ killers (7), 12. Tears (5), 13. Cymbolic sound (5), 15. Stop! (5), 20. Trepidation (5), 22.*Fail to uplift?, error (7), 24.*Serious, camping § (7), 25. Fruit (5), 26.*Silly, room: will annoy (3, 3; or 6), 27. Pay homage (6)

Down: 1. Gets going (6), 2.* Profit, twice (1, 4; or 5), 4. Better at it (5), 5.*They tell, last of limbs? (7; or 3, 4), 6. Avoid (6), 7. Strengthen (5), 9. Femurs (5), 14. Read etc, (Anagram) (7), 16. View (5), 17. Meal before CT scan (6), 18. Set deeply (5), 19. Extreme (6), 21. Religious house (5), 23. Sufficiency (5)

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 22.

An apology from the author for one error in the answers for Spring issues 2022 puzzle #90722. The Down Clue #23 Bath (3) calls for the correct answer Spa. Most solvers will automatically enter the correct answer. However, in the copy I supplied I accidentally printed the answer as "Side".

Acknowledging Annette Harris, QSM Stories and photos with Christchurch City Libraries

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of former Age Concern Canterbury Board President, Annette Harris. Annette died peacefully on August 21, 2022, after a short illness and only nine weeks after the death of Ken, her husband of 64 years.

Volunteering for her community was Annette’s life from the early 1960s. She and Lady (Judith) Hay were among the founders of the Volunteer Centre in Christchurch. Her volunteering included organizations such as Plunket, Elmwood School, Canterbury Museum, Justices of the Peace Association and, of course Age Concern Canterbury.

Do you have any photographs of life in Christchurch and wider Canterbury? Do you have any stories that you’d like to share?

Christchurch City Libraries has a digital archive collection available online at CanterburyStories.nz which shares the collective histories of Christchurch people, places and events. The Libraries work to give a voice to the diverse communities that have, and continue to, shape the Christchurch we see today.

Communities are being offered the opportunity to share their photographs and stories via Canterbury Stories

and become part of the city’s everchanging history.

The Libraries have two Community Stories Liaisons who will help you every step of the way including selecting your photographs, digitisation and writing descriptions. The team will then upload the content so you can share it with others and contribute to telling the collective history of our region.

If you have anything you’d like to share and see featured on Canterbury Stories, contact Sarah or Simon at LibraryCommunityStories@ccc.govt. nz.

She was president of the Age Concern Canterbury Board for 13 years (2004–2017), but her involvement stretched over 20 years. Her tenure as President was at a very challenging time for the organization when the Canterbury earthquakes saw the destruction of the central city office and a huge call on the services of Age Concern Canterbury to support those older people impacted by the disaster.

In 2011 she was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for her services to the community. At the time she said her understanding husband allowed her to carry out much of her voluntary work.

Besides her QSM, Annette received many awards which include a Christchurch City Civic award, a Volunteer Centre recognition award, life membership of the Plunket Society as well as patroness and long-service and merit awards.

It was a gracious and fitting tribute to Annette that a memorial of her life was held in the form of a high tea at Eliza’s Manor House. Accolades were given from representatives of the many organisations Annette was involved with for over 60 years, including Trish Adams, current Age Concern Canterbury

Sewing and craft work enjoying a renaissance

Sewing and craft in general is enjoying a renaissance, but if you lack access to a relative who can teach you the basics, where can you go?

At WEA each term, Ruth Targus teaches basic sewing and Elizabeth Shied covers beginner and intermediate crochet and needlefelting for all levels.

These tutors are patient with beginners or those who are less confident in their abilities. They have honed their tutoring skills over the years, so that as well as making an item you love by the end of the course, you learn “tricks of the trade” to make future projects easier to achieve. I

Sewing Basics: Stylish Summer Bunting – Ruth Targus. Saturday 3rd December, 10.30am-2pm $30 Here’s a chance to make some wonderful bunting for your summer garden party, Christmas home décor or any future celebration! Bunting is a great project for all from beginners up. Come along and explore a selection of upcycled fabrics or if you have particular colours/themes in mind feel free to bring your own. If you have one please bring your own machine and enjoy a few hours of sewing in a supportive environment. Ruth has a couple of spare machines – please let us know if you require one. Ruth (aka the Sewing Fairy) is an experienced seamstress who makes unique items from new, as well as altering that op shop find. She says that things can always be repaired or remade so: “don’t ditch it, fix it”. Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzsewingfairy.

joined

is

In Term

Term 1 2023 begins on Tuesday 7th February

Ruth’s apron making course last term and learned how to pin and stitch the armhole curves without skipping the seam edge. A technique I will definitely replicate in future.

4 Ruth will focus on repurposing denim and summer bunting courses which aligns with our environmental ethos. While Elizabeth

teaching how to crochet Granny Squares to make a vintage bag. Her 3D penguin class is the latest offering which children over 10 can do if they are accompanied by an adult for support.

with course details available online early December.

Ruth Targus with two pupils.

President

Annette Harris, former Age Concern Canterbury Board President

by Sarah Tester, Community Stories Liaison, Christchurch City Libraries

Photo right: High Street, Hereford and Colombo Street, 1967 CCL-PH19-0019. Contributed by Ron Cone. Photo left: Doris Goulding from Hornby with her two children and three nieces outside the Regent Café in Cathedral Square, 1940s, CCL-PH15-028. Contributed by Kathleen Morris.

Identifying stress and dementia

Stress is the way our body responds to the many and varied situations we face. It may be a big situation (even a happy or positive one), or it may be a host of smaller situations that can accumulate to cause stress.

Stress has been linked to being a risk factor of dementia and of other health concerns. One of the key hormones released when we are stressed is cortisol. Cortisol has also been linked to memory difficulties, so dealing well with stress is paramount for people wanting to minimise their risk of developing dementia, those who have a diagnosis of dementia, and those who care for someone with dementia.

The first step in managing stress is to recognise it. Sometimes we can recognise when we are stressed early on, however sometimes we “keep on keeping on” without perceiving there is a problem. Sometimes stress is caused by an accumulation of situations that are hard to pinpoint. In this article we will look at how stress can present as a physical, emotional, or behavioural manifestation.

Physical

The hormonal response to stress can have many different physical effects as different systems of the body can respond in different ways, these are common physical responses to stress.

* Difficult or rapid breathing.

* Increased general aches & pains, and headaches .

* Chest pains, a racing pulse, and / or hypertension.

* Indigestion or heartburn.

* Constipation or diarrhoea.

* Feeling sick, dizzy, or fainting.

* Sudden weight gain or loss.

* Rashes or sweating.

* Problems with sleeping or fatigue.

You might also find that any existing health problems become worse.

Emotional

Being stressed can make you feel different from the way you generally feel - the emotional effects of stress can do much to destroy your sense of wellbeing. Being stressed can make you feel:

* Increasingly irritable or impatient.

* Overburdened or overwhelmed.

* Feeling anxious, worried, tense or even a sense of dread.

* Unable to experience joy - you may feel disinterested in what is going on around you.

* Depression.

* Inability to see the humour in things.

* Feeling like you have been neglected.

* Again, existing mental health problems may become worse.

Behavioural

As we respond to stress you may display behaviour that is unusual, or out of sorts. Stress might make you behave in the following manner:

* Indecisiveness.

* Unable to focus.

* Unable to remember or have a sluggish memory

* Worry.

* Respond in a grumpy fashion.

* Become snappy with people.

* Become a nail biter or scratch excessively, grind teeth or clench your jaw.

* Become restless or unable to sit still.

* Become more tearful than usual.

* Eat too much or too little.

* Exercise too much or too little.

* Withdraw from people.

As discussed above, stress affects all of us, in one form or another. Understanding and recognizing what it looks like for each of us is the first step in managing stress effectively. In the next issue we will discuss how we can manage stress.

The material for this article was taken from the Living Well with Dementia course held at Dementia Canterbury.

Hi everyone from the Rainbow Group Organiser, Liz.

As we fast move on into summer, I just wanted to thank all our group participants for the year. We have slowly been building in size and continue to meet regularly.

In 2023 we plan to have the occasional trip out in our van to places such as Sumner and Lincoln with no cost to yourselves, all welcome. Any other suggestions appreciated as far as destinations are concerned and no, we won’t be driving to Nelson or the West Coast!

Thank you all for your contributions to our small, but perfectly formed group and may we continue to grow in 2023. I wish everyone a great festive season and we will meet up again in February. It will be a Tuesday next year as I am changing my working days.

Aspire Canterbury ‘Moving’ forward

From October 3rd 2022, Disabled Persons Centre Trust T/A Aspire Canterbury moves to BrainTree Wellness Centre, 70 Langdons Road, Papanui, Christchurch 8053.

The Disabled Persons Centre Trust which trades as Aspire Canterbury (‘Aspire’) supports a broad range of people with disabilities and impairments. Children and adults living with neurological and/or physical disabilities and impairments often have complex needs that require integrated supports. With significant data showing that a total wellness approach has a hugely positive impact on people’s lives, BrainTree is creating this reality. We share the vision of BrainTree and want to make a difference to the communities we serve, in living a life full of purpose and meaning. As well as a shared

vision, working collaboratively and becoming a tenant of BrainTree, the Centre boosts organisational efficiency, increases effectiveness, and drives a broader social change. Within the BrainTree Wellness Centre, you will also find Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinson’s Canterbury, Dementia Canterbury, and the Stroke Foundation.

The Centre has a couple of seminar rooms, a studio, and a social area and whole food café allowing individuals to have an experience while they visit the charitable trust/s. The centre is also available for use by the wider local community groups, providing a ‘place-based’ approach focused on engagement to access services, benefiting the people we serve. So, come along to BrainTree and see us, we are here to help you!

A

Affordable

Enduring power of attorney - a snippet of what your future can hold

Another one of life’s little challenges – have you ever pondered what happens if you have an accident that leaves you incapacitated, or with age (or illness), you become confused and unable to make sound decisions about your wellbeing and property?

There are two tools available to assist you with this process, being Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs). One EPA for Personal Care and Welfare, and one EPA for Property. Your attorneys are essentially trusted persons you grant legal capacity to, who makes decisions relating to your welfare and property.

It is imperative that you consider carefully how, and who you want to appoint as your attorney so that what you had intended to happen in your life plan has the best chance of achieving, with the least amount of stress to your family and friends.

An attorney acting as a user under an EPA has the following obligations:

• Always promote and protect your best interests; and

• Encourage you to maintain or develop your own competence to manager your property affairs where possible; and

• Consult you and the persons you have asked to be consulted where practicable; and

• Keep records of all transactions they make on your behalf.

If you do not have an EPA in place when an event happens, oftentimes the Court must appoint an attorney on your behalf. This is stressful for loved ones and can cause delays when there is a time restraint for decision-making.

New search function on Eldernet helps families struggling to find available care home beds

The process of finding available care home beds in New Zealand has been made easier for older people and their family/whānau, thanks to The Eldernet Group’s upgraded online bed vacancy report.

This free service allows any internet user to access a report showing vacant care beds throughout the country via www.eldernet.co.nz, which is updated every weekday morning.

As well as showing bed vacancies, the report also shows the levels of care each care home offers – including rest home, dementia, hospital, psychogeriatric, and supported living – whether homes offer short stays, and if there are any extra charges applicable. Users can view all results for their chosen region in an easy to read, interactive table, including contact details for each home and links for further information.

Search results can also be filtered on the Eldernet website to include facilities that provide specialised health care, offer ‘nice-to-haves’ such

as pet-friendly rooms, and cater to specific spiritual, cultural and lifestyle requirements.

“Moving to care can be daunting for people and their loved ones - it’s currently a particularly tough process, with many rest homes suffering staff shortages,” says Linda Nicolson, General Manager of The Eldernet Group.

“Which is why The Eldernet Group want to ensure people have the right tools to guide them on their journey. The more information available to people, the easier the transition and the quicker people can settle into their new home,” says Linda.

For those who prefer their information in print form, The Eldernet Group also produces the Where from Here He ara whakamua handbook, which features a comprehensive list of every care home in the region. The book is free of charge and can be picked up from the Age Concern Canterbury office or by phoning The Eldernet Group on 0800 162 706.

If we can assist you in getting you long term plan sorted, please contact the Life Law team at Godfreys Law (03 366 7469) who can guide you through the process of creating your EPAs to ensure your rights and wishes will be respected and upheld.

A

‘Give it a go’ with Arvida Good Friends

As the new Arvida Good Friends Manager, Alex Peaston-Jones knows a thing or two about the benefits of keeping active later in life.

Having been in the role of Living Well Advisor since Good Friends began more than eighteen months ago, Alex has seen positive changes in the clients who regularly attend Moving Well classes and gym.

“I’ve seen people become stronger – both physically and mentally. After regular visits you see more agility, more balance and certainly more sociability. It’s been quite remarkable to see the changes in our people.”

Alex, who studied psychology with counselling and spent the last ten years extensively travelling around the world, says the first step and sometimes most difficult part for people is making the decision to ‘give it a go’.

“Once Christchurch locals give the gym or classes a go they really enjoy seeing those positive changes and seeing their motivation increase. It’s excellent to see people acknowledge their abilities.

Alex Peaston-Jones, new Arvida Good Friends Manager.

The Community Living Well Centre in Addington offers a range of activities and membership options to older people. From aquarobics to

line dancing, yoga to tai chi sessions - there are plenty of activity options to keep active for a variety of fitness levels.

The centre is hosting an Age Concern Canterbury Staying Safe Refresher Driving Course on Wednesday, 30th November from 10.00am-2.00pm. The short, theory-based course gives people the opportunity to re-familiarise themselves with traffic rules and safe driving practices in a friendly and relaxed environment. To RSVP for this free course or for more information please contact Wendy Fox on 03 331 7808.

To find out more about Arvida Good Friends memberships and to book a tour, call 0800 20 41 20, or visit goodfriends.co.nz.

The Community Living Well Centre is open Monday to Saturday, 8.00am until 4.30pm.

The centre can be found at 47 Whiteleigh Avenue, Addington. Christchurch (parking on-site and gate connection to Show Place).

If you use a Community Service Card, your details are added on the back of your SuperGold or Veteran SuperGold cards, so you can use it for both health subsidies and SuperGold discounts.

Please note that this card has an expiry date and MSD will contact you when it’s time to update your card.

KEEP ON YOUR GAME

TOP OF

Stay active and strong with a Moving Well membership at the Arvida Good Friends Community Centre in Addington.

Enjoy a personalised plan in our specialist 50+ gym, as well as access to our pool, spa and classes 6 days a week. All supervised by qualified exercise scientists. Get a member discount at the café after your workout too.

Keep doing you

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Christchurch South Men’s Group

Come join our Christchurch South Men’s group for a once-a-month afternoon tea outing to a local Working Men’s Club, RSA or café.

Transport is available or you can drive and meet the group. Fond memories of old Christchurch to be shared. Great fun to be had by all!

Contact Katie Faithful on 331 7801

Debbie Garraway on 331 7814.

listentoyourheart.co.nz

Helping to fight loneliness

Sarah Catherall’s story about her father (Page 19) highlights the frequency and impact of loneliness among the older population.

While most older people are not severely lonely, current research shows that 10% of New Zealanders aged 65-74, and 13% of those aged over 75 feel lonely all, most, or some of the time.

This is important, not just because loneliness is painful, but because having inadequate social relationships has been shown to be as bad for health as smoking, and loneliness has been linked to increased likelihood of entering rest home care.

The good news is that there is growing information on effective interventions to reduce loneliness and social isolation, and greater understanding of how people can build resilience to prevent loneliness or help themselves if they find that their social networks are not meeting

their needs.

Age Concern Canterbury is playing its part in helping to reduce loneliness through our Social Outings and our Visiting Service.

The Social Outings are for people over 65, who live in their own home and would enjoy more company. Cafe, host and men’s outings are available in Christchurch only. There are also Rangiora and Kaiapoi groups available.

The Visiting Service is for people over 65, who live in their own home, who no longer drive, who would like more company and who are able to contribute to a mutually beneficial relationship.

A monthly Knit and Yarn group and Games morning have also been introduced at Age Concern Canterbury to encourage social connection.

If you have questions about any of the Social Connection programmes, please contact 03 366 0903.

Man alone: Elderly and isolated in Aotearoa

by Sarah Catherall, Guest Writer, The Spinoff

It’s often observed that women of all ages fare better than men at building support groups of friends and family and maintaining social contact. But what happens to a man whose gregarious wife dies and leaves him to a long, lonely widowhood?

When my father turns 80 next month, he won’t throw a big party as my mother would have insisted if she were still alive. For the past decade, Dad has lived on his own. For a few years before that, his wife - my mother - lived with him, but he was forced to nurse her as she declined quickly, struck by the cruel disease, Alzheimer’s.

It does feel like one of those uncomfortable things we don’t talk about much as a society: what happens to an elderly man when his wife or partner goes into a rest home hospital or passes on before him? Statistically, women outlive their husbands and partners (84 is the average life expectancy for women, 80 for men). There are 30,000 more women aged 80-plus than men of the same age (or 86,000 men to 116,400 women) in that age cohort, according to Statistics New Zealand. So we are more likely to notice older women out and about, often accompanied by a friend or a daughter, or in packs of female friends.

Before Mum became unwell 16 years ago, the room in which Dad now watches TV buzzed with energy and life. Mum and Dad hosted potluck dinners for their friends or for Mum’s siblings and their families. Everyone brought a plate of food to share. Mum’s laughter bounced off the walls and Dad was always by her side, her king on the chess board of life.

In the past 18 months, since Dad has been on his own, he has only caught up with the occasional friend or family members for dinner. He would like to go on a holiday but has no one to go with, and has no interest in joining a club or taking a trip with a group of strangers.

I see people his age out at cafes, walking, cycling and socialising, and I hope and imagine I will be like them when I’m in my 80s. They’re usually either groups of women, or couples.

It seems rare to see men in a group together, enjoying their retirement. As Dad notches up yet another birthday without Mum by his side, it has struck me how if I see single men around his age out of the house, they’re often alone. I ask Dad if he’s lonely, and he tells me he’s happiest on his own. “I’ve got everything I need,’’ he reassures me.

Heterosexual men of my dad’s generation often seemed to reserve their social energy for their work – where they commanded power,

identity and respect – leaving the weekend arrangements and extended family connections to their wives.

In his book Of Boys and Men, the Downing Street staffer Richard Reeves writes about male loneliness. He argues that men have comparatively smaller circles of real friends compared with women of all ages.

Otago University geriatrician, associate professor Hamish Jamieson, would agree. “Often women are the more social ones in a couple and the loss of [a female partner] can end up making the elderly male feel lonely and socially isolated.’’

Jamieson says networks become important as men age. If an elderly man doesn’t have a female partner, moving into a retirement village or connecting with others through a church or hobby group can be a good thing.

A man who has outlived his wife might still have health issues that make it difficult for him to socialise, he says. Or perhaps the friends he does have die or become physically unwell. “Or someone like your father might have spent all those years caring for your mother and as a result he’s been cut off from his normal networks,” he tells me.

The male reluctance to socialise is not simply a matter of social conditioning or habit. Studies have shown that as men get older, their ability to show and read emotions declines as part of their ageing brain function, according to professor Ted Ruffman, a psychologist at Otago University.

Ruffnan says: “Men in general have more difficulty opening up, even though close intimate friendships are

beneficial to everyone. Men do worse after a marital break-up than women. So you’ve got the effects of culture and genes and the effects of ageing with older men. These things make it more difficult for men, and older men, to gain from close personal relationships even though we all need these things for good mental health.’’

As with many things, Jamieson points out that socialising is a case of “use it or lose it’’. An elderly person can’t be forced to get out and mingle, but they should be encouraged to do so. Social isolation can cause health and mental health issues: depression and heart disease. A few years ago, a study showed that 19% of elderly adults reported they were lonely. He thinks that statistic would be higher now, due to Covid.

The men’s shed

Eddie Galway is like my father – he’s apprehensive about mixing with new people or even with old friends. About 18 months ago, Eddie’s wife, Audrey, also passed away from Alzheimer’s. The TV hums in the background at the Julia Wallace Retirement Village in Palmerston North, where 91-yearold Eddie now lives alone in a twobedroom townhouse.

Three years ago, the Galways moved here from their large Palmerston North home with a rambling garden, where they loved to host friends and Audrey welcomed garden club visitors too. Until she became ill, the couple loved playing golf together – Eddie still polishes the trophies they won, on display in the living room.

Before Audrey died, Eddie would wheel her around the retirement village in a wheelchair.

He’s now lived on his own for two years, but one of the highlights of

his week is when he joins nine other village residents at what is known as “the men’s shed’’. In the former gardener’s shed, they are led by another resident, Allan Pretious, in making pest traps which are dropped into the Ruahine Ranges. They’ve made more than 500 for Environment Networks Manawatū, which is reintroducing Kiwi into the ranges.

Eddie says his two adult daughters are relieved he’s getting out and mingling. “Some of the other men go to the happy hour (at the village), but I’ve never liked liquor. Maybe I should go along anyway,’’ he reflects.

Life has changed without Audrey. Like my father, Eddie cooks for himself every night. “I’m going into town tomorrow to buy some cloves.

Audrey used to make a delicious cabbage curry which I’ve tried to make too but it’s not as good as hers so I thought I’d try to add cloves.’’

He tells me he’s happy on his own. “I’m a bit of a loner. I don’t mind people but I do have to make an effort to get involved in things.’’ In the evenings, he works on his financial accounts, watches TV and does the crossword.

“I’m quite busy. I’ve got the place to clean up and look after too.’’

“I don’t really mix with others apart from going to the men’s shed. We have lunch and a bit of a laugh.’’

Eddie notices other single and widowed men floating around the village on their own, who seem to be lonely. While the village organises plenty of activities, these are voluntary. “The thing is,” says Eddie, “as you get older, the harder it is to make changes in your life. You do have to make an effort.’’ Eddie tells me he plans to invite someone new at the village to join the group.

My sisters and I hope Dad will move to the next chapter, but we don’t want to push him until he’s ready. He has his name down for a unit at a retirement village in Napier, the place where Mum passed away last April. Dad has been reluctant to move from our family home because he enjoys the garden and his huge, bountiful avocado tree that continues to produce the creamiest avocados I’ve ever tasted.

Ultimately, it’s his choice, but like my sisters and Eddie’s daughters, I have turned from worrying exclusively about my children to worrying about my ageing father too. Life has moved full circle: back to when my kids were little and even they when stamped their feet and said “No!’’ I’d keep encouraging them to reach out, to make new friends, to say hello.

(Source: www.thespinoff.co.nz, October 2022)

A Hill of a Battle

A service for people who find it difficult getting out and about on their own.

Would you like to be able to go for a walk in your community?

Our walking companions service provides oneon-one assistance for people who are finding it difficult to get out and about on their own. Walks are personalised to your interests and abilities.

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P (03) 366-0903, Freephone 0800 80 33 44 E team@ageconcerncan.org.nz www.ageconcerncan.org.nz

Overhaul on the cards for inheritance law

New Zealand’s inheritance law could be in for a shake-up to bring the distribution of assets on death in line with modern day attitudes and values and have regard for tikanga Māori.

A lot has changed since the mid 1960s when it first came into being and the existing law has failed to keep pace with the diversity of today’s family living situations.

The new Inheritance (Claims Against Estates) Act would direct how an estate is distributed if a person dies intestate or without a will. It would also uphold a surviving partner’s right to a division of relationship property and give family members and partners the right to challenge a will by providing clarification of the legal test for when and how, certain family members can claim against an estate, despite the will or intestacy laws.

The court would be able to recover property that has been passed to a third party when someone dies if the estate no longer has sufficient property to fulfill other successful claims made against it.

The Government will decide what, if any, of these changes will be enacted.

This far out, the area of inheritance law seems uncertain, but what we can be sure of is the Government’s focus on this space is certain to bring about change.

Regardless, in our view, having a robust will and/or family trust continues to provide comfort and certainty your wishes will be carried out and your assets distributed accordingly. It also minimises any chance of claims being made against your estate. A

“Smithy’s Hill” was only a mound, A pile of dirt where bent nails were found, Rusty horseshoes, bits of scrap iron, Screws, bolts and nuts in a fusion of rust.

As a boy I heard Dad sardonically say: “Quinny’s blacksmith shop once stood here. Pubs closed at six, so Quinny sold beer. He might have been had up for it, I don’t know, But they knocked it all down, decades ago, And bulldozed the debris into this heap.”

For us kids and our rival gang across town, “This heap” presented a magnetic draw, A strategic fort for a miniature war. So, armouries of earthen clods we piled, Our gentle features mutating to wild. Battle lines drawn, oaths were sworn, Bombs and grenades flew in a storm. Salvoes of turf flung from each side Burst like shrapnel, splattering wide, Striking trunks, limbs and prime target – heads. As tempers flared, fiery hearts blazed faster, Till a roused-up kid chucked iron – disaster! We jointly declared hostilities ended; The maimed and shellshocked were attended.

The war’s aftermath brought still more pain, For pacifist mums ordered dads to complain To Councillors about this “disgraceful” fight. They passed a resolution and cleared the site.

Although Smithy’s Hill exists no more, I still can recall the gash and the gore From that crazed toss of iron that ended the war. For a jagged half-horseshoe hit smack on the pate Of a staunch lad who ducked his head – too late.

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One of a series of reminiscences by Mike Crean.

Honour thy Father and thy Mother

by Harmony

“We are the last generation to honour our parents, and the first generation to be abandoned by our children,” my friend reflected. At first I did not really agree because I thought, compared to Chinese traditional values, my generation has also changed a lot.

In culture, however, things do not change overnight. My parents met for the first time on the day of their engagement. Both sets of my grandparents agreed on the marriage through the woman matchmaker who knew both families. In my generation, we already had the freedom of finding the right person to be our whole life partner, but before we fell in love, we received a clear blueprint of who my parents would prefer. We kept in mind our parents’ preference and screened the right person. We tried our best not to disappoint our parents when we chose our spouses. If I was to do this today with the next generation.

Over time, I now think, maybe my friend is right. On the issue of honouring parents, the next generation’s attitude is very different to mine. In Chinese culture, families have always played a very crucial role in social structure. For thousands of years, honouring our parents

has been fundamental to becoming a respectable person in Chinese communities. People who did not honour their parents were called “monsters”.

Sometimes an inscribed board with calligraphy writing hangs on the wall of Chinese traditional houses. Those words are “Heaven, Earth, Emperor, Parents, Teacher”. According to Confucius, they are the five roles that every person has to respect and worship.

This seems similar to one of the Ten Commandments of the Hebrew Bible and Christian values: “Honour thy father and thy mother.” Again this seems a social value going back thousands of years, but is it valued by today’s younger generations in the West?

Under Chinese traditional values, it was not surprising that a big family with five generations living under the

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same roof was regarded as the most valuable one. For years, the older generation always preferred to live with their younger generations. They would lose face in front of relatives and friends if they do not live with their children. Things have changed in recent decades.

When I was a little girl in Taiwan, I recited poems on honouring our parents, and learnt the “TwentyFour Honouring Parents Stories” at school. Now I am having to learn how to become an independent parent. I read articles and watch videos sharing the new values of financial and spiritual independence. The first step is having to forget anything about being a “powerful parent” - such a living figure in Chinese families for thousands of years.

Unfortunately, it is not enough if my generation only changes our mindsets. We have to change the

ways of getting along with the next generations: how to keep a good relationship with our adult kids and their own families. Opinion writers have told us: “You have to be deaf and dumb if you want to have a good relationship with your adult children.” Yes, it means, I may know better than my adult children about how to deal with some issues, but I have to pretend I don’t know it at all in front of my children and tell myself: “No, no, you don’t know it at all.” To succeed: say nothing.

After visiting her son’s family in the USA, my friend shared her reflection with me: “It’s true, my home is always my son’s home but, my son’s home is never my home!” It may be a onesided story. But I know, now, nobody wants to be a powerful parent, rather, people prefer to have an enjoyable and loving relationship with our adult children. People tend to declare proudly: “Oh, my son, my daughter and I, we are more like friends!”

I think my friend is right. When I was a child, I learnt to honour my parents. Now I have been learning to honour my adult children. So, it’s true, I am one of the last generation honouring my parents and the first generation honouring my adult kids.

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“Heaven, Earth, Emperor, Parents, Teacher”. According to Confucius, they are the five roles that every person has to respect and worship.

Handel’s Messiah - joyful, majestic and uplifting

The Christchurch City Choir has a long and proud tradition of delivering both sublime symphonic and charming eclectic choral works. From Handel's Messiah and Beethoven's Ode to Joy, to modern masterpieces like Eric Whitacre's 'Virtual Choir' pieces and Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man - mass for peace, the Choir sings works that are thrilling, interesting and beloved. With the amalgamation of two long-standing choirs, the Royal Christchurch Musical Society and the Christchurch Harmonic Society in 1991 the Christchurch City Choir emerged and last year celebrated 30 years singing for Christchurch audiences.

This year the choir returns to the Christchurch Town Hall with it’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, conducted by Dr John Linker and accompanied by the CSO. A perennial favourite in the concert calendar, Messiah signals that Christmas is on its way. Opera soloists, organ, harpsichord, orchestra, and choir unite to tell the

story of the Messiah. This year’s soloists are NZ based international Soprano Madeleine Pierard, Alto Leisa Falconer, Tenor Andrew Grenon and Bass Joel Amosa.

Composer George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, Germany in 1685 and died in 1759 at age 74 after living in Hamburg, Italy and 49 years in London. He composed 40 operas but later transitioned to choral work. In 1742 Messiah was first performed in Dublin as a trial before taking it to London. Originally an Easter offering, now it is a fixture of the Christmas season. Handel was a generous donor to orphans, retired musicians and the ill. A sense of humanity imbues his music as well, the feelings of joy from the Hallelujah choruses are second to none.

Tickets are available through Ticketek. For accessible bookings call the Isaac Theatre Royal box office on weekdays Tuesday to Friday on 03 260 5260 or Ticketek on 0800 842 538.

UPDATE FROM THE CLUBS

Amberley Welcome Club members had their AGM in October. In addition the Club celebrated 50 years of existence with a function at the Church Hall. On 16th November members enjoyed a mystery trip, on 7th December is the Club’s mid-winter dinner at the Railway Hotel and to start 2023 there is a shared lunch at the Church hall on 18th January 2023. Meet: Wednesdays at 12.00 midday at Church Hall, Church Street, Amberley. Contact: Ann McKenzie on 021 1012086.

Christchurch Senior Citizens Club holds cards on Mondays from 12.30pm to 3.00pm and runs indoor bowls on Tuesdays from 12.45pm to 3.00pm. In addition the Activities Group has outings for meals, social days, visiting places of interest and bus trips throughout the year. Contact: Veronica on 383 4682/021 1187360 or Beth on 388 2610/027 2610493.

Lincoln Area Senior Citizens Club members enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Racecourse Hotel, Riccarton. In October, despite the lack of speaker, members enjoyed getting to know each other over an afternoon tea. November saw members on an outing to Loch Leven Gardens and Rotherham Nursery including an al fresco lunch! The Club’s Christmas lunch takes place on 6th December at the Lincoln Event Centre catered by the Selwyn Lions and with Alans Men providing entertainment. Meet: 1st Tuesday of the month at the Lincoln Event Centre. Contact: Gloria on 027 434 6554 or email Claire on nzelford@gmail.com.

Sumner Senior Citizens Club members have recently enjoyed a talk on the ‘Birds of the Estuary’, a scenic drive to Living Springs and a forestlike experience to Cassa Rossa. The Club’s Christmas lunch will be at the Garden Restaurant. Meet: 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 1.30pm, Sumner Surf Club. Contact: Lola Bouckoms on 384 9889.

The Christchurch City Choir’s Messiah Concert 2019. Photo courtesy of Robert Petch.

Staff changes at Age Concern Canterbury

The Great Resignation, also commonly called the Big Quit or the Great Reshuffle, is an ongoing phenomenon involving employees voluntarily leaving their jobs in unprecedented numbers, and it has hit Age Concern Canterbury in the past three months. We have recently said goodbye to our Chief Executive, Simon Templeton, Community Connector, Bev Mason, Elder Abuse Response Clinician, Jo Ironside and Home Support Services Co-ordinator, Deb McCormick

While it is always sad to see colleagues leave, it is also nice to welcome new members to our Age Concern Canterbury whanau.

Welcome to our new Chief Executive Officer, Greta Bond who will be introduced more fully in the next edition of Keeping On, February 2023.

We also welcome new Community Connector, Howard Jamieson and Elder Abuse Response Clinician, Justine Martin, who both introduce themselves below

My name is Justine Martin, and I am the new Elder Abuse Clinician for Age Concern Canterbury. I am a newly graduated social worker with a background in supporting people with disabilities and elder members of the community. The last four years of studying as an adult student has been a challenge and a privilege which has led to the next exciting chapter of my journey.

I met my husband many years ago as a young teenager, we now have two adult sons who both have beautiful partners. I am a dog gran to four amazing dogs, Winter, Arlo, Ollie and Bjorn, who I love to spoil and overindulge according to my kids. I am also a dog aunty to another 2 gorgeous and clever dogs named Hunter and George. I spend my spare time with family and friends as well as scouting around antique shops for New Zealand pottery, Crown Lynn.

I’m Howard Jamieson and I joined the Community Connector team at the Papanui office in September. I’ve been enjoying learning the ropes while getting to know a lot of people around Christchurch. I look forward to what lies ahead for the great team at Age Concern Canterbury.

I previously worked in the public service with Pacific communities and providers around education and employment. Prior to that I worked for some time in the tertiary education sector, latterly with Māori and Pacific students and communities.

Connecting and networking are an important part of linking clients to a range of available supports.

Christchurch has been home for the last 20 years, while my partner and I have lived in Avonhead for the last eight. We enjoy travelling around the country and abroad, and we’re keen to get out into the big wide world again in 2023. I have a range of creative pursuits, recently putting past tailoring skills to use by teaching sewing for beginners, and I will start facilitating nutrition and healthy lifestyle classes in the new year.

Twelve days of Christmas

Traditionally, the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day and run through to January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three King’s Day). Why not make it a time to reflect on your health and make some small changes for 2023!

Invite a friend for a meal. Research tells us sharing food with friends or family brings many health benefits, as does cooking.

When celebrating over summer “take a plate” of colourful nibbles. Try creating our Christmas Tree platter with a selection of fruit, veggies (e.g., carrot sticks, cucumber rounds or cherry tomatoes), cheese and nuts.

Start the day with a great breakfast. Some wholegrains (porridge or high fibre cereal) to fill you up, some fruit or vegetables to nourish you and some protein (milk, milk products, beans, or eggs) to sustain you.

Check your dinner plate proportions. Aim for half a plate of vegetables; quarter of your plate with starchy vegetables like potato or kumara, pasta or rice and a quarter protein.

Go for a walk or an adventure with your mokopuna. It’s great to move more!

Eat with focus. Turn off the TV, set the table and savour each mouthful. Enjoy two pieces of fruit today! Put on your favourite music and dance, or just sit and enjoy it.

Keep learning. A language, a craft, a card game, or a new skill.

Make a recipe from your childhood and enjoy it with a friend. Google your favourite vegetable and explore new ways to prepare and serve it.

Gain motivation and/or confidence in the kitchen by attending our community programme, Puāwai-Kai.

Puāwai-Kai (to blossom through food) aims to improve health and wellbeing across the generations. It’s a free 8-session programme (two hours each week). The first three sessions focus on lifestyle changes. Topics include looking after health with food; managing stress; moving more and sleeping well. This is followed by five cooking sessions – putting the ideas into action. All eight sessions end with sharing kai together.

For more information visit the Puāwai-Kai website: www.puawai. org.nz, or give us a call on 0800 333 405.

Family friendly restaurant

The Canteen at the Papanui RSA is a family friendly restaurant option, offering a value for money menu packed with tasty classics and Kiwi favourites.

Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, including a special children’s corner, along with unbeatable dining deals and super lunch specials. Takeaway meals are also available at very reasonable prices.

You don’t have to be a current club member to dine at the Canteen.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy the hospitality although you will need to be signed in by a current member if you want to purchase alcohol.

The Canteen is open for lunch from 12.00 midday to 2.00pm on Tuesday and Friday and for evening meals from 5.00pm to 8.00pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Bookings are required for larger groups and events but are not required for casual dining.

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Justine Martin, new Elder Abuse Clinician for Age Concern Canterbury.

Howard Jamieson, new Comnunity Connector for Age Concern Canterbury.

“I’ve been waiting all winter to start complaining about the summer heat.”

I hate sticking to table surfaces

by Charles Stewart

There is nothing worse than sitting at a table in a pub or restaurant and finding one’s hands or arms sticking to the table surface.

Waiting staff have always been helpful in wiping tables between guests, but the development of spray bottles of cleaning fluid has led to an accumulation of gunge on the surface.

Long gone is the day when waitresses used a scrubbing brush with soap and water to leave a clean wooden surface. Pubs and restaurants increasingly have tables

Living with independence and confidence

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that are varnished or have plastic surfaces. The varnish or paint gradually softens. Along comes the next customer: not only do their fingers stick to the table top, but so too do any papers belonging to the unsuspecting individual.

Cleaning of tables has become even more of a ritual with the implementation of strict hygiene associated with COVID-19 rules. More and more bottles of spray fluid are being used in all businesses coming into contact with the public. What has happened to good old warm water, soap and a scrubbing brush?

There is nothing more welcoming in a pub or café than a bleached wooden table that has been scrubbed clean. The surface is smooth to the touch.

Hands and clothes slide cleanly across the surface. It is possible to place a newspaper beside you without the back page’s sticking to the table top. The sleeves of your jacket don’t require to be freed every time you try to raise your glass.

The owner of the hostelry gains as well. No more spray bottles to buy, just water from the tap, a bar of soap and a scrubbing brush with a bit of elbow grease. The restaurant looks brighter without the table top engrained with yesterday’s beer slops. The natural wood surface displays the cutlery and table decoration to great effect.

Ban the spray bottle and bring back sensible practicalities!

(Source: www.theoldie.co.uk, October 2021).

Thinking of downsizing?

Thinking of downsizing, moving to a village or curious about the value of your home in the current market?

Cathy and Ian Falconer at Mike Pero Real Estate are the ones to call for free, no obligation advice about your home.

Cathy and Ian understand and relate to the process of downsizing and moving to a retirement village having assisted both their mothers through this process in the last five years. They are with their vendors every step of the way and go above and beyond to ensure their vendors have a smooth transition from their home to a village or smaller unit. See below a recent testimonial from a vendor’s son:

a caring way was necessary. Mum had to down-size considerably, and Cathy offered endless help to sort out her possessions and keep her on track - and that wasn't a small task. Cathy communicated with us well throughout the sales process. The whole family thanks you Cathy and Ian.”

Moving to a retirement village is a big decision and one that can take time as vendors consider what option best suits them for their lifestyle after selling their home.

Cathy and Ian pride themselves on their personable service and together with a network of experienced professionals can help you start this daunting process.

A

If you want to know more or book a no-obligation home visit call Jonathan today on 021 438 067.

“Cathy was key to the successful sale of my mum's home. Mum was moving into a retirement home, so not only was timing and pricing important, but supporting mum in

Call to see how they can assist you: Cathy 0276601920 or Ian 0278490404 or Freephone 0800 888 426. A

Medical alarms that leave the others behind hat th th thersbehiind hers beh n oth

Jonathan Sibbles, Master Sales Agent for SECURELY Medical Alarms

French lesson: a spotless surface in The Bar by Toulouse-Lautrec

Stoddart Cottage is well worth a visit

When the early settler, Mark Stoddart, first saw the sparkling waters below his newly-purchased property, he named the little bay Diamond Harbour. The name has persisted and today Diamond Harbour is a thriving coastal community on the sunny side of Lyttelton Harbour. Stoddart planted trees, cultivated, stocked the land and, in 1856, imported a prefabricated cottage from Melbourne for his home. In 1862, he married Anna Schjott, a young Norwegian who was at the time living in Okain’s Bay, and for the next several years the couple lived in the cottage eventually raising seven children there.

Their second daughter, Margaret Olrog Stoddart, born in 1865, grew up to become a celebrated artist who began exhibiting as an 18 year old while enrolled at the Canterbury College School of Art. During the early stages of her career, Margaret Stoddart focused on water colours of flowers, but later widened her range to include the fine landscapes for which she has become well known.

The Stoddart family left the cottage to travel overseas in 1879, and on their return settled in Fendalton. However, in 1897, Mrs Stoddart, now a widow, and her daughters returned to live in Diamond Harbour. This time, though, they took up residence in the much grander Godley House rather than the cottage which was then taken up by the farm manager.

Tragically, Godley House fell victim to the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010/2011 and all that remains of it is a concrete foundation slab. However, although earthquake damaged, after a year-long repair project, the original Stoddart cottage remains and is now regarded as a nationally significant historical site. Its statement of heritage values reads in part: “it is a rare surviving pre-fabricated cottage of the early 1860s which is largely authentic in form and construction.”

For this reason alone, Stoddart Cottage is worth a visit. But there is much more. Stoddart Cottage has become a centre for local crafts people and their work – art, pottery and ceramics, woodwork, fabrics and fabric-related crafts – clothing, quilts and applique, needlework – is on display in an exhibition room and available for sale.

The large living space is given to an art gallery, and each month hosts an individual artist or a small group show, usually of local artists or those with a local connection. These exhibitions are professionally curated by the gallery director, Dr Jo Burzynska, and works are available for sale.

The cottage’s connection with Margaret Stoddart is not overlooked. There is a growing collection of her original paintings on display often of local scenes, along with a number of reproductions. A digital display offers a sequence of over three hundred more of her paintings.

Finally, a room of the main gallery is given over to historical furnishings and artifacts, which, while not original, give a sense of what the cottage would have been like in the 1860’s.

The cottage has a great deal of charm as does its surroundings. It faces east overlooking the sheltered

VOLUNTEER VISITORS NEEDED

expanse of lawn used as playing fields for the local community, but which coud be described as a village green. Around the cottage are a

number of Mark Stoddart’s original trees: an ancient apple and mighty blue gums.

Stoddart Cottage is well worth a visit. The cottage is open to the public between ten and four on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and most public holidays. Admission is free. Take a leisurely drive from Christchurch via Sumner, Lyttelton or over Dyer’s Pass or Gebbie’s Pass and around the beautiful harbour-side road to Diamond Harbour. Or, for an even more memorable trip, take the line 28 bus to Lyttelton which links with the ferry to take you on a short ride across the water. Group visits can also be arranged through the website info@stoddartcottage.nz When the sun is shining, you will see why Mark Stoddart gave the little bay its name.

Over 40 years in the antique business

Steve Purcell is a licensed antique dealer trading as Antiques International Limited, with over 40 years experience in the business. Steve started frequenting antique shops and restoring antique furniture when he was 15 and developed a passion for Kauri furniture in particular. After “doing up” a number of pieces it soon became apparent that some would have to be sold to make room for more projects.

Developing associations with a number of dealers, it was a natural progression into general antiques, art and jewellery. In the ‘80s the hobby became a business selling items at antique fairs, on behalf in established shops and converting an old Bedford bus into a mobile antique shop.

In the ‘90s the first official shop “Circa 1900” was formed with a partner in Merivale and a second shop in Riccarton called “Finders”.

With the dawn of the new millenium internet communication was now a well established medium for selling,

Could you spare a little time to become a volunteer visitor?

C

Many older people in your community are lonely and isolated as they receive few or no regular visitors. Age Concern Canterbury’s Visiting Service helps reduce the loneliness by providing friendship and companionship through a volunteer visitor.

We provide full training and support and ask that you commit for at least 12 months, one hour per week.

If you’d like to make a real diff

erence to an older person’s life please contact Rebecca, Emma or Peter at Age Concern Canterbury on 366 0903.

Steve Purcell, licensed antique dealer

opening the door to a world-wide customer base. “Circa 1900” was closed and the company Antiques International was formed.

Early settler Mark Stoddart imported a prefabricated cottage for his home.

by James Norcliffe

Health promoter chit chat

by Anna Tillman, Health Promoter, Age Concern Canterbury.

Gosh, its amazing how some beautiful blossom, longer days and sunshine, can really motivate people to think about their fitness and to get out and about. It is certainly motivating me and I’m getting more enquiries about our Companion Walking Service and lots of enquiries about our Steady As You Go classes. I have spent a bit of my time since my last Chit Chat turning up fairly randomly at some of the classes and either joining in the fun or watching everyone have fun completing the exercise routine. There are a lot of fit healthy and happy Steady As You Goers out there. Well done all of you!

One of the easiest and least complicated forms of exercise is walking, and there is really nothing nicer than getting out and about on a beautiful summers’ day. Whether you

are an early riser and get up to enjoy the early morning light, a during the day walker enjoying the buzz and movement a beautiful day brings or an evening stroller reflecting on the day past and the promise of the next one to come, it doesn’t really matter. Getting out and walking is an excellent and easy way to get some activity in your day. Maintaining an active lifestyle as you age makes for a strong and sturdy body, no matter how many birthdays you have celebrated!

Some of the benefits of walking for older people are improving your heart health, reducing joint pain, improving mental health, socialisation, supporting your immune system and best of all there is very little cost involved! Walking is a routine that many people can keep because it really doesn’t feel like a workout and there are some amazing benefits to

Jayne works to the benefit of her clients

Jayne brings the discipline and organisational skills of a dedicated Police Officer in the London Metropolitan Police and a Probation Officer here in New Zealand. The wealth of knowledge and interpersonal skills she acquired in these diverse positions works to the benefit of her real estate clients.

She has travelled and worked extensively and understands the diverse needs that reflect a multicultural market.

Being passionate about property Jayne has bought, renovated and sold many times in New Zealand. Working with her own properties was so gratifying, she knew she had found her lifetime career. Her career move into the Real Estate arena was fuelled by her passion for engaging with and helping the public.

You will find that her work ethics are second to none; an admirable quality that makes Jayne stand out from the crowd. Her work is meticulous and detailed, not only because it’s good business, but because she prides herself in her work.

Residing in North Canterbury with her partner, Jayne is down to earth and has a warm personality to match. Of more importance is her work ethic, commitment towards the job, and knowing that her clients can both trust and rely on her - whether it be a sale or purchase. Doing what is right for her clients is first on her list.

Awarded the Top Sales Consultant at Harcourts Kaiapoi from 2015 to 2022 you will see that customer satisfaction still exists when you use Jayne to market your property!

Mobile: 027 517 7937. Office: (03) 327 5379. Email: jayne.martin@ harcourts.co.nz A

be gained from walking daily.

If you are at all worried about starting a regular walking routine, touch base with your local health professional and be smart and realistic about how far and often you walk and wear appropriate clothing. Start with shorter walks and increase the distance and frequency as you get more confident. You could try increasing your walking pace for the middle part of your walk. Always taking some time to warm down, allowing your heart rate to return to normal.

At the end of my last article I gave you 2 lower limb strengthening exercises so this time there are 2 upper limb exercises to work on.

Exercise 1

Either in sitting or standing: Have arms hanging straight down by your side, elbows straight. Swing your arms forward and back from your

shoulders (no higher than about 45 deg please!) in a reciprocal rhythm with purpose for about 30 seconds then stop. Bend your elbows (running arms) and repeat the movement for another 30 seconds. Stop, take a couple of deep breaths then repeat the whole exercise.

Exercise 2

Sit in a chair with arms, with your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on the arms of the chair and keeping your feet on the floor, but not using your legs, try to lift your bottom off the chair (or make it lighter on the chair) then slowly lower it. Repeat this exercise 5-10 times initially and increase as able. If it causes you any pain, then stop.

Happy exercising and I look forward to hearing from some of you with any questions, queries or suggestions. Email anna.tillman@ageconcerncan. org.nz or call me on 03 3317 811.

Life story videos for seniors

Recording our life stories on video wasn’t a ‘thing’ for our own grandparents, but today’s technology is vastly different. Now, more and more people are choosing video to preserve their stories for their family. Christchurch business, Lifetime Legacy, has developed a framework to support seniors wishing to record their stories this way. A Lifetime Legacy Lifestory Video is a 50-minute mini-documentary of a person’s life. It’s told by the person themselves, reflecting on the many stages and experiences of their life, with the perspective of hindsight, that only they can give. It’s interspersed with photographs and music, and copies are easily shared with family. Lifetime Legacy owner Joanne Cormack says, “Video is so natural. It captures the uniqueness of the person in a way

that no other medium can. For many people it’s so much easier to tell their stories in person than to undertake the somewhat arduous task of writing them all down. Video conveys a person’s expressions, emotion, tone of voice, and mannerisms, and that’s hard to capture in other formats.”

Lifetime Legacy’s small and supportive team helps people to tell their stories in their own way, in their own home, keeping it relaxed and easy, whilst taking care of all the technicalities and equipment. “We have loads of conversation starters and questions that act as prompts to begin a cascade of memories. The overall cost is $1,574.00, but families tell us its true value is priceless.” Call Joanne on 0274802765 any time, or go to: www.lifetimelegacy.co.nz A

Jayne can help you with all three, she has helped many of her clients with an easy stress free transition, covering Christchurch and North Canterbury, Jayne prides herself on going the extra mile for her clients.

If you would like give Jayne a call.

Jayne Martin is a Licensed Sales Consultant with Harcourts, Kaiapoi.

in our communities

Every community needs someone like Julie Lamplugh, and the Rangiora community is very lucky to have her. She moved to Rangiora only five years ago and discovered her passion for supporting her neighbourhood when she joined a group of residents fighting a proposal to establish a quarry at Rangiora Racecourse. The plan had sparked a community outcry, with neighbours holding a series of public meetings and even presenting a 5000-signature petition against the quarry to the district council.

Julie has made great use of social media to reach out to help those in need in the Rangiora/ Kaiapoi community. Earlier this year she reached out to the public to see if anyone had surplus New World promotion stickers to help provide some baking dishes for families in need. The response was overwhelming and resulted in 43 needy families receiving a baking dish and food parcel..all as the result of a simple Facebook shout out.

Now Julie has another project on the go in the northern Canterbury townships, where home gardeners share their surplus produce with older community members. The idea came to Julie when she shared some of her own surplus produce with her elderly parents. It’s called the S.E.D.E (Supporting Elderly Diet Enrichment) Project and this simple idea is already expanding into other areas as Julie explains.

“Last summer, whenever I had vegetables from my garden that were surplus to my needs, I gave them to my elderly parents.

They have always been keen gardeners but due to age-related issues are no longer able to look after a vegetable garden. The delight on my mother’s face every time I handed over home grown produce sparked a thought - what if other home gardeners did the same, thus benefiting numerous elderly people who can no longer grow their own? This thought coincided with a newspaper article about an elderly

man who was skipping lunch each day due to affordability issues. His situation appalled me and I realised I should implement my idea.

In April 2022 I posted on the Rangiora Community Facebook page, explaining the concept. The response from the local community was immediate, extensive and very supportive. I then set up a Facebook page so people could contact me and The SEDE Project was born.

Given the simplicity of the idea and the fact that it is not a new concept, the extent of the response surprised me. It’s merely going back to the basics, and it is becoming increasingly necessary to return to the basics, given the relentlessly escalating cost of living.

The SEDE Project promotes this in a way that addresses a particular need for help amongst elderly people in our communities. According to Stats NZ, the number of people in New Zealand aged 65+ doubled between 1991 and 2020, to reach 790,000, and is projected to double again by 2056. New Zealand has an aging population and the need for help within this demographic is going to steadily increase.

The SEDE Project has two options for home gardeners and recipient pensioners. The first option involves linking a home gardener one-toone with a pensioner for ongoing donations of surplus produce. However there are instances where home gardeners wish to make oneoff donations of produce, usually of an amount that is too much for one pensioner, and often only one type of fruit or vegetable. To accommodate

this, I implemented a second option, whereby a group of pensioners who live near to each other, usually within a block of retirement units, receive the one-off donations and share the produce out amongst themselves. Both options work well. The ongoing challenge is ensuring that supply and demand are as equal as possible. Overall, this initiative has multiple positive outcomes:

-* Health benefits for elderly people due to sufficient fruit and vegetables in their diet.

* No wastage of home grown produce.

* Surplus home grown produce goes to a worthy cause.

* The community helps the community.

* Cost of living savings for pensioners, particularly given the escalating price of fruit and vegetables in supermarkets.

* No cost involved for the gardeners who donate their produce.

* No loss of pride for the elderly recipients in terms of receiving help, as it is framed as an effective way to use up surplus produce.

* Our elders feel seen, supported and respected and valuable links are fostered amongst people within the community.

* It is an easy way for those who want to help others to do so.

* It is very simple – those who can grow produce pass their surplus on to those who are no longer able to do so.

At this stage there are over 100 pensioners able to receive produce via The SEDE Project, in Rangiora and Kaiapoi. Fruit and vegetables are received by one-to-one arrangements and/or one-off donations. During the colder months, supply from home gardeners is understandably greatly diminished. To address this, Satisfy Food Rescue is passing on free produce to some recipients in order to maintain a regular supply and I am

extremely grateful to the Satisfy team for this help. Next spring/summer it is anticipated that supply from home gardeners will increase considerably and more home gardeners will come on board, which will then enable the Project to take on more recipients.

To help with distribution in Rangiora, we now have a bicycle courier who can deliver donated produce to elderly recipients. Our fabulous courier is a local retiree who loves cycling, was keen to be a part of the initiative and offered to do this.

A need has been identified regarding people in our community wanting to learn how to set up and maintain a vegetable garden.

To address this, a series of posts will be published over the coming months on The SEDE Project Facebook page, documenting the process as a vegetable garden is developed at a local property (by a gardener with horticultural training). There is already considerable community interest in this venture.

Eventually I want to implement other ideas that also further the aims of the Project:

* volunteer gardeners maintaining the vegetable plots of elderly people who are unable to do so (and sharing the resulting produce with them);

* vegetable seedling swaps amongst home gardeners;

* approaching garden centres about donating vegetable seedlings to SEDE Project gardeners;

* a workshop to teach people how to grow vegetables;

* promoting grow-your-own produce as a means of reducing the cost of living for people of all ages.

And the ideas keep coming…”

The Fifth Season is a grief and palliative support service for anyone whose life has been touched by a loss or death, past or present. I

Liz Adcock-White (Reg Social Worker) Mobile 0276184891

Email support@thefifthseason.co.nz Website thefifthseason.co.nz

Steady As You Go classes are popular

The Steady As You Go classes that run in our community are proving to be a hugely popular way of maintaining strength and balance as well as adding the all important social aspect of exercising, making it enjoyable and therefore more likely for us to want to continue. If there is anyone out there who sees a need in their local community for a SAYGo class, please contact Anna Tillman on 366 0903 so we can hopefully meet that need together.

Steady As You Go (SAYGo)

Caring for older people

At Enliven, we ensure that older New Zealanders have the access they need to community-based support - from someone to talk to, activities to join in with or help that will ensure a safe, healthy independence at home.

The newest service we offer is the Enliven East Christchurch Kaumātua/ Older People service that aims to support the independence, social inclusion, health and wellbeing of our valued kaumātua/older people who live in the East Christchurch suburbs.

Our team provides free counselling, social work, advocacy and whānau/ family support. While they will provide emotional support and a listening ear, their main task is to support you through some of your more challenging situations while working with you to develop strategies to overcome the barriers you may be currently encountering. They’ll be a neutral advocate for kaumātua/older people and their whānau.

Clients will be able to talk to one of the team in confidence, be able to discuss their concerns and know that they will be treated with respect and empathy.

Another Enliven service is HomeShare. HomeShare is a small, personalised service where older people can enjoy companionship and activities in a private home in their own community. At HomeShare older people will enjoy a home-cooked meal, have a place to share their interests and make friends.

HomeShare wouldn’t be possible without our Hosts. They are volunteers who very generously open their homes, providing a place for older people/kaumātua to socialise and share friendship, fun and laughter. Hosts are vital to the success of this service and their commitment and hospitality is second-to-none.

Enliven provides services that help keep older people/kaumātua socially connected and promote health and wellbeing. Other services include: Elder Care Canterbury, Partnership Community Workers, Falls Prevention (North Canterbury), Day Programmes for socially isolated elders and those with dementia. For more information visit www. psuppersouth.org.nz/enliven or call 0800 477 874. A

Volunteers Needed!

Do you want to make a difference and learn new skills?

We are currently seeking kind and caring van and day programme assistants, and HomeShare hosts to join our Enliven services across Canterbury. Volunteers are essential to our work in supporting vulnerable older people in our community, so get in touch today!

To find out more call Roni Jordan on 03 261 2889, or email ronij@psusi.org.nz

www.psuppersouth.org.nz/enliven

CHRISTCHURCH CITY AND SOUTH

Day

Location

/Time AREA

Mon 10.00am St Albans (Waitlist)

Mon 10.00am Redcliffs

of class

St Albans Community Centre, 1049 Colombo Street

Port Hills Uniting Church, Augusta St

Mon 10.30am Wainoni Celebration Centre, 81 Bickerton St

Mon 10.30am Hei Hei Wycola Ave Community Centre Hei Hei

Mon.11.00am12.00 noon Parklands Gym, Parklands Community Centre, 77 Queens Park Drive, Parklands.

Mon 1.00pm Harewood (Waitlist) St James Church Hall, Harewood Road, airport end Mon 1.00pm Halswell (Waitlist) Te Hapua, Halswell Service Centre and Library, 341 Halswell Rd

Mon 2.00pm Harewood St James Church Hall, Harewood Rd, airport end

Mon 2.00pm Papanui Papanui Village Presbyterian Church, Frank Street

Tues 9.30am Papanui Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road Papanui

Tues. 10.00am South Brighton South Brighton Community Centre, Beattie Street.

Tues. 10.00am St Albans Lamb of God Community Centre, 21 Thames Street, St Albans

Tues 10.30am Bryndwr (Waitlist) Bryndwr Chapel, 179 Idris Road

Tues 1.30pm Hornby (Waitlist) Community Care Centre, Goulding Avenue

Tues 2.00pm Waltham Waltham Community Cottage, 201 Hastings St East

Wed 11.3012.30pm Halswell (moved to 11.00am starting Jan 2023)

Te Hapua, Halswell Service Centre and Library, 341 Halswell Rd

Wed 1.30pm Lincoln Lincoln Community Care, Lyttelton St, Wed. 2.003.00pm Papanui Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road, Papanui.

Thurs 9.30am Riccarton (On Hold) Kauri Lodge, 148 Riccarton Road

Thurs 10.00am Heathcote Malt Works Villa Hall, Port Hills Rd

Thurs 9.30am St Albans St Albans Community Centre, 1049 Colombo Street

Thurs 11.00am Avonside/Linwood Holy Trinity Church, 168 Stanmore Road

Fri 9.30am Hoon Hay (Waitlist) Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church Lounge, 5 Downing St

Fri 10.00am New Brighton (Waitlist) New Brighton Library – in the Pay and Display Room

Fri 10.00am Opawa Opawa Community Church, cnr Opawa Rd and Aynsley Tce

NORTH CANTERBURY

Day time AREA Location of class

Tues 10.00am Rangiora (Waitlist) RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora

Wed 10.00am Rangiora Ballarat Retirement Village, 21 Ballarat Rd

Wed 11.00am Amberley Amberley Library, RSA Room

Thurs 10.30am Rotherham Rotherham Hotel, 42 George St

Thurs 10.00am Oxford Jaycee Hall, 56 Main Street. Oxford.

Thurs 11.00am Amberley Beach (in recess) Amberley Beach Hall

Thurs 1.30pm Rangiora RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora

Thurs 1.30pm Pegasus (Waitlist) Pegasus Community Centre, Cnr Pegasus Main and Tahuna St

Thurs 2.00pm Kaiapoi ($3.00) Anglican Church, 23 Cass Street, Kaiapoi

Falls Prevention – Exercise Classes in Canterbury (November 2022)

Work avoidance and name calling

by Liz Sugrue, Age Concern Canterbury

I have narrowly avoided partaking in the frenzy that is Spring Cleaning but I am now contemplating packing up to move house and for a world class procrastinator like myself the opportunities to dilly dally like a flibbertigibbet abound. My willynilly approach to sorting out and packing is causing a certain level of frustration in our house which is in turn leading to some flim-flam excuses.

So we all know that dilly dallying indicates wasting time when there is something important to do but this must not be mixed up with or confused with lolly gagging which also meant to dawdle or fool around but in the mid-1800’s it meant to ‘fool around’ with someone else. Yes, that sort of fool around!

Willy nilly is from the early 17th century will I, nill I, which came from I am willing, I am unwilling. That perfectly sums up my attitude to

many onerous and boring tasks. My flim-flam excuses are starting to be seen through as they are patently not true and based on sham and flattery as the origin of this term from the 1630’s explains. This has caused my long-suffering husband to call me a flibbertigibbet (among other things). This word is Shakespearian in origin and means a frivolous, flighty or excessively talkative person. It seems Shakespeare used it in King Lear as a name of a devil …It also has horrible connections to gibbets which were a truly horrific form of torture particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries. Fortunately, none of my domestic work avoidance crimes have been severe enough to warrant such punishment. So far.

So, it follows that there will be no lolly gagging at our new house as I prepare to stuff a lump of coal in his Christmas stocking. If I remembered to pack it.

AGE CONCERN CANTERBURY

Staying Safe Refresher Driving Courses

10.00am to 2.00pm.

Light lunch provided

2022

Tuesday, 13th December, Waikari 2023

Monday, 23rd January, Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road, Papanui.

Wednesday, 25th January, Rolleston

Monday, 13th February, Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road, Papanui.

Wednesday, 15th February, Rangiora

Friday, 24th February, Ashburton

Monday, 27th February, Addington

Monday, 6th March, Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road, Papanui.

Wednesday, 19th April, Addington

Course dates are continually being updated so please phone 03 366 0903 to register or to enquire about future courses.

Long, hot sunny days of summer are upon us

The long hot days of summer are upon us. It’s a great time of year in Christchurch, especially in Banks Peninsula which has more than its share of lovely beaches, bays and parks to visit, plus a wealth of activities and events to keep everyone entertained.

It’s been a busy few months since my last column in this publication. My calendar has been full with community clinics throughout the electorate, discussions with community groups and leaders, meetings with constituents, and a huge variety of

by Tracey McLellan, MP for Banks Peninsula

events. I wouldn’t have it any other way and I’m continually reminded how rewarding it is to represent Banks Peninsula.

I would need to write a book to do justice to the individuals and organisations I’ve spent time with, but some of the many highlights include the recent Woolston Community Safety meeting with police and residents, accompanying the Prime Minister on her recent visits to Christchurch, my regular catch ups with the various vicars and church representatives in the

electorate, following the progress of the Governors Bay Jetty restoration, and popping into the many fairs, fetes and markets that are regular fixtures at this time of year.

It’s been busy at a national level as well and as we approach the end of the year I’ve been reflecting on the challenges we’ve faced and the opportunities ahead. The Labour government continues to navigate the country through a period of significant global uncertainty and we’ve made progress on important issues like child poverty, social housing and

climate change.

For seniors, we’re determined to continue the work that we’ve started and build on initiatives such as the Winter Energy Payment, cheaper GP visits, Healthy Homes Standards, upgrading the health system and safeguarding your superannuation. These and similar measures will be among our top priorities for 2023 and beyond.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer with lots of sunshine and family time. There’s no better place to spend it than Banks Peninsula!

Authorised by Tracey McLellan,

St Martins Voluntary Library

Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 2.00-4.00pm.

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10.00am-12.00pm

We have the latest fiction/non fiction books and large print. Books by - James Patterson, Stephen Leather, Lucinda Riley, Ann Cleeves etc!

Yearly subs: $12.00 per person, $18 for double membership.

Martins, Christchurch.

Turning memories into words

The prospect of turning memories into words can be daunting. Giving it a go though can be very satisfying. My role is to help you by making the process as straightforward as possible.

Family mean well when they say things like, “You’ve had such an interesting life, you should write it down”. It’s said as encouragement but can become a stressor.

When I assist with a memoir, I’m listening to the writer’s recollections with the reader in mind. My job is to keep you, the storyteller, on topic and focused. That’s not to say the conversation can’t meander a bit but I’ll steer it back. I keep an eye on the clock because it’s important the session isn’t too tiring. I’ll generally take notes during our meeting and type them afterwards.

Before we get started though,

I’ll meet with you, the intending memoirist, to discuss what you would like and explain what I do. Sometimes folk realise they don’t want a physical record of their life after all. They’re happy just talking about it. If possible I like to meet a family member before things get underway. Of course I’m happy to answer any questions. My experience includes telling my mother’s life story and assisting my father through the writing of his memoir. My voluntary work includes ten years as an Accredited Visitor with Age Concern in Auckland.

Sometimes folk decide a memoir just isn’t important enough to spend money on. Or then again, they may feel a real sense of excitement and just want to get started. I’m looking forward to meeting you to talk about your wishes. A

Bishopdale Hearing, 100% locally owned

Welcome to Bishopdale Hearing! We are your 100% locally owned comprehensive audiology clinic.

My name is Bradi Martin-Downes, and I'm Bishopdale Hearing's sole director and audiologist.

I grew up in Bishopdale and love the community we have here. Since gaining my Bachelor of Science and Master of Audiology from Canterbury University, I have thrived in helping all my clients improve their hearing health and regain social confidence. I strive to give every client individualised care and independent advice.

In my 7 years clinical experience, I have worked for three different audiology clinics across Christchurch, Auckland and Central Otago, before moving back home with my husband and two dogs.

I started Bishopdale Hearing with the goal of being a truly patientcentred audiologist and ensuring my

practice matches my personal ethics.

As a full member of the New Zealand Audiological Society, I am able to apply for and claim any Ministry of Health, ACC, or Veterans Affairs funding you may be eligible for.

At Bishopdale Hearing, you will feel comfortable that you are getting the best independent service with competitive and ethical pricing, all while supporting a truly local business. You can trust that you'll have access to the FULL range of hearing devices available from all leading manufacturers, with only the most suitable treatment being recommended for you.

We offer great Gold Card discounts (our $40 ear wax removals are very popular) and we have disability parking right outside, plus a portable wheelchair ramp for those who may require it.

I look forward to meeting you. A

St Martins Community Centre, Cnr Wilsons Road and Wades Avenue, St

Finalists and winners 2022

Form of Bequest

I GIVE TO Age Concern Canterbury Inc, 24 Main North Road, Papanui, Christchurch 8053, for its general purposes the following amount: (in words) OR

Percentage/Portion of my estate: (in words)

OR,

Description of Assets, Property, Shares: (in words) and the receipt of the Chief Executive or other authorized officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor.

Name: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms

Results of the winners and finalists for the 2022 "Peoples' Choice Awards" for Best Retirement or Lifestyle Villages & Aged Care Facilities have been announced.

This year Canterbury facilities picked up 9 of the 34 National People’s Choice Awards presented for Best Retirement Village and Aged Care facilities in Aotearoa. All three South Island winners were Canterbury-based facilities.

Waihi Lodge Care Centre, owned by the Geraldine community, was the smallest and latest facility to pick up an award, with care home staff and board absolutely delighted. Mike van der Heyden, Facility Manager at Waihi Lodge said “The whole team are extremely proud and humbled to have been nominated, and to have their hard work recognised.”

Diana Isaac Retirement Village picked up Best Large Retirement Village Award in the South Island. David King at Ryman says “Diana Isaac has regularly won accolades and the reason (we think) is the special bond between our residents and the team… and we celebrated

in true Diana Isaac style. We regard it as great recognition for everyone at Diana Isaac.” Mayfair Retirement Village by Arvida was voted Best Small Village for the South Island.

Ryman Healthcare (with head office in Christchurch) also picked up the Best Group Provider Award which they’ve won 3 of the last 4 years. Summerset, Arvida and Metlifecare picked up Group Finalist awards this year. “This year was much closer between these four players,” says Tania Ryan, AgedAdvisor GM. Aged Advisor uses set algorithms to rank facilities based on the number of ratings, overall rating score and the size of the facility. “It’s all down to the resident reviews and ratings.”

Tania commented that next month AgedAdvisor will be launching reviews and advice on legal, financial and funeral services that will assist retirees in making better informed decisions. “Retirement Villages and Care is only part of the journey that we can help people with.”

For more information, visit www. agedadvisor.nz

Hosting overseas visitors in your home

Have you ever considered the idea of hosting overseas visitors in your home for an evening meal and conversation?

The concept of hosting overseas visitors has been part of the great Kiwi experience, endorsed by Tourism New Zealand for a good many years now.

Christchurch based Rural Holidays NZ Ltd, which first commenced operations in 1983, was initially set up to provide stays for local people in a self-contained farm cottage so they could experience rural life first hand.

In-house stays and meals provided by the hosts were soon added to cater for a growing demand from visitors who wished to meet and interact with

a Kiwi family.

A dinner program has since been added to compliment the options available to travellers. With time often being at a premium in their itineraries, the idea of having dinner and conversation has been of ongoing appeal.

Given the popularly of our dinner program we are seeking to add further hosts immediately especially since travel is back up and running with visitors looking to experience the New Zealand lifestyle first-hand via the way of a home hosted dinner.

To find out more informaton please contact Lindsay Pearce, Operations Manager, Rural Holidays NZ Ltd by email hosting@ruralholidays.co.nz

TOURISM HOSTING OPPORTUNITY

A

If you enjoy entertaining and presenting a home cooked meal, then this opportunity is for you. Time involved is approximately three hours from the time you collect the guests to their return.

A genuine interest in meeting people along with a need to be flexible, reliable and maintain a consistent quality standard at all times are important factors we are seeking. A competitive industry level of remuneration is paid.

To find out more, please register your interest today with: Operations Manager, Rural Holidays NZ Ltd at: hosting@ruralholidays.co.nz

Rural Holidays NZ Ltd, an established and innovate Christchurch based company with considerable experience in hosting of overseas visitors over the past 40 years, is interested in adding further hosts.

Hosts would offer dinner only for a regular USA tour series visiting the city.

Ryman Healthcare Chief Executive, Cheyne Chalmers (centre) with Nigel Matthews and Tania Ryan from AgedAdvisor receiving Best Group Provider Award.

My two cents

Dear Dr Ayesha Verrall, Minister of Seniors.

We oldies make up 16% of the population, and by 2028 we’re set to number a million. We have discretionary dollars, time on our hands and most of us are mobile. Most of us got to this happy place by dint of hard work and economy. But every day we seem to be losing ground in both the public and private sectors.

If we have an issue with IRD for instance, and we’re not computer literate, we can spend many hours (up to months even - no kidding) trying to get a knowledgeable person on the phone. We must not hope for continued contact with that person. We will need to tell our story over and over. Gone are the days of popping in to an office. Snail mail is lost routinely. $155 becomes a major issue. Why is there not a dedicated line for seniors?

NZ Post, which recently boasted a massive $32M profit has again putup postage prices significantly, and from all accounts struggles to employ deliverers who know their way around retirement villages in particular and the city in general. It could offer no

by June Peka

And just try to get someone on the phone – hah! (Ahah – I’ve just read that one does have a dedicated line for seniors. Well done ASB.

Break and Coffee Club still take our cards and the coffee is consistently good. We even get the Gold Card discount at Coffee Club.

By popular demand (yes I have a fan club of at least two people) herewith the simple instructions for the crocheted dishcloths mentioned in the last issue of Keeping On. First, use 100% cotton or a blend with bamboo (not synthetic) to ensure your cloth will withstand numerous washes and bleaching, and will be absorbent. Obtain your materials from those shops where everything is $2. The ply I find best is comparable to double-knit, worked with a No 5 crochet hook.

Cast on 25 stitches, working in trebles to a length which suits. I like to finish off by working the edges in a contrast colour, in picot or double crochet, before darning the ends in.

These make an inexpensive, quaint, and thoughtful gift. Add a potted indoor plant cutting or vegie plant in a pretty op-shop mug.

* And further to last issue’s thrift column, Edward wishes to advise those with a sweet tooth ... pick and mix lollies are almost always specialled in supermarkets in the school holidays.

help when our overseas journals were delivered after apparently sitting in a tub of water for a week. Those screens and keyboards on the counters at its shopfront outlets are “points of sale” only I was told.

If I can’t claim compensation online at home, I should seek help at the library. Why is there not a dedicated line for seniors?

(And yes, credit where it’s due – library staff, particularly at City South are exemplars in the field of assistance and consideration for the elderly. What a team!)

Banks will often have one teller whittling away at a constant queue of a dozen or more, with no seating for the elderly or less mobile. Our local bank operates on much reduced hours 10am – 2pm. Our insurance company has one shop counter in this entire city, miles away of course.

Your publicity advises you work “closely with local, regional and central government and community organisations” Dr Verrall, and you’re all for “progressing age-friendly Aotearoa,” so we’d love you to have a word with the aforementioned institutions, at your earliest convenience, please.

In the private sector what on earth has happened under the golden arches? Not long-ago Nan and Pop could enjoy a McCafe coffee and a slice or sandwich while the young’uns got their fast-food fix. Now we’re confronted by a row of machines, six muffins in a cabinet and our coffee in a paper cup with throw-away spoon. Our loyalty cards have been replaced by an APP (what’s that?) and it seems the young’uns aren’t that welcome either. They’re advised to limit their stay to 20 minutes. I say let’s not bother!

Many coffee chains now have APPs specific to their individual shops. They’ve left us behind too. Thankfully we have choices. Currently Muffin

You don’t have to be vegetarian or Buddhist to enjoy a visit to The Water Drop Cafe in the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Centre at 2 Harakeke Street. You can be sure you won’t find a quieter or more pleasant ambience inside, or out in the sunny plant-filled courtyard. Even the coffee machine seems to have a silencer. When music is played it’s at a level which allows normal conversation. Staff are the smiliest, and so helpful. But wait, what about the food? Be assured by one who has tried almost everything on the menu, it is superb! I have to admit that on my first visit some years ago I complimented the chef on the divinely tender meat in my dish. That’s been hard to live down. Portions are generous; there’s variety to suit all tastes and prices most reasonable. My favourites are numerous, but it’s hard to go past tempura with a green salad, or a huge bowl of spicy laksa noodles, or dumplings, or wontons or plum patties... There are wedges too, and rice and curry dishes aplenty. Sweets, if you have room, are delicate and delicious and you don’t need to stop elsewhere for a coffee on the way home; it’s up there with the best. We often take visitors. Rated 10/10. Check out the temple and gallery while you’re there. Don’t be shy - you will love it.

Top Health Tip

Lemon juice gets those saliva glands going when you have a dry mouth.

Thanks Dr John P.

For many years we spent our grocery dollars at the one supermarket, which has wonderful wide aisles and helpful young staff, but they’ve closed the personal delicatessen service and it’s impossible to buy two kidneys or four sausages from the butchery department. With no explanation I can no longer get a bag of green leaves for our two hens.

Enter Vegies Direct in Cranford St and Verkerks factory shop not far away. We have discovered ham hocks at half the supermarket price and a generous gift if we spend more than $40. At a time when oranges were $6 kg and avocados $3 each at the supermarket, we paid $1.99 and 39 cents respectively AND the hens get a few grapes and the odd banana in their free bag of greens.

So Dr Verrall, if you get the word out to those big organisations, we’ll be grateful. Via our purses and our two million feet, we’ll make sure the private sector hears us too.

Don’t you just love WORDLE?

There must be others like me whose routines have changed dramatically since it began 500 and something days ago. I picture thousands of us hunched over our phones or big screens at midnight, not able to sleep until we’ve had our ‘fix’. And oh my – I’ve just heard that it’s coming out in paper/book form. Another glorious time waster.

I bumped in to Jean (originally from the UK) at Kidds Cakes recently, who remembered both a card game and an early TV or radio show, obvious forerunners of Wordle, and lo and behold we now have LINGO on TV One on Saturday nights. My friend Wendy Pownceby from Coalgate texted to say her blood pressure had soared watching the “dumb bums” get it all wrong. I suspect it’s much easier when you don’t have a 30 second time frame and whole world’s watching Wendy. Smart as we are I’m not sure we should line up to make a team if LINGO comes to NZ, but I’m game if you are.