Keeping On - Spring 2025

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A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT FROM THE CHIEF

Well while you are all freezing back there in New Zealand I am basking in 26 degrees on a beautiful sunny day at Jefferson, Long Island, New York. I am here on holiday staying with my son and his family. His home is surrounded by beautiful tall trees. At present there is a gentle breeze blowing/ruffling the surface of the swimming pool in the garden. I am aware of the importance of keeping hydrated in the warm weather but it is equally important when the temperatures are cold. Warming soups and hot drinks for winter conditions are the choice. It is still a good time to have nourishing stews and casseroles. You can add a range of vegetables to make it go further for families or to have another day.

I have recently attended a workshop on Death Without Debt. It was an enlightening day emphasising that you

do not need to engage the services of a funeral director. Families can do the arrangements. It is something you might want to discuss with your family so they are not faced with costs that are unaffordable. It is a difficult time when faced with the death of a loved one, what to do when you are confused and grieving. So talk about what you want with those who will be left to make the arrangements. It is a hard conversation and not one we like to talk about.

There are other ways to help your family at the time when it is difficult to know where to start. You need to have all your information in one place. That is where your bank accounts are, insurances for house, property and car, who your telephone provider is and many other services that you take for granted and perhaps no-one else knows about, especially if you live alone. Make a list for those left to find all that information. There are a number of books which can help get you started. Call the Age Concern office for more information. Keep warm, keep safe.

Trish Adams President

I recently arrived at work for a Saturday morning meeting to find our gate swinging open; the lock had vanished. It was a very disconcerting moment because as the last to leave on Friday, I was sure that I had locked up. After a quick, anxious tally of all the vehicles (all present and accounted for, none apparently vandalised) and the inside of the building (peaceful and undisturbed) I checked our security camera footage. In the early hours of the morning, someone who had parked illegally in our carpark (despite the clearly sign-posted warnings) had returned to find their vehicle locked in. They came back with a partner in crime and cut the lock with bolt cutters.

A quick trip to Mitre 10, and the lock was replaced for $82.98. Finding the gates swinging open was a legitimately frightening moment. If I hadn’t had an unusual Saturday meeting at the office, our precious vehicles would have been at risk all weekend. Our fleet is an important part in everything our staff and volunteers do to support and enhance the wellbeing and dignity of older people in Canterbury. We’re on the road every day doing good things. Additionally, we’re $82.98 out of pocket. This may seem like a reasonably small amount, but I’ve been thinking about what we do, week in and week out, with these small amounts:

• $82.98 could otherwise pay for the petrol to run our van for three trips providing social integration and preventing loneliness for 21 people.

• $82.98 could purchase a duvet and flannel sheets for someone who would otherwise be sleeping in the cold.

• $82.98 could pay our electricity bill at Age Concern Canterbury for nearly 2 wintry days, keeping our staff and many volunteers warm and well, and providing a welcoming environment for people needing our help and support.

• $82.98 could buy 2 boxes of paper to print out 5000 information brochures on useful topics.

• $82.98 could pay an eighth of the yearly registration for one of our clinical staff, employed in our Elder Abuse Response Service, helping older people who are experiencing abuse or neglect.

• It could buy 54% of a lunch for a Staying Safe Driver course, enabling older drivers to gain confidence and keep driving for longer.

• $82.98 pays for the printing costs of 114 copies of the newspaper you are now reading!

The more I reflect on this, the crosser I become! Bolt-cutters, if you’re reading this, you know where we are: do the right thing, drop by and pay your bill. Make the world a better place like all our staff and volunteers do on a daily basis. $82.98 is not a lot to pay to relieve your no-doubtpunishing guilty conscience and let you sleep at night, after all.

On the other hand, I’d also like to take this chance to again thank our Age Concern Canterbury volunteers, who last year donated 20,536 hours of their time at an estimated minimum value of $475,408.40 (or nearly 6000 padlocks!). It reminds me that the good in the world so often outweighs the inconvenient and annoying parts; six thousand to one are nice odds by anyone’s standards.

Greta Bond Chief Executive

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF AGE CONCERN CANTERBURY (INC)

Keeping On is distributed by Age Concern Canterbury to Christchurch Malls, Senior Citizen Clubs and Groups, Libraries, Medical Centres, Rest Homes, Hospitals and Institutions, Housing Complexes and Agencies working with older people and individuals. Keeping On is published quarterly in February, May, August and November each year. Written contributions for consideration can be emailed to the Editor at dmcgrath@ageconcerncan.org.nz or contact Deirdre on (03)366-0903. The Keeping On Team: Deirdre McGrath - Editor, Mike CreanJournalist, June Peka - Journalist, Anna-Marie Hunter - Advertising Representative/ Desktop Publisher. Keeping On is printed by Inkwise, Rolleston.

Finding a new happiness

Life changes, and there’s not too much we can do about it!

A few weeks ago, my wife, Jo, went into respite care for two weeks. She was more accepting of the situation than I was, as she wanted to give me a break from my caring duties. I, on the other hand, felt my caring duties were what any husband who is able would and should do.

Respite care turned into permanent care, which was not our intention. However it became apparent that staying at Killara Glades Care Community was the safest option for my precious Jo.

I found it impossible to feel anything but great sadness for our new situation, and I found myself fighting back tears when I had time to myself.

I realised that I had to pick myself up, and make things work out, so I set to, to try and get to know as many of the other residents at The Glades as I possibly could.

Some have lost the ability to say much, however how wonderful it is when they managed to return my smile. Some asked me when they would be leaving, and I learnt to answer, “Why would you want to leave the nicest, most caring place in Australia. Others were so grateful for a chat and then there is distressed Jacqui who finds comfort when I hold her hand. Hetty lolls sideways in her wheelchair but her life gets better when I peel a mandarin for her–she tells me they are sweet. Being a musician, I offered early on to put on a little concert for the residents, as I knew Jo in particular would love that. I was told by the administrator that if I was to give a concert, I would need to have a Police check - bureaucracy at its very best! I could visit Jo, and talk to the staff and residents, but if I played my clarinet the Police needed to be involved! Like all silly rules we stepped around that one, and next week will be my fourth concert for my new very appreciative friends. What makes all of this experience possible is the staff are so warmhearted, beautifully caring folk. Most of them are from Nepal, India or China, and I have learnt that you can determine a good nursing home by how long their staff stay. These people do

by Mark Walton

the jobs that Australians don’t want to do, and they do it with pride and love.

This afternoon when I went to visit, in my bag was half a yummy orange and carrot cake, attractive mugs, cardboard plates, forks, coffee pods and milk. I keep a coffee machine in Jo’s wardrobe and bring it out for special occasions. Jo was not in her room, so I went and rescued her and three of her new friends and served them afternoon tea. Ninetysix-year-old Val told Jo, that I was a very considerate husband and Jo nodded with pleasure.

Whilst they were scattering crumbs over the furniture and carpet who should come along but the glamorous, beaming tea lady with her trolley. She playfully told me off for taking her job away, but I reassured her she could have it back again tomorrow. I then asked her where she’d grown up, and her face lit up as she told me that she was from Peru. She said she didn’t intend to come to Australia, but she met her Australian partner when he was visiting Peru. She went onto say that she was actually a qualified architect and had done all her real estate exams, however she found she couldn’t use these skills when she immigrated to Australia. Despite her over qualifications, for the last two and half years she has been working happily at The Glades.

Chinese-born Mike is my wife’s favourite, because he delivers her breakfast five mornings a week. Nothing is too much trouble for Mike and when he’s not serving meals, he’s on showering and toilet duties - people like Mike are definitely my new heroes!

Last week Mike asked me if I would mind watching a video on his phone of his grandson playing the piano. Mike said he didn’t know if his grandson was any good or not so he would like my opinion. I watched this young boy flying around his electric keyboard and reassured Mike that he was really good and he should feel extremely proud of his grandson. I also sent a message to the young boys’ parents not to push him along too much with his music –it had to be fun. Mike and I then slapped each other on the back and he repeated, “Music must be fun!”

An unexpected bonus to this change in our life is I have discovered a lovely bond between the family members who come to visit their loved ones. There’s Julie who lives on a lifestyle property, five hours northwest from Sydney who makes the trek every second

week to visit her mum. She stays in Sydney for the whole week and spends all her time at The Glades. Cathy travels down from Coffs Harbour regularly and stays for a few days to be with her 95-yearold mum, and we often chat and it makes us both feel better.

Wendy takes two buses and a train to visit her mum because she couldn’t find a suitable care home close to where she lives. We’re all in this together and we’re all trying to make the best of our new situation.

Around bedtime I call in on Jo and help her get ready for bed. Nothing is easy anymore, and nothing can be rushed. Once she’s snug in bed, I sit beside her, holding her hand and turn on the TV.

YouTube has all the finest musicians in the most beautiful concert halls ready to play for us. Tonight, we visited Frankfurt for a private concert and the orchestra performed the magnificent Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz. Jo was in her very happy space; her bed was in the middle of the concert hall, no one minded if she snoozed off in the middle of the oboe solo, and when the concert came to an end, she didn’t have to catch a bus home.

We’re so lucky because we’re still making happy memories. I can’t wait until tomorrow morning when I walk over to sit with Jo whilst she eats her scrambled eggs.

Residents eagerly await Mark’s clarinet concert at the Killara Glades Care Community.

Jack Mac

by Mike Crean

Riots, rebellions, almost a revolution. New Zealand bristled in its hardest times. This was the Great Depression. Poverty-stricken, jobless and starving, thousands of Kiwis went to war with the conservative government using whatever weapons they could grab in the late-1920s.

The battle ground was mainly in Auckland but spreading through the land. Sophisticated city streets became hell holes as posh windows were blasted out of elite shops and all sorts of goods rummaged in wild rampages. Police and volunteers, some armed and on horses, were driven back from showers of rocks hurled at them. It could have become a revolution but it faded.

Few people can remember it now. It was almost a century ago. Now it is history. Historians have explained it in books and speeches. In 1976 a newspaper journalist captured the scenes in a 200-page novel. His book reads like a lively lecture in a university. It is fictional but believable. That author was Jack McClenaghan. I was one of his friends, yet it was not until 2025 that I read that book. This hard-life literature seemed as if Jack was talking to me again, just as we used to chat while munching lunch in the Christchurch Star cafeteria in the 1980s.

Jack was a hard-boiled journo. He had worked mostly on evening papers in Invercargill, then Dunedin and finally Christchurch. There he wrote the Star’s editorial each day, so wide was his knowledge.

I left teaching and joined the Star in 1985. Jack took me under his wing. He taught me much about journalism and about New Zealand. At the company’s Christmas party he lifted a bottle of whisky off a waiter’s tray and placed it under his chair. There he and I dealt with the spirit faithfully. The title of Jack’s novel is Travelling Man. It tells the story of fictional Paddy Hogan, a young, unemployed, money-lacking loner who leaves Auckland and, by train and by ferry, reaches Invercargill. (Could this relate to Jack himself?)

Paddy finds the southern city as dull as the clouds of unemployment. But he is big and strong. He gets a job scrub-cutting but the pay rate is not enough to live on. A woman gets him a job with a rough gang digging a road with shovels and wheelbarrows into Fiordland’s Hollyford Valley. There he learns more about humanity and self-defence from his rugged accomplices.

Paddy next staggers through Central Otago and Dunedin. He

latches on to a group of tramps and learns about stealing “on the swag”. Jack describes Paddy as “a sort of jellyfish….content to be carried along by events and never trying very hard to swim against them”.

Arriving back in Auckland, at last, Paddy is a changed man. Here he faces the economic pressures of the time. He becomes involved in political riots, driven mostly by a beguiling, young and radical woman rather than by any principle. This leads him to the fiery warfare of the central city where he suffers severe wounds.

Jack the writer loved Fiordland’s mountains, valleys and streams. He often described them to me. He said that after work each day in Invercargill he cleared the dishes in his tiny flat while his wife put their child to bed. Then he would plonk his old typewriter on the table and carry on writing. Jack wrote three more books. Moving Target was a novel on shooting in Fiordland. He also wrote a non-fictional book about Fiordland. A further novel was The Ice Admiral. He told me an American film company had bought the rights to develop a movie based on one of his books. I don’t remember which book it was; quite likely Travelling Man. The film was not made but Jack didn’t care. He could keep the money.

It is a vigorous novel including references to Paddy’s problems with women in an age of enforced chastity, with liquor prohibition and bars banned after 6pm, with workers transported on the back of an old flatdeck truck through all weather to their mountain job. More could be said but that may spoil it for the reader. Travelling Man was published by Collins in 1976. You may find it in a library or second-hand book shop.

Do you trust your Trust?

Family trusts were once the go-to strategy to protect your home and savings, and to plan for your future. The landscape has changed thanks to the Trusts Act 2019. Many older trusts are no longer doing the job they were set up to do.

Under the new law, which came into effect in early 2021, trustees must now meet strict legal duties. That includes keeping detailed records, regularly reviewing the trust’s purpose, and giving beneficiaries more information than ever before. For trusts set up 10 or 20 years ago, these changes often mean the trust is no longer fit for purpose, or worse, it may now be a legal and financial risk.

On top of that, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) are now taking a closer look at how trusts are used, especially when it comes to applying for a residential care subsidy. In some cases, assets that were put into a trust to help qualify for a subsidy are now being counted back in.

This can happen if:

• Gifts to the trust exceeded the

allowable limit (particularly in the five years before applying for the subsidy when the gifting allowance reduces due to the difficulty in gauging when a person requires care;

• The trust hasn’t been properly managed, with no minutes or updates;

• The trust appears to exist on paper only, while you still benefit from the assets.

It’s no longer enough just to have a trust in name. Trusts now require regular attention and proper administration to be effective and that includes up-to-date paperwork, trustee meetings, and clear recordkeeping.

If you’ve had a trust set up for some time and haven’t reviewed it recently, or if you’re unsure whether your trust will help or hinder an application for a rest home subsidy, it’s time for a check-up.

Concerned about your trust? Come and speak to the team at KT Law. We’re here to help ensure your trust still protects what matters most. A

Are you ready for the 3G network shutdown?

New Zealand’s 3G mobile networks will shutdown from the end of 2025 and now is the time for consumers to get ready. While most New Zealanders are already using 4G or 5G-compatible devices and won’t need to take any action, anyone with a 3G-reliant phone or device may be affected. This includes tablets, medical alarms, security alarms, business equipment, vehicle trackers and other connected IoT devices. It’s crucial to check you can stay connected. To help New Zealanders prepare, the New Zealand Telecommunications

Forum is launching a nationwide consumer awareness campaign, alongside a new, free-text checker tool from our three mobile network operators. Simply text ‘3G’ to 550 from any mobile phone to instantly find out if your device is ready for the change, or to receive clear instructions on what to do next.

Telecommunications Forum CEO Paul Brislen is encouraging everyone “Don’t wait – text ‘3G’ to 550 today and make sure you stay connected after the 3G shutdown.”

“The majority of consumers won’t

be affected by the shutdown but for those who are it’s important they know well in advance and know what to do.”

Phones that rely on 3G technology won’t connect to any networks after the shutdown, including making a 111-emergency call. “We want to help New Zealanders stay connected as we move to faster, more reliable networks. The 3G shutdown is a positive step for our digital future, but it’s important that anyone with 3G-reliant phones or devices checks now so they can stay connected.”

For those who need to upgrade to a 4G compatible device, the TCF urges consumers to recycle their old handsets through RE:MOBILE. “Mobile phones contain valuable materials that can be reused, as well as components that are harmful to the environment if sent to landfill. By recycling your old phone you’re helping protect New Zealand’s environment and supporting a more sustainable future. Don’t throw your old phone in the bin! Give it a second life and do your part for our planet”, says Paul Brislen.

Amberley Country Estate - Spacious and Unique

Canterbury’s most spacious retirement village, Amberley Country Estate which is just 35-minutes from Christchurch, is a retirement village like no other. Set on 37 acres with beautifully landscaped grounds and exceptionally well spread out two and three-bedroom villas, Amberley Country Estate looks more like a subdivision than a typical retirement village.

A wide range of single level homes, from 94m2 to 185m2, means each street is unique and villas don’t all look the same. Some have shared,

cul-de-sac like settings, but, with rural people in mind, many homes have private driveways, double garages and spacious yards. Streets are beautifully landscaped with colourful plantings.

A 350m2 Clubhouse features a pool table, bar, library, gym, spa pool, pétanque, croquet and a men’s shed.

A resort style Residents’ Centre, 5x that size, will be the heart of the village, with a café, restaurant, pool tables, dance floor, library, gym, indoor pool and spa, movie room, men’s shed and bowling green.

Regular happy hours, van excursions and other activities and events will allow residents to be as social as they please.

For residents’ peace of mind, the village will have a modern hospital and medical centre with comprehensive care facilities, including memory care.

Amberley’s villas have been built with energy efficiency in mind and feature ducted central-heating, deeper walls with thicker insulation, thermally-broken, argon-filled, double glazed windows and even industry

leading insulated foundations, so the home is cool/warm and comfortable year-round, with power bills that are extra low. Their quality and fitout is of an exceptionally high standard. Each has its own patio, garden area (lawns and gardens are maintained by village staff) and garage.

With extra warm homes, villas that are larger than typical, low weekly fees and a layout that features beautiful streetscapes with distinctive yards, Amberley Country Estate will be a very special place to live.

Canterbury’s most Spacious Retirement Village

Amberley Country Estate, just 35-minutes from Christchurch, is uniquely designed, with people who want more space in mind. Like a residential subdivision in look and feel, here you ’ll find spacious yards with individually landscaped gardens, wide roads and luxurious, well spread out, generously-sized, north-facing, energy-efficient Villas, many with private yards. We also have social gatherings, group events, exercise classes and regular outings, complimented by our 350m 2 Residents’ Clubhouse. A much larger resort-style Community Centre is coming in 2026 and modern care facilities are planned as well. If you ’re 65+ and seek an active independent lifestyle with laid-back country living, call today to find out more about a retirement village with space to live a life you’ll love. We even have Villas available for immediate occupancy. Phone 0800 573 573 to find out more.

Space to live a life you’ll love

“Life’s not fair for a lot of people. My life’s been fair enough.”

As a volunteer at Windsorcare for more than a year now, I’ve had the privilege of spending time talking with residents, and it made me appreciate the many stories left untold in aged care homes. While they may not necessarily be famous, the stories they carry are just as meaningful as any other. I began doing interviews with residents to bring to life these stories - written in their own words - and this is one of them.

“I left school at sixteen and went straight into painting. My dad knew a guy that was a painter who owned his own business, and he asked me, wouldn't I like a job there? So I thought, well, I might as well. So I started there. I started on four dollars fifty a week - two pounds five shillings. I got a pay rise every six months. After five years I was on twenty-two dollars a week. That was tradesman’s wages.

by Bill Li

I did the apprenticeship, then not long after, I did my military training. Got into the Scottish armoured division - because Dad was Scottish. We trained with tanks, did ten-and-a-half weeks of it. I was on call for nine years. If something broke out, I’d have been called out and shipped out. At the time there was a war going

Ditch the dishes, not the deliciousness!

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on in Malaysia - but they sorted it just before they probably would’ve sent me. So I never got deployed.

I’ve got a couple of friends who went to Vietnam. One got sprayed with Agent Orange. Now he’s forever crooked. It’s an ongoing thing. You’re dead - it’s going to kill you. It was a stupid bloody war. They got a few grand maybe, but your health is much better than a bit of money, isn’t it? And a lot of people had children who were born with something wrong. It happened big time.

I stayed in painting, and eventually I went into partnership with a guy. He was seventeen years younger than me. Really nice guy. Unfortunately, he passed away. I think his heart broke. That was after I retired. Life’s like that,

you know. Throws you a curveball, as they say on Facebook. There was another bloke - we used to go up to Trentham for tests, exams and things. He worked for a firm and he was very competitive. Tried to out-beat me, you know. He got married, then divorced, and I don’t think he ever got over it. He died too. Another good guy.

Maybe it changed how I looked at life. Probably did - and I didn’t even know it.

Then my back gave out. I had an operation on my back, and it wasn't successful, and I had to retire early because I couldn't keep up with the work. Had three surgeries. Bone out of the hip. Metal plates. None of them were successful. I just manage it.”

Over 40 years in the antique business

Steve Purcell is a licensed antiques 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 antiques shop.

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

In the ‘90s the first official shop “Circa 1900” was formed with a

Steve Purcell, licensed antique dealer.

Dress up photo fun

“When shall we three meet again?”

When Katrina Michie who works by day for a heating company, but whose passion is photography, spotted a happy animated group of three older women at The Palms, an idea lit up her creative brain. So many photographers focus on, and often pick up a sideline taking child portraits (as she has done herself,) but wouldn’t it be so interesting to capture people at the other end of the age scale, still loving life and with a lot of wisdom and experience under their belts, all reflected in their characterful faces?

Emboldened by their welcoming smiles as she approached, Katrina pitched them an idea. Could she use them for practise perhaps, in return for a photo or two?

With alacrity they accepted - except they had some ideas of their own. They’d just been talking about never having had the opportunity, in their combined almost 250 years, to dress up to the hilt. And now they all wanted to become witches. Up for the challenge Katrina brought on board her friend Rosemary Simpson, looking for a competition project, and the fun began. With online Temu cheaply supplying wigs, dresses, hats and other accessories, and props from the wardrobes of both photographers, all that was needed to make magic happen was a venue.

Woodham Park in the early morning of the winter solstice,

Driving Miss Daisy - Companion driving service keeping Canterbury connected

Spring brings renewal - and for many older adults or those needing a little extra support, Driving Miss Daisy provides exactly that: a safe, reliable companion driving service that helps maintain independence and connection.

Driving Miss Daisy is more than a transport service; it’s a companion driving service designed to support people who can no longer drive, or who simply feel safer with a caring companion beside them. The local Driving Miss Daisy franchisees are ACC contract suppliers and accept Total Mobility Scheme cards, making the service accessible and affordable.

All Driving Miss Daisy drivers are police checked, first aid trained, and have a p endorsement. They assist clients in and out of vehicles, manage mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs, and even accompany them into appointments or social outings.

that the value lies in presence, companionship and trust, not just wheels on the road.

In Christchurch, where public transport doesn’t always meet the needs of older or mobility impaired clients, Driving Miss Daisy fills a crucial gap. It enables visits to medical appointments, grocery shopping, social engagements, or simply catching up with friends over morning tea. And for pet owners, the service can even include trips to the vet.

This spring, as the city reawakens, Driving Miss Daisy reminds us that mobility is more than movementit’s dignity, friendship, and inclusion. Whether your loved one needs a lift to a medical appointment or desires an outing to enjoy new blooms in the park, Daisy drivers offer both practical assistance and heartfelt companionship.

though chilly for witches in skimpy attire, provided the perfect light, as well as entertainment for a number of passers-by and rubberneckers, including me. For forty minutes the senior coven cackled and pranced (as well as they remembered how) posing amongst gnarly trunks, spooky bare branches and misty backdrops, all the while maintaining their joie de vivre. Katrina and Rosemary enjoyed the occasion every bit as much as their super models and all agree they’d love to do it again sometime.

Ann McIlroy, at 74 fancies looking like royalty. “You’re never too old to be a glittering princess”.

Shirley Petrie 89, can imagine becoming the Dalai Lama - not his replacement, just a dressup version. “I’ve seen him three times and thought he was old, but now I find he’s only my age. But if I have to be glittery to match the princess look, I’d settle for being a ballerina. My legs are still good to look at, at least.”

Mary Darker 79, is game to be anything, except a male ballet dancer. Her bumps aren’t in the right places. While she mulls it over, I can just picture her as Boadicea, or Marilyn Monroe, or a voluptuous Vicar of Dibley perhaps?

I have everything crossed they’ll ask me to join in the fun next time. I’ve always wanted to glam up as Iris Apfel. I’ve got the beads. Ooooh, how exciting!

Clients and families often describe trips not merely as transport, but as uplifting experiences - filled with conversation, reassurance, and genuine care. These stories highlight

If you or someone you care for could benefit from a bit of help getting around - without sacrificing independence - ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ might be exactly what you’re looking for. A

Get out and about with Driving Miss

Daisy

Keep your independence and freedom with our safe, reliable companion driving service.

We can drive and accompany you to:

•Medical and other appointments

•Deliveries - e.g. take home meals

•Companion outings

•Grocery shopping

•Airport drop-offs and pick-ups

•Or even transporting your pet!

Total Mobility Scheme cards accepted in most Canterbury areas, and an ACC contracted supplier.

Bookings are essential - call today and make your next outing a pleasure!

Ph: (03) 312 2936

Ph: (03) 352 4596

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Ph: (03) 683 1073

Staying Safe Refresher Course for Older Drivers

When did you last have a refresher course for your driving?

This FREE classroom-based course will help you re-familiarise yourself with traffic rules and safe driving practices. It will also increase your knowledge about other transport options and help you remain independent for longer.

RSVP to Wendy Fox, Age Concern Canterbury on 03 331 7808 or email wendy.fox@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Hearing care that comes to you: Christchurch and Canterbury’s mobile audiology clinic

In a world where healthcare often involves long waits and impersonal clinics, Liz Crawford Audiology offers a refreshing alternative—hearing care that meets you where you are. As Christchurch’s only fully mobile hearing clinic, Liz Crawford brings professional, compassionate hearing support directly into her clients' homes.

Liz is a fully qualified MNZAS Audiologist with a Master's in Audiology with Distinction and a Bachelor of Speech-Language Therapy from the University of Canterbury. With over 19 years of experience in Christchurch audiology clinics, Liz has built her practice around a clear vision: making hearing care more accessible, more personal, and based in real-life environments.

From comprehensive hearing assessments to the fitting and servicing of hearing aids in the actual spaces where clients live, Liz delivers a level of care that traditional clinics can’t match. As an independent clinic, she has access to all hearing aid manufacturers in NZ, meaning she is not tied to any brand and can provide unbiased advice on the best solutions. She also offers aural

training to support brain health and cognitive engagement, guidance on hearing aid funding, and ongoing hearing support packages.

Her mobile service is ideal for people with mobility challenges, residents of aged-care facilities, or anyone who prefers to receive a service in the comfort of their own home. Working as an Audiologist and previously as a Speech-Language Therapist, Liz has extensive experience supporting people with communication difficulties related to neurological conditions such as dementia, strokes and head injuries. For this population, providing audiology care in the home - where things feel more familiar and less stressful - helps reduce anxiety and confusion. It’s not just about convenience - it’s an holistic approach focused on respect, comfort and continuity of care.

For a clinic that strikes a balance between advanced technology and genuine human connection, contact Liz Crawford.

Staying Safe Course Dates

Belfast, Tuesday, 12th August 2025

Ashburton, Friday, 5th September 2025

Rangiora, Wednesday 10th September 2025

Phillipstown, Tuesday, 30th September 2025

Akaroa, Tuesday, 7th October 2025

Kaikoura, Tuesday, 21st October 2025

Culverden, Wednesday, 22nd October 2025

Halswell, Tuesday, 4th November 2025

St Albans, Tuesday, 11th November 2025

Belfast, Thursday, 27th November 2025

Changes to the residential care subsidy: the bene

ts of a CDF funeral savings account

Preparing for the future is an act of care for ourselves and our loved ones. A Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Funeral Savings Account

offers a thoughtful and financially prudent way to set aside funds for end-of-life expenses while also providing a significant benefit for older New Zealanders navigating Residential Care Subsidy eligibility. Under Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) rules, up to $10,000 held in a designated funeral account is exempt from asset testing for the Residential Care Subsidy. This means that money saved in a CDF Funeral Savings Account won’t be counted when assessing your financial eligibility - a valuable advantage for those approaching or over the age of 65.

As of 1 July 2025, the asset thresholds for the residential care subsidy have increased to:

Single person:

Now $291,825 (up from $284,636) Couple (both in care):

Now $291,825 (up from $284,636)

- it’s about peace of mind, easing the burden on your loved ones, and making a lasting impact during your lifetime.

Your savings support vital work in the community, including: - Education in Catholic schools and the formation of future priests - Chaplaincy care at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch Public Hospital, and the Men’s and Women’s prisons - Free counselling for individuals and families - The development of modern, faith-filled school environments.

With a CDF Funeral Savings Account, you’re not just preparing for the future - you’re saving today and supporting your local community right now.

Loving God, Be with all those in care. Bring them comfort in their pain, peace in their hearts, and the gentle assurance of Your love. Amen.

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For more information or to book a home visit, see www. lizcrawfordaudiology.co.nz or phone 03 428 6945 or 029 0455 2823.

A CDF Funeral Savings Account aligns your financial planning with our Catholic values. It’s about more than just meeting eligibility thresholds

Learn more Residential Care Subsidies www.workandincome.govt.nz/ products/a-z-benefits/residentialcare-subsidy.html

CDF Funeral Savings Account www.cdf.org.nz or call 0800 403 863. A

Wellbeing, a different kind of nursing

From Cuba to the Chatham Islands, Sharon McFarlane “has been everywhere, man”, as the old song goes. Recently retired, the Christchurch nurse does not brag about her travelling or anything else. No wonder she is popular among her many friends.

Born in Invercargill, Sharon began her travels as a young woman. Thirty years ago she settled in Christchurch and still lives here. Her ambition was to be a Public Health nurse. She achieved this and spent most of her working life aiding and helping people with psychological difficulties. Much of her early time was spent in working with Burnside High School students in need of help.

“I wanted to do Community Health and get into Health and Safety and Wellbeing. I loved helping people with challenges,” she says, “people who were struggling, needing support to help with recovery”.

She pursued further relevant health education courses at the university. Her studies and her work experience enhanced her options in community health practice to advance “wellbeing”. This was a time when large companies and enterprises were beginning to employ expert nurses with the ability to help staff members deal with their problems. Such bodies recognised their need for professional community health experts and were seeking people for such work.

One such body was the Christchurch City Council. The council employed a huge staff Sharon joined them in 1998. There

DECLUTTERING CONSULTANT

Thinking of downsizing? Want help sorting your possessions? Make life easier and more enjoyable Neat Spaces Canterbury offers

by Mike Crean

she dealt with such problems as park rangers suffering hearing loss in rowdy environments, water staff inhaling poisonous fumes from the Bromley water treatment plant, secretarial workers suffering hand and wrist pain from typing, traffic parking officers being threatened by hot-headed motorists – “lots of people with a variety of roles needing help”, she says.

Recently retired Sharon adds: “I am very happy with what I have done. I have no regrets. I learned a lot at the city council, with plenty of people and plenty of teams to get along with”.

Preparing for her retirement in late June, Sharon surveyed work

options of different kinds in which she could help people and enjoy doing it. She chose to become an Independent Celebrant for weddings and funerals and has completed the training course for this work.

Her reason for this choice? “I love meeting other people.”

But not only people. Sharon loves animals too. “Animal welfare is my real love,” she says.

That is why she has chosen to be a vegetarian and never eat meat. That is also why she has had cats and dogs, has had them in numbers, hates to see any animals in trouble and pain. Her dogs were two lovely labradors.

Her high cat numbers, she explains, are so many because a cat has kittens that she couldn’t give away. So she keeps the cats and kittens, then strays interfere and, hi-ho, more cats!

Returning from her six-months term on the Chatham Islands she startled the crowd in the Wellington Airport terminal when her five cats “screamed” at once from their box. This was the finale of her time as a nurse on the islands, along with her English doctor-partner whom she had met in Invercargill. Despite the Chatham’s wet and windy weather, the couple enjoyed their time with the islands’ most sociable residents. It is a very interesting place, she says.

Other favourite pastimes include gardening, going to the movies with friends, seeking antiques, reading interesting books about relationships, such as American author Elizabeth Strout’s novels. She keeps in touch with friends and enjoys travelling, even if it is only on the internet.

Sharon is outgoing in nature but also pleasantly modest. So she strained to answer this final question: “How do you see yourself?” Her answer came back directly thus: “fun, warm, empathetic with all living things, to have fun and laugh, sense of humour, not pretentious – no airs.”

Those who know her would nod their heads vigorously. A city council staffer was asked and agreed instantly. That is Sharon!

Sharon McFarlane is enjoying her retirement.

Fonterra’s heartfelt community support

For the past four years, Fonterra’s Community Engagement Team has been quietly making a meaningful difference in the lives of elderly residents living alone in Darfield. Through a thoughtful initiative that delivers food boxes twice a year - once in July and again just before Christmas - the team has brought nourishment and a sense of connection to around 60 individuals in the community.

Typically, the boxes include a mix of non-perishable staples and some of Fonterra’s own products, such as butter, cheese, and UHT milk. Each Christmas, the team curates boxes designed to help recipients enjoy an early holiday meal. Inside, recipients find ingredients for a traditional celebration: a succulent ham, fresh

Fonterra’s food boxes delivered to Age Concern Canterbury for distribution.

vegetables, fruit mince pies, and a selection of treats. Pantry essentials are also included to ensure the support lasts beyond the holiday.

Recognising the growing need in the community, Fonterra has recently partnered with Age Concern Canterbury to expand the initiative. An additional 70 food boxes are now

being distributed to Age Concern Canterbury clients - an incredibly welcome gesture during increasingly tough times. These boxes have been warmly received, offering not just practical support but also a reminder that these individuals are seen, valued, and cared for.

This initiative reflects Fonterra’s deep commitment to community wellbeing and its belief in the power of small acts of kindness. By supporting those who may otherwise feel isolated, especially during the colder months Fonterra helps foster a sense of belonging.

As the programme continues to grow, it stands as a heartwarming example of how corporate community engagement can make a lasting impact - one food box at a time.

Simon Britten is the People’s Choice candidate for Council in the Papanui Ward

In the next term, our Council needs experienced, capable leadership that has a positive vision for the city’s future, and will work collaboratively to navigate a complex and changing environment.

Simon Britten is The People's Choice candidate for Council in Papanui Ward.

Simon is currently deputy chair of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board. He’s been working in the community for fourteen years, and previously had an extensive career in the international technology sector, earning a tertiary qualification in engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration along the way.

“In my spare time, I run community news site Think Papanui, helping connect the community with

Christchurch Men’s Groups

Age Concern Canterbury invites gentlemen over 65 in the West and East of Christchurch to join us for Thursday morning monthly van outings.

the activities of the Council and Community Board” said Simon.

“My past governance experience includes Papanui Baptist Church’s community trust, Casebrook Intermediate School, and Pillars, which works nationally to support children of prisoners. In recent years I’ve completed the Institute of Directors Company Directors’ Course and passed the Institute’s Chartered Member assessment. I also took on a role with Local Government New Zealand, as co-chair of the national advisory committee for Community Boards.”

“It’s important for the public to know what alignment and affiliations candidates have. I’ve chosen to be a People’s Choice candidate because I fully support The People’s Choice vision for a thriving city where our

strategic assets remain publicly owned.”

Simon wants to see the Council involve community more in decisionmaking and enhance our transport system - with special consideration for the needs of our older residents. He also sees the need to protect our city’s strategic assets, and to do more to improve our environment and respond to climate change.

“I have the experience needed to serve Papanui as Councillor, I’m a long-term local, and I’m committed to a positive vision for our community. Papanui residents: please support me with your vote.”

Simon Britten 027-787-5241 simon@simonbritten.com www.simonbritten.com A

Transport is available in our modern Ford transit van seating 9 which will collect you from home and drop you back at the end of the outing. Alternatively, you can drive and meet the group. You must be able to mobilise onto the van independently - our volunteers can support but not physically assist you.

Fond memories of old Christchurch, old times and not so old times to be shared with a group of like-minded gentlemen. Great fun to be had by all! Gold coin donation.

Contact Robynn Walsh on 331 7801 or 027 279 1113 or email robynn.walsh@ageconcerncan. org.nz.

We invite gentlemen over 65 in the West and East of Christchurch for a Thursday morning monthly van outing.

A morning tea outing to a local charter club, golf club or community venue. Transport is available or you can drive yourself to meet the group.

For more information please contact Robynn Walsh on 331 7801 or email robynn.walsh@ ageconcerncan.org.nz

From the IT desk

Online shopping: the do’s, don’t and danger zones

Buying online has never been easier - just a few clicks and your new book, garden tool, or favourite chocolate biscuits are on their way. But while the internet offers convenience, it also brings risks. That doesn’t mean we should avoid it altogether! With some simple know-how, online shopping can be safe, savvy, and even fun.

Staying Safe While Shopping

From sneaky pop-ups to dodgy websites, online shopping scams are sadly all too common. According to CERT NZ, Kiwis lose millions each year to fraudulent sites, fake sellers, and phishing attempts disguised as shipping updates. The good news? Most scams follow a predictable pattern - and once you know what to watch for, you’re halfway to safety. Here are four common online shopping mistakes that can lead to trouble:

1. Shopping on Unfamiliar or Unsecure Websites.

If the site doesn’t show a padlock in the address bar or starts with “http” (not “https”), it’s probably not secure. Whilst not essential a legitimate NZ contact address and phone number adds an extra layer of reassurance.

2. Falling for ‘Too Good to Be True’ Deals

If that $2.00 iPad sounds unbelievable, that’s because it probably is.

3.Giving Too Much Information

You should never have to share your IRD number, date of birth, or banking PIN to buy socks.

4. Using Public Wi-Fi for Purchases

Free Wi-Fi is great for browsingbut not for entering your credit card details. Hackers love unsecured connections.

Why It Matters

Whether you are buying from a local store or an overseas retailer,

by Dave Callis

the goal is the same: make sure your money goes where it should, and your details stay safe. Hackers and scammers often prey on older adults, assuming we are less tech-savvy. But that’s just nonsense - especially when we are equipped with the right tools and tips.

Helpful Tips

Here’s how to stay smart when shopping online:

* Stick to trusted retailers like The Warehouse, Countdown, or stores you know. If in doubt, Google the name followed by “scam” to check for warnings.

* ‘Double-check’ check the company or website before purchasing using Trustpilot.com or ProductReview.co.nz

* Look for secure payment methods. Avoid direct bank transfers - credit cards and platforms like PayPal offer better buyer protection.

* Use strong passwords on

your shopping accounts. Don’t let password pitfalls undo your progress!

* Keep records of your orders. A quick screenshot of your receipt or confirmation can save headaches later.

* Beware of Scam delivery texts. Scammers often send texts pretending to be from NZ Post or other courier services. Never share personal information by text and be cautious if you receive an unexpected call asking for details. Shopping online doesn’t need to feel risky - a little caution makes for a smoother experience. Count to ten, don’t fall for pressure tactics like “Only 1 left!”. Just like crossing the street - we look both ways, we stay alert, and we go when it’s safe.

Let us know what tech troubles you would like us to tackle next! We are here to demystify digital life - one helpful article at a time.

Keeping On eeping On

Te Wiki o te Reo Maori 2025

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2025 - the 50th anniversary of Māori Language Week - will be celebrated from 14 to 20 September 2025. This milestone marks half a century since the first official Māori Language Day was held in 1975, following the presentation of the Māori language petition to Parliament on 14 September 1972.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is more than a celebration - it’s a movement to revitalise and normalise the use of te reo Māori in everyday life. With over 900,000 Māori living in New Zealand and many more across the Pacific, the language is a vital part of identity, heritage, and connection.

End of life planner and workbook

‘When I Die’ is an end of life planner and workbook created by Hawke’s Bay’s Kathryn Perks, who is originally from Christchurch.

This comprehensive, A4 size, 40 page workbook provides a place to record end of life wishes and personal information that may not be included in a will, but needed to help with the administration of an estate.

The idea for ‘When I Die’ came about when Kathryn was living in Australia and her mother died. Returning to New Zealand to help with the estate, Kathryn realised how little she knew about her mother’s details and end of life preferences. It would have been so helpful had everything been recorded in one place, so the family could be certain the choices they made were what her mother wanted, removing any uncertainty.

Kathryn returned to live in New Zealand in 2013. Encouraged by friends also wishing to prepare for end of life, she began researching and drafting ‘When I Die’, producing the first edition in 2017. Now in its 5th edition, Kathryn self-publishes and distributes the workbook throughout New Zealand, currently with almost

3000 copies sold.

‘When I Die’ provides space to record personal family details needed for the death certificate, whether there is a will, preference for body disposal, contact information for Executor, Lawyer and other professionals as well as who to notify, with their contact details, preference for funeral or memorial service format. In addition there are

‘My Life Story’ pages to share life experiences, personal identification details, service providers, bank and financial details, income and investments, business and property ownership, regular payments, debts, memberships and subscriptions, insurances, distribution of personal items not listed in Will, computer/ technology access including email accounts, social media and online registrations, memberships, borrowed or loaned items as well as spare pages for amendments and additions.

Once completed ‘When I Die’ becomes a useful resource and reference so the estate administration will be a much easier, cost-saving process. A

‘When I Die’ is a workbook for individuals to record personal details, end of life plans and preferences in one place, providing clarity for your family or executor when finalising your estate. To order, or for more information, contact the author in Hawke’s Bay.

Planning ahead with advance directives

by Meg Longley, Mary Crimp and Melissa Borcoski, Harmans Lawyers

Advance directives are an opportunity to make healthcare decisions ahead of time. An advance directive is created by a person with help from medical professionals and can be in the form of a written document or video. It sets out the treatments a person does and does not want in the future. If that person then becomes unwell and loses capacity to make decisions about their care, professionals will look to their advance directive to understand the patient’s wishes. In New Zealand, this is governed by the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer’s Rights.

An advance directive might cover treatment methods such as artificial feeders, CPR, breathing machines and even a preferred place of treatment. As an example, you may like to indicate that if you suffer a major stroke you would prefer for professionals to work towards a natural death rather than depending on machinery for a long period of time. Anyone can make an advance directive. They can be changed at any time and of course, if a medical event occurs and you do have capacity to make decisions, you can choose what steps you would like to take in that moment. Older persons, or those facing medical difficulties, should consider creating an advance

directive in order to ensure their wishes are known should they lose capacity. Advance directives cannot be used to nominate someone to make decisions on your behalf, this is a separate process which involves appointing an Enduring Power of Attorney.

A common query is whether an advance directive will override what a medical professional or family member may prefer in the moment. Advance directives are not legally binding but will generally be followed by medical professionals if they are valid, and if it is ethical and practicable to do so. Exceptions to following advance directives may include a situation where the treatment you have requested is not available, or if the treatment is in breach of legislation. A common example of practicality occurs when an advance directive states that the person wishes to remain at home to receive treatment. While attorneys and professionals involved will do all they can to fulfil this wish, it may not be possible to provide the necessary care in the home or to install the necessary equipment.

It is also important to regularly review an advance directive to ensure it still reflects your preferences, particularly as medical technology continues to evolve.

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When I Die

Celebrating stories: Age Concern Canterbury’s Short Story Competition

In February, Age Concern Canterbury launched an initiative that invited Super Gold Card holders to share their stories through a short story writing competition. The inspiration came from a visit by a member, John Riminton, who introduced us to a remarkable book featuring 100 stories written by seniors in New South Wales. That book was the result of a state-wide competition, and John believed that many of our own readers had equally compelling tales to tell. From that spark, our competition was born.

We chose the theme “Where It All Began”, selected two experienced writers as judges - June Peka and Mike Crean - and laid out the rules. The call for entries went out in our February edition of Keeping On, and we waited with anticipation.

At first, entries trickled in. Then they flowed. When we hit 50, we were thrilled. But by the closing date, we had received an incredible

106 stories. The response was overwhelming. Our judges got to work, reading through each submission with care and enthusiasm. By mid-July, they had selected the top ten entries.

The top ten writers are : Vivienne Allan, Anne Askey, Jim Consedine, Brian Donelly, Dagyl Larson, Robert Loughnan, John Rogers, Daniel Sekulla and Jill Woodside.

These talented contributors were invited to a celebratory afternoon tea at Age Concern Canterbury, where the judges shared feedback and announced the top three winners. Judges’ Reflections

Mike Crean offered this analogy: You don’t dig into delicious dinner with a teaspoon. It’s the same with writing a story. Don’t start with an insipid introduction; spark your readers with lively clauses. Get them involved. Then slip in the necessary “who, what, where, when” stuff. Readers will respond and start creating a mind-picture. Your narrative will take off, carrying the readers all the way.

A good number of competition entrants, including the top ten, used this sort of technique. Their stories developed with fun, climaxes, emotions, dread, delight. Well done, those writers.

The overall standard of the 106 stories was high. However, the

judges were able to agree fairly quickly on the three top stories, their writing was so good. Picking the next seven was difficult too. In fact, the super-seven were impossible to rate. Then came another half-dozen who scored closely.

To writers of the remaining 96 stories, thank you for your efforts. Many were good but lacking in some small way. So, don’t give up on writing. You have made a start; carry on.

And the Winners Are... 1st Place Day of Redemption by Jim Consedine. 2nd Place (see Page 33) Autumn by Vivienne Allan. 3rd Place (see Page 35) At a Loss for Words by Jill Woodside.

Congratulations to all our storytellers. You’ve shown that creativity and wisdom flourish with age, and your stories have enriched us all.

Writing Competition First place - Day of Redemption

I was born with the smell of horses and fresh dung all around. There were racing stables backing onto our back paddock and every day horses trotted past the front gate heading to their training at the nearby Addington racecourse. While trotting wasn’t exactly in my genes, it was certainly up my nostrils!

At school, we took all this for granted. The biggest racing event of the year, the NZ Trotting Cup, was held Show Week in Addington. For me, the world stopped that week. The traffic, the excitement, the drama, the hype, the horses, all rolled together into one. One such day stands out in my memory. Cup Day in early November 1954 dawned fine. On the reserve at the back of our convent school, older kids drew up sides at lunchtime to play a home-grown version of bullrush. Those who thought Johnny Globe would win the Cup were on one side, those who favoured Rupee, the other. Believe me, there is no one more passionate than a ten-year-old with a cause!

My special friend Dot Maguire and I, as committed Johnny Globe supporters, decided we needed to actually watch the race. We waited until after lunch and the nuns were busy before we made a dash for it. Slipping down Lincoln Road and into the Showgrounds was no problem. There were people everywhere, all excitedly heading in one direction. Trams were filled to overflowing. Dressed to

by Jim Consedine

kill, high heels clicking on the pavement, thousands of women were making a day of it too, as were many fashion-conscious men, or dandies as dad called them. Climbing the Showgrounds fence just beyond the stables to watch the big race was tricky, as there were several people there already. Dot and I pushed our way to a vantage point and sat tight. Shortly, the horses appeared in the birdcage. This provided the 30,000 crowd with a huge buzz, and surge of energy. Then the drivers emerged from under the stand, with Johnny Globe’s driver, Don Nyhan, wearing his famous colours: black with pink cross sashes and a pink cap. To Dot and me these driver icons were more important than even All Blacks like

Kevin Skinner and Bob Duff. The horses were trumpeted onto the track for the preliminary warm-ups and three times passed close to where we were perched.

Johnny had been handicapped a further 48 yards because of previous good form. He had been placed in two previous Cups but never won. We believed today was to be his day of redemption. They were to start along the back straight. Lining up at the two-mile barrier brought peak anxiety for us. Would he step away properly without breaking and going into a gallop? Would another horse interfere with him? No worries there. The tapes went up and he was off like a rocket. One or two

others broke and it virtually ruined their chances.

Johnny settled early towards the rear as they came past us at the Showgrounds bend for the first time. Tactician led for much of the race but Johnny stayed out of trouble and gradually edged his way towards the front of the field. They swung past us for a final lap and he was placed about seventh, before disappearing down the back straight for the last time. It was hard to see what was happening but Dave Clarkson’s amazing commentary, reverberating around the course, kept us informed.

Past the water tanks and around the home bend they came. Tactician ‘cried enough’ as Clarkson put it, and Young Charles and Rupee appeared to be fighting it out. Then Johnny Globe appeared seemingly from nowhere between them and surged into the lead 200 yards from the finish. He hit the line a length clear and the crowd went wild.

The cheering could be heard in Auckland, we reckoned. Then they announced he had broken Highland Fling’s world record by three seconds. This was icing on a fantastic cake. Dot and I jumped up and down and we gripped each other’s hands in joy and excitement.

Johnny may well have won his Cup, but our youthful cups were overflowing too!

Changes to drivers’ licence renewal

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is making it easier for senior drivers to renew their licence.

The Director of Land Transport (the Director) has decided to issue a 3-year class exemption that removes the need for senior drivers to fill out information in the driver licence renewal form that NZTA already holds and is unlikely to change. If their name, addresses, date and place of birth, gender and organ donor status haven’t changed, senior drivers won’t need to provide this information again when renewing their licence.

Senior drivers will be asked by driver licensing agent counter staff whether

any details have changed, and the process will also be explained in the renewal reminder letter they receive from us.

This class exemption took effect on 1 August 2025.

Without the exemption, to renew their licence, senior drivers needed to fill in a driver licence renewal form in full, even when NZTA already held much of the required information.

The Director decided to issue this class exemption to improve the senior driver licence renewal process, their experience engaging with the Agency and improve the efficiency of their services.

TRADES DIRECTORY

Planning for Peace of Mind with Pier Law

It goes without saying that many of us find the thought of future planning to be a daunting prospect. Sometimes it all seems too hard, and we simply don’t know where to start. Nonetheless, planning remains crucial for you and your family, especially when it comes to managing your assets and ensuring your wishes are respected.

Here at Pier Law, we pride ourselves on offering a range of advice, services and solutions with personalised guidance to ensure you have peace of mind in decision-making that will affect future generations.

Starting by having a valid Will in place is one of the most important safeguards to ensure your property and assets are distributed the way you intend. It can also aid in alleviating unnecessary stress for your family in the process of managing your estate. Also, if your circumstances have changed, it may also be a good idea to talk to us to consider updating your

Will to reflect these changes. An Enduring Power of Attorney can be equally vital, this enables someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. There are two types of Power of Attorney documents that we can assist you with, one relating to your finances and the other relating to your health and wellbeing.

For those of you who may be contemplating a reverse mortgage or the move into a retirement village, our experienced team is here to guide you through this process to help you understand what it involves.

At Pier Law we are committed to delivering the highest level of professional advice and support to help you to navigate through what may be a significant decision or life change. Contact us for a free initial consultation - let’s sit down over a “cuppa” and explore your options together.

ADVERTISERS

Book your Trade size ad for our November issue of Keeping On by Friday, 31st October. Contact Anna-Marie on 03 331 7804.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR SOCIAL OUTINGS

Drivers and drivers’ assistants needed for our well-loved Social Outings Service.

Drivers transport clients in our minivans to a morning or afternoon tea in and around Christchurch, supporting them to make new friends. No special licence required. Casual basis.

Drivers’ assistants support the drivers and help clients.

Please contact Robynn on 331 7801, email robynn.walsh@ ageconcerncan.org.nz or Debbie on 331 7814, email dgarraway@ageconcerncan.org.nz for more information.

Beckley

Coachlines offer unique and relaxing style tours

Travelling around New Zealandfrom Stewart Island, to Lochmara, Napier and even Whangarei. Beckley Coachlines and Travel offers unique and relaxing style tours, specialising in the 50-plus age group.

Tour pricing includes coach travel, accommodation, breakfasts and evening meals. Most activities are also included – making budgeting for your trip super easy! Your experienced and friendly guides/ escorts know the business of touring, and are on-hand to make sure your tour goes as smoothly as possible. You are able to do as much or as little as you like on the tours, meaning you get the holiday YOU want and need! Even better is your like-minded traveling companions, making new friends and connections is a really special part of these getaways. With lots of laughter and fun, you will head home with loads of special memories. You can book together with a friend and share a room, or if you

are travelling solo, you may choose a single room or be paired up with another solo person (same gender). Couples are very welcome as well; our tours cater to everyone!

We have recently introduced “Walking Tours” for the more active travellers who are fit and able to get out and enjoy some easy day walks around New Zealand.

If you have mobility concerns, feel free to call us for a chat. Each itinerary lists any specific mobility requirements, but in general our motto is if you can get on the bus –you can come on our tours, mobility aids welcome.

We would love to hear from you if you would like further information about a specific tour, or if you have any questions. You can also check out our website, www.beckleycoachlines. co.nz or Facebook page (Beckley Coachlines and Travel) to see more about what adventure we are off on next!

Cafe Group Outings

Age Concern Canterbury’s Social Outings are for people over 65 who live in their own home and would enjoy more company. You will need to be able to transfer independently on and off our minibus. Limited numbers.

New social Cafe group picking up from Sumner-Redcliffs.

Fortnightly outings to a Cafe on a Tuesday morning

We will pick you up between 9.00am and 10.00am and you will be home by 12.00 midday. Gold coin donation. You will need to pay for your own food and drink at the Cafe.

Please contact Debbie on 331 7814 or 027 555 8077 to register your interest.

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, 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.

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Age Concern Canterbury is looking for volunteers to act as hosts

Would you like to share your love of baking and entertaining? Could you open your home to a group of over 65’s once a month for morning or afternoon tea?

Age Concern Canterbury is looking for hosts in the Burnside, Avonhead, Wigram and Westlake areas for our van groups of 7-10 older people. The group will be at your home for 45mins to 50 mins – requiring a hot drink and selection of around 3 food items.

The mornings and afternoons provide company and stimulation

for our older folk and we have been operating these outings for many years. For many it is the highlight of their week.

The only requirements are suitable access for our van, easy access into your home for clients with sticks or walking frames and an area large enough to accommodate up to 10 people.

If you think this could be the perfect volunteering opportunity for you then please contact Robynn Walsh – 027 279 1113 or robynn.walsh@ ageconcerncan.org.nz

Independent advocacy on funeral and affordability options

“Start Something That Matters” was the title of a book that inspired Brent Ruru to pivot within the funeral industry and launch an independent advocacy service in Christchurch.

He facilitates group presentations on funeral options and affordability, and/or meets with families one-onone, offering advice and guidance to help pre-plan and record your choices for when the time eventuates.

Additionally, he can support families to help them navigate a direct cremation followed by a personalised do-it-yourself memorial celebration of life service of their choice.

Brent can add further value through assisting with the coordination and officiating of ceremonies. Alternatively, be engaged to officiate their loved one’s celebration of life if utilising a funeral director for a traditional full chapel funeral service. Being a practicing funeral celebrant since 2017 and having worked as a funeral director navigating families with their bereavement journey, he is passionate about serving families from coal face experience.

Brent advocates that more and more families are moving to direct

cremations and then having a private memorial service because of the current economic climate. Not many people are aware that in Christchurch alone, there are 19 different funeral director operators offering direct cremation services/packages. The difference in prices range between $2,200 to $6,650. Viewing of a loved one after death can be paramount to anyone’s “saying goodbye” wellbeing and is more the reason why the prices vary.

Memorial services can then be as personalised as a family chooses; it doesn’t dilute the significance of saying farewell to a loved one as a new normal begins and can be more cost affordable without having to engage a funeral director.

‘Everything Funeral’ has been a welcomed alternative voice in the community to help families understand funeral and affordability options.

Your life. Your farewell. Know your options.

www.everythingfuneral.nz

Email: everythingfuneral@gmail.com

Phone: 027 511 0249 A

VOLUNTEER HOSTS REQUIRED FOR SOCIAL OUTINGS

Hosts provide a morning or afternoon tea at their own venue to a group of 5 to 9 clients. Monthly or casual basis.

For more information please contact: Robynn Walsh on 331 7801 or email robynnwalsh@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Trivia Crossword

* Burial or cremation?

* Funeral or memorial service?

* Engaging a funeral director or doing-it-yourself?

* Embalm or not to embalm?

* What does it cost?

* If you want to pre-plan a farewell in advance, where should you begin?

Across

1. First female mayor of Christchurch (5,4). 5. A coarse, woven fabric - often used for sacks, also known as hessian. (6). 10. Control strap for a horse (4)

11. Nixon’s first vice president (5). 12. Monastic building or church (5). 13. Senior family member or a type of tree (5). 14. French holiday home (4). 15. Single digit (3). 16. Wise men from the east (4). 17. Phil Collins’ preferred instrument (5). 20. Type of blood pressure reading (8). 24. A pair (3). 25. “Just” stories by Kipling (2). 26. Outlaw featured in “Smoky and the …..” (6). 27. Star Wars series featuring Cassian (5). 28. Frequently to the Bard (3). 29. Guzzle like it’s 5.59pm in the 1950s (5). 30. Stars of a Belgian fry-up (7). 32. Men of the cloth who move diagonally (7). 33. Purple gem (8).

Down

1. Green patina on old copper or bronze (9). 2. Long term weather patterns liable to change (7). 3. The river with its source at Lake Rotoiti (6). 4. Super model with a cameo in Love Actually (7,8). 6. Jobless, in economic terms (7). 7. Traditional Sunday roast option (4). 8. Members of a team on the field (7). 9. Robot with a human appearance (7). 18. Woman’s name that features in a Beach Boys hit (6). 19. Victor Hugo’s downtrodden people (10) 21. The colour of a Coldplay hit (6). 22. Middle Eastern salad made with bulgur and parsley (8). 23. Former US Tv talk show host Jay (4). 24. Scottish liqueur made with whisky and herbs (8). 31. Pixar film featuring a flying house (2).

See answers on Page 18.

Another letter to Mike

by Colin Smith

Dear Mike,

It's been eighteen months since I wrote to you saying how I was emotional and proud when you boarded that plane to Rehab in Auckland. Okay, you only lasted three weeks before the liquid charms of Mr. John Barleycorn snared you back into his destructive ways.

I was a bit disappointed, but not overly so, as I knew your tenacious "Never say die" attitude would eventually see you through.

So, Mike, here we are again, eighteen months later, and you boarded another plane, this time to a rehab in Otautahi/Christchurch.

I had a bit of a chuckle about the last time you lived rough in Christchurch’s Hagley Park, and complained when the sprinklers came on at 3am. I told you to see the Council about them giving you a raincoat to wear in bed. So I grinned when you wrote from your rehab, saying how nice it is to have four walls and a roof, so you don't need a raincoat in bed.

Anyway, when you came back to Nelson the previous time to your "Riverside apartment" under your tree on the bank of the Maitai River, you continued your talented wood carvings. You seemed to generate quite a following of people buying your carvings from your open air site on the footpath of the main street.

I'm pleased to note that you've taken your carving tools to rehab with you this time. I have a strong feeling of purpose for you, in how your passion for your carving, along with your rehab will be the making of you, Mike.

I feel as though every time you shape a piece of wood, you're also shaping an inner spiritual part of your wairua. I hope so, as the stronger your spirit, it will mean a lesser pull on the Barleycorn influence on your thirst.

How long have you been sober now? Is it five weeks? That's a miracle. Onya!

Now, change of subject. You were asking about the detaiIs re the story of putting the lid on Paki's coffin, prior to his cremation. As you know, your bro Patrick (Paki), youngest son of Sue and I, died in Motueka in a car crash on a Saturday night, and he was taken to Nelson, where there was an autopsy - "no booze or drugs." He was returned home on the following Monday, where a group of his friends carried him into his room, where he was to lie until his cremation on the following Thursday.

When Sue and I lifted the lid off, I remember saying to Sue "How in the name of "what or whoever" are we going to find the courage to put this lid back on, on Thursday?" I really angsted over that question. No parent should ever have to do this.

Meanwhile, the place was humming with teenagers. Paki was a popular lad, and it was a beautiful setting. His room had French doors opening out onto a big lawn with lots of flowering shrubs and trees.

Later that evening, your old mate Pete, who knew Paki, came to me and said,"Go and look at Paki, it looks as though his spirit is still with him." I also had a work colleague there who follows Buddhist traditions, who said to me “A deceased personal spirit can stay with them for up to seven days."

It shook me a bit to look at Paki and see "Yeah, there is something there?" Meanwhile, I continued to roll ciggies, drink tea, try and get my head around the fact that my awesome boy was dead, and still fret over how to put that damn lid on.

All of this went on for the next few days. On the night before the cremation, Pete came to me again and said, “Colin, go and look at Paki. His spirit has gone." When, and crikey, I get a lump in my throat, thinking of the next part, I went and looked at Paki, I then heard his voice, (completely unbidden), say to me," Dad, it's all over, I just want to go now." Bloody heck, dead people can't speak, but I can still hear his words. It blew me away.

I went out into the lounge and turned the music off, and told everyone to go home and come back tomorrow.

I then looked at that damn coffin lid, and realised how, in hearing Paki's voice, he gave Sue and I a huge gift in saying he wanted to go.

So, next morning, cremation day, and while it's an earth shattering event to have to put a lid on a child's coffin, having heard his words, made it okay. Well, sort of.

The rest is history. RIP, Paki Dad.

GPS - 1970s style

Go past Jeff’s house

Then turn where that woolshed used to be Go along the road a bit until you get to that house where the really weird guy used to live. Turn right there onto that rough road - which the council promised to grade but hasn’t, and cross over the old bridge. Then the Smith’s place is the one just next to that house where the dogs used to chase us. (I think it’s number 22).

A steady hand for Christchurch’s future - Sara Templeton

With time comes perspective, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. Many of us start thinking more about the kind of city we’re leaving for our children and grandchildren and the legacy we want to pass on.

I’m standing for Mayor to keep Christchurch moving forwardaffordably, sustainably, and with real care for our people who call it home.

With nine years’ experience as a City Councillor, I’m proud to have represented our communities and championed a healthy environment. But right now, we’re in danger of losing the momentum we’ve worked so hard to build since the earthquakes.

I will lead a Council that delivers on its promises - focused on what matters:

for Mayor

• Protecting essential services like our libraries.

• Fixing our water pipes and improving transport.

• Taking real climate action.

• Keeping our strategic assets in public hands.

• Listening to residents and communities.

• Supporting older people to stay safe, connected, and included. I’m from the community and I’m for the community. With the experience, vision, and energy to lead, I’m ready to serve you as Mayor. Let’s protect what matters - together.

Please visit www.saratempleton.nz for more information about me and what I stand for.

A

Companion Walking Service

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 one-on-one assistance for people who are finding it difficult to get out and about on their own.

Walks are personalised to your environment & abilities. Our carefully chosen volunteers are vetted, fully trained and supported to ensure you receive a safe and enjoyable experience.

24 Main North Road, Papanui, Christchurch. Phone (03) 366-0903, Freephone 0800 80 33 44

Email team@ageconcerncan.org.nz www.ageconcerncan.org.nz

Discover freedom with Wired2Ride electric trikes

Are you looking for a way to stay active while enjoying the outdoors? Electric trikes might just be the perfect solution for you!

Why Choose Electric Trikes?

Versatile Riding Options

Pedal only, pedal-assist or throttle only. You can choose to pedal for exercise or let the electric motor do the work when you need a break. Perfect for those days when your legs feel tired!

Enjoy the Outdoors

Get out in the sun, enjoy the fresh air! Riding an electric trike allows you to explore your neighbourhood and meet friends, making it a great way to stay active keep fit and engage with your community.

Convenient Shopping Trips

Picking up groceries or running errands, our electric trikes provide a practical and fun way to transport your items. With ample storage, you can easily carry everything you need.

Free Delivery

Making your purchase as easy as possible with free delivery right to your doorstep!

3-Year Warranty

We stand by the quality of our electric trikes. That's why we offer a 3-year warranty.

Ready to experience the joy of riding an electric trike? Test ride at our Christchurch showroom and view our range of models in person. Our friendly staff are here to help you find the perfect trike that suits your needs and lifestyle.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your mobility, expand your horizons and enjoy the great outdoors. Riding an Electric Trike or Mobility Scooter may be the best decision you make this year!

Contact us today to learn more or schedule a test ride! Phone Donald 022 510 4911 www.wired2ride.nz A

Bikes & Mobility

115a Johns Road, Christchurch www.wired2ride.nz

Phone Donald on 022 510 4911

Trivia crossword answers

Across

1. Vicki Buck, 5. Burlap, 10. Rein, 11. Agnew, 12. Abbey, 13. Elder, 14. Gite, 15. One, 16. Magi, 17. Drums, 20. Systolic, 24. Duo, 25. So, 26. Bandit, 27. Andor, 28. Oft, 29. Swill, 30. Mussels, 32. Bishops, 33. Amethyst. Down

1. Verdigris, 2. Climate, 3. Buller, 4. Claudia Schiffer, 6. Unwaged, 7. Lamb, 8. Players, 9. Android, 18. Rhonda, 19. Miserables, 21. Yellow, 22. Tabouleh, 23. Leno, 24. Drambuie, 31. Up.

Spring Chit Chat

by

Spring in New Zealand…a special time to enjoy the crisp morning air, vibrant colours blooming all around, and the energy of new beginnings. After the colder, quieter months of winter, we often find ourselves feeling a bit sluggish and disconnected. As this season is full of promise for sunnier skies and longer days unfolds, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with yourself and set the tone for a more active, and maybe, more balanced lifestyle. Regular movement releases endorphins, improves concentration, and helps us manage stress; key benefits as we navigate our oftenbusy lives. By making exercise social, fun, and accessible, it then often turns into something that we look forward to and not see as something that we should just do. While some people might head outdoors for this, others have limited access to the outdoors or prefer indoor exercise. Choose whatever works for you. You might find that using a combination for your routine is best which can be a great idea. Having some variety and flexibility can help you stay happy and keep you from feeling bored. Also, don’t underestimate the power of having company while you exercise, it can be a great motivator. To reduce the risk of injury, older

adults who are physically inactive or sedentary or who have one or more health conditions should seek advice from an appropriate health practitioner before starting or increasing levels of activity. Start off slowly and aim to build up to doing some activity about 5 days a week. If you think that exercise is something that you would like to start or you are not sure what would be suitable for you, please give me a call and have a chat to me about our community based Steady As You Go classes. They are a great way to add strength, flexibility and balance training into your week. The class timetables are available in this magazine or on our Age Concern Canterbury website.

Alternately our Companion Walking Service is looking for both volunteers and clients, so if you feel that you would like to volunteer to walk with someone in the community or would like to have a volunteer walk with you, please contact Wendy on 03 366 0903 or email wendy.fox@ ageconcerncan.org.nz, or me. As always, happy exercising, and I look forward to hearing from you with any questions, queries, or suggestions. Email: anna.tillman@ ageconcerncan.co.nz or phone 03 331 7811.

Our vision is better bones and fewer fractures for New Zealanders.

Our mission is to make this happen by engagement with the public, health professionals, policymakers and the private sector, through programmes of awareness, advocacy and education, to prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis.

Phone 04 499 4862 or Email info@osteoporosis.org.nz Osteoporosis New Zealand, PO Box 688, Wellington 6140

Anna Tillman, Health Promoter, Age Concern Canterbury.

Three Wee Bookshops at The End of the World

Three Wee Bookshops At The End Of The World. Ruth Shaw. Allen & Unwin 2025. 320p. Best price The Warehouse.

If you were captivated by the fictional exploits and derring-do of The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Jumped Out Of The Window And Disappeared, prepare to have your socks blown off by this truelife equivalent from our own little old bookshop lady from Manapouri. Though a score short of her century Ruth Shaw has already packed a

by June Peka

hundred years of adventure and experience - ups and downs - into her many-hatted life.

When I read and reviewed what I thought was Ruth’s autobiography The Bookseller at the End of the World just a couple of years ago I was enthralled, saying it would be a hard act to follow. Not so! Ruth promptly followed that up with the gentle Bookshop Dogs, and now, as though finding strength in the very process of writing, she’s given us the continued and expanded-upon life story, which

the first in the trilogy barely skimmed. Ruth is a warrior first and foremost, just not of the six foot tall, sabrewaving, Xena-bustiered model. In her varied roles as social worker, cook, sailor, diver, protestor, treehugger, bear hunter (in the nature sense), intrepid explorer, and of course bookseller and author, Ruth is for the underdog all the way, with not a hint of patronage. I don’t imagine she has has actually intimidated any of the monsters - brusque Russians or airport officials - nor illegal fishers or tree-murderers she’s taken on, but she’s never resiled from fronting up to them. We need more Ruths! I don’t know if Ruth Shaw has another book in mind - nothing would surprise me now. What I do predict is a gong or two in the pipeline. With international tourists coming to Godzone especially to meet her and check out the wee bookshops, we need to make Ruth an official Kiwi ambassador. And surely she’ll score an honour for services to down-toearth, really readable writing?

Nurse Maude Care Home - professional care that is second to none

The Nurse Maude Care Home provides professional care that is second to none. A fully licensed 75bed facility where each spacious room comes with an ensuite bathroom. We have large, well equipped communal spaces and beautiful gardens in the heart of Merivale, Christchurch for residents and their visitors to enjoy. We specialise in offering the best care available, including for those with complex health conditions needing long term and respite residential care.

Residents can be attended by their own doctor or have the Care Home's doctor look after them.

Services include physiotherapy, hairdressing, manicures, podiatry, and chaplaincy. There is also an extensive range of activities including virtual reality experiences, books, puzzles, games, animal visits and craft making.

A team of volunteers supports staff to help ensure our residents live their best life, we also have a café on site for residents and their visitors.

Feel at home with quality nursing care.

TheNurse Maude CareHome is located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Merivale. It’s a placewhere residents canenjoy a sense of purpose,meaninganddignity with 24/7 nursing care available.

Caring for the community since 1896

Nurse Maude also provides a range of services to provide care to you in your own home. We offer Homecare, District Nursing and Palliative Care services, all free of charge and accessible via a referral from your GP.

Our central location and free access to wheelchairs make it easy for visitors to take their loved one for a trip to Merivale Mall and have a look around the shops.

Our staffing levels are high, and we are fortunate in being able to offer full expert care from Nurse Maude specialist staff including Wound Care, Continence, IV, Stomal and Palliative Care Specialists, Dietician, and other key health professionals.

We can also provide short-term respite care for up to 28 days under

the Respite Care Scheme (subject to bed availability).

In addition to private residents, people can be referred to the Nurse Maude Care Home by their doctor. All prospective long-term care residents will have their needs, income and assets assessed by Older Persons Health before admission.

To find out more about the Nurse Maude Care Home and to arrange a visit, please call 03 375 4145 or email carehome@nursemaude.org.nz.

A

Keeping On eeping On

Older Persons’ Hub update

The Older Persons’ Hub in the Rolleston Community Centre has become busier over the past few months with a positive weekly engagement from the local community. Every Monday a Craft Group gathers and puts the world to rights whilst working on some beautiful stitch work, knitting and such. On Tuesdays Age Concern Canterbury’s Steady As You Go (our Falls Prevention Class) has started and is already very well attended. The initial reviews have been positive with classes being easy going and fun. There has been a lot of feedback and drop-ins requesting support with technology. This is an ongoing situation we all have to navigate with the ever changing ‘tech’ landscape. We can offer help with technology via appointments at The Older Persons’ Hub. We will hold space on a Wednesday for these, however other days and times can be available if needed. Finally, we have a Board Games’ Morning on a Thursday where we will have a selection of board games here at The Hub to use or feel free to bring your own, I must

by Emily Johnston, Older Persons’ Hub Manager

admit I am not up to speed with all these games so I will have to do some practising to keep up with you all.

Event wise at The Hub, we have hosted a morning tea with the Age Concern Canterbury Café Social Groups. Two groups attended one from Christchurch and the other from Rolleston, they joined us to enjoy pies from Darfield bakery and a good old yarn. We were also delighted to host a Volunteer’s High Tea which took on a vintage theme with decorative fine china and cake stands filled with delicious bite sizes morsels - a wonderful opportunity to get together and celebrate our local volunteers.

Back in May Age Concern Canterbury proudly hosted, in partnership with the Selwyn Islamic Trust, the annual Eid Gala Celebration. There was a fantastic turn out for this event where the local Muslim community came together to celebrate Eid with joy and unity.

Greta Bond, CEO at Age Concern Canterbury and Khursheed Jahangir Mohammad, Cultural

Natural Harmony Body & Joint Rub

Great for all manner of joint and muscle stiffness, sprains and strains and dry flaky skin.

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Phone: 027 517 2347

Email: info@florentinegold.co.nz

www.florentinegold.co.nz

Natural Harmony Body & Joint Rub is $48.50 for 200ml and $36.50 for 100ml and includes delivery. However, for rural deliveries the cost is $7.00 which must be paid directly into our bank account. You can purchase by visiting our website www.florentinegold.co.nz, by emailing us at info@florentinegold.co.nz or by phoning us on 0275172347.

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The All Natural Harmony Body & Joint Rub would make a wonderful present for family and friends.

Engagement Manager gave a presentation to introduce Age Concern Canterbury to the community and commit to supporting older persons and challenges they face.

We also partnered with the Rolleston Community Centre to hold an Older Persons Hub Services Expo; this event was hosted by Selwyn District Council (SDC) in partnership with Age Concern Canterbury. An informative morning was held to raise awareness of what services are available to older adults from Rolleston and the wider Selwyn District. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate, connect and empower Selwyn’s older persons community.

Finally, after popular request we have produced a weekly calendar for ‘What’s on at The Hub’ this is inside our Older Persons’ Hub, Rolleston leaflet. We also still have some availability for local groups to utilise The Hub space, if you are interested, please contact The Manager on 027 2314439.

Florentine Gold All Natural Harmony Body and Joint Rub (topical lotion) is an amazing product with so many uses and benefits. You can purchase this online by visiting our website www.florentinegold.co.nz or email us at info@florentinegold.co.nz

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The All Natural Harmony Body and Joint Rub is wonderful for all types of pain relief including peripheral neuropathy, sensory ataxia, gout, neck and shoulder pain, stiffness, headaches, migraines, pulled and strained muscles, tennis elbow and much more. It also gives relief to some skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis. It is excellent for sore throats and toothache (for external use only), speedy recovery from migraine headaches, for the relief of sunburn, and takes the itch from mosquito bites.

“With a dose of scepticism I tried the Body and Joint Rub for

my damaged cervical spine and carpal tunnel and joint problems. It freed up and alleviated the pain and increased mobility almost immediately. With Allodynia, a nerve condition, and head injury symptoms, I then tried it on my scalp and to my joy and surprise it stopped the nerve over stimulation. I am now using it daily. Indebted to Florentine Gold for providing such a great product.” John S. Canterbury. 1st July 2022 IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to ongoing manufacturing, freight and courier price increases we can no longer absorb these costs. From the 1st April 2024 there has been a price increase in our Florentine Gold products. The 200ml Body & Joint Rub will now be $48.50. The 100ml will remain the same $36.50. Courier postage is included in these prices, however, the cost for rural delivery will increase to $7.00 (which must be paid separately into our bank account as our website does not allow for this cost). Thank you for your ongoing support FGNZ Ltd. A

Arthritis pain relief that works in minutes

From right: the annual Eid Gala celebration in May, an Age Concern Canterbury Social Cafe group and representatives at a presentation on services available to the community.

Craft Group promotes social connection

What was the inspiration behind starting your Craft Group?

After a bereavement Pam the founder of the craft group wanted to get out and meet people for some conversation and stitching. Pam thought that there would be some likeminded ladies around so put an advertisement in a local pamphlet and was delighted to receive a few replies. The Monday morning Patchwork group began. Eight years on the group is thriving and still welcoming new members.

What type of crafts do you currently have at your sessions?

They began as a Patchwork group but diversified to welcome anyone who wanted to craft with company. Currently in the group they knit, quilt, crochet and patchwork. Margaret who has been coming to the group for eight years makes patchwork quilts for the Christchurch NICU, “I like to patchwork, but I have run out of space to display them and relatives to gift them to, this way they can go with love to a new home.” Margaret explained.

What are the benefits for you coming to a Craft Group?

The main benefits are getting out of the house, away from the chores or silence and connecting with people. ‘It’s also very motivating, the group inspires you to try new things creatively, you often learn something new that you can apply to your craft or your life!’ Pam the founder explains. Clearly sharing is welcomed from

Older Persons’ Hub Rolleston

Availability for local group to utilise the Hub space. What’s on at

The Hub

MONDAY

10.00am to 12.00 noon Health Services

10.00am to 12.00 noon Craft Group

TUESDAY

9.30am to 10.30am

Age Concern Canterbury Steady As You Go Class

10.00am to 12.00 noon

Age Concern Canterbury Social Connection Service

WEDNESDAY

10.00am to 12.00 noon

Help with Technology

Appointments

3rd Wednesday of the month

Dementia Canterbury

THURSDAY

10.00am to 12.00 noon Board Games

FRIDAY

skills, local information, thoughts and even produce.

What keeps you coming back?

Unanimously the ladies all agreed that the fact that the group initially

made them feel so welcomed and valued, kept them coming back. ‘We are positive, supportive and caring bunch of ladies.’ one crafter declared. Are there any memorable stories or moment from your get-togethers that you would like to share?

A lot of the ladies connected on shared life experience from a different generation. Reminiscing about shared childhood memories and the challenges and adventures they experienced through their lives. It opens the discussion up about what they struggle with in today’s current world. A problem or challenging experience shared with the group receives care, support and understanding.

In what ways do you think groups like this help build a stronger sense of community?

Barbara one of the long-standing members explains ‘If you come out regularly to be with people who live locally you become more connected to the community as you hear about what’s going on in the district in real time’. The group concurred whether that be sharing local knowledge or expressing your views, you often find that you are not on your own with your view or experience and that you are all in the same boat.

A Craft Group meets each Monday at The Older Persons Hub, Rolleston Community Centre between 10.00 -12.00. If you are interested pop along or contact Emily at The Hub 0272314439 or ejohnston@ageconcerncan.org. nz

Ageing well in Selwyn

Brought to you by the Selwyn District Council, the annual SWELL event series aims to bring older residents together through organisations and activities which support wellbeing and inclusion within the community. Held on Tuesday 14 October from 9.00am until 2.00pm at the Selwyn Sports Centre in Rolleston, the SWELL Seniors’ Lifestyle Expo with over 70 exhibitors is free to attend.

Learn which social activities and community groups in Selwyn to join and find out everything you need to know about healthcare, life planning, volunteering and travel.

Bring your family or friends along, as there will be live entertainment, guest speakers, coffee, food and

market stalls to enjoy.

Following the expo, there will be a two-week activity series with a variety of events on offer. Gain confidence with using technology, try a group exercise or dance class, or enjoy a guided walk – there’s something to

suit everyone!

To find out more and book yourself in, pick up a copy of the spring What’s on in Selwyn brochure from your local library or Council Community Centre or go to selwyn.govt.nz/ swell A

Keeping On eeping On

Matariki - a Pakeha perspective

Millie, aged four, sent a card from her kindergarten in Morandbah, Northern Queensland, Australia, to her grandparents in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Grandparents are like stars, they may be far away, but we always know that they are there.”

Matariki is a public holiday where New Zealanders gaze towards the heavens and think about the thousands of tipuna/ancestors who are looking down on us. In 2023 Joan and I bussed into town to experience Matariki. Victoria Square, once part of the Waitaha settlement of Puari, is illuminated with neon lights. Large blocks with colourful kowhaiwhai patterns lit the pathways. However, Queen Victoria is in the dark, she can see nothing. Why? Does her statue still represent the wrong doings of the coloniser? Matariki is a Māori concept. We enter a tent where two wahine tell the mythology of Matariki with poi and waiata. We leave. I recalled Millie and Hazel giving us a welcome that they learnt at preschool in Australia.

“We recognise and respect the Barada Barma, the first people of Morandbah”. Our Waitaha/ Canterbury classrooms could do the same in recognising the three waves of migration: Waitaha, the first peoples circa 1250, Ngāti Mamoe circa 1500 and Kai Tahu late 1600s. We are also voyagers. Our grandchildren trace their ancestry to distant places including Ireland, Wales, England, Sweden, the United States of America, Mexico, and Norway.

May Matariki be a day that all New

by Defyd Williams

Zealanders see their whanau stories in the stars. My father pointed out the obvious star constellations to me from a very young age. A lieutenant on a minesweeper in the North Atlantic during World War Two, he must have spent many hours gazing at the Northern Sky. Missing was the Southern Cross. He would have seen Orion’s Belt as a buckle rather than the pot with a handle as we see it in the Southern Hemisphere. When living in the Northern Hemisphere 1976-1978 I found it weird seeing this group of stars upside down.

More recently I learned that the Matariki group of stars marks the bow of the waka and Tautora (Orion's Belt/the pot) the stern. There are some wonderful children’s books on Matariki. Visit Trevor Agnew’s blogsite for reviews on 15 books with Matariki themes.

The Matariki star cluster rises in the pre-dawn sky during winter to signal the Māori New Year. The largest, brightest star is called Matariki and it’s her job to keep the other stars in the cluster unified. In Greek mythology Pleiades is the name given to this group of stars that are seen as seven sisters. The Japanese word for these stars is Subaru and means to unite, the logo on the car represents six companies coming together to form one. The stars inspire us to reflect, celebrate, share food and be thankful for our existence.

There are two books that I read to familiarise myself and my mokopuna with Matariki. The first is simply called Matariki, written by Sharon Holt and illustrated by Deborah Hinde. The book includes a te reo singalong CD.

In this story, a family awakes before dawn to see the Matariki stars. During the day, extended family members arrive with freshly harvested produce to enjoy a special celebration. The elders remind the family about those family members who have passed away, and there is plenty of time for singing and games before the feast. In the evening as the guests leave, the children enjoy creating their own Matariki stars using sparklers.

The second book is The Stolen Stars of Matariki written by Miriama Kamo and illustrated by Zac Waipara. “Pai Kare!” Grandma exclaimed. “What’s happened to Matariki?

There are normally nine stars, but tonight I see only seven…” The tale is told in Te Mata Hāpuku, a wild, windy and magical place known to many Cantabrians as Birdlings Flat.

Kaumatua Matt Bateman, former principal at Burnside Primary School believes Matariki should be a time of telling stories and recalls childhood in Hokitika. More recently, schools have used this time to tell their histories. Who planted the school’s coronation trees in 1953 and 2024?

This year I will encourage my whanau to accompany me to North Beach, New Brighton, to watch the dawning of the Matariki cluster of stars. From these sandhills my grandmother Ethel Williams JP, watched her only son Defyd Ifor Williams sail from Lyttelton to train as a naval officer in the UK during World War Two. She would wander here often and wonder if her son, a sub lieutenant on a minesweeper named Fort York, in the North Atlantic campaign, would ever return. My

grandfather Hugh Williams, a master builder, was forced to work in the government gold mine at McCraes Flat during the Great Depression of the 1930s. My grandmother was a social worker in these distressing times helping Mayor Dan Sullivan MP provide relief for those in need. Grandfather Hugh built a house in nearby Jutland Street. We will drive past this reminder of resiliency postearthquake. My dad a chartered accountant was secretary for the New Brighton Business Association for many years and like us all would want a revival of this area.

I hope my grandchildren will explore all branches of their family. Another Waitaha/Canterbury story from their grandmother is that of William and Jane McCormack who arrived in Lyttelton on a sailing ship named Charlotte Jane in 1850. How and why did an Irish Catholic ploughman decide to travel with the Anglican Canterbury Association to the ends of the Earth?

I will, hopefully and subtly, remind my family that this is a good time to set goals for the rest of 2025. I am coming to the end of my contracts with the Ministry of Education, helping schools initiate and implement the new Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum. If I was able to realise one goal for a curriculum that has become controversial, it would be that every child is able to develop a sense of being and belonging – a turangawaewae – to this place and feel blessed to be living under these Southern Skies.

All the songs I loved so well

In mid-June 2025, I heard that Brian Wilson had died.

“Who?” I'm pretty sure I did not know this guy.

“Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys.”

“Oh, I know, I know, The Beach Boys!”

I really only know The Beach Boys’ songs, from my Kiwi friends. When I was in Taiwan, I only had some vague impression of its band name in Chinese, rather than their songs.

But that makes me recall my memories of my youth. The days that are full of music, parties, exams, activities, friends and love stories.

People may think immigrants did not know anything about western music before coming to New Zealand. But it’s not true. When I was in high school and university, US rock’n’roll bands, the Carpenters, and ABBA were very popular in Taiwan. It’s not unusual for some of my friends to be fans of UK star singers like Tom Jones. We grew up with their songs. The rhythm of pop English songs never stopped in my daily life during my younger age. Those scenes include:

* I walked past one record shop and heard the song “Yesterday Once More every sha-la-la-la, every wo-owo-o” echoing in the air.

* Three young boys half screamed “Knock Three Times” with one guitar at the final school camping-fire night activity.

* My office manager played his guitar and sang the song “American Pie” at the break time in the office. That made me change my impression of him.

* On Sunday afternoons, at my home, my brothers, my neighbours and I would become very tired of the heavy school homework. We would then play the record “Top 10 Western Golden Songs” on the record player. Sometimes we mixed with the albums

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by Harmony

Olivia Newton John, Joan Baez, and others.

And, I even remember that about half a century ago, my first brother told me: “You know, when Tom Jones sings his songs on the stage, lots of girls throw their knickers at him.” I think now, it might be my first culture shock about the western world.

I also recalled when I was a 12-years old girl, I started my English classes in intermediate school. As well as the routine English grammar, vocabulary and sentence, I set a goal to learn some practical daily life English on my own, so I started to learn English from the English pop songs’ lyrics.

Then my older cousin gave me advice: “No, it’s not good to learn English from English songs.”

“Lyrics normally do not comply with the grammar. Now you just started to learn English, you should learn more grammar. Otherwise you would be easily mixed up.”

I therefore set aside all the song lyrics learning. For a schoolgirl in Taiwan at that time, anyway, getting higher points from exams is more important than learning daily life English.

The western pop songs actually accompanied us during our hard school times. Honestly, I did not really care about the lyrics. I followed the songs’ rhythms, hummed, beat the tempo on my leg, shook my head or body a little bit, sometimes sang along for a short time only, and stopped.

On the other hand, during the teenage period, we were proud of

knowing some western singers or bands in front of peers. It meant we were not falling behind. It is also an easy way to proclaim in front of our parents: “Mum, Dad, I am growing up. I know more than you do.”

In Taiwan at the moment, we dislike to tell others, especially the younger people, that I know one older aged pop song singer. Because it would easily end with an unexpected reply: “Oh,now I know how old you are.”

But the younger days have been in our blood for years, and are unforgettable. Some people like to share their early days with others. Some people don’t. It seems like a Chinese saying “A young life without some wildness is a life wasted.” Some people regret their wildness in their early days. But some people may be proud of it, because “I did not waste my young life!”

I suppose, for most of us, the hope Yesterday Once More is still shining:

“Those were such happy times

And not so long ago

How I wondered

Where they’d gone

But they’re back again

Just like a long lost friend

All the songs I loved so well…” (from Yesterday Once More lyrics)

of

Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys.

Neither rhyme nor reason

To make poems rhyme can sometimes be tough As words can seem to be from the same bough, Yet each line’s ending sounds different, though Best covered up with a hiccough or cough

Was this upsetting to Byron or Yeats? Dickinson, Wordsworth, Larkin or Keats? Did they see these words as auditory threats? Could they write their lines without caveats?

What does it matter when all’s said and done If you read this as scone when I meant scone? It’s hardly a crime. There’s no need to atone: language is a bowl of this minestrone.

So mumble these endings into your beard –this poem should be seen rather than heard.

by Brian Bilston

WesleyCare outings lift the spirit of residents

Outings boost the mood and provide a chance to socialise, no more so than for residents of WesleyCare Rest Home and Hospital who enjoy regular days out to easily accessible Christchurch attractions.

Most journeys are by minivan but some are by Orbiter bus, which stops on Harewood Road directly outside WesleyCare. The oldest resident to have enjoyed an outing was 99 years old.

“Outings are uplifting and provide residents with a sense of freedom,” a WesleyCare activities staff member said. “We want residents to enjoy the sights of Christchurch and the conversation and socialisation that goes with being in a group.” Outings

keep residents connected to their city and enable them to enjoy places they may no longer be able to access on their own.

WesleyCare staff recently took a group of residents, including wheelchair and walking frame users, on an Orbiter ride to morning tea at the Bush Inn Centre. One resident described the day out as wonderful. “It was good to get in the fresh air and sun. It gave us a chance to see a different environment and I got to know other members of the group which would not have occurred otherwise.”

Physical activity associated with outings provides benefits such as improved physical wellbeing and

cognitive stimulation, according to the Ministry of Health. Outings also improve the quality of life, counter stereotypes about aging, foster a sense of belonging and reduce isolation.

WesleyCare enhances the mobility of residents within its facility as well by installing ceiling hoists in residents’ rooms. To date, 22 have been installed but 56 more are needed to cover all its hospital rooms.

Christchurch Methodist Mission is running an appeal for funds to buy urgently needed bed hoists. If you are able to help, please select WesleyCare from the Programmes menu at www.mmsi.org.nz/donate. A

Modern living. Timeless care.

For over 60 years, we’ve provided professional, compassionate care in a serene setting.

When it’s time to transition from living at home into a more comprehensive support environment, WesleyCare is the right choice. We offer a range of affordable options, from rest home and hospital level care through to respite and palliative care. Our experienced staff build genuine relationships with residents, and our purpose-built facilities provide all the comforts of a warm, modern home.

www.wesleycare.nz

91 Harewood Road, Papanui Call WesleyCare Manager Donna Coxshall on 03 375 1189 to arrange a visit

“Know that

are the perfect

Each

Cafe Group Outings

Age Concern Canterbury’s Social Outings are for people over 65 who live in their own home and would enjoy more company. You will need to be able to transfer independently on and off our minibus. Limited numbers.

Fortnightly outings to a variety of

June - a busy month for Age Concern Canterbury

June was an eventful month for the team at Age Concern Canterbury, with both Elder Abuse Awareness Week and National Volunteer Week on our calendar. Our Elder Abuse Response Service team was actively engaged across Canterbury, raising awareness about the cultural, social, and economic impacts of elder abuse and neglect. This annual campaign reinforces our ongoing message: abuse and neglect of older people will not be tolerated in our community. The team worked hard to increase visibility in Selwyn,

Waimakariri, and Christchurch City, ensuring that those who need our support know where to find us. Informative displays were set up in key community venues, and we hosted a popular sausage sizzle at our Papanui office at 24 Main North Road, where attendees received helpful resources along with a tasty bite.

Later in the month, we celebrated National Volunteer Week with our annual luncheon at Addington Raceway. Nearly 200 of our incredible volunteers were welcomed by the board and staff of Age Concern Canterbury

in recognition of their dedication, kindness, and tireless efforts.

The event featured a raffle of generously donated gifts, and we proudly honoured our longserving volunteers.

Special recognition was given to Margaret Lovelock and Zoli Somlyai, both volunteer visitors, who have each dedicated 25 years of service to Age Concern Canterbury. Their commitment and compassion continue to inspire us all.

Don’t put up with sore feet - let Feet First help you step forward with confidence

Feet bothering you? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to live with foot pain or discomfort.

At Feet First Podiatry, we’ve spent over 30 years helping Cantabrians feel better on their feet.

From thickened nails, corns and cracked heels to more stubborn problems like ingrown toenails, fungal infections, or foot pain –our experienced podiatry team is here to sort it.

We don’t just treat symptoms - we treat people. Whether it’s a oneoff issue or part of a bigger health

concern (like diabetes, arthritis, or circulation problems), we take the time to assess what’s going on and offer the right solution, with care and professionalism.

Cosmetic Foot Care That’s More Than Skin Deep

Looking for healthy feet that look great too? We offer:

• Medical pedicures (medipedis) for cracked heels and dry, damaged nails

• Nail bracing to gently correct curved or ingrown nails

• Nail reconstruction after trauma

or fungal infections. It’s care that feels like a treat – but with real clinical results.

Orthotics & Injury Prevention

We also offer musculoskeletal assessments and orthotics to help manage foot, ankle, and leg pain.

If you’ve got flat feet, bunions, or recurring aches, the right support can make all the difference. We work with active individuals, older adults, and anyone in between who wants to move more comfortably.

If finding comfortable shoes is a challenge, come visit our sister

business, The Shoe Room – right next door.

Feet First Podiatry – Local, Trusted, Experienced You’ll find us in Upper Riccarton, with a friendly team and a reputation for down-to-earth, expert care. Our goal? To keep you active, independent, and confident – every step of the way. Call us today to book your appointment. Your feet will thank you. Phone Feet First Podiatry on 03 348 7910.

A

Brain Health/Hauora Hinengaro Top Tips: what we can do to take good care of our brains

Age is undoubtedly the most significant risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia/mate wareware. However, growing older doesn’t necessarily mean we will all develop dementia. Dementia/mate wareware has various causes and risk factorsmany of which are influenced by our lifestyle choices. By making small adjustments to how we live, we can positively impact our brain health. Check out the top tips below.

1. Look after your heart

A healthy heart improves blood flow to the brain, boosting brain function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Check and monitor high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.

2. Keep physically active

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, helping improve memory, focus, and overall cognitive function.

3. Follow a healthy diet

Protect your brain by eating foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3s, like berries, fatty fish, leafy greens, nuts, and turmeric, to support memory and cognitive function.

4. Challenge your brain

Just like muscles, the brain gets stronger with use. Try stepping outside your comfort zone and tackle something mentally demanding to keep your mind sharp! i.e. puzzles, a new recipe, or formal education.

5. Stay socially active

Participating in activities that are a good fit for each of us is a key factor for mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Combine your social activities with physical and mental exercise through sport or other hobbies with friends and family.

6. Get enough sleep

A good night’s sleep helps maintain emotional balance, focus, and mental clarity. During sleep, the brain processes and consolidates

information, strengthens neural connections, forms new brain cells, and clears out toxins reducingtherisk of neurological diseases.

7. Alcohol

It is considered that there is no safe level for drinking alcohol. Try to drink less at every occasion.

8. Air Pollution

Keep car windows closed when sitting in traffic or driving behind vehicles expelling exhaust fumes. Remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible or wear a face mask.

9. Watch your head

Brain injury, whether it is one large event or several smaller events, can increase your risk of developing dementia. Do whatever you can to minimise the risk.

10. Smoking

Quit smoking to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and developing dementia.

11. Hearing Loss

Have your hearing checked (often this is free of charge) at a local clinic. A 2013 US study concluded that cognitive decline progressed 30% to 40% faster for people with hearing loss than for those with normal hearing.

12. Oral health

Regular visits to the dentist are important not only for maintaining our oral health but also for benefiting our brain health. A recent analysis suggests that bacteria that cause gum disease are also associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, especially vascular dementia.

Final words on brain health

Although there is no guarantee that the healthy tips above will exempt you from developing dementia/ mate wareware, the chances are that looking after your brain in these ways will be helpful in reducing the risk of developing dementia. It’s never too late to adopt them as part of your lifestyle and reap the benefits of a healthy brain. (Source: www. dementiacanterbury.org.nz)

Steady As You Go Classes

Tues

of God Community Centre, 21 Thames Street, St Albans.

Tues 10.00am Fendalton (Waitlist) St Barnabas Church Hall, Fendalton. Christchurch.

Tues 10.00am Avonhead St Christophers Church Hall, 244 Avonhead Road, Avonhead.

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

Tues 1.00pm Burnside (Waitlist) Wairakei Road Bible Church, 392 Wairakei Road, Burnside.

Tues.1.00pm Cashmere Landsdowne Community Centre, 8 Landsdowne Tce, Cashmere

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

Tues 2.00pm Waltham (Waitlist) Waltham Community Cottage, 201 Hastings St East.

Wed 11.00am Halswell (Waitlist) Te Hapua, Halswell Service Centre & Library, 341 Halswell Rd.

Wed 1.30pm Lincoln Lincoln Community Care, Lyttelton St, Lincoln.

Wed 2.00pm Papanui Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road, Papanui.

Thurs 10.00am Heathcote (Waitlist) Malt Works Villa Hall, Port Hills Road, Heathcote.

Thurs 9.30am St Albans (Waitlist) St Albans Community Centre, 1049 Colombo Street, St Albans.

Thurs 9.30am Papanui (Waitlist) Village Church, Cnr Papanui Road and Frank Street, Papanui.

Thurs 10.30am Avonside/Linwood Holy Trinity Church, 168 Stanmore Road, Avonside/Linwood.

Thurs. 10.30am North New Brighton (Start 14th Aug) The Embassy, 143 Tedder Avenue, North New Brighton

Thurs 11.00am Avonhead St Christophers Church, 244 Avonhead Road, Avonhead.

Thurs. 1.00pm Aranui (Waitlist) Aranui Library, 109 Aldershot Street, Aranui.

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 (Waitlist) Opawa Community Church, cnr Opawa Rd and Aynsley Tce.

Fri. 11.00am Opawa (Waitlist) 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.

Tues 11.00am Rangiora RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora.

Wed 10.00am Rangiora (Waitlist) Ballarat Retirement Village, 21 Ballarat Road, Rangiora.

Wed 10.30am Akaroa Gaiety Hall, 104 Rue Jolie South, Akaroa

Wed 11.00am Amberley Amberley Library, RSA Room, Amberley.

Wed. 10.00am Waikuku Beach (Waitlist) Waikuku Beach Hall, 1 Bridge Street, Waikuku.

Thurs 10.30am Rotherham Rotherham Hotel, 42 George St, Rotherham.

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

Thurs 1.30pm Rangiora RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora.

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

Thurs. 2.45pm Pegasus (Waitlist) Pegasus Community Centre, Cnr Pegasus Main and Tahuna St

Thurs 1.30pm Kaiapoi ($3.00) (Waitlist) Anglican Church, 23 Cass Street, Kaiapoi

Thurs 4.00pm Rangiora Ballarat Retirement Village, 21 Ballarat Road, Rangiora

Fri. 9.30am Rangiora (Start 1st August) RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora.

Come and enjoy social interaction with other seniors…

MONDAYS

9.00amBoard Games

10.00amMorning Tea

10.30amArts and Crafts

12.00noonBYO Lunch / Socialise

12.45pmExercise Class

1.30pmVariety Hour

2.30pmAfternoon Tea THURSDAYS 9.00amBoard Games 9.30amMass 10.00amMorning Tea 10.30amBoard Games 12.00noonBYO Lunch / Socialise 12.30pmHousie (numbers limited) 2.15pmAfternoon Tea 3.00pmExercise Class

Strengthening cultural connections for older Cantabrians

Age Concern Canterbury Community Engagement Manager

Mohammed Khursheed and Chief Executive, Greta Bond recently met with Surinder Tandon from the Christchurch Multicultural Council to explore opportunities for collaboration. The discussion focused on ways to support and promote the wellbeing of older Cantabrians from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Key actions emerged from the meeting, including:

* Sharing resources to help ethnic communities access Age Concern Canterbury’s services.

* Building on recent engagement with Muslim communities in Christchurch and Rolleston.

* Creating learning opportunities for Age Concern Canterbury staff and volunteers focused on cultural inclusion.

These initiatives aim to celebrate

cultural diversity, reduce social isolation, and foster inclusion for older people across Canterbury.

A community forum, planned in partnership with Christchurch Resettlement Services, will help further identify the needs of these communities and guide future joint efforts.

Eating and drinking as we age

An estimated 20% of adults over 50 may have a swallowing difficulty (Dysphagia). Swallowing problems may result in poor nutrition, dehydration, and unintended weight loss.

What might you notice?

• Difficulty or reluctance swallowing food or fluid.

• Regularly coughing during or after eating or drinking.

• Regularly choking on food, fluid or medication.

more frequently throughout the day instead of three larger meals.

• Chop or grate harder textured foods.

• Keep food moist with sauces or gravies.

• Take your time to eat.

• Swallow everything before having another bite or sip.

• Drink water after eating to wash down residual food.

• Persistent drooling.

• The sensation of food being stuck in your throat or chest.

• Bringing food back up through your mouth or nose.

• Gurgly voice after eating and/or drinking.

• Recurrent chest infections or pneumonia.

• Difficulty chewing tough or stringy foods e.g. meat.

• Taking longer than 20-30 minutes to eat a meal.

Suggestions to help

• Eat when you are comfortable and relaxed.

• Reduce distractions.

• Keep conversation to minimum.

• Have smaller meals or snacks

• Remain upright for 30 minutes after eating and drinking.

• Ensure dentures fit well. A denture paste may assist. Who can you talk to?

• General Practitioner: medical assessment.

• Pharmacist: regarding swallowing medications.

• Dentist: for denture check.

• Dietitian: for nutrition and hydration.

• Speech Language Therapist: assessment and treatment of swallowing difficulties.

Therapy Professionals Ltd Dietitian or Speech Language Therapist will be happy to help. Just contact us.

Phone: (03) 3775280 Email: admin@tpl.nz www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz A

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

From right: Surinder Tandon, Mohammed Khursheed and Greta Bond.

A support service for end of life

Have you ever felt awkward trying to comfort a grieving friend? Or been discouraged when talking about dying? Or overwhelmed considering the costs of funeral planning? I hear these comments often in my role as an end-of-life doula and palliative social worker.

A what?! Doula is an Ancient Greek word for a person of service, and an end-of-life doula is trained to provide a range of holistic supports to you, your family and loved ones at any time, although particularly at the time of diagnosis and facing mortality.

How can a doula help me? An endof-life doula tailors their support to your needs. We are skilled at grief education and support, at family facilitation, advanced care planning, funeral planning, advocating for you, and working alongside your medical team. We are a close companion as you consider where, how and with whom you spend your dying days. Whether related to age or the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness and

whether this is your experience or someone close to you; we can walk alongside you.

Kia ora I’m Liz from The Fifth Season: Grief Support and Palliative Care.

For as long as I can remember I have been interested in people and their life stages, I carry an awareness that dying is a part of living and have seen a vast range of feelings and emotions arise at the end of life –from feelings of loneliness and fear to moments of realisation, inner calm and true love or joy.

From a client: “Liz was very helpful in providing resources on coping strategies, and dealing with grief. She offered her support and practical knowledge to the family. I found her to be approachable and sensitive to the situation and the needs of the family."

The Fifth Season: www.thefifthseason.co.nz

End of Life Doulas: www.eldaa.org.nz

UPDATE FROM THE CLUBS

Christchurch Red Hatters Club

No set meetings but the Club has ‘gatherings’ which includes monthly events such as luncheons, dinners and an outing/activity. Contact: Iris Cousins on 021 0209 3598.

Christchurch Senior Citizens Cards section meets on Mondays, 12.15-3.00pm; Indoor Bowls section meets on Tuesday at 12.30-3.00pm; the Activities Group has outings for meals and social days, visit places of interest and go on bus trips. Contact: Veronica on 383 4682 or 021 1187 360 or Beth on 388 2375 or 027 261 0493.

Lincoln Area Senior Citizen Club Members enjoyed bus trip to Little River including lunch and celebrated their 49th birthday at the Lincoln Bowling Club A bus outing to Ashburton for lunch and a tour is planned for 2nd September. Meet: First Tuesday of the month at 1.30pm at the Lincoln Event Centre. New members are very welcome. Contact: Evelyn 027 712 7195 or Gloria 027 434 6554

Papanui Rebus Club Meet: First Tuesday of the month at 10.00am at the Morrison Avenue Bowling Club, 30 Morrison Avenue, Papanui, Christchurch. Contact: Gillian on 03 352 6697 or Sian on 03 359 0057.

Primetimers 10 Pin Bowlers meet for fun bowling and interacting with likeminded over 60-yearolds. More experienced members assist and coach newbies with the emphasis on pleasure rather than competitiveness. Meet: Mondays at 1.00pm at Zone Bowling, Iverson Terrace, Christchurch Contact: Brian 03 332 0531.

Pegasus Daylight Lodge No 450 is a Freemasons Lodge appealing to over 65-year-old Masons and their wife, partner or friend. The meeting has minimal ceremonial content. The lodge transacts business and then we join our partners for lunch and an activity or speaker. Meets at 11.00am, 3rd Wednesday of the month at Canterbury Freemasons Centre, 9 Shirley Road, Christchurch. Contact: The Secretary, pegasus450@xtra. co.nz or call Gerald 021 1704 179.

WANTED: Active, happy walkers 60+++ for a SINGLES ONLY mixed walking group.

MYWALKING Group has been active for nearly 18 years around the city. Flat and hill walks. Finish at a Cafe. Occasional social get togethers.

Subs are $15.00 per year. Walks are on Sat. and Sun. for 1 to 2 hrs. Come for a trial walk to see if it suits. New members welcome.

www.mywalkinggroup.nz

Phone Wendy on 027 752 9766

Group Exercise Classes

Blue Brothers offering wellbeing and camaraderie to men living with cancer. Free exercise classes followed by a cuppa at a nearby café or on-site premises.

Christchurch at Elevate Fitness, 4 Rolleston Avenue, 8.15am every Tuesday.

Rangiora at Mainpower Stadium, 289 Coldstream Road, 8.15am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Rolleston at Selwyn Sports Centre, 70 Broadlands Drive, 2.00pm every Tuesday.

For enquiries or to register your interest, phone 0272027525 or email hello@bluebrothers.org.nz

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

~ Henry Ford

Enviro Master: committed to achieving perfect climate control of your space

Enviro Master are proud to be suppliers to the Government’s Warmer Kiwi Homes programme giving eligible home owners an 80% grant towards the cost of the supply and installation of a new heat pump up to $3,000 including GST. Customers are eligible if they have a Community Services Card, SuperGold Combo Card or live in a low-income area. Their home must also have been built before 2008 and have no fixed heating in a living area, such as an existing operational heat pump or fireplace. Insulation must be to standard and there are grants to assist with this also.

Enviro Master has been in business since 2002 and has gained a reputation for unbiased advice and providing solutions tailored to each situation. This could be for heating, air-conditioning or a balance of both.

A full assessment process that looks at environmental conditions as well as users’ requirements is backed up by a wide range of heat pump brands.

Topping it off are friendly, professional staff who always take the time to show customers how to operate their new heat pump for maximum long-term efficiency.

At Enviro Master, we’re committed to helping you find the most efficient and effective air conditioning and heating solutions in Christchurch. Let us help you achieve the perfect climate control for your space.

For a free assessment, call Enviro Master on 366-0525 or visit www. enviromaster.co.nz. Our showroom is open weekdays8.00am-4.30pm at 41A Shakespeare Road, Waltham, Christchurch

WANTED TO BUY

Do you have a Baby Grand Piano looking for a new home?

Perhaps you are downsizing, children no longer interested in playing or the family heirloom has outstayed its welcome?!

Looking for an excellent/good condition second-hand baby grand piano to buy.

The PPPRA - its purpose, procedure and pleasant results

Imagine losing the ability to make decisions about your life - where you live, how your money’s handled, or who takes cares of you. Not too bad for your family if you have Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPOA) in place, right?

…Well, what happens if you don’t?

It’s a daunting thought, but one the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (or PPPRA, for short) can address.

This quietly powerful statute gives a voice to individuals who have lost the ability to speak or act for themselves, making sure their rights and interests are protected. Examples where the PPPRA steps in are when someone is living with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or a brain injury. It’s the legal safety net you hope you never need, but you’ll be glad it exists.

The PPPRA allows the Court to grant you a ‘Property Administrator’ who looks after your financials and property, and a Welfare Guardian that makes decisions regarding personal

care (e.g. medical treatment) when you are unable to.

You may be thinking, well, sweet as! Why should I bother setting up an EPOA if the Court can do it for me?

The blunt answer to that, dear reader, is cost.

The cost of applying for a PPPRA order far exceeds anything required to set up attorneys. Besides monetary costs, the process of going through the courts is mentally taxing on your loved ones who will already be struggling.

We know it can all seem a bit complicated to sort a Property Administrator for a loved one during a difficult time. The easiest way to avoid this is to contact our expert Life Law team who are happy to help you set up your Attorneys.

However, we know life can happen unexpectedly sometimes. That’s why at Godfreys we have Maddy and Phillip here to help. Experience their gentle hand and expertise navigating the PPPRA and contact us today.

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Keeping On eeping On

Volunteers Needed

A companion walking volunteer provides company for clients to enable them to get out and about.

With training and support you can help make a difference in the life of an older person by providing a safe and enjoyable walking experience.

Used under feet and hands, the Aircycle exerciser is a simple way to relieve joint pain, increase circulation, reduce swollen ankles and cramps, help restless legs, strengthen muscles, and improve balance and mobility. It also aids in the prevention of blood clots when sitting for long periods.

Aircycle provides gentle exercise without weight-bearing or strenuous activity. It’s simple to use, soft on feet and hands and easily deflated for carrying in a pocket or purse. Use it from the comfort of your chair while sitting – reading, having coffee, watching TV or travelling.

A woman from Te Horo invented this simple device to help relieve her husband’s severe arthritic pain and swollen ankles. His arthritis carers were so impressed with the relief and increased joint mobility he experienced they asked her to make more for other sufferers.

Gay from Rotorua says, "Aircycle is 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."

Sam from Oraki wrote, “I’ve suffered for years with sciatica. It’s gone completely when I use the Aircycle.”

Mrs Cooksley from Wellington advised, “I’m diabetic and had an ulcer on my leg which wouldn’t heal. After 7 weeks using my Aircycle it was gone! My Doctor is recommending it to other patients. The pumping motion is addictive and comforting. I use it while knitting.”

Includes lifetime warranty and listed with Medsafe. A wonderful gift for yourself or loved ones!

Bishopdale Hearing -

I’m Bradi, and I own Bishopdale Hearing, your local audiology clinic at the front of Bishopdale Village Mall. I can’t believe it’s been three years since opening Bishopdale Hearing! If you had told me that within three years I would need four extra staff and a larger four-room clinic location, I wouldn’t have believed you.

We’re so appreciative to everyone in the local community for supporting us and helping us grow! We are one of the few truly independent audiology clinics in Christchurch.

This means I own and operate 100% of our little practice, and we have no financial ties to any other company or hearing aid manufacturer. When you choose to see us, you can feel safe knowing you are receiving an honest professional opinion.

We are also so thankful to have won two awards – a Rotary Club local business award after being nominated by one of our patients, and also the SBA Small Business of the Year (runner-up) award.

Why should you choose us at Bishopdale Hearing?

Not only are we 100% locally owned, but we are super fun and relaxed. Unlike many others, we are also a comprehensive audiology clinic – we do a lot more than just fit hearing aids!

Services we offer are:

* Earwax Removals.

* Outer Ear Infection Treatments.

* Diagnostic Hearing Tests.

* Hearing Aid Fittings.

* Hearing Aid Adjustments and Refits.

* Auditory Processing Disorder Assessments.

* Auditory Training and Hearing Therapy.

* Custom-made Earplugs.

We would love to see you in clinic! Come and visit us at 33 Bishopdale Court, just beside Peter Timbs butchery.

Phone 03 359 8557 or you can also book online with us at www. bishopdalehearing.co.nz A

Lost connections amid rising social fragmentation

Petersgate counsellors are noticing a disturbing trend.

More lonely elderly clients are presenting for help with depression and anxiety caused, primarily, due to escalating emotional disconnection from their families.

Gray Crawford, Business Manager at Petersgate says that this appears to be a symptom of a broader social shift in Christchurch where the elderly appear to be more isolated due to an increase in social fragmentation and decaying family bonds making them feel invisible, unwanted, and emotionally unheard.

Other factors such as economic pressures, housing stress, and the fast pace of digital life are also changing how families interact, often leaving older people on the margins. Elderly clients often then internalise their emotions, expressing feelings of abandonment and despair.

Many older adults define their purpose and identity through family roles as parents, grandparents, or custodians of family culture and tradition. When those roles are undermined or dismissed, the psychological toll can be significant.

Then the resulting erosion of shared public space and collective activity experienced by many older people means they are not just isolated from their family but also from society at large. Loneliness then becomes chronic, and without intervention, this isolation can lead to worsening physical health, and even, as experienced recently, self harm.

Petersgate Counselling offers a compassionate and skilled response to this crisis. Through accessible and professional counselling services, the centre helps families unpack the roots of their emotional disconnection and re-learn how to communicate, empathise, and rebuild trust. Counsellors work with clients to explore unmet emotional needs, patterns of avoidance, and the impact of external stressors guiding them toward greater understanding of themselves and each other.

In a time when older people are increasingly pushed to the edges of family and community life, Petersgate stands as a vital bridge in restoring connection, dignity, and hope where it is needed most.

“I have absolutely no objection to growing older. I am a stroke survivor so I am extremely grateful to be ageing – I have nothing but gratitude for the passing years. I am ageing –lucky, lucky me!” ~ Sharon Stone

Old fire, new tricks

There’s something timeless about gathering around the fire on a chilly evening – the warmth, the glow, the familiar crackle. For many of us, it’s the heart of a cosy winter home. But if your winter warmth is coming with an excessive amount of smoke, your fire might be working harder than it needs to – and costing you more.

“Smoke is a sign of incomplete burning which means wasted heat,” Environment Canterbury air quality spokesperson Brian Reeves said.

“A well-burning fire is not only warmer and more cost-effective, it’s also much cleaner for the air we all share.”

Simple changes can make a big difference. Brian recommends the “upside-down” fire-lighting method – placing kindling on top and larger pieces of timber underneath. “It gets your fire burning hotter, faster, and with much less smoke,” he explained.

The type of wood you burn also matters. “Wet or unseasoned wood is hard to light, creates excessive smoke, and produces less heat,” Brian said. “Always use dry wood and store it in a covered, well-ventilated spot.

“A hot fire is a clean fire.”

The website warmercheaper.co.nz is packed with easy tips, step-bystep videos, and a list of Trusted Good Wood Merchants – everything you need to get the most out of your wood burner.

“Many of us have used wood burners for years and we stick to doing things the way we always have,” Brian said.

“With just a few changes to your burning technique, you can stay warm, save money, and help keep our air clean."

Visit www.warmercheaper.co.nz to learn how to burn smarter this winter.

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Memories: Sports do change

“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.”

Rugby fans in hats and long gaberdine raincoats packed the embankment at Lancaster Park on winter Saturdays. There they stood to watch the game. This occurred even for club matches, such as Linwood versus Sydenham.

That was in the 1950s and ‘60s. Now Lancaster Park is an empty paddock, thanks to earthquakes. The former Addington Show Grounds, where rugby league was played, became the main ground for rugby union. Next year Te Kaha stadium will take over.

Sports change. Note the TV experts helping referees with tricky decisions. Rugby has become a business. High prices for seats deter people who opt for comfortable TV coverage. Top-level players are paid professionals. Some migrate to Japan, France and other countries to play for “big money”. The rules of the game change often. Some deal with reducing head injuries. Some attempt to speed the game and excite the spectators.

The growth in women’s rugby is amazing. Fewer schools today boast rugby. Many students know nothing about the game, preferring basketball, or other sports, or none. Some proud clubs continue, but some have amalgamated. Club games are great to watch but at most grounds only a few dozen enthusiasts stand by the sidelines to watch. Only Crusaders’

by Mike Crean

matches and All Blacks’ tests attract large audiences.

Can rugby union fare better than rugby league and football (“soccer”)?

Rugby chiefs won’t repeat the historic banning of league players from switching to rugby union. In the 1920s the Marist Rugby Club got into a row with the rugby bosses. Unable to persuade the officials, Marist switched to league and played the 13-man game for a few years. At last the decision was reversed and most players returned to rugby union.

In 1973, an accomplished North Island league player shifted to West Otago. There was no league there, so he applied to play rugby in the West Otago Sub-Union. His application failed; he was banned. So, he asked the West Otago Referees’ Association if he could become a rugby referee. I was one of the referees and we were all in favour of him joining us. Two of our senior members travelled to Dunedin and pleaded his case with the rugby bosses. Driving home their ears were ringing from the shellacking they had received from Otago’s chief, retired All Black Charlie Saxton.

The ban on league players was lifted about a decade later. Imagine if the ban had continued – Brad Thorne would never have become a magnificent All Black.

Sports change. All cricketers wore white, none wore helmets, in my day. Then the new-fangled “one-day

match” was invented. With it came coloured clothing and advertisements splashed everywhere. Rules were changed, some to promote more exciting play. Thankfully, the “good old days” have continued so far with five-day test matches playing. Top cricket shifted from Lancaster Park to the South Hagley oval, in spite of protests against more buildings and scorn at the lofty lights.

Athletics had to change. On Lancaster Park in 1962 the Kiwi Olympic triple-gold medallist Peter Snell broke two world records (800 metres and 880 yards) in one race. Twelve years later the new athletics ground, Queen Elizabeth II stadium, was the main venue. There Canterbury runner Dick Tayler won the 10,000 metres race at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. The 2011 Christchurch earthquakes wrecked that ground. Athletics had to move again.

Swimming has changed too. Christchurch’s Centennial Pool was unsatisfactory for the 1974 Commonwealth Games. Some supported a temporary pool constructed on Lancaster Park! Instead, new pools were built adjacent to the QEII stadium.

Be it netball moving indoors or racing cars shifting to Ruapuna, sports do change. Although, hmmm, what about gymnastics, boxing, bowling, golf……?

Spring into action: the unexpected benefi

Aligned to Go

Age Concern Canterbury is excited to introduce Aligned to Go - a new programme designed to complement our popular Steady As You Go classes.

Developed by the University of Otago, Aligned to Go offers a more advanced level of strength and balance training, incorporating dance-based and rhythmic movements. It’s the perfect next step for those who’ve enjoyed Steady As You Go and are ready for a new challenge.

The goals of Aligned to Go are the same: to help maintain or regain leg strength, balance, and posture. Like Steady As You Go, it follows a peer-led model, which has allowed Age Concern Canterbury to expand Steady As You Go to over 50 classes across Christchurch City, Waimakariri, and Selwyn and Banks Peninsula.

We’ve recently launched an Aligned to Go class at Age Concern Canterbury. While the current class is full, you can add your name to the class waitlist by calling us on 03 366 0903. We will then contact you when a space becomes available.

ts of insulation

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Book Your Assessment

As we head into spring, insulation might not be top of mind – but now is actually the ideal time to think about it. While insulation is often associated with staying warm in winter, it also helps keep your home cooler in summer and more comfortable yearround.

Good insulation slows the transfer of heat, meaning it keeps warmth in during winter and blocks excess heat in summer. That reduces the strain on your heating and cooling systems, lowers your power bills, and helps maintain a more stable indoor temperature.

Spring is a smart time to act. Once colder weather returns, demand for insulation assessments spikes, which can mean longer wait times. By booking now, you can secure a

spot, make any necessary upgrades, and be fully prepared before winter rolls around again. If your home tends to overheat in summer or struggles to stay warm in winter, it may be time for an insulation check. A spring assessment gives you time to consider modern insulation options, many of which are more effective than older materials.

Getting it sorted now also brings peace of mind – no last-minute scrambles, just a comfortable, energy-efficient home all year long.

So don’t wait for the winter rush. Call Community Energy Action on 0800 438 9276 or visit www.cea. co.nz to book your free insulation assessment today.

Get ready now for a healthier, warmer home and step into the new season ready for whatever the weather brings! A

Writing Competition second place - Autumn

It is autumn. It is not the season of mellow fruitfulness that Keats described although there are mists that lie densely along the Port Hills like a Roman blind partially drawn. We see them when we drive along Ferry Road, hoping to find a café open on Easter Sunday. To our surprise, there are several. We talk about the change in the weather and the changes that have happened over time.

As children, our mothers shopped on Maundy Thursday, stocking up enough to last us until the following Tuesday. We wonder why everything in New Zealand is closed on Good Friday except cafés and petrol stations, when they are all open in the UK and even in Ireland? It is just another question. A reminiscence, if you will.

There is an inevitability about change and we must change too, just like the seasons, sometimes with grace and beauty as Keats wrote with such conviction, and sometimes

Aspire Canterbury provides key services to the Canterbury disabled community and has partnered with Canterbury's disabled persons since 1982. Aspire's region is the whole of Canterbury from Timaru to Kaikoura and inland to the mountains.

Aspire is the largest Canterbury provider of Total Mobility discount taxi cards for people with disabilities. They run a mobile van, disability information, and shop service to retirement homes; provide education events for children with disabilities who are leaving school; have a social enterprise shop (at the Braintree Centre) selling mobility aids, walkers and wheelchairs; hire disability equipment at a very low charity rate to people who can’t afford to purchase; and a large portion of Aspire’s work is running the disability information and advice service which

by Vivienne Allan

not. This autumn is wet. The earth is soaking. The few remaining roses are sodden, their stems are bowed, their petals are slowly falling away and I wish I had picked them earlier. They might have been better in a vase. Rain is predicted for the next three days. That means walking our black Lab in heavy raincoats and gumboots.

Mine are pink, relics of the postquake days when I was working with Housing New Zealand on their repair and rebuild programme. I needed a pair and pink differentiated them in the vehicle boots from the black, red-rimmed ones of my colleagues. I could keep them, I was told, when the job was done. Who else would want a pink pair? When I wear them, I remember the dark days when the ground heaved and shook, when liquefaction coursed through cracked concrete foundations making mud piles that gradually solidified, when windows smashed and doors became unhinged. I remember going from

is like a disability specific version of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Aspire has a strong focus on ensuring people with disabilities can get the advice and support they need to navigate the health system. Aspire walks alongside individuals and whanau as they learn to navigate the disability sector.

Aspire also advocates for people with disabilities at schools, at workplaces and in healthcare settings with the Aspire team regularly attending meetings to provide assistance and advocacy. Social exclusion can be a problem for disabled persons. Aspire works hard to remove barriers to engagement and provides multiple pathways and opportunities for disabled communities across Canterbury to grow and for people to make real connections with each other. A

house to house and people telling me they weren’t as badly off as ‘so and so’ further down the road.

My gumboots, now bleached from spending summer outdoors, clash with my rust-coloured raincoat but I don’t care. That raincoat holds its own memory of Geneva just as the trees were changing to their autumnal glory. It was getting cold and I needed something padded and rainproof. It is longer too, well past my knees so that there is little space between it and the tops of the gumboots. I don’t need a hat because there is a hood with a Swiss tie that has lasting abilities even when I make knots to stop it from being blown off in the wind. I am set.

But I digress. There is something about the romantic poets with their intuitive rhythms, their skill in finding words that give the world a glimpse of beauty in an otherwise ugly environment. Because, it is ugly now. We live in unkind times when there

is hatred where ignorance abounds. How fortunate we are to live in a remote land of plenty where our boundaries are only those we apply to ourselves.

We have no enemies lapping with evil intent at our shores. We create our own problems which, by global standards, are small and inconsequential. Yet we enlarge them. Why? The logic escapes me. I am drawn back to Keats and Shelley as I ponder the ongoing autumn damp and the prospect of an equally wet winter. Perhaps I am anticipating negatively? There is no hint of strong winds, although maybe I am too hopeful? Perhaps we will have frosts at night and calm, clear skies during the shortened days.

‘The Trumpet of a prophecy!’, Shelley wrote in his lyrical ‘Ode to the West Wind.’

‘O Wind, if Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?’

Are we building Christchurch for families and seniors?

by Nathaniel Herz Jardine, Council Candidate for Heathcote Ward

As I door knock the Heathcote Ward from Sumner to Sydenham, I’ve met many seniors who share my concerns about housing in Christchurch. On the hunt for a first home with my wife last year, I was confronted by the failure of developers to build decent housing. We couldn’t afford to buy in the suburbs where we grew up, and even inner-city living was out of reach, with nothing on offer but AirBnB-style shoebox apartments and luxury penthouses. In the end, we found somewhere that works - for now. We’re in a two bedroom, two storey unit in Waltham. If we have kids soon, we’ll need to find a bigger place, and that’s a daunting prospect.

Seniors tell me they face similar issues. Many are paying rates of $8,000+, not to mention insurance and power bills. I often talk to residents who would be happy to downsize for their retirement - if only they could find a suitable home

in their own community. Instead, they find cramped units with steep staircases, and not even a yard of grass for a vege patch.

Developers have found a golden formula of two bedroom minitownhouses with a staircase and no garden. It works for them - but it doesn’t work for growing families, or for seniors.

In the short term, I’ll advocate for more rates relief for seniors. In the long term, I want Council to incentivise developers, and actively invest, to ensure that new developments include more affordable, groundfloor-only, and family-size options. The bulk of this development should happen in the inner city, to ease the burden of intensification on the suburbs. But we must also ensure that every community has decent down-sizing options available. Got a story about housing in the Heathcote Ward? Please do get in touch.

Aspire Canterbury provides key services to disabled community

Some thoughts from an octogenarian

by Barbara Adams

I am part of a group of women, all in our eighties. We follow all the rules for a healthy life, exercising, especially walking and balance exercises, we eat healthy foods, don’t smoke and only occasionally have a glass of wine or a sweet sherry. We all take part in activities such as puzzles, quizzes, reading and discussions to help to keep our brains working appropriately. We belong to groups for social activities and imagine, and hope, that we are headed for many more happy years of life which at present is looking good for us. Those with hearing disabilities, have regular help from the local audiologist who keeps us up with new developments and checks our hearing aids regularly. The optometrist is also really helpful and we have our spectacles checked and our sight tested regularly.

But, here is a big but! We are meeting some age related problems in our happy world which could be solved by manufacturers. We like to look good when we go out, so some dresses or blouses that come up higher towards our necks would save displaying our crepey skin. The lower plunging and scooped necklines don’t look appropriate on us. We want the pretty styles and materials of younger ages but with some thought given to the older body shape. It is also a problem with hosiery. Just when we find a shade that blends well with our

clothing, it is often the one that is withdrawn from sale. An important problem is finding shops with high waisted and full coverage briefs with elastic in the legs by our bottoms. Not many elderly women can cope with the bikini styles. We’re not asking for the bloomers that our grandmothers wore, just a garment that covers us sufficiently. A pretty pattern and some lace would be a bonus. Cosmetic manufacturers appear to change the lipstick tones regularly. When we have a lipstick which is suitable for our skins and go to replace it, we are told that there is a new style out with new colours and our old favourites have been deleted. It is hard to find a similar product. Cosmetic products such as eye pencils and lipsticks are usually enclosed in tight cling wrapping and there is a fight for us with scissors and a knife to pry them open. I now ask the shop keeper to open them for me, after I have paid, of course. It seems that talcum powder is a thing of the past. It is hard to find something with a lovely scent. Some women are making do with baby powder. The younger generations use body lotions and fancy oils and once again the elderly are not catered for. We like the soft talcum that we can shake onto our skin rather than having to open and hold a bottle.

We love our grandchildren and other children too, but we find that the packaging of cleaning

products, is not only child proof but Nana proof as well. We can’t open them. The strength in our fingers has deteriorated and it’s hard to turn the lids and open the cleaning products. The ones with opening directions that tell us to push down firmly on the top and turn at the same time are hopeless for elderly hands. Parents, please put the cleaning products on a high shelf or lock them away. Then the older population can save embarrassment by having to get help with what may be a simple process for younger folk.

Those tinned products with a tag on the top just don’t work for us either. The old fashioned tin opener is more practical for us. It would be helpful to have instructions on bottles and packages in a larger print. This is important with food that needs to be heated in the microwave. Sometimes a magnifying glass is needed to make sense of the instructions.

Please remember that our hands are often shaky and we spill these at times. It is really helpful if a cafe worker carries our coffee to our table rather than have us with spots of coffee in the saucer, on ourselves, or sprinkled on the table.

Most of us use computers. It is suggested by the server that we should regularly change our passwords. We understand that this is a security measure. But, it has taken us ages to get used to

the one we regularly use and to find another with at least twelve characters, upper case and lower case, a number and a symbol, takes some time. Most of us still have a land-line and keep a cell phone in our bags, for emergency, when we go out. Some of the surveys (and some banks) using the web, have time limits set into their service. If we hesitate too long, a message appears on the screen to tell us that our time is up. This happens when we are sent a secret list of numbers by email that we have to send back as a check that we really are the person wanting the assistance. By the time we find our cell phones, open them, then open the email message, our time is often up.

The computer experts who design these programmes probably don’t think about elderly folk who are struggling with what seems normal for the younger ones.

So, while all generations have their problems, we oldies also find difficulties in our lives which are sapping our independence and, at times, our sense of self esteem. The statistics show that our age group is living longer than previously, so we need the manufacturers to cater for our needs. It could be worth their while. There is a multitude of seniors who have funds to spend. Oh well, if nothing changes, I’ll have one if my sweet sherries and relax with a book!

Lifelong learning awaits: courses for curious minds

Do you want to keep learning and connecting?

CWEA in Christchurch will offer many engaging courses from October to December designed

to inform, inspire, and connect likeminded people in a welcoming environment. Mark your diaries; most classes take place at 59 Gloucester

Street—right in the heart of the city.

From Friday 17 October, for 2 weeks, 10am–12pm ($22), Jeanne Cooper presents “Art History: The Women Impressionists.” Discover the stunning achievements of Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Suzanne Valadon and others—women who shaped the Impressionist movement while being overshadowed by their male peers. Jeanne’s knowledge makes this an enriching dive into art and overcoming obstacles.

If you’re fascinated by nature’s hidden worlds, don’t miss Dr Simon Pollard’s “Weird and Wonderful Tales from a Bug’s World: Part 2.” A four week series from Friday 17 October, 10:30am–12pm ($38). Explore the remarkable strategies insects use to evade predators and the astonishing ways parasites can control their hosts. Simon is a celebrated science writer whose fun and accessible approach is bound to intrigue and entertain.

For those interested in the future of our planet, join Rachel Cummins on Tuesday 21 October, 11am–12:30pm ($15, incl. $10 donation) for a guided tour of the groundbreaking Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi. See how art, gardening, and education blend in this unique space devoted to understanding and addressing climate change. Expect a guided walk, inspiring conversations, and a friendly cuppa to finish.

With more than 50 courses and events across a huge variety of subjects our courses are tailored to stimulate curiosity and lifelong learning for everyone.

Registrations are essential. Book online at www.cwea.org.nz/courses or visit our friendly staff at 59 Gloucester Street to book in person. Secure your place today and connect with a vibrant, friendly community of learners.

Writing Competition Third Place - At a Loss For Words

"Loss comes in many forms," I murmur pensively. Our car slows down and halts on the grass verge, bordering my childhood Catholic primary school. This detour through a rural Southland town is my overdue pilgrimage to pay homage to a former school friend. Our fleeting friendship has impacted me for decades. For my husband, this is a journey to understand a significant event in my youth.

"Over that fence" I point out, "was the location of a Ministry of Works, single men's village.

Our newest classmate lived there for the duration of the Manapouri Power Project. The Māori boy, whose parents were employed as cooks, was immediately heroworshipped, a novelty in our mundane, small town lives. He was reserved, strikingly handsome, athletic, charismatic and a popular addition to schoolyard cliques."

I was always envious of the boy's residential proximity to school. All those blissful, extra minutes lying in bed on a winter's morning while I navigated ice-shard puddles, gloved hands cemented on bicycle handles.

Leisurely we drift through the town, husband distracted by the navigation system, while I

by Jill Woodside

checklist familiar shops which have plunged into modernity during my absence, showcasing facades of fresh paint and stylish windows reflecting eye-catching displays.

Out of the town borough we turn west onto a sealed road, a slow pulsing artery, slicing through picture postcard farmland. I reminisce about the first week of the new school year, planning a picnic at a popular swimming venue at a nearby river. During intervals we clandestinely met, organising our special day out: arranging borrowed bicycles, assigning lunch treats and adding togs, sunhats and towels to an ever-growing list. Parents granted their permission, very knowledgeable of our rendezvous, and gently reminding us of appropriate behaviour.

A kilometre from our boundary turn-off, our car signals left before the bridge-crossing and bouncing over a corrugated, dirt track, comes to rest on a bank overlooking the picnic spot visited decades earlier. Time has stood still: the river flows indifferently, shimmering in the summer heat, the willows lazily caress its surface and grasses sway at the breeze’s whim. We sit in silence, mesmerised.

Breaking the spell, I indicate the opposite bank, above where the boy's body was found.

Underneath the willows he had been sucked down and held captive in a deep abyss, dragged under to his watery grave by violent forces that shunned his gurgled pleas and thrashing limbs.

"You know," I whisper, "he was too proud to admit he couldn't swim. Perhaps he thought he would lose mana, such was the high regard he was held in. Amidst boisterous fun he wasn't missed until hunger drove us back to the bank".

“I still find the aftermath surreal as events meld with emotion. Two boys ran onto the bridge and flagged down a farmer passing on his tractor. Then police and divers arrived, followed by disbelieving parents, trickling onto the scene to comfort a group, shivering and sobbing uncontrollably at a disaster we were unwittingly involved in. A convoy of vehicles escorted us home before the divers completed their gruesome recovery.”

As an adult I can begin to imagine the boy's parent’s inconsolable grief, their lives disorientated by an outing that went horribly wrong. They would have been oblivious

to the kindness of neighbours, as meals mysteriously appeared and voices with inadequate words tried to cushion their anguish. They hardly would have registered the presence of the Parish Priest and nuns from our school filling the lounge with the pall of whispered prayer.

The days that followed were a confusion of brief police interviews and schooldays passing in stunned bewilderment. There would have been hours of prayers droned numbly: kneeling by school desks; practised fingers rattling rosary beads; a chanted Benediction with incense wafting heavenwards for the repose of the boy's soul; a Requiem Mass and eulogy that would not do justice to his young life. His parents departed from the town soon after, accompanying their child’s remains north, to their marae.

Many losses occurred that fateful day: a son, a grandchild, a friend, a pupil and our innocence. Rest In Peace.

Eventually our car sluggishly moves on from this sombre site jolting its way onto the bridge. Silently we continue our travels, heads filled with private thoughts of our riverside sojourn.

Looking after your legs and feet

Peripheral Arterial Disease

(PAD) is a disease where plaque (atherosclerosis) gradually builds up in the arteries over time, leading to limited blood flow to the legs and arms. It is a very common disease affecting people over the age of 50. The plaque that builds up in your arteries consists of cholesterol, calcium, and fat. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history, obesity, end-stage renal disease, and lack of exercise. It is often associated with diabetes and smoking.

Symptoms occur when your legs don't get enough blood flow to keep up with demand. Symptoms may include pain in the hips or legs while walking. With severe occlusions, pain in the legs may occur at rest. Untreated, peripheral artery disease can lead to ulcers on the feet or toes. Eventually, amputation may be necessary if a patient develops gangrene.

Diabetes Christchurch now has trained technicians to offer you the opportunity to have a PAD screening on our MESI diagnostic machine. Appointments are on Mondays and Fridays. An appointment takes

around 30 minutes.

You need to email or phone us with your name, phone number, and your NHI number. The cost for YOU, as a Diabetes Christchurch member is $50 per person, or $70 for nonmembers, and can be paid when you come in for your appointment.

WHAT DOES THIS DEVICE DO: ABI/TBI measurements are fast, non-invasive and simple, but do put reasonable pressure on your arms, ankles and toes.

Benefits of an (ABI) Ankle-Brachial Index Assessment? Is done to check

for PAD - narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow, usually in the legs.

An ABI might be useful for people who have leg pain while walking. The test can also be useful for people who have risk factors for PAD. ABI provides an indication of disease severity and the urgency of a possible GP or specialist referral.

(TBI) Toe Brachial Index

Assessment? Defined as the ratio between the systolic blood pressure in the right or left toe and the higher of the systolic pressures in the right or left arms. TBI is a common vascular physiologic assessment test, taken to determine the existence and/or severity of PAD in the lower extremities. Phone 925-9972 for more information or to book now. A

PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) SCREENING TESTS

Peripheral artery disease is a common type ofcardiovascular disease, which affects many people. It happens when the arteries in the legs/feet become clogged with fa y plaques through a process known asatherosclerosis.

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These problems affect around 30% of people with PAD. Intermi ent claudica on is more common in adults over 50, especially males, or have diabetes and people who smoke. The management of PAD varies depending on the disease severity and symptom status.

Treatment op ons for PAD include lifestyle changes, cardiovascular risk factor reduc on, pharmacotherapy, endovascular interven on, andsurgery.

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My two cents

by June Peka

Bouquets and bricks

Bouquets

* Enjoying perfect laksa and coffee at The Water Drop Cafe on Riccarton Rd, and being thanked for our patronage. Mac remembers the last time he heard that was in 1969 when he bought a suit from Butterfields.

* Children under mountains of autumn leaves along the Avon river. Keeping dry while Mum watched from under her brolly.

* Foraging perfect porcini and lilac lepista mushrooms in a suburban park.

* Drying herbs on the log fire.

* Free hangi and wonderful welcome at Phillipstown Hub, for Matariki A Puaka.

* Marvelling at the endless goodwill and energy generated by hundreds of Age Concern Canterbury vollies (mostly senior citizens themselves) at their lunch and award-giving ceremony during Volunteers Week.

* Mama Mia (the Musical) at Avonside Girls’ and Shirley Boys’ High. These productions get better

every year! Well done everyone. Toi toi toi!

* No more sales calls at dinner and news times. The upside to losing the landline.

Bricks

* IRD overlooks $150M owed by developers, but adds two latepayment penalties to my bloke’s tax return of $318.00 paid on April 8.

* Not understanding the lingo when it comes to phone and internet helplines. Being five days incommunicado over deadline week.

Being sold a new modem when that wasn’t the problem. Permanently losing the landline in the process. Grrrrrr.

* Losing a 79-year-old woman from a rest home. That the search was called off in a cold spell smacks of ageism. Had she been a child we feel sure the response would have been one thousand fold. Why weren’t USAR involved from the first day?

* The price of meat! Pak and Save has a Meat Week - with no beef or lamb?

Swap meet on the sunniest day in May

I’m hoping Graham Kendrow is feeling as satisfied about our recent swap-meeting as I am. On what surely was the sunniest day in May I dropped into Graham’s place with one of my blackboy peach seedlings and came home with an aromatic armful of rosemary snippings and a wee blackcurrant bush. I love the fellowship of gardeners! When they’re also readers its such a bonus.

Graham and I (both a bit unsteady on our pins these days) shuffled through St Joseph’s Courts in Sydenham to the healthy little community garden where he plans to plant the peach tree, excitedly raving about the stories of Ruth Shaw, whose latest book I’ve reviewed for this issue. With his three daughters’ encouragement Graham’s thinking of writing his own life story too. He modestly says his has been an “ordinary life” but having begun it in Hoon Hay in the 1930s, enjoying a 62-year-marriage with Ngaire who passed away recently, living and working all over the country, and

Graham with a variety of seedlings.

now back in a cosy unit on the site of Nazareth House which scared the daylights out of him as a kid, I’ll wager it will be gold for future generations.

Aunty Tootsie’s famous artichoke soup

Have you heard the one about the car-park mugger who got slim pickings for his trouble? The headlines read “Artie chokes two for a dollar at SupaSava”.

Were it not for our late Aunty Tootsie who lived in Amberley I might have gone through life thinking of these weird vegetables as a joke too – or even worse - considering them as did seventeenth century English horticulturalist John Goodyer who wrote “ … in my judgement, which way soever they be drest and eaten, they stir up and cause a filthie loathsome stinking winde within the bodie, thereby causing the belly to bee much pained and tormented, and are meat more fit for swine than men.” Our very own, late Professor Steve Wratten too, would say they’re not called “fartichokes” for nothing! All things in moderation I say.

We’re talking Jerusalem artichokes here, and AuntyTootsie made a wonderful soup of those ugly, knobbly little purply-white tubers, which spread like yams, announcing their subterranean whereabouts with towering thick stems of cheery yellow flowers, much like their close relative, the sunflower.

Native to North America, where they were called sunchokes or sun roots by many Indian tribes, helianthus tuberosis was first taken to Europe in 1605, by explorer Samuel de

Champlain, who was accompanied by a half dozen Brazilian Indians from the Topinambour tribe. The French thereafter renamed them topinambours. The name by which we know them now appears to have come from the Italian “girasole” –meaning “turning to the sun”. Jerusalem artichokes have enjoyed periods of popularity, and disrepute since then. For a time they were thought to cause leprosy – no doubt because of their tortured shape and motley brown skin – but they were a godsend in famine-ridden Europe in the late eighteenth century. Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark may never have completed their mapping of the American west in 1804, had they not been sustained , solely at times, by the Jerusalem artichoke. In World War II this was one of the few vegetables which could be bought without a ration card.

Our Canterbury climate is well suited to Jerusalem artichokes which grow from sprouting tubers planted three or four inches deep, in spring. Almost any type of soil is suitable, with the exception of heavy clay. In fact, it’s fair to say that like yams and their oxalis cousins, once you plant this vegetable you will always have it! This is probably why you seldom see Jerusalem artichokes for sale – many commercial growers are reluctant to go into production, fearing a Triffidlike invasion.

Like parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes are best left in the ground to get frosted. This makes their nutty taste even sweeter – rather like a water chestnut. Although thought of as a starchy vegetable, the starch is in the form of inulin, which converts to fructose making this the ideal vegetable for diabetics, as it does not affect blood sugar levels. Nutritionally the Jerusalem artichoke supplies good quantities of potassium, iron and calcium, with smaller amounts of niacin and thiamine.

Harvested in winter, you won’t want to peel the Jerusalem artichoke. It’s frustrating, due to its numerous knobbly protuberances, and it’s goodness and nutrients are stored just under the skin. Just scrub with a vegetable brush and cook immediately. If you have to prepare ahead, immerse the cut vegetables

in water with a little lemon juice or vinegar, to prevent oxidation caused by the high iron content.

Jerusalem artichokes can be stirfried with other vegetables in olive oil (they will become al dente in four to six minutes), baked whole with a fatty roast for 45 minutes, steamed in a colander for 10 minutes, or boiled and mashed alone, or with other root vegetables.

They can be grated and eaten raw in salads, marinated with olives and dried tomatoes, or eaten as chips with a dip.

However, Aunt Tootsie’s soup is our favourite. Do this:

Boil (750 grams) of artichokes until tender, in a pint (600 ml) of chicken stock. Blend, sieve or mash in the liquid. Make a thin white sauce from 30 grams of butter, 30 grams of flour and 600 ml of milk. Season to taste with salt and pepper and add mashed artichokes and 150 ml of cream. Do not boil.

On the bottom of my stained and scrappy recipe, scribbled on page 59 of an old account book, Aunt Tootsie wrote “the best soup that was ever invented. Edith (her sister) and I use Maggi stock”.

So do I - and I agree. And I have a handful of tubers to spare.