Keeping On - Winter 2023

Winter is on its way so now is the time for some reminders. The next Covid booster is available and this year’s winter flu vaccine is also being rolled out to the over 65’s, and Maori and Pacifica are eligible at 55. You need to book in with your Medical Centre or at one of the pharmacies offering the service.

Be very aware of some of the terrible scams that are around at present. Anything that you get on your email that looks too good to be true usually is. Don’t open it and delete the message immediately. If you have purchased goods from offshore and an email comes to you asking for more payment for postage, it is a scam; don’t pay the extra. The banks know about this scam so you can telephone the bank and ask for information or help. The other scam is when you get a voice message from

family who may be holidaying or live overseas saying they are in hospital or even prison and desperately need a large amount of money to help them with their problem.

The voice is authentic and has been scammed from conversations you have had with family. The whole thing is a scam and should be deleted immediately. If you have family living overseas it might be a good idea to set up a code that identifies them when they call you.

You will have received a pension pay increase recently, that is the cost of living adjustment, and at the beginning of May the winter warmth payment will be paid to all who are eligible.

Layer up with warm clothing during the colder months. It is easy to take layers off when it warms up through the day and put them back on in the evening. Keep hydrated and well nourished with warming soups and casseroles over the winter months. Take care until next time.

Trish Adams President

A Year in Review

Kia ora koutou!

At time of writing, it’s the first week of May. Winter is heading our way, but it has been unseasonably warm in Canterbury so far (according to the Met Service there is some rain on the horizon). The weather is so unpredictable at the moment that by the time of publication we may be knee deep in snow – I hope not!

I have been making some winter preparations (getting in firewood, etc.) including getting my flu vaccination and COVID-19 booster. I’m encouraging everyone I know to do the same: while these vaccinations won’t necessarily prevent you contracting these diseases, they’re known to mitigate the seriousness of any illness, and are good at preventing hospitalisation and death. They also might help prevent you from passing a virus on to someone more vulnerable. There are a range of providers who can deliver these vaccines (both at the same time, if you prefer); if you’re at all uncertain, talk to your GP. From my perspective, vaccination is an important tool to help us look after each other, and, in particular, to help support the wellbeing of older people.

Speaking of helping: it’s National Volunteer Week from the 18th to

24th June and I would like to take this opportunity to honour our many volunteers who help in so many areas of Age Concern Canterbury. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a number of you lately. There are volunteers who help run our Social Outings (including van drivers and assistants). There are volunteers in our Visitor Service, carefully matched with an older person who may be socially isolated or lonely, who meet with them once a week - this programme has been the start of many cherished friendships. Our SAYGO exercise classes are run by trained volunteers, and volunteers also provide our Companion Walking programme, sit on our Board, write for this magazine, and take on a host of other responsibilities without which we could not function! Thank you all so much for your generosity, your kindness, your good humour, and your support. It is so greatly appreciated.

If you’re not yet a volunteer for Age Concern Canterbury, but think that you might like to try it, please do get in touch for a chat. There are all sorts of ways to get involved. No matter what your skills are, or how much time you have available, we have a range of activities that might suit, and we’re committed to developing new services to meet the needs of our community. The days are getting colder: let’s keep working together to make Canterbury a better, warmer, friendlier and healthier place to live!

Greta Bond Chief Executive

Keeping On On

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.

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

Page 3, The history of Travis Wetlands

Page 4, 15th June: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

The history of Travis Wetland

by Mike Crean

Imagine a magnificent vista of tall native trees, luxuriant bush, elegant marine birdlife, picturesque lakes and streams. There is such a sight, right here in Christchurch. It is Travis Wetland, a Nature Heritage Park, near Burwood Hospital.

The wetland has a history. For more than 500 years Waitaha Maori visited it as a source of food and plant fibre for weaving. Work to recreate this original scene was begun about 50 years ago. Its development as a natural wetland is now greatly advanced. Bus-loads of school groups come to learn how the Maori lived, worked and played in the distant past.

But one part of the history seems to be ignored. For a century the land was cleared, drained and farmed by European settlers. Senior citizens may remember this lost era. It sits between the Maori period and its current re-creation.

The son of a worker on the Travis Farm regrets that younger generations know nothing of the farm that operated from the late 1880s to the late 1980s. He is Engel van Lieff, who emigrated from Holland with his family in 1958 and settled here.

Engel, 76, is enthusiastic about the recreated wetland. He walks its tracks often with his binoculars trained on birdlife in the native trees. But his mind slips back to the sights and sounds of the former farm. He grew up here. He wishes visitors and school groups could learn the full history of the park.

His family moved into the aged wooden farmhouse that stood about 20 metres off Travis Road. Engel’s father worked for the farm owners, the Florence brothers. Engel enjoyed exploring the land, feeling his gumboots sinking in the swampy ground, paddling his canoe on the creek, catching eels in a net for smoking and eating, drinking pure water straight from an aquifer.

Not so pleasant was his weekly chore of hefting the outdoor lavatory

bucket to the hole his father had dug and tipping in the contents. In later years he hauled the bucket to the roadside for the nightcart man to empty and take away.

“That pong….and what a pong….it stank. I felt myself getting nauseous and retching several times, even with a dampened hanky covering my mouth. It was foul,” Engel says.

His mother, meanwhile, worked in a factory that also faced Travis Road. It employed half-a-dozen staff members who produced wooden coat-hangers for buyers such as clothing shop Hallensteins.

Although the land was swampy in parts, drainage made much of it suitable for cows. Many older folk can recall the idyllic pastoral scene, lined as it was by exotic willow and poplar trees, gorse hedges and fences – a traditional dairy farm where Friesian cows chewed their cuds sedately on lush pasture, while workers made hay and stored silage for winter fodder.

Today many people walk, and ride their wheelchairs, on the 3.5km path that winds through the native forest, beside ponds and a lake, close to the multitudes of birds. Few are aware of the dairy days relics.

In the north-east corner of the park is a remnant of ancient sand dunes.

On a slight rise stands an aged but renovated house that is now a headquarters and education centre. Nearby are vintage barns where hay bales were once stacked, where tractors and farm implements were once stored.

Standing opposite are the concrete walls of the dairy. Here the milk company truck came each day and large metal cream cans full of fresh frothy milk were loaded onto the deck. In later days milk was held in a large tank and pumped into a tanker truck.

Attached to the dairy is the milking shed – a series of bays which 100 cows entered each day with supremely good manners. Suction cups were attached to the cows’ teats and the milk flowed. Meanwhile, other cows in the herd awaited their turn patiently in the yard with its concrete floor and sturdy fences. Large concrete troughs on either side of the yard provided water for the cows. The yard sloped gently so the cows’ droppings could be hosed into a collecting area. It would later become rich manure. With an eye

to the future, a pedigree bull and his team of heifers dwelt in a nearby paddock.

Engel enjoyed watching birds then but says more varieties can be seen today. As we walk, he spots graceful white spoonbills on tree branches beside a small lake. He points out a big eel poking its nose above the lake surface. Fat pukeko proliferate, along with Canada geese and paradise ducks.

Looking at Travis Wetland today, barely any exotic trees can be seen. Many workers and volunteers have planted and cared for native trees of all sorts which have grown quickly in the damp conditions. Planting goes on and more is planned.

Engel says thanks must go to the late Anne Flanagan, a vigorous member of the Burwood-Pegasus Community Board (1989-94). She drove the process of procuring and establishing the 56-hectare wetland park for the people of Christchurch. Engel hopes signs and leaflets with information and photographs of the farming days will be displayed to complete the heritage story.

Left: Engel shows off some old farm buildings on Travis Wetland. Right: A pond on Travis Wetland.

Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 15th June 2023

Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. The types of abuse we see can be psychological, physical, financial, sexual, institutional, and neglect.

Elder Abuse Awareness Day is on the 15th of June, during the week (15th-22nd June) in which we raise awareness of the abuse and neglect that some older people experience every day.

At Age Concern Canterbury we have four staff members - registered nurses and social workers - who work with elder abuse and neglect cases

in the greater Christchurch area. We also have a clinician in Timaru and one on the West Coast.

Referrals are received from a variety of places and people; Police, doctors, friends, family, self-referrals, neighbours, health professionals. Every case is unique, and the level of intervention and support is different for every person.

Statistics show that one in ten older people in Aotearoa New Zealand experience elder abuse, and this is only the cases we see! People can be afraid to share what they are experiencing for many reasons:

* They depend on the abuser for support.

* They have low self-confidence

Support and confidence in your estate planning with Saunders & Co

Saunders & Co Lawyers have recently celebrated the first anniversary of their merger with Bishopdale Law, which saw Richard Sprott’s practice and staff amalgamating with Saunders & Co. The team are now based from a new premises at the recently renovated building at 7 Winston Ave, Papanui.

Among those staff is Sophie Lester, who runs the firm’s estate planning, estate administration and trust work team. Sophie and her team are passionate about providing specialist, thorough and practical advice to ensure clients are educated in the implications of their wishes for Will drafting and Enduring Powers of Attorney. The team also has a breadth of experience in estate administration, and pride themselves in handling even the most complex of matters with empathy and a people focused approach.

Having witnessed their fair share of family disputes and complications arising from situations where estate planning was not done to a high standard, the team at Saunders &

in safe hands

Co Papanui strive to do best by their clients to prevent unnecessary stress to bereaved families at a time of grief.

The Estate Team frequently helps clients with dispelling misconceptions in what happens during estate administration, helping families with how to structure their estates, providing advice as to residential care subsidy applications and entitlements, and supporting clients with their transition to care.

The team’s practical approach means that clients hold Wills which are well thought out, future proofed and appropriate for their circumstances. While people cannot “rule from the grave”, having appropriate estate planning documents in place is the best way to ensure wishes are recognised in the event of your death.

Clients have the benefit of Saunders & Co’s many branches (Wigram, Victoria Street, Papanui and Ferrymead) and wide range of experience and expertise to assist with a range of legal needs, with Sophie able to attend clients at any location for convenience.

and self-esteem.

* They don't want to make a fuss.

* They are afraid that if they complain the abuse will get worse.

* They are isolated, so it is difficult for them to tell anyone.

* They do not know who to tell or how to get help.

* They have dementia or an illness which prevents them from telling anyone.

* They blame themselves for the abuse.

* They are ashamed that the abuser is a family/whānau member.

The following signs may raise suspicion of potential elder abuse, but it's important to avoid jumping to conclusions – the whole situation needs to be considered:

* unexplained behaviour, sleeping or eating habits.

* confusion, withdrawal and/or edginess.

* unexplained injuries.

* drowsiness (due to overmedication).

* fear of a particular person or being anxious in familiar situations.

* recoiling from touch.

* unusual withdrawals from bank accounts or decisions around

property or other assets.

* unpaid bills and/or not enough money for necessities.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone else experiencing elder abuse do one of the following:

* If you or the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger, ring the Police on 111.

* Talk to someone you trust – a friend, family, doctor, nurse, member of your church.

* Call the national elder abuse 24hour free phone line on 0800 32 668 65 or text 5032 or email support@ elderabuse.nz

* Talk confidentially with us at Age Concern Canterbury on 03-3660903.

* Put a referral through our website at www.ageconcerncan.org.nz.

* Visit us at 24 Main North Road, Papanui, Christchurch for more information or support

By looking out for and responding to concerns about older people in the community, we can support them to make changes to their situation. If you are experiencing elder abuse, you are not alone and there is free, confidential help available for you.

On friends and foraging

by June Peka

It had already been a good day, spending time with out-of-town friends at a quiet cafe, then 40 minutes and $5.00 at The Sallies opshop in Gasson Street, when, on the way home I spotted a woman raking leaves in a park. I dropped Mac off, picked up my camera and pen and paper and doubled back. Surely the council isn’t putting us seniors to work? And on weekends? Never!

Thankfully Joy Bishop didn’t send me off with a wave of her leafimpaled rake. In fact she welcomed the chance to lean on it for a chat. Filling up a few bags to stack in her little yellow wheelbarrow is what Joy does at this time of the year. She feels blessed to have this bounty a short distance from home and vegie patch. I know how she feels, because my go-to spot is Severn St, also within cooee of our own 40-year organic garden. Joy and I talk all things garden as we rake and scoop. I’m mildly puffing when all bags are full, but we hang about to natter and, as

women our age do, discover mutual friends and interests. I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or proud when Joy mentions a friend of hers who has “the most amazing collection of strange and weird friends”, only to find I’m one of them.

Weeding is Joy’s bugbear. The recently retired librarian explains “ It’s just me out there, and it shows, but

now I have time I will put more effort into it,” so she was interested when I told her I hadn’t done more than handplucking of the odd cheeky dandelion in nearly 40 years, following instead the Ester Deans no-dig, lasagne-style of gardening. Joy will get her garden under control quite quickly. She’s more than half way there already with her composting, foraging and collecting of manure, sea weed, and pea straw. All she needs do now is to

smother the weeds with all that good stuff and her patch will be waiting for no-dig planting again in Spring.

Joy was telling me about Freecycle (how interesting, just my cup of tea) when a young couple sauntered onto the patch, watching where they put their feet while scoping the sea of leaves. Within minutes there were sounds of excitement when they spotted and plucked a large and perfect mushroom. As we all marvelled at the wonderful thing, the young woman explained it was not an every day find. It’s a porcini no less, very difficult to cultivate, preferring to establish itself in the alkaline soil under birches and beeches and yews. She and her partner might dehydrate it for another time, or spoil themselves when they get home.

Joy and I vow to learn and observe more. We have a new interest now. We’d spotted only toadstools and the eye-candy, fairy-house Fly Agaric, but now we’ll be carrying nugget bags in our pockets.

Joy Bishop and her yellow wheelbarrow.

A large and perfect toadstool.

Test your crossword skills (#20523 by RVT)

CLUES: (Legend: ¶ = combo clue; * = optional cryptic clue; § = sounds like; ∞ = anagram)

Across:

1. Done (4), 5. Beckon (4), *1. & 5. ¶ Defeated or finished before you move closer (8), 7. Tempo (7), 8. Level (4), 9. Horrid (4), 10. Veritable (7), 11. Authentic (4), 13. Rent (4), 15. Moves away (5), 16. Ridge (5), 19. Irritation (4), *19. Get a tickle after erasing brief insect from termagant (4), 21. Periods (4), 23. Bake (7), 24. Silent (4), 25. Assert (4), 26. Dirigible (7), 27. Image (medical) (4), 28. Secure (4)

Down:

1. Open (5), 2. Stove (5), *2. I, to it, ran geared for shooting (5), NB: letters of answer hidden in clue, 3. Sew up (6), 4. Realise (6), 5. Shroud (5), 6. Occasion (5), 12. Recoil (5), 14. Posh (5), 17. Excitedly (6), 18. Flavour (6), *18. Add relish for time of year (6), 19. List (5), 20. Pastime (5), 21. College officials (5), 22. Deliver (5), *22. Go for an ace (5) SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 25.

AGE CONCERN CANTERBURY

Staying Safe Refresher Driving Courses

Hosting overseas visitors in your home

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

The concept of hosting visitors in a private home has been part of the great Kiwi experience, for a good number of years now, endorsed by Tourism New Zealand and national standards assessor, Qualmark.

Christchurch based Rural Holidays NZ Ltd, which first commenced nationwide operations in 1983 is proud to offer this service to meet the locals, all done in a measured and discreet way by professional hosts (you).

Given the popularity of the dinner programme (for USA visitors) over the past visitor season, we are urgently seeking further hosts for the 2023/24 visitor season.

We are seeking interest from local

people who enjoy show-casing their city and the relaxed Kiwi lifestyle to the world. The programme is well suited to active retired persons and those who have time available to incorporate hosting into their daily lifestyle. A competitive industry level of remuneration is paid.

As the home hosted dinner is the only time visitors get the opportunity to meet local people in their tour, they look forward to it with passion. In turn it has become a highlight of their New Zealand experience.

Rural Holidays NZ Ltd (RHNZ) works on a one-to-one basis with you, you select the dates in advance you can offer this experience.

To register your interest, and obtain an information pack, please make contact with the Operations Manager by email at: hosting@ruralholidays. co.nz A

DINNER ONLY, HOME HOSTING OPPORTUNITY

Rural Holidays NZ Ltd, an established and innovate Christchurch based company with considerable experience in hosting of overseas visitors over the past 40 years, is interested in adding further hosts for dinner only, for a regular USA tour series visiting the city.

If you enjoy entertaining and presenting a home cooked meal, then this opportunity is for you.

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

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

10.00am to 2.00pm.

Light lunch provided

2023

Tuesday, 30th May, Akaroa.

Wednesday, 14th June, Addington, Christchurch.

Wednesday, 21st June, Bromley, Christchurch.

Tuesday, 27th June, Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road, Papanui.

Friday, 21st July, Ashburton.

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

Wednesday, 2nd August, West Melton.

Wednesday, 9th August, Addington, Christchurch.

Wednesday, 16th August, Rangiora.

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

My Book Club recommends The Bone People by

At its simplest, The Bone People is the story of three lost and despairing individuals coming together; Kerewin a struggling artist, Joe, a Māori factory worker and Simon, an autistic six-year-old orphan boy. The setting on the wild coast of New Zealand is also integral to the story. At a more complex level it is poetry, myth, legend and mystery.

If you are a book group which enjoys being completely lost in a story, the characters, and the imagery of Aotearoa, then this book is for you. You must also like to learn and be challenged, as it is a very challenging read. Also, a word of warning: This

Keri Hulme

Reviewed by Kirsty Grant

book is not for the faint hearted. There is pain, violence and sadness, and at times the writing style can be difficult to read. However there are also flashes of humour that seem to appear just when you need it. This book just knocked my socks off! I was completely engrossed. I was amazed by the beautiful flowing descriptions of the bush and the beach — I could feel the wind on my face and smell the salt air. This realness — of the place and the people — made me desperate for the characters to find their way through their pain. It was almost a physical reaction and certainly a spiritual

reaction. I didn’t know where the story was going to take me but the words just engulfed me. The whole book is a journey in love, people, pain and understanding. I could feel the essence of Aotearoa. It is well worth the focus, thought and concentration required to read it.

Read this book, it will change you! About Kirsty Kirsty is a voracious reader of a wide range of books, but her tastes lean toward grittier, intense reads. She also loves descriptive, immersive writing, losing herself in the sights, sounds, and smells of unfamiliar countries, cultures, history and significant events.

Initial legal matters when dealing with the loss of a loved one

At some time in our lives most of us will have to deal with the loss of a loved one, whether it be a parent, a spouse, another family member or a friend. Not only is it a time of grief but it is also a time when a number of decisions must be made within a short period of time. In particular funeral and family arrangements and legal requirements have to be considered.

If you have not been through the process before it can be rather overwhelming. Your legal advisor can be of real assistance at this stage.

Below are some initial legal requirements to bear in mind:

* The first big question is – does the deceased person have a will. Often the spouse or wider family will know which lawyer the deceased dealt with and will know who to contact to find the will. However this is not always the case. New Zealand does not have a central registry for wills. A look through the deceased’s documents and papers can often reveal a copy of the will. If a will cannot be found your legal advisor can arrange for the NZ Law Society to publish a notice in its weekly email to practitioners asking if any law firm holds a will for the deceased;

* If you have been acting as attorney for the deceased, you need to be aware that your appointment as attorney is cancelled immediately the donor has died. As attorney, you may not deal with the deceased person’s assets once your appointment has ceased;

* Making funeral arrangements

can be an exercise in diplomacy, as there are often various opinions within the family. Ideally the family of the deceased will make those arrangements together, with the assistance of the funeral director who will guide you through the process. Sometimes the deceased will have expressed wishes for their funeral in the will. Although those wishes are not legally binding they must be respected. The deceased may have previously had a conversation with their family to discuss these matters. In the event family cannot agree on the funeral arrangements, then whoever is named as executor in the will has the final say. By law, the executor’s first and most important task is arranging for the disposal of the deceased’s remains.

* The cost of the funeral arrangements is usually a significant initial expense for the deceased’s estate. Funeral directors typically require someone, usually a family member, to sign a Financing Agreement or similar document with a promise to pay the account. For that reason the Financing Agreement should ideally be signed by a named executor able to pay the account out of the deceased’s assets once probate of the will has been granted. Bank accounts are frozen after the death of an account holder. However, most Banks have a process whereby the Bank can transfer funds from the deceased’s account directly to the funeral director in order to complete payment of the invoice. Other payments usually have to wait until probate of the will has been granted.

That is a discussion for a future article.

Our Estates Team at Harmans can assist you and your family with all matters relating to estate

administration. Contact Deirdre Fell, Estates Manager, on 03 379 7835 to arrange an appointment to discuss all your estate related queries and requirements. A

Three top tips to keep warm in a cost of living crisis

by Jaimita de Jongh, Communications and Marketing Advisor, CEA Charitable Trust

While the cost-of-living crisis affects families all over the country, households in colder parts of the country such as Canterbury, are much more affected. Cold homes mean more people ending up in hospital and more pressure on an already stretched health system, but three simple things can help keep you warmer.

With Canterbury one of the colder parts of the country, it is no surprise it is home to New Zealand’s oldest energy trust, CEA Charitable Trust.

“Auckland and Wellington night temperatures in July average around 7-8 degrees Celsius; down south in Christchurch it is 1 degree,” says Jaimita de Jongh, spokesperson for CEA Charitable Trust. “With

that kind of temperature, you need to take measures to stay healthy and comfortable at home and not everything will cost the earth.”

A listening ear, you are not alone

You are not alone! These are uncertain and unsettling times for all of us.

A listening ear - if you are stressed, worried or uncertain about your future, it can be very helpful to discuss the challenges you face with someone who listens well for understanding first of all, with no assumptions or judgements. Someone who will work in partnership with you to create solutions that are individually tailored, and a framework and plan for the future that you can imagine. Small steps moving forward at your pace lead to positive and beneficial changes and the creation of new healthy habits and lifestyle.

Dr Murray Cameron, Counsellor, is a Gold Card holder and senior, who works with people of all ages to create the future that they want to have. Developing individual plans and goals, encompassing all of the important aspects of a healthy, happy and positive life including physical,

mental, family, spiritual, financial, work, leisure and pleasure aspects, leads to a happy and fulfilling future.

This can be particularly important when contemplating retirement or realizing that your retirement is unsatisfying making you unhappy and disappointed. One definition of retirement is “to withdraw from life, withdraw from view”.

It might be more useful and satisfying for your health and wellbeing to redefine your place and role as a positive and contributing member of society and your community, including part-time work and volunteering if desired. This benefits both you and the community, contributing your skills, talents, knowledge and wisdom in new ways that also provide personal meaning and purpose in this next stage of your life.

If this sounds interesting and useful, please contact me. My details are in the advertisement below.

COUNSELLING SERVICE FOR SENIORS

Do you have problems, worries, challenges as an older person, that you would like to talk about confidentially?

Are you feeling stressed, anxious or depressed and would like to work together with a trained, professional counsellor towards a positive future? Would you like to plan for a happy, healthy, fulfilling retirement/new phase of life?

I work with kindness, care and compassion and can come and meet with you where you live if necessary. My fees are negotiable and affordable and related to your financial situation.

or to make an

“The first thing to do, is to get insulation checked. Old, tired insulation will simply not do the job.” The trust can check the state of anyone’s insulation for free (for rentals, landlord permission is required). For eligible low-income households who need insulation or a top-up layer, the insulation is free. The government through the

THE LAST BEE

Kiwi Warmer Homes programme, offers an 80% subsidy and the trust’s financial supporters top that up to 100%. For other customers CEA can provide a quote with an extra discount for GoldCard holders and payment plans. As a charity they have your interest at heart so you can be assured you get what you need, nothing more or less. They are happy to work with any support people you need to make decisions around insulation, and the process is simple, straightforward and stressfree.

“The second thing to do, is stopping all the draughts.” Instead of foam strips which can be unsuitable for uneven gaps, the trust advises v-seal which adjusts to the size of the gap and can be much more effective. Brush strips take care of draughts from under external doors. They are for sale at CEA’s shop and online and easy to install yourself or get any handyman to install them for you.

After the last ee had uzzed its last uzz, the irds and the utterflies did what they could.

ut soon the fields lay are, few flowers were left, nature was roken, and the planet ereft.

Brian Bilston

“The third thing to look at is stopping the cold from singleglazed windows.” If double glazing is prohibitively expensive, as it is for many, plastic window kits can be a good solution. Although they are not a permanent solution, they are as effective as double glazing and, when installed well, are barely visible. They are available from the CEA shop and online as well. Another great option to stop the cold from windows, is double-layered curtains. Good quality, recycled curtains are available for free (although donations are very much appreciated) from the trust’s Curtain Bank in Christchurch.

More information is available from the trust’s website www.cea. co.nz or you can call them on 0800 GETWARM (0800 438 9276) for more information and advice.

Open letter to the Inland Revenue

by June Peka

Dear Peter Mersi, Commissioner of Inland Revenue. When you were appointed to your position in May 2022 you were said to have a “proven record of enhancing organisational performance”. So we expected better service this year.

I’ve always been in awe of the way cartoonists depict emotion. A subtle down turn of the mouth implies sadness, closed eyes denote weariness, slumped shoulders screech dejection. The best of all though is frustration – those simple wriggly lines emanating from the top of the head over a face full of anger, disbelief, and annoyance. I’ve seen this personified today, as my partner tries to get a form sent out from Inland Revenue. He is fuming and the air is blue. He saw it yesterday as I spent hours doing the same thing. All we want is an IR3 for goodness sake! Our internet and phone records say we have tried more than 20 times over two days to get this simple but necessary bit of paper. Mine arrived weeks ago, his didn’t. For an old fellow he’s excelled himself this morning, doing the voice recognition thing, recording his date of birth and IRD number at a dozen portals, but we still have no idea if anything did the job.

I had a go through the IRD Facebook page too, and OMG – those frustration lines, red and irate, almost leapt from the screen. Have you read them Mr Mersi? They’re fiery and palpable! Hundreds of people are wanting simple stuff sorted – just 3 minutes with a real person would do the job. Almost every one mentions the interminable delays, followed by

Coming Ready or Not!

I was daft enough to think I had escaped it

proficient with their returns, or the convoluted online processes required to effect them. How about IRD rents some of the empty mall retail spaces for the month of March or April ? Set it up with two or three actual people, and take 15 minute appointments with some room for drop-ins as well. Head Office could dedicate a couple of real-person phone lines for seniors in that month too. How hard can that be?

Thought I was bulletproof and ten feet tall Then suddenly it hit me like a freight train

And I realised I was not immune at all!

Everybody in the family caught it

I was the only one to not succumb

Although I was quite careful it still found me

So thinking I'd avoid it was just dumb!

I woke up in the morning feeling dreadful

the interminable voice messages, followed by the suggestions to “do it online”, followed by the inevitable hang-ups.

Because in recent years we’ve had argy-bargy with your department over lost returns (at your end), dreadful communications, with less than one hundred dollars at stake, I pledged to start early this year, but already trouble looms. I was delighted to see the department had an office in Christchurch, but am reliably informed it isn’t open to the public, and doesn’t have a telephone number. What’s it there for then, for goodness sake? There was a time, not long past when I could saunter into IRD in my lunch hour, (from another large Governmental department) pick up a form or have someone check my figures, and still have time to eat. What’s gone wrong? We cannot describe what’s happened as progress or user-friendly. I’d be embarrassed to work for you.

We’d like to make a suggestion we feel might be particularly relevant to the ageing population who aren’t

I googled your details Peter Mersi to see that you have a direct email address and phone number. Whacko I thought. I’ll go straight to the top. But (no surprises here) I have to jump through a dozen technical hoops to access you too, and we’ve both run out of energy for the task today.

PS The nice young chap at my favourite Veges Direct shop in Cranford St, asked me (as they all do) if I’d had nice day. I gave him an abridged version of the above and he “got” me immediately. He and hundreds of other Uni students spend hours (when they could be working or studying) trying to navigate the IRD system to declare holiday pay. Marion, next in line behind me chipped in;

“One of my friends got fired from IRD after a year of lots of reviews of her work. She spent too much time on calls apparently. Was too helpful, for example telling clients how to word communications to get a positive result. They said she “wasn’t a fit” so she found something else and resigned.”

You can’t be proud of your team Mr Mersi?

A fever, nasty headache, throat on fire

It felt as if I'd cough my whole insides up

(Not a thing to which you really would aspire!)

My throat had swollen so there was no eating

Each day I craved the thing I loved the most

But after several tries, it was so painful

And I couldn't even eat that piece of toast.

And though it even hurt to just drink water

Icecream was the answer to a prayer

I guess that I will gain some weight with covid

But as long as I have icecream I don't care!

My benchtop is a mass of medication

There are pills and things to suck and things to drink

I have so many boxes I could easily Establish my own pharmacy I think!

So here I am in blissful isolation

No place to go and nothing I must do I'll go and put my feet up and watch telly

And wait till this bloody virus passes through!

by Jan Beaumont

03 355 6555

fdaldin@cowdy.co.nz

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Peter Mersi, IRD Commissioner

Keeping On eeping On 10

Everyone in Taiwan has a typhoon story

by Harmony

It was 27th January, I had just flown back from Taiwan arriving in Auckland. After long queues at customs, I walked the well trodden path from the international to domestic terminals for the Christchurch flight. Halfway across, the light rain was getting heavier, so I started to run, pushing my luggage trolley. A record-breaking flood was hitting Auckland that day, the remnants of a tropical cyclone. For me, cyclones? Meh! I grew up with cyclones, storms and typhoons.

Several months later, news about Auckland’s floods and Cyclone Gabrielle has never stopped. Sitting watching TV led to memories that I grew up with. Every summer, several typhoons “visit” Taiwan. They bring in big winds and floods that slash hill forests, cause landslides, damage buildings and bridges. Huge flood waters wash away houses near the rivers. Severe debris flows cover whole villages….

Everyone in Taiwan has a story about typhoons. The year before I moved to the city, a big flood washed away the fish in some breeding farms. Those fish swam to the flooded area near my home. So, that summer I remember catching two big fresh fish, for free!

Typhoons can even be a little “romantic” for the young. My hometown is a port city with a harbour and long coastline. The day before a Typhoon really arrived, I would ride my motorcycle enjoying the cooler air passing me by. Then I would park my bike, sit by the coast and watch the big waves. Sometimes the waves would rush into the land seeming to play a hide and seek game with nature.

On the other hand, I once had to rescue my car because the flood water rushed into my garage. I watched as the water level kept getting higher, about to get into my car’s exhaust pipe. I felt helpless. I

UPDATE FROM THE CLUBS

Bishopdale Better Breathing Community Group. Come along and join us for light exercise and refreshments. Meets: at the Orauwhata Bishopdale Library and Community Centre on Tuesday mornings from 10.30am-11.30am. Contact: Gary Syme (Group Leader) on phone 021 313903 or email garyhettysyme@xtra.co.nz.

pushed some clothes into the pipe to reduce the damage to my car.

But I also recall the scene the night the typhoon arrived when I was young. It was dark - the electricity had gone out. Not allowed to go outside, we kids lit candles, making different animal shapes on the walls. My father shared stories, my mother cooked special typhoon meals….. Actually it was a very warm family gathering time.

The names “cyclone”, “typhoon” and “hurricane” can be confusing. In fact, they are the same thing, just different names in different places. All of them are big rotating storms with high wind speeds. They form on tropical oceans before moving gradually into huge storms. If they form on the northern Atlantic Ocean, they are “hurricanes”. If they develop over the northern Pacific Ocean, they are “typhoons”. We New Zealanders have “cyclones” because the rotating storms form over the southern Pacific Ocean. That’s all. One difference is those huge storms rotate anti clockwise in the northern hemisphere versus clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Nature is interesting, isn’t it?

After watching the news, I noticed how human beings develop our potential strength when we have to. It’s why the Taiwanese have

A new family run ready meal service in Christchurch

Kai 2 You Is a new family run Ready Meal business servicing the Christchurch area and run by husband and wife team Adam and Jamie Pack.

We deliver Ready Made meals fresh to your door twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. or you are welcome to pick up your meals from our shop at 86 Harris Crescent Papanui, Christchurch. Our menus change weekly and we also sell delicious gourmet handmade pies and can provide catering.

Adam has been a Head Chef for over 16 years and is passionate

about delivering great nutritious food to people who are unable to cook, are time poor, in need of a little extra help in the kitchen or just want a night off cooking.

Jamie has also worked in the food and hospitality sector for many years and loves to work with the older generation and enjoys meeting our lovely new customers.

The best way to order is via our web site www.kai2you.co.nz. Alternatively you can phone us on 0223891166 or email us at orders@ kai2you.co.nz

accumulated lots of preparation skills for dealing with typhoon damage. It’s in our DNA. Around May, the weather bureau may proclaim that the first typhoon has increased its power and speed, and is on the way toward Taiwan. People start to watch out for the weather forecast. About three days before arrival, the forecasters tell us this typhoon is over 90% likely to strike Taiwan. One day before arrival, the Government may proclaim that students and company staff will get one day’s leave - we call it a typhoon holiday.

People rush to markets to get enough food for at least three to five days. We check the batteries for our torches because power may stop. We check the conditions of our windows, doors…., are they strong enough to resist the cruel wind? Great natural forces will wreak havoc soon after if you haven't done the right preparations.

On that night of 27th January, I watched the TV News at home and incredibly saw that Auckland Airport had been closed, the terminal was flooded, and no flights were landing or leaving until further notice. I was surprised, Oh, no! I was there this morning, the airport was full of people at that time…. I sighed a deep breath, as memories come back…..

Christchurch Red Hatters Club members enjoyed learning to play croquet in Barrington, a dinner at the Mosaic Moroccan restaurant in Addington and a cinema visit to watch a movie at The Silky Otter Theatre in Wigram. A trip for High Tea at Little High is planned for June plus an Operatunity Concert and July will see members dining out. Meet: No set meetings but the Club has ‘gatherings’ which includes monthly events such as luncheons, dinners and an outing/activity. Contact: May Stuart on 027 4071909.

Christchurch Senior Citizens Club holds cards on Mondays from 12.30pm to 3.00pm and runs indoor bowls on Tuesdays from 12.45pm to 3.00pm. In addition the Activities Group has outings for meals, social days, visiting places of interest and bus trips throughout the year. Contact: Veronica on 383 4682 or 021 1187360 or Beth on 388 2375 or 027 2610493.

Lincoln Area Senior Citizens Club’s recent AGM voted four new members onto the Committee. In April members enjoyed lunch at the Ashburton Hotel’s Clearview Restaurant and a visit to The Plains Vintage Railway and Historical Museum. Speaker Andrew Jones from the Army global bomb dispoal unit will talk to members. June will see a birthday lunch at the Lincoln Events Centre. Meet: 1st Tuesday of the month at 1.30pm at the Lincoln Event Centre. Contact: Gloria on 027 434 6554 or email Claire on nzelford@gmail.com.

AllourReady Meals are one size andcostis$14

Check

our website or Facebookpage for more informa on.

www.kai2you.co.nz

Ph 0223891166

A family walks in floodwaters during a typhoon in 2017.

Kai 2 You area new Ready Mealsdelivery businessin Christchurch.

Lost railways of New Zealand

by Mike Crean

England was once criss-crossed by railways. Not any more. A recent TV programme tells the stories of their “Lost Railways”. New Zealand lost railways too. And they have stories to tell.

Starting in the south, a railway linked Gore and Mossburn. It ran through a junction at Lumsden, where the Invercargill – Kingston line also ran. These lines were familiar to notorious baby killer Minnie Deans. Less notorious were the “goingson” of thirsty Gore labourers in the Prohibition era. They would catch the evening train to Lumsden but get off at Mandeville where Prohibition rules did not apply. There the men slaked their thirst. Some took their bikes on the train and cycled the 10 miles home afterwards.

The Roxburgh Branch began at Clarksville, near Milton. Just outside Lawrence was the Wetherstons gold-mining site. Here a brewery was established and run by a man who dearly loved daffodils. He bought daffodil varieties and planted thousands on the low hills beside the brewery. Their glorious blooms in springtime drew hordes of people to the site. In the 1920s and ‘30s heavily laden excursion trains brought picnickers from Dunedin. They walked from the Lawrence station to enjoy the “host of golden daffodils”.

The Central Otago line ran from Dunedin to Cromwell. Beside the track, near Hyde in the Ranfurly area, is a memorial to the 21 passengers killed and 47 injured when their speeding train crashed in a cutting. The train driver was found to have consumed liquor at Ranfurly and to have driven on recklessly. This happened during World War II. It was

the worst train crash in New Zealand then.

A railway once linked Oamaru to the tiny town of Ngapara. Wheat was a common crop in the South Island and trains carted much of it to Ngapara’s grand milling plant. Trains then carted the flour back to Oamaru. Some of it was exported to Australia. New Zealand now imports flour from Australia. Ngapara’s mill remains as an impressive landmark.

A branch line ran inland through the Waimate district. Local farm worker Ted D’Auvergne left home and popped into the pub at Waihao Forks to await the train. He was on his way to fight in World War II. He bought a bottle of beer but before he could drink it, the train arrived at the station across the road. Ted told the barman he would come back to finish his beer when the war ended. His bottle remains in the bar, unclaimed. Ted was killed in action.

The Waiau Branch Line ran from Waipara to Waiau, in North Canterbury. It never quite reached the town of Waiau but stopped at the Waiau River. Similarly, the Central Otago line stopped at the Clutha

River. Bridging these mighty rivers would have been very expensive.

The story goes that blokes used to sit in the bar at Waikari’s Star and Garter hotel most evenings. The hotel stood just below the Waiau line. On a wintry night a loaded train would skid on the icy rails as it climbed the hill leading into the Weka Pass. The driver would then reverse the train a few miles, the fireman would shovel on more coal and the train would attack the hill again. Sometimes the train would reverse two or three times before it got over the hill. Meanwhile, the chaps in the bar placed bets on how many attempts the train would need. The winner would yell with glee. The publican would shush him, as the bar should have closed at 6pm and the local cop might hear them.

The announcement that the Waiau Branch was to close was premature. Violent gales in 1975 felled most of the trees in Balmoral Forest. The railway’s life was extended so the logs could be removed. Another closure date was set in 1977. Families in Waikari kept their kids up to see “the last train” go past. But there were still more logs and still more trains to go.

So the kids scored a few more late nights.

An annual highlight of the Waiau branch was the Wild West scene of cowboys on horses herding cattle into the stockyards at Culverden. The cattle came off Molesworth Station. They were driven on foot for several days before loading onto railway waggons bound for Christchurch.

After decades of construction, Nelson’s railway reached Kawatiri, short of Murchison. It did not last long before the Government made the unpopular decision to close the railway. A group of women protesters sat on the track at Kiwi Station so the rails could not be lifted. They were arrested, charged and fined. Public donations poured in to pay their costs. Their Member of Parliament, Keith Holyoake, had supported the closure. He shifted to the North Island.

There were other “lost railways”. All had their stories.

The Eldernet Group provides greater transparency about residential care costs with website upgrade

The Eldernet Group has taken the guesswork out of knowing the cost of residential care, thanks to an upgrade to the search function on its website.

The Eldernet Residential Care website, which allows older people and their family/whānau to find information about every rest-home in New Zealand for free, has added a function that allows users to easily find residential care homes that charge extra for ‘premium accommodation.’ When using the search tool, users can choose to include or exclude residential care facilities that have premium accommodation charges using a drop-down menu.

‘Premium accommodation’

(commonly referred to as a ‘premium room’) is a room in a rest-home that has features and services over and above what is required under the AgeRelated Residential Care Agreement (ARRC). This may include features such as an ensuite, adjoining garden, or access to recreational equipment, for example.

Daily costs for premium accommodation vary widely around New Zealand. In some residential care facilities in New Zealand, premium accommodation costs can be as much as $100 a day, or more. These charges are on top of the ‘Maximum Contribution’ a resident must pay to live in residential care – this ranges from $1246.28 to

$1349.60 per week, depending on where in New Zealand you live.

Some people looking to move to residential care may be surprised to learn that premium accommodation charges exist, but they are becoming increasingly common, says Linda Nicolson, General Manager of The Eldernet Group.

“There has been an increase in premium accommodation charges over recent years. Several factors have contributed to this rise, including consumer expectations and what is often described as a shortfall in funding for standard services. This has had a knock-on effect of reducing the numbers of standard beds, making them hard to come by

in some areas.”

“Moving to care can be daunting for people and their loved ones – and that’s without thinking of the financial side,” says Nicolson. “That’s why The Eldernet Group wants to ensure people have the right tools to guide them on their journey.”

People can access more information about the cost of moving into residential care, as well as a range of other topics related to getting older, on Eldernet’s Knowledge Lab for free. www.eldernet.co.nz

Ngapara Mill in its heyday.

Waiho Forks Hotel.

ENGERGETIC AND RELIABLE GARDENERS TO MAINTAIN GARDENS

An elderly woman who starved to death because her adult son had mental health issues and couldn’t look after her properly is the type of tragic outcome Canterbury-West Coast Welfare Guardians Trust aims to prevent.

The Trust, which provides help for people who lack the mental capacity to make health and welfare decisions (not property or financial decisions), is expanding and looking for volunteers. It is part of a national network of trusts in Waikato, Whanganui and Otago. Steering Committees are setting up trusts in Invercargill, Hamilton and Auckland.

diminishing capacity until an event, such as a medical crisis, brings them to the attention of their doctor or a social worker. If a GP or social worker thinks a patient lacks the capacity to make medical decisions about their own care and welfare, they can refer them to their local Welfare Guardianship Trust for help.

Why should young people have the fun? When it’s a new relationship, there are no rules that it’s just for young people!

Just as a young person takes sensible preventative steps in these situations, so should those of us who are more experienced (I mean older!). For us, one of the things we most need to protect is the assets we have built up during our lives. Think of the hard work, the reversals we have suffered, the sacrifices and the luck (both good and bad). There’s no sense in exposing those hard-earned assets to any risk, especially later in life. What sort of risks? Well, if one forms a new relationship and a new partner moves into your house and the relationship lasts for 3 years, that house might become the “family home” in the eyes of the law and be up for equal division if you separate.

Most Kiwis are well aware, however it is amazing how many people fail to protect themselves when they go into a new relationship. We hear

stories…. “We’re in love, I know they won’t do that” or “I trust her/him, she would never do that” or “we’ve talked about it and agreed that he/ she will never make a claim against the house”. Really? There would be fewer relationship property lawyers if that was the case.

It’s always tricky to define when dating has turned into a relationship – but it’s pretty clear when the new partner has moved into the house with you! The conventional way of protecting your assets is a contracting out agreement. Some people call these prenups. There is quite a bit of formality in getting these done but your friendly lawyer can guide you through that process.

Welfare guardians are appointed by the court if someone has dementia or is for some other reason unable to make or communicate decisions for themselves. Most of the time there will be a relative or friend who can apply to the courts on their behalf about things like non-urgent medical treatment or accommodation, for example, moving into a rest-home but this is not always the case.

Struggling and mobile families

Families move around the world, people live longer, and sometimes there’s no-one to help if a person becomes incapacitated and can no longer make health and welfare decisions for themselves. For example, one intellectually disabled person assisted by the Welfare Guardianship Trusts was an only child, whose parents had both died and who had no-one to help.

Legal limbo

The referral is usually made via the website (https://welfareguardians. nz/?canterbury) or an email to the Trust (cwcwgt@gmail.com). The Trust assesses the referral and aims to assign a volunteer Welfare Guardian with matching location, background, and experience. The Family Court then formally confirms that relationship for an initial three year term.

Hunting for volunteers

With an ageing population, demand for welfare guardians has grown but with two people having to work in most households, it’s harder to find volunteers. The Trust recruits volunteers, trains them and supports them in their role.

Helping and kindness

There are a variety of ways volunteer Welfare Guardians can help - such as talking, going out for coffee or going for a walk together. The Welfare Guardian responds to what their assigned person wants to do or can do. Frequency of contact, visits or phone calls and duration of visits are managed pragmatically with most volunteers visiting or having some contact each month.

A

The moral of the story – whether you are 30, 50 or 70 (or older), the same sensible protections need to be thought about. It’s never too late for romance or a new relationship, but don’t leave it too late to protect your assets with a properly done Contracting out agreement.

People who do not have legal capacity to make decisions for themselves and who don’t have a welfare guardian (either through an enduring power of attorney or a court order) will be in legal limbo until a welfare guardian is appointed and this can affect things like movement into a rest-home which may require a welfare guardian to be in place.

Referrals to our service

People often manage with

The Welfare Guardians also build a positive relationship with staff at the care facility if the person is in residential care. They are also involved with medical decisions or reviews of care plans but they are supported in this role by the trustees of the Welfare Guardianship Trust.

Anyone interested in applying to be a Welfare Guardian or finding out more can contact the trust via https:// welfareguardians.nz/?canterbury or email to cwcwgt@gmail.com.

It’s never too late for romance or a new relationship!

Caring for people when there is nobody else

Loving all of it - the boy I left behind

by Colin Smith

“Loving All Of It” is a book of 32 essays, edited by Gordon McLauchlan, on the delights and otherwise of getting older. I’m up for the challenge and loving it; there’s no alternative. Life is the gift that keeps on giving, right?

Three months ago I wrote about hobbling into hospital where I met a young woman with a sharp knife. Two days later I left with a new hip. If it sounds like I’m repeating myself, it’s because that little tale of replacement parts reminded me of another trip to another hospital, 40 years ago.

I was 33 years old - a staggering, sozzled, pickled, munted alcoholic when I dribbled my way into Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer. It had taken me 17 years to get into that state. They say in addiction circles that “when the addiction begins, the mental and emotional growth arrests, so I was still but a kid and I was looking for a new life – a total life make-over no less, no sharp knife needed, just lots of hard mahi, as it turned out.

Trying to erase one’s old but familiar way of being in the world is a battlefield. The old life has died but the

new sober life has yet to emerge. It’s ironic that I’m writing this on ANZAC Day, as addiction is a muddy trench too, where one faces a fusillade of the unknown but to retreat is certain death.

These days when I go tramping on St James and Molesworth I stop at Hanmer for a nostalgic walk in the hospital grounds, and I have a korero with the 16-year-old I left behind. I go there with my moving-on swag. I sit under a tree and tell him I’m sorry I had to leave him behind. I get emotional; he was a likeable little geezer, but his way with the bottle didn’t fit the new life, I tell him. I also

thank him profusely for having the wisdom and courage to get me there in the first place.

But, and there is always a big “but”... while I am enjoying the fruits of a new and sober life, every time I go back to Hanmer now, I realise how that sad but cunning little bloke I left there is no longer living there. He’s out in the world wreaking havoc in the lives of my children.

As I’m writing this I’m sitting about sad and helpless, watching my son drink his way into alcoholic oblivion, and in my opinion almost certain death. He has no intention of stopping. He’s angry I want to save him.

Eighteen months ago he sat sad and helpless with me as his sister Jess, my daughter Jess, lay dying in the same way – of alcohol-related organ failure. Her death hasn’t deterred his own headlong downward spiral. Nor has the death of his young brother Paki in a car crash 20 years ago. It’s not easy sitting around watching ones’ children die, I tell him. I’ve learnt a lot from “Resilient Grieving” by Dr Lucy Hone. A lot is about how life will chuck stuff at us. We can’t control the stuff, only how we respond to it. That way, in spite of the sadness, we can always be aiming towards “Loving All Of It”.

The benefits of regular exercise: an interview with Wendy Clark

For Wendy Clark the Christchurch City Council's Recreation and Sport Centres are a way to keep active and stay connected.

She has been attending classes for more than 20 years, first joining the QEII Sport and Recreation Centre prior to the earthquakes as she always enjoyed swimming and it was close to home.

Over the years she has tried a wide variety of physical activities including swimming, gym classes, spin classes, hill walking, and running. While proximity and affordability were initial drawcards, she soon found the friendly atmosphere and variety of classes provided by the centres were equally appealing.

In addition to physical benefits, Wendy also found that exercise was beneficial for her mental health. She enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the sense of accomplishment that came from pushing herself physically.

Now a recent retiree, Wendy had always been in a professional job which involved meeting people. When that was suddenly taken away, it was a big adjustment to make. But the regular schedule of physical activities made the transition a lot easier.

“Going to classes, the gym and swimming has allowed me to keep in touch and connected with people following my retirement. That sense of comradeship and community is wonderful - I love the warm and buzzy, fuzzy feeling it gives me,” she says.

“There’s no question that regular exercise has a positive impact on my

physical and mental health. I thrive on the social connections I make, and I always feel good afterwards. At 70 years old, I’m active, flexible and more mobile because of physical activity compared to others my age who are not active.” Doing something daily is important “to keep the body moving” she says, and she enjoys a variety of activities. These include swimming, gym classes like pump, stretch and release, spin classes and the new Revl programme at Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre, which combines strength and cardio fitness. She also finds long walks helpful for clearing her mind and putting things into perspective. It’s about finding something that you enjoy enough to keep doing it regularly, something you can stick with, she says. Even

a small amount of movement, such as walking or playing on jungle gyms, can make a significant difference to overall well-being. For those that are hesitant, she suggests they grab a friend, walk some stairs, walk around the neighbourhood - or join the local walking group.

Her experience highlights the importance of regular exercise for both physical and mental health. Whether it is swimming, gym classes, or long walks, finding a physical activity that one enjoys and can stick to can have a significant impact on quality of life.

“There is no doubt about it, regular exercise is an essential component of a healthy, fulfilling life.”

https://www.ccc.govt.nz/rec-andsport/rec-and-sport-centres/ https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/ activities-for-older-adults/

Help with technology at Age Concern Canterbury

Age Concern Canterbury is running a weekly session to help older people with technology issues. This one-on-one session is designed to assist with specific problems on phones, tablets, or laptops.

Each Thursday morning a knowledgeable staff member will be available to give you one hour of their time to help you clean out your emails, file your photos, video call your grandchildren... or whatever else you need to help you in this increasingly digital world.

The staff at Age Concern Canterbury have found that oneon-one help is more beneficial as we can address individual issues but if there is a common thread among the queries we would consider running a specific class on that topic.

Due to the popularity of these sessions, we now ask that you make an appointment time by contacting us on 03-366 0903 or email team@ageconcerncan.org. nz

Your personal driving service for Christchurch

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

While we are well-known in the North Island, we have expanded into the South Island and Dean Stewart has been very busy running the Christchurch North franchise for 3 years now.

He provides a friendly, reliable service offering standard transport as well as a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle capable of transporting both manual and larger power wheelchairs.

He also employs 2 drivers who are much loved by our customers and are always a pleasure to be with.

“We love to support the local community and our service is designed to provide personalised transport and assistance to anyone needing a bit of extra help getting

from A to B. We specialise in driving seniors and trips cover a wide range of outings including the usual medical and business appointments as well as shopping or just a nice afternoon out with a friend or two.

Our wheelchair accessible vehicle is a larger hoist model with plenty of headroom for taller passengers to travel in comfort,” says local owner Dean.

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

Freedom prices are competitive and comparable to, and often less than, other options or standard taxi services.

Our service is highly personalised to your needs with a convenient pick up and drop off at your front door. We always escort you to the car and to your destination and we always go ‘the extra mile’.

We take Total Mobility cards (TM) and we are ACC Registered Vendors. All our drivers are fully licensed and NZ Police checked for your protection.

Our service is pre-booked and prequoted.

To find out more please give Dean a call on (03) 352-1599 or 027 364 6877. A

Wendy keeps active and stays connected at Christchurch City Council’s Recreation and Sports Centres.

Affordable education for over 100 years

Arthritis pain relief that works in minutes

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

* Made with all natural mineral crystal salts and essential oils.

* Excellent for sensitive skin - no harmful additives.

* Contains Omega 3 and Omega 6.

* Easy absorption, non greasy, biodegradable, ozone friendly.

* Vegan and cruelty free certified.

external use only), speedy recovery from migraine headaches, for the relief of sunburn and takes the itch from mosquito bites.

The 200ml bottle of Florentine Gold Natural Harmony Body and Joint Rub is couriered to your door for $46.50 and $36.50 for the 100ml bottle. There is an additional charge of $6.00 for Rural Delivery.

THERE’S A SURPRISE IN EVERY BOTTLE with a dose of scepticism:

CWEA has provided affordable adult education for over 100 years, that is enormously valued by our customers. CWEA values social and environmental justice, so discussion on these topics feature in our Term Two programme.

With an election on the horizon have you thought about why people vote the way they do? Quentin Findlay’s evening seminars explore different aspects of New Zealand’s election landscape. Join us for the series or specific topics and encourage first time voters you know to also become informed. We offer free entry for first time voters to this course that is starting soon.

On 23rd June join Vicky Southworth from ECAN who chaired the Climate Change Action Committee at an afternoon tea Q&A session. Details below.

Term 2

Tuesday, 30 May: Politics

Aotearoa: Are you Election Ready – Quentin Findlay, 6.30-7.30pm, 4 weeks, $20

Wednesday, 31 May: The World

of Economics Explained – Michael Couch, 10am-12pm, $57 Grasp the basics of economics the way in which NZ manages its economy becomes the prime focus for October’s election.

Friday, 16 June: Exploring the World of AI – Kane Stewart, 10.00am -12.00pm, $12.00. Explore Artificial Intelligence including how AI art generators and chatbots work and the implications of such technology, ethical considerations, and its impact on society. Bring your own device –smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

Friday, 23 June: Afternoon tea with Vicky Southworth, ECAN, 1.303.00pm, entry by koha.

For more details and to book for these courses either visit our office at 59 Gloucester Street between 9.30am and 3pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively visit our website course page www.cwea.org.nz/courses.

Saturday, 24 June: Origami for fun – Kazuko Iwai, 10.00am-12.30pm, $20.00. A fun workshop to learn how to make delightful yet easy origami animals and other objects incorporating recycled materials.

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 and stiffness, headaches, migraines, pulled and strained muscles and tennis elbow and much much more. Also gives relief to some skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis. It is excellent for sore throats and toothache (for

“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 A

All Natural Harmony Body & Joint Rub

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

EXCELLENT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Phone: 027 517 2347 Email: info@florentinegold.co.nz www.florentinegold.co.nz

Natural Harmony Body & Joint Rub is $46.50 for 200ml and $36.50 for 100ml and includes delivery with an addiitonal $6.00 for rural delivery. 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.

“Thank you. Thank you. I started using the Florentine Gold All Natural Body and Joint Rub on the 6 April 2022. This is the first time in nearly 7 years that I have been pain free. I have osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine region and am waiting for a hip replacement. A friend rang me to tell me about your product - she had just discovered it. I will be recommending it to others that I know who have trouble with pain. Once again, thank you so much.” Ann Mason, Waikato 2022

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

Origami for fun workshop on 24th June 2023 - an option at CWEA.

Help from Age Concern Canterbury’s Significant Others Group

Our son became ill with alcohol addiction some 12 years ago. His dependency came as a terrible shock after the very motivated, charming warm person he had been. He had many close friends and well-paid responsible employment. He had shown his caring side during the Christchurch earthquakes where he was most helpful and concerned.

Work and Income expand funding to cover Securely Anywhere Alarms

Up until recently, if you needed help with the ongoing costs of a medical alarm, only In-Home alarms were eligible for funding via the disability allowance from Work and Income. In-Home alarms are great for those that spend much of their time in the comfort of their own home, but not for active Kiwis who enjoy getting out and about.

Work and Income have recently announced that they are expanding this funding to cover alarms used outside of the home as well. This is great news for New Zealand’s active elderly, who may be eligible to receive funding for an alarm that better suits their lifestyle.

SECURELY, one of New Zealand’s largest suppliers of medical alarms, have a range of Anywhere Alarms that offer wearers peace of mind. The distress alarms can be worn outside of the home and are equipped with cellular and GPS technology.

With the push of a button, the Anywhere Alarm obtains your current location and sends this information

to the SECURELY 24/7 Monitoring Centre. Once the Monitoring Centre has received your alert, an operator will speak with you via the in-built speaker and send emergency services to your location if required.

If you have pressed the SOS button but are unconscious or unable to communicate with the 24/7 Monitoring Centre, Emergency Services will be sent.

SECURELY’S General Manager, Stephen Frame was thrilled to hear of the recent expansion of funding and says this change will have a positive impact on SECURELY’s customers.

“This expansion in funding is warmly welcomed. We’re excited to be able to provide an Anywhere Alarm to Seniors, so they can continue to live their lives to the fullest, while feeling safe in the knowledge that help is there if needed.”

If you would like to learn more about a SECURELY medical alarm, contact your local sales agent Jonathan Sibbles on 021 438 067 or visit www. securely.nz

Peace of mind in your pocket

We found it very helpful listening to the experiences of other group members and quickly realized that we were not alone in our situation. It helped to share concerns and offer advice among others who also had experience in helping their family members live with this very debilitating disease.

Those early times and throughout his addiction were very difficult to manage as we found no resources in the local community to actively help us make our son well again. Then we were introduced to the “Significant Others” Group at Age Concern Canterbury. This Group is aimed at those over 65 who are the parents or spouses of family members with addiction problems.

This group has been very helpful in our attempts to improve the life of our son. Apart from mutual socializing, my wife and I benefit greatly from the fortnightly meetings. The group is led by experienced nurses who are very familiar with the addiction (alcohol and drugs) issues and its medical and social consequences.

Our son had periods at the local Nova Trust residential care facility and the Bridge residential programme provided by the Salvation Army. The improvement was limited and his addiction too overpowering: he died of kidney failure – this despite repeated warnings about the effects of alcohol on his body. It was a terrible loss.

Despite his loss, we continue to be members of the Group which we are grateful to be part of. The remarkable members, the very fine experienced nurses and other Age Concern Canterbury staff have offered us help and comfort in dealing with our loss and we hope that sharing our story in the Group will also bring comfort and support to another family.

Support Group for Signi cant Others

Is this the group for you?

Have you been embarrassed or felt the need to apologise for this person’s behaviour?

Does this person’s behaviour stop you doing things for yourself?

Are special occasions ruined by this person?

Do you tend to focus on this person and ignore your own needs?

Do you su er nancially because of this person?

Have you stopped inviting people to your home?

Have you considered ringing the Police and feared for your own safety?

Does this person discourage you from being social?

Do you carefully consider what you are going to say as you fear how they will react?

Tuesdays from 1.00 to 3.00pm

Age Concern Canterbury Inc.

A Year in Review

For the year ended 31 December 2022

Vision

To be the recognised organisation in Canterbury that connects, supports, empowers, celebrates and respects all older people in an inclusive community.

Mission Statement

Age Concern Canterbury works to achieve wellbeing, rights, respect and dignity for older people.

“Age Concern Canterbury has always supported me and my friends. It is a great organisation.”

Visiting Service

The Visiting Service (VS) team in Canterbury, the West Coast and Timaru continue to co-ordinate thousands of volunteer visits to socially isolated people: 5,223 volunteer visits in 2022.

Across the three regions, 38 percent of the volunteers are under 65.

There are currently 206 volunteers registered for the visiting service.

“Things have changed for the better now I have a visitor, we go out for coffee and have been to the art gallery and even a ride on the tram! My life has really turned around and I couldn’t be happier.” from an AVS client.

Social Connection Service

The Social Connection Co-ordinators utilised the 3 mini buses that we have to facilitate 5,597 outings for socially isolated people.

There are currently 200 volunteers registered for the service.

“I love helping to bring a smile to people’s faces. We have a lot of fun.” Minibus driver

“I really enjoyed my first outing. The host was lovely.” from a Minibus client.

Elder Abuse Neglect Prevention

Age Concern Canterbury delivers the Elder Abuse Service across Canterbury, the West Coast and Timaru.

371 Canterbury referrals were received with 180 closed cases of Elder Abuse. 43.9% of abusers were a non-spouse family member.

70 South Canterbury referrals were received with 56 closed cases of Elder Abuse. 53.9% of abusers were a non-spouse family member.

34 West Coast referrals were received with 27 closed cases of Elder Abuse. 46.2% of abusers were a nonspouse family member.

Home Support Services

2,279 clients were assisted with home help, a trade/ handyman or gardener from our database.

All service providers on our database are police checked and interviewed.

“ Thank you so much for sending me Bryan to look at my Sky decoder when Sky were totally uninterested in helping me. He came the next day, sorted it out quickly and his fee was very reasonable. A thoroughly pleasant chap to deal with. I would have no hesitation in getting him back if needed. ”

Volunteers

In 2022 volunteers contributed 27,611 hours to improving the lives of older people (number of Visiting Service visits x 1 = 5,223 + number of outings x 2 volunteers x 2 hours = 22,238). This enabled us to deliver on our vision: of being the lead agency that connects, supports, empowers, celebrates and respects all older people in an inclusive community.

This figure refers to the calculation of value based on minimum wage ($21.20 x 27,611 = $585,353.20).

“I am feeling more relaxed and able to deal with (the) mental and physical abuse.”

Steady As You Go (SAYGo) Courses

There are currently 37 regular SAYGo classes across Christchurch and North Canterbury. 9 of these classes have waitlists.

“I feel more confident to leave the house.”

“I feel safer and stronger on my feet.”

SAYGo Course attendees.

Keeping On

Keeping eeping n

Keeping On is published four times a year: February, May, August and November.

47,040 copies of Keeping On were printed and distributed throughout Christchurch and the South Island.

From May 2022 a digital version of Keeping On was available to read as a flipbook at www.ageconconcerncan.org with 240 online reads.

“Keeping On is a wonderful magazine and I always read it right through with much enjoyment. It is a credit to Age Concern Canterbury.” Keeping On readers.

Website and Facebook

Our Website was visited by 42,557 people, viewing 113,588 pages from 53,399 sessions.

We currently have 1,368 followers on our Facebook page and this is growing daily, with an increased focus on connecting with people via this medium. The average post has 1,054 readers with the most viewed post recieving 4,382 views. Posts about driving courses and scams are most often shared by other agencies.

Other Activities

Kahukura Kaumatua, a day programme for older Maori people will be held in the Birdlings Flat Community Centre, in partnership with Te Whatu Ora Waitaha, Ryman, and Nurse Maude.

Our Rainbow Group for older LGBTQI+ people been in place since October 2021.

Our Finances

Acknowledgements

Age Concern Canterbury wishes to acknowledge with thanks the financial assistance of:

Age Concern Canterbury Trust Estate of Margaret Olive Burns

Community Trust of Mid and Estate of Lorna Allen

South Canterbury Estate of James Massey Stewart Lutton

Christchurch City Council Estate of Dorothy Nancy Uttley

Margaret Burns Charitable Trust

Jones Foundation

Canterbury District Health Board Ministry of Health Ministry of Social Development

Look after your bones with diet and exercise

by Wendy Scanlon, NZ Registered Nutritionist, Puāwai Healthy Lifestyle Service, Pegasus Health

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to become thinner and weaker than normal. This means that they can break more easily, such as after a small bump or fall. It affects more than half of women and about one third of men over 60 years, as well as some younger people.

Look after your bones by:

* Eating a wide range of foods: vegetables, fruits, grains, milk and milk products and lean meats, chicken, seafood, eggs, legumes and nuts and seeds.

* Choose calcium-rich foods each day. Food is the safest, cheapest, and most effective way to get calcium. See the table for ways to get more calcium through food.

* Letting the sun shine on your skin to make vitamin D. You need vitamin D for your body to use calcium. At this time of year, try and get outside around noon, with your face, arms and hands exposed. Between September and April, get outside in the early morning or late afternoon for about

20 to 30 minutes. Unfortunately, you can’t get vitamin D by sitting inside by a sunny window, you need to be in direct sunlight. Talk to your GP team about your vitamin D levels if you don’t go outside much, tend to cover up or have a history of skin cancer and need to use sun protection all year. You may need to take vitamin D tablets.

* Do some weight-bearing and resistance activities every day for bone health. Weight-bearing activities force you to work against gravity. These include walking, climbing stairs, playing tennis and dancing. Resistance activities include carrying shopping, standing up and sitting down repeatedly, lifting weights, and using elastic bands.

* Check out your local community strength and balance classes through www.livestronger.org.nz/home/findclass/find-a-class-near-you or phone 03 373 5060. The Community Group Strength & Balance Project is part of a nationwide initiative to help older

Broccoli & Cheese Soup

This is an easy and quick soup to make. Use the whole of the broccoli, including the stalk. Just chop it finely.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 large head of broccoli, chopped (about 3 cups)

1 ½ cups stock

1 cup milk

½ cup grated cheese OR 60g blue cheese, crumbled

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Add oil to a large saucepan and heat over a medium heat, add onion and cook until softened and transparent. Add chopped broccoli, stock, and milk. Simmer for 10 minutes or until broccoli is soft.

Blend using a stick blender. Add in grated cheese and heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

adults improve their strength and balance. Sport Canterbury is the local lead agency and works alongside community exercise instructors to provide accredited classes.

* Keep your weight within a healthy range. If unsure, check with your GP team.

If you drink alcohol, drinking two or less standard drinks a day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.

* Be smoke-free.

10 ways to BOOST calcium

1. Make porridge with milk instead of water.

2. Use lots of milk in your hot drinks. If you’re at a café, choose a latte or flat white.

3. Add some plain yoghurt at the end of cooking a soup or curry.

4. Make a milk-based smoothie.

5. Top wholegrain toast with canned sardines or cheese and tomato.

6. Make a fish pie or macaroni cheese. Any milk-based sauce helps boost your calcium intake.

7. Have a small handful of nuts every day as a snack.

8. Finish dinner with a milk-based dessert to take you back to childhood!

9. Make yourself a platter with cheese, crackers, and fruit.

10. Try our Broccoli & Cheese Soup when broccoli is next on special. If you would like to learn more about looking after your health, why not sign up for our lifestyle and cooking programme, Puāwai – Kai (to blossom through food). Our programme aims to improve health and wellbeing across the generations. It’s a free 8-session programme (two hours each week) for anyone enrolled with a Pegasus practice. The first three sessions focus on lifestyle changes. Topics include looking after your health with food; managing stress; moving more and sleeping well. This is followed by five cooking sessions – putting the ideas into action. All eight sessions end with sharing kai together.

For more information visit the Puāwai – Kai website: www.puawai. org.nz, or phone us on 0800 333 405.

Volunteer visitors and companions enjoy High Tea

Volunteer visitors and those they visit were treated to a High Tea at Age Concern Canterbury in April. While we regularly hold events for our volunteers, this was the first time we have asked the visitors to also bring their matched companion. The afternoon was a great success with 40 attendees. Age Concern Canterbury staff worked hard to try and replicate a traditional high tea. Our guests were treated to dainty pastries, cucumber sandwiches, sweet treats, and tea or coffee all served on beautiful bone China. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon tea and the lively discussion that took place. Some of the attendees said it was the best outing they’d had for a long time. Visiting Service Co-ordinators, Rebecca Hopgood and Peter McGrath, were so pleased with the event they are planning another in August.

Companion Walking Service

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Our Companon Walking Service provides oneon-one assistance for people who are finding it difficult to get out and about on their own. Could you spare some time to be a walking companion? Training and support are provided.

Contact Anna Tillman on 366 0903. 24 Main North Road, Papanui, Christchurch. P (03) 366-0903, Freephone 0800 80 33 44 E team@ageconcerncan.org.nz www.ageconcerncan.org.nz

VOLUNTEER VISITORS NEEDED

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

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

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

TRADES DIRECTORY

Miles McIntyre is enjoying his flying again

Social connection means the social ties that we have with other people. It is a broad term that includes things like getting together with others, having others we can rely on for support, or feeling that we belong and are valued. We can experience these different types of social connection with family and friends, in our workplaces and neighbourhoods, or as members of a group or club.

As we age our circle of social connection diminishes. Friends pass on, family become busy and our ability to get out and about is restricted through health and mobility issues. Age Concern Canterbury helps alleviate loneliness through our Social Outings. All the outings are popular but the monthly Men’s Group outings to a local RSA or Club are particularly well attended.

Our volunteers are often amazed by the interesting lives that many of the men lead and will suggest we tell their story in Keeping On Miles McIntyre (82) looks forward to his monthly outing to the Hornby Club, and it was while on one of these outings that we found out that Miles likes to fly. Not your normal “hop on an Air New Zealand flight to Auckland kind of flying” but behind the controls of a Piper Cherokee as part of the Canterbury Aero Club’s Resurgence programme.

driver Paul Jamieson was invited by Miles to go along on a flight with him. Although that didn’t eventuate as planned, he still got to witness Miles’ flying skills, and was very impressed. Miles fell in love with flying in 1963 and flew for a few months before giving it up. He started again in 1972, obtained his pilots’ licence in 1975 but stopped flying again after having his licence for two years. It was nearly 40 years later that Miles got the “bug” again, after he took up the opportunity to go on a flight with his son’s neighbour. He found out about the Aero Club Resurgence programme and literally took off

VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR SOCIAL OUTINGS

Hosts, 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. Hosts provide a morning or afternoon tea on a monthly or casual basis to a group of 5-9 clients.

Drivers’ assistants support the drivers and help clients.

Please contact Katie Faithful on 331 7801 or Debbie on 331 7814 for more information. Email k.faithful@ageconcerncan.org.nz or dgarraway@ageconcerncan.org.nz

The monthly flights take place out of West Melton Airfield. The programme is designed for those who have had to give up their pilot’s licence for medical issues or who are no longer qualified. The Piper PA-28 has dual controls and Miles is accompanied on the flight by an instructor. He is also sometimes joined by one of his grandchildren and he loves sharing this adventure with them.

Miles’ love of flying even stretches to aerobatics and he has been the passenger in aerobatic flights on a P-51 Mustang and a Russian Yak, which was flown by his nephew (an Air New Zealand pilot). For his 80th

birthday his wife Alison bought him a helicopter adventure trip out of Wanaka. The three-and-a-half-hour flight included landing on Mount Aspiring and a West Coast beach, and a scenic flight over Milford Sound. “It is something I will never forget” Miles says.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH

Miles and Age Concern Canterbury volunteer Paul Jamieson.

Age Concern Canterbury volunteer

Miles enjoyed his birthday trip to Mount Aspiring.

Miles’ pilot log book.

Keeping On eeping On

Where is your cardigan from?

by Liz Sugrue

Whether you made it yourself, got it from the op shop or an expensive boutique – it doesn’t matter really, the word cardigan is from the Welsh language. Your pyjamas and your jodhpurs and your dungarees are from India and even more so if they are coloured khaki.

So many words we use in our everyday speech come from other languages, some are obvious like restaurant, menu and hotel. Others are more interesting like corduroy and denim. They are also French in origin. There is a version of corduroy history that suggests its etymology is “cord du Roi” which literally translates to the cloth of the king. I like this idea even if it’s not strictly true.

Denim was originally made in Nimes in France and was called serge de Nimes which was then shortened to denim. Interestingly dungaree initially referred to fabric made in India. The word has been used in English as far back as about 1615 and is possibly from the Marathi word dongri which Wikipedia tells me is a dockside village near Mumbai. Dungarees are

now known as reliable work wear made from tough durable cotton drill. Parkas were originally made from seal or caribou skin by the Caribou Inuit, who needed a garment to help them stay warm in the Canadian arctic. And Pea Coats originated from the Dutch or West Frisian word pijjekker or pijjakker, in which pij referred to the type of cloth used, a coarse kind of twilled blue cloth with a nap on one side. Jakker designates a man’s short, heavy coat.

Balaclava is named for a Russian village (Balaklava) where soldiers fighting in the Crimean War wore knitted hats that covered their faces.

So, it seems our clothes are from all over the world, despite most of them being made in China these days. It’s interesting to think of the origin of these words even if we are more comfortable in our culottes rather than a bikini.

Apart from clothes, we use so many other foreign words in our day-to-day speech. Now just for fun I’m going to write a couple of paragraphs using as many “foreign” words as possible. Here goes.

An anonymous (Greek) guru (Sanskrit) with a chronic (Greek)

case of wanderlust (German) went on a safari (Arabic) to hunt for some loot (Hindi). In his rucksack (German) he packed a cookie (Dutch), some lemons (Arabic), broccoli (Italian), a couple of bits of tofu (Chinese) and some ketchup (Chinese). He was wearing some moccasins (native American) and had a gung-ho attitude (Chinese). He stopped on a patio (Spanish) where he made a faux-pas (French) by calling the local head honcho (Japanese) a Neanderthal (German). He was a macho (Spanish) Admiral (Arabic) who attempted some kung fu (Chinese) but he was a bit of a klutz (Yiddish) and looked like he was from a kindergarten (German). After a lot of alcohol (Arabic) the guru ended up joining the vigilantes (Spanish). Their uniforms were khaki (India) jodhpurs (India) with cerise (French) cardigans (Welsh).

The denim (French) clad paparazzi (Italian) chased them on their mopeds (Swedish). They escaped into an apartment (Italian) where they found some children watching cartoons (Italian).

This could carry on ad infinitum if we started looking into Latin words used today. I won’t though, for fear of going on ad nauseam.

Rising stars in concert Memories

by Mike Crean

Edmund Hillary stepped atop the world’s highest mountain 70 years ago. The 34-year-old Kiwi shared the honour of being first to conquer Mt Everest, with Sherpa partner Tenzing Norgay, on June 2, 1953. They were members of a British expedition to Everest.

Hillary was lauded around the world. All nations had been waiting for someone to reach the highest point on Earth. From news coverage many learned of New Zealand’s existence for the first time.

Little is heard of the Hillary-Tenzing feat today. In British TV quiz show “The Chase”, Bradley Walsh often questions contestants about it. Most replies are a gaping silence.

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary was born in Auckland on July 20, 1919, and died there on January 11, 2008. He was a humble “dinkum Kiwi” who developed his alpine skills in our Southern Alps. He was remarkable in other ways: flying planes in World War II, aiding the poor of Nepal with building projects for health and education, participating in Antarctic expeditions. Biographies tell much more about him. However, they do not mention the annoyance he once caused me.

Journalist and mountaineer John Henzell accompanied Hillary on his last visit to Antarctica, in 2007. When John got back he told me how frail Hillary was. He feared Hillary would not live much longer.

As The Press obituary writer, I researched Hillary’s life to be prepared to write when he passed away. The problem was, he died on a Friday. The editor, Tim Panckhurst, immediately ordered a 4000-word obituary (the standard length was 800 words). So, I got stuck in and

churned out what I thought was not a bad piece. But, as I was finishing it, Tim approached again. Here I paraphrase what he said:

“Mike, I want you to write a second obituary about Hillary. We will run your first one tomorrow. However, most papers will run theirs on Monday. We can’t be seen not to have a Hillary obituary on Monday. Write it now, as the printers will make up that page tonight. Oh, and 2000 words will be enough for Monday’s edition. But, the two obituaries must be entirely different – not one word the same.”

I was ready to knock off for the day. Being Friday, I was looking forward to joining mates at the bar next door. Oh well, Tim had always been good to me….

When I reached the bar, my mates had long gone. I left too, with 1000 words about dying on Friday in my mind.

Crossword Answers (#20523)

CLUES: (Legend: ¶ = combo clue; * = cryptic clue; § = sounds like; ∞ = anagram)

ACROSS

1. Over , 5. Come, *1. & 5. Overcome, 7. Allegro, 8. Even, 9. Vile, 10. True 11. Genuine, 13. Rift, 15. Backs, 16. Spine, 19. Itch, *19. Drop insect ‘B’ from Bitch (termagant) to get Itch, 21. Days, 23. Oxidate, 24. Dumb, 25. Aver, 26. Balloon, 27. Xray, 28. Safe.

DOWN

1. Overt, 2. Range, *2. I, to it, ran geared for shooting (5), NB: letters of answer hidden in clue, 3. Clinch, 4. Agnise, 5. Cover, 6. Event, 12. React, 14. Fancy, 17. Avidly, 18. Season, *18. Season to flavour food and of course part of a year, 19. Index, 20. Hobby, 21. Deans, 22. Serve, *22. For ace in tennis.

A new lunchtime series will feature some of Christchurch’s best young musicians in concert at The Arts Centre.

‘Rising Stars’ concerts will be held on selected Tuesdays in the magnificent Great Hall. The format mirrors the ever-popular Great Hall Lunchtime Concerts on selected Mondays.

The first concert, on Tuesday 9 May, is a charity event featuring the brilliant young pianist Lixin Zhang. Lixin is studying at the prestigious Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles. The concert is a fundraiser for an initiative that provides music lessons to talented students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Concerts for Christchurch organiser Trish Rainey says there is no shortage of musical talent in the city. “Even at a young age, the technical and artistic standard is incredibly high. We hope this new performance platform can encourage our rising stars, while we support them on their musical journey.”

All concerts are listed on The Arts Centre’s website. The extensive line-

up includes internationally renowned 15-year-old flautist Louis Liu, Burnside High School jazz musicians Chicks from Corea, and nine-yearold Caleb Waines who appears with his brother Ethan (aged 11).

Dates and time:

Selected Tuesdays, usually from 1.10-1.50pm.

Price: Adults $15.00, Friends of Concerts for Christchurch or The Arts Centre $10.00.

Full details and bookings go to: www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on, scroll down to the concert you want, click “Find out more”. To book, then click “Buy tickets now”. There is no reserved seating, so arrive early if you have a favourite seat.

Door sales:

From 12pm on the day, unless the concert is sold out.

Accessibility:

The Great Hall has a ramp entrance off Worcester Boulevard. Holders of mobility parking permits may use the two designated spots off Hereford Street. General parking is on-street only.

Rangi Ruru Girls' School - Musical Showcase.

“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.”

Edmund Hillary, shared honour of being first to conquer Mt Everest.

Creative art collection showcases residents’ talent

Thirty-three talented Alpine View Lifestyle Village Residents allowed a collection of their work to be displayed in the Village Clubhouse over a weekend. The Creative Art Exhibition was organised by the Resident’s Association Committee who were delighted to be able to show case the creative work of fellow residents. It was two days of being surrounded by many and varied examples of work: each piece displayed giving beauty in colour, texture and composition. Open to the public, the exhibition entry fee of a dollar coin donation raised $770 for the 2023 Alpine View Charity, The Cancer Society.

Government tackles cost of living issues

I hope you are all enjoying the autumnal changes on display throughout Canterbury. It’s a lovely time of year and I have been fortunate enough to spend a lot of it connecting with people, organisations and communities.

One event that connects the entire country is ANZAC Day, when we commemorate our veteran community which served New Zealand courageously, many losing their lives in doing so. I had the great privilege of attending services at different memorial sites, including Halswell and the dawn service at Cathedral Square. As always, it’s an important time to reflect on what service means and how important it is to strive for peace, at all levels of society.

With winter fast approaching, the

Labour Government is committed to helping seniors stay warm and dry over the coming months. Once again, we’re making the Winter Energy Payment available from 1 May to both singles and couples. Those eligible will get the Winter Energy Payment automatically, alongside other regular payments from Work and Income New Zealand. This payment makes a real difference for seniors in Banks Peninsula and beyond, and this year will be no different.

At a national level, the Labour Government continues to focus on tackling the current cost of living and on 1 April, we delivered more financial support to 1.4 million New Zealanders, including increases to the minimum wage, greater childcare assistance and a real boost for those receiving superannuation, benefits,

veteran’s pensions and student support.

In other good news, Transport Minister Michael Wood recently announced the launch of the Public Transport Futures project. This project will deliver 100 more buses on Christchurch routes, 470 more bus shelters, 200 real time display units and 22 kilometres of new bus lanes. All this means faster, more enjoyable and user-friendly bus travel throughout Christchurch!

Earlier this year Ginny Andersen was promoted to cabinet and is now Minister for Seniors. She is a strong advocate for senior citizens and I know she will serve you well. She recently announced the expansion of the Digital Literacy Training for Seniors programme, which will deliver essential online skills courses

for up to 5,000 seniors throughout New Zealand. She also recently launched the Senior Enterprise Pilot Programme, which will be offered free in five locations, and will provide practical assistance to participants over 50 years old to help develop their innovative business ideas and potentially get them to market.

As always, if my team or I can help you in anyway, or if you’d like to raise an issue that’s affecting our community, please do get in touch. We’re here to help.

You can reach me and the team at Tracey.McLellanMP@parliament. govt.nz, on 03 376 4512, or by popping in to our office at 642 Ferry Road, Woolston. In the meantime, I hope you stay safe, healthy and warm.

Eating to improve your brain health

The Kiwi diet has a bad rap for being high in dairy products, red meat and highly refined foods which can contribute to higher rates in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

At Dementia Canterbury, we often talk about the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet as a way of ensuring that we are feeding our bodies with foods that are full of nutrients that serve to ensure our brains are given an excellent chance of being healthy. It is considered that following a Mediterranean style of eating, which is abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil as well as lean sources of protein, holds many benefits including lowering risk levels for heart and brain disease. So, it is worth a try.

If the idea of seriously revamping your way of eating seems overwhelming, start by taking ‘baby steps.’ Having a total revamp of your diet is not likely to be sustainable so making some small adjustments can help you achieve a ‘makeover’ to your plate that will help you reap great health benefits. The following are some ‘baby steps’ – small changes that will help to give our diets a healthy makeover.

Switch to extra virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. It helps to maintain a good balance between HDL ‘good cholesterol’ and LDL ‘bad cholesterol.’

Use olive oil in homemade dressings and vinaigrettes. It is also good used as a drizzle over cooked foods and as a substitute for butter in mashed potatoes and pastas.

Less red meat and more fish

Fish is the main source of protein in the Mediterranean diet- especially oily fish like salmon, sardines, or mackerel. This is because they are rich in heart and brain healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Having said that, all fish are a good source of protein. If you currently do not eat a lot of fish, try allocating one day per week as a ‘Fish Night’ or try adding fish to some of your favourite foods such as stir fries, stews, or soups.

Eat heaps of vegies

An effective way to increase your intake of vegies is to add one serving as a snack. For Instance, try having strips of capsicum, carrot, or cucumber for a morning or afternoon snack.

Using frozen veggies when cooking is an excellent choice as well as they

are snap frozen at the height of the harvesting season and retain all their nutrients.

Less refined foods and more whole grains

The more refined food is, the less fibre it contains. Whole foods such as quinoa, barley, rolled oats, corn, wholewheat bread and pasta are full of fibre, bringing all those health benefits with them. If you find it hard to switch from refined favourites, phase in wholegrains by using a blend of both and gradually adding more fibre.

Nibble on nuts

Nuts are another essential element of the Mediterranean Diet. Having a handful of nuts makes a satisfying snack containing fibre and minerals. If nuts are difficult to swallow, how about trying some of the amazing nut

butters that are available now days. Delight in fruit for dessert

Fresh fruits, especially berries, are a healthy way to indulge a sweet tooth. If it helps you to eat more, add a sprinkle of sugar to fruit that is tart. Keep fresh fruit visible at home - if it is visible and looks appealing, you are more likely to eat it. There are also many new fruits available at the supermarket, aim to expand your dietary repertoire by trying new fruit when you see it. Frozen fruit is also an excellent choice.

Take the time to take pleasure in your food

Eating food slowly helps you to read the signals your body sends out to give you awareness of when you have had enough to eat. If you eat slowly, you are more likely to know when you feel satisfied rather than eat until you are full. Its also good to enjoy sharing a meal with family or friends. That social component is also extremely good for brain health. You may be encouraged to start, or you may already have travelled some way in this nutritional journey towards better brain health. - It is never too late to start and there is always room to continue little by little, with small changes we can reap the rewards of eating well and giving our brains the best possible chance to thrive.

Helpful articles and websites

Can nutrition support healthy cognitive aging and reduce dementia risk? Amy Jennings and colleagues. British Medical Journal.

8 ways to follow the Mediterranean Diet for better health. December 2019 www.eating well.com

Cancer Society offers free support and a chance to give back

Did you know that 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage during their lifetime and that cancer is more common among older people?

Receiving a cancer diagnosis brings with it many questions such as:

• What sort of treatment will I receive?

• What will the side effects of treatment be?

• How will I get to my appointments?

The Cancer Society has a team of community-based support staff available to help you and your loved ones navigate through your cancer experience. They can help you find the answers you need to take some of the stress away so you can focus on your health.

These services are free and are funded by the community via donations, grants and fundraising events such as Daffodil Day and

Relay For Life. You can access support by calling 0800 226 237.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back to your community by doing some volunteering, the Cancer Society welcomes volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, meet new people and gain personal satisfaction by knowing that you are helping to reduce the impact of cancer within your community.

The Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day appeal is happening on Friday 25th August and is the perfect opportunity to give volunteering a go.

Each year, the Cancer Society requires about 8,000 volunteers around New Zealand to ensure Daffodil Day is a success. You can sign up to collect at a local supermarket for a couple of hours or you may want to be ambitious and take on a role as an Area Coordinator.

To sign up as a volunteer, get in touch with your local Cancer Society centre or go online to www. daffodilday.org.nz.

Cancer doesn’t stop, and with your help we won’t either.

A Mediterranean Diet is a way of ensuring that we are feeding our bodies with foods that are full of nutrients to improve brain health.

Opawa Public Library

Corner of Richardson Tce and Opawa Rd

Check out our:

* Adult books * Children’s books * DVDs

* Quiet Reading Areas * Kid’s activities

* Community room for hire

Aged Care Commissioner visits

For open hours and more information visit www.opawapubliclibrary.co.nz or facebook.com/opawapubliclibrary

Four levels of residential care

As discussed in our prior article there are four levels of residential care in New Zealand. This article aims to shed light on the different levels of residential care.

Rest Homes

Rest homes, also known as aged care facilities, are designed to provide accommodation and support for older people who can complete some tasks or assistance with some activities, but do not require extensive medical care. These facilities offer a comfortable living environment, communal dining areas, and social activities.

Long-Stay Hospital Care

Long-stay Hospital Care facilities cater to individuals who have significant medical problems or disabilities and therefore require more specialised care. These facilities have a higher ratio of staff to clients who assist residents with personal care, mobility, medication management, and other specialised needs.

Dementia Units

Dementia units focus on providing specialised care for individuals living with dementia or other mental illnesses. These units are designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents who could be a risk to themselves or others. Staff are trained to handle the unique

challenges associated with dementia and provide personalised care.

Psychogeriatric Units

Psychogeriatric units care for people with significant mental health or severe dementia or addiction disorders, who have challenging behavioural issues. These units require a high level of care and management from specialist staff in a secure environment.

Residential care facilities in New Zealand play a crucial role in providing support, accommodation, and specialised care to individuals with varying needs. Whether it is elderly individuals requiring assistance, individuals with disabilities or living with dementia or those in need of psychogeriatric care. The different care levels provide tailored services to enhance the well-being and quality of life of their residents.

By understanding the different types of residential care available, individuals and their families can make informed decisions regarding the most suitable care option for their specific needs. It’s important you have a team who can take the time to talk it through with you. Please contact us at Fleur McDonald Legal on 03 365 1595 or office@fmlegal. co.nz. Together, we’ll support you, or your loved one, as you find the best solution to meet your needs. A

Aged Care Commissioner, Carolyn Cooper, paid a visit to Age Concern Canterbury recently. Carolyn was appointed to the role with the Health and Disability Commission (HDC) in February 2022. Her appointment was seen as an opportunity to elevate HDC’s work to promote and protect the rights of people receiving aged care services. During her visit to Age Concern Canterbury, Carolyn took the opportunity to meet the staff, discuss our roles, and for us to highlight any relevant issues we encountered in our work.

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.

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

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

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

Steve Purcell, licensed antique dealer

Left: Carolyn Cooper, Aged Care Commssioner and right: Carolyn meets some of Age Concern Canterbury’s staff

No bare bums in real reading

by June Peka

Real Reading is 10 times more fun than Reality TV. No botox, bare bums, fake tans and crocodile tears –just good old life, and when it’s all about life in Godzone, you can ten times that again. I’ve loved these three in recent months. They’re all 10 out of 10 in my opinion.

Ruth Shaw’s two tiny bookshops at Manapouri tell just half of her life story, but cleverly she has wound the stories from within them around her extraordinary and eventful previous life. Baby boomers in particular will identify with her early years growing up rural in the 50s and 60s – the freedoms of fishing, digging caves, building huts, and then the Saturday night dances, trying a first cigarette, maybe a shandy, and boys.

It’s fair to say that the path of Ruth’s life was set forever at one such dance, when she was 17 and raped by a group of boys she’d thought were friends. Her pain is still palpable nearly 60 years later, compounded by the loss to adoption, of the baby boy who was born as a result of that first, brutal sexual experience.

You won’t be invited to feel pity for

Ruth, but if you have an ounce of empathy you will understand how her lifetime habits of avoidance of intimate relationships, her devilmay-care attitude to personal safety (and sometimes rules), her constant moving on, the come and go depression, all stem from that happening in 1964. The upside is that it makes for riveting real reading – about pirates on faraway seas, the King’s Cross red light zone, environmental issues, love (a few times before she settled down with Lance, the real love of her life) and laughter. Apparently Ruth had been encouraged for years to get these words on paper; well done to those who finally made it happen. There can’t be a sequel surely, but if I’m wrong I’ll be first in with an order.

Covid-19 Response Recognition Award

A Fish In The Swim Of The World. Ben Brown, Longacre Press 2006, 173 pages.

Actually this read is an 11 out of ten. I haven’t a clue why I didn’t get to pick

it up until it had been published for 16 years, as it has everything I want in a book. It might never make an action movie but its exquisite, tight, real, plain writing, so clear and concise as to be a perfect example of years of practise, and reading the works of other great writers, conjures up images on almost every page. In fact one can just about smell the candles, tobacco, gelignite and diesel on the day he and a mate made ‘the bomb’. Ben and his sister grew up with Ocker dad and Maori mum in tobacco country near the Motueka river in the 60s and 70s. His own story is cleverly entwined with theirs. He’s not effusive in praise of their solid examples and encouragement, but it’s palpable. With a philosophising role model who could make and fix anything Ben was always going to

turns out. I’ve always wondered what makes these sporty types tick, what drives them to achieve and succeed and push themselves till they feel pain. Thanks to her I now have some understanding.

be a practical man we feel, but that extra push from both, towards good reading has made an all rounder who probably never aspired to a position such as New Zealand’s First Reading Ambassador in 2021, but that’s who he is. Once again I’ve missed that, and I’m sad. A friend who attended a talk by Ben in Motueka recently, says my hunch was right – this straight talker comes across just as he writes, and with energy to burn.

I think I may have met Ben on stage at the Childrens’ Book Awards in 2010, but giddily failed to make the most of the occasion. He lives in Lyttelton I’m told. I’m offering a chocolate fish to the first person who can sort me out with a prime possie from which to view his apparently crazy genius, and have my hard-toget copy autographed of course.

above it.

Age Concern Canterbury is honoured to be a recipient of a Covid-19 Response Recognition Award.

The Award is a service award established by the New Zealand government in 2022 to recognise individuals and organisations who contributed to New Zealand’s frontline workforce COVID-19 response.

Our Ruby is so young, what can she know about life eh? A great deal as it

In good plain English (maybe not with the elegance of Ben Brown) Ruby begins the story of her happy first years with a very special mother and a hard case father who never quite got his shit together. She thanks his large traditional Samoan family for always being there for him, and for setting her on the right track, from the get-go. When her mother’s brutal and domineering partner entered their lives, she drew on those early lessons and further cultivated her natural gift for competitive sport. Embroiled in a life-style of drugs, abuse and tragedy which has seen many youngsters stray off the straight and narrow, in her teens Ruby chose to apply herself mentally and physically to rise

Her single-track mind and huge work ethic have seen Ruby rise to fame and household recognition, and to be a No 1 role model for girls and young women. This book is written for them surely, with her many plainspeaking “training bag” tips ie, ‘adults don’t always understand how much kids blame themselves when things in the families are bad’, ‘there’s no such thing as inevitable’, and ‘if I act from the heart I will always be able to look myself in the eye and have selflove’ and ‘set things up in the good times so those tools are ready for you in the tough times’.

I knew Ruby was something special when she stirred the crowd with “Tutira mai nga iwi”, after that spectacular World Cup win. This book, the icing on the cake, confirms it. Watch this space, this young woman can only go further, better, more.

The 2023 General Election will be held on Saturday, 14th October. If you’re eligible, you must enrol.

Enrolling and voting means you can have a say on the issues that affect you.

You’re eligible to enrol and vote if you are 18 years or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and you’ve lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life.

For electoral purposes, you are a permanent resident if you’re in New Zealand legally and not required to leave within a specific time.

Make sure you’re enrolled and ready to vote. You can enrol, check or update your details online at vote.nz or by calling the 24-hour Freephone number 0800 36 76 56 to get an enrolment form sent to you in the mail. Complete and sign the form. Upload, email or post your completed form.

The Bookseller At The End Of The World. Ruth Shaw, Allen & Unwin publishers 2022, 320 pages.

Straight Up. Ruby Tui with Margie Thomson, Allen & Unwin 2022, 318 pages.

Arthritis aid and circulation booster

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

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

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

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

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

Happy 60th Birthday to the Mini

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

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

“After using for only four days my Uncle’s swollen ankles disappeared before his eyes,” Susan, Cambridge. Aircycle is made in NZ, registered with Medsafe and has a lifetime warranty.

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

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

Arthritis aid and circulation booster

One of the most delightful films in the British Pathé archive is a feature entitled The British Motor Corporation present “The Incredible Seven”. A Ladybird book style family are liberated from public transport as the velvet tones of David de Keyser extols how the purchase of a new Mini has ‘transformed their lives’.

The Mini debuted on the 26th August 1959, and, two days later, Autocar magazine thought it ‘an outstanding car, providing unusual body space for its size’. ‘Wizardry on Wheels’ claimed the British Motoring Corporation but ‘the cheapest form of transport today’ was initially greeted with suspicion by many a Ford Popular owner. The De Luxe, with a heater and windscreen washers as standard, may have cost just £537 but the apparent lack of a boot and the transverse engine was further proof that the country was going to

the dogs.

By 1962, the Mini had overcome the objections of most conventional minded drivers along with such technical issues as rainwater seeping into the body. Unfortunately, it did not make a profit for the Corporation; when Ford costed the Mini’s components, they estimated the company was losing £30.00 per car.

There was also the faintly bizarre marketing; the Morris Mini Minor and the Austin Seven had identical specifications but different radiator grills to satisfy BMC’s dealership chains. But when the sales copy promised ‘exciting new motoring for the masses’, this proved to be no mere hyperbole – even if Mini ownership apparently results in “Dad” in the Pathé film wearing rather unfortunate cravats.

(Source: www.theoldie.co.uk)

Discussion on legal matters when someone dies

The very first Morris Mini-Minor in Arlington, Texas in 1959.

What is RGM?

NZ Respiratory Award recipient, Gary Syme

When Gary Syme was first diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), he didn’t even know what it was. Four years later Gary is the recipient of an NZ Respiratory Achievers Award for his work as the volunteer organizer of the Bishopdale Better Breathing Group.

After Gary’s initial diagnosis he attended a Pulmonary Rehab course. This eight-week programme is run by the Integrated Community Respiratory service and is the only evidence-based intervention available for people with COPD.

RGM stands for the Ronnie Gardiner Method. It’s an innovative, multi-sensory exercise session for the brain in which rhythm, music, verbalisation and movement are used to stimulate both cognitive and motor skills. If that sounds rather technical and daunting, don’t worry it isn’t really. The sessions are in fact a lot of fun and suitable for anyone with or without a musical background.

The creator of RGM is Ronnie Gardiner, an energetic 90-yearold Afro-American Jazz Drummer who hails from Rhode Island in the United States. He decided to create a means by which he could use his understanding of rhythm, music, and movement to enhance cognitive learning and neuroplasticity in the minds of those who practised it and there are now RGM practitioners worldwide working with older adults and people with neurological conditions. An added benefit is that RGM can be done seated or standing or a combination of both.

Winter Course at Age Concern

Due to generous funding from the

Hope Foundation we are delighted to be able to offer an eight-week course free of charge.

The Hope Foundation for Research on Ageing is a New Zealand charitable trust committed to resourcing the funding of research on ageing, disseminating research-based information about the effects of ageing, encouraging researchers in ageing to collaborate, and influencing decision makers to improve the quality of life for ageing New Zealanders. Their website is https://www.hopefoundation.org.nz/

The Winter course will run out of the Age Concern Canterbury’s Office 24 Papanui Road on a Tuesday at 3.15pm-4pm, starting on July 25th and running consecutively for 8 weeks until September 12th.

Gary quickly learned that exercise is key to helping with breathlessness and ongoing participation in Better Breathing community groups was strongly recommended. He also quickly learned that there was no such group in North West Christchurch area, so along with a fellow sufferer, he Helped organize the Bishopdale Better Breathing Group, and he has been the volunteer organizer of the group for the past three years.

Gary co-ordinates a team of volunteers, leads the exercises, and has created a fun and supportive environment for the participants.

The social interaction after the class is just as important as the exercises. The group’s success and popularity can be measured by the growth in regular attendees; from five or six in the early days to up to 30 today. While the group is aimed at those with respiratory ailments, there are a number of people who have joined the Bishopdale Group with other conditions. They find benefit from the exercise and enjoy the support and camaraderie that Gary, his wife Hetty and the other volunteers provide.

Heathcote Valley Community Voluntary Library

No charge for membership. New book rental is $1.00 for 3 weeks and older adult books .50 cents for 3 weeks. Childrens book rental is free.

Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2.00 to 4.00pm, Wednesday 11.00am to 12.00 noon, Saturday 10.30am to 12.00 noon.

RGM AT AGE CONCERN

RGM stimulates brain and body to keep cognitvely sharp.

weeks from

until

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Numbers are limited and registration is required which can be done by emailing Kris on kris@eamnz.com or if you want to know more you can phone her on 021 262 8886. The only criteria is that participants be over 65 and able to follow instructions.

Gary Syme, recipient of a NZ Respiratory Achievers’ Award.

Heathcote Valley Community Centre, 45 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley

AGE CONCERN CANTERBURY IS LOOKING FOR Energetic

New vehicle for Age Concern Canterbury

ENGERGETIC AND RELIABLE CLEANERS

Needed in all areas

Casual work only. Payment is on an hourly rate.

Drivers licence and an appropriate level of fitness is required.

For more information please phone Liz /Deb on 366-0903

Aspire Canterbury - inspiring independent living

Aspire Canterbury moved to a wellness centre supporting local people to live their best life. This Centre is called the BrainTree Wellness Centre, 70 Langdons Road, Papanui, Christchurch.

Aspire supports a broad range of people with disabilities and impairments. A charitable trust established in 1982, it assists children and adults living with neurological and/or physical disabilities and impairments. It provides the following services:

• Disability Information Services: Connecting people to community services and navigation of disability and health care systems.

• Total Mobility Scheme: Discounted taxi fares for those eligible.

• Shop and hire of mobility equipment: Over 400+ mobility products to remove barriers for everyday living.

• Mobile Service: Taking services out to you in the community.

It makes a difference to the communities it serves in living a life full of purpose and meaning. Within the BrainTree Wellness Centre, you will also find Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinson’s Canterbury, Dementia Canterbury, Stroke Foundation, and Southern Music Therapy.

The centre has a couple of seminar rooms, a studio, and a subsidised social area/whole food café allowing individuals to have an experience while they visit the charitable trust/s. The centre is available for use by the wider local community groups, providing a ‘place-based’ approach focused on engagement to access services, benefiting the people it serves.

Age Concern Canterbury was thrilled to receive a donation from the Rhodes Memorial Trust which has enabled the purchase of an additional vehicle for our fleet. Staff are regularly out and about in the community, so vehicle access is often at a premium. The above photo shows staff member Peter McGrath receiving the keys of the new Suzuki Swift from a Hollands Suzuki representative.

The car will soon be sign written with the Age Concern Canterbury logo and Rhodes Memorial Trust also acknowledged.

Jayne works to the benefit of her clients

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

Jayne brings the discipline and organisational skills of a dedicated Police Officer in the London Metropolitan Police and a Probation Officer here in New Zealand.

The wealth of knowledge and interpersonal skills she acquired in these diverse positions works to the benefit of her real estate clients.

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

Being passionate about property Jayne has bought, renovated and sold many times in New Zealand. Working with her own properties was so gratifying, she knew she had found her lifetime career.

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

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

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

Mobile: 027 517 7937

Office: (03) 327 5379

inspiring independent living

Shop and hire of assistive technology.

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So, come along to BrainTree, we’ll see you there!

Her career move into the Real Estate arena was fuelled by her passion for engaging with and helping the public.

Total Mobility Scheme- 75% off Taxi’s up to a maximum of $70 (terms and conditions apply) Mobile Services - connecting with the community. Disability Information Service - unbiased information, we are here

Email: jayne.martin@harcourts. co.nz

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and reliable cleaners are required to clean houses for older adults living in the community.

Health promoter chit chat

by Anna Tillman, Health Promoter, Age Concern Canterbury.

Winter, the season that sees us lighting the fire or turning the heating up, hunting out our warmest clothes and perhaps thinking more about staying inside where it is warmer rather than heading outside for a walk or an exercise class. As we all know, the winter season brings a lot of potential hazards. Sometimes it even brings the potential hazard of thinking it’s far too cold to exercise!! There are possible issues that we should all be aware of with the colder winter temperatures. Low temperatures can inhibit blood flow to the muscles leading to tighter muscles and decreasing range of movement. This could mean that slipping and falling holds a greater danger than usual, so it is essential to keep the body active during ALL times of the year, regardless of age. As our bodies age they naturally experience degeneration and weakening. Therefore, finding

ways to continuously strengthen our bodies, even throughout winter, is a fantastic way to stay in shape.

Often as we age the best ways to stay active are also the most social ways. Starting at, or continuing with, a local community class is a great way to help your body while having fun. The Steady As You Go classes that Age Concern Canterbury runs are a great way to work on strength, balance and mobility while providing the social aspect that is so important. There are over 35 Steady As You Go classes running in and around Christchurch now, so hopefully you will be able to find one that is local to you. The up-to-date list is on our Age Concern Canterbury website, and it is published in this magazine as well. Alternatively, you are more than welcome call me direct to get any further details.

Remember as always to stay safe and pain free when you exercise. Listen to your body and adjust your routine if necessary, stopping if you

Steady As You Go (SAYGo)

Falls Prevention – Exercise Classes in Canterbury (April 2023)

experience acute pain, dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat. Warm up and cool down. Aim to do a few minutes of light activity (arm swings, shoulder rolls, marching on the spot, light stretching) before and after exercise. Drink water to remain hydrated and wear sensible clothing. Have fun!

Some indoor winter exercises:

Heel Toe stand: Standing, holding onto a support with one hand. Place one foot in front of the other, with the heel of one foot touching the toe of the other. Hold for a count of 10. Repeat twice each side. To increase the challenge, use your hands less and/or hold for a count of 15.

One leg stand: Holding onto a support, raise one foot off the floor, trying to balance on one leg. Hold for a count of 10. Repeat twice each

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.

side. To increase the challenge, use your hands less and/or hold for a count of 15.

Inside walking: If you are able to, you could try going to your local mall and walking around the interior of this. If you don’t have a mall handy try walking inside your house in a circuit, being aware of lifting your feet, adding in marching steps with an arm swing, taking higher steps and taking longer steps. If you are unable to walk freely inside then do the same sitting, marching and running your legs, adding in purposeful arm swings.

Happy exercising, and as always, I look forward to hearing from you with any questions, queries or suggestions. Email anna.tillman@ ageconcerncan.org.nz or phone 03 3317811.

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.

James Church Hall, Harewood Rd, airport end

Mon 2.00pm Papanui (On Hold) Papanui Village Presbyterian Church, Frank Street

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

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

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

Tues. 10.00am Woolston (Private) Streamside Court Community Centre, 27 Streamside Court.

Tues. 10.00am Fendalton (starts 20 June) St Barnabas Church Hall, Fendalton. Christchurch.

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

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

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

Wed 11.00am Halswell Te Hapua, Halswell Service Centre and Library, 341 Halswell Rd

Wed 1.30pm Lincoln Lincoln Community Care, Lyttelton St,

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

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

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

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

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

Thurs. 11.00am Avonhead (starts 27 April) St Christophers Church, 244 Avonhead Road, Avonhead

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

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

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

Fri. 11.00am Opawa Opawa Community Church, cnr Opawa Rd and Aynsley Tce

NORTH CANTERBURY

Day time AREA Location of class

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

Tues. 11.00am Rangiora (starts 4 April) RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora

Wed 10.00am Rangiora Ballarat Retirement Village, 21 Ballarat Rd

Wed 11.00am Amberley Amberley Library, RSA Room

Thurs 10.30am Rotherham Rotherham Hotel, 42 George St

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

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

Thurs 1.30pm Rangiora RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora

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

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

Please note the new classes at: St Christopher’s Church, Avonhead on Thursdays at 11.00am and St Barnabas Church Hall, Fendalton on Tuesdays at 10.00am (from 20th June)

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

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

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

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

Keeping the complex story of Anzac Day relevant

What happened on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey 108 years ago has shocked and shaped Aotearoa New Zealand ever since. The challenge in the 21st century, then, is how best to give contemporary relevance to such an epochal event.

The essence of the Anzac story is well known. As part of the first world war British Imperial Forces, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzacs) landed at Gallipoli on April 25 1915. For eight months they endured the constant threat of death in terrible living conditions. Ultimately, their occupation of that narrow piece of Turkish coast failed. The 30,000 Anzacs were evacuated after eight months. More than 2,700 New Zealand and 8,700 Australian soldiers died, with many more wounded.

The first anniversary of the landing was a day of mourning, with Anzac Day becoming a public holiday in 1922. It has grown to include all those who served and died in later international conflicts.

Over time, narratives and themes have emerged from that “origin story”: of Aotearoa New Zealand’s emergence as a nation, proving itself to Britain and Empire; of the brave, fit, loyal soldier-mates who emblemised the Kiwi spirit of egalitarianism, fairness and duty. All this mingled with the lasting shock and underlying anger at class hierarchy and the British leadership’s incompetence. Historians know well that the “Anzac spirit” is a complex and everevolving idea. In 2023, what do we teach children about its meaning and significance? One way forward is to rethink those Anzac narratives in a more complex way.

Colonialism and class

The Anzac story is tied up in the nation’s history as part of the British

Empire. The Anzac toll was just part of a staggering 46,000 “Britons”, including many from India and Ireland, who died at Gallipoli. Some 86,000 Turks also died defending their peninsula. We need to teach about the Anzac sacrifice in the context of a global conflict where the magnitude of loss was horrific.

Importantly, Anzac themes are bound up in early forms of colonial nationalism: New Zealand proving itself to Britain and developing its own fighting mentality on battlefields far from home. Part of this involves the notion of incompetent British commanders who let down the Anzac troops – but this is part of a bigger story.

Focusing on imperial and class hierarchies of the time can place what happened in that broader context. The legendary story of Chunuck Bair, taken on August 8 by Colonel William Malone’s Wellington Regiment, but where most of the soldiers were killed when they weren’t relieved in time, is particularly evocative.

Māori and the imperial project

From our vantage point in the present, of course, we cannot ignore the Māori experience of war and colonialism. As the historian Vincent O’Malley has suggested, New Zealand’s “great war” of nationmaking was actually Ngā pakanga o Aotearoa – the New Zealand Wars.

It’s time to teach the complexity of this past and the multiple perspectives on it. For example, Waikato leader Te Puea Hērangi led opposition to WWI conscription and spoke against Māori participation on the side of a power that had only recently invaded her people’s land.

Conversely, Māori seeking inclusion in the settler nation did participate. On July 3 1915, the 1st Māori Contingent landed at Anzac Cove. Te Rangi Hiroa (Sir Peter Buck) (Ngāti

Mutunga) was to say: Our feet were set on a distant land where our blood was to be shed in the cause of the Empire to which we belonged.

These words echo the familiar Anzac trope of the New Zealand nation being born at Gallipoli. Such sentiments led to postwar pilgrimages to retrace the steps of ancestors and claim the site as part of an Anzac heritage. For many young New Zealanders it has become a rite of passage. That a visit to Anzac Cove is still more popular than visiting the sites of Ngā pakanga o Aotearoa is something our teaching can investigate.

Mateship and conformity

The notion of the Anzac soldier as courageous and beyond reproach, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for nation and empire, is also overdue for revision. The “glue” of mateship –a potent combination of masculine bravery and strength with extreme loyalty to fellow soldiers – is again a contested narrative.

By the 1970s, as historian Rowan Light’s work shows, there was a significant challenge to such perceptions from the counterculture, peace protesters and feminists. And by the 1980s, veterans were sharing their stories more candidly with writer Maurice Shadbolt and war historian Chris Pugsley. Teaching about the meaning of mateship might examine the history of those peer-pressured into participating in war, those who were conscripted and had no choice,

and more on the fate of conscientious objectors like Archibald Baxter. At its worst, the idea of mateship was window dressing for uniformity and parochialism.

New Zealanders today have complex multicultural and global roots. We have ancestors who were co-opted to fight on different sides in 20th-century wars, including those who fought anti-colonial wars in India, Ireland and Samoa. Some came here as refugees escaping conflict. Jingoism and what it really represents deserves critical analysis.

Poppies and peace

The ubiquitous poppy, an icon much reproduced in classrooms, is also ripe for contextualisation and debate over its meaning. In the age of global environmental crisis, it can be seen as more than a symbol of sacrifice immortalised in verse and iconography. The poppy also reminds us of the landscapes devastated by the machinery of war that killed and maimed people, plants and animals. It contains within it lessons about the threats science and technology can pose to a vulnerable planet.

Anzac Day rose from the shock, loss and grief felt by those on the home front. Beyond the familiar tropes of nationalism, mateship and egalitarianism, this remains its overriding mood. Remembering and learning about the terrible physical and mental cost of war is the real point of those familiar phrases “lest we forget” and “never again”. That spirit of humanitarianism chimes with Aotearoa New Zealand’s modern role and evolving self-image as a peacekeeping, nuclear-free nation.

Anzac Day also speaks to the need for global peace and how war is no solution to conflict. Those are surely lessons worth teaching.

(Source: www.theconversation.com)

Unplanned weight loss and malnutrition is common in older people

It may surprise you to know, unplanned weight loss or malnutrition is more common in older people than any other

age group. As we age we may lose weight for a number of reasons, such as:

• decreased appetite

• loss of muscle and bone mass

• struggling to chew and swallow food and fluids (dysphagia)

• illness, medication and disability

garnishes, add salt, spices, stocks or sugar

• moisten food with gravy, sauces and condiments for swallowing

MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT?

IS AGEING, DISABILITY, INJURY OR ILLNESS

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

We can help. We come to you.

For more information contact:

Telephone: (03) 377 5280

Fax: (03) 377 5281

admin@tpl.nz

www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz

• loss of sight and hearing

• loss of taste and smell

• stress, poor sleep and fatigue

• loneliness, depression or boredom

• a tighter budget

• difficulty shopping

• few cooking skills or low motivation to eat and cook alone

• alcohol intake

• inactive and don’t feel as hungry

If you are losing weight unintentionally see your Doctor to rule out any underlying health problem. Other things you can do to maintain or increase your weight are:

• have three small tasty meals a day with small snacks in between

• serve good looking meals and snacks on a smaller plate

• add extra calories with butter, margarine, syrups, grated cheese, cream etc

• have tasty meals and snacks – use

• eat your main meal when you are most hungry and awake

• reduce distractions and conversation while eating

• eat while comfortable and relaxed

• chop or grate harder-textured foods for swallowing problems

• ensure dentures fit well

• monitor weight monthly, no more

• fortify your milk - whisking 1 cup milk powder with 2 litres blue milk and use in drinks, cereals, and desserts

If, after ruling out an underling health problem and trying these suggestions, you continue to lose weight, ask a Dietitian or your Doctor about oral nutritional supplements. Supplements don’t replace a balanced diet they complement it.

If you want some help with changing your diet our friendly Dietitian can help.

Just contact us at Therapy Professionals Ltd, Ph: 03 3775280 or email: admin@ tpl.nz

Have you ever driven to work and realised you didn’t remember driving there? Have you eaten dinner and afterwards realised you hardly tasted the food? That happens to all of us at some time. Many of us live on autopilot. We go through routine motions; we worry about the future, or we spend time going over an argument we had in the past. That’s the problem many of us have, we don’t live in the present. We don’t pay attention to what is happening in our lives right now, at this very moment.

Mindfulness is about keeping our attention on what is happening inside of us and the world around us, moment to moment, so we can focus on what’s happening now without being distracted- not overwhelmed with incessant, often distracting thought. Being fully present helps us to pay attention to something as simple as really experiencing the rich aroma of coffee, the sound of birds singing, the sound of rain or the feeling of anger or joy in our bodies. Mindfulness is about purposefully taking time to connect with all the life experiences we have every day, without judging them, just being fully present every moment in our own lives with openness and curiosity.

Though it has its roots in Buddhist meditation, a secular practice of mindfulness has entered the mainstream in recent years. An

enormous amount of evidencebased research has been done which highlights the physical and mental health benefits of mindfulness. This has inspired countless programmes to practice and coach mindfulness in schools, prisons, hospitals, and beyond.

Why practice it?

Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness can bring a variety of physical, psychological, and social benefits. Here are some of these benefits:

* Mindfulness is good for our minds Several studies have found that mindfulness increases positive emotions while reducing negative emotions and stress.

* Mindfulness changes our brains: Research has found that it increases density of gray matter in brain regions linked to learning, memory, emotion regulation, and empathy.

* Mindfulness helps us focus: Studies suggest that mindfulness helps us tune out distractions and

improves our memory, attention skills, and decision-making.

* Mindfulness affects the way we see ourselves: More mindful people have a stronger sense of self and seem to act more in line with their values. They may also have a healthier body image, more secure self-esteem, and more resilience to negative feedback.

How do I learn mindfulness?

Mindfulness can’t be learnt by talking or reading about it. Mindfulness is experiential. It is not something that you do for 30 minutes a day and then forget about or do for an eight-week course and then you’ve “got it”. A regular practice of mindfulness is essential to train our attention and gain the benefits of mindful awareness in all aspects of our lives.

Are you interested in finding out more about mindfulness and find out how to establish your own practice?

Age Concern Canterbury is looking at running an eight-week programme to provide you with an understanding of mindfulness and opportunities to experience formal and informal practices to bring mindfulness into daily life. To register your interest please contact Age Concern Canterbury on 03 366 0903 or email team@ageconcerncan.org.nz

Retirement ‘villageopoly’ highlights costly fishhooks

Villageopoly, a game designed to illustrate the costly fishhooks in retirement village contracts, in a campaign for better consumer protection for residents, has helped pave the way for change.

lifetime but without taking ownership of the property itself.

to departing residents to cover care costs until their capital is returned.

Steph Gifford, Senior Associate

Retirement village living is becoming increasingly popular with over 50,000 Kiwis living in retirement villages, and around 100 Kiwis moving into one every week.

With numbers like this, it seems timely that the residential village industry gets an overhaul. A package of reforms is currently on the table to combat the ‘unfair contract terms’ in some occupation right agreements, proving costly for many residents.

An occupation right agreement is the formal document you sign to ‘buy’ your unit at a retirement village and gives you a right to occupy a unit. That means you’re purchasing the right to live in a unit during your

The purchase price is repaid to you after you leave the unit or die, less a management fee which is automatically deducted each year from the purchase price. There are also additional weekly fees and care costs.

Each village can set its own rules and include these in its occupation right agreements. If you’re looking to sign up to a residential village, you’re required by law to get independent legal advice before you sign any agreement.

The key reforms include:

• ‘Unfair’ clauses to be removed from occupation right agreements.

• Interest to be paid to former residents for capital held if their unit does not sell within nine months.

• Weekly fees cannot be charged if a contract is terminated or the resident leaves.

• Better support for residents moving into another facility. This includes the villages lending money

• Clarification about who is responsible for the maintenance of chattels.

• Management fees cannot be

deducted once you’ve left the unit.

The Residential Villages Association representing 95 percent of all Kiwi villages has voluntarily adopted the reforms to trial over a 12 month period, so watch this space.

Mindfulness: paying attention to what is happening in our lives right now, at this very moment

My two cents

by June Peka

Horses, facebook friends and versatile chokos

Being a chubby kid at school in the fifties was not a lot of fun. The fact we were a rare breed then – only three at my school – made us easy targets. Jo was semi-accepted because her Dad owned the only theatre but Sue and I had no redeeming qualities. In fact she wore glasses too, poor girl. But that all changed, for me at least, when I got into horses at about eleven years-old. My Dad somehow conjured up the beautiful huge, lumbering, old hairy-legged Koko; just what an L-Plater needed, slow, solid as, shy-proof and gentle.

My mother was anti horse, labelling them all “dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle” but being an avid vegie gardener she loved the size of Koko’s poos, and eventually warmed to him as well.

Koko didn’t come with a bridle or saddle or any instructions at all for that

matter, but he incurred no expense either. Our small town was such that free grazing was plentiful close to home and school. Ninety per cent of the roads were pumice so horses were never shod. There wasn’t a vet for 50 miles. When I thought Koko needed something I’d consult my grandfather’s encyclopaedia and hike off to the chemist for a list of ingredients with which to mix into an emollient or Vaseline to slather on him. Sulphur was free from the ground all around us.

A year later the very handsome Boxer came along, also against Mum’s wishes. For five pounds, he came with a flash white leather bridle, was smaller, speedy, nimble, finelegged and, like old Koko, bombproof. It was a juggling match so I passed Koko on to another learner and when the other horsey kids spotted my new

How to avoid mixing your metaphors

It’s not rocket surgery.

First, get all your ducks on the same page. After all, you can’t make an omelette Without breaking stride.

Be sure to watch what you write

With a fine-tuned comb.

Check and re-check until the cows turn blue.

It’s as easy as falling off a piece of cake.

Don’t worry about opening up

A whole hill of beans:

You can always burn that bridge when you come to it, if you follow where I’m coming from.

Concentrate! Keep your door closed

And your enemies closer.

Finally, don’t take the moral high horse: If the metaphor fits, walk a mile in it.

Brian Bilston

boy, suddenly I had mana. Boxer and I were regularly challenged to race hell for leather down the steep hill on Tamatea Avenue. We were best mates, and never beaten. We were the A team. We roamed for miles, once meeting legendary George Wilder in the bush. Even my Mum swore that Boxer and I “communed” on a special level. But one weekend I got distracted by new teen happenings - milkbar meetings, boys, jukeboxes and dances – and Boxer’s tether pulled down the guttering and downpipes at a holiday home. He was impounded and Mum and Dad, in rare agreement, declined to pay to get him out. On sale day I went with my savings but was outbid by a ginger chap I recognised as Mr Rowland from Oruanui. He put his arm around me as I cried, and promised I could come to visit my boy at any time.

Sixteen years, three kids, and a marriage and divorce later I rung Mr Rowland from a Taupo phone box to hear that my Boxer was still fit and well, but they’d all just moved to a property which we’d have had to backtrack to, and thus possibly miss connections further south. I always regretted not being able to make that work. BUT.... fast forward another 45 years, and thanks to Facebook I’ve been able to make contact with Mr Rowland’s daughter Rae a few years younger than me, and a bit of a horsey girl too. I do remember seeing her around, but we were never buddies. Now we are. We’ve had a lovely couple of years chatting and reminiscing, and found lots in common – bees, birds, plants and gardens. She can even grow bananas and chokos in her patch in the far north. Her honey is pure manuka. She’s still bashing the bush, nowadays as a USAR team member. So when Rae came to Christchurch for a conference this year she tacked on a couple more days and we spent many hours chewing the fat. There wasn’t one second of uncomfortable silence.We decided we’d had the most fabulous growing up years. And the best thing for me has been to learn that her Dad was indeed the very nice chap I perceived him to be that day in 1960.

Rae sent a box of chokos when she got home because I’m making an even bigger effort than normal in recent times to turn out colourful meals. Five plus a day in multi hues has gotta be good for us. Curiously beautiful to behold, they’re not much in the flavour department though. Much like a marrow crossed with tofu, they’re useful for taking on the flavours of the more exotic ingredients in a dish.

I chipped and roasted a couple with feta cheese and tomatoes and herbs, and had another in a Japanese curry, and there are three chopped and frozen for soup duty. I’ve still got one Rae left the roots on, but I don’t think that’s going to be planted on our patch. This season I’ve grown pumpkin and kamokamo in amongst the pretty stuff. There’s no more space for rampant wanderers.

Boxer was smaller, speedy, nimble, fine-legged and bombproof.

June and Rae.