Anglican Care Reflections - Summer 2021

Reflections 2021 SUMMER EDITION

Bringing aged care TO GLOUCESTER Hear about our GOVERNANCE CHANGES Celebrating the FESTIVE SEASON

Embracing the New Year together As 2021 begins, we have much to look forward to as our new ‘Better Together’ strategy continues to progress. Our Better Together strategy aims to simply the governance structure of the Newcastle Anglican Diocese by creating one overarching board named Newcastle Anglican Corporation (NAC), replacing the four individual boards of its agencies and schools.

Part of this exciting restructure will enable enhanced collaboration across the Diocesan agencies and schools with a number of new Executive Director roles being established, as well as the appointment of a Diocesan Chief Executive. Read more about our new leadership team on page 3.

A message from Dr Peter Stuart, Bishop of Newcastle, President of Anglican Care I am sometimes asked what I see when I walk into a building. Do I see the colours? Do I see the way it is built or the maintenance that needs to be done? Do I see the pictures on the wall? When I walk into a building, I see the people! Grey hair, coloured hair, no hair! Walking with sticks, sitting in a chair or darting from place to place! I see the people – First Nations people and later arrivals, people from many lands and those whose families once called the United Kingdom their home.

In November, we gathered key people from the agencies, schools and parishes belonging to the Anglican Church in the NSW Hunter and Central Coast regions. At that leaders' consultation, we said “we will see the people!”. We affirmed again, “that the people we serve will be at the centre of our work!”

This approach is inspired by the way of Jesus! It comes from his command and teaching to ‘love our neighbours as ourselves’. We know that Jesus had great compassion on people who were hurting, wounded or dispossessed. We know that he went out of his way to attend to people in need and welcome those who were isolated. As a faith-based organisation, we can do no less than this!

A big part of placing people at the centre of our work is making sure we know people’s stories. To laugh and cry with them; to learn from their wisdom and delight in their experience. People matter! It’s also about hearing their aspirations and goals. To see and share with them what the future can bring!

Our leaders’ consultation was the first in many years and was the first since the Diocese changed its governance structures in October. Anglicans in this region have recognised that, if we are to offer our best and be sustainable over the long-term, we must make decisions differently. We’ve decided that our success will come from all parts of this region’s Anglican Church working together rather than by themselves. Building on the good things of the past, we’re committed to making a difference for people and doing this for many years to come.

We’re investing in our clergy, staff and volunteers and we’re centring our work around the people we serve – • • • • •

assuring them of their safety; celebrating diversity; healing the hurt of the past; providing high quality spiritual and pastoral care; and along the way, living the way of Jesus.

WHO ARE WE? Anglican Care is dedicated to enhancing the lifestyles of seniors by providing exceptional Residential Aged Care, Retirement Living, and Community and Home Care services to the Newcastle, Central Coast and Mid Coast regions.

Anglican Care is the Aged Care Ministry of the Anglican Church of Newcastle and is a not-for-profit organisation.

Front cover features Dr David Gillespie MP and Bishop Sonia Roulston at the opening of Mirrabooka Place in Gloucester.

GET IN TOUCH P 1800 733 553 E accareenquiry@anglicancare.com.au www.anglicancare.com.au Anglican Care Corporate Administration 87 Toronto Rd, Booragul NSW 2284

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK /anglicancarelifestyles

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Looking for a career in Aged Care?

We employ a huge range of roles across many fields of employment.

To find out what jobs are available, go to our Careers page on our website.

WANTING TO VOLUNTEER? We have an extensive volunteer program that is vital to supporting seniors in our community. You too could become a valuable volunteer, discover new friendships and sense of community.

To find out more, give our office a call or go to the Volunteer page on our website.

Senior’s Day 2020 VIRTUAL

giving back to community Last year Anglican Care partnered with Lake Macquarie City Council to bring the community an online Senior’s Day, which replaced our annual live event due to the pandemic restrictions.

Taking the show online made the events team a little nervous, however they need not of worried. The 2020 Virtual Senior’s Day was incredibly popular with 268 registrations. In fact, the team received positive feedback from over forty seniors, telling them how much they enjoyed the show.

Kylie Jacques, co-host of the Senior’s Day and Marketing Manager at Anglican Care said, “We know from the popularity of our podcast ‘Let’s Talk Seniors’ that seniors are hungry for information that is relevant to them, especially from experts in their chosen discipline. Our community had missed out on attending live and in-person events due to COVID-19, so we decided to partner with Lake Macquarie City Council and bring the show to them, in the safety of their own lounge room. We were blown away by the number of registrations with ages ranging from 39 to 99!”

Session 1 features Newcastle’s only Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Natalie Pulsford of Pulsford Physio, who discusses falls and demonstrates exercises to help prevent falls.

In Session 2, Geriatrician Dr John Ward outlines the common issues people face with getting a good night’s sleep and gives his top tips.

Followed by Session 3 on sundowning and dementia with Janean Cole General Manager, Residential Care.

During Session 4, Jennifer Linton-Webb and Peta McGrath from Lake Macquarie City Council chat about the many local activities available especially for seniors in the City.

In Session 5, the final session, Kylie and Michelle speak with Chris Giles, General Manager Community Care Services, about the effects the virus is having on seniors' activities and routines, as well as recommending ways to combat feelings of isolation.

Why not grab a cuppa and watch the show on your iPad or tablet today?

www.anglicancare.com.au/2020seniorsday

It’s not too late to watch our 2020 Virtual Senior’s Day! Because of the popularity of the 90-minute virtual event, the show has been made available for all to see via our website.

The online Senior’s Day show, hosted by Kylie Jacques and Michelle Payne (hosts of 'Let’s Talk Seniors') includes an amazing line-up of experts.

Impacts of Coronavirus As we know, 2020 was a very challenging year as we faced a crisis unlike any we have faced before. One that has had massive health, economic and personal implications. 2021 will continue to bring with it challenges as we navigate a new ‘normal’ and what that might look like for us as a country, and closer to home, for our Anglican Care community. Given the particular risks that COVID-19 presents to older people, at all times as an organisation we have tried to find the right balance between protecting people’s health, safety and wellbeing, while trying to minimise the social isolation and disconnection residents and consumers are feeling.

We will continue to review visitation in our residential aged care homes prompted by advice from NSW Health. At all times aware that requirements may need to be revised dependent on the COVID-19 situation within the community. For example, if there is an increased number of localised outbreaks within the areas in which we operate. We are also slowly reintroducing attendance at our Day Therapy Centres and our home care packages continue to be delivered with a strong focus on sound infection control practices.

As always, we urge everyone to continue to be vigilant with hand hygiene and social distancing.

If you feel like you need to talk to someone about COVID-19, COTA Australia has teamed up with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), National Seniors and Dementia Australia to provide the Older Person’s COVID-19 Support Line. Supported by the Federal Government, they are able to answer questions, provide help, support and resources to all older Australians who are affected by COVID-19.

You can reach the Older Person’s COVID-19 Support Line on 1800 171 866.

Discover more about

our governance Anglican Care is now governed by the Board of the Newcastle Anglican Corporation (NAC).

The NAC Board has the following 12 members: Dr Peter Stuart, Robert Buck, Mark Hedges, Michelle Jarvie, Lyn McEwan, Helen Murray, Wayne Russell, Lee Shearer, Richard Turnbull, Prof. Graham Vimpani, Fiona Williams, Bishop Charlie Murry and Bishop Sonia Roulston.

Dr Peter Stuart is President of the NAC Board Dr Stuart became the Bishop of Newcastle on 2 February 2018 after having served as Assistant Bishop from 2 February 2009. He has administered the Diocese on two occasions (2013 and 2017). Bishop Peter has considerable experience in not-for-profit governance, risk management, policy development, communication and financial administration. He has previously served on the Board of Anglicare Tasmania Inc, Glenview Nursing Home Inc (Tas), Julia Farr Services (SA), the Julia Farr Association (SA), St Peters College (SA). Bishop Peter has previously been a member of the Diocesan Council in the Diocese of Tasmania and Adelaide as well as member of the Long Service Leave Board of General Synod. In Newcastle, he has served as the chair of each of the Diocesan Schools, the Samaritans Foundation, the Trustees of Church Property and the Diocesan Council.

Meet the Diocesan Chief Executive, Coralie Nichols Coralie commenced in the role of Diocesan Chief Executive on 16 March 2020.

She brings to the Diocese significant management, business and entrepreneurial expertise as well as widely acknowledged leadership skills in managing people and change. Coralie is passionate about innovation and excellence. The Diocesan Chief Executive leads the financial, administrative, risk and governance work of the Diocese undertaken by the Newcastle Anglican Corporation and the staff of the Diocesan Office. She works closely with the Bishop, the Assistant Bishops and Executive Directors who form the Diocesan Executive Leadership Team. Prior to commencing in this role, Coralie was the General Manager of Dungog Shire Council. She has also worked as the Director of Community Service at Sunshine Coast Regional Council (QLD) and CEO of Anglicare Northern Territory. Coralie has a lifelong association with the Anglican Church. She was a finalist in the 2017 Telstra Queensland Business Women’s Awards and won the 2016 Australian Business Award (ABA 100) for Community Contribution for Council’s Social Strategy.

Have you considered your

future care needs?

Whether you need support to remain independent at home with our home care services, or 24-hour care in a residential home, Anglican Care is here for you.

Call us today for all your aged care needs

1800 733 553

www.anglicancare.com.au

AWARD NOMINATION We were honoured to be named as a finalist in the 2020 Australian HR Awards for Best Graduate Development Program in conjunction with Joblink Plus Training and Smart Training & Consulting Group. prestigious Awards celebrate AsThese you age your sense of thirst the outstanding the becomes harder achievements to recognise,of which country’s top HR leaders, companies is why you may not realise you are and teams,until and garner entriesand from dehydrated other signs some of the top organisations symptoms arise?

Let’s talk hydration As you age your sense of thirst becomes harder to recognise, which is why you may not realise you are dehydrated until other signs and symptoms arise.

Summer is here and as the weather warms up and you begin spending more time outdoors it’s important to stay hydrated to keep your body functioning at its best. Keeping hydrated is important to help cool your body, excrete waste products, prevent dry mouth and promote cardiovascular health.

So how much do you need to drink or consume to keep up your levels of hydration?

across Australia. To give you an idea ofisthe of warms the up Summer herecalibre and as of thesome weather companies we weremore up against in and you begin spending time outdoors category, they included Allianz it’sour important to stay hydrated to keep your body functioning at Kraft its best.

Keeping Australia, AMP, Heinz andhydrated is important to helpwith coolVetPartners your body, excrete Minter Ellison the waste products, prevent dry mouth and eventual winner.

Given each day we lose around 2.5L of water a day through urine, faeces, sweat promote cardiovascular health. and insensible water loss – we all need to be replacing our fluids regularly. The With the recruitment of great Did you know your body is made up of 50recommended* fluid intake for people over 50 employees an ongoing challenge 65% water? is 2.1 litres for women and 2.6 litres for men. not only for Anglican Care, but other (*Australian Gov. National Health & Medical Research Council)

providers in70% theof aged industry, Approximately yourcare body’s fluid is our Traineeship program has been contained in your cells, with the remaining It is also important to remember to stay 30% within ancontained innovative wayyour for blood us to plasma, work hydrated before, during, and after structured and the space between blood vessels towards overcoming this issue. exercise, outdoor activities and walks as there organs and cells.

Did you know your body is made up of 50-65% is an increase of your fluid losses from sweat.

Exposure to high temperatures, fever, COVID-19 certainly brought about a water? occurs when there is excess fluid diarrhoea and vomiting will also increase your Dehydration number of challenges to the program loss from the body due to inadequate fluid water elimination.

Approximately 70% of your body’s fluid is and illness, the face to face physical component. intake, prolonged activity and contained in your cells, with the remaining 30% Again we were able to come upresults with exposure to high temperatures.

This contained within your blood plasma, organs and Here are 5 tips to increase your fluid solution by tapping into theand in a angreat imbalance of minerals, electrolytes the space between blood vessels and cells. intake: availability of trained hospitality water in your body which can have serious health impacts and can exacerbate people that had lost their jobsany due Dehydration occurs when there is excess fluid 1. Include a drink with all meals and existing conditions you mayagility have. and to COVID-19 and with loss from the body due to inadequate fluid mid-meals. responsiveness in mind, the People intake, illness, prolonged physical activity and 2. Leave a water bottle or water jug and Workplace proposed LOOK OUT FOR team THESE SIGNS aOF exposure to high temperatures. This results in house areas that you frequently in an imbalance of minerals, electrolytes and 2020 traineeship intake without the DEHYDRATION: visit. water in your body which can have serious pre-vocational aspect. Choosing health impacts and can exacerbate any existing 3. When travelling take a water bottle offer MOUTH a job, rather than a training • toDRY AND SUNKEN with you conditions you may have. course, due to the economic LOOK OUT FOR THESE SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION: •

DRY MOUTH AND SUNKEN EYES

•

FEELING FATIGUED

•

LIGHT-HEADEDNESS

•

CONFUSION AND DIZZINESS

•

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

•

INCREASED HEART RATE

•

DECREASED URINARY OUTPUT

•

DELIRIUM

4. Keep a fluid tally or set an alarm every 1-2 hours as a reminder to have a drink.

5. Fluid doesn’t have to be in the form of drinks. Yoghurt, custard, icecream, icy-poles, jelly, fruit, soups and stews also increase your fluid intake.

AUTHOR: Kate McDermott, Accredited Practising Dietitian at Alkira Day Therapy and Respite Centre.

Read more of our fabulous editorials via the News section of our website.

EYES environment.

• FEELING FATIGUED set of trainees had fantastic • This LIGHT HEADEDNESS skills in safe food handling, infection control, communication and highlevel customer service, all of which are highly transferable to the aged care industry and has allowed us to gain a whole new group of fantastic new team members in both our Residential Care Services and Community & Home Care.

Introducing

ability to drive economic growth and build a stronger regional community in the Gloucester area.

MIRRABOOKA PLACE

Unfortunately due to the current uncertain times and COVID-19 it was a different type of event where we were not able to invite as many people as we would have liked and were unable to mingle and share each other’s company as freely as we normally would but as always the safety and wellbeing of our residents, consumers, staff and of course, our special guests was our priority.

The hive of activity that has been Clement Street in Gloucester over the past 24 months, finally came to fruition as Anglican Care and the Gloucester community celebrated the official opening of Mirrabooka Place on Thursday, 15 October 2020.

Our Official Host for the event was Coralie Nichols, Diocesan Chief Executive. Unfortunately the Bishop of Newcastle, Bishop Peter Stuart was unable to attend on the day but we were very fortunate to have Bishop Sonia Roulston, the Assistant Bishop of Newcastle – Inland Episcopate joining with other members of our official party who included: •

The Honourable Dr David Gillespie MP, Federal Member for Lyne

•

Reverend Andrew Harrison, Chaplain, Anglican Care

•

Karen Freeman, Residential Care Manager, Mirrabooka Place

•

Brad Webb, Executive Director People Care

•

Gerard Bowen, Executive Director Asset Management

•

Uncle Ken Eveleigh, Local Worimi Elder, who conducted the Welcome to Country ceremony.

To celebrate the opening of a facility such as Mirrabooka Place is a great achievement and a fine example of what can be accomplished with the calibre of the people who work both for and with Anglican Care and the broader Diocese. The project was a collaborative one, with Anglican Care being named back in 2015 the successful proponent for the transfer of the existing aged care licenses from Gloucester Hospital by Hunter New England Health. Anglican Care committed to constructing a new, purposebuilt aged care facility to match the needs of Gloucester’s ageing community, including those people living with dementia.

Ms Nichols acknowledged that this $17 million development was well supported by the Australian Government with a substantial contribution of $8M funding under the Building Better Regions Funding program. As an organisation we are very grateful to Dr Gillespie in particular for his support of this project from its inception, including the application for the grant, and the project’s

WELCOMING NEW RESIDENTS, FAMILIES AND STAFF Following the official opening, we welcomed residents to their new home on Wednesday, 21 October and look forward to supporting them with the enhanced aged care programs for which we are known. We also welcomed our new Mirrabooka Place staff, both those who transferred from Hunter New England Health, as well as those who are new to Anglican Care.

There is no doubt that under the leadership of Karen Freeman residents and staff will thrive. We also look forward to deepening our relationship with the broader Gloucester community and it is our hope that over time they will be proud of the exemplary aged care service that we intend to provide at Mirrabooka Place.

ABOUT MIRRABOOKA PLACE Spacious and architecturally designed, “Mirrabooka Place” captures the beautiful views of The Bucketts, creating a real sense of place and serenity. All resident rooms, amenities and clinical facilities are located on one level, including the nursing stations.

The home provides an optimal environment for up to 50 people who require 24-hour support and assistance for their clinical needs.

All of the rooms at Mirrabooka Place are spacious, light-filled rooms with lovely high ceilings and are furnished with beautiful Manchester and décor. Each room has a built-in wardrobe, electric adjustable bed, bedside table, over-bed meals table, in-room nurse call, residents chair, visitors chair, LCD widescreen television and access to basic wifi.

A key difference of Anglican Care is our commitment to enhanced clinical care and leadership. Our dedicated Nurse Practitioners

are available to provide higher levels of health care and form a part of our Specialist Advisory Team. These skilled medical professionals collaborate with residents and their GP to ensure appropriate assessment and management of clinical needs.

Using their nursing skills and knowledge, they initiate necessary diagnostic investigations, prescribing of approved medications and direct referral to other health care professionals as required. Their commitment to person-centred care is delivered while respecting individual needs and preferences and acknowledging the unique requests of each person.

We also offer a variety of activities centred around specific interests and delivered by our enthusiastic Lifestyle and Wellbeing team. From special events to outings, music and craft, there is something for everyone.

Want to know more about Mirrabooka Place?

Visit our website to view more photos of the home or call us to book a personalised tour with our Resident Liaison Officer on 1800 733 553.

Local artworks

An integral part of Mirrabooka Place are the beautiful artworks which adorn the walls.

A stunning artwork creates a centrepiece in the foyer by artist Kirk Watts, with other gorgeous local landscapes adorning the walls created by Hunter Artist Paul Andrews. Paul was commissioned to create the artwork at Anglican Care’s “Kilpatrick Court” and “CA Brown” and it seemed a natural progression for him to visit Gloucester and paint the scenery residents know so well and to really make them feel at home.

At the Official Opening Uncle Ken Eveleigh shared the story of the artwork by Kirk Watts as follows: The image depicts Mirrabooka over the Buccan Buccans (photo taken from the base of the Scenic walk). The design of Mirrabooka includes patterns that are scale-like and come from a Worimi scar tree and long hair like spikes. The scales and spikes are a reference to the Water Dragon (a Worimi male totem animal).

The intention of this is to make him a Mirrabooka for the Worimi people. The title ‘Guide Me Home’ makes use of the story of Mirrabooka being turned into what we call the Southern Cross by the creator spirit Biami. As well as being a guide for travel and season, he functions as a guide to the heavens for those in the twilight of life. The Mirrabooka depicted is a guide for both physical and spiritual journeys.

Learn more about Home Care with Jade Murray

Looking for some advice on how to go on living independently in your own home for as long as possible? Jade Murray, one of our Care Consultants, is a specialist in all things home care and shares with us her Top Five Tips for anyone who is looking into obtaining a home care package.

1. Seek help early It is very common for people to wait until they are at a crisis point or desperately need help, before they start the process of getting support in the home. There is often a waiting period until services can commence. Anyone over 65 years old can register with My Aged Care with a simple phone call. It’s best to get the ball rolling early and start planning for your future.

2. Be honest about how you are managing at home My Aged Care may arrange for an assessor to come to your home and discuss how you are managing, your health and what support you may need to remain at home safely. A good idea is to keep a notepad with you the week before your assessment and write down any questions you have or any tasks that you find difficult to do throughout the week as it can be hard to recall during the assessment. Remember that if you say you are managing well at home, then you are not likely to be approved for help at home. If you are approved as eligible for help there may be a waiting period. If your situation changes after your assessment you can contact My Aged Care to arrange another assessment.

3. Research local providers Be informed about qualifications of staff, what specialist support they provide, how often your services are reviewed so that you can compare ‘apples with apples’. Every provider is set up slightly different so find the provider that has a great local reputation and is the right fit for you.

I am more than happy to visit local people in their home to discuss Anglican Care’s HomeLife services.

4. Understand what is important to you Is there an activity that you enjoy? Do you want to learn a new one?

Reach your goals with a home care package that is based on a wellness approach and is tailored to each individual situation. We want you to live as autonomously and independently as possible so your Care Advisor will sit down with you to assess, plan and organise delivery of the services and supports that are going to make the most difference to your life. Be prepared to think outside the box!

5. Understand the different government subsidised programs available This includes what services and supports are available and the costs, so that you have a clear understanding of the services you will require and how much you may be asked to contribute.

Great advice Jade! If you would like further information, why not visit the Anglican Care website and check out Jade’s videos with more helpful tips on home care – ‘When do I apply and who can access it?’ and ‘What services can I access with Anglican Care?’

Helpful phone numbers and websites My Aged Care

1800 200 422 www.myagedcare.gov.au

Anglican Care

1800 733 553 www.anglicancare.com.au/home-care

Celebrating our DEDICATED STAFF Ingrid loves the team of people she works with. She did try working somewhere else for a 2 week period many years ago but missed her workmates and decided Anglican Care was the place for her and where she plans to stay until she retires.

Leonie Doig, Enrolled Nurse, McIntosh Court - Celebrating 35 Years of Service Anyone that knows Leonie, will know that care, compassion and laughter are at the very core of her being. Commencing at the former C A Brown Nursing Home & Hostel in November 1984, Leonie approached the then manager to see if there were any nursing jobs available. She started her first night shift that night – how times have changed!

Leonie spent 15 years at C A Brown working as a nurse before being re-trained and relocated to Administration in a clerical position for 7 years due to a shoulder injury. Always on the move and looking for her next challenge, Leonie then moved to Carey Bay in the role of Hostel Supervisor which she stayed in for 11 years. Now part of the Clinical Care Team at McIntosh Court, Leonie feels like she has come full circle being back on site at Booragul where her career began.

“I believe it is an honour to care for our ageing population and I learn something new from them everyday," says Leonie. “These people have amazing stories to tell having lived through wars and the depression."

Leonie also loves working with a team that cares and has worked with great managers and mentors throughout her career that have influenced the person she is today. What does this dedicated nurse do in her spare time? She loves knitting, reading, traveling with her lovely husband and is quite the social butterfly!

Ingrid Jones, Laundry Team Member, Hospitality Services Boolaroo - Celebrating 30 Years of Service Commencing in September 1990, Ingrid originally worked in a holiday relief role across the then Fred Lean Hostel, McIntosh Hostel, and the kitchen and laundries at Booragul.

She was then offered a role in the laundry and that’s where she’s stayed working ever since.

She has enjoyed the move to the new hospitality building at Boolaroo and the new and advanced equipment that the team now works with. Not to mention the very lovely new lunch room!

In her time away from work, Ingrid loves spending time with her grandkids, loves horseriding and is a keen rock ’n' roll dancer.

She plans to continue working in the laundry until she retires.

Graeme Wray – Maintenance & Minor Works Manager - Celebrating 30 Years of Service Packing his paintbrushes away after 10 years as a painter with the Water Board, Graeme commenced with Intracare in December 1990 as a Leading Hand at Carey Bay Gardens, Toronto Nursing Home, Scenic Lodge and Buchanan Court. Intracare was purchased in 1995 by Anglican Care where Graeme then became Second in Charge of Maintenance across all of Anglican Care’s sites, moving into the role of Maintenance Manager a few years later where he has remained ever since.

Crediting the variety of his role with keeping him in his job for so long, Graeme also loves the team he works with, together with the interactions with our seniors. Not to mention the regular treats provided by the C A Brown Retirement Living residents – which aren’t always good for the waistline (no judgement here)!

You may not guess it, but behind that gruff exterior lies the heart of a gentle gardener who particularly loves cultivating orchids.

Graeme also enjoys photography and traveling around Oz (pre COVID-19 of course).

Having seen many changes in the past 30 years, Graeme thinks the biggest ones are the growth in the size of the organization both from the perspective of the buildings and staff and the increased compliance requirements.

Believing that he may find retirement ‘boring’, Graeme plans to keep on working for as long as he can.

Nicole Lovett, Care Assistant, Toronto Nursing Home - Celebrating 30 Years of Service Nicole commenced work at Carey Bay when the facility was newly built and owned by Intracare. When Intracare was purchased by Anglican Care in 1995, she continued working at Carey Bay until it became decommissioned earlier in 2020 at which time she moved to Toronto Nursing Home.

Her love of caring for people is what has kept Nicole working in aged care for such an amazing amount of time. She plans to keep working in aged care until she retires.

A highlight of her working life was when Nicole and her twin sister, Natalie, worked together at Carey Bay for a couple of years which provided many funny moments and a bit of confusion for both residents and staff alike!

Nicole worked full time up until she had her much longed for and cherished son, Brodie, in 2006. She now mainly works the night shifts on a Monday and Tuesday night at Toronto Nursing Home.

VOLUNTEER UPDATE In what has been a very difficult year for everyone, it is great to see things slowly returning to normal. We have volunteers returning to the facilities - hooray!

The buses are back on the road and no appointments are necessary for visitors.

During the hardest months of COVID-19 we still continued to see some volunteers helping where needed and bringing comfort and cheer to our residents and consumers. We sincerely thank them for their efforts and kindness during this trying time.

Unfortunately we made the difficult decision to cancel our Christmas luncheons for 2020, but we are hoping that 2021 will be much more festive. We look forward to a bigger, brighter year and welcome all our volunteers back with open arms.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer we would love to hear from you. Contact Lynne Wills our Volunteer Administrator if you have any queries.

PH: (02) 4902 2349 Email: Lynnewills@anglicancare.com.au

GROW GRAZE GIVE Spring has heralded an exciting time for our Grow Graze Give program with participants starting to enjoy the fruits (vegetables and herbs) of their labour.

The program was introduced to provide an avenue for residents and consumers to have a connection with nature and to enjoy the many benefits of growing herbs and vegetables.

Our Toronto Nursing Home residents have even enjoyed the lettuce they’ve grown in a mixed salad accompanying their fish and chips.

You can see how much the program is being enjoyed in our photos. We particularly love ‘The Greenmount Gardener’ Leo, showing off his tomatoes and herbs.

Joel’s Bringing Back the Magic Tour

Residents got to enjoy a little a bit of magic in late 2020 with Award-winning and world-renowned Magician Joel Howlett of JD’s World of Magic performing a series of shows across Anglican Care’s residential aged care homes.

In this all new world of COVID-19, aged care lock-downs and social distancing, the team at Anglican Care have had to think outside of the box when providing entertainment for residents. Commencing in midSeptember, Joel’s shows provided a lovely and entertaining experience for those people living in Anglican Care’s facilities. To keep the events COVID safe, Joel performed several shows at each site incorporating ‘Old School Magic’ that is visual enough to be seen at a distance and can be appreciated without dialogue, allowing the show to be enjoyed by everyone.

Toronto Nursing Home resident Dot Gill encapsulated just how much the show meant to residents when she penned Joel a lovely handwritten to Joel thanking him for the show.

Dear Joel,

Thank-you for putting on a wonderful magic show this morning. It was so great to watch. Enjoyed by everyone.

I would love you to come back again to put on another interesting show for us all to enjoy like this one was.

I'm sure that when you do come back you'll be welcomed by everyone with open arms. It brightens up our day.

Yours Sincerely,

Dorothy Gill

CHRISTMAS AT ANGLICAN CARE Take a look at our recent resident and staff Christmas party days across a variety of our homes.

These events are a wonderful way of celebrating the festive season.

What’s NEWS? WARNERVALE GARDENS RESIDENTS

RAISING MONEY FOR GOOD CAUSES CANCER RESEARCH Our residents are very community minded and love to be involved in raising funds for a good cause! Congratulations to our Retirement Living Residents at C A Brown Village who raised $925 for Cancer Research! Innovative and resilient as always the residents adapted to the times and held a raffle and sold jewelry and preserves in lieu of a big get together this year.

WELCOMING LOCAL BIRDLIFE Putting a new slant on our sustainability initiatives, residents at Warnervale Gardens recently built and painted some bird boxes to encourage more of the local birds to visit!

It looks like they had a great time, and we’re sure the birds will love their colourful new homes.

BLACK DOG INSTITUTE Not be outdone, our Anglican Care Team members also came together on Friday, 9 November to raise funds for the Black Dog Institute. Out of uniform day, gold coin donations and some other inventive fundraising resulted in us raising an amazing $1000.

Go team!

WINDOW ART BRINGS JOY TO RESIDENTS Window Art became very popular with our residents during 2020 as our Lifestyle & Wellbeing teams looked at introducing new programs for residents to enjoy. Many residents seemed to tap into their inner ‘Picasso’ with some fabulous artworks on show! And the best thing, you can scrub it off and start afresh with a masterpiece the very next day!

BUILDING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SENIORS AND THE YOUNGER GENERATION A fantastic new intergenerational journal writing group has commenced between Cedar Wharf Lodge and Bulahdelah Central School. Ten lovely Year 5 students have volunteered to be a pen-pal with a resident and they will converse via a journal. We’re sure some great friendships will be formed and the two generations will learn a lot from each other.

IN 2021, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: • • •

SEASON 4 OF OUR LET’S TALK SENIORS PODCAST OFFICIAL OPENING AND FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR C A BROWN LODGE – 28 APRIL 2021 2021 VIRTUAL SENIORS DAY – OCTOBER 2021

Take a listen to our NEW podcast

Let’s Talk Seniors

as co-hosts Kylie & Michelle chat to special guests about an array of topics related to seniors living happy & healthy lives. Catch up on Seasons 1 to 3 which feature thirty fabulous episodes.

If you haven't listened to a podcast before, try something new!

Listen via

Apple & Google Podcast or our website anglicancare.com.au