About Life winter 2022

about life Winter 2022

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Volunteers’ lunch Celebrating our generous volunteers.

A partnership that works both ways Sir Eric Neal shares a story of hard work, serendipity and the joy of partnering.

about life

Celebrating our Volunteers

This issue... is a celebration of the stories of Life Care – our people, our achievements and those whom we support to enjoy ‘Inspired Living’.

Cover image: Life Care LED Coordinator Lisa Smith and valued volunteer Alan Young at this year’s Volunteers’ Lunch.

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Welcome Thoughts from CEO Allen Candy.

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Volunteers’ lunch We recognised the incredible contribution our wonderful volunteers make to the Life Care community.

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Setting the benchmark How the vision for Gaynes Park became a reality.

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A partnership that works both ways Sir Eric Neal tells a story of hard work, serendipity and the joy of partnering.

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Gaming wellbeing OBIE - An Australian first in residential care.

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One track mind ‘I try not to think about the Olympics.’ Degras Amekata shares his story.

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It takes a village Jenny Pulsford reflects on her experiences and the importance of health & wellness.

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Rumpus on the campus Life Care people show us what they get up to every day...

about life Our greenfields site at Golden Grove will be our next new community, with construction expected to commence early in 2023, and then we will turn our attention to creating a very exciting redevelopment at Everard Park.

Welcome Thoughts from CEO Allen Candy

As always, supporting our paid team is our team of volunteers, and we were able to again celebrate their significant contribution at this year’s Volunteers Day Lunch. Of particular note was Beverley Muir who was celebrating 25 years of volunteering for Life Care.

What a tremendous contribution.

2022 has probably been the most challenging year for the aged care industry ever. Governmentmandated residential care home lock-downs, PPE and visitor restrictions have been a part of our life for some time. However, today’s most formidable challenge comes in the form of recruitment: the pandemic has restricted the movement of people seeking work in our industry and this is having a major flow-on to the attraction and retention of people.

Life Care wins national award Life Care’s Gaynes Park has been recognised as Australia’s new benchmark for older people’s accommodation, with the campus in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs winning the 2022 UDIA National Award for Excellence in Seniors Living.

I am proud of our team’s track record in managing COVID-19. I hear of other providers struggling under the weight of up to 60% of residents and staff contracting COVID-19. I can only imagine the pressure this must put on people. Life Care’s infection control practices have proven effective, with the inevitable outbreaks brought under control in good time and transference across residential care home areas the exception rather than the rule.

This accolade is the result of our vision for a community that brings premium apartment living together with award-winning residential care.

The award recognises not only the accommodation’s quality but, more importantly, the sense of community we have built at Gaynes Park. The satisfaction of seeing couples able to stay connected – with one partner living in the Suites while the other lives in the Manor – where they would normally be forced to live in different locations, is worth more than any award. As friendships develop and families are welcomed into a beautiful space, it’s evident that our vision is becoming a reality. Only two units remain available and these are likely to be sold very soon.

Of course, we have also learned through our experiences. Whereas early on, we were quick to close homes to visitors to minimise the risk of infection, our Red Zone/ Green Zone solution now welcomes visitors to non-affected areas while we support those with COVID-19. Of course, we always weigh the risk of infection against the benefits of welcoming visitors. I am confident that we have made sound choices over the past few months, and I greatly value the support and understanding we have received from customers, family and friends.

It has meant a lot to me personally and to our team.

Our new Government There are clear differences between the aged care policies of the new Labor Government and those of the coalition. In particular, Labor will require 215 minutes of care per resident per day, as recommended by the Aged Care Royal Commission, as well as a Registered Nurse (RN) on site 24 hours per day. Life Care welcomes these changes; we have had an RN on site 24 hours a day throughout my time with Life Care and we are reviewing our care hours and adjusting where necessary; we will always support any changes that result in increased wellbeing for our customers.

We have reviewed and improved our recruitment strategies to meet the recruitment challenge, and these new approaches are beginning to bear fruit.

We are fortunate to have a team of such quality that our culture and overall employment offering are attractive to the right people.

Of course, the pandemic has meant a greater focus on managing day-to-day matters, sometimes at the expense of longer-term strategic priorities, and justifiably so. However, our commitment to developing new communities with an emphasis on holistic wellbeing remains our long-term focus.

I would again like to thank the Life Care team and volunteers for their resolute commitment to Life Care’s customers, and our suppliers and contractors for their commitment to Life Care.

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The difference they collectively make every day to the lives of thousands of older South Australians is something to be celebrated.

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Volunteers’ lunch This year’s Volunteers’ Lunch welcomed almost 80 Life Care volunteers to the Adelaide Pavilion, where we recognised the incredible contribution our wonderful volunteers make to the Life Care community.

This year was especially significant, not only because of the milestones we celebrated (including an incredible 25 years’ volunteering by Beverley Muir), but because in the new world of COVID-19, volunteering has become more challenging for many. This has resulted in fewer people being able to volunteer with Life Care. With this in mind, if you or someone you know would like to enjoy the rich and meaningful role of volunteer, please contact our People & Culture team on 8239 9800.

Thank you again to our volunteers.

Life Care would not be the same organisation without you!

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Volunteer 10 Years recognition for Marilyn Matters Jenny Graves Years of Service Cristina Albala 5 Years Peter Maddern Anthony Tohl Carolyn Stone Jesemine Perry Jenny Hoggs Jacynth Klaver

15 Years Lorraine Maddern

25 Years Beverley Muir

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Setting the benchmark

It also features a five-star restaurant run by nationally acclaimed executive chef Bethany Finn, communal lounge areas, a library, cinema and events room, billiards and games room, consulting rooms for visiting specialists and service providers, and landscaped gardens.

When Life Care CEO Allen Candy returned from his seniors living education trip to the UK in 2013, he brought with him a new vision: for a campus-style community that would see residents in residential care living ‘next door’ to their partners in assisted living apartments.

UDIA judges said, “the award-winning Gaynes Park

by Life Care provides a new benchmark in aged care and assisted living.

“Life Care’s design of a three level, integrated facility has truly created the feeling of a warm and inviting home, rather than an institution or hospital,” the judges said.

“International best practice examples were drawn upon to specifically promote independence for residents with dementia. The creation of small communal areas on each floor, the delivery of a sensory garden and the incorporation of embedded technology into the operation of the building has created an exemplar project.

It was a vision to keep families together.

The first phase of Allen’s vision became a reality in 2018, with the opening of the residential care home, Gaynes Park Manor.

“Judges were impressed with the high-quality planning of the two buildings to turn the focus away from ‘back of house’ facilities and instead focus on the café, cinema, a-la-carte restaurant and fitness areas.”

Then, in early 2021, The Manor was joined ‘right next door’ by Gaynes Park Suites, Life Care’s premium assisted living apartments, bringing the Gaynes Park campus to completion.

Life Care chief executive officer Allen Candy said the award recognised the organisation’s commitment to innovation.

In May 2022, the Gaynes Park campus was officially recognised as the new benchmark for older people’s accommodation, winning the 2022 UDIA National Award for Excellence in Seniors Living.

“We embarked on this ambitious project with a strategy to create a community that combined accommodation with international best practice for health and wellbeing,” he said.

In awarding the honour, judges credited Life Care with delivering a “community for older people with a forward-thinking expression of innovation and creativity”.

“Winning this award when competing against highly acclaimed projects across the country shows that we’ve been successful in delivering our strategy to improve the lives of older South Australians.

Gaynes Park Manor is an internationally awardwinning residential aged care home that utilises a ground-breaking layout where residents live in small ‘communities’ of up to 16 older people centred around a communal kitchen, dining, lounge, and activity area.

“The entire Life Care team is very proud of the Gaynes Park campus and the benefit it brings to the wider community now and into the future.”

Gaynes Park Suites features 41 single and twobedroom apartments where residents maintain their independence while receiving varying levels of support depending on their individual needs.

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A partnership that works both ways Sir Eric and Lady Neal’s story is one of hard work, serendipity and partnering.

When The Honourable Sir Eric and Lady Neal – clients of Life Care’s home care service, At Home– attended a conference in New Zealand, Lady Neal was confined to a wheelchair, having broken her ankle. HRH Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, also attended the conference.

On entering the room, the Duke noticed Lady Neal in her wheelchair and immediately crossed the room to sit next to her. While many would find chatting with a duke an extraordinary situation, it was par for the course for Sir Eric and Lady Neal, who have lived a most extraordinary life.

Today, Sir Eric and Lady Neal live in a comfortable apartment in North Adelaide, overlooking the city and Adelaide Oval. The apartment features innumerable pieces of art, including a selection from Pro Hart, whom the Neals knew. Also prominent are photos of the Neals with dignitaries from around the world: the Queen, Ronald Reagen, Prince Phillip, President Bush Senior, and many others.

In South Australia, Sir Eric Neal is perhaps most famous for his appointment as Governor of South Australia in 1996, a position which he held until 2001. He was the first person from the business community to take up residence in Government House.

It would be easy to assume that a person of such renown, and with such esteemed connections as Sir Eric, may have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. But, instead, his story is one of hard work, serendipity and partnering with Lady Neal.

‘My parents believed in education,’ began Sir Eric.

‘At the time, the era didn’t give me the opportunity for a university education, so I took up an apprenticeship in the gas industry and studied at night. When I was 21, I had one-third of a university course finished, and my parents said that they would support me if I wanted to go full-time. So I

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went full-time for a year, and then I got a job with the Electricity Trust of South Australia as a cadet engineer. I owe a lot to a man called [James Cyril] Stobie, whose name is commemorated in the Stobie Pole.’

‘During my time at BHP, Joan was quite involved.

In those days, BHP encouraged directors’ wives to accompany us on site visits. Joan has been on nearly every oil rig in Bass Strait; copper mines in Canada; coal mines in the USA and Australia; iron ore mines in Western Australia.’

This wasn’t the last time Sir Eric studied to enable a career transition. While his career started in the then gas industry, Sir Eric later moved to the coal & gas, oil, building materials and construction and mining industries. He was also the Chief Commissioner of the Council of the City of Sydney.

At each of these junctures, Sir Eric invested in his education. This is perhaps part of why he chose to accept the role as Chancellor of Flinders University, a post that he held from 2002 until 2010.

‘And an arrested landing,’ piped in Lady Neal.

‘Oh yes, she even made an arrested landing on an aircraft carrier when I was the Governor of South Australia,’ agreed Sir Eric enthusiastically. ‘They caught the hook [on the ship’s runway to come to a stop] to be later catapulted off!

‘We travelled a lot in our retirement, even while I had all of those [directorship] roles – we’ve been to 70 odd countries in the world.

Sir Eric’s list of appointments, achievements, awards and recognitions are, to say the least, extensive. For Sir Eric, the highlight of his management career was undoubtedly his time as CEO of Boral. During his tenure, the company grow by an extraordinary factor of thirty.

‘But [more recently] Joan’s almost lost her sight, and I don’t [even] go to the football anymore because I’d rather stay here with Joan. So, our aims and ambitions have changed in the last two or three years, but I don’t think we ever reached the stage where we said, “Well, that’s it [there’s nothing more to do].”

Speaking of his directorships at BHP, John Fairfax Holdings, Coca-Cola Amatil, Wormald International and AMP, and Chairmanships of Atlas Copco Australia and Westpac, Sir Eric said, ‘Those roles were all career highlights, and they were all different to Boral.

‘No way,’ exclaimed Lady Neal categorically. ‘There’s always something else to do. My problem now is vision, but I still have that urge to get out and do things and go places.’

‘At one point, when my mother had just died, we were down at the house at Largs Bay with the family and the phone rang. It was answered by a teenager– you’ll know him as [television presenter] Koshie!

He’s my nephew. He said, “Uncle Eric, the Prime Minister’s on the phone.”

This desire was a necessary part of being married to Sir Eric.

‘It was Malcolm Fraser and he said, “Eric, I’m putting together a four-man committee to review Australia Higher Defence Organisations. I’ve got three members already: the retired Chief of the Defence Force, the retired Chief of the Prime Ministers Department and another businessman. I’d like you to be the fourth person.” I said, “Prime Minister, I’ve never served in the three services.” He said, “That’s why I want you!” So I spent 18 months helping review our higher defence organisation which gave me a lasting admiration for the work of our defence forces. The then Chief of the Defence Force urged me to get out and observe the defence force at work. I went submarining, helicopter flying, I was on warships when they were firing their guns, [I had] a lot of experiences.

‘…then years later, I got the opportunity for a bigger job in Ballarat. Then a few years later, another opportunity for a bigger job in Brisbane. Then a few years later back to Sydney with Boral, so Joan has been adaptable, saying yes to all those moves, which otherwise wouldn’t have happened,’ concluded Sir Eric.

‘Joan and I were married in Adelaide, [then] we went almost straight away to Broken Hill...’

‘Like the next day!’ put in Lady Neal with a laugh.

Their evident mutual respect and commitment to each other have played a significant role in their vast achievements as well as in their marriage, which has lasted for over 70 years.

‘We’ve done it together,’ said Lady Neal.

‘Yes,’ agreed Sir Eric firmly.

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‘One of the most rewarding and satisfying [achievements] was the [Duke of Edinburgh] awards scheme,’ began Lady Neal before being interrupted by the telephone ringing. ‘That’s alright; I’ll get it. You go ahead [and explain],’ she said to Sir Eric.

encouraging a vital ‘domino’ in Sir Eric’s career to fall when perhaps it may have been left standing.

‘The Duke of Edinburg’s second big project was called the Commonwealth Study Conferences,’ began Sir Neal. ‘In 1956, he came to the conclusion that Governments, industries and unions were making decisions that affected a lot of people, often without regard for the wider considerations.

‘I was the Australian Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Program for some years, and Joan was very helpful to me on that. And then, the Duke of Edinburgh asked me to become an International Trustee, so for nearly ten years I was an International Trustee, and Joan accompanied me on most of my visits for meetings for that. Joan found the awards scheme very rewarding,’ said Sir Eric.

‘The Duke of Edinburgh got three hundred people together from Commonwealth countries, all under the age of 45, and put them together for three weeks to examine the problems of England. It was so successful, it was repeated six years later in Canada. And in 1968, it was decided that they would do one in Australia.

‘To work with young people [was rewarding],’ said Lady Neal. ‘[And] to work with and be inspired by Prince Phillip, who was an amazing person.

‘They invited applications for people to become members, and there were going to be 50 or 60 from Australia. Joan said, “You should have a go at that Eric.” I said I didn’t think I’d have a hope; there was a lot of competition. Joan said, “I think you should apply.”

‘I applied and got a place. It was a turning point in my career because it brought my name to the attention of the people who ran Boral. Suddenly, [they realised] there’s this fellow called Neal on our payroll in Queensland who’s on the Commonwealth Study Conference. A couple of years later, I was promoted and asked to come and lead what is now known as Origin Energy.’

In 1982, Eric Neal became Sir Eric Neal, something Sir Eric reflects on with humour.

‘When I was knighted, a Sydney business man said to me, “Eric, there’s two things about being knighted: you’ll get a table a bit quicker in a restaurant, and your wife will have to pay more for meat at the local butchers,” said Sir Eric with a genuine laugh.

‘[It was] the way he thought of things, the way he did things. I guess he could’ve sat back and coasted along, but he did many, many things for this world.

‘The other interesting title was, on my 90th birthday, I received a letter from the Premier of South Australia, saying that it had been decided that all past Australian Governors would be called “The Honourable.” So, it said, from henceforth I’d be known as The Honourable Sir Eric Neal. I rang the Premier and said, “Thank you very much, Premier.

The letter arrived on my 90th birthday but being an optimist, I’m getting new cards printed.”’

‘I must say, he and I did get along well together,’ said Lady Neal, as though she were talking of a friend or close cousin rather than the Duke of Edinburgh. ‘I learned a lot from him: [chiefly] to be yourself. And that’s what I always was with him, and I think he appreciated that, don’t you?’

‘Yes,’ replied Sir Eric, ‘Joan was always polite, always called him “Sir”, but she spoke her mind, and the Duke enjoyed this.’

Sir Eric’s optimism has been a constant companion throughout his life, something that, as he spoke about it, suggested a certain amount of humility that could easily be missing for someone of his reputation.

Lady Neal’s forthrightness may well have been responsible for the success Sir Eric and Lady Neal enjoyed. Early in their marriage, it came to the fore,

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Sir Eric and Lady Neal’s legacy has undoubtedly been recognised by many and varied luminaries and dignitaries worldwide. However, the Life Care team are fortunate to see a more personal side: a couple who complement each other and whose mutual respect and admiration have seen them succeed not only in the public world of business, but also in the private world of marriage.

‘I was an optimist when I was studying to be an engineer; when I went to Broken Hill; when I moved to Ballarat; when I lived in Brisbane and when I went to Sydney with Boral.

‘They said an optimist was a person who went to Boral and took his lunch,’ laughed Sir Eric, ‘because the staff turnover was pretty significant at the time.’

Of course, it’s easier to be optimistic when you’re young and energetic. However, it can be a different story when you’re older, and health challenges begin to have an impact. For many people, this can lead to a loss of independence and a sense that your world is shrinking. For Sir Eric & Lady Neal, this could have been keenly felt due to their larger-than-life experiences.

‘It would [have been more keenly felt], were it not for Life Care,’ explained Sir Eric to this proposition.

‘Joan and I have been married for 72 years, and we continue to live in our own home, with help.’

‘Yes, I receive help to run my life,’ said Lady Neal simply. ‘I broke my humerus a couple of years ago, and I’ve lost the use of that arm, basically. I need a lot of help. Life Care does a lot to help me: help with showering and with dressing, and just doing general things to make life able to be lived in my own home.’

‘I’m getting a massage next door,’ added Sir Eric, ‘which is arranged with Life Care as is a podiatrist, and we get cooked meals that are delivered here, so we eat well, thanks to Life Care. This enables us to live fairly independently.

‘I have my 98th birthday in a couple of weeks. You have to say to yourself sometimes, “How long have I got,” but I don’t let it worry me. I just say, “Well, I’m lucky to be here,” and hopefully, it goes on for a while.’

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Gaming wellbeing

“Often I see a smile and a laugh as they try to chase things across a screen; it’s a fabulous tool and the residents love it.”

Aldinga Beach Court (ABC) Manager Linda Turner echoes Cezary’s enthusiasm.

What’s something that would entertain a 9-year-old as well as a 99-year-old? If you’re thinking ‘ice cream’, you would, of course, be correct. But...

‘Since its implementation into the Memory Support Unity (MSU – Tatachilla house), Obie has been a huge hit with residents,’ said Linda. ‘It provides positive interactions between not only residents and staff but between residents as well.

‘The level of positive relationship building it encourages amongst residents has been very heartening to see.

what if you were also asked for something that would entertain, provide cognitive stimulation, and aid mobility?

The only answer to that question is Obie.

Obie is a projection-based interactive, educational gaming system that Life Care has rolled out across our five residential care homes, plus our day and overnight respite cottage, Norman House.

Life Care’s Australian-first initiative is helping older South Australians embrace technology.

Obie displays moving images onto tables or floors with cameras and sensors detecting residents’ movement as they play along.

Recent feedback from the SA Health Memory Support Transition Team indicates they are finding the introduction of Obie is having a significant impact on resident engagement, behaviour management and assisting during residents’ settling in period. Overall, Obie has been a great success story at ABC.’

It was first used in early childhood education, and the technology’s all-ages and all-abilities appeal is producing benefits for ageing residents. Life Care is the first Australian aged care provider to implement Obie in a residential aged care setting.

With 60 games to choose from, including bingo, frogs on a pond, playing a piano or soccer, to raking up autumn leaves or flying across a foreign landscape, there’s a game to suit any interest.

Life Care personal trainer (PT) Cezary Pawlisz says Obie makes technology simple for residents, with colour, movement and music sparking smiles, memories and connections amongst residents.

“As a PT, I help physiotherapists bring clients back to as good a physical shape as we can. Obie is a good tool for that because they don’t require resistance; they work purely by body movement and you can choose a game to focus on a particular body part, such as the shoulder and set the level of difficulty,” he said.

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One track mind

athletics apparel brand Lululemon Athletica. And as he becomes more prominent in the running world, so too does his Olympic dream, something that doesn’t always sit easily with Degras.

‘I just want to run,’ explained Degras. ‘People ask me when the next race is, what [race] times are you going for, how’s training going. I understand why they ask, but the pressure builds up [when they ask]. I’m happy to answer the questions, but it gets too much.

I’d just want to run.’

‘I try not to think about the Olympics,’ said Degras Amekata, sitting in the Sunlit Lounge at Parkrose Village. ‘I try to just focus on what’s happening now.

Focus on my work.’

Degras’ work also helps him to stay in the moment.

‘I think about the residents, about what they need,’ explained Degras. ‘What does Margaret Byron Scott need? What does Fred need?

Degras’ work is supporting residents as a carer at Parkrose Village in Everard Park.

‘I’m grateful for the opportunities [available in Australia]. Like, working for Life Care is pretty sick,’ continued Degras, in a younger vernacular. ‘[This is] my first proper job. I used to do bartending and I enjoy this a lot more.

Degras’ dream, though, is to run in the 800 metres in the 2024 Olympics. With a dream this big, keeping his mind on the present isn’t always easy.

‘It’s the residents [that I enjoy]. I remember coming here for the first time, and one of [the residents] said, “You’re a handsome man,” and I was like, wow, that touched me. It was funny and cheeky, and I was like, she’s cute. She passed a while back, but I still remember her.

A 21-year-old Ghanaian who arrived in Australia with his aunt and mother when he was six, Degras first discovered running at a school sports day: he comfortably won the 800 metres.

‘I just thought, that was cool,’ said Degras, reflecting his mild interest at the time.

‘It’s the little moments. Like today, I took a photo with Lillian [another resident], and it’s on the wall.

It’s so cute. It’s a nice little moment of her and me together.

While it wasn’t an a-ha moment, it did plant a seed.

In 2020, Degras decided that he needed to water the seed. For the first time, he took running seriously, applying himself for an entire year. His effort paid off: he was approached by a scout for St Peter’s College Athletics club at an inter-school meet at Santos Stadium.

Staying in the moment rather than dwelling on the long game applies to Degras’ running as well. ‘[I just think about] when’s my next long run: What’s the coach said? Am I going to the gym? Am I eating right? Have I had enough water, enough sleep?

‘He gave me a flyer. At first, I thought, nah, this is a joke. But I tried out. And then, yeah, I went to the Nationals. I made the semi-final of the Open Men’s.

And then…. Crashed.’ ’ Degras hit the desk hard to emphasise his fall. ‘A guy tripped in front of me, and I tripped over him.’

‘I’m trying to do all the little things now that’ll add up, ‘cause the small things do matter.’

These ‘little things’ have now twice taken Degras to the National Athletics Championships. The most recent, in March 2022, was even more challenging than his first appearance.

For some, this setback would have proven fatal. Not for Degras.

‘I hate to blame the weather, but it was pretty bad. It was rainy and stormy,’ said Degras. ‘And there were no semis this year. I kid you not! It was cut-throat.

It was the top two [from each heat] straight to the final. And get this: I had three Olympians in my heat!

‘I didn’t expect to make it that far [in the Nationals]. I thought I might run in a heat and then go home. But I was happy. I was happy with my season.’

Degras’ social media presence has increased thanks to an ambassadorship for well-known

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‘My coach said, “Just go out there and have fun.

You’ve worked hard this season, so see what you can do.” So I did exactly what he said: I enjoyed it. It was fun. But I wanted more. I wanted to be in the final so bad.’

While racing against three Olympians felt significant, the 2022 Adelaide Invitational featured Peter Bol, a two-time Olympian and current Australian 800 metre national record holder. ‘[Peter Bol] is pretty big [in athletics]. He’s done what I want to do,’ said Degras.

‘It was the first race where I actually received some exposure. I finished sixth and ran an equal personal best. ‘[The race felt significant because] my mum actually came out and watched it; it’s only the second time she’s ever seen me race. Family friends and church friends also came out; they watched and supported me. I also shared the race with my training partner Harry [May]; he’s 28. He’s awesome. He’s amazing.’

The significance that Degras placed on the people present at the race, rather than his performance, highlights a maturity and groundedness that belies his age.

‘The support made it easier for me to run. They were there to experience it with me. If I came dead-last, it still would’ve felt the same.

‘There’s something different about sharing the moment with someone. It’s about sharing how far I’ve come: from that first race at the school carnival to now running against Peter Bol and other Olympians.

‘Don’t get me wrong; I do get nervous when [my mum] is there. It’s a good nervous though. I could hear her cheering in the crowd.

‘It makes me happy to think that I’ve made something happen and made my mum proud.’

While Degras never loses sight of the goal of 2024, his focus on what’s in front of him, and those around him offering support, will likely prove the greatest aid to him reaching his dream.

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“The support made it easier for me to run. They were there to experience it with me.

If I came dead-last, it still would’ve felt the same.”

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It takes a village

no way you’re getting on this plane.” They wanted medical clearance. ‘[After a couple more falls,] my doctor diagnosed ataxic gate, which basically means my legs don’t work. She watched this develop over time and eventually sent me to a neurologist.

Jenny Pulsford is a client of Life Care Active – our allied health & wellness service.

‘Eventually, the neurologist decided that there was more than one thing going on, because I [also] was having some mental confusion, the walking problems, and a little problem with incontinence, which is the most worrying of all.

In the mid-1970’s Jenny worked for The Open University in the UK. She had been living in England for about 12 years when she was presented an opportunity: the university was looking for people to take redundancy packages, and Jenny was on their list of potential recipients. Jenny said, ‘Thank you very much,’ and headed off to Portugal, where many UK friends had moved.

‘[The neurologist] worked out that I’d spent too much time drinking too much good red wine. So push came to shove, and I had to do a bit of getting off the bottle, and then the neurologist sent me for a fisher test, which is basically a lumbar puncture.

‘The conclusion they came to was that I had this normal pressure hydrocephalus, which basically means too much spinal fluid [in the brain]. My GP said, “You’ve got holes in your brain!”

From afar, Jenny’s life looked to be going from strength to strength: an Australian living the 30-something Aussie dream in Europe. We all hope for such success and admire those whose success matches our expectations.

‘I’ve actually been a bit laid back about it I think. I was worried about the walking problems and I was worried about the incontinence. The holes in my brain I didn’t know much about,’ continued Jenny, with a wry smile.

However, Jenny’s story has a few significant twists and turns that mean her success (and yes, this is a story of her success, despite her own misgivings) looks a little different to what you might imagine.

‘Subsequently, a little less than a year ago, I went in [to surgery], and they gave me a shunt from one side of my brain to the other [to even up the levels of spinal fluid in the two halves of my brain].

Jenny is an articulate, well-dressed woman who speaks in a direct yet personable manner, engaging in conversation with apparent ease. Early conversation topics ranged from her involvement in Life Care Active to the various physical ailments common to ageing and a few which aren’t. It quickly became apparent that the latter have presented Jenny with challenges that many would find severely limiting. Jenny has taken it all in her stride.

‘The lobes of my brain had been a bit squashed here and there, which was causing the problems [with walking and incontinence].

‘I’m still in the recovery period from that.

‘I went back to see the neurologist the other day, and my brother was with me, and [my brother] said, “Look, she’s a totally different woman.”

‘I had a fall crossing Payneham Rd on the way to the airport,’ explained Jenny. ‘They picked me up and asked if I wanted an ambulance. I said, “Don’t be silly; I’m on the way to the airport to visit my son in Melbourne.”’ Jenny’s quick-fire articulation suggested how ridiculous this question seemed to her and where her priorities lie, something that was borne out as the conversation continued.

‘I knew it had been dramatically helpful because I had nowhere near as many problems with incontinence, I was walking better and standing upright, and I was better able to organise myself and manage the business side of life.’

Life Care Active’s Senior Physiotherapist Jordan Nelson concurred.

‘I got away with [flying to Melbourne], but I winced at the check-in counter on the way home, and when I explained that I’d had a fall, they said, “There’s

‘Jenny’s walking has dramatically changed for the better,’ said Jordan. ‘She is walking smoother, with

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so much control and ease. Walking speed, step length, and overall capacity is significantly better.

I’ve also noticed an improvement in her overall wellbeing: she’s much happier and is getting lots of nice feedback from family and friends on how much better she’s moving.

present an inherent challenge. Jenny’s love of wood, for example, extended beyond purchasing wooden furniture. Instead, she took up wood carving through the South Australian Woodcarving Academy. She still holds a fondness for her first piece – a koala on a branch – despite having moved on to other pieces.

‘I’ve guided her [rehabilitation] mainly,’ continued Jordan. ‘I modified her rehab and program as needed and encouraged her to keep challenging herself and to get back to the things that make her happy.

And here, our story must return to the matter of success.

Yes, attending ballroom lessons when you’ve just started walking again is a success. However, when you look deeper into Jenny’s life, there is something of much greater significance for Jenny than overcoming her physical limitations: the social and emotional part of attending group classes is the greater triumph for Jenny.

For many people, such an illness would rock their confidence. Not Jenny.

What you quickly learn about Jenny is that experiences that would shake most people to their core are managed with a down-to-earth pragmatism.

Without going into details, Jenny’s upbringing has made it difficult, if not impossible, for her to develop meaningful connections or ongoing relationships with people.

And yet, perhaps ironically, we discover Jenny’s ultimate success in the area of relationships. In Portugal, Jenny gave birth to her son, Matthew. And she began to raise Matt without the support of a husband or father to her child.

‘If Nigel didn’t want to be involved, we’d do it on our own, thank you very much. And we did,’ said Jenny.

The ‘we’ that Jenny referred to was the community of friends she had made in England, many of whom had moved to Portugal.

Yes, ballroom dancing! Since Christmas 2021, Jenny has joined a local ballroom class.

‘That community was strong enough,’ explained Jenny. ‘Matt basically grew up in a tribe; seven women had come from England, and we all had babies within about six months of each other. It was absolutely wonderful; I never had a baby on my own: I always had two babies, or three babies, or none.

Matt had many substitute aunties and uncles and many playmates.

‘I’ve only just learned how to walk [again], but if the [ballroom dancing instructor] holds me up I can do it,’ explained Jenny.

‘Isabelle, Matt’s Portuguese nanny, had two lovely kids of her own, but she basically raised Matt. She didn’t live with us, but she was in every day.

For some people of Jenny’s heritage, ballroom dancing would be a piece of cake. But as you can imagine, when you’ve just had brain surgery, it would be all too easy to accept life’s limitations and settle for just walking. However, Jenny is someone who pushes past obstacles. She looks for ways to engage in pastimes that tap into her interests and

‘Matt grew up with a normal, happy, successful childhood. That’s why I stayed in Portugal: I wasn’t giving that to him, but I was able to put around him people who could.’

‘The ballroom dancing has helped with Jenny’s foot placement, timing and weight shift,’ said Jordan. ‘As well as being socially beneficial and a bit of fun for Jenny.’

‘Today, I have a good relationship with Matt. Thank heavens for Isabelle and my group of friends.

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Today, Matt works in a computer games company and is married to a Kiwi Japanese woman, and they live together in Japan.

‘He’s happily married in a relationship he’s been in for over ten years. He’s got this wonderful job.

He’s got his feet on the ground. And after the background I had…’

What Jenny stopped short of saying is that, with her background, Matt could have easily not grown up to be so well-adjusted.

And this is where we find the true measure of Jenny’s success: not in overcoming physical challenges, where Life Care has played a small supporting role.

Instead, it is in having the courage to stay in her community and the insight to know that they were giving her son something she would not be able to give by herself.

For this, we applaud Jenny.

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Rumpus on the campus Life Care people show us what they get up to every day...

You can keep up to date each day and across our campuses @lifecaresouthaustralia

Reynella Village – Pretty in pink

Aldinga Beach Court – Exploring creative , cooking side of life and BINGO was his name oh!

Parkrose Village – Getting creative and dirty

Parkrose Village – Residents sing a storm with Kelly

Norman House – Tinkling the ivory and sweets cook off

and getting out in Glenelg

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At Home – Monarto visit

WINTER 2022

Reynella Village

Reynella Village – Thank you!

Celebrations at Hayfield Plains and Parkrose Village

Everyone can join in the OBIE interactive table games.

Played with friends, staff and volunteers at all Campuses ...

including Gaynes Park, Parkrose Village (row above ) and Norman House and Glenrose Court

Gaynes Park – Suites

Life Care Active

Gaynes Park – Manor

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Glenrose Court

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