Tidings April/May 2020

ANZAC SPIRIT WWII & beyond with Dick Garrett

Main Street Heroes: The faces of Adie Court

SwanCare Ningana Complete COPING WITH COVID-19 Voices of reason

INSIDE THIS ISSUE CEO’S COLUMN | GENERAL NEWS | RESIDENT STORIES

Amazing new building opens

DECEMBER/JANUARY APRIL / MAY 2020 2018

tidings

26 Plantation Dr Bentley WA 6102 Phone: (08) 6250 0000 Fax: (08) 9470 2017 www.swancare.com.au twitter.com/swancare

Welcome to SwanCare Ningana - See Page 6

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Tidings Magazine is a bi-monthly publication produced and printed on behalf of the residents at SwanCare.

Material deadline for advertising is the 7th of the month preceding each bimonthly edition.

To book advertising or for information regarding rates please contact SwanCare on 6250 0032.

Please supply editorial contributions as a Word document electronically to tidings@swancare.com.au. Hard copies of articles can be handed to reception in the Administration offices at Bentley Park and Australind Rise.

Any supporting photographs may be supplied electronically or as hard-copy prints.

Resistance training - See Page 16

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SWANCARE NEWS Reports straight from SwanCare to you

WELCOME TO SWANCARE NINGANA

Disclaimer In good faith SwanCare accepts articles, a small selection of advertisements, and other content for Tidings. However, the opinions and claims expressed in articles and advertising materials presented in Tidings are those of the authors and the advertisers respectively, and do not necessarily reflect the views of SwanCare, unless stated.

No responsibility is accepted by SwanCare for the accuracy of information contained in the articles or advertisements.

Cover image: SwanCare resident Jean with Abayomi rag doll.

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8 10 13

VILLAGE NEWS Thank you Frankie & Ellen, group notices and more

COPING WITH COVID-19 Resident thoughts

STAFF STORY Meet Marie

Birds of Bentley Park - See Page 24

Waminda creations - Page 5

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MAIN STREET HEROES Faces of Adie Court

15

VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS

16

FEATURE – RESISTANCE TRAINING

18

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

19

OUT & ABOUT

Pam Hind

At-home exercises to keep you moving

Physiotherapy study looking for volunteers

Photos from across the village

Next-level nursing - See Page 13

20

RESIDENT STORY

23

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

WWII & beyond with Dick Garrett

Plus Penny's book review

24

PASSIONS & PASTIMES

26

RECIPE

27

Birds of Bentley Park, Part 2

Healthy Chicken Pizza

PUZZLE Word search

Tidings Magazine

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SwanCare News

CEO'S Column Well, life has certainly thrown us all a curve ball with coronavirus coming to West Australian shores.

While it seems we are doing quite well to ‘flatten the curve’ here in our beautifully isolated state, we are being urged not to let our guard down for the time being.

I want to thank each and every member of the SwanCare community – residents, families and staff – for doing their bit during this unprecedented situation.

While some areas of SwanCare operations have hit the pause button, some are full-speed ahead!

We are very pleased to announce that SwanCare Ningana is now complete.

I recently had a tour of the completed building and, as my kids would say, its game changing.

While the new Ningana is large – 124 rooms to be exact – it has been so cleverly designed to make you feel as if you’re in someone’s family home, albeit a family with great style who likes to entertain.

And there is so much light! At almost every part of the day, there’s a window somewhere that’s While social distancing and isolation is certainly bathed in sunlight, and almost every view point a difficult feat for many of us, I’ve been humbled integrates the outside world. by the sense of resilience and fortitude here at Finally, I love that staff work from concealed SwanCare. It seems we are all just getting on operations corridors, allowing for equipment with it and doing what must be done. I just love storage and laundry collection stations. This the advice in the story on pages 10 – 13 here in separation of living and operational spaces Tidings! greatly reduces noise and clutter, providing We are also aware that some may be having a a relaxed and homely environment for the hard time right now. If you need to reach out residents. during this uncertain period, please do, we are still here to support you. We’ve had staff calling around to have a chat with independent living residents, and we hope this service has been of use to you.

I’m extremely proud of SwanCare Ningana and would like to thank everyone involved in seeing this beautiful building come to life. We look forward to welcoming our new residents soon.

While we are unable to host a traditional opening ceremony of the building at this time, we are offering one on one tours.

If you’re interested, please get in touch with Leanne LeBrun on: (08) 6250 0250 or email: care@swancare.com.au Until next time, stay safe and well.

Graham Francis

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SwanCare COVID-19 Notices For up to date SwanCare notices in regards to COVID-19 please visit: www.swancare.com.au/covid-19-updates or contact reception on (08) 6250 0000.

SwanCare Residents on TV SwanCare Bentley Park residents have been busy working with staff to create a number of videos to keep residents entertained. There’s a line dancing tutorial, storytelling and more.

Check out SwanCareTV (channel 101) or find SwanCare’s channel on YouTube.

If you have a video idea of your own, let us know at news@swancare.com.au

“The residents absolutely loved this activity and took pride in their dolls,” Annemarie Kluvers, Diversional Therapy Coordinator at Waminda said. “Not only did they enjoy choosing the materials and clothing, but they have something to keep at the end.”

“We exhibited them altogether as a beautiful display and many conversations were had by all who saw them. Residents were all very happy with their end products!”

Good on you Annemarie and the Diversional Therapy Team at Waminda! Thank you for all you do. *Please note these photos were taken well before COVID-19 restrictions were in place.

Waminda Abayomi Rag Dolls Harmony Week is celebrated across Australia every March. This special week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and is all about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all.

SwanCare Waminda staff thought that it would be great to celebrate with residents, so set about to run an engaging activity for all.

Volunteers and staff members helped residents create Abayomi Rag Dolls over a couple of sessions. Abayomi is the name of a traditional African rag doll made from knots tied on rags and fabric. A translation of the name in the traditional Yoruba language means ‘one who brings happiness’ or ‘precious encounter’.

The different materials for the bone structure represent different skin colours and the different styles of clothing represented different nationalities, as well as people’s taste in clothing.

The activity not only encouraged conversations about cultural diversity and inclusion, but also helped SwanCare Waminda residents to stregthen their fine motor skills.

Tidings Magazine

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SwanCare News

Welcome to SwanCare Ningana

Inside the new SwanCare Ningana

It’s aged care, reimagined.

At last, SwanCare Ningana is now complete and ready to welcome its very first residents.

SwanCare Bentley Park resident Patricia Muirhead-Caddle was one of the first to view the new facility.

“Ningana surpasses all my expectations,” Patricia said. “I’ve just been on a tour and can’t give high enough praise.”

“I have no more fears of going into aged care, in fact, I’m looking forward to it!”

As you step into Ningana, there’s a distinctly nostalgic feel, with the various spaces cleverly designed to emulate the family home. There’s indoor gardens, resident-use kitchens, reading nooks, lounge spaces – even an enclosed fireplace on each level for the cooler months.

The fundamental design concept of the four-

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story, 124-room building is to emulate familiar concepts of home within a community, where rooms are homes within a street that connect to a wider neighbourhood.

Taking a whole-of-building approach to dementia care, Ningana offers a layout with few decision points, reducing possibilities for confusion.

With abundant daylight and natural ventilation, the design also brings the outside world within. There’s large glass windows on the sides of the building, with the interior of the building circulating an outdoor landscaped space.

Sun-loving residents can “chase the sun” with daylight infiltrating various parts of the building over the course of the day.

On the western-side, mature gum trees provide a shaded green space for the outdoor deck space on each upper level, some with city views.

Staff have access to concealed operational corridors that provide behind-the-scenes workspaces, equipment storage and laundry collection areas. This separation between living and working spaces reduces both noise and operational clutter (such as trolleys and medical equipment), allowing residents to feel more relaxed and at home.

Each level has a casual resident-staff meeting space with a nurse station area positioned near the resident’s kitchenette and dining space, providing a relaxed place for residents and staff to chat and connect.

new home and their families will feel excited to visit.”

Ningana offers flexible and adaptable room types to cater for singles or couples, or those seeking a much larger room type than traditionally offered. There’s a choice of three types of suites being referred to as silver, gold and platinum suites.

This space also offers an operational staff kitchen, allowing residents to see and smell the preparation of meals, adding to the home-like atmosphere.

“We are immensely proud to open SwanCare Ningana’s doors to the West Australian community,” SwanCare CEO Graham Francis said. “It’s a fantastic achievement not only for SwanCare, but for aged care generally.

“I truly believe that SwanCare Ningana sets a new benchmark in West Australian aged care.”

The building is designed by the award-winning Cameron Chisholm Nicol (CCN), the architects behind Perth Arena and the State’s Advisor for Optus Stadium.

“We really wanted Ningana to change the way people think about aged care,” Dominic Snellgrove, Ningana Project Director at CCN, said. “We’ve integrated the latest international research on best-practice aged care design into this building and it has come across beautifully.

“We hope the residents feel comfortable and engaged with their

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Village News Handicraft Our coordinator for the past twelve years Wendy Paul has decided to step down from this role. We wish to thank Wendy for the time and work that she has put into this group. We hope that she will relax and enjoy her time travelling with her husband (once they can travel again).

When allowed to open up again, we are excited to say that we will have moved to the Leisure Precinct. Please keep an eye out for notices from Administration when we will be starting again.

We would love to see participation numbers increase upon re-opening.

Keeping in contact If you have a smartphone you could have the ability to create a video chat with family and friends. There are many ways to do this via downloaded apps. Joshua from our HALO Technology Hub has created ‘how to’ guides for the following platforms: • Facebook Messenger • FaceTime (Apple platforms only) • What’sApp • Skype If you would like a copy of the ‘how to’ guides please telephone reception. Joshua is also available over the phone on 6250 0340 or 0491 695 424 for any further assistance.

Isolation Activities • Board games/puzzles • Time in garden/backyard picnics • Enrol in an online course • Physical exercise/walks • Staying connected by phone/internet If you have any other activities or tips send them through to us at news@swancare.com.au

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Village Residents Advisory Council Due to the precautions the Federal and State governments, and SwanCare Administration are taking to protect Village residents against the COVID-19 virus, the March Coffee Morning, along with almost every Village social activity, was cancelled.

Since the virus situation is still in flux, and the current restrictions are likely to continue for six months, we have cancelled all the longsession talks for the remainder of 2020. We hope to be able to re-schedule these sessions later in the year, or in 2021.

The members of the Council have been in touch with each other by phone, and I have been in discussion with Natalie to see if the IT department can assist the Council to meet by some sort of virtual meeting platform.

We feel that it is important for the Council to discuss the ways in which the life of the Village community can continue, in spite of the severe social restrictions required at this time.

In the meantime, if you have some ideas to help the Village to get through the next few months, or know of some problem that needs to be addressed by Admin, please call any member of the VRAC and we will try to answer any questions or to pass on your comments as needed. Routine maintenance issues should be reported to Administration as usual.

All members of the Council wish our fellow residents all the best though this difficult time.

Due to the current social distancing measures in place to combat COVID-19, many of the village happenings are taking a break. We hope to bring you more village news in the new future.

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Coping with COVID-19

The older generations have lived many life experiences and can help others come to terms with what is happening

Voices of Reason What the older generations can teach us about coping during the coronavirus pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it. Society has been required to adapt to a new way of living, in order to minimise the virus that has now become the focal point of every news outlet and conversation globally.

For younger generations, it’s hard to

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comprehend, having not lived through anything quite so globally catastrophic. Those amongst us from older generations have the life experience to help others come to terms with what is happening, to look for some positives in this present experience.

Fortunately, we have some SwanCare Bentley Park residents which fit perfectly into this category! We spoke to them to find out how they were adapting to life during the pandemic, and asked if they had any advice for those looking for some reassuring words of wisdom‌

“Jot jobs and ideas down on a list and cross them off as you go. If all else fails, make yourself a cup of tea, cut yourself some slack and relax if you need to! My favourite thing to do is make joke sketches. Overall, keep in contact with those you love, stay positive, have a laugh, and see the funny side of things if you can!”

Robin Hollier.

“If your family is happy and healthy, you have so much to be thankful for! There is always someone worse off than you, so choose positivity every day and be grateful. Find some good friends if you don’t have family to rely on, or if you don’t then make friends with the people around you like your neighbours.

We are so happy living here in the village, it’s a great environment where people are positive and still very active. Happy environments breed happy people.”

Engeline Drok.

“Think of everyone else doing the same thing - stay home and be safe! If people are struggling, I would tell them to give positive affirmations a go. My current affirmation at the moment is “I’m safe and I am as well as I can be.”

Leona Douglas.

“This is a time for reflection and being thankful for all that you have! It reminds me of my childhood through WW2, I just can’t help but think how fortunate we are with all the technology and food that we have available at our fingertips. I was a six-year-old child when WW2 started, I lived with my grandparents, there were seven of us in a three-bedroom home. Back then we had no TV, no toys, one hour of radio for children, and can remember we queued in a long line for plain biscuits, only to find out there were none left when we got to front! We got one orange and one apple per year!

“When you talk about surviving things, I’ve survived WW2 and the Polio Epidemic. This epidemic doesn’t come close to what people went through back then. It will pass, all we have to do is be patient and do the right thing…your attitude is everything, no help being upset over the situation.

Birds are still singing, flowers are still flowering, and the sun is still coming up. Life could be a lot worse!”

Pamela Hind.

I advise you to switch off the TV or choose programs that don’t have anything to do with COVID-19, because you can easily become overwhelmed with the amount that the media report. Have a plan for your day – that has really helped me. Eat fruit and vegetables every day, keep in touch with family and friends, and get out for a walk!”

Janet Openshaw.

Switching off from COVID-related news can help

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Dealing with COVID-19 “Keep the happy memories going and all the laughs, and remember this will be over soon then you can continue having laughs in person with your loved ones.

We are all in this together. I think that the SwanCare Village is the best place on earth to live as I have friends all around me and we look out for each other. We all get down, but you need to pick yourself up. Life can get too serious - the best way to live life is to laugh through it!

Thelma Chilton.

“Akora Apartments is generally a happy place with happy people. I look outside and I enjoy it from the inside! Life is a beautiful thing, and you have to accept the fact that physically you can’t do everything, but you can find other things to do. We’re still here, be grateful for that and don’t take it for granted. Positive thoughts will take you a long way.

I’m usually very active (swimming, bowling, golf), but my wife and I are enjoying our time together playing cards and chatting.”

Franklyn DeGraaf.

“Take one day at a time, tomorrow is another new day. Don’t sit and think what’s going to happen in the future – being scared doesn’t help anyone. Do something that makes you happy. If you walk past someone give them a quick smile to acknowledge them - it doesn’t cost a thing and feels so good for everyone involved!”

“I remember sugar coming off rations when I was about six years old – It was the best day when you could buy lollies without stamps! We’ve been through some rough things in our lifetime and we’ll get through this one too.”

Rosetta Mascari.

David Hall.

COVID-19 has no doubt taken its toll on much of society, but we hope that the positive outlook adopted by our lovely residents will shine a light on what has been a turbulent and uncertain time.

We’re looking forward to enjoying the freedoms afforded to us before the coronavirus and seeing our residents once again socialise and spend time with loved ones.

Rethink Your Visit Help protect our residents from COVID-19 by loving your loved one from a distance.

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Staff Story

Next Level Nursing

Marie Wang

When Marie Wang joined SwanCare as an enrolled nurse (EN) in 2017, she didn’t know it would signal a new chapter in her professional life. After more than three years with us, Marie has recently graduated as a registered nurse (RN) and is excited to dedicate her career to improving the lives of seniors.

Room to grow After moving to Australia from Taiwan in 2013, Marie worked as a carer before joining us in 2017. Over the last three years with SwanCare, Marie has become an embedded member of our team of nurses at Kingia and Tandara.

Today, Marie is an RN, supporting a team of ENs and often, student nurses. She reflects on how things have come full circle: “When I applied to SwanCare after having completed my EN course, I had experience as a carer, but not as an EN. But the hiring managers believed in me. Over time, I’ve learned that SwanCare isn’t simply a fantastic residential care facility; it’s a learning institution. I felt this throughout my training and, more recently, as a teacher. Now, I have the chance to share my knowledge while also refreshing my skills as a buddy to student nurses. I’m more than happy to help - because I was there not so long ago!”

The opportunity to connect When asked about the difference between the hospital environment and aged care, Marie says it comes down to human connection.

“In aged care, we have the opportunity to build relationships with residents. Residents are here long term, so we’re able to be proactive about our care. Residents and their families really appreciate what we do. We tend to spend more time with the residents than their families.

But some families come in a lot and we become friends. It’s really lovely.”

‘The next level!’

In February 2018, Marie decided to undertake study to become a registered nurse. She says her busy schedule of study and part-time work was made easier thanks to her amazing manager, Jovy.

“When I told SwanCare I wanted to study to become an RN, they were incredibly supportive. Jovy helped me arrange my shifts so I could go to uni in the morning and work in the afternoon. When I had placement or exams, they allowed me to make the most of my leave.

SwanCare has been so helpful - they encourage us to undertake professional development if that’s our ambition.”

Marie graduated her registered nurse course in December 2019.

A meaningful career You don’t have to spend long with Marie to realise that her work is intrinsically connected to her values.

“I’m happy at SwanCare. It feels good to know that, as a not-for-profit, our efforts directly benefit our residents. And we have a really supportive team; we all help each other.”

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Main Street Heroes Along the “Main Street of Bentley Park” you’ll find two very special small businesses that truly make SwanCare a great place to live.

Our Village Grocers

Hair and Beauty

By Shirley Barnes

By Sue from Hair At Swan / Shirley Barnes “We’ve been fortunate enough be a part of the SwanCare community, coming up to seven years. We believe that our job is not only to pamper our guests, but more importantly, to listen to their hair and beauty needs, and during our time here we have had the privilege of making countless residents feel and look their best selves.

Phuong and Tien

Both Phuong and Tien were born in Vietnam and migrated to Australia and each undertook a variety of jobs to earn a living here. Phuong worked as a waitress, as well as working some years in a children’s nursery, while Tien worked in jobs such as gardening on farmlets.

“Our move into the Village has been a nice change from the pressures of the highend salons in which we completed our apprenticeships and we love the mostly relaxed environment in which our salon operates on a daily basis. Never ones to run from a chat, we love that our new premises have brought with them much more interaction with residents and staff.

Three years after they met, they returned to Vietnam to marry before returning to Australia, as it was the best place for their children’s future education, job opportunities and career paths. They also liked the idea of working in ‘a small town’ and getting to know people while improving their grasp of the English language.

Their children, Steven (7), Gialinh (4) and Paul (1), may be seen at the shop at times in the school holidays and it brightens up the day for residents who do not see their own families very often.

They really like their new shop and the fact that it is also open to the public moving along Adie Road. Tien also delivers orders around the Village, which is gratefully received and is of great assistance to many residents.

They have a long-term lease on their new premises as their value is recognised. They have built a great friendly (family) interaction with the residents, who just love having them here.

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Hair At Swan

“Buying a salon within the SwanCare village has turned out to be a great decision for us and we are excited and grateful to see our business grow, with the support of the SwanCare community.″

Valuable Volunteers

Keeping Busy with Pam Pamela Hind, or more affectionately known within the village as Pam, is as passionate and energetic as they come. In non-COVID times it’s hard to find her at home - she’s often out volunteering, at church services, visiting friends, and of course, travelling!

Known for her great work as the Line Dancing Coach, she also is part of the Fish ‘n’ Chips on Stratton Committee, a Social Club volunteer, and on top of all that she’s just signed up to be a VRAC committee member! Phew, we feel exhausted just thinking about all of that!

Pam has lived in SwanCare Bentley Park for just over 11 years. After retiring from bookkeeping and banking for the majority of her life, she felt she needed more of a community and somewhere safe and friendly to live. Living close to her two sons was important to Pam, and whilst her Grandson lives in Sydney, she loves phoning and emailing him to catch up.

Pam is that helping hand when you need it, and likes to help out whenever she can. One of Pam’s favourite things about volunteering is the social interaction and meeting new people.

“If we want to take advantage of the groups, we have to be prepared to do our bit if we are able to. If institutions were to pay for people to run all the groups, the maintenance costs would go up sky high and we wouldn’t have the facilities and social outings that we are so privileged to have,” Pam said.

Pam Hind

Pam loves a broad range of dancing and music from Beethoven to The Beatles - as Pam likes to put it, but prefers to enjoy it with other people.

Pam is missing all the groups and gatherings that she usually attends around Bentley Park, and looks forward to seeing everyone when social distancing measures dissipate.

Her advice to others? “Move into the retirement village while you’re still young enough to enjoy everything here. We have many social activities and even a gym which I love using, don’t leave it too late to enjoy it all!”

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer please get into contact with Karen Parker on 6250 0010 or email karen.parker@swancare.com.au

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Keep Moving At Home

By Ashleigh Fitzgerald (BSc Sport & Exercise), Community Living Coordinator, SwanCare.

Upper Back

With the current COVID-19 social distancing measures in place, most of us are staying at home for longer periods than usual. While you can still get out and about for daily exercise, such as walking, it may also be useful to try some simple at-home exercise to help with maintaining muscle mass, flexibly and balance.

Please only attempt these exercises if it is safe to do so.

Abdominal contractions

To increase strength in the abdominal muscles • Take a deep breath and tighten your abdominal muscles.

• Hold for 3 breaths and then release the contraction.

• Repeat 10 times.

To relieve tension in shoulders and upper back • Sit in a firm chair. Place your feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart.

• Hold your arms up and out in front at shoulder height, with your palms facing outward and the backs of your hands pressed together.

Relax your shoulders so they’re not scrunched up near your ears.

• Reach your fingertips out until you feel a stretch. Your back will move away from the back of the chair.

• Stop and hold for 10 to 30 seconds.

• Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Neck stretch

Toe taps To strengthen the lower legs • Sitting in a chair and keeping your heels on the floor, lift your toes high enough that you can feel the muscles along your shin working.

(This helps keep blood circulating in your legs and also strengthens the lower leg.)

• Repeat 20 times.

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To relieve tension in the neck and upper back • Stand with your feet flat on the floor, shoulderwidth apart. Keep your hands relaxed at your sides.

• Don’t tip your head forward or backward as you turn your head slowly to the right. Stop when you feel a slight stretch. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.

• Now turn to the left. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.

• Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Knee lifts

Shoulder blade squeeze

To strengthen the thighs • Seated in a chair, with your arms resting but not pressing on the armrests, contract your right quadriceps muscles and lift your leg.

Your knee and the back of your thigh should be 2 or 3 inches off the seat.

• Pause for 3 seconds and slowly lower your leg.

• Complete 8 to 12 repetitions and then repeat with the opposite leg.

To strengthen postural muscles and stretch the chest • Sit up straight in your seat, and squeeze your shoulder blades toward one another.

• Focus on keeping your shoulders down, not hunched up toward your ears, and hold for 3 seconds.

• Release and repeat 8 to 12 times.

Ankle Rotations Heel Raises

To strengthen the calves • Seated in a chair, lift your right foot off the floor and slowly rotate your foot 5 times to the right and then 5 times to the left.

• Repeat with the left foot.

To strengthen the upper calves • Sitting in a chair, keep your toes and the balls of your feet on the floor and lift your heels.

• Repeat 20 times.

Shoulder and upper back stretch To stretch the shoulders and back • Bend your right arm, raising it so your elbow is chest level and your right fist is near your left shoulder.

• Place your left hand on your right elbow and gently pull your right arm across your chest.

• Hold for 20 to 30 seconds.

• Repeat with the opposite arm.

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Student Story

Let’s Get Physical!

It is thought that this may help people to be evaluated within a home environment, rather than within a clinic setting.

Michelle got to know a number of residents very well over the period of the study and learnt many things along the way. We are looking forward to the outcome of the study.

Michelle is looking to recruit participants for her study

Residents recruits needed for study You may have seen this familiar face around SwanCare Bentley Park.

Meet Michelle. Sponsored by the esteemed Singapore Institute of Technology to complete a Physiotherapy PhD at Curtin University.

Michelle was born and raised in Malaysia, before moving to Singapore to complete a physiotherapy degree and working as a hospital physio for 12 years, later becoming a lecturer at university.

So how did she end up in Perth? Michelle came here four times before deciding to study in Perth. She fell in love with the friendly people and the abundance of land and bush!

As part of her PhD, Michelle is conducting a two-part study. The first part of the study is now complete, where she evaluated a tool used by physio’s all around the world to assess the progress of clients. Michelle is exploring if its possible to assess clients using the same physio tool but in a smaller space, rather than needing an entire eight meters and stairs, as required by the current tool.

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The second part of the study is where we need your help! Using the outdoor exercise park at the Leisure Precinct, Michelle would like to recruit 59 participants from all different backgrounds who are independent or use a walking aid. The study will be over 24 weeks, starting at two sessions per week supervised, then reducing in time and supervision, progressing to independent exercise park usage. Sessions will start off in groups and take one hour, with a cup of tea and a chat at the end.

If you are interested for a start at a later date (possibly mid to late 2020*), please get into contact with Michelle on via phone on: (08) 9266 4926 or email at: yokeleng.ng1@postgrad.curtin.edu.au *At this stage the wellbeing of the seniors at SwanCare is Michelle’s top priority and she is currently monitoring Coronavirus information for when to start her second study. Please register your interest, so that Michelle can keep you up to date and in the loop with her study.

Out & About

Photos from some of the many activities on offer at Bentley Park

Ringing ringing the Swan Bells

CEO's Coffee Club visit to the Bell Tower

The Bell Tower tour guide (left) had many interesting stories to share

St. Patricks Day Fish 'n' Chips Luncheon

Before SwanCare's Velvet Barrett shaved her head for charity

After SwanCare's Velvet Barrett shaved her head for charity

St. Patricks Day Fish 'n' Chips Luncheon

Defibrillator training

Resuscitation technique

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Resident Story

Dick Garrett: Taking Life as It Comes Introducing Harold (Dick) Garrett. He’s been a SwanCare resident for the last 23 years. At 96 years of age, Dick has led a fascinating life packed with travel and adventure. He’s also great for a yarn!

With ANZAC Day on April 25th, it felt timely to catch-up with Dick, being one of only six World War II survivors remaining from the 4th battalion.

He grew up in Inglewood, Perth, during the Great Dick Garrett Depression. As a child, money was tight but “you had to make your own fun”, so Dick would make kites with his friends and explore the bush.

“As a kid, I was able to wander in the bush around Morley where there were no houses and nothing out there…. I knew where all the native flowers were: Spider Orchids, Cowslip Orchids, Enamel Orchids. I’d go and pick them and take them home to Mum. I always liked the bush!”

Work life started in a West Perth Producers Markets as an office boy, followed by a stint at the WA Public Trustee on St Georges Terrace. When he turned 18, Dick was called up to the army.

Army career Dick’s army career began in logistics, before being transferred into infantry (rifleman). But his preferred role and where he spent most time was signalling (communications). Training took place in Northam camp where he was acquainted with a “group of misfits “. He was only there a few weeks before he was made a Lance Corporal. For the next couple of years Dick was constantly

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on the move. He travelled from the Kimberley, to Port Headland, Exmouth and Fremantle. In September 1943, he received embarkation leave and moved to New South Wales before heading to Queensland for a “little bit of tropical orientation”. From there he moved to Papua New Guinea where he spent two years, before being discharged back to Western Australia.

Time at war It’s impossible to comprehend what life was like during the war, and Dick’s reflection on his role during this period is both inspiring and honourable.

“I don’t regard going to war as anything exceptional, you go there to do a job, it’s as simple as that and you do it the best way you can. Sometimes things go wrong and someone gets hurt, but that’s what you expect to happen. I think you become a little bit insulated against adversity, you accept that this is it.”

While the legacy of war has left Dick with memories that are simply too hard to talk about, it has also helped Dick develop a strong sense of resilience that has shaped a lifetime of contentment and optimism. He has many stories on the tip of his tongue…!

“I remember taking off in an aeroplane called ‘a walrus’, it’s an amphibian that can land on water or airstrip. We went down to the airstrip and there was three planes. The Pilot said, “I’ll take that one”, the chap that worked there said that one is booked out and the second one has no brakes. The pilot said “well I’ll have the last one then”.

The chap said, “There’s no radio in that one!” "Oh well”, the pilot said,” I’ll take the one without the brakes!” It didn’t worry him as we took off, flew, and then landed back on the air strip. We took off again and then landed at our destination on a lake - they were very casual back in those days!”

Time away from family Serving during the war meant long periods of time spent away from loved ones. We asked Dick if he ever got homesick…

“You tend to turn off and accept whatever’s happening, you’ve got to do that! You can’t change anything, you’re under orders, and you do as you’re told. You simply go into another world, you do whatever you have to do to get by and come back alive.”

Dick may have specialised in communications, but unfortunately keeping in contact with family was never an easy feat. Letters he sent were mainly to his parents, but the mail was pretty erratic so sometimes took weeks to send and receive depending on where they were stationed.

Another issue was privacy – all letters were censored!

“I remember when writing one letter, I could see an island off Hansa Bay (Papua New Guinea) and there was a volcano erupting. The sky turned purple! I wrote the story down and they cut it all out of the letter [laughs], well it would have indicated where I was…”

All work no play – not if Dick can help it!

A deck of playing cards was fairly standard as a means to stave off the boredom during down-time.

But just as he made kites as a child, Dick had to get creative with his playtime as an adult too. If they could source a ball, Dick and his friends would make wooden bats and play tennis. Sometimes they’d explore the jungle, and if they were stationed on the coast they’d enjoy hitting the water with one of the local’s canoes.

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Resident Story When the war was over, Dick and company were told to wait at Wewak Beach (Papua New Guinea) until transport was available to take them home, so the guys really made the most of their beach time, body surfing and swimming.

Post-war life After the war Dick found it hard to settle down, but after a while got stuck into civilian living.

Eventually marrying the love of his life (who sadly passed away in 2016) and raising four children. He now has eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Dick worked for an accountancy firm in Guildford and trained as an Engine Driver, before starting work for CSBP which took him from Perth to Albany, where he called home for 32 years before deciding to move back to Perth to be nearer to a major city for their children who lived all around Australia.

Dick Garrett in his army uniform

ANZAC Day

Dick is an active member of Victoria Park RSL, which is conveniently situated near his home at SwanCare Bentley Park. He’s marched with the unit in Sydney where the 4th battalion was based, but with only six members left Australia-wide, he doesn’t march much in Perth as he “feels a bit silly” being one of the only ones left in WA. Dick acknowledges that there are many emotions that emanate from ANZAC Day, and not all of them are good.

“ANZAC Day for us is a day of reflection. I think about the fact that I am still here, but a heck of a lot of my mates are not…ANZAC Day is important because people today enjoy what they have because these people put their lives on the line…The memory has to be preserved for sure!”

Dick’s life experiences have produced a bounty of stories to share with his friends at SwanCare Bentley Park. He’s a humble man and maintains that he’s “no hero”, but he’s a hero to us. It’s safe to say most could learn a thing or two from Dick!

“War shaped my life, I learnt a lot about people. There’s one lesson that I learnt very quickly and that is “keep your cool” – that was a very valuable lesson! Sometimes you can get over-heated if something goes wrong and I find after the experience I had [with war], instead of getting upset when something drastic happens, I simply calm down and get to work to fix it. I just take life as it comes and try not to worry too much.”

Well said, Dick!

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Letters to the Editor Dear Ed.

Penny’s Book Review

I would like to sincerely thank Mr May for his article - Birds of Bentley Park. I learnt more in his article than I had ever known about these birds. I am looking forward to part 2 and 3 and 4…

All book services are now suspended, but that doesn’t mean we can’t give you teasers for when the Library opens back up!

Kim George, SwanCare Finance Officer

'The Nowhere Child'

by Christian White

Thanks Kim, we agree Mr May’s piece was really interesting. Who knew mudlarks sing together in duet?! We hope you like part 2 in this edition. Ed.

Christian White is an Australian author and screen writer.

Dear Ed. I have a suggestion for other residents in the village who may not be aware of this recent support for people staying at home. I have done a few of ABC Classic Radio’s dance classes and found them hugely energetic and enjoyable.

They are on the radio station 97.7fm Monday to Friday, starting around 10.55am and finish around 11.15am.

There's a warm-up track, usually a march.

Then two dance tracks of beautiful music including a range from symphonic pieces, ballet to tango etc, and so well and safely presented.

ABC Classic music radio can be accessed on TV channel 27.

Kerin Faulkner Dear Kerin

His first novel ‘The Nowhere Child’ won the 2017 Wheeler Centre Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Best Unpublished Manuscript.

‘The Nowhere Child’ was eventually published in 2019 and has been a popular read.

‘The Nowhere Child becomes a mystery when out of the blue Kim Leamy is approached by a stranger investigating the disappearance of a little girl from her Kentucky home twenty eight years ago. He believes that Kim is that girl. After initially brushing his claims off, Kim finds herself questioning her family’s history and discovers an unexpected dark past.

If you like a mystery you are guaranteed a good read here.

The other book is ‘The Wife and the Widow’ which is also worth reading.

Penny Felder Bentley Park Librarian

Thank you for sending through this recommendation. If you like music and have access to the internet you can also visit a site that you can choose music from all different eras. The address is: musicmemories.bbcrewind.co.uk We hope you enjoy! Ed.

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Passions & Pastimes

Birds of Bentley Park Part 2. By Bruce May Continued from February-March 2020 edition of Tidings.

In this issue we’re looking at cockatoos and parrots.

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

While on the cockatoo species, it is interesting to look at two of the species of Corella which also visit us.

Long-billed Corella

The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, or Banks’ Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii), is an occasional visitor to our village, particularly after the flowering gums have started developing their seed pods or gumnuts. While these are still tender, the cockatoos tear them apart to get the goodness from inside, and litter the ground below. For this reason and their loud, screechy calls, they are not very popular with some people.

The male birds have bright red/orange panels under their tails, which gives them their name.

The females have speckled chest feathers. These cockatoos live in hollows in trees, and as it can take up to 70 years for such hollows to develop, we need to ensure that many large, old trees are preserved. Because they are losing so many home trees, these cockatoos are officially under threat; and any injured ones are now taken to the Perth Zoo to try to ensure their survival.

The Red Tails are not native to other parts of Australia, so they are endemic to our region.

The call of the red-tailed cockatoos is very similar to other black cockatoo species.

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The Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris) is the one receiving bad press at the moment, and some people are even declaring them a pest.

Their long bills are used for digging bulblets and corms out of the ground, as their major food. In recent years, claims have been made that they have destroyed municipal ovals when hundreds, even thousands, of them descend at once.

However, their efforts may also lead to oxygenation of the grass, and may be beneficial, especially as they are manuring the grass at the same time.

Muir’s Corella

Galah

Muir’s Corella (Cacatua pastinator pastinator) is the other species we are likely to see here at Bentley Park. Last year, one of the Moreton Bay fig trees on Jarrah Road was covered in what appeared to be white balloons, but were corellas feasting on the ripe figs.

Another cockatoo species that visits our village is the Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) which probably needs little introduction. There are times that pink & grey Galahs will flock with Corellas, and sometimes they even interbreed.

Australian Ringneck

Rainbow Lorikeet

The Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius) is commonly known in WA as the Twenty Eight because of its distinctive call, but is officially known as the Port Lincoln Parrot. I would guess that we have Twenty Eights nesting in our village, because they are such common sights.

Although the Twenty Eight has to compete with the Rainbow Lorikeet for nest sites and food, the species is under no threat at the moment. They are seed-eaters.

The last bird to deal with in this section is the Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) which is not a native of WA. They were introduced from eastern parts of Australia as pets, some escaped, and they found the conditions ideal to breed, and breed, and breed. They are now regarded as a pest, because they threaten the habitats and food sources of other endemic species. People are not permitted to keep them as pets. These lorikeets feed on nectar alone.

As with the birds in the last edition, we should not attempt to feed any of these birds, because they will become reliant on what we give them, and they will miss out on many nutrients they obtain from their native food. There is no harm in offering water in a birdbath, and Twenty Eights in particular adore a good bath and will thank you for it on a hot day.

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Recipe

Healthy Quick Chicken Pizza Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 10 mins | Serves: 2

Ingredients

Method

• • • • •

1. Preheat oven to 220ºC (200ºC fan-forced).

2. Spread tomato paste evenly over pizza base. Top with spinach leaves, sliced onion, chicken, capsicum strips and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with cheese and place on a baking tray, pizza stone or wire rack.

3. Bake for 5 minutes until cheese is melted then cover with foil to prevent burning.

Bake for a further 5 minutes until base is crisp.

4. Sprinkle with roughly torn basil leaves on top to serve.

1 x 23cm pizza base (dinner plate size) 2 tbs no-added-salt tomato paste 1 cup baby spinach leaves 1/2 large red onion, finely chopped 100 g cooked or BBQ chicken breast, thinly sliced • 1/2 red capsicum, seeded and diced • 6 large cherry tomatoes, halved • 1/2 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, grated • basil leaves, to serve

Serving Suggestion: Use mini bases, pita or wholegrain English muffins for individual pizzas.

Adapted with permission from LiveLighter.

LiveLighter® State of Western Australia 2020 www.livelighter.com.au

26 SwanCare

Variation: For a Mediterranean chicken pizza, add sundried tomatoes and marinated artichokes and eggplant. Go for the fat-free versions or drain well on a paper towel.

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