Blankets to cover sensory needs IMPROVING the well-being of some of the most vulnerable people in the community is a cause worth pursuing. So, a project to relieve the boredom and cognitive decline of people living with dementia and other disabilities deserves special attention. Advance Community College project supervisor Sam Knowles and her team are producing stimulation materials for elderly residents designed to be both soothing and help them retain their motor skills. The items include sensory blankets, pillows and other “fiddle” items, with a variety of stimulatory elements, such as different colours and textures, and tactile elements, such as beads, ribbons, zips and buttons. The features stimulate the residents’ senses and have positive and beneficial effects on their quality of life and general well-being. “Distraction therapy is a good way to reduce levels of anxiety,” experienced aged care worker Ms Knowles said. “The stimulation of sensory activity, in a safe environment, is known to induce positive emotions. “The items offer the residents a chance to practise their fine motor skills, such as tying ribbons, connect-
All aboard: Eric Sangwell, Peter Fulton and Bob Bolch. Picture: Supplied
JPs take office
Stimulating the brain: Somercare well-being officer Shelly Ford and Advance Community College project supervisor Sam Knowles with residents Bertha Holt, Marjorie Kennedy and Susan Thiele. Picture: Yanni
ing hooks and eyes, and running zips up and down. Other items are beads in a bag to move with the fingers and to hear jangle as they move, changing colours to catch the eye, feeling different textures, and popping toys or characters in and out of a pocket to amuse, surprise or delight.” Somerville residential care home SomerCare is the first to receive the completed items. Shelley Ford, from its leisure and well-being unit,
described the donated sensory fiddle blankets as “adorable” and said they were “much loved by the residents”. She said residents were “really engaged when using them and they provided good value”. A footy blanket may be their next creation. SomerCare is discussing the idea of the blanket with Ms Knowles to maintain residents’ long-held interests and arouse pleasant memories of their favourite team. Team members have benefitted from
the project, too, with Ms Knowles saying she felt a sense of achievement in being part of the project. “It has certainly helped me gain self-confidence in my abilities and tremendous satisfaction from donating to the community, with such positive feedback,” she said. The project being run through the Hastings Community Contribution Project 2019, received a federal government Work for the Dole grant. Stephen Taylor
JUSTICES of the Peace Peter Fulton and Eric Sangwell were elected secretary and treasurer of the Mornington Peninsula branch of Honorary Justices at their meeting at Rosebud police station recently. Chairman Bob Bolch had already been elected at a previous meeting. During general business they discussed legal documents, including enduring power of attorney and the appointment of a medical treatment decision maker. Both documents can be witnessed by JPs or bail justices, while an advance care directive must be signed by a registered medical practitioner. These free legal documents are included in the book Take Control available at the Office of the Public Advocate, call 1300 309 337, or can be downloaded at publicadvocate.vic. gov.au To find a JP or bail justice call that number or search JPs Victoria.
DENTURE DENTURESTUDIO STUDIO TRANSMEND FLOATS, TRUCKS & TRAILERS Custom Floats Building Floats & Trailers
We specialise in full and dentures We specialise inpartial full and Implant retained dentures partial dentures Same day denture repairs and relines Implant retained dentures Custom made sports mouthguards
Same day denture repairs DVA HEALTH CARD OFFER and relines
• Obligation Free Quotes! • Workmanship Guaranteed! • Manufactured to your specification!
All Repairs & Servicing • New Windows Front & Side • Paint Work • Lights & Rewiring • New Roofs • Floor Replacement • Rust Repairs or Repairs • Small or Large Repairs • New Checkerplate & • Chassis Work Rubber Flooring
Department of Veterans’ Affairs DVA Health Card holders are entitled to FREE dentures every six years. Show your card at time of booking to claim offer.
Custom made sports mouthguards Tony TonyFinn Finn- -Dental DentalProsthetist Prosthetist
190 190High HighStreet, Street,Hastings Hastings Tel: Tel:5979 59793007 3007M: M:0400 0400051 051512 512
2/8 Simcock St, Somerville Vic 3912 T: 03 59 77 66 77 email: transmend@bigpond.com (*conditions apply) Western Port News 3 July 2019
PAGE 9