1. 1
NOVEMBER 2014 • ISSUE 2
CHARITY GOLF DAYS ON PAR
TO REACH FUNDRAISING
TARGETS Page 4
STAYING SOCIALLY
CONNECTED WITH
FRIENDSHIP GROUPS Page 10
GRINDLEY CONSTRUCTION
TO BUILD STAGE ONE OF
KINGSFORD TERRACE Page 13
2. It’s been three months since
we sent out the first issue of
Connect, and if you’re anything
like me you’ll be wondering
where the time has gone! There’s
always plenty happening around
PresCare, and this past few
months has been no exception.
In this issue we’ll share with you
news of the student placement
program that runs at Alexandra
Gardens in Rockhampton.The
enthusiasm and passion for
learning that these students have
inspires our staff and residents
alike, and it’s a program we
expect to see not just continue
but grow.
I was pleased to be part of the
construction launch at Kingsford
Terrace in late August, see page
13 for the update. Construction
at the site is now underway, and
in a few short months we’ll all be
able to see the Litchfield building
rise out of the ground. Sales are
going well for the village, but
there are still units available, so
if you are looking for a retirement
village just 20 minutes from
Brisbane’s CBD, this could be
the right spot for you. Our sales
team would love to hear from you,
call 1300 287 672.
A cause that is dear to my heart,
and to that of the board and
executive team, is the reduction
of social isolation amongst our
elderly population.This is a
serious issue, which affects up to
one in five seniors in Australia and
can lead to things like depression.
We have a number of programs
underway to help mitigate those
impacts, funding for which
comes largely from events like
the Charity Golf Classic and
our annual campaigns. On page
4 of this issue, you can read
about the success of two of the
golf days, which would not be
possible without the ongoing and
generous support of sponsor
Woollam Constructions. On page
10 we’ll share some stories of the
Friendship Groups that are held
around the state to help keep
our clients connected to their
communities.
I hope you enjoy this issue of
Connect. As always, we’d love to
hear what you think of it, so please
share your thoughts with us via
information@prescare.org.au or
call us on 1800 773 722.
Until next time,
Greg.
Welcome
from the CEO
Greg Skelton
Chief Executive Officer
2
3. 3
Volunteer Program Update
GENCONNECT
GenConnect has now finished
for the year at Yaralla Place and
Groundwater Lodge and we were
delighted to hear that Riverside
Christian College plan to continue
the program in 2015.This decision
received great support from the
parents who had also seen the value
of the generational exchange to their
children.This also means we can
now take the program to schools in
Brisbane and Rockhampton.Thanks
to all staff for their support and
dedication to the program.
NEW LOOK BROCHURE
Volunteer Program Manager Julie
Hoffmann was excited to receive
a batch of new look ‘invitation to
volunteer’ brochures which you will
see at PresCare sites and offices
across the state. Julie says she’d
love to hear from anyone interested
in displaying the brochures at
their worksite and who may
be interested in volunteering –
volunteers@prescare.org.au
CHRISTMAS COMING
Christmas is on its way and who
can believe it! Our sites will organise
events to celebrate the season and
also to thank our volunteers for
another year of dedicated service.
Christmas is particularly poignant
for the elderly, and our volunteers
give their time and talents to ensure
that the people we care for have a
joyous and treasured time.
GRATITUDE
For some time now the word
‘gratitude’ has been used as an
exercise to start and finish your day,
with people keeping a diary on daily
gratitude and putting gratitude at the
forefront of their activities. Thankfully
gratitude doesn’t wear out, you can’t
use it all up, or even run out of it…
as it is something that refills when
we are surprised by the kindness
of another. This is the link for our
wonderful volunteers – the gratitude
of the residents for the time and
company the volunteers provide, the
gratitude of the volunteers for their
‘ableness’ to share their time and
the gratitude from PresCare for the
heart in our volunteers.
FULFILMENT SURVEY
In August Julie conducted a phone
survey with wonderful results.
Julie says it was a way to catch
up with everyone, check their
contact details and ask them a few
survey questions regarding their
volunteering experience. “It was
very heartening to hear everyone
speak so highly of their time with us
and how they feel welcomed and
appreciated by residents and staff,”
Julie says. “Of course the feeling of
fulfilment a volunteer has may not
be the reason for volunteering, but it
is the wonderful result which keeps
people happy to continue on this path.”
THE COLOUR PURPLE
Volunteers at Groundwater Lodge
organise a High Tea each month for
the ladies to enjoy and each time
the theme is a colour. The August
theme was the colour purple and
it is obvious the enormous amount
of work which goes into dressing
the beautiful table (see picture).
All decorations are created by our
Groundwater Lodge volunteers and
the ladies dress to the theme.
4. OVER 50,000 Brisbane seniors are
among an increasing number of
Australians at risk of depression and
early death due to social isolation,
identified as one of the most serious
mental and physical health risks
facing the nation.
This year, we were very pleased to
again have the support of Woollam
Constructions as we rolled out the
eighth annual PresCare Woollam
Constructions Charity Golf Classics
in Brisbane and Mackay. Between
the two events, we have raised
around $75,000 which will go
directly to programs and research
to help combat the growing problem
of social isolation in our ageing
population.
PresCare Chief Executive Officer
Greg Skelton said that more and
more of our older people will
experience social isolation which
can occur when families move away
or a partner passes away, resulting
in minimal interaction with others
and a low-level of involvement in
community life.
“Social Isolation is experienced by
one in four older Australians with
research suggesting it is equivalent
to the harmful effects of smoking 15
cigarettes a day or consuming more
than six alcoholic drinks daily. It is
more harmful than not exercising
and twice as harmful as obesity.
Older Queenslanders who stay in
their own homes, often alone, are
most at risk of social isolation and
its impacts,” Mr Skelton says.
As our population ages and seniors
make up a greater proportion of
our communities, we are likely to
see more and more people at risk
of social isolation, so it is important
that we act now.
In a slight change to the fundraising
agenda this year, the Rockhampton
event is a sit down dinner at
Callaghan Park on 31 October. We’ll
report on the results of that event in
our next issue of Connect.
Charity golf days
on par to reach
fundraising targets
4
6. 6
LORNA Grant and Megan Varney
are among the first group of eight
nursing students to do their clinical
placement at PresCare Alexandra
Gardens in Rockhampton, and
they recently completed their two
week rotation.
This is the first clinical placement
for these Central Queensland
University (CQU) students, and it
provides them with the opportunity
to apply the knowledge they’ve
gained during their studies including
effective communication with clients,
infection control, mobility and falls
preventions, meeting clients’ needs
and maintaining safety and comfort.
Alexandra Gardens Facility Manager
Sandra Thomson says some of the
students have told her they look
forward to coming to Alexandra
Gardens each day.
“The students have said they feel
valued here, and are constantly
learning new things. They also
have the opportunity to perfect their
professional style and build strong
relationships with the regular nursing
staff,” Sandra says.
Lorna Grant is in her first year
of nursing studies at CQU but
has many years of health care
experience, as she currently works
as a podiatrist whilst completing her
nursing studies.
Lorna says she felt nursing was
a career for life as there’s so
much diversity.
“I’m in my 40’s now, and decided
it was now or never in terms of
a career change,” Lorna says. “I
couldn’t see podiatry keeping me
stimulated until retirement, whereas
nursing gives you a chance to do
new things all the time.”
For fellow student Megan Varney,
nursing will be her first and only
career, as she says she’s always
been a caring person and knew she
wanted to be a nurse from a very
young age.
“It’s definitely a full on degree, you
need to schedule study time or you
fall behind,” Megan advises.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at
Alexandra Gardens; I didn’t have
grandparents around growing up as
they live in England, so I didn’t have
much confidence and experience
with the elderly. I feel like now I know
how to interact better with seniors,
and what I have learnt here has
really helped reinforce what we’re
taught in class.”
Students learn
the ropes at
Alexandra Gardens
7. Both Lorna and Megan agree that
the staff at Alexandra Gardens
have been very welcoming, and are
impressed with the hard work and
dedication they’ve seen from staff.
Lorna says, “I don’t think nurses get
enough accolades, they do the hard
yards. I’ve been to many aged care
facilities in my work as a podiatrist,
but I’ve been very impressed with
the way things are done here. If my
mother didn’t live in Scotland, I’d
certainly be happy if she came to
live at Alexandra Gardens!”
Sandra says she is very pleased to
hear several of the students have
expressed an interest in working
for Alexandra Gardens when they
complete their studies.
“Accommodating student placements
is as important to PresCare as it is
to the students and to CQU,” Sandra
says. “It enables us to identify future
possible employees for PresCare as
well as giving these students a real
insight into what to expect when they
become nurses.”
In total, 40 first year CQU
undergraduate nursing students
will do their clinical placement at
Alexandra Gardens over the next
six months.
7
9. 9
LATE July saw PresCare acquire
the technology company, Surecom
into our portfolio. This strategic
alliance will enable PresCare
to position itself as a strong
and sustainable organisation
in a rapidly changing industry,
where technology is playing a
significant part in how aged care
facilities operate.
Established in 2002, Surecom
has extensive experience in
providing innovative solutions
in the aged care sector. From
developing hardware for nurse call
systems with wireless capability
that enables residents greater
freedom and security; to simple and
logical reporting for coordinating
rosters and providing levels of
room occupancy.
PresCare Chief Executive Officer
Greg Skelton says that Surecom
has been providing services to
PresCare since 2004, helping bring
PresCare to the point where we’re
at the leading edge of technology in
health and aged care.
“Surecom is the eyes and ears in an
environment that has to be closely
monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year”, says Mr Skelton.
Communication technology
continues to evolve, where now
more than ever it is a vital extension
of our workforce which enables
them to be more connected to
deliver the highest personalised
care to our clients.
Surecom –
Technology
in aged care
10. 10
HERE at PresCare we strongly
believe keeping people socially
connected is imperative for a
healthy mind and body. Too often
you hear of older Australians being
socially isolated, whether through
the death of a spouse or the loss
of being readily mobile or through
family not being close by.
Social isolation effects many
Australians and it is just as
detrimental to health as smoking
15 cigarettes a day, or drinking six
glasses of alcohol daily.
Keeping people socially connected
to their friends, family and
community plays an important role
in how we at PresCare look after
our clients. There are a number of
programs in Queensland that we
have created to help keep people
connected.
Friendship clubs are just one of
the initiatives that PresCare is
implementing to mitigate the impact
of social isolation.
Local Kawana Waters Chaplain,
Robyn Sansbury has been
coordinating a friendship club for the
past two years to give people who
are socially isolated the chance to
come together to share a chat and a
laugh, or two.
Robyn wears her heart on her
sleeve and works tirelessly to
ensure the clients who come are
able to relax and enjoy themselves
and forget about their troubles, even
if it is only for a few hours.
Many long lasting friendships
have been forged at the monthly
get-togethers where Robyn runs
anything from a BBQ lunch, trivia
and memory games to reading
jokes and inspiring stories. She
even recently had a lady come
along to play the piano accordion for
a great big sing-a-long!
For more information about
friendship groups, please call
1800 773 722 or email us at
information@prescare.org.au
Staying socially
connected with
friendship groups
13. Grindley Construction to build
stage one of Kingsford Terrace
WE were very excited to announce
the appointment of Grindley
Constructions as the building
contractor for stage one of Kingsford
Terrace, our $100M retirement
living development, at an event on
Thursday 28 August.
Kingsford Terrace is on the site of
the former Hopetoun aged care
and independent living facility in
Brisbane’s Corinda, and has been
part of PresCare for 85 years.
The new community, named after
aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith,
will be home to 200 residents,
with the 34 stage-one apartments
due for completion in 2015. The
development is the first premium
retirement living village in Brisbane’s
inner west and will be an integral
part of the Corinda community.
PresCare Chief Executive Officer
Greg Skelton said Grindley
Construction has an excellent
reputation as a builder of retirement
living facilities, and has won
a number of Master Builder
Association Awards over the years
including this year’s Excellence
in Housing Award for BallyCara in
Scarborough.
“PresCare was seeking a partner
in this build, not just a contractor,”
he said.
“This is a project which has been
dear to the heart of all of our board
and executive team for several years
now. We are confident Grindley
Constructions are as dedicated to
our vision as we are.”
Kingsford Terrace Ambassador Mike
Munro also inducted a number of
future residents into the Pioneer
Club at this event. They each
received a memento highlighting
their loyalty to the development
and membership of this prestigious
club. Once the Southern Cross
Community Centre is complete, they
will see their names inscribed on a
plaque in the centre.
13
14. 14
DID you know that 39 million
people globally aged 65 and over
are using Facebook? Or that
50 per cent of Australians are on
Facebook, with 9 million of us
using it on a daily basis?
Baby boomers in particular are
flocking to Facebook. Computer
users 55 and older are the fastest
growing group to sign up to sites
like Facebook, with about one
in five people over the age of 55
connecting through Facebook –
that’s around 550,000 users!
Seniors tend to use Facebook to
keep track of family and friends
and especially grandchildren who
may live interstate or overseas,
and sharing photos is particularly
popular. Facebook estimated that
in 2011, there were 100 billion
photos on the site.
Facebook is just one of the
channels that are commonly
referred to as “social media”.
Others you may have heard of
include You Tube, Twitter, LinkedIn
and Instagram.
PresCare’s Facebook page
is a great way for us to stay
connected to our people across
Queensland. We post stories
about events, achievements and
special moments experienced by
our clients and our employees.
Most importantly though we use
Facebook as a way to connect to
our communities by sharing news
and letting people know about
events and services in their town.
If you’re on Facebook, find
us by searching for PresCare
Queensland (or go directly to
www.facebook.com/prescare) and
please ‘like’ our page and visit
regularly for updates on what’s
happening in our world.
AND DON’T FORGET
THE WEBSITE…
The PresCare website
recently had a facelift,
with new content, updated
images and lots of new
colour. We hope you will
find this refreshed site easy
to navigate and to find the
information you’re looking
for. Please contact us if you
have any feedback on the
website or experience any
problems using the site.
You can reach us at
marketing@prescare.org.au
or via 1800 773 722.
Putting the “social”
into social media
16. Level 4, 19 Lang Parade, Milton Q 4064
PO Box 771,Toowong BC Q 4066
Phone: 1800 773 722
Web: www.prescare.org.au
Contact Us:
OVER the past five years,
PresCare’s Christmas Appeal has
raised funds that enable us to
provide additional services to help
reduce the impact of social isolation
of those in our care.
Elderly people are often the most
vulnerable in our community. Around
25 per cent of seniors suffer from
social isolation, with researchers
predicting that as our communities
age over the next decade, that
number will grow to one in three
seniors suffering from social
isolation and its impacts. Having
someone take care of you, and care
about you, should be the right of
every ageing Australian.
This year’s Christmas Appeal aims
to raise $50,000 to help us develop
programs to benefit elderly people in
our care who suffer from
social isolation.
The program will develop a range
of social activities for our clients to
help overcome the disadvantage of
loneliness, boredom, withdrawal and
often depression associated with
people being socially isolated.
Our Christmas Appeal letter will
go out to our facilities and offices
around Queensland, as well as to
Presbyterian Church congregations
and previous donors, during the
month of November. If you are
interested in making
a donation, and
have not been sent
a donation form,
please contact us at
donations@prescare.org.au and
we will send you one. Alternately,
you can go to our website
www.prescare.org.au/giving/donations
and donate directly through the site.
We extend our sincere thanks for
your consideration of our 2014
Christmas Appeal.Your donation is
greatly appreciated. From everyone
at PresCare, Season’s Greetings
to you and your loved ones and
God Bless.
‘Tis the season of giving
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