Seniors Month fun ahead

It’s Seniors Month, starting with October 1 when the United Nations International Day of Older Persons is celebrated. In October Jubilee has a couple of great activities to mark the occasion. We will bring together people of all ages, cultures, and abilities to connect and celebrate the essential roles that older people play in our communities. And what fun we are going to have!

Seniors Showcase and Safety Forum on Monday, October 17: We love it when our clients come together, share, talk, learn new things, have fun and make new friends. And we will be doing just that when we host our Seniors Showcase and Safety Forum at the Two Brothers Cafe at Indooroopilly.

The showcase is the chance to exhibit an item that you have created. Perhaps you paint, crochet, sew, knit, write music, do needlework, metalwork, sculpture, pottery, write, quilt or something else? We’d love to see your creative pieces and have you share about the item.

The day will also include tips on home safety and what to watch out for from a local police officer. Time over a light lunch will give you the chance to catch up with old friends or make new ones.

Jubilee Health Forum, Thursday on October 20: Also on the calendar is a forum focusing on the health of your eyes and ears. The forum will include speakers from Macular Disease Foundation Australia and Hearing Australia. Both speakers will provide time for Q&A sessions. The forum will be at the Sherwood Magpies AFL Club with a light lunch following.

The Jubilee buses will be available for pick-up and drop-off to your homes but clients who can drive are encouraged to join in both events by making their own way to the venues. To RSVP to either event phone activities coordinator Vicki on 3871 3220.

Save the date …
** Seniors Showcase, Safety Forum and light lunch: From 10.30am on Monday, October 17, Two Brothers Cafe, 101 Clarence Rd, Indooroopilly.
** Eyes and Ears Health Forum and light lunch: From 10.30am on Thursday, October 20, Sherwood Magpies AFL Club, 41 Chelmer St East, Chelmer.

Elder abuse is a real problem in our society. Jubilee Community Care staff do encounter clients in the community at their most vulnerable who are or have been victims of elder abuse.

Elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be financial, neglect, psychological, sexual, social and/or physical.

One in six older Australians reported experiencing elder abuse in any given year. Age Discrimination Commisioner Dr Kay Patterson AO reports that between January 2021 to June 2021, calls to the National Elder Abuse phone line increased by 87 per cent compared to the previous six months.

Evidence also suggests that most abuse of older people is intra-familial and intergenerational, making it challenging and complex to address.

Many people do not discuss their concerns with others because of feelings of shame, fear of retaliation, the involvement of family members or fear they will be institutionalised. Some people may not realise what they are experiencing is abuse or feel that somehow it is their fault.

All Jubilee staff are responsible for taking action when they suspect elder abuse. Once reported, Jubilee has an obligation to communicate suspected abuse to the Queensland Police Service.

The first priority is safety. If you, or someone you know, feels threatened or unsafe phone 000. If the matter is not an emergency an Elder Abuse Helpline is available for free, anonymous and confidential assistance from 9am–5pm Monday to Friday. Phone 1300 651 192 and an experienced and trained operator will talk to you about your concerns and provide referrals to the relevant support services.

Signs that someone may be experiencing abuse:
The person may be:
** Afraid of someone close to them
** Irritable, shaking, trembling or crying
** Depressed or withdrawn, talking of suicide
** Uninterested in their usual interests
** Presenting as helpless, hopeless or sad
** Worried or anxious for obvious reason
** Reluctant to talk openly.
They may:
** Change their sleeping patterns or eating habits
** Have a rigid posture
** Make contradictory statements not associated with mental confusion
** Wait for another person to answer rather than answer questions themselves
** Radically change their behaviour.

Support worker Zahra has been with Jubilee Community Care since April. She loves the change from her work as an electrical engineer overseas.

What attracted you to work in aged care? It’s really heart-warming to be in somebody’s life and to be able to help make a positive difference to their day. I am grateful I found a job as a home support worker because I feel more satisfied when I can put a smile on people’s faces. For instance, when my clients give me positive feedback about my work, I am on top of the moon. I’m personally a very caring person and I do my best to provide them with the highest quality of care and support. And I was attracted to Jubilee because of its values, community and flexibility.

What do you do in a typical day of support work? I assist clients in several ways including helping to prepare meals, doing cleaning as well as personal care, and taking them on outings or to appointments. Every client is different, has different needs and I love that I can support them in the individual ways they require.

Do you have any hobbies or life experiences that you draw upon in your support work? My hobby is cooking and I would like to share it with other people as I am from a different culture with different cuisine and recipes. Also, I enjoy walking with elderly clients – it makes me happy when they are active and healthy.

A few of Jubilee Community Care’s long-term clients were invited to attend our inaugural President’s Lunch hosted by Jubilee Board President Sabina Janstrom recently.

Sabina, along with board member Dr Bernadette Nixon and Jubilee’s Darren Sonter and Nicky Panagopoulos, had the opportunity to discuss with our clients their

Jubilee experiences. All clients expressed their high degree of satisfaction with Jubilee’s staff and our business values while service inconsistency was reinforced as an important area to improve. A lovely afternoon, featuring some cheeky stories and honest feedback, was had by all.

Sabina made particular mention of the opportunity to hear the clients’ stories about their lives now and in the past as her highlight. The lunch proved very worthwhile for all involved and we hope to repeat it.

The joy found in following your passions never grows old. And so it is for Jubilee client Judy who loves to tenpin bowl!

Judy, 75, has been bowling for 35 years with her husband Ray. Their introduction to the sport came by chance when friends introduced the husband and wife to the game and asked them to join in. Judy now plays every Tuesday with Ray playing even more regularly.

“I had to have a few lessons at the start and then we went straight into competitions,” the former Telstra employee says. “We started at Kedron and when that shut down we moved to Aspley. We just compete at the Aspley centre and I bowl with another woman who is 85.”

And why does Judy bowl? “It’s the exercise and I just love it,” she says. “It is something to help break up the week too.”

Along the way there has been some competitive success with Judy being named the Ladies Masters Runner-up and Kedron Masters Restricted Runner-up in 1998.

Judy is a great advocate of the game and encourages others to have a go. “There is nothing like the feeling of walking back to your seat after knocking down all ten pins,” she says. “I am still passionate about bowling and being active. I hope to be bowling for years to come.”

Music is another great love of the couple who attend a Morning Melodies program each Monday. We have been going there for years and really enjoy it,” Judy says.

Continuing to pursue your interests, like Judy does, is about more than just joy. The Australian Government website headtohealth.gov.au states that “Spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression.” It also says activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed while group activities like team sports can improve your communication skills and relationships with others.

Like Judy, you can continue to follow your passions, hobbies or club involvement. And we can help you with transport to do just that! Or perhaps you want to join our Jubilee Wanderers activities program. Either way we can help. Phone our office for more information on 3871 3220.