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Loneliness and a sense of dislocation from the life older Australians would like to live are real and present issues among many of our clients. Are there activities you want to do, outings you want to take or work in your home you want done to make you feel safer and more comfortable?

Did you know you can legitimately use your Home Care Package to re-activate your life and social connections? The government has provided Home Care Package funding to enable older Australians to continue to live as full and active lives as possible. Funds that are unspent from your Home Care Package are retained by the government. Alternatively, these funds can be used now to help you live the life you imagined and on your terms.

The following services are just some examples of the ways you can use your Home Care Assistance Package:
** Outings to cafes, church, the football, a gallery, social clubs and appointments;
** Yard maintenance such as mowing, clearing overgrown gardens and gutters;
** Home modifications which contribute to your health and wellbeing such as wheelchair ramps or shower rails; purchasing wheelchairs, walking sticks and walkers, and installing airconditioning.
** Providing companionship, respite or shopping assistance;
** Assistance with purchasing or using technology such as computers, Ipads, emails and Zoom; and
** Assistance with more personal activities like medication support and showering.

Jubilee’s valued client Roma uses part of her Home Care Package to enjoy living an independent life with just a little assistance from Jubilee support worker Fran. Roma’s zest for life is infectious and Fran is happy to oblige! They have forged a strong friendship over the years and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. From shopping, a high tea to celebrate a special birthday to taking in the sights of Brisbane, Roma never misses living life to the fullest and trusts Fran implicitly to ensure she is comfortable and safe when venturing out.

If you would like to make the most of your Home Care Package funds phone Jubilee and talk to your coordinator about what is possible for you!

Jubilee client Doreen is an avid poet, penning and publishing some of her works in FreeExpreSion magazine. Here’s one to brighten your day.

The Hare and the Tortoise

Said the tortoise to the hare
As together they wandered here and there.
“I’m not as old as my body
My spirit is still young and free

If you think that I’m old then I’m sorry
That’s not how it seems to me.
My brain perhaps is not so agile
And my skin is wrinkled and thin.

On my legs I’ve travelled many a mile
And I wait for each day to begin
When I like to count my blessings
And think of years gone past

As I enjoy the memory of things
I know that my spirit will last.
Think of me as old if you wish
Giving credit for the experience of years

That have given the strength to accomplish
A fortune of joy and tears.
The hare to the tortoise replied
“I know what you say is true

On appearances cannot be relied
For the revelation of the sparkle in you.”

Our Jubilee staff and clients have been amazing over the last 2.5 years and never more so than in 2022 when the pandemic truly arrived in Brisbane along with a flood and major rain events.

Thank you all for battling together through each challenge with tremendous spirit and positivity. Jubilee Chairperson Sabina Janstrom, above, and a couple of our key operational staff, Mary and Leigh, below, reflect the sentiment of all of us at Jubilee as we consider the fantastic effort of our staff and the support and understanding of our clients during this historic time. Thank you!

For the past couple of years many of us have been more sedentary than we would have liked. With COVID-19 restrictions limiting our time in the community it has been easy to make ourselves too comfortable at home.

With the sun shining and COVID and influenza vaccines now being administered have you considered getting moving again? A few minutes in the sunshine each day is essential to keep your vitamin D levels up and your bones strong. Senior home care begins with you, and the physical activity will help you look and feel better, and is good for your body and mind.

The Queensland Government recommends older people do some form of physical activity, no matter what their age, weight, health problems or abilities. Even a slight increase in your daily activity can make a difference to your health and wellbeing. Existing health problems may not stop you from being physically active every day – activities can be adjusted. Speak first to your doctor about exercising or increasing your activity levels.

At least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days is recommended. This amount is needed to keep your heart, lungs, muscles and bones in good working order. Try to be active in as many ways as possible, doing activities that incorporate fitness, strength, flexibility and balance.

If you can’t do 30 minutes now start with 10 minutes once or twice a day. After two weeks, make it 15 minutes twice a day and you will have reached your goal of 30 minutes a day. Moderate intensity activity is advised but this doesn’t mean you have to puff and pant or work up a sweat – but it’s okay if you do.

And if you want to get out and about while exercising come and join Jubilee’s exercise programs at local gyms specifically catering to seniors. All programs are individually catered to your fitness and physical needs.

Classes run every Tuesday and Friday – see our activities calendars on pages 9-11 and talk to our activities officer Vicki on 3871 3220 if you would like to find out more.

Exercise should incorporate fitness, strength, flexibility and balance. Here are some ideas.
** Fitness activities: Brisk walking, yard and garden work, tennis, dancing, mopping and vacuuming, cycling and swimming.
** Strength activities: Weight or resistance training exercises, lifting or carrying, climbing stairs, moderate yard work, calisthenics.
** Flexibility activities: Tai chi, bowls, mopping, vacuuming, stretching, dancing, yoga, gardening.
** Balancing activities: Exercises like heel raises, side leg raises, and stand up/sit down exercises.

At Jubilee Community Care it is important to us that you know who is coming to your home to provide support and care. So let us introduce you to Sophie – one of our full-time permanent support workers who started with Jubilee in June 2021. Here she is in her own words.

Hi, my name is Sophie. I was born and raised in Cambodia and immigrated to Australia with my husband in 2011. We have a daughter who is four.

In addition to English, I am fluent in Khmer which is the national language of Cambodia.
I have a Bachelor of Business in International Tourism and Hotel Management from Griffith University. I also have an English Literature degree from Cambodian University for Specialties.

Growing up in a family-oriented home and having watched my parents caring for my grandparents and providing support to some of the most vulnerable elderly in my village, inspired me to work in the aged care sector.

Now, working at Jubilee I support clients across a range of areas including medication management, personal care like showering and dressing, and we go on outings or attend appointments. There is a lot of variety in the role so I also help clients prepare meals and do some cleaning too.

Working fulltime provides me the opportunity to meet the same clients every week which allows me to build rapport and provide consistency of care. I love that! I also enjoy working with Jubilee as it gives me flexibility with my young family and study. I love, as a team, that we can help people to stay in their own homes by providing tailored services to suit each client’s needs.