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Stories of commitment during Brisbane floods

Many of our clients were affected by the recent rains and flood in Brisbane as well as our staff. For all affected, we hope your recovery efforts are progressing well.
The worst of times often brings out the best in people and for our staff at Jubilee that proved no different. We had staff, including Andrea and Nanette, step up in the challenging times to assist our clients and the wider community. We are genuinely grateful and thank them and others for their hard work and dedication.

Support worker Andrea put Jubilee clients first despite being flooded herself. Unfortunately, my little home was flooded to the top of the internal doors. I have been so blessed with amazing friends who came to my place as soon as the water receded. They all took bags of clothes, linen, crockery etc. for washing and storage. Friends generously offered me the use of a granny flat. My family also supported me in so many ways. My little place will be rebuilt in due course. In the meantime I’m at peace and so thankful.During the flood the needs of clients still needed to be met. Thankfully, I was able to continue rostered shifts. At times though, due to so many roads being closed, extra time travelling was inevitable. It is a privilege to work with our clients, to make a difference to their day and encourage independence so they can remain at home. But the real pleasure is in getting to know each person, learning about their life experiences and the richness each one brings.

Nanette, a support worker, was part of the State Emergency Service response during the floods. I joined Jubilee in June 2021 and the SES about the same time. I wanted to join the SES for a very long time and the opportunity arose when my daughters left home. Training with Jubilee and the SES has been challenging due to COVID-19, but incredibly rewarding.
During the floods, I worked out of three depots – Salisbury, Richlands and Morningside. My tasks included liaising with people who needed assistance via phones and using our tasking software systems, going out in trucks to assist with tarping, sandbagging, tile repairs and the like. It was very humbling to be able to assist people who have lost so much.
Like my SES work, I love being able to assist clients through Jubilee. I feel very privileged to be a part of their lives and the clients give me so much joy. I have so much to learn from them.

 

 

Isabel celebrates 100 years

Three weeks of celebrations were held to mark the 100th birthday of Jubilee client Isabel Chase.

Isabel turned 100 on February 7, celebrating with family and friends in person and online. She received dozens of birthday cards from around the world as well as letters from the Queen and Australian dignitaries.

Isabel was born in India, the second of nine children who grew up on an army base.

She met her late husband Stephen through her church, with the pair marrying just six months later. “When you know, you know!”

Isabel said of her love for Stephen and their short engagement.

The pair had three daughters and one son, Isabel raising the children while also working with youth in her church. She and Stephen, a senior staff bank officer, came to Australia when Isabel was 47.

“When I came here I had to get a job but I didn’t know how to do any paid work,” Isabel said. “I worked at St Moritz Cafe in Albert St in the city – making sandwiches, washing dishes and other things – for 22 months.

“Then I started my own business as a hawker, selling things door to door. I hired six ladies and then 100 ladies. I enjoyed that,” Isabel said of her time selling handmade crochet lace items such as tablecloths, runners, placemats and other manchester imported from India.

Isabel ran Chase Products for 25 years before selling it to her daughter Margo.

And Isabel’s secret to old age? “I don’t drink tea or coffee, I don’t smoke or drink alcohol,” she says. And daughter Margo says she despises vegetables and eats three desserts after every meal!

Isabel keeps her mind active by playing scrabble online, solving word search puzzles, writing emails and creating posts on Facebook.

Happy 100th birthday Isabel!

 

 

 

Lyle and Ross celebrate platinum anniversary

A friendship sparked at the University of Sydney has led to 70 years of marriage for Jubilee clients Ross and Lyle Humphreys.

The couple celebrated the milestone with family at St Lucia Bowls Club recently after the February 23 anniversary date.

The pair met while Lyle was studying English and Ross agriculture. After university the couple moved to Scone where Ross worked with the Soil Conservation Service. The couple’s first two children were born in Scone and their third and fourth after a move to Gayndah.

Lyle later worked as a librarian. Ross spent his career working on foreign aid projects, research and the publication of six books. Ross’ work regularly took the couple overseas and he later was appointed an Emeritus Professor and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland.

And the key to a happy marriage? Both agree it is a sense of humour. “We’ve always had a good marriage and we are very fortunate,” Ross said.

Lyle follows up: “We have had four children and that has always been the greatest achievement for me.” “I never thought I would travel like I did … because of the work Ross did it allowed us to go to all sorts of places. It has been much more interesting than I would have expected.”

 

 

 

Nicky’s top 10 tips

for caring for someone, either family or friend, who is living with Dementia.

  1. Maintain your sense of humour. Use humour whenever possible, though not at the person’s expense. People with dementia tend to retain their social skills and are usually delighted to laugh along with you.
  2. Communication is key. Listen with your ears, eyes and heart.
  3. When the going gets tough, distract and redirect. Eg You might say, “I see you’re feeling sad – I’m sorry you’re upset. Let’s go get something to eat.”
  4. Respond with affection and reassurance.
  5. Ask simple, answerable questions. Ask one question at a time; those with yes or no answers work best. Refrain from asking open-ended questions or giving too many choices.
  6. Avoid asking questions that rely on short-term memory, such as asking the person what they had for lunch. Instead, try asking general questions about the person’s distant past – this information is more likely to be retained.
  7. Break down activities into a series of steps. This makes many tasks much more manageable. You can encourage your loved one to do what they can, gently remind them of steps they tend to forget, and assist with steps they’re no longer able to accomplish on their own.
  8. Caring for yourself is one of the most important – and one of the most often forgotten – things you can do as a caregiver. Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit too. Take time out for yourself. This includes getting enough rest and sleep, good nutrition and regular exercise.
  9. When offers of help are made – accept these offers of help from friends and family. Having a break for an hour or two each week could be enough to assist you to maintain your caring role for that much longer.
  10. Gather as much information from health professionals about dementia and the diagnosis of the person you are caring for. Each person’s dementia diagnosis and symptoms are very specific and as unique as that person is.

Jubilee Community Care can assist you to register yourself and the older person you are caring for with My Aged Care so that you can access government subsidised care. This will assist you to arrange for more formal supports for both you and your loved one such as In Home Respite Care for a few hours per week or you may prefer for your family member to attend a Dementia specific Day Respite Centre and Activities program.

Nicky Panagopoulos is a Registered Nurse and Jubilee Community Care’s Client Support Manager. Call 07 3871 3220 to speak to Nicky.

Meet Support Worker Linda

by volunteer Jess.

Linda has been working for Jubilee Community Care, part-time for almost six years now. Linda loves working at Jubilee just as much as she loves being outdoors with her gorgeous German Shepherd…her husband is ok too, she jokes.

What do you love about working at Jubilee?
I love the variety! Every day there is always something new and different about my day. I also enjoy getting to know clients and at times being a special part of their lives. I always hope to make a difference.

What’s something that makes you smile?
If you didn’t laugh you’d cry. So I just go with the flow. Life’s short so enjoy everything you can!

What’s something you’ve learned working for Jubilee?
My clients often say “do it while you can!”; take that holiday, climb that mountain, treat yourself to something special now and then.

What do you like more, sweet or savoury?
Basically I love food. There isn’t much I don’t like, but chocolate is always good anytime.