Archive

Have you received one of our 2023 calendars yet? The calendar will be distributed by support workers as they visit your home for services during January.

Its design is slightly different this year. Gone are the staff headshots that used to hang on your wall. Instead, these will be published through our newsletter twice a year to remain more timely. Make sure you keep an eye out when our April newsletter is published to have this information.

If you are still waiting on a calendar, or know someone who would like one, please feel free to talk to your support worker who can bring one next time they visit.

Jubilee Community Care also has copies of an activities book called Staying Connected, published by the RU OK? charity. The booklet contains word puzzles and other activities alongside personal stories and practical tips to build connections with other older Australians. If you would like a copy ask your support worker to bring one to your home when they next visit.

A grant from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust helped fuel the festive spirit with the money going towards the Client Christmas Party in mid-December.

Our interim CEO Gary and community engagement officer Vidya were on hand to receive the grant at a ceremony with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and his wife Nina, pictured.

There was plenty of festive fun to be had at Jubilee’s Client Christmas Party in mid-December. The event, at Sherwood, featured music by the River City Clippers acapella chorus and keyboardist Faye Swift.

The party gave our clients the chance to celebrate the year that has been and catch up with friends before our activities program went on a Christmas/New Year break.

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.