Archive

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.

The passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been greeted with great sadness across the world. In the days that have followed all forms of media have enabled a sense of reflection by highlighting periods of the Queen’s life and reign that have borne witness to significant historical events.

Queen Elizabeth witnessed watershed moments in history: Women given the same rights to vote as men; King Edward’s ascension and abdication; the Second World War; Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher (just to name a few); the discovery of DNA; India’s independence from Britain; the Cuban Missile Crisis; the Beatles; man walking on the moon; The Whitlam Dismissal; email; Chernobyl; the demolition of the Berlin Wall; the first clone; Hong Kong being returned to China; September 11 and the rise of modern terrorism; the beginning and end of the Concorde; IVF; the IRA; the entry and exit of Britain to the EU; Apartheid; numerous armed conflicts (some involving her children and grandchildren); fire at Windsor Castle; COVID-19; and all interspersed with all manner of family drama.

My favourite viewing in the days after her death has been the more intimate reflections of the Queen as a daughter and mother. Priceless film from her childhood showing a rather merry Queen mother and a carefree young Elizabeth serves to highlight a fun and loving family.

These times of reflection have been a common theme lately. Albeit on a much smaller scale I also enjoyed the chance to reflect with a few long-term clients during a lunch hosted by Jubilee President Sabina Janstrom. The food was lovely but the company even better. I was delighted to hear stories covering a wide range of subjects – travels, tastes and preferences as well as life in Brisbane and abroad then and now. We shared stories about raising families, marriages, and of their experiences as grandparents. A couple of our guests promised to join Jubilee on an activity or two as we brain-stormed how to solve their mobility challenges together to make this a reality.

Mostly though I was very proud and touched to hear of the relationship and comfort provided by Jubilee support workers to our guests and the over-and-above acts of kindness our staff demonstrate regularly in their work with clients.

The passing of the Queen rightly prompts reflection, and these reflections connect us to time, people and places in our own lives. My reflection at this time is of the enormous privilege being part of this Jubilee family.

Best wishes, Darren Sonter, Executive Director

Jubilee Community Care has fielded many questions about Covid-19 and Rapid Antigen Tests. Jubilee’s Senior Client Support Coordinator Nicky answers some common questions.

** Where do I access a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)? If you hold an eligible concession card you can collect free RAT kits at Queensland Health RAT distribution points such as the Inala, North-West, Chermside, and Nundah community health centres or they can be purchased at your local pharmacy or supermarket. To protect others, only go to purchase one if you are well.
RATs are performed by yourself at home with a result in 10-30 minutes. Follow the instructions found in the test kit carefully. Typically you will swab your nose and/or throat or the inside of your cheeks and tongue.

** How do I report a positive RAT for myself or someone in my care? Phone Queensland Health via 134 268 with your positive result. Alternatively, fill in the Queensland Health self-reporting form at www.qld.gov.au/rat-positive/rapid-antigen-test-registration. You only need to report a positive RAT result for a test taken in the last 14 days.
If you need help, including the assistance of a free interpreter, phone 134 268. Note: if you took a PCR test at a clinic and received an SMS with a positive result, you do not need to report it. The clinic will report it to Queensland Health.

** I am COVID-19 positive. What now? Please speak with your doctor about anti-viral medications. These are available for people at high risk of developing severe illness and can reduce the need for you to go to hospital. Treatment needs to start within five days of developing symptoms or when a positive COVID test result becomes known. Contact your doctor or usual specialist to seek advice on the right type of COVID care for you.

** How does this affect my Jubilee services? Jubilee staff are unable to visit your home if a person in the household is COVID-positive. At other times they will continue to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as per the current COVID guidelines. A staff member who is a COVID close contact, or who has gastro or cold/flu-like symptoms themselves, are not able to attend work until certain mandatory time periods and the risk of infection have passed.

Clients may call the National Coronavirus Helpline 24/7 on 1800 020 080 for assistance in connecting you to a health professional or hospital care. Press 8 if you need an interpreter during the phone call.