BLUEPRI NT - 3 BlueCross residents get COVID-19 vaccine 4 Difference between forgetfulness and dementia 6 Looking after your mental health
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE
B LU E P R I N T
MAY 2021
3 BlueCross residents
get COVID-19 vaccine
4 Difference between
forgetfulness and dementia
6 Looking after your
mental health
BlueCross residents get
COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccine
A message from
the CEO Residents at several "I'm at a vulnerable age. vaccine, some staff members While the decision to receive
I felt that for my safety also took up the opportunity the COVID-19 vaccine is entirely
BlueCross residences were
Welcome to the first issue of The and wellbeing, getting the to receive the vaccine from the voluntary, BlueCross strongly
given the opportunity to vaccine was for me. I had no excess stock on vaccination day. encourages all residents and
Blueprint for 2021. While the
receive their COVID-19 apprehensive feelings at all," staff to be vaccinated as part
past 12 months were dominated “We know that residents at
by the news of how COVID-19
vaccine when the said Florence. “My family is of the Government program.
other BlueCross residences
has spread and impacted the Australian Government supportive of me getting the
are also waiting for their
None of the COVID-19 vaccines
world, 2021 kicked off with a started the initial phase of vaccine and are also getting it
opportunity to be vaccinated.
approved for use in Australia
strong focus on the distribution its national vaccine rollout themselves. We are all in unison
The rollout is managed at a
contain a live virus that can
of vaccines to bring the pandemic to an end. on that.” cause COVID-19.
in February 2021. federal government level and
As you are aware, aged care residents and workers Apart from some tenderness at we are working closely with the Like any other vaccinations,
BlueCross Livingstone Gardens was
are given priority to receive the COVID-19 vaccine the injection site on her arm, health authorities to expedite some people may experience
the first BlueCross residence to be
and I am pleased to share that multiple BlueCross Florence did not experience the process,” said Ingrid minor side effects such as
included in the rollout, with over 93
residences have received their first dose of the any other side effects. “I didn’t Harvey, Chief Operating Officer. pain, redness and/or swelling
vaccine since the beginning of the national rollout.
You can read more about it in the next story,
per cent of residents receiving their
first dose of the vaccine on 1 March.
even feel the needle going in,”
she said.
" at the injection site, mild fever
or headache. For BlueCross
Florence Parker, 86, felt honoured to
including resident Florence Parker’s vaccination residents who received
be chosen as the first resident to be To those who are fearful or The more residents the COVID-19 vaccine, no
experience. vaccinated. have doubts about the vaccine, and staff who are significant reactions have been
We know that residents at other BlueCross Florence said people
vaccinated, the greater reported.
residences are also waiting for their opportunity are fortunate and
privileged to be living
our ability to keep Anyone with concerns about
to be vaccinated and we are working closely with
in Australia and have our residents safe the suitability of the COVID-19
the health authorities to expedite this. The more
people vaccinated, the sooner we can all return to access to the vaccine and for everyone to vaccine is recommended to
a more normal life – and that’s what resident Joyce to keep everyone safe. live as normal a life as speak to a general practitioner
Crawshaw is looking forward to so she can start While residents were possible." or health professional so they
attending her monthly Girl Guide meetings again. can make an informed decision.
given priority to
Read about Joyce's amazing journey with the Girl receive the COVID-19
Guides in this edition.
We also share some educational articles to help you
distinguish between forgetfulness and dementia and
the importance of looking after your mental health.
We also debunk some common myths about private
home care, if you are considering getting services at
home for yourself or your loved one.
Happy reading and stay safe!
Robert Putamorsi
Florence Parker was honoured to be the first BlueCross Resident Janiss Mitchell chose to receive the Assistant Residence Manager Melissa Phillips
Chief Executive Officer resident to receive the COVID-19 vaccine vaccine to protect herself and her loved ones getting her COVID-19 vaccination shot
MAY 2021
03
Difference between
Dementia
forgetfulness and dementia
6. Poor judgment – If inappropriate ways, it is likely memory”. You can suggest that
forgetfulness has reached the these are signs of dementia. they make a GP appointment
As we age, it is common for us to experience “senior moments” or “vague level where the individual is for a “checkup” or to renew
8. Changes in personality
moments”. This can be either a normal part of ageing or the early signs of making forgetful judgements scripts.
– According to Dementia
dementia. It can be very difficult to tell the difference between the two, that place health or safety at
Australia, people living with If the GP feels that your loved
risk, like going out in the winter
especially in the early stages of dementia. dementia can experience one has the early stages of
without a jacket, leaving the
changes in their personality. dementia, ideally the next step
stove or gas on at home, or
For example, someone in the is to make an appointment
Normal forgetfulness don't worry. When we are dementia. This is also true for being in minor car accidents
moderate stages of dementia with your local Cognitive and
excessively busy, we only have people who lose weight due to such as sideswiping the
1. You remember what you could suddenly be prone to Memory Services. Some of
room for so much information in forgetting to eat or for people letterbox in the driveway or
forgot later – If you forgot aggressive behaviour, paranoia these clinics require a referral
our minds and naturally, some who gain weight because they a parked car, there is a high
where you put your keys or were or impulsive behaviours. from the GP, while some others
things get pushed out. eat many meals and forget possibility that you are dealing
trying to remember the name of are happy for a phone call from
about previous ones. with dementia-like symptoms.
the street your son lives on but 5. Being able to execute What to do if you a loved one.
self-care – If you have had a 3. Difficulty in familiar settings 7. Difficulty making decisions
couldn’t, don’t worry. If you can
– If a person you love is
notice signs of Although memory loss is a
remember the information later crazy day and forgot five things – While it is normal to get lost
but can still settle into a nice in new places, it is not normal having a hard time making dementia frightening prospect, there are
(be it five minutes or two hours many ways to determine the
later), you are probably fine. bath or feed yourself well at the to get lost on your way home. simple decisions like what to If you notice a loved one difference between normal
end of the day, you are probably If you notice that a friend eat or where to go or if they displaying signs of dementia, it
2. Tools to help you remember forgetfulness and potential
experiencing normal signs of or loved one is forgetting become frustrated over simple is important to enlist the help
– If you forget to take your Alzheimer’s symptoms. If you
age-related forgetfulness. how to get home or to the issues, it is likely that this is of their GP as the first step as
medication unless you set a notice any of the dementia
local supermarket, or cannot dementia-related forgetfulness. the person may not be aware
mobile phone reminder or write symptoms in yourself or a
Additionally, if a person you
yourself a note, don't worry. Signs of dementia remember which room is the that they have the early signs loved one, seek medical care
bedroom or which car belongs love seems to have “forgotten” of dementia. Your loved one
People who use post-it notes or immediately in order to produce
The following are signs of to him or her, these are most how to act in social situations may not want to make a GP
electronic reminders are likely a positive outcome.
dementia, which are quite likely signs of dementia. or acts out in dangerous or appointment to “check their
to be experiencing “normal” different to normal age-related
forgetfulness. 4. Difficulty in new settings
forgetfulness.
– Another common symptom
3. Transience and absent- 1. Forgetting important of dementia is the tendency
mindedness – Transience is information – The symptoms to become disorientated in
when the brain forgets some of dementia go beyond new environments, i.e. the
memories over time. This may merely forgetting where you new information is difficult to
be a good thing as the brain is placed your car keys or when process or remember, so there
removing unused memories to an appointment was booked. is difficulty recalling it. The
prepare room for the new ones. Symptoms of dementia include disorientation can extend to
Absent-mindedness is when you forgetting important information both place and time.
are not 100 per cent focused on such as the names of friends
5. Frequently forgetting
”Inatilia nonte, ute ad cultissi facta, videa viris
the information you should have and loved ones.
remembered at the time, for
2. Difficulty with simple tasks
words – While it is normal to acerum senati, ut adductum ingulin timilius,
example, you were preoccupied grapple for the right word, it
with other thoughts.
– If you or a loved one have a is not normal to forget words haessedo, claretem lario iam tercesse cretr.”
hard time remembering to pay altogether. If you notice that you
4. Forgetfulness is associated bills, pick up spouses/children Sue, BlueCross nurse
or loved one cannot remember
with being busy – If you forgot or carry out normal hygiene simple words, slurs words or
to return a phone call or make procedures like brushing teeth forgets important information
your way to a meeting because and showering, it is likely that like a loved one’s name or
you were having a busy day, this forgetfulness is a sign of birthday, it is time to seek help.
14
MAY 2021
505
Looking after your Your mental health is your psychological Ignoring the symptoms over long
Self Care
and emotional wellbeing. From time to periods of time can be detrimental
mental health
time, it is normal to feel sad, moody, to your mental health and wellbeing.
angry or frustrated as we deal with the If you are finding it hard to cope
ups and downs of life. However, if you with everyday living, the good news
experience these feelings intensely is that there is support available, as
for long periods of time, you could be well as effective treatments to help
Getting older is a gift but it also brings its fair share of challenges as we suffering from depression. older people recover.
cope with declining physical and mental health. Looking after our mental Depression is a serious medical A good first step is speaking with
health is important as it is the central part of our overall wellbeing. condition that can cause severe your doctor as they can refer you to
symptoms affecting how you think, feel the right support services if necessary.
and act. According to Beyond Blue, it Alternatively, you can contact one of the
is estimated that between 10 to 15 per organisations below for help or advice.
cent of older people are experiencing
depression and about 10 per cent Where to get help
experience anxiety.
Head to Health – guide to some
Older people are more susceptible to
of Australia’s most trusted mental health
feelings of nervousness, sadness, grief
organisations. Visit
and loss and these in part, can be due to
www.headtohealth.gov.au
various factors such as illness or chronic
disease, frailty or loss of independence, Open Arms – mental health support for
financial stress, increasing isolation or veterans, ADF personnel and their family
loneliness, or death of a life partner. A members. Call 1800 011 046 or visit
significant change in living arrangements www.openarms.gov.au
such as transitioning into residential
aged care can be a trigger too. Over the Beyond Blue – for people feeling
past 12 months, the COVID-19 pandemic depressed or anxious. Call 1300 22 4636
and the associated fears and restrictions or visit www.beyondblue.org.au
has also had an impact on mental health. Lifeline – for anyone having a personal
Good mental health is often associated crisis. Call 13 11 14 or visit
with healthy ageing, and will help you www.lifeline.org.au
feel more confident and have better self-
"
esteem.
Common causes of mental
Looking after your mental health issues in older people
health is important to help you x Illness
get the most out of life and x Frailty and loss of independence
x Grief and loss
maintain healthy relationships x Financial stress
with others." x Changing living arrangements
x Increasing social isolation
Unfortunately, many older people
are hesitant to talk to someone or Ways to improve your
seek professional help when they are wellbeing
experiencing depression or anxiety. x Eating well
They may just shrug it off as a form of x Getting enough sleep
weakness or character flaw, rather than a x Exercising regularly
genuine health condition. x Spending time with friends and family
Sometimes, the symptoms of depression x Sharing feelings with others
x Doing enjoyable and relaxing activities
or anxiety are not obvious as they often
x Volunteering and helping others
develop gradually over time. If you are
struggling to stay happy or find meaning
(source: healthdirect.gov.au)
in life, do not suffer in silence.
MAY 2021 07
Residential
An amazing 80 years carry the flag,” she said.
Guiding was more formal in
In 1981, Joyce was presented
the coveted Laurel Award for
spirit of Guiding to others
along the way.”
in Guiding
her outstanding service with
those days, she explained. “Our Joyce turns 100 in June
the Guides, which took her
meetings would commence with and feels blessed to be
by surprise. “My first reaction
an inspection and we would given a long life and a good
was ‘Why me? I haven’t done
lose drill patrol points if badges memory. As an only child, she
When Joyce Crawshaw joined the Girl Guides in 1932, she never weren’t shining and shoes
anything spectacular’. However, I
attributes her longevity to the
imagined this would become a lifelong involvement spanning eight felt very honoured and received
polished.” organic and healthy diet she
the award at a special gathering
decades across two continents. When World War II broke out,
grew up on. “My parents were
at Frederick Street Methodist
country people. My father grew
Joyce was among one of the Church, attended by many
his own vegetables and kept
750,000 Guides in the UK to Guiding and personal friends.
chickens so we had our own
contribute to the war effort. It was a great evening and
eggs, and my mother cooked
“We all played our part during a wonderful memory which I
and baked – everything was
the war years. I was a Ranger treasure.”
natural.”
then, helping in the forces’ Joyce said it was a privilege
For her milestone birthday, Joyce
canteen on the church premises, to be part of a worldwide
doesn’t want any material things.
knitting scarves and gloves, and organisation where one can
“I got all the things I need. I just
collecting newspapers.” always find friends anywhere
wish I can continue to maintain
Joyce also took on various other and be sure of a welcome. “I’ve
my independence and do the
roles throughout the years, from gained so much from Guiding
things I love.” And that includes
Brownie Pack Leader to Guide over the years and hope I’ve
attending the monthly meetings
Lieutenant, then Brown Owl managed to pass on the
at Acacia!
following a short hiatus from
the Girl Guides after she got
married. Joyce was appointed
as the District Commissioner for
Joyce Crawshaw (2nd row, 5th from right) with the 6th Slough (Methodist) Guide Company Wigston, Leicestershire, from
1966 to 1972 and later, the new
Division Commissioner when a
Joyce, who hailed from Joyce’s earliest memory uniform consisted of the
County Division was formed in
Slough, a large town 30km of her Guiding years was blue cotton dress, long black
the area. One of Joyce’s most
from west central London, when she enrolled in the 6th stockings and a large hat. We
memorable experiences was
emigrated to Australia
in January 1994. Her
"
Slough (Methodist) Guide
Company as an 11-year-old.
didn’t mind the cold though
as we had a good view of the
when she and a few leaders were
presented to Princess Margaret
involvement with the Girl proceedings,” said Joyce.
when she opened the Girl
Guides continued in her I was part of the Joyce recalled how much she Guides headquarters in Leicester.
adopted country where she Guard of Honour when enjoyed learning new skills
joined a local Trefoil Guild – “My husband Brian had always
the Duchess of York during her earlier Guiding
been very encouraging and
Acacia, the adult section for
(later Her Majesty the days, from making knots
former or current members of supportive of all my Guiding
and simple bandaging to
Guiding. Queen Mother) visited activities,” said Joyce. “He
communicating in Morse
suggested that I learn to drive
Now a resident at BlueCross Slough to open the code and Semaphore
and I eventually passed my test
Livingstone Gardens, Joyce new Methodist signalling. “I also enjoyed
and was able to take myself to
continued attending the hikes, cooking dinner over a
Central Hall." visit other units and attend many
monthly meetings at Acacia campfire, the monthly church
special occasions.”
until the COVID-19 pandemic “I remember it was a cold parades and eventually the
broke out in March 2020. November day and our honour of being chosen to
Joyce Crawshaw dedicated most of her life to Guiding
MAY 2021
09
Five common myths about
Around BlueCross
private home care
The demand for home care services is growing as more older people choose to
live in their own home. For those who are not eligible for government-funded
care or are on a waitlist, a good alternative is to purchase home care on a fee for
service basis. This guide aims to dispel some common myths about private home
care to help you get started on the aged care journey.
2
Myth #1: Private home Myth #3: Once you sign up, Myth #5: Private home care
1
care is too expensive you are locked into a is only for people who live 3
Private home care fees vary
contract alone in their own home
between providers and are Private home care is generally Anyone can receive private
normally charged at an hourly offered without any lock-in home care and the eligibility
rate. If you were to add up the contracts. Always check with the requirements differ from one
monthly cost of permanent provider before commencing provider to another. Being an
residential care or assisted living, services. At BlueCross, we do aged care provider, BlueCross
you will find that private home not lock you into a contract. provides private home care to
care is a more affordable option. You can purchase the service as anyone aged 65 and above,
It allows people to remain in the a one-off visit or on a regular, whether they live alone, with
comfort of their own home for ongoing basis. The services are family or in an aged care
longer to receive the care and flexible and can be accessed or home. From personal care to
services that they need to stay withdrawn easily, with a short companionship and having 5
safe and well. It always pays
to shop around and compare
minimum period of notice at no
charge.
someone to take you out on
an excursion, shopping trip or
4 6
what home care services are event, BlueCross can provide
available and find an option that Myth #4: You don’t get the various home care services
is affordable to you. option to choose your carer tailored to your personal needs,
lifestyle and budget.
We know how important it
Myth #2: You cannot have is for you to have a trusted,
private home care if you experienced and qualified carer
already receive Government- that you can get along with on
funded services a personal level. While we do
You can purchase private home not have a screening process
care and use it alongside any for clients to choose their
8
other Government-funded home preferred carer, we make the
care services, for example, while effort to find out your personal
9
you are waiting for a Home
Care Package to be available
needs, preferences and what’s
important to you through a
7
or as a top up to maximise the face-to-face assessment. We 1 Tarralla | Bob's Delivery Service
level of service being delivered listen to what you would like in a 2 Karinya Grove | Pat's 102nd Birthday
from your Package. It can also carer and do our best to find the 3 Sheridan Hall Caulfield | Shabbet
be used to purchase services right carer for you. Our aim is to 4 Monterey | Art Therapy
5 Willowmeade | St Patrick's Day
that are not provided by ensure your transition to having
6 Cresthaven | Les and June's 70th
Government-funded services. services at home goes smoothly Wedding Anniversary
and comfortably. 7 Oakleigh | Mardi Gras
10 8 Silverwood | Bunny Fever
9 Hansworth | Easter Fun Day
10 Western Gardens | Lunar New Year
MAY 2021
11
LOVING LIFE
NEVER GETS OLD
As one of Victoria’s largest aged care
providers, we care for more than
2600 residents across 32 aged care
residences and over 1000 clients
living in their own homes.
RESIDENCE LOCATIONS
North/West
Avondale Heights Mill Park Sunshine
Glenroy Northcote
Ivanhoe Preston
East
Box Hill Kew Surrey Hills
Camberwell Malvern East Templestowe
Caulfield Mooroolbark Toorak
Croydon Mt Waverley Vermont South
South
Brighton Mordialloc Sandringham
Chelsea Mulgrave
Cheltenham Oakleigh
Regional
Cowes Kilmore
HOME CARE SERVICES
Government-funded and private home care services to
keep you living your best you. For more details, visit
www.bluecross.com.au/home-care
HOW WE DO THINGS
Be there
Have fun
Make their day
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Choose your attitude Your feedback is very important
to us as it forms part of our
For all enquiries, call 1300 133 414
commitment to continuously
Stay Connected improve the care and services we
provide. To share your feedback,
please email
www.bluecross.com.au feedback@bluecross.com.au
You can also read
