August 2010 Rockingham Ramblings - Cardwell Care

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<strong>Rockingham</strong><br />

<strong>Ramblings</strong><br />

<strong>August</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />

THE HAND OF HOPE<br />

The 21-week-old unborn baby is named Samuel Alexander Armas, and is being<br />

operated on by a surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagnosed with<br />

spina bifida and would not survive if removed from the mother's womb.<br />

Dr Bruner performs the special fusion operations while the baby is still in the<br />

womb. In the procedure, a C-section removes the uterus and the doctor makes a<br />

small incision to operate on the baby.<br />

During the surgery on little Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully<br />

developed hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon's finger.<br />

…………..one of nature’s little miracles…….<br />

Thank You<br />

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Gladys Edna Kerany<br />

Keith Essie BettyS<br />

Rose Valda<br />

Hairdresser<br />

Terry is here<br />

every two weeks.<br />

If you need an<br />

appointment, ask<br />

a <strong>Care</strong>r or see<br />

the ladies in the<br />

front office.<br />

DID YOU<br />

KNOW???<br />

The winter of<br />

1932 was so cold<br />

that Niagara Falls<br />

froze completely<br />

solid.<br />

Floyd and his<br />

dancing Poodles<br />

will be here on<br />

the 31st <strong>August</strong><br />

VOTING IN THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS<br />

No need to organise a postal vote<br />

The Electoral Office comes to us!<br />

Voting will take place in the Training Room<br />

From 9.00am on AUGUST 17<br />

RIDDLE…….<br />

The more you take, the more you leave behind ………<br />

….what is it? Answer Page 8<br />

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FAMILY AND FRIENDS<br />

If you have an email address, please send it to:<br />

therapy@rockinghamhome.com.au<br />

We are setting up individual email address for<br />

each resident who wants one, and we will email<br />

the address to you for personal contact.<br />

Family photos and up to date news would be<br />

fabulous for our ladies and gentlemen – and they<br />

will be able to print them out to keep.<br />

The Computer in the Lounge is<br />

permanently set up for playing cards.<br />

Have some fun during those quiet hours!<br />

If you need help, just ask Marina<br />

The Sewing Machine is also permanently set up<br />

in the Lounge. Use it whenever you want.<br />

We’re looking for someone who will make bags<br />

for the heat packs, hems on clothing and for the<br />

brave, making nighties for high care ……interested?<br />

Please see Marina<br />

Q: What can a husband do when his wife is going through<br />

menopause?<br />

A: Keep busy. If he's handy with tools, he can finish the<br />

basement. Then when he's finished, he'll have a place to live.<br />

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SIXTY SECONDS<br />

WITH<br />

TRACY EBERT<br />

What was your maiden name? Tracy Pershouse<br />

Where did you grow up? Townsville and <strong>Cardwell</strong><br />

How long have you worked here? 9 ½ years<br />

What is your best feature? I’m a good listener<br />

What is your worst feature? I’m bossy!<br />

What is your dream holiday? Caravanning around Australia<br />

What is your greatest fear? Dying before I get to do it<br />

What is your most important thing? Family<br />

What family do you have? A husband; two daughters; one<br />

son-in-law and one grandson<br />

What 3 things would you take on a My husband, my dog and a bottle<br />

desert island?<br />

of bourbon<br />

What talent would you like to have? Singing<br />

What is your favourite meal? Fish and chips on the beach with<br />

family and dog<br />

How do you spend your spare time? Gardening<br />

At 15, what did you want to be when<br />

you grew up?<br />

A teacher<br />

Words of Wisdom Live, love and be happy<br />

WATCH OUT FOR THE<br />

“ROCKINGHAM<br />

COMMONWEALTH<br />

GAMES”<br />

TO BE HELD IN<br />

OCTOBER<br />

Lots of games, fun,<br />

laughs and some crazy<br />

competitions!!<br />

DID YOU ENJOY<br />

CHRIS AND STEVE<br />

“CLASS ACT”<br />

They were terrific and<br />

so I’ve booked them<br />

again for:<br />

24 th <strong>August</strong> and<br />

22 nd September<br />

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From the CEO<br />

With the coming elections there has been a lot of political<br />

comment about the crisis in health care. Unfortunately,<br />

somewhat lost in this political rhetoric is the very real<br />

crisis looming in Aged <strong>Care</strong>. In this month’s newsletter I<br />

have taken the opportunity to provide a compilation of information which I<br />

hope will give readers a better understanding of the current situation<br />

facing the aged care industry, but in particular the potential impact on<br />

small independent low care facilities such as <strong>Rockingham</strong>.<br />

On a positive note, on Wednesday the 4 th <strong>August</strong> we had an<br />

“unannounced” audit by the Standards and Accreditation Agency, and I<br />

am happy to report that we went very well and received a big � and<br />

continued compliance to the aged care standards. Well done to all our<br />

staff and thanks for the positive feed back from some of our residents.<br />

Kevin Brown<br />

CEO<br />

Overview of the Aged <strong>Care</strong> Industry<br />

Over 90% of residential aged care facilities in Australia are currently<br />

operated by the non-Government sector. The split as at 30 June, 2008<br />

was:<br />

� Not-for-profit agencies 60%<br />

� Private for profit agencies 33%<br />

� Government 7%1.<br />

The aged care system operates within a broader system of medical<br />

health services, income support, and housing, community services and<br />

seniors living. Together, these systems offer a broader range of services<br />

and support, depending on their needs and circumstances.<br />

At 30 June, 2008 there were around 175,472 residential aged care<br />

places, an increase from the previous year of around 170,071 places.<br />

As aged care is complex and rapidly changing, the Australian<br />

Government (through the Department of Health & Ageing) has moved the<br />

focus from residential aged care to broader based community care<br />

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programs with admission to residential aged care becoming a “last<br />

option” or shorter team solution.<br />

This has changed the face of the industry in that the nursing home care<br />

model is progressively becoming a “palliative care model” and hostels will<br />

in essence be phased out as this group will increasingly be cared for in<br />

the community through various programs.<br />

There are six types of aged care services (four residential and two being<br />

community based):<br />

1. Low care (also called Hostel)<br />

2. High care (also called Nursing Home)<br />

3. Extra service (First class accommodation & services)<br />

4. Respite care (Short Term Residence)<br />

5. Community care<br />

6. Flexible <strong>Care</strong><br />

The vast majority of Australians prefer to remain in their homes as long<br />

as possible. Community care is less costly to deliver and Federal<br />

Government’s support has greatly reduced the level of demand for<br />

residential low care services.<br />

Australia’s population is ageing – 2.6 million today to 4.1 million in 2021.<br />

Over the next twenty years, the number of Australians who are 70 and<br />

over will grow at a rate of 3.3 times faster than the growth of the total<br />

population. The number of people who will be in the 70+ end of the<br />

spectrum will be higher due to decreasing birth rates and<br />

longer life expectancy.<br />

The ageing population of those aged 65 and above made up 13% of<br />

Australia’s population in 2007. ABS projections show that this will<br />

increase to between 23 -25% of the population by 2056.<br />

While there were only 2,503 people aged 100 years and over at the last<br />

Census, by 2055 this figure is expected to increase to be around 78,000<br />

aged 100 years or more.<br />

Furthermore the new Aged <strong>Care</strong> Funding Instrument (ACFI) is weighted<br />

to the high care end with an emphasis on dementia and complex nursing<br />

care. Low care facilities are starting to feel the impact of the reduced<br />

funding.<br />

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Goodbye Dee from<br />

Merle and Valda<br />

Ness wishes Merv a<br />

Happy Birthday<br />

Computer Ladies show<br />

their talents<br />

MIXTURE OF SNAPSHOTS<br />

Great<br />

Concert<br />

from<br />

Class Act<br />

Happy Birthday Gladys<br />

Eileen loves the music<br />

Milton and Iris say Goodbye<br />

Jeanie<br />

and Dee<br />

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<strong>Ramblings</strong> Crossword<br />

16 9<br />

18<br />

15<br />

7<br />

4 14<br />

11 10 12<br />

2<br />

1 3 13<br />

5 6<br />

Across:<br />

1. First Tuesday in November (two words)<br />

2. She is the Head Cook<br />

5. Name of the Coffee Shop<br />

7. Name of Block A<br />

8. Name of Block F<br />

10. Name of our World Vision Boy<br />

13. She is our DON<br />

15. Name of Block B<br />

16. 17th March<br />

18. Hairdresser/Computer Room<br />

Answer to Riddle: a Footstep<br />

8<br />

Down:<br />

2. She is our Head Nurse<br />

3. Our Town<br />

4. He is our Manager<br />

5. Name of Block C<br />

6. The Hairdresser's Name<br />

9. Where We Live<br />

11. Name of Block G<br />

12. Name of Block E<br />

14. She is the Housekeeping Manager<br />

17. Name of Block D<br />

17<br />

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