Uniting AgeWell in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Non-profit organisation

Uniting AgeWell

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 1300 783 435

Address: 130 Lonsdale Street 3000 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.unitingagewell.org

Likes: 2728

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• Medical and health
• Non-profit organisation

22.01.2022 "We were told Mum could no longer live alone at home" Jane and her brother were sole carers for their mum Joan, helping with the shopping, cooking and cleaning so she could manage to live alone in her west Melbourne home. Then in the middle of winter, in the middle of a pandemic, Joan was admitted to hospital with an infection and delirium.... Worse was to come. Doctors told them the 94-year-old had developed dementia and would not longer be able to continue living alone at home. Jane and Joan chose decided to trial this potential new way of life with a few weeks respite care at Uniting AgeWell Hawthorn Community. Jane knew that to feel a sense of ease about this new arrangement, her mum had to be happy and enjoy it, and the care needed to meet Jane's scrupulous standards. Uniting AgeWell's Admissions Manager Sharon D'Rozario (pictured) had no doubt that Joan would love her stay there. Read how Joan is doing, and how Jane found peace of mind here https://www.unitingagewell.org//news/a-different-kind-of-c

22.01.2022 Together again - Nola and her sisters reunite There was laughter, tears and smiles all round as Nola was reunited with her three sisters she has not seen for about a year through COVID-19 and the horror summer bushfires. Nola, 83, who is on a home care package with Uniting AgeWell, lives on her own in her independent living unit. ... She has arthritis and is legally blind, but copes thanks to carers coming in four days a week and having her meals delivered. Uniting AgeWell direct care worker Lauren Needham used her day off to drive Nola to Victoria Rose and Tea Room in Rosedale for the reunion lunch and spent the day with the sisters who enjoyed her company. Nola says the reunion with Pam, 81 and Roma 79 and Lesley 75 was "very special." "They are a bundle of fun, we talked and laughed about everything, it was a great catch up." Nola plans to do it again before Christmas - and she is incredibly thankful that Lauren enabled the catch-up to take place. Nola, who moved to her unit from her grazing farm several years ago when her sight started failing, is loving life as a great-grandmother. Lauren says she loved being part of the special day. which also included a visit to the homemade jam and pickle relish shop in Rosedale and coffee and ginger biscuits at a cafe earlier. #reunitedagain #familylove #happyandpurposeful

22.01.2022 They’re changing guards at Buckingham Palace... "What's your favourite place to travel - and we'll take a photo of you there to have as a keepsake?" That's the challenge residents at Strathdon Community in Forest Hill were given, as the lifestyle team set about creating fun moments in a year where we've needed to think outside the square to keep minds active and spirits up.... And so residents put on their thinking caps - and came up with a range of places from Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to rain forests, the beach, a villa in Tuscany and a whole lot in between. The lifestyle team then took their photos and superimposed it on the background of choice, creating a virtual holiday snap to keep as a memento of this most unusual year. #saysAlice #wheretotoday #BigBenrocks #makeyourownfun

19.01.2022 No more border passes! For much of the year, Eucha-based Uniting AgeWell direct care workers have needed to obtain border passes to care for clients in Moama - on the NSW side of the Murray River. Now the border has been reopened, and both staff and clients are utterly delighted! Though it must be said that needing to obtain passes didn't deter staff at all - they're a committed bunch who think nothing of travelling up to 100km a day to visit clients.... Uniting AgeWell has around 120 home care package clients scattered across the length and breadth of the Shire of Campaspe, an area spanning over 4520 square km. One of their many clients is Peg, 87, who is never happier than when pottering around her sun room that her daughter turned into an indoor garden for her. Peg also loves doing arts and crafts, and is always making some little toy or knick-knack - the latest creation is a little mouse for one of her seven great-grandchildren. She ran her own arts and crafts shop for a few years and confesses it didn’t make much money, but I had such a lot of fun! Peg uses her Uniting AgeWell home care package to get in home help once a week, and for a bit of assistance with shopping. I love shopping, she confesses, unable to keep the grin out of her voice. I get help going to the local stores to do all my grocery shopping, but when I want to buy clothes and who doesn’t? then Uniting AgeWell takes me to the bigger shops in Kyabram. #borderisopen #gettingbacktonormal #livingagreatlife

17.01.2022 Paynesville pair finds new purpose If anyone thinks that country Victorian couple Ros and Ross Tucker are sitting around twiddling their thumbs during retirement, they’d be barking up the wrong tree. The Paynesville pair, both qualified dog instructors, are busy starting up their own dog obedience business.... Retired air-traffic controller Ross, 75, and retired mother craft nurse, Ros, 74, have been passionate about dog training for years. Their German Short-Haired Pointer, Tasse, won a number of obedience prizes over the years. We’re pretty excited about this new adventure, Ros says. It’s going to be such fun! Ross is on a home care package and gets help with cleaning the house twice a week and gardening when necessary. We’ve both got a few health problems, so it’s great to have a bit of help around the house, Ros explains. And both can't speak highly enough of direct care worker Rosemary Lucas, who has braved heat, floods, bushfires, poor air quality and now a pandemic to help her clients. It’s also comforting for the couple to know that they can upsize their home care package to get additional help should their needs change. We want to carry on living happily in Paynesville, Ros says. And Uniting AgeWell helps us do just that. Find out more about Uniting AgeWell's Home Care services here: https://unitingagewell.org/our-services/home-care #livewell #newadventures #lifeisgreat #homecare #homecarepackage #livewell

16.01.2022 Music, birds and home comfort Pam and Elmar Himmelreich of Preston are looking forward to catching up with lifelong friends and family now that restrictions have lifted. They love their home - watching the birds nest in a pot plant on the back verandah, listening to classical music and enjoying the garden.... And although retired maths teacher Elmar has a very rare condition that means he topples over when he stands up, the couple is happy living in their home of 45 years thanks to a home care package through Uniting AgeWell. Read their full story here: https://unitingagewell.org//news/listening-to-the-birdsongs

11.01.2022 Racing into fun There's a life-long love affair between many men and machines. And an impromptu race with remote control cars at Mornington Community, Lilian Martin recently proved a whole lot of fiercely competitive fun!... The Community also enjoyed the Celebration of Ageing Well - several residents celebrated their 90th birthdays so a slap-up BBQ was held where they were presented with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers and a commemorative certificate. Meanwhile Gabby the pet therapy dog who belongs to a staff member and visits every Tuesday, delighted everyone with her usual wags and woofs - and appeared to watch in fascination at the humans around her whooping it up! #racingfun #singingalong #funtimes

11.01.2022 Making the difference to diabetes Celebrating the nurses who make a difference to those with diabetes is the theme of World Diabetes Day today. And to all the dedicated health professionals enabling our residents and clients to live their best lives possible by assisting them to manage diabetes, we say "thank you!"... Diabetes is a condition that affects 1.7 million Australians. This includes many of our older Australians. Diabetes refers to a group of conditions where there is too much sugar in the blood. Uniting AgeWell dietician Phillipa Spence says some people need insulin or medication to control diabetes, while others can control their blood sugar by sticking to a healthy balanced diet and having enough water and exercise. Following a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meats, fish, nuts and dairy is recommended for the general population and also for diabetics. Phillipa says eating food should be spread evenly over the day, particularly foods that contain carbohydrates such as breads, cereals, fruit, dairy, sugar and cakes/biscuits. These foods add sugar to the blood so don’t consume them in one hit! She says drinking water is vital for health and managing blood sugar, but if you enjoy drinking juice or soft drink, a diet drink may be a better option. Residents in our communities have access to nutritious meals and exercise, and our home care package clients are supported to take care of themselves too! https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/.

07.01.2022 Lest we forget Every year at 11am on 11 Novemberthe eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh monthwe pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations. And tomorrow marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.... At Manor Lakes Community a Remembrance Service will be held followed by morning tea. Poppies will also be handed out, with musical favourites played from the era. Banners have also been made. Two worship services will be held at Noble Park Community at midday tomorrow for ground floor residents and on Friday afternoon for first floor residents - with appropriate numbers and social distancing. The TV will also be turned on to the channels carrying services marking the occasion and the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance is inviting everyone to join them online for a commemorative broadcast at 10.45am tomorrow, live-streamed on the Shrine's Facebook and Youtube channels. https://www.shrine.org.au/remembrance-day-2020

03.01.2022 Needlework whiz Meet Marea McGuire - the women with magic in her fingers when it comes to embroidery, knitting and patchwork. And just check out some of the amazing things she's made, like this three-dimensional house.... Marea, 81, is such a whiz with a needle she's turned her second bedroom at her spacious flat in Amarco Apartments, a Uniting AgeWell Independent Retirement Living community, into an arts and crafts room. You'll never guess what her other hobbies are? Click here to read more: https://www.unitingagewell.org//embroidery-queen-of-kingsv Take a look at Amarco Apartments here: https://amarcoapartments.com.au/ or book a tour here: https://amarcoapartments.com.au/contact-us/ #independentliving #nimblefingers

02.01.2022 Growing up on the land was tough. Retired farmer Francis Hardwicke loves rugged northern Tasmania. So it was a no-brainer that the man of the land would end up living at Latrobe Community, Strathdevon, close to everything he holds dear.... Francis, 93, farmed beef cattle, milking cows and growing veggies at Sunnyside, Railton and has five children and plenty of grandchildren. He was happy to sell the farm once his beloved wife, Laura, died. It held too many memories of her. Francis says he had a great life, but growing up on the land was tough. Dad was a hard man and mum was a very strong woman, and both would give you a clip around the ear for giving them any cheek, he says. You ate what was in front of you and did your chores! Milking wasn’t sophisticated like it is today. When I was hand milking the cows, sometimes I would get a kick and the bucket would spill over, and then I got into trouble from mum! Francis explains. Francis is enjoying living at Strathdevon and says he is well looked after and the people are very friendly. Uniting AgeWell has been upgrading its communities to enable older people to continue to live in the area they love. The Roland wing at Strathdevon is getting a makeover following the new $10 million Henley wing that opened mid last year. Find out how life at Strathdevon might suit you too: https://www.unitingagewell.org//latrobe-community-strathde #careandcomfort #farmingistough #stayinginthearea #respite

01.01.2022 Honouring those who served Residents at Kalkee Community, Nangatta spent a poignant morning on Remembrance Day this week, honouring those who served during the world wars. And it was a joint effort that made the ceremony so memorable.... Resident Rod helped design the program, Eva placed flowers on the table under the flag and Norma read out the immortalised words of the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae to those gathered (all with appropriate distancing, of course!) A number of services were held across our residential sites. At Aldersgate Kings Meadows, a service was conducted by Chaplain Ian. Residents and staff took part in the ceremony which included a reading from the Bible, the Ode and the laying of wreaths. The area was decorated with red poppies, and even Lilee, the resident dog, wore a poppy for the occasion. Dogs were commonly used by the Red Cross to find wounded soldiers during World War One - though fluffy poodles like Lilee wouldn't have made the grade! The rescue dogs included Border Collies, English Sheepdogs and Retrievers. Every year at 11am on 11 November - the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - we pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations. This year was particularly significant as it marked the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. #lestweforget #paying tribute #rememberingtheirlives