Christmas Message from the CEO

The festive season is an opportune time to make a connection with your local community.

Take time to say ‘Hello’ to the people in your street. Reach out to neighbours, friends and family.

I encourage everyone to be proactive in making contact with family members or significant others who may be frail, or less mobile, than in their younger years, and who you may not see very often. Make time for a simple visit or phone call – it can make the world of difference.

Over the festive season, whilst spending time together, you may notice a deterioration in the health of older family members. They may be finding it difficult to manage – their movements may be slower, mentioning increased pain, or clearly having difficulty in managing tasks around the house. It may be time to discuss support options with them and investigate assistance to sustain their independence and quality of life.

This can be a hard but very important discussion. However, sometimes just a little support can assist in maintaining independence, and avoiding a major health crisis or decline. It’s also important to have this discussion together: your family member may already have thought about support, or be informed by their friends about available services.

There are many options of care and support available, from short term assistance to ongoing support, from privately funded to government subsidised services. Not everyone will be eligible for government subsidised services, and some people may choose to ‘top up’ funded services with private support as they choose.

Services can assist individuals to maintain their health and independence, their capacity to manage around the home; to make or maintain family and social connections, or keep up interests and hobbies. They may also decide to try something new to improve their quality of life or regain lost capability.

Respite support, either in the community or in a residential aged care home, can offer invaluable support for carers to have a break and ‘recharge.’

The Government’s My Aged Care website (myagedcare.gov.au) is an important gateway to find out about service options and eligibility. Alternatively, call the contact centre on 1800 200 422.

I also encourage everyone to make time to be prepared and well informed regarding future plans. Put an advanced care directive in place to clearly let others know what your future wishes are, should you be unable to make your own decision in a particular circumstance. For details visit: www.advancecaredirectives.sa.gov.au.

Pictured: Richard Hearn celebrates with Mrs Jean Rees at the 2019 Resthaven Mount Gambier Resident Christmas Luncheon.