V ILLAGE T IMES

ISSUE 27

Issue 27 Winter 2012

Amaroo Care Services Inc A: 2 Wreford Court, Gosnells WA 6110 T: 08 9490 3899 F: 08 9398 4923

W: www.amaroovillage.com.au E: amaroo@amaroovillage.com.au

Contents

Welcome - Pg 2

Development Updates - Pg 2 & 6

The Way Forward - Pg 3

Aged Care Reform - Pg 4

Fitness Class for Gosnells Village - Pg 4

Expressions of Interests Sought - Pg 5

ANZAC Day Service at BCC - Pg 5

Amaroo Community Care - Pg 5

Retirement Village or Lifestyle Village - Pg 6

Major Capital Works Consideration - Pg 6

Amaroo Board - Pg 7

Resident Comments - Pg 7

Appreciating Our Volunteers - Pg 6

Would you like to be a Volunteer? - Pg 6

A long term resident of Amaroo Village – Gosnells has just turned 100 years young during mid May. He’s still living in an Independent Living Unit and is living proof that there may well be some truth in the saying, “Come to Amaroo and live longer!!”. Congratulations and well done Harold!

Harold Watt’s

100th Birthday

(Above) Rosslyn Day, Customer Service Officer with Harold Watt at his celebration at Nancye Jones Centre

(Below) Harold Watt’s 100th Birthday Letter from The Queen.

Page 2 V i l lage Times Issue 27

Welcome

Welcome to our Village Times, Winter 2012 Edition.

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new residents, staff and volunteers.

If you have any suggestions, comments or complaints about our Village Times newsletter, please

contact Monique at Administration on 9490 3899 or email moniquevde@amaroovillage.com.au.

Developments Updates

Denmark Grows Another 30 odd residents living at Lionsville have recently joined Amaroo with 26 units previously managed and operated by Lionsville Denmark Inc are now being managed and operated by Amaroo Care Services Inc. Of the 26 units, 22 of them were constructed as joint ventures with the Dept of Housing for financially disadvantaged seniors and these are being transferred to Amaroo. Amaroo already has 4 JV rentals in our original 36 villa development, so now there are 62 villas in total. The Amaroo Board of Directors held a business meeting at Denmark on April 28

th which

concluded with a luncheon with local Amaroo (& Lionsville) residents. One of the issues discussed was the proposal for Amaroo to purchase the crown land reserve located between Amaroo and Lionsville so that we can provide a village clubhouse and additional housing to meet growing demand. Did you know that Denmark is one of the nation’s fastest growing rural communities? A visit to the area will help you understand why ‘Sea – Tree Changers’ are choosing Denmark. Currently, there are two refurbished 3 bedroom villas available at Denmark at affordable prices. New Village at Albany Stage One, comprising of nine 2 and 3 bedroom villas have been completed and progress is being made with the completion of a clubhouse at Amaroo’s new village on Pioneer Road, Albany. Of the 9 villas, we already have expressions of interest for 4 of them which is encouraging in this slow property market.

Planning for stage two is well underway and orders are being taken off the plan for the more popular designs. (Continued Page 6)

Recently I came across a school motto which said, “No man is an island unto himself” – which essentially means ‘appreciate those around you and thank them every day for their companionship’. Today, the world we live in

is very different to the world we grew up in; in some ways this has meant an easier life and in other ways we have stepped backwards rather than forward. It has become risky business to trust others and allow them into our lives and the outcome is ‘social isolation’ for many in our community. How well do you know your neighbour? Do you get together with your neighbours over a cuppa or a nice cold ale? How often do you have a chat about life? Do you share your triumphs or challenges? No longer is it safe to leave the back door open while we pop out or leave a window open while we sleep on a warm summer’s night because of fear of having our home invaded by unwelcome individuals that might harm us. Subsequently, our modern homes are designed with security in mind. For example, have you noticed that contemporary home designs feature a lockup garage under the main roof wherein the occupants can open the electronic powered garage door from down the street a little way with a remote switch, drive in and shut the door before getting out and going inside their home through the linked garage security door, and this can be done several times a day without ever coming face to face with a neighbour. People squeeze into buses and trains everyday with iPods connected to their ears, eyes looking at a book or staring into nothing and hardly a word is spoken except for the recorded message telling you where you might be. Why are we afraid to even make

eye contact? You go to a super market and come through the checkout where the attendant asks, “How are you today?”, never expecting anyone to answer with anything more than, “Ok or fine”, God forgive us if we tell them how we really are. They just aren’t trained to handle a conversation, besides it holds up the queue. We have inadvertently created social islands for ourselves and we may wonder why our world is becoming a lonely place even though we may live in a well populated community. Our social isolation has been created by a combination of factors that continue to squeeze us into tighter corners and we tend to lose our way in the friendship stakes. In Australia today, it is understood that 1 in 4 people live alone and these are mostly women. We know that one can live alone and yet not be lonely. Notwithstanding the ranks of the lonely continue to grow. At an Amaroo Village, the village community is conducive for newcomers making new friends as well as keeping their old ones. There is always lots to do socially and new interests to be fostered. Once the decision has been made and couples or singles make the move into a village, they often say, “We are having such a great time, we should have come here 10 years ago” . I would like to see more ‘inclusion’ and less exclusion so that a resident’s friends from outside the village are always made to feel welcome and included. Contrary to popular belief, a retirement village is not the place that old folk come to die, but rather to live and enjoy. Next time you see your neighbour, you might wave or even invite them in for a cuppa and chat.

David Fenwick

Chief Executive Officer

Vil lage Times Issue 27 Page 3

The Way Forward

The Living Longer, Living Better, aged care reform package announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Minister for Mental Health and the Ageing on Friday 20

th

April creates a fundamental shift in the way aged care services will be delivered and sets the direction for the future. It is a 10 year reform plan that at its heart focuses on supporting older people to live at home for as long as possible with consumer directed care as i ts cornerstone. Importantly, the package delivers on many of the issues that both older people and aged care providers have been raising for many years. However there are still a number o f add i t iona l initiatives that Amaroo believes the Government

should have included in its reform package to provide greater options and support for older people using aged care services. Presenting the option for the frail aged to live at home longer isn’t so much what everyone wants which may be true but the real truth may be more that the Government knows full well that there is already a severe shortage of residential care places and they can ill afford to provide more due to the escalating costs. Living at home longer may be fine, however it is built on the premise of there being family around close at hand to support the frail aged continuing to live at home a nd t ha t t h e h ome environment is safe for the care recipient and carer alike to live and work in. Clearly

not everyone has willing family members living close by that can respond when needed. Unfortunately, the devil is in the detail of this seemingly empty package and will take some time to work through. From what we can see, only $577 Million of the $3.7 Billion is actually new money in this package possibly meaning the remainder has been relabelled or will be coming from the consumers. While it all sounded good, I suspect that the Government spin doctors may be using smoke and mirrors to create an illusion once again. While the intent may have been to ‘reform’ aged care, nothing much is expected to happen before 2014. Isn’t an awful feeling when you find out you’ve been short-changed ?

Page 4 V i l lage Times Issue 27

Aged Care Reform

Fitness Classes for Gosnells

Village Residents

Jane Warman, Resident Liason Officer has introduced new Zumba and Heart Moves fitness classes for residents in our Gosnells village to promote a more healthy and active lifestyle.

Residents are encouraged to join and meet new people. Classes are on Fridays at The Nancye Jones Centre and cost $6.00 per person.

Heart Moves class is from 11am-12pm, and Zumba is from 12.30pm - 1.30pm.

Contact Jane at Administration on 9490 3899 for more information.

Vil lage Times Issue 27 Page 5

The new community care service established during July 2011 has been most effective in extending the time that the frail aged stay in their own home before having to go into residential care. At this point of time Amaroo Community Care is able to offer both government subsidized and/or fee for service tailored packages to meet your needs. For more details, please see advertisement in this newsletter or call Linda Lawson on 9490 3899.

Amaroo

Community

Care

Expressions of

Interest Sought

A m a r o o management is seeking EOI’s from residents to be members of a village focus group to look at having input into the design and l a y o u t o f a redeveloped village. D u r a t i o n f o r consultation will be only for 4 - 6 months.

Applications should be in writ ing, addressed to the CEO before 30

th

June

ANZAC Day Service at Buckley Caring Centre

An ANZAC day memorial service was held at the AV Buckley Caring Centre on Wednesday 25

th April. There was a good turn

out as usual with over 80 in attendance including the CoG Mayor, Dave Griffiths, local MLA, Chris Tallentire, Rev Chris Hind and AV Board President, Norm Smith who presented the message. Many of the residents of both the caring centre and the village and family members attended, as did Cr Julie Brown

and Board Director, Steve Tilbrook. Our appreciation goes to the Salvation Army and Scouts for their assistance.

Page 6 V i l lage Times Issue 27

Retirement Village or Lifestyle

Village? Would you prefer to live in a retirement village or a lifestyle village? Is t h e r e r e a l l y a difference? Given that the average age that people come into a village is somewhere between 68 – 72 years in Australia, plus the emerging trend that people are having to (or will be having to) work beyond 65years, perhaps it is time we t h o u g h t o f a n alternative word to describe these villages. Is “Seniors Village” too obvious or should we consider something like “Autumn Community Village?” Please, let’s have your suggestions.

Major Capital Works Program Under Consideration

The Amaroo Board of Directors and the management team have two significant goals before them as they consider a major redevelopment of the Buckley Caring Centre as well as the provision of a new combined village clubhouse and corporate office development at Gosnells. The Buckley Caring Centre was designed and built as a low care facility which presents many challenges for residents and staff alike when it comes to accommodating and caring for high care residents. The facility also comprises of a series of ‘add-ons’ as it has been constructed in stages over 25 years and it’s now time to plan for its future needs as predominantly a high care facility. Various options are being considered with the likelihood that much of the existing facility

will need to be replaced. Preliminary estimates indicate this will cost at least $16 million that would provide ostensibly a new facility of 96 places, each having its own ensuite, a purpose-built dementia wing with a new kitchen and laundry. Raising the funds to finance this project remains the biggest challenge. Meanwhile, planning work is progressing towards a development application for the proposed combined new village clubhouse and corporate office at Gosnells. Builders have costed this project at $5 million. Donations, big and small will be gratefully accepted and remain tax deductible.

Stalker Road Re-Development Six of the original eighteen 1 bedroom rental units built in the Carson Avenue area of Amaroo Village –Gosnells some 40 years ago have been demolished to make way for six new 2 & 3 bedroom RFU villas. Construction will commence later in 2012 and these new villas should be available for occupation by September 2013. Older RFUs when vacated are being reviewed for conversion to rentals to maintain the 30% rental ratio.

Developments Update (continued)

Here are Some Thoughts and

Comments from Some of Our Residents

“We wanted a more

manageable home – preferably new”

“Our gardens were becoming too difficult to look after and while we still like to potter, we no longer wanted the responsibility of a huge garden.

“As a single lady, I was looking for simplicity, companionship and safety”

“Having retired, we wished to travel and the idea of locking up and leaving, knowing our home would be looked after while we were away appealed – and there is somewhere to park our caravan”

“I had been widowed for several years and feeling lonely and isolated, I wanted somewhere I could make new friends with like minded interests”

“Having looked after elderly parents for many years, we didn’t want to place that burden on our children. WE moved into a village that offered a continuity of care through to the nursing home”

“Our adult kids wouldn’t leave home, so we did”

“My husband said we had become slaves to our house and garden and needed the freedom to travel and enjoy a more fulfilling life with years we have left “

Vil lage Times Issue 27 Page 7

The Amaroo Board of Directors

Name Position Field

Mr Norm Smith President Social Worker/PS Director

Mr Tony Italiano Deputy President Principal Real Estate

Mrs Janice Ricks Director Principal Real Estate

Mr David Fleming Director Legal Practitioner

Dr Tony Taylor Director Medical Practitioner

Mrs Amelia Yam Director Accountant

Mrs Lynette Burris Director HR Business Consultant

Mr Steve Tilbrook Director Farmer

Mr Tony Ciallella Director OD Business Consultant

Page 8 V i l lage Times Issue 27

We may not always realize that everything we do Affects not only our lives, but touches others too

A single happy smile can always brighten up the day For anyone who happens to be passing by your way

And a little bit of thoughtfulness that shows someone you care Creates a ray of sunshine for both of you to share

Yes every time you offer someone a welcoming hand Every time you show a friend you truly understand Every time you have a kind and gentle word to give

For happiness brings happiness and loving ways brings love And giving is the treasure that contentment is made of

In Appreciation for all that you do for our Amaroo family.

Appreciating Our Volunteers Some 116 of our 140 regular volunteers came together for a Volunteer Appreciation High Tea on Wednesday 16

th May. Board President, Norm Smith, fellow Director, Lyn Burris, two of our

sponsors and special guest speaker, COTA President Hon Bob Kucera APM awarded the service certificates and gift vouchers to 20 volunteers for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years service. All Volunteers were given appreciation certificates and a pen as a thank you for their tireless dedication to our Residents. Volunteer of the year awards went to: Dot Colvin, Bev Scotney and Valerie & Thomas Seaman.