On International Nurses Day we recognise the wonderful work of our caring, professional, and compassionate nurses and thank them for their endless dedication to the care of our residents.

Leonie O’Brien is the Clinical Care Coordinator at Coorparoo Aged Care and she shares what inspired her to enter nursing and what drives her in her career.

Why did you choose to do nursing as your chosen career and what does it mean to you?

I chose to do nursing because I wanted to be equipped to provide comfort and support to people, especially older people, when they are unwell or palliating.

What do you enjoy most about working as a Clinical Care Coordinator at the home?

It feels great to be part of the nursing management team here at Coorparoo. We have a supportive team who care about the residents and the quality of the care that is provided.

What is the most challenging about being a nurse?

Constantly keeping up with the changes to legislation and the standards to ensure we remain compliant and continue to provide the best care available.

What is a special memory you have so far from your nursing career?

Working as a young nurse in South Africa, I worked as a community health palliative care nurse, based at a Hospice, and practiced as a private nurse practitioner for a while. These roles demanded a lot of travel and people support. I thoroughly enjoyed working in these capacities. I needed to build up trust with the doctors and oncologists so that I could call them at any time for permission to implement pain and symptom control strategies to ensure patient comfort. Unlike conditions in Australia there was no government support. The hospice I worked at was totally dependent on donations from the public. Patients and families relied on me for everything, including call outs during the night (even when it was unsafe to do so), consultation, advice and equipment.

I had some carers on my books and would arrange a fee consultation between the parties that would suit both the patient and the carer. Some patients were very poor but needed care support and some carers were desperate to provide food for their families, so a low acceptable fee was arranged between them. If a minimal wage applied (like in Australia), both the patient and carer would have suffered. I often had to improvise and carried items in my car such as old clean sheets, black plastic bags, spare food, soap, spare unused donated medications, and medical equipment (sometimes very old but usable, e.g. enemas etc.) to ensure patient comfort and support. Some could not even afford simple items such as food to have with their medication, bus fare to collect or pay for medication, a change of linen when it is soiled – a cut up black plastic bag with a cover sheet assisted with keeping under sheets clean and helped when desperate families needed to turn or slide a loved one into a comfortable position. It was sad but very rewarding to be able to help, without restrictions.

This was 20 years ago, and things may have changed but I value the knowledge I gained and the experiences I had. I moved to Queensland and then worked for a large Aged Care provider for 17 years in various clinical roles, including Management and Quality and Compliance roles. Three years ago I made the move to Coorparoo Aged Care after a short stint in a contracted Quality Support Role. I so enjoyed working at Coorparoo that when the Clinical Care Coordinator Role became available, I did not hesitate to apply. The entire team at Coorparoo work well together to provide a caring and supportive working environment.

On ANZAC Day, we take this time to remember all who have served for our country. This year, we share the story of Coorparoo Aged Care resident, Les, who reflected on his experience with the army.

In January 1955, at the age of 18, Les was conscripted to the Australian Army in a ballot and completed three months training in preparation to be sent to Malaya. The overseas post never eventuated and instead, he completed service training in Gunnedah in the Transport Unit where he learnt to drive lorries and jeeps. Les recalls that his time in the army reserve took precedence over work and was required to work on certain days or weekends. He would also attend fortnightly camps at Gunnedah where he would stay in a marquee with 20 other soldiers while others would stay in huts. Les recalls that training was strict and says that if you did not fold your sheets, blankets and mattress away correctly, it was then tipped onto the floor, and you had to start again.

During one of his training camps, Les met fellow serviceman, Carl. They became lifelong friends and would catch up frequently at trainings and ongoing camps. Carl was Les’ best man at his wedding and said that their families were always close. Sadly, Carl passed away three years ago; however, Les still remains in contact with Carl’s family.

Les said that overall, he enjoyed national service. A distinct memory he recalls was one training session during the hot summer months. The training involved bayonet drills where Les had to walk a mile in the heat between two soldiers, remembering to lift his rifle above his shoulder, so that no one got stabbed. Les forgot and said the sergeant made him run to the other side of the training field as punishment, and then made all the troops do it again with him. On returning to camp, Les said he did not feel like eating the meal provided and made do with a milkshake instead. Later he endured terrible cramps through his body and legs, which took most of the night to alleviate. He said he never made that mistake again.

Les says that being in the army taught him to follow orders which prompted him to lead a disciplined lifestyle and always do the right thing. Since moving into Coorparoo Aged Care, Les has maintained his self-discipline and still hangs his clothes up in the wardrobe and puts his shoes away neatly every day.

Bob and Lyn Reading first met at the Wharf Street ANZ branch where they both worked for a number of years. They later resigned from working in the bank, then owned and ran three news agencies over 25 years. ‘We worked long hours and hard but worked together’ they said. ‘We created a stable loving family and make a good team.’

Bob and Lyn are very family oriented and spoke very fondly of their family. When asked who the greatest loves of their lives were, Bob said his grandchildren, whilst Lyn said that Bob is the greatest love of her life. ‘Thanks to my wife, I have a lovely family,’ said Bob. The couple will celebrate their 57^th wedding anniversary in March 2023.

When asked how they shape who each other are today, they replied, ‘We have always had mutual ambitions, qualities and way of life. We communicate with, respect, and support each other. These have been the things that have built our marriage and family. We have a great family support network.’ Lyn and Bob have one son who lives in Brisbane with his family, and their other son lives in London with his family but will come out to Australia to visit them soon.

Bob and Lyn are both residents at Coorparoo. Lyn lives at The Village and Bob lives at Coorparoo Aged Care which allows them to spend lots of time together.

‘We have been lucky enough to have lots of nice trips and been able to travel. But the best thing we did was move to The Village at Coorparoo.’

In Australia today, almost half of all dentists are female; however, that hasn’t always been the case.

In 1947, three young women enrolled to study dentistry at University of Queensland. Their class was made up of two other women and over 100 men. Four years later, they would be among the 81 students to graduate.

Each of the women, Joyce, Millicent, and Erica, would go on to forge interesting careers and while life took them in many different directions, the bond between them was always strong and in retirement the trio chose to call Coorparoo Aged Care home, sharing the next stage of life together.

The women were inspired to follow in the footsteps of their family with each of them having brothers who were either dentists or doctors and Millicent’s father was also a dentist.

At university the three were firm friends, well-liked by their fellow students, and they enjoyed the social scene attending many events and balls. Joyce was known for being beautifully dressed and always having her dark curly hair well groomed, while Erica who made all of her own fashionable clothes was the most vivacious and outgoing of the group.

Millicent decided to become a librarian in the physics department of Queensland Institute of Technology and later married a dentist, going on to have four children, one of whom is also a dentist. “I have lived a very full life and enjoyed all of it” stated Millicent.

Joyce graduated in 1951 and started work in the Melbourne Dental Clinic, but later had her own dental practice in Brisbane on Wynnum Road sharing premises with her brother who was a GP. She also married and continued to work. Joyce said, “It was lucky that I had my brother in the practice as I often had to call on him to assist me with extractions”.

Erica graduated in the same year as Joyce and while initially she became a school dentist in North Queensland and the Darling Downs, she later travelled to England, Melbourne, and Canberra to practice. Somehow, she found time to have two children as well who are frequent visitors to the facility. “Our study group became very close and continued to meet 70 years later” said Erica.

Family members of the trio are frequent visitors to Coorparoo Aged Care which is proud to be home to such extraordinary women who were pioneers of their generation. Footnote: We are very grateful to Denise, also in the same year as Erica, Millicent and Joyce for sharing her very fond memories of her friends, provided in long hand, just a few days after her 93^rd birthday!

Loneliness in older adults is not only socially isolating but can also have a serious effect on health. Did you know that social isolation is associated with  an approximately 50% increased risk of dementia and other medical conditions?

It’s important to realise that loneliness impacts everyone at some stage in their lives, no matter the age. Many seniors don’t realise how lonely they are until their circumstances change and they enter a warm and welcoming community such as Coorparoo Aged Care.

For resident, Heather, living at Coorparoo Aged Care has meant she has overcome that feeling of loneliness and she finds herself being more social than she ever was at home. With no time to be bored, Heather’s active life helps to keep her connected to our internal and external Coorparoo community.

Continue reading her story below to see how living at Coorparoo Aged Care has enriched her life.

What do you enjoy most about living at Coorparoo Aged Care?

I was living on my own before coming to Coorparoo Aged Care and was independent enough to still be able to drive. I was not coping well at on my own at home, especially preparing meals for myself, so I really enjoy not having to do this anymore.

I enjoy the company and participating in the activities and exercises, and I am still able to go out with my friends and family when I want to.

Have you felt less lonely since moving into the community?

I was very social before I came here, and I am also very happy and content here at Coorparoo. I do sometimes feel lonely, but staff are very accommodating and willing to talk to me at any time.

Has living at Coorparoo Aged Care helped increase your socialisation? Have you made some friends since moving in?

It’s about the same. I have made friends with people on my level and interact with residents from other levels too. I like that I am encouraged to attend activities and social events and have also attended the takeaway evenings with other residents on the rooftop which I enjoy.

Do you have a special memory from when you first arrived at Coorparoo and what it was that made you feel welcomed?

Not really except for the caring staff showing me around and looking after me in my room. It was good to be included into the community here the moment I stepped in the door.

How does Coorparoo Aged Care keep you connected to your family or loved ones?

The team are very good at keeping us protected and safe from COVID. My family were kept up to date about the COVID status of the home very frequently which made it easier for them to know we were safe.