September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and this year the theme of, ‘Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s’ highlights the importance of support for people living with dementia, and their families, following a diagnosis.

The experienced team at Coorparoo Aged Care provides a successful, diverse, and engaging program to support residents who live with all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is a disease which affects not only the resident but very often families are greatly affected as well. Coorparoo Aged Care recognises the importance of purposeful engagement in encouraging independence, offering choice, maintaining connections with others and generally supporting well-being.

Effective partnerships between the team and families assist with the development of activities that are based on the person’s individual needs and interests. These activities include craft, different kinds of word games, and music and singing activities which are very popular among residents. If any residents chooses not to participate in an activity, we encourage them to watch as a way to encourage socialisation.

It is well known that interacting with animals can have many benefits for a person with dementia. A visit from a favourite pet often helps with anxiety and depression and brings lots of happiness to all residents. The team love to see the joy on resident’s faces when a pet enters the room, especially if it triggers pleasant memories.

The team at Coorparoo welcomes and encourages families to bring in their pet to visit their beloved resident and friends.

Beryl has lived at Coorparoo for two and a half years and enjoys regular visits from her family. According to Beryl, the highlight of her week is when her son David visits with his beautiful dog Louie.

Talk to the team to find out we can help assist with visiting furry friends, or if you need more information about supporting people living with dementia.

With our wonderful Personal Care Assistant, Yash.

What made you want to pursue a career in the aged care sector?

I am from India and was very close to both my grandparents and have always wanted to pursue a career in aged care. I am passionate about providing high quality care to ensure that older Australians who move into care are well looked after in a home-like situation. I am also currently studying to be a Registered Nurse with seven months to go.

What do you like most about your role and working at Coorparoo Aged Care?

I love working with older people, hearing their experiences and talking to them to make their days better. I love to see the residents smiling and having fun. I enjoy going home at night knowing I have made a difference in the life of one, or more, of our residents.

What’s the most challenging thing about working in aged care?

Working in an aged care home can be a demanding environment to work in, and often you will be on your feet most of the day. Some residents can have a lot of challenges; however a smile will often go a long way to making someone feel better and I am happy to help where I can.

What is a special memory you have from working at Coorparoo Aged Care?

I have many special memories here at Coorparoo because there are so many special people who I share my workdays with. These are residents of the home and many of the staff.

When I first started at Coorparoo, I had lovely, helpful, and supportive team members who encouraged me and increased my confidence. I feel very privileged to have shared the last days of several residents and to be able to provide them with the very best care I could give. There are many special people here who have given me many special memories.

Kevin and Kathleen King are residents at our beautiful home here at Coorparoo. This Valentine’s Day, they share with us their special love story from the time they met to where they are now.

How long have you been together and how did you meet?

Kathleen: We will celebrate 71 years of marriage this March and met seven months before we got married.

We met at an old-time dance at the Blind Institute in South Brisbane.  Kevin was down from Maryborough staying with his two cousins who I already knew. Kevin’s cousins took him to this dance and that’s where we were introduced. My first thought was, ‘gee, he’s cute’ even though all the girls I was with were chasing after the two cousins. I had no interest in the cousins, and Kevin and I have been together since that day.

What is your most memorable moment together?

Kathleen: Having our six children together (five girls and one boy).

Kevin: Going to the Publican Ball in Rockhampton, where I had to man the pub, so I was late to pick up Kathleen after her ballet dancing. She was all dressed up by her friends in all her finery but when I didn’t arrive in time, she had already changed into her usual dress. We ended up having such a lovely time anyway.

Describe a tough time you’ve been through together.

Kathleen: We’ve been through many tough years together. Kevin worked 12-hour days for a furniture making company, Trittons, as an upholsterer. He would come home and together we would make garden settings, sewing and put them together at night. This was to support our family.

Kevin: Kathleen controlled the finances and handled all the money.  She was the best family finance accountant. Even through all the tough years, we always made sure we had a holiday and gifts for our children.

What do you love most about each other?

Kevin: I love everything about Kathleen.

Kathleen: I love that Kevin was always a good husband who cared a lot for our children and myself.

What’s your secret to a long and happy marriage?

Kevin and Kathleen: Doing and sharing everything together.

Coorparoo Aged Care has celebrated their first birthday!

The day was filled with fun, joy and laughter and of course some yummy food and cake!

We would like to say a big thank you to all our residents for being the heart of our family and to all our staff for all that you do. A huge thank you to our cake maker for an exquisite replica of our Erica house., it was almost too good to eat!

We are looking forward to celebrating many more years to come!

Residents and staff have celebrated World Chocolate Day!

It’s safe to say that everyone was happy to join in the delicious festivities. Yummy!