Day: May 21, 2020

Categories
Things to watch

Reaching out to your local MP to get Telstra’s attention, especially with telehealth now an essential reality

Don’t you hate it when you are getting nowhere?

Recently Village Manager Vanessa White from OakTree Dural, an inaugural member of our DCMI Village Management Professional Development program, reached out to her local MP Justin Lesser as a last resort to assist her 18 month fight with Telstra to obtain suitable connections to phone and internet for the resident in her village.

OakTree Dural is just over 30km from Sydney’s CBD, yet residents have been unable to connect with doctors via Telehealth. The COVID pandemic has heightened her residents need to communicate via phone and internet with family, friends and importantly support services.

After nearly two years of unanswered requests and with no rectification in sight by Telstra,  Justin recognised the urgency and began a campaign to highlight to Telstra’s CEO that this situation was unacceptable.

His campaign was taken up by the Daily Telegraph, Allan Jones 2GB, Seven Nightly News and a number of smaller media outlets. Telstra got the message.

This is just one example of why establishing a sound working relationship with your local MP can be mutually beneficial. 

In our Village Management Professional Development program I am often heard preaching the benefits of maintaining working relationships with you local MP.  Whether it is to assist in situations such as this one, to provide support on grant programs, or to open the new veggie garden.

It’s easy. Invite them to talk to residents about what they are doing for the local community, and to have their photo taken. Remember, every resident has local family as well.

Think of it as a ‘win win’ relationship. You will get some access to additional support or information, you will be helping to educate our future Ministers on the benefit of Retirement Living and may even in cases like this one, get someone to champion your cause.

For the local Member they get recognition for assisting a large number of local constituents with an issue, the opportunity to meet local voters all in one place and be educated about retirement living for use in future party committees and discussions.

If you haven’t started that relationship with your local member already, put it on your ‘what I would like to achieve over winter’ list!

Categories
Key things to help you everyday

COVID-19 Living Choice resident ideas in lockdown

This week it came to our attention the many ideas that the Living Choice team have been dreaming up to support their residents in lockdown. Conveniently a few of them are on their website here.

A couple we liked were:

April Birthdays

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, it has been impossible to arrange the usual Birthday Bash events. Not wanting the residents to feel left out, the Living Choice Woodcroft team hatched up a plan to take the birthday celebration to the residents in their homes. The staff members made up 65 gift boxes for those who had missed out in March, April and May and on Friday 15th May, they delivered them all, singing “Happy Birthday” 65 times! 

Tasks to fill your days

Michael Gasking, who lives with his wife, Lois at Living Choice Fullarton, is known as the “go-to” man if ever you need anything made, repaired or polished! Most days, he can be found in the village workshop or in the basement, cleaning cars. He has some useful advice for those who need to fill their days in self-isolation.

  • Dismiss all negative thoughts
  • Polish the silver
  • Do a jigsaw
  • Read what your iPhone can do
  • Find out more about your iPad and Computer
  • Find out more about apps
  • Climb some stairs or steps
  • Walk around the neighbourhood
  • Learn some scripture
  • Tidy up your files
  • Shred or get rid of some paperwork
  • Go through your clothing and discard
  • Throw out more rubbish
  • Do some art, sketches, doodling
  • Look up some old recipe books
  • Clean your shutters and brickwork
  • Read your car instruction book
  • Throw out some books
  • Make some scones for a neighbour or friend
  • Do some crosswords or similar
  • Ring an old neighbour for a chat
  • Catch up with someone not doing so well
  • Read some of your long-forgotten books
  • Avoid too many movies
  • Swap plants with your neighbours
  • Recreate and replay your music collection
  • Write a letter as distinct from an email
  • Get out some of your old board games
  • Brush up on your First Aid skills
  • Learn a new skill via You Tube
  • Dust off an old musical instrument
  • Tell more of your life’s story
  • Explore digital news sources
  • Disinfect your car after shopping
Categories
Latest industry developments

NSW retirement villages have legislative requirements to protect older people from abuse – a strategy document required

Changes to the NSW regulations includes a requirement for Retirement Village operators to prepare and put into practice a clear and accessible strategy for both staff and residents to better identify and respond to the abuse of older people living in a retirement village.

The Ageing and Disability Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, has notified the sector that he has established new officers to visit villages to check they  have strategies and procedures in place. Serious fines will be given if not found or they are not adequate.

The Commissioner has also organised tools and guidance on forming strategies. You can find them here.

Categories
Key things to help you everyday

Finally, restrictions are easing… what does it mean for your community?

The good news of the fortnight is Australia’s coronavirus restrictions are easing! 

While this will be welcome news for some residents and staff, there is no doubt there will be others that are nervous about the continued risk and potential impact on their health. 

With the help of our good friends at MinterEllison and with some of our own investigation, we provide below the latest references available for retirement living operators in each state as at today.  

Queenslandon 15 May 2020 the Queensland Government issued advice for retirement village visitors on the ‘Homes and Housing’ section of the Queensland Government website that provides some guidelines around visitors, activities and facility use.

South Australia on15 May 2020 updated the COVID-19 Fact Sheet for Retirement village operators  and seeks to reinforce the South Australian Roadmap.

New South Wales late last week provided some answers in a Frequently Asked Questions format around visitors, meetings, annual contract checks, privacy, open inspections and health emergencies.  

Victoria early this week announced that from 1 June 2020 cafes, restaurants and pubs will be re-opened to serve meals to up to 20 customers at a time (per enclosed space):

  • Venues will be required to take the contact details of every customer to assist in rapid contact tracing.
     
  • From 22 June 2020 the limit could increase to 50 patrons and in the second half of July, 100 patrons.
     
  • The timelines are reliant on high testing numbers and medical advice from the Chief Health Officer

However they provide little direction as yet on the Consumer Affairs ‘Housing’’ section around meeting gatherings.

Western Australia commenced ‘Stage 2’ easing of restrictions on 18 May. 20 people are now allowed to gather indoors, including in cafes and restaurants with meal service.

Tasmania ‘Stage 1’ commenced 18 May. The number of visitors to a household is now 5, although gatherings of 10 are permitted at restaurants and cafes. Pools and outdoor exercise equipment may also be re-opened (provided there are less than 10 patrons).