CEO Report
Welcome to 2018 and our first edition of Twilight Connections for the year. Over the Christmas period I was fortunate enough to travel to Patagonia to climb mountains and experience life in one of the most remote areas in southern Chile. Following a three week disconnect from technology I have returned with a renewed energy and commitment to continue our journey to be the preferred provider of care services within our communities.
I had a wonderful time trekking Torres Del Paine and Grey Glacier, spending time travelling up through the fjords, driving around Lake Llanquihue (the second largest lake in Chile) surrounded by volcanoes and also enjoying some of the local Chilean hospitality and wines.
It’s Time to Rethink Retirement
“As a society, an economy, and in government, we must have a vision, adapt our thinking, and adjust our attitudes and our actions to reflect the opportunities that senior Australians have to offer.” – Ken Wyatt, Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health.
With many Australians working and living longer, we need to rethink the concept of retirement. Traditionally, a person would work until the age of 65 and spend their remaining 10-15 years in leisure. An ageing population today suggests that retiring at the age of 65 could mean a person’s retirement fund must cover a possible 30 years of living expenses.
Stepping Into A Mindful New Year
The new year can be a busy time for all of us, especially when it comes to finding a healthy balance between time spent on family, friends, food, fitness and finances. It is also a time for reflection on the year that has been, to inspire a positive change in lifestyle and to set intentions for the year ahead.
Our minds are powerful, and our mental state can cause our bodies stress. However, recent studies have shown that focussing more on the present moment, a process known as ‘mindfulness’, can benefit our general well-being.
How Can We Combat Loneliness Amongst The Elderly?
Being alone describes a state of being, whilst being lonely is derived from an emotional response to a circumstance. While some people prefer being alone, it’s rare for anyone to welcome feelings of loneliness. Social isolation can negatively impact a person’s mood, outlook on life, sense of purpose and can lead to severe mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
At Twilight Aged Care, we value the importance of community and connectedness, and we understand that active social connections are imperative for our mental and physical well-being.
Volunteers: The Heart of Twilight
The Twilight Volunteer program has been in full swing over the September/October school holidays. We were fortunate to have twenty students from St Ignatius College visit all four of our homes, sharing stories and assisting with many activities on the day.
Connecting young people (children and teenagers) and seniors is extremely rewarding and beneficial in bridging the gap between generations. The residents enjoy reminiscing with the students, as they laugh and played games and were genuinely interested in listening to them.
How our dietary needs change as we age
As we age, a healthy diet becomes more important than ever. The right foods give our bodies the best chance at maintaining our mobility, mind and overall health. Unfortunately, with age, our appetites decrease, along with our dexterity and our ability to chew, so eating the right food isn’t always straightforward.
At Twilight Aged Care, we aim to provide each individual with quality food that caters to their personal, cultural and dietary needs. In this article, we’ve put together some insights, information and tips on maintaining a healthy diet as we age.
The transition to aged care – what to expect
As we age, our mobility, coordination and memory begin to decline. This can make it difficult to perform basic day-to-day tasks such as getting around, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene. There are several options available to those requiring additional assistance, including government funded community centre groups, live-in home care options, retirement villages and aged care facilities.
Twilight Aged Care offers aged care communities that allow residents to maintain independence, individuality, dignity and quality of life in a safe and supportive environment.
Dementia Awareness Month
At Twilight Aged Care, we deliver expert care for residents with dementia on a daily basis, and part of our mission is to keep as up-to-date as possible on dementia care and how to manage the disease. As a result, we are very much looking forward to Dementia Awareness Month, which takes place throughout September 2017 and has plenty to offer.
Events are being held across Australia to promote awareness and understanding, and to support people with dementia as well as their relatives and carers. We have listed some of our highlights below.
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