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ACH Group is the first aged care provider in Australia to buy ‘Mobi-Mats’ to help residents in a wheelchair or with mobility issues to access the beach.

Mobi-Mats are lightweight non-slip portable pathways that allow people who use wheelchairs or walkers to access the beach. When laid across the sand, the mats create an even surface, creating a safe passage for anyone with mobility issues.

Three of these mats, which when laid out stretch 30 metres, were rolled out for the first time at Middleton on Wednesday thanks to a $10,000 grant from the ACH Group Foundation for Older Australians. The mats will be stored in an enclosed trailer purchased with a $3,175 grant from Goolwa Lions Club.

ACH Group’s Jane Young saw the mats in action at South Australia’s first accessible beach event at Henley Beach in February last year. She thought the mats would allow residents from West Park, ACH Group’s residential home at Goolwa, to access the beach.

“We have residents who grew up on and around the beach and who haven’t had the opportunity to be on the sand for 20 or 30 years,” she said. “We have a former fisherman who is now vision impaired but he is really looking forward to getting back to hear the sound of the waves, smell the ocean and feel the sand.”

Ms Young said she hoped to get the residents to the beach at least once a month, if not once a fortnight. The mats would also be used for access to public events.

She said the mats would help promote healthy ageing and encourage people of all abilities to enjoy the beach – something that is important to many Australians. “For many people walking on the sand becomes a real challenge and this makes it so much easier.”

The mats will be ‘rolled out’ for their maiden voyage on Wednesday. Family and friends have been invited to share fish and chips with residents on the beach. Ms Young was in talks with other community groups including a local Learn to Surf school about the possibility of hiring out the mats to other groups in the Fleurieu region.

Research around the world has shown that people who are active and socially connected are happier and have a better sense of wellbeing and overall health, regardless of age or health status. All ACH Group residential care homes embrace a unique ‘Healthy Ageing’ approach to make it as easy as possible for residents to choose to be active, remain connected and engage in what they love to do every day.

Accessible Beaches Australia launched a campaign in 2016 to encourage more people to use mobility mats with a vision of making most patrolled beaches in Australia wheelchair accessible by 2020. Push Mobility Managing Director Shane Hryhorec said Seacliff Beach was South Australia’s only accessible beach, home to a Mobi-Chair Floating Beach Wheelchair and Slat Type Access Platform, soon to be followed by Henley Beach.

“ACH Group is the first aged care provider to purchase these mats for residents, but we have had strong enquiry from around Australia,” he aid. Find out more here.

Find out more about ACH Group’s West Park here.

An interactive mural has brought the sights and sounds of the ocean to ACH Group’s Kapara Residential Living at Glenelg South.
Painted across six weeks by South Australian artist Rebecca Cambrell, the mural features scenes inspired by the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The mural curves across four walls of Kapara’s Higher Care Memory Unit and includes hanging mobiles, raised paintwork and ‘Talking Tiles’ that emit sounds from the sea.
ACH Group Dementia Co-Design Consultant Jodie Roberts said the mural served as a visual aid to help people living with dementia orientate themselves to their surroundings, reducing confusion and in turn promoting independence.
“The mural may also evoke positive memories from a person’s past by reminiscing about past seaside experiences such as family holidays. This can help staff and volunteers to really get to know a person and their story. Set in a nice quiet nook, it has a lovely calming ambience which helps reduce anxiety for people living with dementia.”
During her time at Kapara, Ms Cambrell enjoyed getting to know residents, staff and family members. She said she used her art to inspire interaction with people around her. “My work is not just about the visual – it’s what happens while the visual is being created. People came along every day and watched, gave me advice, sat and talked with family about how things were progressing.”
Ms Cambrell uses ‘impasto’ techniques to create a work that has tactile properties. Talking Tiles, wall mounted speakers that emit 80 seconds of sound, are uploaded with music that evokes seaside memories including ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ and a Mr Whippy-inspired version of ‘Greensleeves’, as well as gull and dolphin sounds. While she initially set out to paint a small area, the project “grew and grew” to feature a scene with Norfolk pines, kookaburras, pelicans and kangaroos, boats, a hot air balloon, water and sky.
“We’re not far from the beach here but not everyone can get to the beach, but here we’ve brought the beach to them,” Kapara Lifestyle Coordinator Michelle Williamson said. “The mural is bright and colourful and creates an interesting and engaging environment that encourages interactions between people.”

Find out more about Kapara Residential Living here.

“My outlook is definitely glass half full, not half empty. You’re only here once and you don’t know how long you’re here for, so you may as well make the most of each day you’ve got.”

She’s been to Seaford to record a live cross, she’s made three phone calls and is squeezing in our interview on her way to the gym – all before 10am.

Two years after announcing her ‘retirement’ from Adelaide radio station FIVEaa, Jane Reilly is as busy as ever. FIVEaa wasn’t ready to let go of one of its best loved personalities, whose warmth and humour across a 40–year media career has earnt her a place in the hearts of all South Australians.

She agreed to stay, on the proviso that she start an hour later and was allowed more annual leave. “That means I have more time to travel and do the things I want to do,” she says.

As a roving reporter with FIVEaa’s Radio Breakfast team, Jane travels far and wide searching for quirky and fun stories. She has devoted a lot of time to her work with numerous charities including Variety, the Children’s Charity SA, St John Ambulance and Royal Society for the Blind.

Added to that is her new role as ACH Group ambassador, which has seen her getting out and about to experience first-hand what we’re all  about.

Jane has recently visited the Riverside Artists Group at Port Noarlunga and sat in on a rehearsal for an intergenerational choir performance by primary school students and ACH Group’s Sing for Joy choir.

“I’ve been really impressed and excited by what I’ve seen,” she says. “It’s wonderful that there are these opportunities for older people to revisit their talents or discover hidden talents that they didn’t even know they had.”

Jane says the role appealed to her because both her parents are aged in their 80s and are starting to need some help at home.

“I look at where my parents are and how important it is for them to keep their independence. It’s good to know that ACH Group recognises this and is doing its best to keep people connected and engaged with the community, in their own homes.”

Jane shares ACH Group’s vision that older people should be valued and respected and have their voices heard.

“I think as you age you have a lot to offer in life experiences and wisdom, and that is too often ignored and not appreciated.”

“I love working with young people – I get a real buzz out of that – and I think that keeps you young. But in the same way, older people have a lot to offer; it really works both ways.”

She says Australians could learn from cultures where older people are revered.

“We focus so much on the young and very beautiful and I get that – I was that person once,” she says, referring to the Miss Australian Beach Girl crown she won in 1974 at the age of 18.

“But that needs to change. It’s not just about standing up in a bus and giving up your seat. It’s understanding that there is a wealth of wisdom there. There are a lot of life skills that can be tapped into if people take the time to stop and have a tea or coffee; to ask questions.”

Jane began her media career hosting Early Birds on Channel 10 with Patsy Biscoe and Fat Cat. Her career included 10 years at ABCTV Adelaide then moving back to Network Ten as their weather presenter, a role she held for 17 years.

She won a TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular Female Personality in 1984 and in 2015 received an Order of Australia Medal for services to the broadcast media and charitable groups.

Reflecting on the longevity of her career, Jane puts it down to a combination of luck and hard work.

“When people ask me how I’ve survived, I always say there are three things you need to do: turn up on time, be nice, and be prepared. If you get those things right, you may not be the best, but you’re reliable, you don’t rock the boat, you’ve always got something to talk about.”

Today Jane shares a home at Norwood with her Golden Retriever and partner Randall, and keeps in regular contact with her two sons Joseph and Edward who live in Newcastle and Melbourne.

She enjoys travel, good food and wine and entertaining friends at home.

She’s also committed to keeping fit and healthy, walking most days and getting to the gym three times a week.

“I’m never going to look like Miss Beach Girl again but now it’s about having fitness and tone so that I can do all the things I want to do. Some days you really think I don’t want to do this, but then you walk out thinking ‘that felt really good’.”

As ambassador for ACH Group, Jane is looking forward to spending more time doing what she does best – meeting people.

“My outlook is definitely glass half full, not half empty. You’re only here once and you don’t know how long you’re here for, so you may as well make the most of each day you’ve got.”

 

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Remember how at school, friends seemed all-important? As we move through life, the demands of work, family and being a ‘grown-up’ take priority.

But research shows that friendship matters. A study published in June last year found friends are as important as family when it comes to health and happiness, especially as we age (Department of Psychology, Michigan State University).

The importance of social inclusion is widely recognised and it’s a good idea for all of us to take part in regular social activities that encourage us to make new friends and keep in touch.

READ THE WHOLE MAGAZINE HERE

You could win a Murray River Highlights day tour for you and a friend, thanks to SeaLink and Adelaide Sightseeing.

Valued at $308.

Simply tell us in 25 words or less your favourite SA holiday destination.

Submit your entry by emailing [email protected] with ‘Murray River’ in the subject line. Entries to close on 31 May 2018.

READ THE WHOLE MAGAZINE HERE

When was the last time you did something really different? Pushed yourself out of your comfort zone, or challenged yourself to try something new?

These questions are at the heart of the 10 Dares Challenge, the brainchild of members of the Exchange, who set out to design a ‘Future Human’ event for South Australia’s Open State Festival last year.

They decided that our future selves are shaped by our actions today and came up with a range of dares, from canoeing and calligraphy to balloon flights and guitar lessons.

People once thought that as we got older, our brains had limited capacity to learn. We now know that our brains keep learning and changing, and that by taking on new challenges, we can reduce the risk of dementia and boost cognitive health.

One of the magical things about taking on these experiences is that we can slow our perception of time. We all remember how slowly the weeks passed as a child. Scientists believe that is because at that age our lives are packed with novelty – new people, new learning, new places. As grown-ups, we can dial up the difference in our days just by sampling some new foods, taking an unfamiliar route, or trying a new hairstyle.

READ THE WHOLE MAGAZINE HERE

South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula is one of the state’s fastest growing areas, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS figures show that in the 10 years from 2006 to 2016, coastal areas of Adelaide including Aldinga, Victor Harbor and Strathalbyn all experienced strong growth. (Source: Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2016).

Ready for a sea change?

Have you thought about making the move to a more relaxed coastal lifestyle? ACH Group Real Estate Services Consultant Denise Smith says coastal living on the Fleurieu has great appeal.  She says there is now opportunity to experience this for yourself with two retirement units now available in Yankalilla; a pretty town in the heart of a region that combines spectacular coastlines, rolling farmland and a warm community.

These units are a short stroll from Yankalilla’s local services and amenities and just a few minutes’ drive from the popular beaches and jetties of Normanville and Carrickalinga.

“If you want to spend more time doing the things you love, an ACH Group home is the smart move for retirement living,” Denise says. “You can get the most out of life by enjoying the security and comfort of a home that demands less from you.”

These homes offer peace of mind with gardening, maintenance, council and water rates and more taken care of.

“When you are part of ACH Group’s Retirement Living community, you’ll enjoy access to ACH Group support services, to enhance your health and wellbeing, as well as tailored ownership options to help cover future housing, health or home support services. You also have access to ACH Group’s new gymnasium housed at its Yankalilla residential care facility.

“We can assist with downsizing, moving and financial options, and we offer the opportunity to bring your small pet with you to most locations.”

Properties for sale include:

Unit 2, 175 Main South Rd, Yankalilla

Priced from $295,000, this beautifully appointed, spacious home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a modern kitchen, generous living space and private back garden. Close to residential care, medical centre, local shops and beaches, it’s a must-see!

Unit 3, 175 Main South Rd, Yankalilla

Located in a small group, this unit is sure to impress. Offers newly appointed kitchen, bathrooms and ample storage. Includes security shutter and all-weather pergola for outdoor entertaining. Priced from $295,000.

Find out more and see similar properties here.

To organise a tour, call Denise on (08) 8159 3418 or 0428 540 999.

It’s been 85 years since Charles Nicholson travelled from Port Augusta to Adelaide to watch Don Bradman play in the third Test against England at the Adelaide Oval.

Mr Nicholson was seven years old and already a cricket fanatic.

At the time, there was growing controversy around aggressive ‘bodyline’ tactics employed by English players.

“I can just picture it now,” Mr Nicholson said. “There were 50,962 people there that day. It was an exciting time to be there, particularly when (Australian Captain) Woodfull took a blow to the heart.”

Mr Nicholson, who turned 93 this week and lives at Kapara, Glenelg South, returned for a tour of the new-look Oval this month organised by ACH Group.

The former SACA tour guide, who played until the age of 65, was impressed by upgrades to the Oval.

“It’s marvellous – better than I thought it would be,” he said. “I’d recommend to anybody to go and see it, even if they’re not interested in football and cricket. The views to the north and south are absolutely beautiful. It’s spacious; not hemmed in like ovals interstate.”

Mr Nicholson said cricket was a big part of his childhood in the 1930s.

“Growing up we had to amuse ourselves and the financial situation wasn’t all that wonderful,” he said. “We would borrow the neighbour’s rubbish bin and use that as the wicket and a piece of galvanised tin sheeting as the wicket keeper. We played for hours and hours.”

He remembers collecting pictures of Bradman and the Australian team on packets of liquorice ‘cigarettes’ and chewing gum.

They would keep up with all the news from the Test in England on the radio. “They started at 8 o’clock at night our time and they’d have lunch at 10 o’clock our time and we small boys would have to go to bed.”

At the age of 22, after watching “every ball” of the 1946-47 Test Match against England and playing in the country tennis championships at Memorial Drive, Charles decided to move to Adelaide.

“I said to myself well this is the life, we haven’t got this sort of thing in Port Augusta,” he said. “I helped form the Glenelg Moseley Street Cricket team and played for 10 years in that Association.”

Mr Nicholson played cricket on and off, including helping to form a team at the Adelaide branch of the Australian Cricket Society until he was 63. He spent five years as a SACA tour guide and enjoyed sharing his considerable knowledge of all things cricket and football.

He and his wife Audrey visited Lord’s Cricket Ground in 1981 where they met and befriended curator Steve Green, a friendship that Mr Nicholson continues today.

Find out more about ACH Group’s Residential Care services here.

 

ACH Group is all about Good Lives, and that’s why we’re proud to be a partner of this year’s Adelaide Fringe.

“Our partnership with ACH Group fits in perfectly with the inclusive nature of the Fringe,” Adelaide Fringe CEO Heather Croall says. “It’s a festival for the young and the young at heart alike.”

The Adelaide Fringe is an open access festival held across the months of February and March. This year the festival will feature 1,233 events delivered by around 6,000 artists across 42 venues, including ACH Group’s own Sing for Joy choir, returning after a sell-out debut in 2016.

ACH Group Ambassador Jane Reilly will host the choir’s ‘Colour Your World’ performance on Sunday 18 March at the National Wine Centre, just a short stroll from the Garden of Unearthly Delights.

Aged up to 94 years, with an average age of 70, the choir is led by professional choir leaders. Choirs are based at Seaford, Glenelg, Payneham and Wynn Vale.

The Sing for Joy Fringe performance is supported by The Australian Government Commonwealth Home Support Programme and the ACH Group Foundation for Older Australians.

 

 

CHSP, RAS, ACAT…..When it comes to aged care, acronyms abound. What do they mean, and how do they work? ACH Group’s Teresa Moran explains some of the most commonly used.

CHSP and HCP are short for Commonwealth Home Support Program and Home Care Packages. These are government subsidised programs designed to support people to stay living at home longer. CHSP is a collection of services we call ‘lighter touch’ – things like help with housework, gardening and access to social groups. HCP is a ‘package’ of services to support people who need more than just the basics – and along with help around the house can include personal care, medication management, assistance with meals and so on.

CDC stands for Consumer Directed Care. Under CDC, the person accessing services chooses how their government allocated funds are spent.

RAS stands for Regional Assessment Service and assesses the person to work out what level of services they might need. The RAS assessor can immediately approve services for people whose needs are less complex and who will then be able to access services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

If a person’s needs are more complex and indicate that they might need a Home Care Package, Residential Care or Respite, they will need an ACAT assessment. ACAT stands for Aged Care Assessment Team. Team members will conduct a free assessment to determine what types of services might be of assistance.

Still confused? Our friendly staff are happy to talk you through your situation. Call us today on 1300 22 44 77