As part of Co.As.It.’s regular social outing program, in September, over 60 clients from both Brisbane north and Brisbane south enjoyed a stunning viewing of Brisbane from the Kangaroo Point Cliffs before driving out to the Greenbank RSL Club for a delicious lunch.
The day dawned clear and bright and a wave of enthusiasm embraced the groups as they boarded their transport to go to Bar Spritz for morning tea. This café is located in a pivotal position on the Brisbane River and is highly elevated to afford patrons’ outstanding views of the city skyline. On arrival, the clients were met with genuine delight by owner Sam and his vigorous grandfather Salvatore who at 93 yrs old continues to be an active member of the business.
The group was treated like royalty with a delicious morning tea of jumbo-sized cannoli, Nutella doughnuts, and a lovely array of other delicious Italian sweets. The ‘best coffee in town’ was served by young Italian speaking staff who charmed the group while providing great service.
The resident large Australian lizard who is a regular guest at many tables soon ambled along for his cut of crumbs and leftovers fascinating many patrons who took photos of the special attendee.
Two energetic ladies dared to walk down and back up the 107 steps to the river and proudly returned to crow about their extensive climb.
Following the skyline experience, the group feasted on a generous seafood lunch at Greenbank RSL – the Grange Buffet has a reputation for providing an exceptional dining experience.
With laughter and food, the guests reveled in each other’s company and some were lucky to walk away with some extra pocket money after winning on the pokies.
At the end of January 2019 our physiotherapist Allison visited a new client by the name of Bert who had an acute episode of low back pain at the end of 2018 which landed him in Wesley Hospital to determine the cause and to help manage his symptoms. “By the time I met with him he had rested for a few days but he was afraid of moving” said Allison. He was missing his walk to the shops and there was still some pain. The original goal was to help him progress his wellness so he could go back to the gym. After 5 physio visits, Bert was back to walking to the shops and back from his home. The round trip was nearly 2 kilometers and the driveway is quite steep. In June this year, Allison heard from Bert’s family again as he was a little unsteady during a recent walk to the shops. Some of the symptoms pointed to an episode of mild vertigo and the plan this time was to get Bert a walking stick. After 3 visits Allison’s goal was to walk to the shops with Bert to make sure he had made a full recovery. On the walk she was inspired by his recovery and the distance he covered. He walks to the shops and back up to 4 times a week. Bert recently celebrated his 91st birthday
During Senior’s Week in August 2019 Co.As.It.
Community Services orgnised two trips to the Ginger Factory and Buderim Tavern in
Yandina on the Sunshine Coast. The southside clients
went on Monday 19 August and the northside clients went on Thursday 22 August.
An early departure was set for 7.45am with many clients arriving early and full of
enthusiasm. The day was warm and sunny and the groups listened to Italian music on the bus ride heading up the highway. There
were 46 clients from the northside group and 24 clients from the southside group.
The groups travelled
directly to the Ginger Factory
where they had morning tea
of ginger scones and coffee. The iconic Ginger Factory
offers fun rides, fascinating tours, a unique retail precinct and cafe
surrounded by beautiful sub-tropical gardens for all to enjoy. Free entry and
open seven days
a week –
it was the perfect location for a trip.
Whilst on the train, the groups
became child-like and enjoyed the adventure. The train ride goes through 9 hectares of lush sub-tropical gardens on the
historic train called “Moreton”. Now over 100 years old, Moreton was an original sugar cane train working at the Moreton Sugar Mill in Nambour, and now
spends its days taking people on tours of the Ginger Factory grounds.
The groups departed
around 11.30am for the
Buderim Tavern where they had a delicious lunch with great service and an even
greater view of the ocean. After lunch, some clients played a game of
cards, others ventured to the
main street to enjoy
shopping and a short walk. At
3pm the groups departed for
home listening to music and many
clients sang songs. The groups arrived back to base at 5pm.
On Wednesday 21 August 2019 Co.As.It. Community Services hosted a
Health & Technology Forum for Senior’s Week thanks to support from COTA
(Council on the Ageing). The event was geared towards people in the community
who are over 65 years of age, wishing to learn more about technology, social
connections, staying active, electrical safety, POA’s (Power of Attorneys) and
how to arrange an advance health directive plus much, much more. In essence,
the topics were specifically designed to share knowledge that is vital to our
community. Good timing, given the current state of the health system and our ageing
population.
The forum was attended by over 140 guests and was held upstairs at
the Gaythorne RSL from 10am until 12.30pm, followed by a lunch in the banquet
room until 2pm. The guests were welcomed by eMcee Sharon Smith who is the Team
Leader Care Services Coordination at Co.As.It. Community Services. The event
had special guest speaker Brett Harrison, HSE Business Partner from Energex who
shared information on how to ensure appliances are replaced and the importance
of safety switches. Homes that are over 15 years old may not have safety switches
installed. A safety switch is an electrical safety device specially designed to
immediately switch the electricity when electricity ‘leaks’ to earth at a level
harmful to a human. These devices offer a high level of personal protection
from electric shock.
Electrical security and safety has been a long-term concern for the welfare of the
culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) clients Co.As.It. supports. It is
not unusual for our community support staff to visit homes where there are
multiple adapters attached to one power board, wires
snaking over floors and appliances often doubled up and running through
multiple power boards. Fundamentally, it has been identified that in this
target group there is a limited understanding of electric safety i.e. circuit
breakers and other safety devices.
Another
special guest speaker, Antonio Palella, Principal
Solicitor from PHV Law shared examples of what may happen if legal matters are
not put into effect prior to the death of a loved one. He discussed POA’s, and
described the importance of having a Health Care Directive. A health care directive is a document that
outlines treatment
decisions that a patient has asked to be followed if they become unable to
communicate or make decisions for themselves.
Other topics included keeping active, how to
maintain social connections by Laura Panarello Counsellor/Dementia Support
Officer, how to access aged care by Stefania Di Lione, Regional Assessment Service
and Michelle Calabro, Home Care Package Intake Leader, how to stay active by
Diana Barreto, Allied Health Assistant, navigating technology and how to avoid
scams by Cintia Paolino, Community Services Officer.
The event ended with generous applause as the guests were
appreciative of the valuable information. Another highlight was the delicious meal
of alternate offering of fish and chips and salad, or roast with vegetables,
with traditional Italian music compiled by Cintia Paolino. The guests enjoyed
the extra time for socializing and the Gaythorne RSL team ensured each person
enjoyed their day.
For more information on electrical safety, social connections,
staying active and/or how to navigate aged care services, please contact mail@coasit.asn.au
If your home was built over 15 years ago and you would like
information about safety switches please contact mail@coasit.asn.au
To
attend FREE technology classes in Newmarket or Carina please contact
cintiap@coasit.asn.au
For
more information on advanced healthcare directives please contact
enquiries@phvlaw.com.au
On Sunday June 2 over 400 people gathered at Holy Spirit Church, New Farm to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the Italian Republic.
The event was organised by the Italian Consulate in conjunction with Com.It.Es Queensland and NT and Co.As.It. was represented by its CEO Dina Ranieri and its Community Services Officer Alex Favali.
The Archbishop of Brisbane celebrated the Mass in Italian, attended by representatives of several Associations and other distinguished guests, among whom The Hon Grace Grace MP, the Italian Consul for Queensland and NT Dottor Salvatore Napolitano and Cr Vicky Howard.
It was a wonderful opportunity to meet old friends, create new acquaintances and promote our activities to potential new clients.
Co.As.It. Community
Services is a key member of the PHN Brisbane North Consortium
PHN Brisbane North launched the Healthy@Home website on Wednesday 22 May at the PHN’s Lutwyche office, at a function hosted for board members and executive managers of the consortium, of which Co.As.It. is a member.
Representing Co.As.It. Community Services
was the President Cav. Nereo Brezzi, Vice
President Cav. Antonio Palella and Antony Brown accompanying CEO Dina Ranieri.
Healthy@home is a
consortium of 19 leading organisations committed to providing high quality
community aged care services in Brisbane North and Caboolture to help older
people maximise their independence and remain living at home.
The consortium
includes community aged care service providers, government and non-government
agencies, peak bodies and advocacy groups. Our workforce exceeds 1000 clinical
and non-clinical support staff across all member organisations.
Each of the 13 service provider
members has over 20 years’ experience and is fully accredited under the aged
care quality standards. Healthy@home delivers Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
services. This is a government-funded program that supports older people
who are still managing well at home, but could benefit from some extra help to
continue living independently in the community. The goals for service delivery
is re-ablement, giving consumers the supports to return to wellness.
Healthy@Home
is delivering a national rollout of the Active at Home Program which is a care-worker led home
exercise program to help older people regain mobility for independence.
For more information about Co.As.It. Community Services or Healthy@Home please call 07 3624 6100 or visit our Facebook Page @coasitbrisbane
Co.As.It. Community Services was proud to be acknowledged as one of only four State Finalists in the Organisation Award on Thursday 14 March 2019 by Leading Age Services Australia (LASA). The award ceremony took place at The Star, Gold Coast and was proudly supported by HESTA & McCullough Robertson Lawyers. The ‘Excellence in Age Services Awards’ recognise the outstanding achievements of the age services industry and many rising stars from the age care industry in Queensland participated in the event.
The awards celebrate the passion and achievements of organisations, teams, and individuals in the service of older Australians. Co.As.It. Community Services was nominated on the strength of their initiative and innovation of recent programs. The most notable has been the ‘Adopt a Nonna or Nonno’ Volunteer Program that connects the wider community and alleviates the isolation and alienation of older people. People without grandparents have made inter-generational connections and older, isolated clients now have an injection of new friendships, companionship and social contact. The improvement made on the lives of older people is identical to the benefits derived from volunteer visits under the CVS (Community Visitors Scheme) program.
Co.As.It.’s Allied Health team members innovated the LASER Program (Library of Assistive Specialised Equipment Register), a free service where clients can trial medical aids, specialised equipment and other technology before purchasing. Medical aids and equipment are expensive and the team were very concerned about the number of gadgets and devices regularly abandoned by clients. Disadvantaged, they could not return the devices nor afford to re-purchase something else. The equipment is also available for short-term needs obviating an outright purchase. Clients have continually valued the initiative, making more informed decisions, empowering their right to choose well without risk and expense. The equipment is also available for short-term rehabilitation, obviating an outright purchase.
The award night was attended by Co.As.It.’s CEO Dina Ranieri, Tony Brown and Nella Alba. A framed certificate was awarded to Co.As.It. Community Services in recognition of their excellent achievements.
Brisbane, QLD. March 11, 2019 – Co.As.It. Community Services celebrated its 8th Annual International Women’s Day event with a “Harmony & Delights” Morning Tea on Saturday 9 March. The event kicked off with a “Mingling Hour” for guests to enjoy bubbles and canapes. Rosanna Natoli from Sunshine Coast Channel Seven hosted the event and guest speakers, Marcus Pearce and Laura Panarello, shared insights into longevity and dementia, with over 300 guests. Morning Tea delights included delicious scones, quiches and eclairs. Tania Geerssen was the lucky raffle prize winner, taking home a sparkling diamond ring donated by Crown Family Jewellers. All proceeds went towards Co.As.It.’s Dementia & Carer Support Program.
This year more than ever, we can #standtogether in support of Cultural Diversity. Enjoy a morning exploring different foods from different cultures at The Community Place Kalinga at the old Kalinga Bowls Club on Thursday March 21st for Harmony Day. Together with Co.As.It. Community Services, the morning is open to diverse communities and includes a sausage sizzle to kick things off. Our heritage of migration has provided us with a rich blend of cultures and the event provides an occasion to enjoy different nationalities, languages and food – all on offer to members of the public between 10am and 12pm. Please bring one of your favourite traditional dishes to share. As places are limited, reserve your spot by calling the Community Place on 07 3857 1152 or Co.As.It. Community Services on 07 3624 6100 by Wednesday 20/03/19. Address: 20 Clark Street, Woolowin. Fully Air Conditioned.
Co.As.It. Community Services announces its 7th Annual International Women’s Day event “Harmony & Delights” set for Saturday, March 9th, with its #BalanceForBetter “Morning Tea” gathering. This elegant event, honouring the tireless work of women in the social support and aged care industry, will be held from 10.30am to 2.30pm at the Marquee Room at Victoria Park Golf Complex in Herston, and will include an informational segment with very special guest speaker Marcus Pearce, Thought Leader on Exceptional Living, Leadership & Longevity Expert and CEO at The Wellness Couch.
The event aims to offer guests an approachable gathering to spend with friends, and learn some tips on resilience and well-being, while enjoying sumptuous food in a stunning event space surrounded by lush gardens and crowned with chandeliers. The menu includes a selection of GF options and delicious scones, quiches and eclairs, amongst many other delicacies.
Co.As.It. has chosen the day after the International Women’s Day as its yearly celebration of the tireless work of women do in the aged care segment. “We want to acknowledge the contribution of our care workers, the majority of whom are women, and the difference they make in so many people’s lives” says Dina Ranieri the CEO of Co.As.It. Community Services.
For the guests in attendance there is a swag of raffle prizes including jewellery pieces valued over $2K, on offer. Proceeds from the event go toward the Co.As.It. Dementia and Carer Support Program, a fully self-funded service developed for those in dire need of support.
The cost is $65/person. Guests must be 18 years or older, and reserve a spot before March 5th. Given the expertise of the speakers, the event is perfect for anyone seeking inspiration on health and wellbeing, and also welcomes those wanting an informal way to meet new friends during the first part of the event entitled “The Mingling Hour” when Prosecco, Bellini cocktails will be served.
Along with contacting the Marketing Officer (graced@coasit.asn.au) for more details and to reserve a ticket to the event, Co.As.It. is providing online purchasing of tickets which can be accessed from the Co.As.It. website.