Bert Makes Full Recovery

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

TRIP TO THE GINGER FACTORY

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.

Senior’s Week Health & Technology Forum

Safety Switches demonstration at the Health & Technology Forum

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

Italian Republic Day

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.

“Healthy@Home” Launches New Website

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

Simon Brooks from PHN North Brisbane
Dina Ranieri Co.As.It. CEO with Shana Day

Excellence in Age Services Award

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.

Harmony and Delights International Women’s Day 2019

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.

International Womens Day

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Get Into Harmony Day 2019

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.

Guest Speaker Announced for #IWD2019

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.

 

Computer Classes Now Available on the Coast

Brisbane, QLD. February 12, 2019 –  Co.As.It. Community Services announces its Computer and Technology Classes for over 65’s set to roll out on the Gold Coast commencing Friday 22 February. These FREE weekly lessons cover learning how to Skype, how to use FaceBook and how to set up a Smartphone among many other tips, will be held at the South Coast Office at 34 Thomas Drive, Chevron Island.  The classes run between 3.00pm and 4.30pm every Friday and bookings are essential due to limited availability.

“The classes are a great way to learn and they are very social” says Alex Favali the Co.As.It. Community Support Officer who delivers the weekly lessons. For further information and bookings, email gcrecetion@coasit.asn.au or by call 07 5617 9500, yet another great initiative by Co.As.It. Community Services.

About Co.As.It. Community Services, headquartered in Brisbane, is a peak body within the Aged Care and Community Services industry. It has won a number of industry awards for high quality service delivery and excellence in care.