A Celestial Theme for This Issue – the Season of the Spring Equinox and A
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Commitment to excellence in aged care - in a culturally inclusive environment _____________________________________________________________________________________ Issue No 73 Berlasco Beacon Spring 2014 150 Central Avenue Indooroopilly 4068 Phone: 3371 4377 Editor : Marilyn Pemberton [email protected] A celestial theme for this issue – the season of the Spring Equinox and a super moon! If you would like to contribute a short article to the Berlasco Beacon, please email me (address above) OR to Ophelia in the office. All contributions are warmly welcomed! Events of interest include: (Sources: http://diversicare.com.au/wp-content/uploads/DIVERSICARE-Multicultural-Calendar-2014-For-Website.pdf http://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/settlement-services/calendar-of-cultural-and-religious-dates) 30 August – 7 Queensland Multicultural Week Sept Australian National Flag Day 3 Sept Fathers’ Day 7 September Chinese mid-Autumn Moon Festival 6-8 Sept Australian Citizenship Day 17 Sept Confucius Birthday (China; Hong Kong) 20 Sept Oktober Fest 20 Sept – 5 Oct International Day of Peace 21 Sept Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) 24 Sept Yom Kippur (Jewish) 4 October Sukkot (Jewish) 8 – 15 October Deepavali - Festival of Lights 23 October (Hindu, Sikh. Jain) Al Hijra/Muharram (Islamic New Year) 25 October Halloween 31 October 1 Welcome to new residents: Anne Jadwiga Cyril We trust you are all able to settle in and become content with life at Berlasco Court. Birthdays Best wishes to these Birthday people over the coming months. In keeping with the celestial theme, the star signs of our birthday people are Leo (July 24 – Aug 22); Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22); Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22) and Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21). August September October November Maria Ismini (92!) Waldo (92!) Geoffrey Daphne (90!) Platon (99!) Dr John Tony June Rasim Katalin (94!) May John Stella Jozef (91!) Francis Nance (96!) Irene (93!) Annabel Charles (80!) Ophelia!! Jennifer Squire (91!) Your stories are important FEECCA Seeking CALD Ageing Stories in Australia The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) believes that telling people’s stories is one of their most powerful forms of advocacy. As part of FECCA’s ongoing work in the ageing sector for those from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background, they are seeking personal stories from CALD seniors, their families and carers to personalise CALD ageing issues. The stories will be published in FECCA publications, as well as various advocacy documents including FECCA’s submissions to Government inquiries on ageing and aged care issues. Stories can either be self-authored or it may be possible to arrange an interview with a FECCA staff member. There is no deadline for receiving stories as this is an ongoing project. For more information and to get involved in this project, please send an email to: [email protected] http://www.eccq.com.au/news/feecca-seekingcald-ageing-stories-in-australia/ The PARO Project A regular visitor to Berlasco Court is a PARO, an animatronic baby seal companion robot called ‘Betty’. Betty is part of an innovative research project being undertaken by a collaborative team from Griffith University, QUT, UNSW and Kuwait University. The project aims to evaluate Betty’s effect on residents with dementia – her effect on sleep, physical activity and agitation. ‘Betty’ has five kinds of sensors: tactile, light, audition, temperature and posture sensors, with which she can perceive people and her environment. When interacting with people, ‘Betty’ responds as if she is alive, moving her head and legs, making sounds, and showing the resident’s preferred behaviour. PARO robots have been shown to reduce stress, increase interaction and improve relaxation and motivation. This particular study is an international first. With 33 Aged Care Facilities (involving 205 residents) participating, there has never been such a large and rigorous study of the use of social robots. Our DSU residents and staff really enjoy Betty’s visits. http://www.parorobots.com/ BrainTrainerPlus™ Have you tried out the memory fitness exercises and activities now available in the Rec Room? Computers have been set up with BrainTrainerPlus™, a memory game that offers a playful way to boost memory and create positivity amongst seniors. Lots of fun and creates great discussion! http://www.braintrainerplus.com.au/ 2 Out and about We are enjoying the success of Annabel’s bulbs – cheerful daffodils and aromatic jonquils. Thankyou, Annabel and family, for your generous work and enthusiasm. We farewelled John Maharias, who moved to St Nicholas and we wish him well. Cultural Diversity Celebrations To celebrate Queensland Multicultural Week we enjoyed a wonderful, special morning tea. The morning was full of food, music and laughter. Mrs Jo’s daughter provided a special performance. A table groaned with food provided by staff and relatives and there was a fantastic multicultural display. Some of the staff wore national dress, which added to the colour and enjoyment of the occasion. Huge thanks to all who contributed to the success of the event. Fathers’ Day As in previous years, Fathers’ Day was another day of fabulous celebration. Cake and mini pies were served for morning tea. Residents received Happy Fathers’ Day cards and chocolates along with a very popular ‘Jazzkonexion’ concert . Lunch was a barbecue and was attended by many families. In Memoriam To the family and friends of our late residents. We wish you warmth and peace during these sad times. Mrs. Winifred Gordon Mrs Viktoria Krech May they rest in peace. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Khalil Gibran Staff news Happy Birthday Ophelia! We won’t tell but it is a very special birthday Welcome home Urszula! It’s Tony’s turn to head off on holidays – this time we hear he is going to Malaysia. Welcome back Mia, returning from Maternity Leave. The clinical staff has enjoyed some inspiring professional development workshops. Elene, our English Communications coordinator, conducted a workshop on effective communication at work. This focussed on factors that affect the way we communicate; communication in a multicultural environment; personalities and communication style and ways of keeping communication positive. It was appreciated by all who attended. 3 And now for some fun and information... An equinox occurs twice a year, around 20 March and 22 September. It is the day when daytime and night are of approximately equal duration. At the equinox, the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. Before the Southward equinox, the sun rises and sets more and more to the north, and afterwards, it rises and sets more and more to the south. In the Northern Hemisphere the September equinox is known as the autumnal equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere it is known as the vernal or spring equinox. The full moon closest to the September Equinox has been fêted for many centuries. In the northern hemisphere it was traditionally celebrated because it allowed farmers to harvest during the night time – thus it was known as the ‘Harvest Moon’. This year we were treated to a ‘Supermoon’. A supermoon is a full or new moon which makes its closest approach to Earth during its elliptical orbit and appears up to 15 per cent larger than is usual. The most recent occurrence was on September 9 and was the third of 2014. How the September equinox is celebrated In the Northern Hemisphere the September Equinox heralds Autumn. In Japan Autumnal Equinox Day is a public holiday (this year 23 September). Chinese communities the world over celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival with mooncakes and lanterns. Koreans celebrate Chuseok with special rice cakes and rice wines. In Iran Mehrgān is a celebration of life, the season, God, and joy. In Europe there are a variety of Harvest Festivals. For all celebrations it is a special occasion for families to get together. The French Republican calendar, used from 1793-1805, considered the Autumnal Equinox to be New Year’s Day. The French Monarchy was abolished on September 21, 1792, making the following day (the equinox day that year) the first day of the "Republican Era" in France and hence a new year. In the Southern Hemisphere the September Equinox is all about Spring and is a popular time for festivals and celebrations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_equinox http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermoon Why didn't the sun go to college? Match the anagrams Because it already had a million degrees! Draw a line from each astronomy word to its Have you heard about the cow astronaut? anagram: He landed on the mooooooon! Earth Comics When is the moon the heaviest? Space Toaster When it's full! Cosmic Orals Rotates Paces What do you call an alien with three eyes? Sunspots Heart An aliiien!! Solar Unstops [Answers: earth/heart; space/paces; cosmic/comics; rotates/toaster; sunspots/unstops; solar/orals] 4 .