SUMMER 2018 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER www.ageconcernotago.com Otago He Manaakitanga Kaumātua o Otakou Age Concern Otago Serving the needs of older people Celebrating Otago’s older people since 1948 For advertising phone Monique (07) 577 9092 or email [email protected] A Pukeko Print & Design Ltd publication | www.pukekoprint.co.nz | Please refer to website for disclaimer 2 AGE CONCERN | Serving the needs of older people SUMMER 2018 3 From the Executive Officer Driving Miss Daisy Contact Information Brighten up your festive Hello everyone and welcome to season your companion DUNEDIN OFFICE SUMMER! I have a feeling we’re Phone: (03) 477 1040 in for a long, hot one. I would For many, Christmas is a time of family and your driver! Email: [email protected] like to take this opportunity togetherness, the sharing of meals, relaxing No.1 Address: 9 The Octagon, Dunedin 9016 to wish you all a very happy together over a holiday break, youngsters playing Z’s N Postal Address: PO Box 5355, Dunedin 9054 Christmas and New Year. whilst the adults watch on. Backyard cricket, S bbq’s, afternoon siestas, long days at the beach, C R O E V CENTRAL OTAGO - ALEXANDRA OFFICE MOVING IN WITH FAMILY: camping, picnics packed in chilly bins and M I P R Phone: (03) 448 7075 Multi-generational households Christmas cake with a cuppa. It’s a wonderful ANION D Email: [email protected] can seem the answer to everyone’s problems…and season and we’re so lucky to live in this beautiful Address: Alexandra Community House, 12-20 they can be, providing support and companionship country that offers such natural beauty and Centennial Avenue, Alexandra 9320 for old and young. However, unclear or informal wonderful outdoor activities. arrangements can lead to discomfort, family dissent, OFFICE HOURS elder abuse and even homelessness. There are many In contrast, the festive season can also be a time of 9.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday things to think about and do before deciding to move in with family - here are some suggestions: many; remembering loved ones and reminiscing of Service information available on our website: wonderfulquiet reflection, Christmases contemplation and holidays and memories gone by. for www.ageconcernotago.com 1. Talk frankly about the issues and assumptions Keep your independence and involved. e.g. what questions do you have about Like us on Facebook - Age Concern Otago freedom with our safe, reliable finances and what questions do others involved At Driving Miss Daisy, we love this time of year have? Does everyone share common expectations and want to help you remain as active and companion driving service. about finances, personal spaces, personal independent as possible so that you can enjoy the We can drive and accompany you to: possessions, food, cooking, caregiving, transport, traditions of the season. We provide a number of The views expressed in this newsletter are not different services to assist you – here are a few • Medical and other appointments necessarily those of Age Concern Otago. noise and friends? Don’t assume anything - write ideas: The inclusion or exclusion of any product does not a list and go through each issue one-by-one, • Family/social occasions mean that the publisher advocates or rejects its use. noting down your agreements and where there is a • Christmas card shopping & posting need for further thinking and conversations. • Christmas gift shopping for loved ones • Shopping trips • Clothes shopping for special occasions • Scenic drives 2. If you are looking at merging your financial • Companion driving to end of year functions & • Take your pets to the vet interests, for example by selling your house, get events independent legal advice and record expectations • Companion driving to church & carol services • Airport drop-offs and pick ups and agreements in writing. Don’t use the lawyer • Grocery shopping for special Christmas meals Cerebral Palsy GOT vouchers and Total that your family is using - get your own as they will and treats Mobility vouchers accepted be advising in your best interests only. • Airport and transport transfers (including at departure and arrival ports) ACC approved provider 3. Consider if your move is reversible if you or your • Christmas light tours family’s needs and choices change? This is Bookings are essential - call today and make • Festive outings with a group of friends very important as often there are changes your next outing a pleasure! Dunedin C004218 AC that take place within your family’s lives that Driving Miss Daisy is committed to helping our Ribbonwood is a small country home offering rest may impact upon you. Small children can become home and hospital level care. Located in the heart difficult teenagers, marriages can break down clients get out and about, so they can live life to Dunedin North Ph: (03) 467 5017 the full and make the most of every moment. of West Otago in Tapanui, Ribbonwood is a place and finances can become a problem. Similarly, Dunedin South Ph: (03) 486 2033 you will feel proud to call home. you may require full-time care or can no longer live Remember that many of our franchise owners It is a modern care facility with spacious, safely in the space provided for you. have fully equipped Wheelchair Accessible private rooms for residents and Ensure you have options available to you to move Vehicles, to assist with walkers or wheelchairs. sunny lounges for relaxing. elsewhere (and with adequate finances) in the event of these changes. Call us today to discuss your festive season Contact Karen McHutchon for more information requirements. If there’s something you need help Phone 03 204 8668 4. What will your day-to-day life be like? Moving away with we’d be happy to talk through the options. www.drivingmissdaisy.co.nz Email: [email protected] Continued on Page 4 Editorial supplied by Driving Miss Daisy Pulling the Plug – a poem for Marg When my girlfriend died several years ago I thought I’d4 keepAGE an eye CONCERN on her Mum. | Serving We both the loved needs gardening, of older people SUMMER 2018 5 baking and clothes shopping so we had heaps in common and used to have many a trip into town to ‘check out’ and purchase the new season’s clothing. Marg always used to say to me - “Don’t take me to any old ladies’ shops Ruth!” She was only in her 80s so I thought that was a reasonable request! When she became frailer I would often Pulling the Plug – a poem for Marg from a family home or familiar neighbourhood Property Solutions for the Elderly go down and read at her place while she had a bath or sometimes can be she especially was just happychallenging for me when to be it at means my place but Hello from the Reception withinWhen cooee my girlfriend if she got died stuck! several We became years ago the Ibest thought of mates I’d keep - our an friendship eye on her was Mum. ageless We :-) both loved gardening, Estate Property Solutions is a Dunedin owned family baking and clothes shopping so we had heaps in common andmoving used awayto have from many a life a historytrip into of town experiences to ‘check and out’ Desk! long established networks and support systems. run business that can assist you with all the details and purchase the newPulling season’s the plugclothing. Marg always used to say toSighing me - “Don’tshe looks take at me her to body, any old her ladies’ skin shops Here we are at the end of another year! I trust you all of an estate so that you don’t have to. We don’t just Ruth!” She was only in forher 80sMarg so I thought that was a reasonableThings torequest! considernow constantly When regarding she bathed became the spacein frailerwrinkles. you I would will be often are enjoying the longer and warmer days. The office do estates but have a wealth of knowledge and can living in if you move in with family: manage a wide range of services. go downShe and no read longer at her feels place confident while she in thehad bath.a bath or sometimesThere she was will justbe no happy leaping for me today. to be A decision,at my place but is a buzz of pre-Christmas excitement. With all the within cooee if she got stuck! We became the best of mates• -Your our friendshiplevel of health was orageless disability :-) in relation to craziness that comes with the holidays please take Check out our website: You hear of people getting stuck, she says. to pull the plug before or after disembarking. access to your living space - avoid slopes to the care on the roads and allow extra time to get where www.estatepropertysolutions.co.nz Pulling the plug Sighing she looks at her body, her skin This morning with planning and precision, frontWith door slips and in having mind it’sto usea matter stairs of if ensuringpossible you need to go, we want everyone to welcome the Summer is here and it’s a great time of year to think courage and care,for Margshe takes the plunge. • Are thenow bathroom constantly facilities bathed suitable in wrinkles. for your level New Year safely. about having a good clear out. We can help with house of health orthe disability softest landing- are there but grab then, rails and cleaning, decluttering advise or assistance. We can SheShe no allows longer the feels water confident to take herin the weight, bath. There will be no leaping today. A decision, I would like to welcome all of the new Meals on Holiday Hours there’seasy access the possibility into the shower of drowning.