When to use respite care for your loved one

Respite care in a residential aged care community can be a safe, short-term solution for families or partners caring for an elderly loved one. In PresCare’s welcoming Maryborough and Rockhampton communities, we care for respite guests with low care, high care and memory care needs. Guests can join us for a week or two at a time, or longer if needed.

The Australian Government subsidises the cost of respite care for eligible residents for up to 63 days in a financial year, making this an affordable option for families.

Respite guests receive expert care 24/7, and access the same support, lifestyle program, and meal service as permanent residents.

Here are some of the times when respite care can provide you with the trusted support you and your loved one need:

1. When you need a break from your carer role

Relax and recharge with peace of mind that your loved one will enjoy companionship, fun times and personalised care.

2. Following a hospital stay

Your loved can recuperate and recover with expert 24/7 care and all meals and housekeeping provided.

3. When you’re on holiday

Head away on a holiday knowing your loved one will be looked after with tailored support in a vibrant and welcoming environment.

4. When they need emergency care

Respite is an ideal option if your loved one has had an accident, injury or illness, and they need dedicated, ‘round-the-clock care in a hurry.

5. To trial what living in one of our communities is like

Your loved one can experience what it’s like to live at a PresCare aged care community before considering a more permanent move.

Respite guests enjoy all the support and services that permanent residents access, including:

24/7 tailored care from our dedicated team of Carers and on-site Nurses
A private, light-filled suite with plenty of space for personal belongings
A full, country-style meal service (including morning and afternoon tea), plus all-day access to snacks and drinks. Respite guests can choose when and where they enjoy their meals.
Daily housekeeping, laundry and room service
Access to our full activity schedule, indoor and outdoor shared spaces and on-site hairdressing salon
Pastoral support and on-site Church services

To find out more about respite care, download our Respite Guide, or contact our friendly admissions teams:

For Yaralla Place and Groundwater Lodge in Maryborough, call (07) 4120 5800 or email admissionsMB@prescare.org.au

For Alexandra Gardens in Rockhampton, call (07) 4999 3000 or email admissionsAG@prescare.org.au

Our favourite Gingerbread recipe – with a twist

Who doesn’t love yummy little Gingerbread men at Christmas time? This is our Head Chef’s favourite Gingerbread recipe that Apollo Care residents and visitors will be enjoying in each of our communities this festive season.

For something different, we love pairing these Gingerbreads with a French-inspired syrup. It’s delicious drizzled over the biscuits and definitely adds a fancy touch to this Christmas classic.

Here’s the recipe so you can try at home:

Gingerbread (makes 24)

Ingredients

580g plain flour

3 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp salt

175g softened butter

175g caster sugar

2 eggs

2 tbsp orange juice

1/2 cup molasses

Sugar to dust

Method

1. Cream butter and sugar together.

2. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl.

3. Add eggs, orange juice and molasses to the creamed butter and sugar mixture.

4. Slowly add the dry mixture and stir until it comes together as a dough.

5. Roll the mixture on a floured bench with a rolling pin to a consistent thickness of approx. 0.5cm.

6. Use a cookie cutter to make gingerbread-shaped biscuits and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper, then dust with sugar.

7. Bake at 175 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.

8. Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with piped icing

Pain D’Epice Syrup

Ingredients

125g Sugar

500ml water

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground ginger

1 star anise

1 cardamom pod

Small pinch ground cloves

Small pinch ground nutmeg

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer.

2. Keep simmering until syrup has reduced to desired consistency, then remove star anise and cardamon pod from the mixture.

3. Allow to cool and then serve syrup as a drizzle or dipping sauce with the Gingerbreads.

The Light Horse comes to Yaralla Place

In October, PresCare’s Yaralla Place enjoyed a special visit from the 5th Light Horse Regiment Hervey Bay Troop. Volunteers from the troop made history come alive for residents on a day they’ll never forget.

Dressed in wartime military and nurse uniforms, the troop re-enacted authentic Light Horse drills and thrilling bayonet charges for the excited residents. Mounted on their beautiful horses and wearing their famous slouch hats decorated with emu plumes, the volunteers also brought two medic dogs along for the visit.

Residents were able to get up close to the horses and dogs, feeding and patting them. With many Yaralla Place residents formerly farmers, seeing, smelling and touching these horses brought back fond memories.

When one of the troop members, 15-year-old Lachie, learned that a resident was unable to leave her room to see the performance, he decided to bring the performance to her! He carefully negotiated the hallways of Yaralla Place, ducking into the resident’s suite so she could also enjoy this amazing experience. This resident’s grandfather was a Light Horseman in the Boer War, making this visit even more special and emotional.

Lifestyle Officer, Ivy, said this event was a highlight for residents.

“It meant so much to them and the joy on their faces was wonderful to see. The visit sparked many memories and many conversations, and we are very grateful to the 5th Light Horse for volunteering their time,” she said.

Residents at PresCare’s other Maryborough community, Groundwater Lodge, are looking forward to a similar visit next year.

Meet Arlie – whose handmade teddies are helping local children

Arlie is a very engaged and compassionate member of our Alexandra Gardens community.

A Rockhampton local since 1999, Arlie has loved embroidering and knitting ever since she can remember. But this interest goes far beyond just a hobby. Arlie uses her talents to help sick or injured children in the local area.

With help from other residents and Volunteer, Lyn, Arlie has made more than 200 Trauma Teddies for the local Ambulance Service.

“Paramedics hand these teddies to the children they treat on the way to the hospital and they tell me it really brightens them up. If a child is really sick or has had an accident, it’s nice to know that something I’ve made has helped in some way. Some of the children even write to me

to say thank you, which is lovely.”

Arlie credits knitting for keeping her mind active and she used to enter her work in competitions. At Alexandra Gardens, she loves that staff and volunteers support her to make difference to the local community.

“The other residents and I enjoy making the teddies very much. It’s very rewarding and I’m so grateful to Lyn and the staff here for helping me.”

At PresCare Alexandra Gardens, we love supporting residents like Arlie to remain engaged in the activities that bring them joy and purpose.

Meet Sneha – our Registered Nurse with a passion for aged care

Originally from Nepal, Sneha came to Alexandra Gardens on a student placement while undertaking her Nursing degree. She quickly fell in love with aged care and was excited to accept a Carer role here while she finished her studies. We snapped her up as a permanent RN once she qualified.

What do you love about aged care Nursing?

I love talking to the residents and finding out about their life stories. I particularly like helping residents in our secure dementia house – I become so attached to them. Just by spending one-on-one time with them, I can find ways to communicate and keep them calm. I play country music on the ipad and we sing and dance together. I’m now a fan of Slim Dusty! I love that my role is more than only clinical tasks – it’s about connecting with the residents.

How does PresCare support you to use your clinical skills?

Our Care Manager empowers me to make clinical decisions independently, but support is always there if I need it. This allows me to build a full understanding of the needs of the residents in my care, so I can respond quickly and with confidence.

What would you say to others considering a career in aged care Nursing?

I think the difference between a hospital setting and an aged care setting is that we really get to know the residents over time. We enjoy more responsibility and have more collaboration with a wider medical team. Caring for the older population is a very rewarding career.

At PresCare Alexandra Gardens, we love supporting our Nurses like Sneha who are passionate about making a difference to residents.

Welcoming positive changes with Apollo Care

The transition to new owners, Apollo Care, has been positive for Alexandra Gardens and we are already seeing the benefits of the many enhancements being made.

Apollo Care’s CEO, Stephen Besci and COO, Barry Ashcroft visited our community in August. During this visit, they toured the site, met residents, had initial discussions about potential refurbishments, and talked openly with staff about their roles, responsibilities, and any concerns.

Apollo’s award-winning staff culture program that was introduced late last year is gaining momentum and continues to support us to work together to put residents first. Here are some recent staff testimonials that showcase what it’s like working at Alexandra Gardens:

“Every day is rewarding because the care and services we provide makes a positive difference to the residents, and their families and friends.”

“The residents are so important to us. It is our honour and privilege to provide them with the care and services they need.”

“This is a very fulfilling job. All the team members are caring and friendly. The best part about working here is helping the residents live their best life.”

Over the next few months, we look forward to reporting on mobile care technology enhancements, including Nurse call systems and improved shared access to clinical care plans and communication.