CEO Message

Hello good people,

I hope this finds you all well and in good spirits.

What a busy year it’s been, they just keep getting faster. Christmas is almost upon us.

That also means that we are moving into Cyclone season with the associated flood risks they bring.

In the coming couple of weeks your Case Manager will be contacting those in high risk areas to ask you some disaster management planning questions. This helps us advise emergency service teams those of you who may need to be evacuated or require assistance.

Some of the questions the team will be asking are:

· Can we share your contact information with emergency services;

· Do you have an emergency pack;

· Will you be away with family or at home;

· Will family be staying with you; or

· Do you have an emergency plan?

If you are unsure of what you need in an emergency pack, this month’s newsletter provided suggestions. If you need, our team can walk you through the items you will need and that can assist.

I was fantastic to meet with 60 of our clients over lunch in Ingham a couple of weeks ago. There have been a lot of changes in Hinchinbrook, so it was a great opportunity to head north to provide our members and clients with an update of what we have been up to and our plans for our Ingham operations over the coming months.

We are expanding our Case Management team to three, our nursing team is expanding with additional transport options for our clients to increase with our partners Transit Care commencing operations in Hinchinbrook.

Our plans to purchase property and open our day respite centre for Everglow clients are well underway.

It was fantastic to once again attend our annual craft display at the TYTO Gallery in Ingham. Our talented clients, led by the wonderful Sandra never cease to amaze. Thank you to the Majestic Cafe for another magnificent morning tea.

We are all here to help keep you safe.

Until next month, stay safe.

Wayne

Disaster Management 

What to do to be prepared for a Summer (Wet Season?) in North Queensland

Dealing with the Heat

The consistent heat and humidity in the north can take a toll on our health so it is important to remember to

•   Hydrate – make sure you have enough water every day.                   
•  Keep your home as cool as possible. You can do this through opening a window to catch the   breeze or putting on fans and/or air conditioners as required.

Keeping your home as cool as possible is important when a Personal Care Worker is performing a service.  Your home is their workplace, and you need to provide a safe environment for them to work in. By opening a window or turning on a fan or air conditioner, you can play your part in keeping them safe from heat related hazards, for example dehydration or heat stress.

 Severe Weather Events (Fire / Flood / Cyclone)

Every year we prepare for a cyclone that often does not arrive and as a result we often become complacent.   It is better to be prepared and safe, than sorry after the event.  To ensure you are ready:

•  Secure items and tidy up around your property
•  Prepare an emergency kit
•  Have an evacuation plan ready and if your area floods the location of your closest shelter
• Talk to family members / friends / neighbours who can help you, as they become a part of your support network in an emergency.
•  Talk to your Personal Care Worker if you need information (e.g., planning your emergency kit or evacuation plan).
• Ensure your details and contact information is current.    If something has changed, let your Case Manager know.

When Preparing Your Emergency Kit

• Non-perishable food items (do not forget the can opener) and bottled water
• Essential medication / First Aid Kit / toilet paper / toiletries e.g. toothbrush / soap etc.
• Battery powered radio / mobile phone and charger / torch / battery
• Change of clothes plus hat / sturdy gloves / closed in shoes / sunglasses
• Camp oven or gas burner / basic tools / garbage bags
• Important documents – Legal / banking / insurance / memories (photos)

 Important Phone Numbers

 Police / Fire / Ambulance - 000

Townsville City Council - 13 48 10 – townsville.qld.gov.au

Burdekin Shire Council – 07 4783 9800 – www.Burdekin.qld.gov.au

Hinchinbrook Shire Council – 07 4776 4600

State Emergency Service (SES) - 13 25 00 – ses.qld.gov.au

Townsville Local Disaster Management Group – disaster.townsville.qld.gov.au

Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group – www.facebook.com/BurdekinDCC

Hinchinbrook Local Disaster Management Group – facebook.com/hinchinbrookdisasterinformation

Department of Transport and Main Roads - 13 19 40

Townsville Hospital and Health Service - 07 4433 1111

Translating and Interpreting Service - 13 14 50

Ergon Energy – Emergency - 13 16 70 – ergon.com.au

Ergon Energy – Faults - 13 22 96

Origin Energy – Gas leaks only - 13 35 74

Telstra Faults - 13 22 03

Optus Faults - 13 13 44

Remember your family members or personal contacts

Gentle Exercise - Tips to Improve your Flexibility

By Rike Wolf

​Not only does exercise help you feel better, but with regular exercise, you also get to enjoy a higher quality of life. Exercise helps you maintain and improve your strength, flexibility, and balance to do many of the things you love and need to do.

In our gentle exercise classes, we often focus on the flexibility of the spine and shoulders. Exercises are aligned with our breath creating expansion throughout the upper body which helps us maintain respiratory capacity and a good posture.

Improving and maintaining our flexibility is key for maintaining our independence in day to day life. Studies have shown that within 10 weeks of stretching 2-3 times a week, older adults had better spinal mobility and more steady gaid.

Exercise tip: Wall Angels

Who recalls the joy of plopping down on your back in the sand on a beach, or perhaps even the snow, sliding your arms and legs up and down to form an angel shape?

The Wall angel exercise is similar and helps us straighten our back and improve mobility in our lumbar and cervical spine, neck, and shoulder. it helps to open up your chest and to decrease that tightness in the middle of your back that develops as a result of looking down.

First up make sure to warm up your body and when stretching keep in mind to move slowly and controlled. 

1. Put your hands at your sides at shoulder height with the palms out and the backs of your hands against the wall (bend at the elbow as needed)
2. Keeping your arms touching the wall, raise them up above your head (or as high as is comfortable).
3. Repeat a couple of times drawing imaginary wings on the wall

And last but not least remember to be playful and look up! The more we lift our head, look ahead or gaze to the treetops and sky, the better aligned remains our spine.

Join our fabulous gentle exercise classes, Everglow now offers two classes on Monday and Friday along with morning tea:

Monday 9:30 am and 11:00 am with Rike                                                                                            Friday 9:30 am and 11:00 am with Tracey

Monthly Function 

Christmas Luncheon In Ayr 

We are having Christmas monthly function on Thursday 10th December 2020 at Coutts Commercial Tavern, Queen Street Ayr from 11:00 am -01:00 pm.

The cost is $20.00 per person. 

Food will be delivered to the table with roast pork, turkey, baked ham with roast potatoes, and pumpkins with steamed vegetables along with plum pudding and custard and tea and coffee.

We will have a lucky door prize and raffles.

Please make sure to ring on 4728 2540 to RSVP by Wednesday 2nd December 2020

Christmas Luncheon In Ingham

We are having Christmas monthly function on Thursday 17th December 2020 at RSL Club, Hawkins Street, Ingham from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm 

The cost is $20.00 per person                                                                                                                  Buffet style lunch with dessert Secret Santa to the value of $10       

Please make sure to ring on 4776 2296 to RSVP by Friday 11th December 2020

Townsville Activity Centre Christmas Party

We are having Townsville Activity Centre Christmas Party on Friday 18th December 2020 at Hugh Street Office/ Activity Centre from 12:00 pm-2:30 pm.

The Cost is $20.00 per person                                                                                                                          Buffet style lunch with Secret Santa to the value of $10                                                                              Christmas Dress Theme

Please make sure to ring on 4725 1822 to RSVP and Payment due on Friday 11th December 2020

Townsville Clients Christmas Luncheon

We are having Christmas monthly function on Tuesday 22nd December 2020 at Brothers Leagues Club 14 Golf Links Drive, Kirwan at 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm  

The cost is $20.00 per person                                                                                                                            Buffet lunch including dessert, tea and coffee

Please make sure to ring on 4725 1822 to RSVP by Monday 14th December 2020

Give us a call for more information about our services and products.