In This Edition: Mother’s Day Origins and Celebrations, Coping With Arthritis, Aged Care Updates and much more!
Welcome to Our 365 Care May Newsletter
The month of May brings Mother’s Day! Whether you’re honouring a beloved Mum or you’re being celebrated by your loved ones, it is a time to reflect on the precious gift of motherhood and to pay tribute to the women who carry this title with love.
Do You Know the History of Mother’s Day?
Mothers have been celebrated since ancient times in Egypt and Greece. Initially, the mother goddesses were worshipped and spring festivals were held to celebrate these sources of new life and fertility. In Egypt, Isis was worshipped. In Greece, Rhea and Gaia—mother of the gods and the earth goddess, respectively—were celebrated. The Roman festival of Hilaria honoured Cybele, their mother goddess.
By the 16th century, England entered the Age of Reformation. With this came the tradition of Mothering Sunday. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, Christians were encouraged to visit their “mother church”—the church where they were baptized. It also became the occasion to honour one’s mother.
It was in the United States that Mother’s Day first became a public holiday and a mainstream celebration. A lady by the name of Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in West Virginia in 1908 and this spurred her on to launch a campaign to realise her mother’s dream—to establish an official day for recognising mothers. On 8 May 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson made it so by designating the second Sunday of May to mothers everywhere.
Anna Jarvis is also responsible for making carnations—her mother’s favourite flower—the flower of choice for Mother’s Day. Red carnations meant your mother was still living and white carnations showed she had passed. Nowadays, 70 countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day in Australia
Janet Hayden from Leichardt, NSW is credited with the Mother’s Day tradition of gift-giving. While visiting a friend at the Newington State Home for Women in 1923, she noticed the number of lonely mothers lying in their beds. She took up the cause, rallied local businesses and appealed to the generosity of ordinary citizens to provide gifts to these mothers. She also enlisted the help of schoolchildren to assist with the distribution of these gifts. Janet continued this act of kindness until her death in 1960.
Mother’s Day Around-the-World Activities
Can You Match The Country To The Tradition?
Mother’s Day Trivia
1. The mother who gave birth to the most number of children in history was Valentina Vassilyev. She lived in 18th century Russia and birthed 69 children! She had 16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets and 4 sets of quadruplets. If anyone deserved a Mother’s Day medal, she’d definitely be the one!
2. It’s no coincidence that Mum starts with an ‘M’ in many languages. One of the first sounds a baby can make is ‘Ma’.
Health Focus for the Month: Arthritis
Arthritis causes joint pain and inflammation, which can make movement painful and difficult. There are two types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It’s important to know which type you have, so you can appropriately manage it. Osteoarthritis is caused by the general wear-and-tear on the cartilage in your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the lining of the joints. Both types of arthritis can cause inflammation and discomfort. While it is not an easy thing to deal with the constant pain and discomfort, there are some things you can do to help you cope with your arthritis condition. Consult with your doctor and get their medical clearance first on whether you are allowed to do these.
4 Ways To Help Ease Or Improve Your Arthritis
1. Exercise
Exercise is important to keep your joints limber and maintain your mobility. Be careful not to overdo it, though. The aim should be to gradually increase the muscle around your joints. Focus on stretching, range-of-motion exercises, light weights and low-impact aerobics like swimming or walking. If you are looking for exercise classes that you can do in your own home or with others in a community setting, head over to https://www.arthritisnsw.org.au/ For 2021, they are offering ZOOM Strength and Balance classes. There are also warm water exercise classes at various venues around Sydney. Email gentleexercise@arthritisnsw.org.au for more information.
2. Hot and Cold Therapy
Applying a heat pack to painful joints or taking a warm bath can relieve stiffness. Ice packs can reduce swelling and inflammation. Just be sure to wrap an ice pack in a towel before applying it on the affected area.
3. Watch Your Diet
Certain kinds of food such as red meats, saturated fats, and food high in salt or sugar can increase inflammation and aggravate your arthritis. Rather, try to incorporate more types of food that are high in antioxidants and antiinflammatories such as fresh fruit, vegetables and whole foods. This will also keep your weight in check, which will take the stress off your joints.
4. Natural remedies
The chemical curcumin in turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so developing a taste for it may just help your arthritis. Its potency is even at par with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) but without side effects. Fish oil contains Omega-3 fats that can help provide relief for people afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. It helps to reduce inflammation, stiffness and joint pain in the same manner as NSAID. In recent studies, avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) were reported to improve hip and knee osteoarthritis conditions. ASU works by blocking proinflammatory elements and preventing the weakening of the joint lining.
Food Pyramid For Older Adults
Word Search
See if you can find Mum in these 12 languages and write your answers in the spaces below.
Answers to Word Search: Arabic – Ahm Czech – Matka Danish – Mor Dutch – Moeder French – Mere German – Mutter Hindi – Maji Italian – Mamma Portuguese – Mae Russian – Mat Spanish – Madre Vietnamese – Me
Aged Care Industry Update
SIRS INITIATIVE WILL HELP PROTECT YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES
In the wake of the Aged Care Royal Commission findings, the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) has commenced on 1 April 2021 with the goal of reducing incidents of abuse and neglect.
This initiative has a twofold action plan that will help empower and protect aged care consumers and to enable care providers and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services to identify risks before they happen and effectively respond to incidents when they do occur. The first action is to implement a highly effective incident management system that will establish a procedure to respond to risks and incidents. The second action is to broaden compulsory reporting obligations that complement requirements already in place.
This will help to protect aged care consumers by following strict systems of reporting of incidents that include unreasonable use of force, neglect, physical or emotional abuse, inappropriate use of physical or chemical restraint, unexplained absence from care, stealing or financial coercion by a staff member, unexpected death, and unlawful or inappropriate sexual conduct.
Priority 1 incidents, regarded as causing or having the possibility of causing injury or discomfort that needs medical treatment to resolve, must be reported within 24 hours of the incident becoming apparent. Priority 2 incidents must be reported within 30 days.
What this means for you is peace of mind that you or your loved ones will receive the absolute best care possible. At 365 Care, we fully support these new measures and take the welfare of you and your loved ones very seriously. We are dedicated to providing care with integrity, compassion and dignity.
LASA REPORT CALLS FOR HIGHER LEVEL OF AGED CARE SUPPORT
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) has released a report that the aged care system is critically lacking in funding and support compared to the NDIS. As stated in the report, government funding for aged care beneficiaries only averages around one-quarter of the allocation given to NDIS recipients.
LASA Chief Executive Officer Sean Rooney noted, “Overall, we see less funding per aged care recipient and this results in fewer available hours of care when compared with NDIS participants, plus there are limits placed on funding in aged care for reablement, social engagement, behaviour support, care management and assistive technology.
“This often leaves aged care recipients, particularly in home care, contending with unmet needs. Where their funds are insufficient, they will often accumulate funding for future demands or seek alternative sources of support to cross-subsidise their aged care needs.”
Mr Rooney also stressed that “system settings need to be focused on the respect and essential human rights of our elders, so they can access reasonable and necessary supports matched to assessed need.”
Movie Review: The Notebook (2004)
This month’s movie recommendation is The Notebook (2004). This romantic drama starring Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands and James Garner is based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks.
The story tells of a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s despite their opposing worlds of poverty and privilege. Meanwhile, in the present day, an elderly man reads their story from his notebook to a female patient in a nursing home. Connections between the past and the present are revealed in the course of the film as it deals with romantic love that matures with enduring loyalty in the face of social division and the inevitability of mortality.
The twist may be obvious by now but the film will still draw you in, thanks to the cast’s powerful performances as they interpret a love story that lasts a lifetime. A must-watch for the ages.
Book Review (Fiction): Trick of the Light by Fiona McCallum (April 2021)
Fiona McCallum’s contemporary novels are rich in relatable, heart-warming stories of characters who persevere in the midst of life-altering experiences. Her latest masterpiece features a woman named Erica, newly widowed and struggling to survive after discovering that her husband left her financially ruined. As she tries to manage her situation from success to setback, her circumstances transform her into a woman with remarkable resilience.
Erica’s characterization is fleshed out by Fiona who has an acute understanding of a tired, broken heart that finds the strength within to heal and to hope again. Trick of the Light is a well-told tale of self-discovery and daring to dream again.
Book Review (Non-Fiction): 30 Days 30 Ways to Overcome Anxiety by Bev Aisbett
If the current pandemic situation has triggered feelings of anxiety, this classic self-help book can help you cope with its daily dose of life-affirming lessons. Written by Bev Aisbett, an experienced counsellor and Australia’s bestselling anxiety expert, the book provides simple strategies to help you understand your anxiety issues and how to manage them.
Insightful and inspiring, 30 Days 30 Ways is designed to act as your roadmap to recovery from the debilitating effects of anxiety. Now updated and revised for its 20th anniversary edition, this book is a fitting companion to help you deal with these uncertain times.
Happy Mother’s Day!
We hope you’re enjoying this newsletter and that you’re having a lovely month of May!
If you’re stuck for ideas on how to celebrate the special ladies/motherly figures in your life, nothing says ‘I appreciate you’ like breakfast in bed.
Here are two recipes courtesy of Country Living that will start her day off on the best note:
BAKED EGGS WITH SPINACH AND TOMATO
Give her this healthy and hearty meal that’s sure to spice up her day!
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 140 g. fresh baby spinach
• 1 can whole tomatoes
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• ½ tsp. sweet paprika
• 2 tsp. hot sauce
• 4 large eggs
• ¼ c. crumbled feta
INSTRUCTIONS
Serves: 4 Prep time: 20 mins Total time: 40 mins
1. Preheat oven to 205 degrees C. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add spinach and sauté until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together tomatoes, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, and, if desired, hot sauce. Add onion-spinach mixture and stir to combine.
GRAPEFRUIT & ROSEMARY MIMOSA
A refreshing blend of sweetness and tartness with a sparkling sensation!
INGREDIENTS
Rosemary syrup
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. sugar
• 3 fresh rosemary sprigs plus smaller sprigs for garnish
Mimosa
• 1 bottle (750ml) dry champagne, chilled
• 2 c. fresh grapefruit juice, plus more as needed
INSTRUCTIONS
Serves: 8
For the rosemary syrup:
1. In a small saucepan set over mid heat, bring the water and sugar to a simmer. Add the rosemary sprigs and stir.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
3. Remove the rosemary sprigs and discard.
To serve:
1. Fill eight glasses just under half full with champagne.
2. Top each with about ¼ cup of grapefruit juice and 2 teaspoons of rosemary syrup.
3. Add a bit more juice or champagne, whichever you prefer.
4. Garnish with the smaller rosemary sprigs then serve.
Upcoming Events
MORNING TEA ON FRIDAY, MAY THE 28TH
TIME: 10.30 am
WHERE: 2 Birds Cafe
RSVP: May 21st
MOVIE MORNINGS ON FRIDAY, JUNE THE 25TH
TIME: exact time TBC
WHERE: TBC
RSVP: June 18th
Please inform your Co-ordinator if you wish to join us or email: office@365care.com.au
Service You Can Trust
At 365 Care, we provide quality, compassionate home care in Western Sydney for the elderly and for adults with disability who want to remain independent in their own homes. We work alongside families seeking peace of mind whilst building caring relationships that are based on honesty, respect and advocacy.
For more information on the aged care services and disability services we offer and how we can assist in maximising the value from your home care packages, contact us on 1300 365 248.