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Message from the Office

Well another year that has just flown by, where has the time gone?

I would like to start by welcoming all our new CHSP and Private Service’s clients,

we hope you can join us at the client Christmas party. Also welcome to our new

volunteers who have joined the team, hopefully you can join us at the Volunteers

Christmas party and meet the rest of the team. We also have a volunteers

meeting scheduled for 20/02/17, a BBQ lunch will be provided. (See dates to

remember section of newsletter)

The office has been very busy with preparation for NDIS and packaged care

applications. The aged care sector is changing rapidly (getting ready for all the

baby boomers, which is some of us at the office!) and we are moving full steam

ahead. As we grow Charlestown Caring group, so that we are sustainable, I want to

assure you that we will continue to provide “CARING” services to the community.

As this is the last newsletter for 2016

On behalf of the management Committee and staff, we wish you all a healthy and

happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to a wonderful 2017!

Margaret - General Manager

December 2016/January & February 2017

OFFICE: 23 JAMES ST, CHARLESTOWN 2290

PHONE: 4942 1117 FAX: 4943 1337

EMAIL: admin@charlestowncaring.com.au

WEBSITE: www.charlestowncaring.org.au

OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday- 8am- 3pm

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Charlestown Caring Group Inc. Management Committee Members: Office Bearers John Mihell Chairperson Gordon Hughes Treasurer Marion Falcocchio Secretary Members Tony Frawley Committee member Jill Hall Committee member Janice Knowles Committee member Greg Renwick Committee member Daryl Jeffs Committee member John Falconer Committee member

AGM

Charlestown Caring Group Inc. Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 15th

September at the office. Guests included Jenny Linton-Webb from Lake

Macquarie Council and Melanie Field from Pat Conroy’s Office. Reports were read

and Thank you was given to outgoing member Kay Gwynne and a welcome to our

new member Jill Hall.

Expressions of Interest

Grease the Musical – 15 July 2017 - Is coming to the Newcastle Entertainment

Centre. Grease brings everyone’s favourite rock and roll musical to life on stage

like you’ve never seen it before. The cost for this great event will be $150.00

The Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience – 31 March 2017 - This Ground-

breaking exhibition brings to life an infant Australia finding its feet on the eve of

war. It follows the footsteps of all who fought with over 200 artefacts from the

Australian War Memorial. (There will be loud and sudden noises, flashing lights, confined

spaces, dark spaces with minimal lighting, slight inclines, large moving images and graphic

photographs of injury and death within this exhibit). The cost would be $20.00.

If you would like to give an expression of interest for either of these events

phone Louise on 4942 1117.

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Operations Manager’s Report

Well I am not sure where the time has gone Christmas is nearly here and a new

year is approaching. Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I am looking

forward to spending time with my family over the Christmas and New Year break.

Transports & Shopping Services during the Christmas & New Year Break

Please phone the office and inform staff of your appointment date, time & place,

we ask that you do this as soon as you get the appointment as time is needed to

find a volunteer to provide the transport service.

During the Christmas and New Year period the office will be closed from 1pm

Friday 16th December 2016 and will reopen on Monday 9th January at 8am.

During this time in order to give the volunteers a well-earned break over the

Christmas and New Year period there will be no transports or shopping services.

We can arrange online shopping and delivery if needed, but we will need the

shopping list and delivery date by 13th December to arrange your Woolworth’s

delivery. Please contact me to discuss this if you feel you will have an urgent

need for shopping during this time. Please keep this in mind when making

appointments as we always do our best to meet your needs during the year. In

January we have also put on an extra shopping bus (please see activity calendar)

to ensure clients are able to get to the shops to pay bills and do their shopping.

The phones will not be monitored during this time, in case of a medical emergency

contact 000 for assistance.

Client Christmas Party

All clients are invited to Charlestown Caring Group’s Annual Client Christmas

party. It will be held on 13th December 2016 at Charlestown Bowling Club from

10am to 1.30pm. Transport, Morning Tea, Lunch and entertainment will be

provided on the day. The cost for this fun and entertaining day will be $25.00 per

person. You can R.S.V.P for this event by phoning the office by the 29th November

2016 or booking via your activity booking sheet. We are going to have Secret

Santa this year so please bring a gift to the value of $5 so Santa can give out

gifts, looking forward to a great day.

Christmas Raffle

We are having a Christmas Raffle this year and donations of non-perishable food

items for hampers would be greatly appreciated if you would like to donate please

bring items into the office or to groups.

Alyson-Operations Manager

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Lifestyle Coordinator’s Report

My goodness how quickly these last 3 months have gone. It’s true when they say

“time flies when you’re having fun” I have been having a ball getting to know you

all better and finding out what you like to do.

We had 2 big days out in September – the first a trip to Sydney to the Royal

Botanic Gardens where the highlight of the day was the Choo Choo Express train

ride down to the harbour; the second was a ferry ride to Palm Beach where Julie

from Club Palm Beach gave us a quick tour of the Barrenjoey Peninsula where

Home and Away is filmed.

Our Melbourne Cup at Hexham Bowling Club was great fun – we even had a few

winners! Take a look at the photo page to see some of our lucky group.

Dudley Public School are holding a Christmas Carols Concert on Monday 5th

December and I have invited us along! Pick up starts from 5pm so have an early

dinner and we will have a late light supper at McDonalds after the concert.

Lake Macquarie Private Hospital has invited us to join them at their annual

luncheon on 6th December. It will be lovely to join them and share the Christmas

spirit. Numbers are limited so please book early.

Don’t forget to book on at least one of the Christmas Light tours. We will tour 2

different parts of our local area to see some of the amazing private light displays.

On our return in January we have two small bus outings. On Friday 13th we will

visit the Maitland Gaol for a “self-guided” tour and on Friday 27th we will have a

tour of Historic Tomago House. Spaces are limited as we are using the CCG Mini

Bus for these trips.

Aqua Exercises at Charlestown Caring Group is proving to be a popular outing and

due to demand the number of classes will increase to 2 per month in 2017 until

the weather cools down. Remember it’s not too late to get involved – if you would

like to join us give me a call at the office.

The long anticipated tour of the South Seas Museum and Somerset House at

Cooranbong has been booked for Friday 24th February. Be sure to book to come

and see the amazing collection of shells and maritime memorabilia. I’m looking

forward to seeing you on our day out.

Louise- Lifestyle Coordinator

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Community News

Windale Health & Safety Expo Charlestown Square Seniors Expo

Charlestown Caring Group Staff and Volunteers have been Out and About

promoting the services. During the last couple of months we have been to

Charlestown Square, Windale Health & Safety Expo at Lake Macquarie Fair,

Seniors Expo at Central Charlestown and Margaret gave a talk at the Charlestown

Uniting Church Group.

Christmas Raffle The CCG Christmas Raffle is on again. We have some great prizes this year.

1st prize is return flights flying from Newcastle to Sydney for 2 people, 2nd prize

is a $100 Bunnings gift voucher plus a Christmas hamper, 3rd prize is a $50

Reading Cinemas Gold Class gift card plus a Christmas hamper and 4th prize is a

Craft hamper which includes a lovely decorated egg.

Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and are available for purchase from the CCG

office or at Social Support Groups.

Free Shingles Vaccine From 1st November 2016, a free vaccine for Shingles will be funded under the

National Immunisation Program for all people aged 70, with a five year catch up

program for people aged 71-79 until 31st October 2021.

For more information discuss with your GP. Information sheets will be available

from the CCG Office.

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HOT WEATHER TIPS FOR SENIORS With summer upon us it is more critical than ever to know how to beat the heat and stay cool

and hydrated. Seniors are in the “most at risk” category and we want you to have a few tips on

hand to beat the weather this summer.

First tip is to keep drinking water as often as possible throughout the summer days even

if you don’t feel thirsty as this can prevent you from becoming dehydrated - Avoid

alcoholic, hot or sugary drinks as much as possible as they can also dehydrate you faster

Eating colder meals such as salads and fruit will help you keep cool

Wearing light coloured clothing and materials made from natural fibres such as cotton

can help you stay cool

Keeping your house cool will also help you stay cool so keeping your blinds and curtains

closed on hot days will help keep the cool air in.

Ask your doctor if you have any health conditions that mean you are at greater risk of

heat related illness and what you need to do about them to keep well in the heat

Heat related illnesses to keep an eye out for Heat Rash – This is an itchy, painful rash commonly called “prickly heat”. It is caused by

excessive sweating during hot, humid weather – what to do: keep they affected areas

dry (powder can help) and avoid using ointments or creams because they keep the skin

warm and moist which can worsen the condition

Dehydration – This occurs when the body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids

to carry out its normal functions. Symptoms can include dizziness, tiredness, irritability,

dark yellow urine loss of appetite and fainting. What to do: Drink plenty of water or

diluted fruit juice or drinks such as Hydrolyte to get your electrolyte levels up quicker.

Avoid hot drinks and if possible use a spray bottle filled with water to cool you down

Heat Stroke – This is the most serious heat-related illness and is a life threatening

emergency. Symptoms include a sudden rise in body temperature, red, hot dry skin, dry

swollen tongue, rapid pulse, rapid shallow breathing, intense thirst, headache, nausea,

vomiting, dizziness, confusion, poor coordination, slurred speech, aggressive behaviour.

What to do: Call an ambulance immediately then immediately aim at lowering the body

temperature. Spray the face and body with a spray bottle of water, remove excess

clothing, have small sips of water, place cool packs under the armpits, on the groin or

on the back of the neck. Do NOT use aspirin or paracetamol as they can actually be

harmful in these situations

If you feel unwell or are worried you are experiencing a heat related illness call

Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day and they will

be able to tell you what to do.

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Photo Page Wellbeing Group – Yoga at “Studio” CCG & Lunch at Café Cowlishaw

02.09.2016

First dip of the season for Aqua Fitness 14.09.2016 & 5.10.2016

Twilight Group – Rob’s Mediterranean Tour 21.09.2016

Out & About – All Aboard to Palm Beach 30.09.2016

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Photo Page Social Connections – Mental Health Week – 11.10.2016

Out & About – Wallis Creek Water Gardens – 28.10.2016

Social Connections – Melbourne Cup Day – 01.11.2016