Enhancing Emotional Wellbeing in Late Life

Episode 23 - Explore Aged Care with Jo Muirhead

podcast Nov 10, 2020

Julie speaks with Jo Muirhead, a Rehabilitation Consultant and the leader of Purple and Co. Jo tells Julie about her Great Aunt Gwen, a bit about her life story and some of the challenges as she aged and moved into care, as well as why she was so influential in Jo’s life. Jo also explores some of the stereotypes about older people being grumpy, judgemental and technologically challenged, and how Great Aunt Gwen defied those ideas.

Julie and Jo then discuss some of the reasons why more health care professionals aren’t working in Aged Care, as well as some of the misunderstandings that health care professionals often have about accessibility and engagement issues for that Aged Care population. Jo shares some of her experiences with the fact that all health professionals are always rushed and under-resourced, and how this is a barrier to client-centred focus, but an even bigger challenge in the Aged Care industry.

Jo and Julie cover the importance of...

Episode 17 - Season One Wrap

podcast Dec 11, 2019

Episode 17: Season One Wrap

11 December, 2019

SHOW NOTES:

I hope you've enjoyed this first season of the show. I've thoroughly enjoyed bringing all the episodes to you and interviewing a wide range of speakers. You see, we don't often talk about Residential Care because most of Australians live in their own homes.

Fact: it's only 5% that live in Residential Aged Care environments. So often this population is forgotten about and we don't necessarily hear positive stories. And my aim was to communicate the various psychosocial benefits that can be delivered to older people whose physical health is declining.

I'm taking a little break over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. However, I'm already mapping out the next season of The Voice of Aged Care, which will come out sometime in early 2020. In the meantime, you can catch up on the previous episodes in your favorite podcast app and also connect with me on Facebook and Instagram. Using the...

Episode 15 - Taking Care of You

podcast Nov 26, 2019

Episode 15: Taking Care of You

27 November, 2019

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, Julie makes the case for taking care of you as a person who supports older adults in Aged Care. The best outcomes for you, for older people, for families and for management are when we all work together. However, that ultimately comes down to you taking care of yourself and recognising what you may need to do more, or less, of in order to be well.

Julie shares her experience when she started working in Aged Care, and why prioritising self-care is so important. She explains how important it is to start the day on a positive note, and some ways to make your self-care activities more realistic, sustainable and related to your other life goals and priorities.

Julie explains how taking better care of yourself also involves making sure older adults get the support that they need. Plus, in this episode there are a range of practical suggestions about asking for help and support for...

Episode 14 - Understanding Guided Relaxation and Mindful Breathing with Liz Kraefft

podcast Nov 19, 2019

Episode 14: Understanding Guided Relaxation and Mindful Breathing with Liz Kraefft

20 November, 2019

SHOW NOTES:

Julie speaks with Liz Kraefft, a qualified yoga teacher. Liz and Julie discuss Liz’s background and how she got started learning and then teaching yoga. Liz shares how she incorporates relaxation in her yoga sessions and what guided relaxation is. She explains the benefits of guided relaxation practices, and why people often struggle getting started with this practice.

Liz and Julie then discuss yoga and mindfulness for older adults, including the importance of trust and managing fear of falls, as well as how mobility challenges can be accommodated using props like chairs to allow people with injuries or mobility issues to still participate.

Liz explains what mindfulness and mindful breathing are, and why it’s so important to incorporate it in our lives. Liz and Julie finish this interview discussing mindful breathing as a non-drug...

Episode 13 - Involving Resident Families - Discussion With A Relative

podcast Nov 12, 2019

Episode 13: Involving Resident Families - Discussion With A Relative

13 November, 2019

SHOW NOTES:

Julie discusses the important role of families in helping an older person settle into the Aged Care home, as well as the different ways facilities will involve residents’ families. There are many things that can impact the dynamics of the relationships an older person has with their families, and there are also a number of things that can enhance that to help the resident settle into Aged Care and support them going forwards.

In this episode, hear three ways families can play an integral role when their loved one moves into care, and some practical strategies for families to help support their loved ones.

Julie also shares a part of an interview with a relative whose mother has moved into an Aged Care facility. This woman tells Julie about her experience when her mother moved into care and they discuss the different aspects of that journey and...

Episode 11 - Delta Therapy Dog in Residential Care - Insights with Volunteer Trish Carlier

podcast Oct 29, 2019

Episode 11: Delta Therapy Dog in Residential Care - Insights with Volunteer Trish Carlier

30 October, 2019

SHOW NOTES:

Julie speaks with Trish Carlier, a volunteer dog visitor in Aged Care Facilities. Trish volunteers with Delta Society, a not-for-profit organisation that is supported by volunteers and their family pets.

Trish explains how she became a volunteer dog visitor and what her visits with Golden Retriever Jazzy to Aged Care Facilities are like. Trish also shares a bit about the process of becoming a volunteer dog visitor, including requirements for the dog as well as requirements for the owner/trainer.

Julie and Trish then discuss the physiological and psycho-social benefits of visiting with pets, and Trish shares some of the changes she has seen in residents, as well as some of the challenges of the role that she has experienced.

You can find out more about Delta Therapy Dogs, including request a visit or become a volunteer, at ...

Episode 5 - Mental Health: Whose Responsibility?

podcast Sep 18, 2019

Episode 5: Mental Health – Whose Responsibility?

18 September, 2019

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode Julie reviews the current trends in mental health in older people and discusses the importance of collaboration with health professionals, aged care providers and families to improve mental health outcomes for older people. Julie is passionate about the delivery of preventative measures to help with adjustment to an aged care environment and discusses how she licenses her group programs to aged care homes, where staff can be upskilled in running her signature award winning group program which promotes resilience and strengths.

1:20 Julie discusses the difference between managing mental health conditions in younger people versus in older people

3:00 Julie shares her early experiences in providing home consultations and the barriers that would prevent clients to achieve their goals

4:30 Additional supports that may be required for older...

Episode 4 - Love to Live Angels Physical Activity and Entertainment

podcast Sep 11, 2019

SHOW NOTES:

Encouraging older people to increase their physical activity can be challenging. Today Julie talks to Michelle and Mike from Love to Live program about their passion and drive to boost physical activity and social connection with the elderly and their new project which involves training facilitators across Australia.

1:23 The design of the Love to Live Program and bringing entertainment and physical activity

2:22 Michelle explains the structure of the sessions

4:00 Michelle explains the concept behind the Love to Live program

6:04 The connection between low mood and participation in the program

7:20 Case Study – Graeme

8:40 Mike explains the opportunity to become a licensee of the Love to Live Program

12:00 Overview of the training requirements to run the program

14:30 The importance of passion for aged care

16:30 Mike and Michelle explain the best ways to get in touch with them (and you can click on this link to get to their website)

Episode 2 - The Benefits of Art Therapy with Roxy Taylor

podcast Aug 29, 2019

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SHOW NOTES:

The benefits of art therapy have been demonstrated in a wide range of settings. Today, we discuss the role of art therapy in aged care with Roxy Taylor. Roxy shares with Julie her passion for helping older adults express themselves through art, regardless of their emotional wellbeing and physical health status.

1:20 Roxy briefly provides her background in as an art therapist

3:00 Roxy shares how suitable clients are selected for art therapy program

4:22 How shares how she works with other professionals and the importance of interdisciplinary referrals

4:55 How art therapy honours individuality of each client in art sessions

6:05 Roxy discusses the biggest challenge of working in aged care facilities

7:05 How Roxy incorporates mindfulness into the delivery of art therapy sessions

8:30 The influence of dementia in art sessions

8:55 How Roxy handles the initial...

VOAC EP 1: WHAT IS THE VOICE OF AGED CARE?

podcast Aug 21, 2019

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SHOW NOTES:

In the first episode Julie provides a brief overview of how the idea of this podcast came about and her background in aged care. She shares her passion for real and raw stories which represent the true reflection of the aged care work.

1:20 Julie briefly provides her background in aged care

2:05 What type of information this podcast offers

2:45 How guest interviews will contribute to the episodes

4:00 Not everyone who lives in aged care is emotionally unwell

4:45 Julie’s experience and background in aged care

5:45 The challenges Julie faced when she started in aged care

6:20 The improved trends

6:30 Raising awareness of the importance of wellbeing in late life

7:05 Services Julie offers to aged care organisations, allied health providers and families of older adults

9:30 The importance of preventative measures in supporting older adults to adjust to living in...