Enhancing Emotional Wellbeing in Late Life

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...

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