Jakob Neeland

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Nanna's 6 granddaughters: The guardian angels of her golden years

3 weeks ago | hellocare.com.au | Michael Preston |Jakob Neeland

At eighty-one, Jessie has spent the last three years in residential care following the loss of her beloved husband and a series of dangerous falls. Jessie defied her parent’s wishes when she married her high school sweetheart, Alex, at seventeen. They believed the couple were too young and the marriage would not last. Sixty-three years later, Jessie proved them spectacularly wrong. Jessie and Alex had three sons, born a year apart, who grew up to be strong, successful men with impressive careers.
Driving back in time: Classic car memories from aged care residents

1 month ago | hellocare.com.au | Michael Preston |Jakob Neeland

Driving into the car park of the aged care facility where I work, I noticed a group of men looking through the window, pointing and smiling at my car as I pulled intothe drive. I was curious about what was amusing them, so we all sat down with a cup of tea, only to discover they were admiring my X-type jaguar. Dan told me there is only one distinctive colour for a Jaguar, British Racing Green, which happened to be the colour of my car. I asked around who could remember the first car they owned.
Waking up family memories: How stories keep loved ones close

1 month ago | hellocare.com.au | Michael Preston |Jakob Neeland

On a recent visit to the UK to see family and friends, I noticed that meeting up and recalling past shared experiences awakened cherished memories and thoughts that had been dormant sometimes for many years. When I visited my aunt in her late eighties, I enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce and smile about stories and events she had not thought about for a long time. She sat back in her chair with her eyes closed and a gentle grin on her face when recalling emotions that awakened her soul.
Ninety-nine years and counting: A centenarian’s reflections on happiness

2 months ago | hellocare.com.au | Michael Preston |Jakob Neeland

As the number of elders reaching the remarkable milestone of one hundred years and beyond continues to rise, the age-old question arises: What is the secret to a long and fulfilling life? Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rosemary, a delightful lady I care for, who is nearing her one-hundredth birthday. When I asked a question about her secret to longevity, she took a moment to reflect, a twinkle in her eye.
My mother is not there anymore - How storytelling brings peace in palliative care

2 months ago | hellocare.com.au | Michael Preston |Jakob Neeland

I had been caring for a vibrant woman called Emily in residential care for three Years. As she approached her eighty-ninth birthday, expressing that she was tired and wanted to let go. Her health was deteriorating, and within days after her birthday, Emily was deemed palliative. I would attempt to cheer her each day with anecdotes and trivia to brighten her day. Emily had lost her husband twenty years before and had one son, Martin.
The top 5 best shoes for aged care staff: Comfort for long shifts

Jan 22, 2025 | hellocare.com.au | Jakob Neeland

For aged care staff, comfort is not a luxury but a necessity. Long shifts, often requiring hours of walking, standing, and even lifting, mean that finding the right footwear is essential. Aged care workers face similar challenges to nurses, spending long hours on their feet and often working in environments that demand non-slip, supportive, and durable shoes. Here’s our guide to the top five best shoes for aged care staff, designed to prioritise comfort, support, and practicality.
Radio host Bianca Dye Speaks out after her elderly mother falls victim to cruel scam

Jan 22, 2025 | hellocare.com.au | Jakob Neeland

Australian radio personality Bianca Dye has emotionally recounted a distressing incident in which her elderly mother, Anne, narrowly avoided being defrauded by scammers. Dye, 51, shared the ordeal to warn others about the dangers facing vulnerable people, particularly seniors. The scammers contacted Anne, 79, pretending to be Dye herself, claiming to be using a friend’s phone. They manipulated Anne with a fabricated story, stating Dye urgently needed $3,000 to cover a tax bill.
How Australians kept cool in heatwaves before modern technology

Jan 22, 2025 | hellocare.com.au | Jakob Neeland

The Black Friday bushfires which swept across southeastern Australia in January 1939 have been remembered as a deadly and traumatic event. Most human deaths, however, occurred during the preceding heatwave – 78 lives were lost to bushfires in mainland southeastern Australia but at least 420 people died as a result of the high temperatures during the preceding week. Globally, heatwaves still remain one of the deadliest natural hazards.
Five ways to save your legs – by a vascular surgery specialist - Hellocare

Jan 21, 2025 | hellocare.com.au | Jakob Neeland

Gangrene, or a rapidly spreading foot abscess. Sound like diseases of the past? Well, sadly not. Leg amputation is one of the oldest surgical procedures. The earliest known example dates back some 31,000 years. During the advent of modern surgery in the 19th century, amputation for trauma and infection was common. In the days before anaesthetic, surgeons had to be quick: Robert Liston, who was famed for his speed, could reportedly complete an amputation in 30 seconds.
Alice Wong' Latest Book, Disability Intimacy, is About More Than Sex

Jan 21, 2025 | hellocare.com.au | Jakob Neeland

“In the United States, we’re taught that nakedness is a very intimate and private thing. Yet, I have to show people my body every day to receive the assistance I need,” writes Ashley Volion, a wheelchair-using disability rights activist, in Disability Intimacy. “I have to be vulnerable in ways that other people wouldn’t even dream of.