Our Nurse

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Who is it that comes at dead of night

In dark blue gown, and apron white

And gently asks, are you alright?

Our Nurse

 

Who is it then, with noiseless tread

Goes softly round from bed to bed,

And shakes your pillow, lifts your head,

Our Nurse

 

Who is it keeps to morning light

a lovely faithful watch all night,

Yet calls us with a smile so bright.

Our Nurse.

 

Who when the dim night hours are done

And the days busy work begun

Is as active then, as anyone.

Our Nurse.

 

Whoever patient, thoughtful and kind

Will no unpleasant duty mind

In whom a friend we always find.

Our Nurse.

 

Who when the day begins to wane

Cheers us with her bright smile again,

And robs the night of half its pain.

Our Nurse.

 

This poem was written in the 1950’s by a grateful patient.

 

 

The Liz Jackson Tragedy

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Australia’s highest honour for Journalism is the Walkley Award. In nearly two decades of investigative journalism for ABC’s Four Corners, talented barrister turned journalist Liz Jackson won it five times.

But her last and greatest story is her own, making public her fight against Parkinson’s disease, panic attacks and depression. Fittingly, it was presented as the final episode of Four Corners for 2016. She deserves our praise and gratitude for allowing the camera to film her at her lowest. It was painful to watch, and no doubt confronting for her and her filmmaker husband Martin Butler to record.

Her story brought to my mind that of Canadian-American actor Michael J Fox, winner of several Emmy, Golden Globe, and other Awards. Whereas Liz Jackson was 64 when her conditions were diagnosed in 2014, Michael Fox was still only 29 when diagnosed in 1991 with this career ending condition.  For 7 years he tried to conceal his problem by taking large doses of dopamine. But the relief was temporary, necessitating larger doses, and eventually he developed all too obvious, uncontrollable involuntary movements, a side effect of the prolonged use of dopamine (tardative dyskinesia).

Because harrowing stories such as these may engender a defeatist attitude, and depression, I venture to add a few comments for the benefit of the newly diagnosed. My qualifications for doing so are based on my medical background, and experience of being diagnosed with PD (Parkinson’s disease) in 2002.

Tremors occur in many conditions other than Parkinson’s disease with varying prognoses. A collective term for them all is Movement Disorders. Paradoxically not all patients may have tremor, but the main features are tremor, muscle rigidity, and slow movement (bradykinesia).

Symptoms which have troubled me include fragmentation of sleep, disturbance of balance, and restless legs. A symptom I am most grateful not to have, is loss of the ability to smile. I have become clumsy, and cannot perform the fine finger activities I once could. I find it difficult or impossible to keep food on my fork, or a glass steady without spilling it. Writing, even signing my name, is irritatingly slow, and shaky. But I can still type, despite frequent miss-hits and double or triple taps, and have become a rather prolific blogger (read by few).

Precise diagnosis can be difficult. In my case, because I have little muscular rigidity and my symptoms have been remarkably stable over the years, my diagnosis was re-appraised to Essential Tremor, a familial and more benign condition.

Not all movement disorders respond to medication (as Liz Jackson discovered). Because of the potential for side-effects, the aim should perhaps be to use it sparingly for relief. Cure is not a realistic objective.

The point I would like to emphasize to all suffers from movement disorders is to focus on what still works, and to keep as physically and mentally active as one possibly can. Hand movements may be unsteady, but limb movements are usually assured. I like exercise and aerobic balance classes; I garden and walk the dog. Many Parkinson sufferers find bicycling to be therapeutic. I took up playing croquet soon after being diagnosed, for the skills of steadiness and accuracy it promotes, whilst demanding concentration and planning. Indoor bowls is my latest recreation.

Three quotes I like from Michael Fox:

Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.
 
I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.
 
My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations.

 

The Anzac Meme

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James Kay Horsfield

He was the grand-father I never knew. He died fighting in the Battle of the Somme in France, aged 40, on my mother’s 9th birthday, 12th October 1917.

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/battle-of-the-somme

Like the 1915 invasion of the Gallip0li peninsula in Turkey by the Anzacs, it was militarily unsuccessful, and resulted in the tragic loss of 1.5 million Allied force lives.

James KayThis photograph of my grandfather, shows that as a young man I had a strong physical resemblance to him. Despite not ever having known him, I identify with him and grieve his passing and the hardship it brought to his young widow as she struggled to support three young children on her own.

He married my maternal grandmother I understand as a result of a shipboard romance when they both migrated at the turn of the century to Auckland, New Zealand. He subsequently found work as a book-keeper/accountant for a mining company in the very north of the South Island, some distance from Nelson, but proved to be a poor provider for his young family due to a drinking habit.

Sadly it also led him into minor larceny on a couple of occasions. The first time he was cautioned but after a second offence, he received a short custodial sentence.

At the outbreak of the First World War he enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment. Before leaving London for action in France his war record documents that he disobeyed military protocol, going awol to visit his family at Evesham in South England not having seen them for many years. It was the last time he saw them.

The Anzac Meme

No two Australians/ New Zealanders will observe Anzac Day for the same reason. Time dims the memory of those war events more than a century ago. For some of us the memory of someone who did fight will make the day a significant one.

For us all however, it is an occasion to honour the many who put their lives at risk in the Armed Services.

My grand-father may not have been a perfect New Zealand citizen, or a particularly good husband and father, but I have no doubt that he loved both his family and his country, and was prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice in dying for them. He deserves my utmost respect and honour for this. I just hope that I would do what he did in such circumstances.

In my opinion this is the Anzac meme which I trust we will never forget. To fight against the odds in even in the most impossible circumstances, putting our own lives at risk.

The Forgotten Cross – An Easter Message

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“The Forgotten Cross” is a thoughtful Christian Easter Message written by family friend Gwen Devries © 2015

 

We are living in an age, where terror seems to reign,
Where fear and fright are walking side by side.
“Is trust now just a trickle, in the rivers of our life?
Will melodies of joy soon fade, forever in the night?”

 

Anger, lawless anger, is growing in our land,
Like a cancer so destructive, not benign.
“Are innocent lives now shattered, do the guilty walk away?
Is black now white, is collusion in, has justice gone astray?”

 
The Creator of our Universe has witnessed every scene.
God knows our world is groaning, as nature’s terror force is seen.
Some say, that “if He’s there, why won’t He intervene,
And through His might and power, put love, where hate is seen?”

 
God’s Son, so soon forgotten, that day they whipped His back,
Till the flesh was raw, and all the wounds were deep.
And then in silence listened to their cruel accusing words,
And allowed their spit to trickle down His cheek.

 
A crown of thorns, was thrust with force, upon His wounded brow,
And the blood then mingled with His tears.
But still He stood there silent, without a word to say,
And listened to their mocking, hate filled jeers.

 
Then Jesus took the cross, that was thrust into His arms.
But the weight was more than He could bear.
And He fell onto that, dusty, dirty, rocky road,
And they laughed and mocked, and clapped at His despair.

 
As if then, in a frenzy, they laid Him on that cross,
And nailed to it, His precious hands and feet.
The force it seems was crucial, as the pain it caused was brutal.
It was then, our Saviour tried, so desperately to speak.

 
“Father please, forgive them.” Forgive them, were His words.
For only Jesus knew, the value of their worth.
Alone and broken hearted, He died a death of shame.
But, on day three, God called Him, and He rose to life again.

 
The death and resurrection, of Jesus Christ, God’s Son,
Has paid the price, at such a cost, for every evil done.
His sacrifice, his suffering, was to rescue all from sin.
To free each one, from bondage, and put love where hate has been.

 
The prophetic clock is ticking the last chime will soon be heard.
All kingdoms through the ages are recorded in God’s word.
Soon Jesus is returning, in resplendent majesty,
To take those home who love Him, to live eternally.

 
In that momentous moment, mortality will fade,
And all who sleep in Jesus, will arise from dusty graves.
Then as the ceaseless ages roll, one theme of praise will be,
The love of a risen Saviour and the Cross of Calvary.

 

What? You Like My Blog? Piss Off!

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Reading what others are writing.

LITTLE MISS WORDY

“Nice shoes.” “Great hair.” “Love your outfit today.” All fine compliments, and all compliments that would bring a smile to our face, brighten our day, make us stand a little taller. I’m five foot two and half and I’ll take any opportunity for a little more height, but it’s more than that. A compliment is a positive thing to be shared and received in a positive light. You wouldn’t respond to any of these compliments with a “Piss Off” or a “How dare you?!” would you? Okay, well if you would then maybe you should stop reading and check out my top posts on the right side bar.

Photo Credit: littlemisswordy.com

In the blogging world there are awards. I’m sure you’ve seen the One Lovely Blog Award or the Very Inspiring Blog Award, to name a couple. When I first started my blog, I was fearful the blogging world…

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Self-investing in Australian Property

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Now that Pop-Star is in the seriously old age group, and has his home on the market to fund a move to a retirement village, he has had cause to think more deeply about Australia’s property market.

He has recently found blogging on topics of financial and community interest to be an all-absorbing interest but one that risks him becoming more of a bore than he was.

He feels for many Australians who have lost large and some massive amounts of money they had set aside for their retirement. To their consternation they usually have no redress, and receive little or no help from regulatory authorities.

Some lose money when the stock-market crashes, but larger losses often result from investing in adviser recommended, highly geared property development failures. He has long wondered why more Australians don’t invest directly in property themselves, and avoid the high charges of developers and the associated risks. No doubt it is because they lack  knowledge of the property market, and may not receive good advice about how to go about it.

Pop-Star vividly remembers a simple commonsense piece of advice from one of his surgical mentors. It is advice of which many are ignorant or chose not to heed.  “When you have a problem, get the best advice and management you possibly can. If still in doubt, get a second opinion. Back your own judgment only when it is well-based”.

Family reunions, and renewed contacts with friends, is one of the joys of Christmas. It is also amazing what you can learn from your children, and grandchildren too – when they are around. From his daughter-in-law Pop-Star has learned that there are financial organizations specializing in providing the best advice for those able and willing to invest for themselves in the property market. She works for one such company based in Melbourne. It is known as Empower Wealth,  and was founded by Ben Kingsley.  The link below is to an article he has written on realestate.com.au  Excellent advice. Do read it.

http://www.realestate.com.au/blog/top-5-tips-for-new-investors/

Buying property can be one of the best ways to invest your money and build wealth. Yet new investors often feel overwhelmed at the thought of taking the plunge into property.

Disclaimer:

Pop-Star has no personal involvement with Empower Wealth, and has no ability in property investment.

Mount Barker’s Laratinga Wetlands

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Over 150 water bird species visit the award-winning Laratinga wetlands.

http://www.adelaidehills.org.au/attractions/our-favourites/laratinga-wetlands

At an awards ceremony in Melbourne on Friday 3rd June 2011, the District Council of Mount Barker was judged the overall winner of the Best Specific Environmental Initiative category of the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Award for Laratinga Wetland.

Named after the Peramangk peoples name for the Mount Barker creek, Laratinga Wetland has taken several years to resemble a natural ecosystem. Landscaping design with the use of indigenous plant species has encouraged birds to utilise the wetland. Migrating birds utilise the safe island habitats. A food forest for Cockatoos has encouraged Cockatoos including the Yellow Tail Black Cockatoo back to the area.

Pelicans – Mount Barker Wetlands

For stunning pictures of Mount Barker’s wetlands, click on this link.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x6ab73a7e232e001f:0xf03365545ba43e0!2m5!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i100!3m1!7e1!4shttps://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/10533610!5slaratinga+wetlands+-+Google+Search&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO4fD02PPJAhUnJKYKHe2RAgIQoioIdDAN

Pop-Star’s house in Dalmeny Park, Mount Barker is just 1.5kms from these wetlands, and a similar distance from the interchange exit being built on the South Eastern Freeway, 35 km from Adelaide.

150 metres from his house is a storage tank and pumping station for the wetland effluent, set on the highest point of the surrounding terrain.   A nearby plaque commemorates its opening in 2005 by the then Minister for the Environment Mr John Hill.

 

Reserve tank and pumping station. The ginger cat is Scoop He enjoys accompanying Pop-Star on his walks.
Adjacent reserve.
Commemorative plaque

Christmas Time is here again! Happy Christmas Ryan and Amy! and Ollie!!

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I’m  one and a bit years from receiving my OBE (over bloody eighty) award so I’m getting close to those pearly gates,  and expecting some entry barriers. . What was my password??

havens door - photobucket com

 

Is Christmas a foretaste of what it might be like up there??

I love bonding with family on Christmas Day!

This is how father and son kept in touch after last year’s Christmas dinner. . Riveting stuff!!

 

A time for kissies and cuddles! This is Amy being taken for a free ride by our eldest grandson Ryan Harker.

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Amy’s latest pet is Oliver, her golliwog dog with ginger eyebrow’s and moustache.

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Ryan prefers this prickly little customer!

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Ryan has a surprise embrace by Amy’s affectionate skeleton. Amy is studying Medicine.

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Ryan and Amy send their customary Maori-emulating Christmas greetings to all their loved ones! They are off to see you all with Amy the careful driver.

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I can scarcely recall life back then but this is how our Susan, Alison and baby Paul were once a few Christmases ago! Like nearly 50!

Happy Christmas to all our friends, and to our enemies too!!

Children PNG

Pop-Star sells up

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Reverse Home Loans for Seniors, to stay in their own home

We will undoubtedly hear more of a financial strategy that has been given prominence in recent years, and was in the news again this week. It enables pensioners to borrow against their home, and is known as a reverse mortgage. Most seniors are still wary of putting their home in jeopardy, despite financial institutions packaging them to avoid risk to clients’ ownership.

Their wariness is justified. Saving to own a home is a financially sound strategy because inflation works in the owners’ favour, gains are not subject to capital gains tax, it is not included in the asset test for the pension, and the value of the asset compounds each year. Furthermore there is an immediate and continuing benefit in not having to pay rent whereas money in  superannuation is locked away until retirement age, soon to be 70 years of age. Superannuation benefits are also eroded by inflation, and are greatly reduced in market collapses such as occurred in the 2008 global financial crisis.

Pros and cons of reverse mortgages

Borrowing against home equity, when unable to afford to pay off the debt, soon  sacrifices these benefits, as the debt compounds. Some retirees do not necessarily mind. They are happy to continue to spend what they have while they can, seeing no point in leaving an inheritance for their children. They reckon they have paid their taxes, and the state should look after them when their money is gone.

The state has a divided interest. On one hand they wish to cut the sky-rocketing cost of care as the population ages, with fewer workers to support the elderly.  They believe users should pay even if it means tapping into the money tied up in their home. On the other hand the cheapest option for aged care is to reduce accommodation costs by keeping them at home for as long as possible with the support of community services.

The Australian dream of home ownership is still strong, but it is becoming more unrealistic as prices climb. Many elderly Australians, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, have benefitted financially from windfall gains in the value of their homes in recent years making them asset rich but income poor. Reverse mortgages, sensibly structured to avoid forced selling, may be a solution for them, allowing them to pay their rates and continue to live at home.

It is not just the cost of remaining in the family home for the elderly that is limiting. There is the problem of health and physical vigour. Some frail pensioners live in squalor unnecessarily when if they sold their home they would have more than enough to live in comfortable retirement quarters with support when needed.

Pop-Star puts the family home on the market.

Pop-Star and Mrs Pop-Star, both not far off 80, have been mulling over these questions for some time, and a few months ago decided to shift into a retirement village after finding a unit that suited their needs.

Australian retirees have many quality options. Most conform to a high standard, resembling tourist resorts, with recreational and entertaining facilities. The social advantages of communal living, and the safety of a gated compound are other benefits. It is also appealing to know that maintenance will be attended to even when away.

It is helpful if there is a nursing home nearby so that it is easier to visit a partner who has to be admitted. Most facilities provide community care in one’s own unit when required, but this is not always adequate for example should one have a stroke. The village Pop-Star has selected also has a dementia unit.

Points worth considering when making decisions about one’s future. 

Keep your family informed. They may be affected, and could be most helpful.

Many elderly are negative and are adamant they will not move.  They should think of the many positive considerations.

Some units may be too expensive with operators setting prices above what may be realised from selling the family home. Cheaper options could be available.

It is important to read the fine print in contracts, and it may be worth the fee to have a solicitor scan and interpret the documents before signing.

Moving into a retirement village invariably impacts upon one’s financial status. Centrelink will need to be informed, and they can help with financial advice if needed.

 

Best wishes to all retirees in their enjoyment of life be it in their own home, or in a retirement village.