“The staff have really gone above and beyond to decorate the home and make this long weekend as enjoyable as they can for residents and relatives,” Ms Farrer said.

“We have a makeshift beach, complete with real sand, a mini pool, a boxing kangaroo, a screening of the movie Crocodile Dundee and plenty of Slim Dusty and John Williamson songs.”

“We welcome the whole family to come down and celebrate this great day by taking part in the thong toss or our cooee competition while the kids have a splash in the pool,” she said.

Resident Francis Sternbaur said she was happy to have had input into the theme and is looking forward to judging the decorations along with her husband and friends in the home.

“I made a suggestion about having thongs hanging from the roof, but they ended up dangling from the trees instead," Mrs Sternbaur said.

“It is hard to pick a favourite decoration but I must say that I really like the beach and pool.”

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2) Why you should care about ‘phubbing’

3) A resident at our Pottsville home broke waves and barriers for women around the world

4) Bupa Blog Awards announced for 2018

5) A revolutionary robot is teaching Victorians with severe spinal and brain injuries how to walk again

6) Aged care staff in the spotlight - Dedication and the right attitude

7) Technology used for elite athletes is now aiding stroke patients in their rehabilitation

8) The magic of Meccano and its ability to help those living with Dementia

9) Meet Evelyn Bourke: From milking cows to running Bupa

10) BeYouAtBupa kicked off - here is the first person we interviewed

11) Study questions cannabis use for pain

12) Residents drive down memory lane

13) Australia launches biggest global music therapy trial

14) Wilhelmina celebrates her 110th birthday in style with tips from her daughter to living a long life

15) Rethinking obesity - Bupa Health Foundation tackles the tough topics

16) A GoPro + therapy dog + aged care home = just what the dogtor ordered

17) Bupa delivers lowest increase of the large insurers

Finished reading? Click here for more great reads.

Meet the aged care residents who travel more than you!

The best present this holiday period is presence.

This Portland home is full of Christmas cheer.

One of those students included Alysha Waye who had just finished her studies, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and Science at Monash University, Melbourne.

“Focusing on health and wellbeing is a very important part of my life.

“So, when I found out about the internship at Bupa through the Australian Network on Disability, it was very appealing being able to join a company that similarly focuses on health and care,” said Alysha.

Alysha was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015, and as a result, lives with an acquired brain injury that affects movement on the left-hand side of her body as well as being fatigued, at times, due to ongoing treatment.

“When I was first diagnosed, I really didn’t know what I was going to do, but I was determined that I would still work one day to use the skills and knowledge gained during my studies,” explains Alysha.

“I’d heard that some people with a similar diagnosis never worked again, but I was determined that wouldn’t be me.”

For Alysha, not working was simply not an option she wanted to consider.

“While not having to work may sound like freedom to some, what would you do every day that had a sense of purpose and would fulfil you?” asks Alysha.

Alysha started her internship at Bupa in the Health Insurance People, Change and Engagement team in January 2018 and a few months later moved to Intern in the People team with Bupa.

It wasn’t long before her skills were put to use helping to develop the foundations for an Access & Inclusion Action Plan, supporting the PACE mentoring program and being an active voice for Inclusion at Bupa.

“Globally, Bupa has a major focus on diversity and inclusion, and locally, we are aiming to create respectful and consistent best practice and become disability confident,” explains Carol Corzo, Head of Inclusion at Bupa.

Alysha has made such a mark during her internship that she has recently been successful in obtaining an Inclusion and Wellbeing Consultant role at Bupa.

“I’m really loving what I’m doing at Bupa around diversity and inclusion. It’s not about the money or job security, but it’s about knowing that in a small way I might be making a difference. And being part of such a diverse, inclusive and caring workplace makes me love coming in to work each day,” explains Alysha.

Outside of work and study, Alysha is also a strong advocate for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and has raised close to $10,000 through a number of fundraising initiatives such as assembling a team of close to 200 people to compete in the annual Cure Brain Cancer Foundation walk.

Alysha’s advice for people if they come across someone they think might have a disability?

“The best thing to do is simply ask a question about their wellbeing,” explains Alysha.

“Most people, like me, will be comfortable with their disability and will be able to talk about it. Try not to be insensitive, but ultimately, it’s better to ask the question and be curious, then to shut that person out and not engage at all for fear of offending. At the end of the day, everyone deserves the same level of dignity at work and that’s all we’re aiming for.”

Early in 2017, Bupa joined the Australian Network on Disability to help on the journey of becoming ‘disability confident’. Not only to ensure that services such as Bupa Therapy were best supporting the needs of people living with a disability, but to also help create a workplace that is inclusive for people with a diverse range of physical, cognitive and emotional needs.

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Little things can make a huge difference

This is the seventh year of the award which aims to highlight the important contribution early career researchers make toward improving health and healthcare for Australians.

The finalists have been recognised for their research in the following areas:

• Reducing hospital readmission and death after heart failure

• Reducing obesity through nutrition guidelines and programs in childcare centres

• Using technology to improve the physical and mental health of Australian adolescents

• Identifying new therapies for colorectal cancer using the immune system

Annette Schmiede, Bupa Health Foundation Executive Leader, said the entrants for this year’s awards were quite diverse.

“The role of the Foundation is not only to support research through funding and partnerships, but also to develop the capabilities, skills and networks of researchers to improve the translation of their findings to have real impact on health and care,” said Ms Schmiede.

The Bupa Health Foundation Emerging Health Researcher Award recipient will be announced on 5 December 2018, at an evening event in Melbourne.

Bupa Health Foundation 2018 Emerging Health Researcher Award Finalists

Dr Katrina Champion, Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, NDARC, University of New South Wales

Nominator: Professor Maree Teesson, Director, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use.

Research Area: Using technology to improve the physical and mental health of Australian adolescents

Dr Katrina Champion is currently working to reduce the risk of chronic disease in high school students by helping them to modify key lifestyle risk behaviours.

She has been working with a range of professionals and young people across Australia to develop a digital intervention that uses computers, smart phones and interactive cartoons to educate young people about six key risk behaviours that are associated with chronic disease. The big six risk behaviours are identified as: alcohol use, smoking, inactivity, poor sleep, poor diet and excessive recreational screen time.

Dr Champion will lead a trial to evaluate the Health4Life program among 8,000 Year 7 students across Australia to show if the intervention can improve both physical and mental health during adolescence and reduce risky behaviours before they become entrenched.

Dr Jennifer Huynh, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI)

Nominator: Professor Matthias Ernst, Scientific Director, ONJCRI

Research Area: Identifying new therapies for colorectal cancer using the immune system.

Dr Huynh has a keen interest in understanding how the immune system works and how cancer cells can evade detection by the immune response. She has discovered that a molecule produced in our bodies called IL-11 can drive the growth of tumours, by preventing the immune system from attacking and killing colorectal cancer cells.

Dr Huynh is currently actively working with clinicians, researchers and industry to develop and test drugs that can block IL-11 to deliver a new therapy for cancer patients.

With colorectal cancer being among the deadliest cancers, Dr Huynh’s work has the potential to have lasting impact on the survivorship of Australian’s suffering from colorectal cancer.

Dr Quan Huynh, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Nominator: Professor Tom Marwick, Director, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Research Area: Reducing hospital readmission and death after heart failure

Dr Quan Huynh has developed a risk assessment tool to predict patients who are at greater risk of readmission and death following heart failure. With this information cardiologists can target the appropriate interventions to those at high risk. This will not only improve prognosis for patients but will also reduce health care costs.

Dr Huynh has validated the tool with an Australia-wide sample of heart failure patients and his findings on the interventions are already being adopted into clinical practice. The next step for his research is to improve efficiency by integrating mobile technology into the care of heart failure patients after hospital discharge. This model of care also has promising potential to help solve the barriers of those living in rural or remote areas.

Dr Serene Yoong, University of Newcastle

Nominator: Associate Professor Luke Wolfenden, MHMRC Career Development Fellow, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle

Research Area: Reducing obesity through nutrition guidelines and programs in childcare centres

Dr Yoong’s background as a behavioural scientist and experienced dietician has led to her research to help prevent obesity in children by implementing effective nutrition guidelines and programs in childcare centres.

Dietary habits are established in early childhood and can persist into adulthood, so by educating the childcare centres and giving them the right tools, knowledge, resources and support, Dr Yoong aims to reduce the burden of obesity. Dr Yoong is actively applying her research by engaging with end-users to deliver effective and scalable strategies targeting an important population group.

In addition to the four finalists, four outstanding nominees have been recognised with Commendation Awards and will receive a $1,000 prize.

• Dr Jing Jing Wang, Flinders University of South Australia

• Dr Natalie Bradford, Queensland University of Technology

• Dr Annmarie Hosie, University of Technology Sydney

• Dr Bridget Kelly, School of Health and Society and Early Start, University of Wollongong

Previous Emerging Health Researcher Award winners:

2017 Dr Amanda McCullough, Bond University

2016 Associate Professor Gail Garvey, Menzies School of Health Research

2015 Dr Gabrielle McCallum, Menzies School of Health Research.

2014 Dr Greg Ebert, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

2013 Dr Andy Hsu, Peter McCallum Cancer Centre

2012 Dr Priya Sumithran, University of Melbourne

More information on the Bupa Health Foundation and Emerging Researcher Awards

The Bupa Health Foundation is one of Australia’s leading corporate foundations dedicated to health. We are committed to improving the health of the Australian community and ensuring the sustainability of affordable healthcare through collaborative partnerships.

The Bupa Health Foundation was established in 2005 and has invested more than $30million to support over 120 projects in real health and care improvements.

The Emerging Health Researcher Awards is celebrating its sixth anniversary after being established in 2012.

For more information please visit www.bupa.com.au/foundation.

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Advancing Australia's healthcare system

Just like we protect our skin from the harsh UV rays by wearing hats, clothing and sunscreen, it’s important we protect our eyes too.

According to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) wearing sunglasses is an effective method of sun protection and reduces the risk of damage to your eyes.

There are five categories of lenses that help classify the level of protection for sunglasses that meet the Australian standard against solar UVR.

• Lens category 0: Fashion spectacles - not sunglasses - very low sun glare reduction - some UV protection

• Lens Category 1: Fashion spectacles - not sunglasses - limited sun glare reduction - some UV protection

• Lens category 2: Sunglasses: medium sun glare reduction and good UV protection

• Lens category 3: Sunglasses - high sun glare reduction and good UV protection

• Lens category 4: Special purpose sunglasses – very high glare reduction and good UV protection – not suitable for road use and driving

Low-quality and non-compliant sunglasses may absorb light but allow UV radiation through, which can actually be more dangerous for people than if they were to wear no sunglasses.

Karen Makin, Bupa Optometrist and Optometric Services Manager says that when you’re selecting a new pair of sunglasses, although the look may be important to you, it’s vital to check the category.

“If you’re outdoors playing sport and can wear sunglasses, consider category 3 or 4 for ultimate protection, especially if you’re outdoors for an extended period of time.

“Make sure to use a combination of UV protection measures outside including wearing sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen and staying in the shade where possible.

“If you’re unsure of what sunglasses you need for certain outdoor activities, talk to your optometrist or sunglass specialist in-store, to help you choose the right pair,” said Ms Makin.

Bupa Optical sells both category two and three sunglasses, which provide a good level of UV protection and medium to high level of sun glare protection and prescription sunglasses for those who need prescription lenses to improve their vision.

Bupa Optical currently stock over 15 sunglass brands in store.

Visit one of our stores across Australia or visit bupaoptical.com.au to find out more.

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Ms Roxon, Health Minister in the Rudd and Gillard Governments (2007-2011) was speaking at a Bupa Health Foundation event in Sydney to discuss the future of healthcare in Australia.

Innovation, in the form of disruption- and where to find it- was a key theme of the panel conversation.

“Because of the way our system works, the disrupters could actually be completely outside the health professions,” said Ms Roxon.

Ms Roxon warned the audience, which was largely made up of health industry professionals that they needed to give ground to each other so consumers didn’t go for quick fixes in the absence of major health reforms.

“We already spend a huge amount of money on non-pills and vitamins for a whole range of things. The worry is that disrupter could actually be more damaging than a more modest disruption that would actually require people to give up a bit more territory.”

She was joined by Dr Michael Wooldridge, Health Minister in the Howard government (1996-2001) Bupa’s Managing Director of Health Insurance, Dr Dwayne Crombie, and ABC broadcaster Dr Norman Swan.

“I think the key question is to figure out what is the problem and what are you trying to fix,” said Dr Wooldridge. “I think the health funds could be the disrupters if they were allowed to.”

“But they’re not allowed to at the moment and they’re not rewarded for being disrupters,” said Dr Wooldridge.

“The challenge inside the healthcare system, especially around more integrated care is to find ways to continuously adapt and innovate that don’t require big bang changes or major political reform,” said Dr Crombie.

Ms Roxon pointed to major reforms health reforms like Medicare, Medibank and tobacco controls, stressing a wide coalition is needed.

“The sorts of success on areas where there have been big reforms you’ve all the stakeholders wanting the same thing, so tobacco control (for example) that was relatively simple in a way because everyone agrees about the harms of tobacco and all sorts of unusual partners everyone agreed to do it.”

“I think we need to build the platform for what are the things that these unusual partnerships all want, because governments can’s make it happen if there isn’t enough agreement amongst these very difficult stakeholders all want.” said Ms Roxon.

At the centre of the discussion was keeping the consumer at the centre of all change.

Bupa Health Foundation chief, Annette Schmiede, reminded the audience to advocate for the consumer in the complexity of our current system.

“Any change has got to consider the current reality: how our structures currently are, what arrangements are in place, the public-private mix, what should that be, how we finance healthcare, the role of private health insurance, how we pay for services, the under-resourcing of prevention, priority driven research, the list goes on. But at the end of the day, the system needs to work for all consumers,” she said.

“I want us to talk about the outcomes for people and work out how all the different bits of the system can deliver that,” said Ms Roxon.

Dr Crombie outlined current and future challenges for the health system: the importance of the first 1000 days of life; obesity as the leading cause of ill health; and social isolation.

“If you ponder how we might address these three big issues it is not hard to see that strategies and programmes to proactively manage them up front do not occupy much of the time or resources of the traditional health system.

“All require an ‘investment’ mindset with long lead times to show change (10+ years). All require complex behavioural, cultural and social change, there isn’t a magic bullet (or pill) to fix them,” said Dr Crombie.

Bupa’s Information Services and Digital teams recently came together to give innovation a ‘jump start’ at our inaugural InSpire Day event.

See how Bupa is inspiring innovation and creativity and transforming the way we work.

While innovation can range from improving our daily processes to creating a new business model, InSpire Day focused on how we can change our mindset and ways of working so that we’re not afraid to bring our ideas to life.

The 24-hour challenge, saw over 14 teams deliver their pitch and work on solutions they thought would be 'Better for Bupa'. Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence were some common themes, with all teams aiming to improve our customer and people experiences.

Wallace Yim, Head of IS Strategy and Architecture, shared his thoughts on the day.

Bupa employee Brett Eitzen, was thrilled with his team's success, saying, "It was fantastic to be part of a team working on a customer problem, and to have the opportunity to use technology to do things differently."

The team now feel inspired and understand the importance of bringing innovative thinking to our everyday work; learning some new technologies and, finally, getting to know each other a little better.

Thanks to Microsoft, DXC, Optus and Avanade who were also on hand to offer support.