The CEO of Shepparton Villages, Veronica Jamison, writes a regular weekly column in The Shepparton Adviser. Look out for it each week if you live in the circulation area.
Below are reprints of previously published columns. More to follow soon – we update regularly.
27/05/2026
Last week in this column I answered a question people often ask us about how much independence they can truly have in an ‘Independent Living Unit’, or ILU, at a retirement village. In broad terms the answer I gave was that you can be as independent as you want, subject of course to things like […]
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20/05/2026
Last week in this column I talked about the importance of being ready for “the aged care journey”. By this I meant understanding a little about thesystems and processes you may need to deal with for yourself or for a loved one when the need arises. That way you can feel more confident and in […]
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13/05/2026
Are you ready? There comes a time in many people’s lives when they realise they can’t continue living the way they have always done. It can be time to make changes. Maybe just small changes, or perhaps something bigger. That can be a little scary. Originally published in the Shepparton Advertiser – View PDF here
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06/05/2026
A welcome bit of news recently was hearing that people who use Support at Home programs funded by the Australian Government will now have the cost of showers covered by their support plans, with no co-contribution needed. Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF here
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29/04/2026
I never cease to be impressed by the imagination and energy that comes out of the Leisure & Lifestyle teams at Shepparton Villages. There’s always so much going on! Each of our three residential homes has an active program of leisure and lifestyle activities to cater for residents of all abilities. Originally published in the […]
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22/04/2026
Last week in this column I talked about the importance of staying aware of the risks that are still out there from COVID and influenza, particularly as the cooler weather sets in. And I mentioned that Shepparton Villages encourages all of its staff to take advantage of free vaccinations for both flu and COVID that […]
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15/04/2026
It’s that time of year again as daylight saving time is well behind us and the days continue to get shorter and cooler. This means it’s also the time for more respiratory and other seasonal illnesses to begin rearing their heads again. Two in particular stand out: influenza and COVID. Yes, COVID! It’s a word […]
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08/04/2026
One of the hot topics in aged care these days is the need to offer opportunities for more older people to continue living in their own homes. Governments are encouraging it, and more families and older people themselves are stating it as a preference. Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF here
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01/04/2026
At Shepparton Villages we always like to make a fuss about anyone turning 100 years of age. It’s such a wonderful milestone, and offers a symbol of longevity and resilience for all of us to respect and aspire to achieve for ourselves. One interesting sign of the times is that an event like that was […]
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29/03/2026
An interesting aspect of ongoing change happening in the aged care sector is the increasing demand for training, retraining and continuing professional development to meet ever-rising standards of care. This is a good thing, of course, but not without its challenges. By definition, the very people on staff who are most in demand to provide […]
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25/03/2026
Especially in the world we live in today. Should be more of it. That’s why Shepparton Villages was delighted last week to get behind Harmony Week, an annual national event intended to help encourage appreciation, goodwill and mutual respect between people of different backgrounds. Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF here
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04/03/2026
Did you know? … that if you miss seeing this column in the wonderful Shepparton Adviser, you can find copies of previous columns saved onto our website? These columns touch on a wide range of topics, including things that members of the public often ask us about aged care matters that are on their minds. […]
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25/02/2026
Shepparton Villages is blessed to have the support of regular volunteers who make a real difference in the lives of the residents across all three of our residential facilities. Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF here
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18/02/2026
Last week I mentioned that we’ve all been very excited at Shepparton Villages to receive survey results telling us that close to 90 per cent of our aged care residents are satisfied or very satisfied with the food and dining experience they get to enjoy. Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF here
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11/02/2026
We live in a world of numbers: some are good to know about, others are not so good. But this week Shepparton Villages has been seeing some delightful numbers that we’re welcoming with open arms. Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF here
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04/02/2026
Holidays are over now for most of us. Kids are back at school. It’s an opportunity for many people to turn their attention back to other matters – including longer-term things that might have been left sitting on the “to do” list for quite some time! Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF […]
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28/01/2026
Sadly, too many Victorians have suffered during the recent bushfires that struck parts of the State so severely. The after-effects will be felt for a long time, with continuing support and compassion needed for all those who have been innocent victims. Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF here
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21/01/2026
We’ve had a scorching start so far to 2026. Our thoughts are with our fellow Victorians who have been impacted by the recent fires across the State. Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser – View PDF here
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14/01/2026
If you’ve been around on this earth long enough, you’ll know it’s not wise to make too many new year resolutions. Too easy to make and just as easy to break! Originally published in Shepparton Advertiser – View PDF here.
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17/12/2025
The Christmas and New Year period for many people is a highlight of the year – bringing loved ones from far and wide to share gifts, enjoy special food and drink and, most important of all, spend precious time together. For some though the festive season can bring a range of mixed emotions, depending on […]
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10/12/2025
Last week in this column I talked about the evils of ageism – that sorry state of mind which causes some people to disregard the rights and needs and concerns of older people. This week I’d like to focus more on what we can actually do about it. No older person likes to be patronised, […]
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03/12/2025
We hear a lot about social ills like sexism and racism – and perhaps rightly so – but one thing we hear a lot less about is the phenomenon of ageism. It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and nor is it particularly easy to spell! It doesn’t look quite right however you spell it. […]
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26/11/2025
With the festive season approaching once more, it’s worth reflecting on the fact that Christmas can be a time of sadness and loneliness for some. It’s natural that many of us will reflect on life towards the end of each year and some may feel regret over what they see as the shortcomings of relationships […]
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19/11/2025
It’s a relief to many people to learn that standards in aged care are getting higher these days, and that the aged care sector is being regulated more closely than in times gone by. With an ageing population, it’s critical that we all feel able to choose reputable aged care providers, and ideally ones we […]
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12/11/2025
It can be daunting knowing where to begin in planning for aged care needs, whether it’s for yourself or a member of your family. The friendly team at Shepparton Villages are always willing to have a chat about the options available – from support you can receive to stay living in your own home, through […]
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05/11/2025
A Code that brings comfort. Last week I talked here about the Aged Care Code of Conduct, a new Code that spells out what people in aged care are entitled to expect from their aged care providers, backed by law. The Code recognises a right to freedom of expression, a right to be treated with […]
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29/10/2025
Aged Care Code of Conduct – what’s that? Did you know that people working in the aged care sector need to abide by a Code of Conduct? Well, they do. This code comes on top of all the normal rules and laws that apply when a person is in a position of responsibility for the […]
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22/10/2025
More support at home? Yes please! There’s been a lot of attention given to the new strengthened quality standards standards that are coming in from 1 November for aged care. Some good news is that as part of this change, some of the services many people receive in their own homes may be funded or […]
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15/10/2025
The countdown’s on! Important changes are happening right across the Australian aged care industry as care providers move to meet new requirements expected of them under the Aged Care Act 2024. The provisions of this new Act kick in officially from 1 November – that’s only a couple of weeks away… Originally published in the […]
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08/10/2025
These days there seem to be a lot of special days and weeks that happen through the year. Last week, for example, had International Day of Older Persons (1 October), supported by the United Nations. Coming up soon will be National Carers Week (12-18 October), honouring and celebrating the essential and valuable work undertaken by […]
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01/10/2025
Shepparton Villages has been working closely with the Maggie Beer Foundation this year on a journey of continuous improvement to the food and dining experience that we offer residents at our three residential aged care communities in and around Shepparton. With expert help, and regular food surveys and sampling amongst residents at our Maculata Place […]
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25/09/2025
Big changes are happening in Aged Care around the nation – and that includes here in Shepparton! A whole raft of new requirements are coming in as part of a new aged Care Act that takes effect from 1 November. These requirements are built on a set of seven new (strengthened) Standards that all providers […]
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17/09/2025
Welcome to the first instalment of what we hope will be regular column. You may know Shepparton Villages has been around for well over half a century now as a pioneer and a leading provider of retirement living in this part of the world – enjoying strong community roots… Originally published in the Shepparton Adviser […]
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