MSWA

MSWA CLIENT GREEN IS THE COLOUR “Plants are a calming influence,” explains Eric Hatch, who lives in one of MSWA’s high-support accommodation units in Butler. “You don’t necessarily need the full-scale garden, but just to sit quietly and commune with plants. It helps. You’ll get to that calm state, and that’s all you need.” Eric explains that he found the move to high-support accommodation last year quite tough, but his MS had reached the point where he was no longer able to do things by himself. To help with the transition, he has been mindfully adding greenery to his patio space. “At my house in Forrestfield, I had an outdoor area with a huge pergola, with hanging baskets and palms under a solid roof so I could spend the whole year out in the fresh air.” In his new accommodation, Eric is adapting to having less space to work with and says it’s taken a bit of trial and error to get the right plants growing in the north of Perth climate. “Nothing happens quickly,” he explains. “And everything got knocked about a bit in the heatwave.” His current favourites are the climbers on the wall, which are recent additions. “The staff here help me with maintenance, but you can minimise that to a fair degree. You’ll notice everything is automatic – pipes and sprinklers. “To me, it’s important to be able to access something like this. Plus, music,” says Eric, revealing his favourite band is Pink Floyd. “My generation was brought up on a lot of good stuff.” For Eric, plants and music are linked to meditation. “If you come and sit in greenery, you’re turning your mind off, and you are basically meditating. Sitting out on your patio having a coffee, beer, whatever – you’re finding calm. I’ve noticed people don’t call it meditation, but who cares what it’s called? It’s just a tool to help you.” 18

NURSING COVID-19 VACCINATION AND YOU This information is general in nature. You should always seek advice from your GP and / or neurologist, who knows you well and can answer specific questions about COVID-19 vaccinations and any specific treatments you are receiving and any timing implications. Primary course of vaccination and boosters: What does that mean? It is important to understand the difference between a primary course of vaccination and a booster dose. The primary course of vaccination consists of the minimum number of doses to achieve the desired immune response. In clinical trials for COVID-19, this was demonstrated to be two doses of vaccine given between 3 and 12 weeks apart, depending on the type of vaccination eg, Pfizer or Astra Zeneca. For some people, who are immuno-compromised, this primary course could be three doses. It has now been determined that a booster dose is necessary to provide adequate protection against COVID-19, and especially the Omicron variant. A booster vaccination is administered some time after the primary course of vaccination, to remind the body how to fight the virus; currently administered 3-4 months after the primary course of COVID-19 vaccination is completed (when capacity permits). Omicron variant. The new variant of COVID-19 was identified in Australia in late November 2021. Australian infectious disease experts and epidemiologists suggested at the time that Omicron might be a less potent, but more infectious strain of COVID-19. Cases have now escalated in the eastern states and around the world. WA: COVID-19 vaccinations, including the booster, are now mandatory in WA for most sectors and workplaces but especially the health, aged care and disability sectors. Restrictions SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN, MSCN are also in place now for those who are unvaccinated unless they have a legitimate exemption. For information and updates, go to the Health Department websites, in WA and the Federal site, as these are updated almost daily and provide vaccination advice and information and links for how to book your vaccination. healthywa.wa.gov.au health.gov.au or call the COVID helpline on 1800 020 080 – open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Health Direct have a handy COVID-19 restriction checker healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker - just select your state and the type of setting. 19