Social History Form
Name: / Russell Smart / DOB: / 6 June 1916Marital status: / Widower / Languages spoken: / English
Country of birth: / Australia / Years in Australia: / Born in Australia
Current living arrangements: / Residential high care nursing home / Previous address(s): / 15 Collingwood Place, Geelong, VIC
Relevant family details:
Partner: Anne. Deceased 1998.
Children: Paul, Matthew Jennifer.
Siblings : Stephen, Judith.
Closest relative: Paul (son).
Religion/spiritual affiliation and celebrations observed:
– Catholic
Life experiences:
– Played AFL locally.
– War service (WWII). Army Private and then Sergeant.
Education:
Left school at 14 to help parents in small goods shop.
Past occupation(s):
– Small good (grocery) shop assistant for 4 years.
– Motor mechanic after war.
– Army.
War service:
– WWII. Member of RSL now.
Achievements, challenges and major events:
Enjoyed woodwork – made toys for local preschools and children’s hospitals. Good at crosswords and card games. Won pennants for bowls.
Future directions/goals:
Would like to see AFL played again. Would like to go to church. Wants to give up smoking (or reduce from 50 a day).
Group and/or club memberships:
RSL.
Group participation preferences:
– individual activities.
Favourite TV and radio programs (past and present).
– Old cowboy movies
– TV/radio quiz shows. Past: Bob Dyer’s Pick-A-Box, Sale of the Century
– TV/radio quiz shows. Present: Who Wants to be A Millionaire, Wheel of Fortune,
The Price Is Right, ABC Radio National Quiz.
Travel experience:
– Australia: Victoria to Sydney
– Overseas: only in WWII.
Personal skills and abilities:
– woodwork
– cards
– jigsaw puzzles
– crossword puzzles
– empowered
– good natured and friendly.
Communication skills:
– conversation: prefers male company and not being in crowds.
– understanding spoken English: yes
– able to read: yes
– able to write: yes.
Physical health:
– emphysema (15 years)
– circulation to L leg v. poor
– gangrene L little toe
– amputation R leg below knee at 60 years of age (in care since then)
– wheelchair.
Mental health:
– Generally good mental health.
– Nervy and anxious at a younger age after war but since doctor suggested smoking he stopped being anxious and nervy.
– Cheerful and sociable despite extreme ill health.
– Staff report Russell to be vibrant and endearing.
Leisure activities / Checklist / Group/individual / Notes
Art (painting, sculpture, photography. Pottery)
Beauty care, massage
Bingo
Book club, reading, writing, poetry
Card/board games / ** / I and G / Prefers male company.
Collecting (antiques, stamps, coins)
Cooking
Craft (sewing, knitting, quilting, folk art)
Crosswords / ** / Individual
Dancing
Dining out
Discussions / ** / Small groups / Males mostly.
Gardening
Health, yoga, meditation
Interior design
Jigsaws
Lawn/indoor bowls / ** / Small groups / Mixed sexes ok.
Music/drama/choir
Opera
Picnics
Radio programs
Reading / ** / Individual / Men’s magazines
RSL clubs etc / ** / I and G / Drinking and socialising with mates.
Socials
Sport (walking, swimming, tennis, volleyball)
Sports club: volleyball, walking group
Stock market
Theatre/cinema/gallery/museum
Travel experiences/interests
TV viewing – current affairs, sports, serials / ** / Individual / Sports
Using computers, email, internet, chat rooms
Volunteering
Wine making/tasting
Woodwork / ** / Individual
Writing (journal, newsletter, short stories, book)
Educational activities:
• Architecture
• Art History
• Computers
• Engineering
• History
• Languages
• Literature
• Music history
• Philosophy
• Political studies
• Psychology
• Science / **
** / I and G
I
Other: / ** / Individual / Trade – reading about motor mechanics