Enjoying eighty At 80 years old most people are winding down, enjoying a well-earned rest. Not so, however, for Northland support worker Rongo Curry who recently celebrated her 80th birthday. Having joined Access at the sprightly age of 69 in 2003, Rongo remains an inspiration, working day and night shifts 3-4 days every week. ‘I couldn’t have enjoyed turning eighty as much were it not for being able to continue working with Access,’ she says. ‘It keeps me active.’
We have been busy welcoming new staff and clients as we extend our presence in both ends of the country. After establishing our first base in Auckland, we have also expanded our operations in Otago. By taking over Howick Baptist Healthcare’s home support services we are now able to assist clients throughout the whole Auckland region. And our commitment to providing home-based support in the Southern area for over 60 years was reinforced recently when we took over the home support services of Mosgiel Abilities Resource Centre. This follows our purchase of Dunedin Home Support Services last year. Our priority has been to provide staff with job security, training and on-going opportunities, while ensuring clients continue to have the same quality services that they have come to expect. We look forward to bringing our 87 years of experience to help new clients, throughout New Zealand, maintain their independence.
Having completed my Level 2 and 3 and advanced Level 4 specialising in dementia, I’m keen to explore more spiritual studies so have a ‘day off’ a week to do a pastoral course with the Anglican Church. Being an active learner helps my brain so I don’t tend to get tired.’
“If you’re not 80, look forward to it”
Recounting her birthday celebration - attended at her Marae by over 100 people including her large and supportive family of seven children, 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren - she says her family are glad she still works. They see the benefits it brings to her sense of personal achievement and wellbeing. ‘I always say to people “don’t grow old before you are old”. Age can be as much about how you think as how you feel.’ When asked if she’ll ever give up her work she says, ‘Hopefully not. My body will tell me when to finish.’
When asked what she enjoys most about her work, she says, ‘I think a lot of my clients find I can relate to their stories and we are very compatible. We often converse about radio programmes, gardening or current affairs and it inspires us all to keep more active, both mentally and physically. I can see my clients twice a day and they look forward to having someone listen to them.’ Rongo parts with some surprising words, ‘If you’re not 80, look forward to it! I still have my driving licence, I go to the doctors regularly for check ups and this helps keep me able to do what I do. But at my age I’m free to do exactly what I want to do. And that’s no bad thing.’
That’s a fact! The number of people aged
over 50 in the workforce has risen more than 300% since 1986, according to Statistics New Zealand.
New trend in referrals Since we introduced online referrals for ACC patients requiring nursing care in their own homes, more and more clients are being referred to us by GPs at the click of a mouse. Our qualified nurses provide a wide range of services for ACC clients including wound care and medication management. The online forms are pre-formatted in a logical sequence, ensuring we gather all the information that ACC and our staff require. And they offer benefits over the traditional referral methods. The referrals we receive are less likely to have missing pieces of information and our staff don’t have to decipher someone else’s handwriting. However, if preferred, referral pads are available by contacting info@access.org.nz.
Client says “I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my two care givers. While each is as different as the sun and the moon, both bring me more than help but human contact too, as chronic illness isolates me from the outside world.” (Lester, client from Auckland living with terminal illness)
Follow Access Homehealth on social media to enjoy a closer connection
‘Like’ us on Facebook
From the Chief Executive
Rongo is a credit to people of her age. Articulate, smart, witty, this former teacher of Home Economics for over 40 years is a great believer in always growing. ‘I feel like I’ve maybe reached a stage where I can stop growing physically and mentally.
Follow us on LinkedIn
If your details have now changed please do let us know by dropping us an email at info@access.org.nz. Access Homehealth National Office. Level 8, Willbank House, 57 Willis St. Wellington, 6011 PO Box 12657, Thorndon, Wellington 6144 www.access.org.nz
Graeme Titcombe
Ameri-care It’s not often our care co-ordinators are asked to arrange care for clients who live thousands of kilometers away on the other side of the Pacific. However, this wasn’t a confused caller, but a lady from the USA, who wanted to visit Hanmer Springs, near Christchurch, with her husband to see their son and daughter-in-law. Shelley Pisoni suffers with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) meaning getting around can be extremely difficult. She wanted her husband and son to be able to spend time outdoors without worrying about her - that’s where Access came to her rescue.
‘From my first contact the service was handled quickly and efficiently by helpful staff, who were professional, competent, reliable and friendly. I couldn’t be happier and will certainly take advantage of your wonderful service in the future!’
Care is just a call away
‘Having MS makes my life a challenge and yet Access made my vacation a huge success! Thanks to personal assistance, my husband and son could share time fishing without worrying about me feeling uncomfortable. If we hadn’t found Access those precious hours and shared family memories would never have happened and we wouldn’t have been able to visit your amazing country.’
For reassurance, or to get a break from caring, many people arrange care for a loved one directly with us. Some also purchase additional hours of support worker assistance to ‘top up’ any government funded support that the family member is eligible for. These services can all be arranged without a referral. Just get in touch via 0800 284 663 and ask about our private services.
Home pages Winter 2014
From cook to carer Sheree French knows how it feels to be the victim of redundancy, supporting her family through difficult times. However, this 31-yearold mother of two took advantage of an opportunity when at a crossroads last year.
Sheree’s honesty illustrates the challenges faced by each one of Access’s 3,800 support workers. Having previously completed a Level 2 Foundation certificate in care she was given the opportunity to develop and advance to Level 3 focusing on Medication and Level 4 in Dementia, delivered by Amida. ‘Joining Access has been one of the best decisions I’ve made and working for them just makes me want to do it even more. They actively encourage you to study, offering free courses that give you a broader range of higher needs clients as you progress.’
“I found the idea of home care scary”
‘I’d been working as a cook and cleaner in a rest home, but had always had a passion to work with the elderly in more of a caring role.’ With bills to pay she couldn’t afford the luxury of retraining to change career in pursuit of her passion. ‘Whilst out of work I jumped at the chance to join the Training for Work programme (delivered by Access Homehealth subsidiary Amida Training) offered by the Ministry of Social Development. This led me to join Access as a support worker. Truth be I found the idea of home care scary. The worry of my safety with unknown or unfamiliar lifestyles and going into a stranger’s home.
‘However I believe you shouldn’t judge something you haven’t tried. Thank god I did try. I was given an inspiring and patient mentor in former nurse Geraldine (above right), who guided me through the pitfalls with hands-on training, introduced me to some very high needs clients and taught me everything. I experienced my first death - very hard when you build strong bonds. I had to learn the boundaries too, learning to say ‘no’ when asked to do things I’m not meant to.’
However, Sheree’s success story doesn’t end there. The next step in her new career is a Level 4 Certificate in Foundation Nursing. ‘We are very proud of Sheree, who is one of our highest praised support workers.’ says Access Regional Manager Jo Kara, ‘Her energy is amazing. We will support her with the time off she needs to achieve her pre-requisite to a nursing degree.’ Sheree adds, ‘The flexibility has been a huge help in supporting me towards my Bachelor of Nursing, my ultimate goal. I’m so glad I took this chance and didn’t miss out. As a chef I had no social life, no interaction with people, just the bustle and stress of a kitchen. Now I get to meet heaps of people, each with their own story, different cultures and religions and that makes me far richer than I was a year ago. I’ve started on a journey I once never thought possible.’
That’s a fact! In the first 6 months of 2014,
Amida provided free qualifications to help more than 230 support workers improve their careers.
Tikanga Maori
Complimentary kit
As part of our continued commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and support for Māori and Pacific Island clients we have produced our very own Tikanga Māori.
Our regional office and training centre in Mount Maunganui were the lucky recipients of a fantastic array of care and support equipment donated for use in training sessions with Access staff.
This educational pocket guide offers Access support workers details on Māori terms, cultural expectations and behaviours.
Forming a fundamental part of the new training facility the equipment includes a Medley Ergo electric bed, and a Softform Premier mattress kindly donated by Invacare. Also an Albatross® Electric Sit To Stand Hoist and an Eagle® 625 Full Body Mobile Patient Lifting Hoist were kindly donated by Cubro.
That’s a fact! Worldwide, nearly 35.6
million people live with dementia. This number is expected to double by 2030 (65.7 million) and more than triple by 2050 (115.4 million).
Access is a not-for-profit organisation and we wish to thank both companies for their generous support, which helps us ensure we deliver the best possible service with highly trained staff.
Functional fashion The home healthcare sector would hardly be the first port of call for trend setting in the fashionista world. However, we have broken this mould by ditching our traditional support workers’ polo shirts in favour of hi-tech tops in breathable, quick-dry, modern synthetic fibres. The new tops have proven a great hit; ‘Doing physical personal care can feel like a work out; lifting, bending, supporting and hoisting clients. We needed a uniform that was smart but importantly comfortable and durable - and we got just that,’ says support worker Melanie. Our community nurses have not been excluded in the apparel department, with new corporate shirts and blouses. As well as looking smart our staff are easily recognised when visiting clients.
An intimate glimpse into each other’s lives A support worker’s role is different from many other jobs. They have personal contact with their clients, close contact with their client’s families, and their workplace is their client’s home - a very important symbol of independence. And they carry the responsibility of providing care and support for people who are at a vulnerable stage of their life. Providing support is more than completing personal care and household tasks. Listening and communicating with clients is also an intrinsic, highly valued part of the job. When people are a bit down or perhaps have just lost a partner they need someone to talk to. For some, the support worker visit may be the only contact they have all week, especially in rural areas. Strong bonds can form between support workers and their clients. It is important that these relationships are carefully managed and treated as a ‘professional partnership’ and support role, rather than a personal friendship, which would be counterproductive for a client who is trying to restore independence. To protect both parties, our staff receive training about how to maintain professional boundaries without sacrificing the caring and supportive relationship they have with their client.
Help us access our past During a move for our Palmerston North office, we discovered some old briefcases, potentially dating to the 1950s and emblazoned with the logo for the Women’s Division Federated Farmers (now Rural Women NZ) who established the home care services known today as Access Homehealth. With our rich history dating back to 1927, when the early ‘bush nurses’ provided care across their communities, it got us wondering whether there is anyone out there whose relative may have worked as one of our early nurses or house keepers? If so we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch on 04 473 4886 or email info@access.org.nz.
Client says “Thank you for your support up to now and I can only hope my help in Australia is as nice and hard working!” (Former Access client now living in Australia)
From cook to carer Sheree French knows how it feels to be the victim of redundancy, supporting her family through difficult times. However, this 31-yearold mother of two took advantage of an opportunity when at a crossroads last year.
Sheree’s honesty illustrates the challenges faced by each one of Access’s 3,800 support workers. Having previously completed a Level 2 Foundation certificate in care she was given the opportunity to develop and advance to Level 3 focusing on Medication and Level 4 in Dementia, delivered by Amida. ‘Joining Access has been one of the best decisions I’ve made and working for them just makes me want to do it even more. They actively encourage you to study, offering free courses that give you a broader range of higher needs clients as you progress.’
“I found the idea of home care scary”
‘I’d been working as a cook and cleaner in a rest home, but had always had a passion to work with the elderly in more of a caring role.’ With bills to pay she couldn’t afford the luxury of retraining to change career in pursuit of her passion. ‘Whilst out of work I jumped at the chance to join the Training for Work programme (delivered by Access Homehealth subsidiary Amida Training) offered by the Ministry of Social Development. This led me to join Access as a support worker. Truth be I found the idea of home care scary. The worry of my safety with unknown or unfamiliar lifestyles and going into a stranger’s home.
‘However I believe you shouldn’t judge something you haven’t tried. Thank god I did try. I was given an inspiring and patient mentor in former nurse Geraldine (above right), who guided me through the pitfalls with hands-on training, introduced me to some very high needs clients and taught me everything. I experienced my first death - very hard when you build strong bonds. I had to learn the boundaries too, learning to say ‘no’ when asked to do things I’m not meant to.’
However, Sheree’s success story doesn’t end there. The next step in her new career is a Level 4 Certificate in Foundation Nursing. ‘We are very proud of Sheree, who is one of our highest praised support workers.’ says Access Regional Manager Jo Kara, ‘Her energy is amazing. We will support her with the time off she needs to achieve her pre-requisite to a nursing degree.’ Sheree adds, ‘The flexibility has been a huge help in supporting me towards my Bachelor of Nursing, my ultimate goal. I’m so glad I took this chance and didn’t miss out. As a chef I had no social life, no interaction with people, just the bustle and stress of a kitchen. Now I get to meet heaps of people, each with their own story, different cultures and religions and that makes me far richer than I was a year ago. I’ve started on a journey I once never thought possible.’
That’s a fact! In the first 6 months of 2014,
Amida provided free qualifications to help more than 230 support workers improve their careers.
Tikanga Maori
Complimentary kit
As part of our continued commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and support for Māori and Pacific Island clients we have produced our very own Tikanga Māori.
Our regional office and training centre in Mount Maunganui were the lucky recipients of a fantastic array of care and support equipment donated for use in training sessions with Access staff.
This educational pocket guide offers Access support workers details on Māori terms, cultural expectations and behaviours.
Forming a fundamental part of the new training facility the equipment includes a Medley Ergo electric bed, and a Softform Premier mattress kindly donated by Invacare. Also an Albatross® Electric Sit To Stand Hoist and an Eagle® 625 Full Body Mobile Patient Lifting Hoist were kindly donated by Cubro.
That’s a fact! Worldwide, nearly 35.6
million people live with dementia. This number is expected to double by 2030 (65.7 million) and more than triple by 2050 (115.4 million).
Access is a not-for-profit organisation and we wish to thank both companies for their generous support, which helps us ensure we deliver the best possible service with highly trained staff.
Functional fashion The home healthcare sector would hardly be the first port of call for trend setting in the fashionista world. However, we have broken this mould by ditching our traditional support workers’ polo shirts in favour of hi-tech tops in breathable, quick-dry, modern synthetic fibres. The new tops have proven a great hit; ‘Doing physical personal care can feel like a work out; lifting, bending, supporting and hoisting clients. We needed a uniform that was smart but importantly comfortable and durable - and we got just that,’ says support worker Melanie. Our community nurses have not been excluded in the apparel department, with new corporate shirts and blouses. As well as looking smart our staff are easily recognised when visiting clients.
An intimate glimpse into each other’s lives A support worker’s role is different from many other jobs. They have personal contact with their clients, close contact with their client’s families, and their workplace is their client’s home - a very important symbol of independence. And they carry the responsibility of providing care and support for people who are at a vulnerable stage of their life. Providing support is more than completing personal care and household tasks. Listening and communicating with clients is also an intrinsic, highly valued part of the job. When people are a bit down or perhaps have just lost a partner they need someone to talk to. For some, the support worker visit may be the only contact they have all week, especially in rural areas. Strong bonds can form between support workers and their clients. It is important that these relationships are carefully managed and treated as a ‘professional partnership’ and support role, rather than a personal friendship, which would be counterproductive for a client who is trying to restore independence. To protect both parties, our staff receive training about how to maintain professional boundaries without sacrificing the caring and supportive relationship they have with their client.
Help us access our past During a move for our Palmerston North office, we discovered some old briefcases, potentially dating to the 1950s and emblazoned with the logo for the Women’s Division Federated Farmers (now Rural Women NZ) who established the home care services known today as Access Homehealth. With our rich history dating back to 1927, when the early ‘bush nurses’ provided care across their communities, it got us wondering whether there is anyone out there whose relative may have worked as one of our early nurses or house keepers? If so we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch on 04 473 4886 or email info@access.org.nz.
Client says “Thank you for your support up to now and I can only hope my help in Australia is as nice and hard working!” (Former Access client now living in Australia)
Enjoying eighty At 80 years old most people are winding down, enjoying a well-earned rest. Not so, however, for Northland support worker Rongo Curry who recently celebrated her 80th birthday. Having joined Access at the sprightly age of 69 in 2003, Rongo remains an inspiration, working day and night shifts 3-4 days every week. ‘I couldn’t have enjoyed turning eighty as much were it not for being able to continue working with Access,’ she says. ‘It keeps me active.’
We have been busy welcoming new staff and clients as we extend our presence in both ends of the country. After establishing our first base in Auckland, we have also expanded our operations in Otago. By taking over Howick Baptist Healthcare’s home support services we are now able to assist clients throughout the whole Auckland region. And our commitment to providing home-based support in the Southern area for over 60 years was reinforced recently when we took over the home support services of Mosgiel Abilities Resource Centre. This follows our purchase of Dunedin Home Support Services last year. Our priority has been to provide staff with job security, training and on-going opportunities, while ensuring clients continue to have the same quality services that they have come to expect. We look forward to bringing our 87 years of experience to help new clients, throughout New Zealand, maintain their independence.
Having completed my Level 2 and 3 and advanced Level 4 specialising in dementia, I’m keen to explore more spiritual studies so have a ‘day off’ a week to do a pastoral course with the Anglican Church. Being an active learner helps my brain so I don’t tend to get tired.’
“If you’re not 80, look forward to it”
Recounting her birthday celebration - attended at her Marae by over 100 people including her large and supportive family of seven children, 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren - she says her family are glad she still works. They see the benefits it brings to her sense of personal achievement and wellbeing. ‘I always say to people “don’t grow old before you are old”. Age can be as much about how you think as how you feel.’ When asked if she’ll ever give up her work she says, ‘Hopefully not. My body will tell me when to finish.’
When asked what she enjoys most about her work, she says, ‘I think a lot of my clients find I can relate to their stories and we are very compatible. We often converse about radio programmes, gardening or current affairs and it inspires us all to keep more active, both mentally and physically. I can see my clients twice a day and they look forward to having someone listen to them.’ Rongo parts with some surprising words, ‘If you’re not 80, look forward to it! I still have my driving licence, I go to the doctors regularly for check ups and this helps keep me able to do what I do. But at my age I’m free to do exactly what I want to do. And that’s no bad thing.’
That’s a fact! The number of people aged
over 50 in the workforce has risen more than 300% since 1986, according to Statistics New Zealand.
New trend in referrals Since we introduced online referrals for ACC patients requiring nursing care in their own homes, more and more clients are being referred to us by GPs at the click of a mouse. Our qualified nurses provide a wide range of services for ACC clients including wound care and medication management. The online forms are pre-formatted in a logical sequence, ensuring we gather all the information that ACC and our staff require. And they offer benefits over the traditional referral methods. The referrals we receive are less likely to have missing pieces of information and our staff don’t have to decipher someone else’s handwriting. However, if preferred, referral pads are available by contacting info@access.org.nz.
Client says “I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my two care givers. While each is as different as the sun and the moon, both bring me more than help but human contact too, as chronic illness isolates me from the outside world.” (Lester, client from Auckland living with terminal illness)
Follow Access Homehealth on social media to enjoy a closer connection
‘Like’ us on Facebook
From the Chief Executive
Rongo is a credit to people of her age. Articulate, smart, witty, this former teacher of Home Economics for over 40 years is a great believer in always growing. ‘I feel like I’ve maybe reached a stage where I can stop growing physically and mentally.
Follow us on LinkedIn
If your details have now changed please do let us know by dropping us an email at info@access.org.nz. Access Homehealth National Office. Level 8, Willbank House, 57 Willis St. Wellington, 6011 PO Box 12657, Thorndon, Wellington 6144 www.access.org.nz
Graeme Titcombe
Ameri-care It’s not often our care co-ordinators are asked to arrange care for clients who live thousands of kilometers away on the other side of the Pacific. However, this wasn’t a confused caller, but a lady from the USA, who wanted to visit Hanmer Springs, near Christchurch, with her husband to see their son and daughter-in-law. Shelley Pisoni suffers with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) meaning getting around can be extremely difficult. She wanted her husband and son to be able to spend time outdoors without worrying about her - that’s where Access came to her rescue.
‘From my first contact the service was handled quickly and efficiently by helpful staff, who were professional, competent, reliable and friendly. I couldn’t be happier and will certainly take advantage of your wonderful service in the future!’
Care is just a call away
‘Having MS makes my life a challenge and yet Access made my vacation a huge success! Thanks to personal assistance, my husband and son could share time fishing without worrying about me feeling uncomfortable. If we hadn’t found Access those precious hours and shared family memories would never have happened and we wouldn’t have been able to visit your amazing country.’
For reassurance, or to get a break from caring, many people arrange care for a loved one directly with us. Some also purchase additional hours of support worker assistance to ‘top up’ any government funded support that the family member is eligible for. These services can all be arranged without a referral. Just get in touch via 0800 284 663 and ask about our private services.
Home pages Winter 2014