Families pitch in at NoosaCare

AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

For the first time in NoosaCare’s proud history, the notfor-profit provider on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast found it was unable to fill shifts. Not just a product of COVID-19, but also the result of people seeking better pay rates in other industries, the workforce crisis meant NoosaCare had to innovate to be able to continue to offer their residents the same level of quality care.

Fortunately, Megan D’Elton says thinking outside the box is something they do best.

“We realised that COVID-19 is something we have to live with for a very long time, and coupled with that, workforce challenges are not going to be resolved anytime soon,” said Megan. During the Omicron outbreak earlier this year, the new volunteer team members were onboarded with infection prevention and control training; donning and doffing Personal Protective Equipment; and training in manual handling support.

The assistance from trained volunteers meant staff could dedicate themselves to providing high-level skilled support, particularly in the area of clinical care.

Beyond the outbreak, volunteer family members are continuing to assist with domestic duties and feeding their loved one, helping them with personal care, and providing emotional support. Where a greater level of care is required, such as with hoists or toileting, staff members step in.

Volunteers also, depending upon their wishes, take other residents for walks in the gardens, take hot box trolleys back to

“We understood surge workforce was not easily accessible, and we were struggling to find employees to fill our base roster.

“We came up with an idea and implemented it within about three weeks, and the results speak for themselves, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

At NoosaCare, families have always been integrated into the model of care, so the idea to formalise that arrangement through the Families Assisting with Care Program was a natural progression.

It began with asking residents’ families to complete an expression of interest, indicating whether they would like to assist with providing care and domestic duties for their loved one, and to indicate whether they would like to assist other residents as well.

NoosaCare received an incredible response, with over 45 families indicating their desire to help across their two sites at Carramar and Kabara, which support 261 residents. NoosaCare is proud of its tradition of family engagement. Pictured at NoosaCare’s Dementia Living Community are Patricia Payten with her son David and daughterin-law Jo, who help out when they can.

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the kitchen, put laundry away, and clean and sweep communal areas.

“At NoosaCare, we’ve always encouraged families to participate in the day-to-day life of their loved ones, and having volunteers help with domestic duties means our qualified staff can focus on their important roles; it’s proved really valuable for residents, families and staff,” said Megan.

“With the workforce challenges we face today as an industry, this model of volunteer support could be part of the bigger picture solution.

“But we also need to value workers a lot more than we do. The level of pay for aged care staff must be commensurate with the work they do, and the valuable contribution they make to older people, their families, and our wider community.

“It’s time aged care workers stop being viewed as the bridesmaid.”

For now, it’s the family members who truly understand the love and care that staff give to their loved ones. “We get so many messages of thanks and support from our residents’ families,” said Megan.

“We even have a resident’s daughter, who is a Registered Nurse living in New South Wales, who says she wants to join us because she is so appreciative of the care we provide to her mum, and wants to give back.

“Although the start of 2022 has been challenging for all of us, I am very proud of our team and how, with the support of our community, we have worked hard to mitigate issues associated with an outbreak. The resilience shown by everyone has demonstrated how genuinely strong we are together.

“We’re so grateful for the NoosaCare community, and we’re really proud of everyone who has pitched in to lend their support.”

Linda Baraciolli is Communications Advisor and Fusion Editor, Leading Age Services Australia. For more information visit noosacare.com.au

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