AMANA LIFE KEEPING YOU INFORMED OF AMANA LIVING NEWS, VIEWS AND EVENTS
NO 47 SPRING 2013
Contents Amana Living Initiatives Recognised........................2 Party Goes with a Swing......3 Delivering Top Class Meals.......................4 RayGlickman.com Goes Live..........................4 Housing Innovation Stays Ahead of Change................5 Bequeathing a Healthy Planet...................5 Two Villages Mark 40 Years...........................6 Stage 3 of Treendale Begins..............................6 Dementia No Barrier to Artistic Talent.....................7 Wii World Cup Winners........7 Turning 100.......................7 Pastoral Care Team Grows......................8 Amana Living’s Anglican Roots...................8 Long-serving Staff Awarded...........................9 Hawaiian CFO Joins Board.......................9 Staff Profile..................... 10 McCusker Nurse Service Set to Expand.................. 11 Volunteers Are Happier – Another Reason to Give.... 11 A publication of AMANA LIVING 541 Hay Street, Subiaco WA 6008 P 1300 26 26 26 F (08) 9388 3142 ABN 45 582 438 433
Amana Living believes the people who made us who we are today deserve to be properly looked after in their later years: Referral Coordinator, Leonie Demunck, with client Cody Williams. Photo: Leon Shaffer.
New Government, New Hope CEO Ray Glickman calls on the new Federal Government to add its weight of support to the work being done by providers such as Amana Living. Aged and community care is, to all intents and purposes, controlled by the Federal Government in Canberra. The Government sets the key policies and determines the level of funding that will support the care and accommodation Amana Living provides. Federal politics has not covered itself in glory in recent years, but there are reasons to be optimistic. A new government, elected with a stable majority, will surely be in a position to take a longer-term view on important social issues such as the ageing of the population. Despite the tumult in Canberra of late, a start has been made on addressing some of the critical challenges of our time.
A new approach to disability care has been agreed by all levels of government, and arguably a better-funded approach to education has emerged. We are hoping that aged and community care will now become a major focus for the Federal Government. We recognise that funding will be tight, but governments in Australia cannot afford to bury their heads in the sand any longer. Somehow or other, the health, housing and care needs of older Australians will have to be met. At Amana Living, we are active and vocal in fighting for a better deal for older people. At the same time, we are always prepared to roll up our sleeves and make the best of what we have. continued over...
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We are working hard to expand our home care services and to extend support to those living in our retirement communities. At the same time, we are developing new dementia-related services, such as our award-winning McCusker Nurse Service. In residential care, we are ramping up our clinical capability to meet the challenges of the future. A key part of our forward planning involves streamlining and improving the way our thousands of customers interact with Amana Living. In the coming years, you will see new approaches to helping people choose the service that best suits their needs, including improved internet-based access. We believe the people who made us who we are today deserve to be properly looked after in their later years. Amana Living therefore continues to strive for excellence in aged and community care. Our customer surveys show that we succeed almost all the time. When we fall short, we listen to feedback, and work hard to improve.
As a not-for-profit organisation, our sights are solely on the needs of our older people, with surpluses ploughed back into their care, along with any additional funds we can raise through appeals and grants. Older people deserve strong support from the Australian Government as well, and it is high time that their needs came into clear focus. We will continue to lobby for a better deal. In the meantime, our Board and management are continuously monitoring our performance and developing new services to meet the needs of the future; and I am confident that our dedicated staff will keep on doing a fantastic job helping, supporting and enriching the lives of our residents and clients.
Ray Glickman, CEO
Amana Living Initiatives Recognised The Amana Living Enrichment Program and Registered Training Organisation have been recognised for good practice and outstanding achievement. Wii World Cup wins national award Amana Living was successful once again in the ACSAA (Aged Care Standards & Accreditation Agency) Better Practice Awards, topping the Resident Lifestyle category for the Wii World Cup enrichment project. The Awards “recognise quality improvement and better practice in aged care and serve as exemplars to encourage improvement and innovation and recognise the aged care industry’s high achievers”. The Wii World Cup involves teams from Amana Living and other providers in a national Wii tenpin bowling tournament, with trophies for the winners. By injecting a spirit of fun, activity and competitiveness, it has proved a great success in enriching the lives of residents and clients.
outstanding achievements … and the contribution to training made by trainers, training organisations and employers”. The Amana Living RTO (Registered Training Organisation) entered the awards for the first time, in the Small Training Provider of the Year category. We were proud to see it reach the shortlist of four finalists. Amana Living ensures that its employees are provided with extensive training, career paths and opportunities for development, which helps to create job satisfaction while allowing us to deliver the best services and care possible. Recognition of our RTO through these awards demonstrates the success of this endeavour.
Enrichment Program achievements recognised The Wii World Cup is part of a wider Enrichment Program, which itself received recognition in this year’s WA Seniors Awards. The Program received the Bendigo Bank Active Ageing Leadership Award, which “recognises an organisation for its innovative planning or services to improve the quality of life for seniors”. This is exactly what the Amana Living Enrichment Program sets out to do. Success for Amana Living’s training organisation The WA Training Awards are administered by the Department of Training & Workforce Development. They were established to “recognise and reward
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Ongoing training helps our staff to deliver better quality care and enjoy more job satisfaction – the result is a greater sense of wellbeing for staff, residents and clients. Photo Lloyd-Smith Photography.
Party Goes with a Swing Over 600 guests attended the 2013 Residents’ & Clients’ Party on Thursday 10 October – a unique event hosted each year in honour of our older people. The theme of this year’s party was ‘Top Hats & Tiaras’, creating quite a spectacle, as hundreds of over-60s – some well into their 90s – arrived at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre with around 150 staff and volunteers in attendance. “This is Amana Living’s trademark event of the year,” said CEO Ray Glickman. “In line with our motto – ‘Living the second half of life’ – our residents and clients have the chance to enjoy a formal sit-down lunch, dancing and socialising in a high-class venue, with live entertainment.
Catherine King Day Club clients, staff and volunteers with Ray Glickman (centre back) at the Annual Party 2013.
Guests from Amana Living care facilities and retirement villages, along with clients receiving home care services or attending our day clubs, arrived at the venue in 22 wheelchair taxis, 19 buses, and several private cars. They were entertained by magician James Sleight, and danced to live jazz/swing music from OTT Chicago Swing and Sassy Catch. Tod Johnston did a fantastic job as MC. The party costs approximately $100,000 and guests attend free of charge. This would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors: the Anglican Community Fund, John Hughes, Seniors Own, JLT and Hesta.
Guests were entertained by live jazz and swing, and captivated by musician James Sleight.
St George’s Home resident Wladyshaw Domagala and CEO Ray Glickman dressed for the occasion.
St Mary’s Close resident Elsie Danson arriving at the party in her tiara.
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Delivering Top Class Meals A new home delivery meals service is now available to older Western Australians with an eye for quality. WA’s older generation is demanding more – no longer prepared to take a back seat, they are looking for quality, customised services, at reasonable prices. In response, Amana Living is rapidly adapting to the needs of the changing market, most recently adding a meals delivery service following feedback from our current client base. “We’re finding that older people are increasingly determined to continue living independently, and they want top quality, reasonably priced services at their fingertips to help them do that,” said CEO Ray Glickman. Only available in the Perth metro area, Easy Meals are created and delivered by Amana Living’s catering subsidiary, Total Catering Solutions (TCS). Easy Meals are nutritionally balanced, and include options for vegetarians and diabetics. Customers receive an extensive menu to choose from, and place their order each week when a delivery is received. The meals arrive frozen in oven-proof containers (conventional or microwave), ready to reheat. The service is a godsend for families whose parents or grandparents live alone and find shopping and cooking for one too much of a chore. Not only are the meals easy to prepare, but they are nutritional and tasty, helping to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. For more information and orders, please call 9379 3460.
TCS Chef Stefan Guyon served up sample Easy Meals to the staff at The Post Newspaper recently, resulting in an excellent write-up. Photo courtesy POST Newspapers.
RayGlickman.com Goes Live A new blog by Amana Living’s CEO, Ray Glickman, aims to promote change in the way we age, by challenging current models and perceptions. As the more vocal and tech-savvy ‘baby boomer’ generation retires, access to relevant issues via social media and blogs is likely to increase. And as a baby boomer himself, our CEO is jumping right into the conversation. RayGlickman.com will build on Ray’s existing reputation within the industry as an activist and advocate for reform. Ray has been invited to produce opinion pieces and give presentations nationwide for some years, in his role as CEO of Amana Living and also as Chair of ACSWA (Aged & Community Services WA) – the leading industry peak body in WA. In addition he is a Director of the national peak body, ACSA (Aged & Community Services Australia), giving him a voice at national level and links with many relevant organisations and individuals.
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By publishing his own blog, Ray hopes to encourage more conversation about the most poignant issues surrounding ageing in Australia. Ray likes to turn common perceptions of ageing on their head, and to force his audience to rethink their preconceived ideas. The blog will be another platform for doing this, while provoking innovative thinking through debate and the sharing of ideas. The ultimate aim is to bring about change in order to help create a world where older people can live the way they want to, and are supported by a sustainable sector. Visit Ray’s blog at www.rayglickman.com. You are encouraged to add your comments and share the content.
Housing Innovation Stays Ahead of Change Over-55s are increasingly looking for more creative housing options, and Amana Living is innovating to meet those changing demands. Customers want more choices and services that meet their individual requirements. At the same time, solutions are needed to enable older people from all walks of life to enjoy a satisfying lifestyle. In line with our strategy of innovating ahead of change, Amana Living initiated a series of workshops in partnership with Ali Sumner, CEO of the POWA Institute in Perth, which is inspired by Edward De Bono. Ali is an accredited instructor in the application of De Bono’s thinking tools, and a Curtin University research student. The workshops involved a cross-section of staff and an external participant from a seniors’ real estate agency. The objective was to generate ideas for housing models using De Bono’s techniques of creative thinking. “The result was three unique models, which we will now explore further through feasibility studies,” said Amana Living GM Home Care & Housing, Maria Davison. “I couldn’t have predicted these innovative ideas. It’s about thinking outside the box in order to meet future demand.” The process helped to open new and different ways of working together and thinking creatively, challenging participants to step outside their preconceived ideas. Amana Living Business Analyst Steve Ryan believes the result will be a ‘robust and legitimate model’: “I found the experience ultimately rewarding … Ali challenged you to think in a different way to reach an outcome. I took a fair bit out of that.”
Bequeathing a Healthy Planet Amana Living is encouraging staff to contribute ideas that promote a healthy planet for future generations. Staff who are particularly conscientious in reducing Amana Living’s carbon footprint are being presented with gift vouchers to thank them for taking steps towards a sustainable environment. Along with simple acts, such as making sure lights are turned off or re-using waste paper, the organisation is encouraging bigger ideas that can be rolled out across the organisation. An example of this is the re-use of towels. Following the lead of Amana Living’s Duncraig facility, Lady McCusker Home, all centres are now reusing towels where possible, rather than washing them daily. This project was initiated by Joyce Scherini from St George’s Home, Bayswater, who suggested emulating hotel chains that encourage guests to re-use their towels. This promises to have a significant impact on water and energy consumption. To reduce water consumption further, maintenance staff at each Amana Living site are now conducting monthly audits, which identify water-usage issues such as dripping taps, leaking cisterns and broken reticulation. They are also looking out for ways to reduce energy consumption and promote re-use or recycling. Recycling is an ongoing project at Catherine King Day Centre in Osborne Park, where clients have most recently created walking canes from old pool cues and discarded dowelling. The tops were made from table legs, pool balls and wood offcuts. This and other ‘eco’ projects not only support Amana Living’s commitment to protecting our planet for future generations, but provide enriching experiences for our residents and clients. Barbara Foggin, Operations Manager at Edward Collick Home in Kalgoorlie, hopes that a new aquaponics system will be engaging and fun for residents. This sustainable and eco-friendly method of growing fruit and vegetables is planned for early 2014. Amana Living care centres in Lesmurdie, Bayswater and Coolbellup already have aquaponics systems installed.
The Housing Innovation team (L-R): GM Home Care & Housing Maria Davison, PA Home Care & Housing Sophie Hamilton, CEO POWA Institute Ali Sumner, Retirement Living Coordinator Karen Rogerson, GM Corporate Assets Peter Mildenhall, GM Clinical Services Zenith Zeeman, Business Analyst Steve Ryan, MD Seniors Own Real Estate Mike Graebner.
The largest impact our carbon footprint is derived from our reduced kilowatt usage. We measure this by logging the kilowatts each site is using on a monthly basis. We have reduced our usage by nine per cent over three years by turning off lights, keeping air conditioners set to 24 degrees, and making sure washing machines and dishwashers are full. These results are being communicated to staff out at our centres, to raise awareness of the impact they are having through simple actions.
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Two Villages Mark 40 Years Residents marked the 40th birthdays of two Amana Living retirement villages in June. Wollaston Court, Albany, celebrated on 21 June, while St Francis Court, Inglewood, held its party a week later. Wollaston Court honours oldest resident
St Francis Court Lives it Up
Residents at Wollaston Court celebrated by tapping into the memories of 92-year-old Erica Johnstone, who has lived independently at the village for almost all of its 40 years. In fact Erica was only just within the requisite minimum age limit of 55 in October 1975, when she moved in.
St Francis Court seems to attract residents who represent the Amana Living motto – Living the Second Half of Life.
Since then, Erica has enjoyed the lifestyle, the friendship of neighbours, and the ability to take off for several months touring Australia with her late husband Ken. The village opened in 1973, its name commemorating the pioneering work of John Wollaston in the early days of European settlement. In November 2012, the village community room was dedicated to Erica and Ken, and is now named the Johnstone Room. “Amana Living’s Albany facility has a terrific social atmosphere and has become an integral part of the local community since its establishment,” said Amana Living COO Suzi Cowcher. “We are proud of our history, and enjoy marking milestones such as this. It’s also great to acknowledge Erica, who still enjoys an independent life with Amana Living after 38 years!”
Kath McGennity is a fine example of this – turning 88 this year, Kath has organised residents into a line dancing troupe, amongst other wild activities. Livewire Meryl Thomson was over the moon when she was offered a unit at St Francis Court – the ideal community for someone with her energy. And 63-year-old Peter Garrett may be living in the retirement community, but he refuses to retire – working at Amana Living’s head office as Concierge. “St Francis Court is a great example of the Amana Living approach to ageing,” said Suzi Cowcher. “Our aim is to help older people stay as active and healthy as possible at every age and stage.” St Francis Court was officially opened in 1973 and underwent a complete renovation and refurbishment in 2008. Around the same time, the village welcomed residents from Marjorie Appleton Village in Menora following its closure, leading to a large and thriving community. The residents installed a statue of St Francis of Assisi in the garden to commemorate the 40th milestone.
Stage 3 of Treendale Begins Amana Living Treendale is growing, with most of the 29 stage 1 and 2 villas sold. Eventually the village will contain 114 homes, and promises to be a thriving community if the current residents are anything to go by.
There are a few three-bedroom villas available from stages 1 and 2, starting at just $395,000. Enquiries to: (08) 9725 9361.
The Club, Treendale’s popular leisure centre, has proved to be a great asset to the village, and the caravan/boat parking area is now completed. Residents enjoy an active and social lifestyle, making good use of The Club’s pool, spa, gym, library, cinema, café and bar. While the handful of villas from stages 1 and 2 are sold, planning is underway for stage 3 – the next 16 units – due for completion at the end of 2014. Forward works have just been initiated (these include drainage, roads, and services such as power and communications), and building will begin in February. There will be three styles of home: Estate, Lifestyle and Grange. All have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage. Air-conditioning, floor coverings and blinds are included. Homes will be priced around $430,000. More information appears at treendale.amanaliving.com.au
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Treendale residents – Alice Crook and Cecile Day enjoy a game of bowls. Photo Leon Shaffer.
Dementia No Barrier to Artistic Talent More than 100 artists living with dementia displayed their work at a public exhibition in July. Project Picasso is Amana Living’s annual six-week art project for residents and clients at the organisation’s dementia-specific centres. This year, 12 residential care centres and day clubs participated in the award-winning project, with the support of around 60 volunteers, resulting in an exhibition of works on 11-13 July. At the exhibition launch, Chairman Steve Scudamore said: “People living with dementia can miss out because of the mistaken belief that they are unable to take part in activities like art. The quality of the Project Picasso exhibition proves this isn’t so!” This year, approximately 100 artists submitted almost 250 pieces of artwork for the exhibition, kindly supported by Christ Church Grammar School, which provided the venue for this unique event. Artworks were on sale by donation, with funds raised going towards next year’s Project Picasso. “We sold 86 pieces this year, and many of those could have been sold many times over!” said Amana Living Enrichment Coach, Kylie Mathieson. “Almost $1,700 was raised, thanks to the generosity of exhibition patrons, all of which will be invested in Project Picasso 2014.”
Wii World Cup Winners
Ada Street, a client from Lefroy Day Club, was one of around 100 artists exhibiting their work in July.
Turning 100
Winning teams have just been announced for the fourth annual Amana Living Wii World Cup – a virtual tenpin bowling competition among aged care and retirement living facilities. Teams compete in Wii tenpin bowling from the Wii Sports Resort game, supported by staff as needed. The Amana Living Enrichment Coach updates the central scoreboard each week and circulates this back to teams throughout the two-month season. This year’s participants included teams from Brightwater, Juniper and Southern Cross Care, as well as the usual Amana Living contingent. Cash prizes of up to $480 were awarded in three divisions. And the winners are: Residential Care: Amana Living Thomas Scott Hostel (‘Scotties’) Day Club: Amana Living Kinross Day Club (‘Cruisers’)
Amy Lynch, Hale Hostel, marks her centenary with an afternoon tea on 7 August. Other residents turning 100 recently were Edith Massey, a client at Catherine King Day Club, who was treated to a ‘high tea’ and flowers on 23 July, and Joyce Burton, who celebrated at Peter Arney Home on 1 August.
Retirement Living: Southern Cross Care Thomas Perrott Village (‘The Players’)
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Pastoral Care Team Grows Melissa is one of the first graduates of the Volunteer Pastoral Care Program, which trains volunteers to provide support to Amana Living’s team of chaplains. ‘I love it,’ said Melissa. ‘I look forward to it every week. I come away learning something more about the world. I appreciate what they have been through and the people that they are – and I love that they are happy to share those things with me. ‘I sit with the resident, listen a lot, talk, laugh – build a relationship. They might be a new resident, they might be angry or depressed, or just want someone to talk to.
Melissa Pike, who graduated with the first cohort in 2012, says that connecting with residents has made her look at life differently. Photo: Leon Shaffer.
‘The people I visit grew up during the depression and war years. They didn’t have much materially, and appreciate anything and everything they have. Connecting with these residents has made me look at life differently.’ After the first cohort of 12 volunteers in 2012, ten more graduated in September this year. Six of these will provide pastoral support to residents in care and clients receiving our home care service. Another course has been scheduled for 2013/14.
Volunteer Pastoral Care Program graduates for 2013: back row (L to R) Robert Wells, Caitlin McKinnon, Janet Skinner, Joan Barrett; middle row (L to R) Christine Hetherington, Maureen McDonald, Pamela Rose; front row (L to R) Emamy Manouchehr, the Reverend Deborah Joyce (Coordinator), Charles Kingsford, Maree Cherubino.
Amana Living’s Anglican Roots Amana Living has a special character derived from its Anglican roots – we call this our ‘Anglican Essence’. Like other similar providers, we expect our staff to be committed to the care and wellbeing of our residents and clients, and to take an active role in the life of the organisation.
While we create opportunities for staff, residents and families to participate in Anglican services or talk to chaplains and pastoral care volunteers, there is never pressure to do so, nor to discuss Anglicanism.
In addition, we ask that our Anglican history be respected and reflected in the way we interact with others.
Staff are nevertheless asked to become familiar with Anglican values and traditions, and to develop pride in Amana Living’s origin as Anglican Homes.
This doesn’t mean we are exclusively ‘Anglican’, or even Christian. Our diverse workforce comes from 84 countries, English is the second language for at least 40 per cent, and ages range from 17 to over 65. We actively encourage staff to respect and cherish the diversity within our organisation and to build bridges with people from all backgrounds and creeds.
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In August, Amana Living’s Senior Staff were treated to a lively presentation reminding them of the meaning of Anglican Essence. In three short minutes, they learned about its origin, key values and seven characteristics: ‘Guided by faith’, ‘Service ethic’, ‘Inclusiveness’, ‘Philosophy of care’, ‘Organisational ethos’, ‘Symbolism and design’ and ‘Collaboration with the Diocese’.
Long-serving Staff Awarded
Hawaiian CFO Joins Board
Almost 700 years of service were celebrated at Amana Living’s Annual Ball and Staff Awards in September. “Every year we celebrate our long-serving staff, and the list is always impressive,” said CEO Ray Glickman. “This year we acknowledged 51 staff members who have been with us for between 10 and a remarkable 35 years. “I believe this is a testament to the way we look after our staff at Amana Living. As the highest paying aged care provider in WA, we reward staff at the highest level possible in line with our funding levels. We are also dedicated to providing training and professional development for our staff, alongside work-life balance.” The Annual Ball and Staff Awards, generously sponsored by Maxxia, is one way in which Amana Living thanks its staff for their dedication, and recognises those who have stayed with the organisation for a significant number of years.
The Amana Living Board offers a wealth of expertise to support the organisation and guide the strategic direction. In August, the Board welcomed its newest member, Mr Damian Gordon, having farewelled Mr Roger Port after 16 years of outstanding service, and Mr Geoff Mather, who resigned due to a conflict of interest with his employment after five years of service. Dr Robyn Lawrence joined the Board in February and was profiled in issue 46 of Amana Life. Damian Gordon joined Hawaiian as the Chief Financial Officer in February 2002 and is responsible for the group’s financial activities, real estate developments and financial asset portfolio. He was appointed to the Hawaiian Board in 2008. Damian’s career began in the Corporate Finance division of KPMG, followed by five years working in various corporate roles in the engineering, mining and resource development sectors.
Victoria Hill, pictured with CEO Ray Glickman, has clocked up 35 years of caring for residents at Amana Living’s James Brown House in Osborne Park.
Damian is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Fellow of Finsia and a Member of the AICD. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Business Law) from Curtin University, a Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management) and completed INSEAD’s inaugural LEAP (Leadership Excellence through Awareness and Practice) Program in 2012/13. Damian was appointed to the Board of Youth Focus in June 2012. “It is a privilege to be presented with the opportunity to work with an organisation such as Amana Living, which endeavours to create a better future for those who have helped to build our own,” he said.
Maria Davison, GM Home Care & Housing (left) and CEO Ray Glickman with Jean George (Lefroy Hotel), Patricia Double (Hale Hostel) and Lynne Sayer (Wearne Home), who all celebrated 20 years with Amana Living.
“I look forward to working alongside such a dedicated team to ensure that the strong community vision of Amana Living is realised for years to come.”
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Staff Profile Greg Massam, GM Customer Service Innovation Greg Massam has taken on an exciting and challenging role at Amana Living as the new General Manager of Customer Service Innovation. This position was created primarily to head up the development of Amana Living’s ‘front door’ project. Greg will be focusing on the quality and consistency of our customer experience, improving access to our services and developing our marketing strategy. Amana Life asked Greg to tell us about his experience and vision for the future. Greg, can you first give readers an overview of your previous experience? My background lies in formulating and implementing marketing strategy. I have done this for both products and services, nationally and internationally. Examples include a multinational pharmaceutical company, a large national food manufacturer, and St John Ambulance’s business operations. I’ve been involved in a lot of brand launches and new market entries over the years, and I particularly enjoy seeing an idea from inception right through to market success. What is your perception of the challenges for aged care in relation to customer service? Recent changes to aged care legislation means that services are becoming much more consumer-directed: in other words, customers will have more flexibility to pick and choose which company they receive aged care services from. This means Amana Living needs to improve how it markets its broad range of services to prospective customers. We need to increase the brand awareness of Amana Living and promote the organisation as the one-stop-shop for aged care. This is what the new ‘front door’ project is all about. What attracted you to Amana Living? I know some people who are working with other aged care providers, so I knew the market was dynamic and growing. Amana Living has a high profile in WA, and I like the fact that we are taking a leading role in industry groups. How do you like it so far? The culture is great. It’s been a long time since I worked with such motivated and energised people. The management style is very modern, and everyone I’ve met so far really appears to love what they are doing.
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Greg Massam.
What do you think you will enjoy most about your role? I love the fact that I have been lucky enough to join when we are redeveloping the way we deal with new customers. Building customer service centres, redeveloping websites, fitting out shop fronts, and implementing new marketing strategy are all things I’ve done before, and it is good fun. What do you think the challenges will be? We have a lot to do. We need to create a ‘front door’ to the organisation so that the new customer experience matches our vision. That means rebuilding the website, restructuring the Information & Services Centre, and reviewing all the customer contact points. We need to plan this all out clearly and then systematically roll it out. At the same time, I will be keeping the successful Enrichment Program going, reviewing all the quality systems with the appointment of our new Quality Consultants, and rejuvenating the volunteer group with the help of our new Volunteer Coordinator. How do you hope to make a difference? I have marketing and operational experience from other industries that I can bring to Amana Living, and I hope that this different perspective will mix well with all the other collective experience in the management team.
McCusker Nurse Service Set to Expand
Volunteers Are Happier – Another Reason to Give
The award-winning McCusker Nurse Service is expanding in response to a growing need to support the carers of those living with dementia.
Newly published research carried out in the UK supports the theory that volunteers are happier and healthier – giving you one more very good reason to join our team!
The number of Australians living with dementia is set to rise to around 400,000 within the next ten years. Along with this growth, the need to support carers is escalating. In 2011, Amana Living launched the McCusker Nurse Service, the first of its kind in Australia, funded by the McCusker Charitable Foundation. The service offers free support to the carers of those living with dementia, helping them to understand the condition and to navigate the services available to them. The McCusker Nurse was quickly inundated with pleas for help from her catchment of Perth’s northern suburbs, and it soon became clear that there is a huge demand for the service. The McCusker Charitable Foundation has therefore extended funding for three years to enable the service to continue to support those within Perth’s northern suburbs. In addition, Amana Living is funding a second nurse, with a contribution from Perpetual Trustee Company, to be based in Perth’s southern suburbs, and is looking to establish a telephone support service for carers and people living with dementia in rural and remote areas. “Those who are caring for loved ones living with dementia are desperate for emotional and practical support. They want help in understanding the condition and accessing services, someone they can talk to who knows how to provide the answers,” said COO Suzi Cowcher. “That’s why we launched the service, but we didn’t expect to see such a huge response so quickly. “We’re delighted that the McCusker Charitable Foundation will be extending its support, and that we have secured funding for a second nurse. We now have our sights set on a team of nurses and a way to support those in remote regions too.”
Researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School reviewed 40 studies from the past 20 years that examined the link between volunteering and health. The conclusions, published in August this year in BMC Public Health, show that volunteers are less likely to be depressed, experience a greater sense of wellbeing, are generally healthier, and even live longer. In fact, volunteers were shown to be 22 per cent less likely to die young, and older volunteers were 40 per cent less likely to develop high blood pressure. It isn’t yet clear whether volunteering is the cause of longevity and happiness, or whether happier, healthier people are more inclined to give – but the link is undeniable. What’s important is that volunteers are giving because they want to, and not out of a sense of obligation. Many of our volunteers say they receive more than they give, and enjoy giving something back to our older generation. There are many ways to volunteer; everyone has an activity they enjoy sharing with others. Art, crafts, reading, walking, driving, practical assistance or just being a good listener – there will be something you can do for an hour or half a day, once a week or once a month. We need your help to make a difference to those living the second half of their lives. Bring happiness to others, and reap rewards for life! Contact Garry Jacobs on 0477 722 411 or gjacobs@amanaliving.com.au
The service has achieved a 95 per cent customer satisfaction rating – an excellent result for a service that is racing to meet demand. The earlier carers seek help after diagnosis the better, and the McCusker Nurse aims to respond as quickly as possible. However, the demands are constantly increasing and there are thousands of carers who don’t yet have access to this unique free service.
Each year Amana Living holds a special event to thank volunteers for their contribution.
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Name__________________________________________
Bankcard
Mastercard
Visa
Address________________________________________ __________________________ P/Code ______________
Amount_________________ Expiry date_______________
Email__________________________________________
Cardholder’s Name_________________________________
Telephone_______________________________________
Signature________________________________________
Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. Cheques should be made payable to the Amana Living Anglican Foundation.
Please contact me with information about how I can contribute time or expertise as a volunteer. Please send me information about helping Amana Living through a Will or Bequest. Please include me on the Amana Living Annual Report mailing list. THANK YOU! By enriching the lives of others, you enrich your own life too.