Life & Love Magazine Edition 11 by Hall & Prior

HALL & PRIOR H E A LT H & A G E D C A R E G R O U P

Love, mercy and care

DI SIMPSON Recognising 40 years of service p12

JACARANDA FESTIVAL FUN p10

BETTER PRACTICE AWARD CELEBRATIONS p6

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ABOUT HALL & PRIOR Started in 1992 by Michael Hall and Graeme Prior, Hall & Prior is a leading aged care provider with a passion for providing quality care to older people from all walks of life. Over the past 20 years, Hall & Prior has grown from one nursing home to an organisation that cares for almost 1,500 people in Western Australia and New South Wales.

Our people are our greatest asset. Each one of our 25 aged care homes is led by an experienced director of nursing who works alongside a team of registered nurses, personal carers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dieticians and chefs to ensure that we meet the individual needs of every resident.

As a private, family-owned company, Hall & Prior is committed to bringing long-term benefits to our residents and their families. Our dedicated care teams provide round-the-clock care 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that every resident feels well cared for and at home.

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IN THIS ISSUE

From the Chief Executive Officer

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Celebrating Hall & Prior’s Better Practice Award winners Blooming into Grafton for the annual Jacaranda Festival Di Simpson - a lifetime dedicated to care

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Leighton launches Men’s Shed Club

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The Forestville Five Book Club reuinite at Glenwood Improving communication in our homes

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New graduates for advanced Personal Carer course “Tony of Rome – The story of Tony Giovenco Recognising Occupational Therapy Week 2017

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Trainee partnership helps attract talented young carers Remembrance Day in our homes News in Brief

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FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

“Thank you all for helping make 2017 a successful year for Hall & Prior.”

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our final edition of Life and Love for 2017.

with all of the homes involved in developing these exceptional programs.

snapshot of the incredible people we come into contact with every day.

With the cover of this edition of Life and Love, we have chosen to celebrate a truly exceptional woman. We recently celebrated Di Simpson’s incredible 40 years of service at St Lukes Aged Care Home, located in the Perth suburb of Subiaco.

The full wrap-up of the events can be found on page 6.

Throughout these times of growth and change, our staff across our 25 homes and two home care organisations never wavered in their commitment to delivering exceptional care.

Di is a testament to the compassion that this organisation was founded upon, and I am pleased to share her story on this significant anniversary. You can read more about Di on page 12.

Earlier this year it was announced that Hall & Prior had received three Commonwealth Better Practice Awards from the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency.

Throughout the last few months we have been able to celebrate

In October, we were proud to sponsor the annual Jacaranda Festival, held in the town of Grafton in northern New South Wales.

Hall & Prior acquired Grafton Aged Care Home earlier this year, so this was an excellent opportunity to get to know the local community and participate in the town’s most popular event.

I would like to thank the team at Grafton and everyone involved in making this such a success.

Throughout this edition, we have also shared stories and achievements from our staff and residents across Western Australia and New South Wales, and they give a wonderful

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the hard work that has helped make 2017 a successful year for Hall & Prior.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year to continue providing exceptional care to thousands of Australians.

Until next time, GRAEME PRIOR Chief Executive Officer

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Hall & Prior’s Executive Director of Residential and Community Care / Regional Leader Jennifer Grieve, St Lukes Director of Nursing Di Simpson and Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior.

CELEBRATING HALL & PRIOR’S 2017 BETTER PRACTICE AWARDS There were smiles all around as our staff got together to celebrate receiving three Commonwealth Better Practice Awards this year. The awards are presented by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA), and recognise innovative programs and initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of those in aged care.

Since 2011, Hall & Prior have received a total of 11 of these prestigious national awards, and it continues to be an achievement that we truly love to celebrate with all those involved with the project.

Five of our New South Wales homes were recognised for creating a program to resist agerelated muscle decline. Staff from Aubrey Downer, Caroline Chisholm, Fairfield, Glenwood and Vaucluse were part of the program that utilises exercise band training to improve care recipient mobility and strength.

This is the result of a combined effort by our NSW Exercise and Mobility Coordinator Laura Majewski and the Directors of Nursing of these homes: Anne Curnow, Sarah Riach, Sophie Woodward, Joy Bigelow and Aubrey Downer’s Manager Margaret Wolf. They were supported by the Lifestyle Officers at these homes and our NSW Resource Team partners.

At Tuohy Aged Care Home, located in Perth’s east,

Residential Care Manager Jayne Cummings, Clinical Nurse Manager Mina Pindolia and Administration Officer Fiona Clarkson (pictured above right) were recognised for implementing the My Life, My Wishes program.

This ensures all care recipients have their funeral wishes and life history documented while they are in our care.

Also in Perth, Freshwater Bay and Mosman Park Aged Care Homes’ Director of Nursing Devi Subramaniam and Resource Team Medication and Lifestyle Coordinator Kath Whisson successfully reduced the use of the medication Risperidone in people with dementia, while maintaining their wellbeing and quality of life.

In October we celebrated the win with the staff of Tuohy, Mosman Park and Freshwater Bay, at an event held at the Matilda Bay Restaurant. The venue’s views of the Swan River and the Perth skyline created a stunning backdrop for the function.

We were joined by the AACQA’s Chief Executive Officer Nick Ryan, who presented the awards to Jayne and Devi on behalf of their homes.

Nick spoke about the role of the AACQA in reviewing and accrediting aged care services, to ensure they meet national standards and provide high quality care for older Australians.

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He said he enjoyed being part of the process that got to select and highlight some of Australia’s most innovative programs across the aged care industry, through the Better Practice Awards.

But selecting winners each year is no easy task, as Nick said he is continually impressed with the huge number of award nominations submitted from providers across the country.

Hall & Prior Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior congratulated Jayne, Devi and the staff from all of our 14 Western Australian homes for their unwavering commitment to exceptional care.

“While the Quality Agency is there to make sure we meet the Australian standards in aged care, I know that the people in this organisation hold ourselves to much higher standards.”

“We provide a home for more than 1500 people in WA and NSW, all of whom have complex care needs.

In many cases, they are among the most vulnerable in our communities, so we have a responsibility to ensure we provide the best possible care for them.”

When receiving the award for Tuohy, Jayne delivered a moving speech in which she described how the My Life, My Wishes project originally started.

“A couple of years ago, one of our long-term residents passed away, and it was only after he was gone that we realised we had no idea what his

NSW General Manager Health & Care Services Kris Healy and NSW Exercise & Mobility Coordinator Laura Majewski

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Graeme Prior with Fairfield Director of Nursing Sarah Riach, Caroline Chisholm Director of Nursing Anne Curnow, NSW General Manager Health & Care Serices Kris Healy, NSW Exercise & Mobility Coordinator Laura Majewski, Aubrey Downer Manager Margaret Wolf, Glenwood Director of Nursing Sophie Woodward and Vaucluse Director of Nursing Joy Bigelow.

wishes for his final send-off were,” she said.

“A lot of our residents don’t have any family, or they aren’t close to them or have lost touch, so in many cases the family don’t know what the person would have wanted either.

“We started this project to make sure we didn’t have that same situation with anyone else.”

Jayne said while discussing end of life plans with residents could be hard, she and her staff were proud to be able to support members of their Tuohy family.

When Devi was presented with the Better Practice Award for Freshwater Bay and Mosman Park, she thanked Hall & Prior’s Directors, Michael Hall & Graeme Prior, for their ongoing support.

“I feel so fortunate to be able to work with people like Graeme and Michael, as well as our General Managers of Residential & Community Care – Regional Leaders Jennifer Grieve and Deborah Sinclair-Lane,” she said.

Devi spoke about her experiences being the Director of Nursing for both homes, which are located on the same street in Mosman Park, in Perth’s west.

She took the opportunity to praise the teams at both the homes, for the attention and love they show to those in their care.

“I wouldn’t be able to do my role without the support of these wonderful people, as well as Kath and our Resource Team,” she said.

Across October and November, our NSW homes held a series of events to acknowledge all those involved in their award-winning occupational therapy program.

Many of the people in our homes are among the most vulnerable in our communities, so we have a responsibility to provide the best possible care.”

- Graeme Prior The celebrations started in each of the homes, with special morning teas and lunches put on for the staff, to thank them for their hard work and support of the project.

NSW General Manager of Health & Care Services Kris Healy was on hand to present certificates to the staff and help to convey the significance of having a project be highlighted on a national level.

Laura, who coordinated the project at all five homes was also able to thank the staff for their involvement, and discuss plans for the next phase of the project.

Laura also spoke at the NSW Long Service and Directors Awards event, which was held in November at Luna Park in Sydney, overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Over the course of the next year, the program will be implemented in Hall & Prior’s six other aged care homes in the state.

Congratulations again to these homes for this incredible achievement, and for continually working to improve the lives of those in our care.

HALL & PRIOR BLOOMS INTO GRAFTON FOR ANNUAL JACARANDA FESTIVAL

Since acquiring Grafton Aged Care Home, in northern New South Wales, in April 2017, Hall & Prior have been busy getting to know the local community.

Rural communities tend to have tighter social and business networks than big cities that utilise local knowledge.

For Hall & Prior, being a new business to the Grafton area, it has been a priority to introduce our business ethos in a positive and knowledgeable way to ensure locals understand the benefits and experience that we will bring to the area in the care of older community members.

annually in Grafton, from the last weekend in October to the first weekend in November.

Inaugurated in 1934, this was the first of Australia’s folk festivals and celebrates the magnificent spectacle of the hundreds of lilacblossomed trees that grow in Grafton’s broad tree lined avenues.

Henry Volkers introduced the first Jacaranda trees to the town and each year the trees are celebrated, although it has changed over the years to adapt to today’s society, this traditional event is still widely celebrated within the town.

Our largest marketing investment in 2017 has been based around representation and visual profile in the sponsorship and celebrations of the Jacaranda Festival.

The oldest floral festival still celebrated in Australia, it was first appreciated in a much different way. It was one of the few means of entertainment to look forward to. So when Jacaranda time rolled around, the town was in high spirits.

The world-renowned Jacaranda Festival is held

Even during the difficult times of World War II,

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this festival had a way of uplifting the community and giving them something wonderful to celebrate. A half-day public holiday is observed locally on the first Thursday of November, the Festival’s focal day.

By sponsoring the Jacaranda Festival, Hall & Prior had the opportunity to be part of some of the biggest attractions during the Jacaranda Festival week. ‘Jaca Thursday’ is the biggest day of the week-long festival, and consists of the biggest markets the town of Graton sees all year. The day begins with a free delicious breakfast, cooked up in the pretty gardens of Market Square Park.

Market Square was packed with vendors, amusements and a live radio broadcast, as well as the sounds of the performances from the Jacaranda Buskers Competition.

Situated directly across the Buskers stage was our very own Hall & Prior market stall manned by NSW Corporate & Marketing Manager, Jacki Downs.

Set up from 6am, our Grafton Aged Care Home Flags were flying all day.

There was a large amount of interest in our Hall & Prior stall with a steady stream of locals and tourists alike visiting the stall to ask about the home and gain an understanding of Hall & Prior as a new business new to the local district.

We even had a visit from the ‘Jacaranda Queen’s Consort’, who wanted to match the purple of their outfits to our stall.

The staff of Grafton Aged Care home, led by Cherie Onus and Lifestyle Officers, Amy, Anne, Colleen and Nicole, put together a fun and fabulous Hall & Prior Grafton Aged Care Home float for the parade procession that is held on the last Saturday of the festival.

A colourful celebration of Jacaranda spirit, the Hall & Prior float represented the homes sense of community spirit and made its way down the main street of Grafton with over 60 other local and school organisations.

Hall & Prior lollypops were handed out to patrons on the street at the side of the float while staff on the float enjoyed some dancing and waving as they made their way under the Jacaranda trees.

We wish to thank Blanchards Transport, who kindly donated their truck to our home for use in the float procession, as well as Nathan Kent, who gave up his time to drive the float, allowing us to join in the excitement.

Well done to everyone involved in our celebrations of this very fun and purple week. Perhaps next year Grafton Aged Care Home will have an entrant tor two into the Jacaranda Queen competition…

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DI SIMPSON – A LIFETIME SPENT DEDICATED TO CARE Within the world of aged care, there are precious few people that have devoted their life to caring for others.

One of these exceptional individuals is Di Simpson, who has been the Director of Nursing of St Lukes Aged Care Home for a phenomenal four decades.

St Lukes was one of the first

homes acquired as part of the Hall & Prior group, so Di is regarded as one of the central figures in the history of our organisation.

The heritage-listed building was built in 1930 and is located in Subiaco, in Perth’s western suburbs. The home has always retained its old-world charm

since its beginnings as a private residence, to its use as a private hospital from the early 1960s, and finally as an aged care home.

In October, we celebrated Di’s 40 years of service with Hall & Prior as part of our annual Long Service Awards, and it is our pleasure to share Di’s story with you all.

Life before aged care Di’s journey to care began in 1966 when she undertook nursing training at Fremantle Hospital, before moving to Darwin Hospital in 1971.

It was in Darwin that Di met the man who was to become her husband, as he was there working for the Air Force at the time.

While many of the nurses she trained with moved to Sydney to study midwifery, Di recalled hating the thought of that, and so she took a different path.

When she eventually moved to the city, took a job at Bankstown Hospital, in Sydney’s south west, in the Casualty Department, which is now known as the Emergency Department.

Later she was employed at Sydney’s Concorde Hospital, located west of the city centre, where she was in charge of the Intensive Care Unit for 12 years.

Following her husband’s transfer

“St Lukes is our residents’ home.

I tell our staff they should feel privileged to be able to come in and care for them.”

- Di Simpson, Director of Nursing at St Lukes Aged Care Home to the Western Australian town of Exmouth, Di worked at the Exmouth Hospital for two years, and had her first son during that time.

“We then moved to Perth, when I took a job at St George Nursing Home in Mt Lawley, which is now part of the Amana group,” she said.

“By then, I had two young boys and you couldn’t get part time hospital work, so I started doing some afternoon shifts on the weekends at St Lukes.

“Peter Gordon, who was the owner of the time, persuaded met to take on some day shifts.

“Soon enough, I became the matron of St Lukes. Michael Hall bought the home in 1992, and my work with Hall & Prior began.”

Early days of Hall & Prior Di shared her memories of those early days of the company, saying it was very hands on and that everyone helped in any way they could.

“We were making meals for all four homes from our kitchen in the basement of St Lukes,” Di said.

“My son helped out by driving

• Di and her St Lukes staff out the front of the home in 2014.

the truck to pick up dirty linen from the other homes.

“I remember one Christmas Day in particular that I spent in the laundry, folding linen for the other homes to make sure that they didn’t run out.”

She said all of the experiences in those years represented a huge learning curve in her life, but one in particular that stands out is the introduction of computers.

“I still remember the day I was packed off to the Australian Institute of Management’s function rooms with Michael and Fiona Prior to learn all about them,” she said.

As computers weren’t as commonly used two decades ago as they are today, coordinating that session with all of Hall & Prior’s Directors of Nursing was no easy feat.

Fiona vividly recalls lugging entire computers, including terminals, huge monitors and all of the necessary accessories and cords to the centre.

While there were some staff who had some experience with computers, it was new territory for many of them.

“We had some excellent DONS at Hall & Prior in the beginning.

During that session, lots of networking and problem solving went on,” Di said.

“As a result of that day, we put together the foundation of the Group’s policies and procedures that are still used today.”

As well as her role at St Lukes, Di and some of Hall & Prior’s other early DONs were founding members of the peak body for aged services, now known as Leading Aged Services Australia

(LASA). The aged care sector went through a period of substantial change in the decade following the late 1990s, with the Australian Aged Care Act introduce by the Commonwealth Government in 1997, and national accreditation introduced in 2001.

“In the early days, aged care homes were known as C-class hospitals through English tradition,” Di said.

“Everyone who worked in aged care was committed to lifting that stigma, and aged care and the perception of aged care have improved dramatically since then.”

Even as the company grew, Graeme and Michael always came to Di for advice. Graeme is a great teacher, but was always willing to learn himself.

Life & Love 15 • St Lukes residents outside the home watching the America’s Cup victory parade in 1983.

Lots of processes that they set up early on are still used, even as the company continues to grow today. At one stage, Di was doing budgets and rostering for all Hall & Prior homes.

In the early years, the home cared for lots of married couples and for what they used to call ‘the walking wounded’.

Senility was often a diagnosis, as was ‘frail aged’ and things like diabetes which we now see not as a disease, but as a symptom of something else. In those days, Alzheimer’s could only be determined after death through autopsy.

• Jennifer Grieve, Di Simpson and Fiona Prior at a Hall & Prior Executive Management Team meeting in 2004.

Other common diagnoses were arterio scholorisis (hardening of the arteries), CVA or stroke, disability or diabetes.

Di is best known for her direct and straightforward manner, but also for the kindness and compassion that is so evident when she is with her staff and those she cares for.

When asked what makes a good nurse, Di said communication is key.

“An open door, a willingness to take responsibility, the ability to communicate and to see the world through the eyes of the person you’re caring for are vital in aged care,” she said.

“For their family members, this means having empathy for their fears and sadness. It takes huge trust to put you loved one into care, to be looked after by people you don’t know, and you have to remember that.

“St Lukes is our residents’ home.

I tell our staff that they should feel privileged to be able to come in and care for them.

“I want them to be able to leave at the end of their shift and be able to say that they’ve had a great day.”

• Di and her dog Max in 2016.

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LEIGHTON LAUNCHES MEN’S SHED CLUB Interesting and engaging occupational therapy activities are an important part of the care we provide at Hall & Prior’s 25 residential aged care homes.

At Leighton Aged Care Home in West Perth, the home has launched a weekly social activity group for male residents, the Wednesday Afternoon Men’s Shed, affectionately known as WAMS. Run by the home’s Maintenance Officer Dave Higgins, the group members enjoy activities like the ones they did in their youth, such as gardening and creating wooden toys, as well as strengthening friendships between the men.

Leighton’s Director of Nursing Margaret Tranquille said many of the home’s occupational therapy activities like crafts didn’t appeal to the male residents. The biggest challenge had been finding the right person to run the program, who understood aged care and what the men would enjoy.

“As part of Dave’s return to work plan after an injury, we were able to start this group,” Margaret said.“Through WAMS we were able to add meaning and value to our residents’ lives, and making them feel like part of the family here at Leighton. The interaction and mateship I know many of the blokes here have gotten from being part of WAMS is a great result.

“These guys would have been man of the house

when they were younger, fixing things and being outdoors. That’s what we’re trying to recreate with these activities, to give them a sense of purpose.

“Since we started the group, our gardens are so tidy and the pavers have been swept within an inch of their life, because the men just love being able to help out.

Margaret said since starting the group, Dave had since gone on to commence the Therapy Assistant qualification through Health Training Australia.

Dave said the opportunity to coordinate the weekly group was like a treat.

“I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this, and it’s helped me get to know the group members’ backgrounds and interests,” he said.

“The men in the group have been able to build friendships and they’re experiencing less isolation as a result.”

Dave said on some weeks the group will all sit down after the activities and enjoy an ultra-light beer, as long as it will not have a negative effect with any medication the residents may be taking.

“We just relax and have a beer and a chat, to bring a sense of normality back into their lives,” he said.

“It’s been good to see everyone enjoy what they’re doing, and the blokes here always look forward to the next session.”

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THE FORESTVILLE FIVE BOOK CLUB REUNITE AT GLENWOOD Janet Williams has been a resident of Glenwood Aged Care Home since 2014.

Until recently she enjoyed going out regularly to plays as well as concerts and to her beloved “Forestville Five” Book Club.

The Book Club was initially part of the Sydney University Discussion Group Scheme but the Forestville Five started in 1965 with Janet and four of her fellow foundation members, all young mothers who had small children and babies.

They decided that with all of life’s challenges, boredom and lack of stimulation they wanted something more from life then just being a stay at home mum.

“We’ve all got brains. There must be more we can do with them than this.” Soon after they became the Forestville Five the group swelled to 10 as friends continued to join them and every fortnight they all dressed up and went out together leaving the children and babies with their fathers.

The meetings with course notes and a tutor, provided something unique and unexpected friendships formed and the support from one another enhanced the lives of them all.

Their meeting followed the school calendar and rotated around the homes of its members.

“The first and only rule we had was no talking about husbands or children until supper time,” said Janet.

“We more or less stuck to that.”

Suppers were a big thing and there was once a time when in the interests of maintaining an everincreasing standard the suppers became mini banquets – a gourmet’s delight meant that people regretted having had dinner beforehand.

Tea, coffee and snacks became the excuse to talk about husbands and children, where the worst of the problems and tragedies as well as the greatest triumphs were shared.

The thing about this group said one member is that it was never judgemental.

Over the years more than 30 people have become

members. Subjects have been wide ranging but their favourite was drama.

Initially topics and books and discussion notes were provided by Sydney University then everyone would contribute to a group report on the subject.

Most Tutors tried to attend their courses at least once. When they had exhausted all the courses they changed to books with discussion questions and notes which were provided by the Victorian CEA. Currently in its 52nd year the Janet Williams Book Club still lives on thanks to Lifestyle Officer Ann McGrath, as Janet is now unable to join them they hosted the Book Club at Glenwood Aged Care Home.

It was wonderful to see this large group of lovely ladies coming together, enjoying each other’s company and conversations and to learn the history of this unique group which provided friendships and support when times were bad and for all of life’s challenges through all the stages of life and family.

To them it was a special breathing space, an escape and a time of healing. It provided encouragement to launch into higher studies and new careers and bonded a special group of women.

It is truly unique and special and is a testament to friendship.

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IMPROVING COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN OUR HOMES

Staff at Leighton and Windsor Park Aged Care Homes celebrated their improved communication skills after completing the Gaining Access to Training and Employment (GATE) course.

The training was provided by North Metropolitan TAFE, and teaches staff how to complete the range of documentation used in our homes, such as care plans, progress notes and hazard or incident reports.

Staff at Belmont Aged Care Home, in Perth’s east, also completed the course earlier this year.

As well as streamlining the

submission of paperwork in the home, this course helps individuals improve their literacy skills and communicate more effectively with their colleagues.

Leighton Director of Nursing Margaret Tranquille said it was great to see the staff supporting each other throughout the course.

“It’s been fabulous, they really worked as a team and helped each other,” she said.

“Even staff who had previously completed the Personal Carer Advanced Practice course have benefitted from GATE, and they’ve been able to mentor other staff.”

North Metropolitan TAFE lecturer Michele Bishop said the staff worked hard over six months to complete the training.

“This course really has a positive effect in the home, because staff all experience different problems on the floor, but they can come together and solve them in the class room,” she said.

In 2018, the outcomes provided through GATE will be covered through the North Metropolitan TAFE’s Workplace Communication training course.

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NEW GRADUATES FOR ADVANCED PERSONAL CARER COURSE At Hall & Prior, we are committed to helping our staff increase their skill levels and offer real options for career pathways. For staff in our Western Australian homes, we run the Personal Carer Advanced Practice PCAP), aimed at care staff who are looking to take on more responsibilities.

We recently celebrated our latest group of graduates who had completed the six-week course.

The course is designed to provide the opportunity for professional development for carers, and can be used as a stepping stone for those who wish to take on further clinical study in the future.

As part of the course, carers are trained to better assist nursing staff in the home by recording residents’ blood pressure and vital signs, filling in incident forms, treating minor wounds and administering medication.

Participants also attend workshops of a wide range of topics related to residential aged care, including infection control, falls prevention, nutrition and hydration and palliative care. The training also covers assisting people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, or who identify as gender diverse or as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI).

In order to complete the course, carers are required to complete a series of written and practical assessments, as well as perform 10 supervised

medications rounds in the home. The program was reviewed in 2017, which will lead to positive outcomes for those undertaking the course in 2018. Hall & Prior’s Director of Quality, Safety & Compliance Julie Beaton said she was always impressed with the leadership skills and collegiality shown by those who take the PCAP course.

“Throughout the course everyone works well as a team, and it’s wonderful to see a lot of people’s selfconfidence blossom by the time they graduate,” she said.

“In the homes, having the PCAP staff takes a lot of pressure off the Registered Nurses, as the PCAPs can take care of a lot of additional duties, which leaves the RNs free to take care of the more complex tasks. A lot of PCAPs who completed the course previously have gone on to begin their Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse training since, which is a great result.”

Julie said that due to Hall & Prior’s extremely diverse and multicultural staff, many PCAPs were nurses in their home country before they moved to Australia.

“The PCAP course means they’re able to keep using their nursing skills while they undertake the process of re-qualifying under Australia’s nursing standards.”

Congratulations to all of our new PCAP staff.

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“TONY OF ROME” – THE STORY OF TONY GIOVENCO Across Hall & Prior’s 25 residential aged care homes, we care for more than 1,500 people. We realise this means there are more than 1,500 fascinating life stories that we are honoured to hear.

We are delighted to be able to share these stories with you.

At Menaville Aged Care Home, in the Sydney suburb of Rockdale, we spoke to Tony Giovenco about his incredible tale of coming to Australia in his youth and building a life for himself.

Menaville resident, Tony Giovenco was born on January 3 1933 in Santa Marina Salina, Italy to Nancy and Giovanni Giovenco.

He was the eldest of three sons, Tony, Amedeo and Lawrence and had a close bond with his family but in 1951 Tony left his family behind and migrated to Australia, living with his aunty in Sydney’s southern suburb of Kogarah on a pursuit to follow his dreams.

He arrived in Australia as a qualified barber/hairdresser but

only speaking Italian he realised that he needed to learn English before taking on this occupation in Sydney. Learning English and working at the glass works factory on Crown Street in Surry Hills it was a few years later where Tony was given an opportunity to work part time as a hairdresser in a Kings Cross barber shop with his friend Sam Mirando.

Tony was grateful but it was a struggle for him to travel from Kogarah to Pymble by public transport every day as he was still working in Surry Hills however, it was his passion of hairdressing that drove him to pursue a career in this field.

Sam later found him another job with an Italian family at their Pymble hairdressing salon.

Being the gentleman he was, offered his chair to her every Wednesday. “I only had eyes for

During Tony’s time at English School he met Anna Ferrante, it was love at first sight.

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“In 1960 Tony opened his first salon on Railway Street in Rockdale naming it ‘Tony of Rome’ which became an iconic name in the St. George area.” her,” Tony said. Anna,who at the time was only 15 years of age had very protective parents and once her family found out about Tony she was no longer able to continue with English school but that didn’t stop her seeing Tony.

Anna would sneak out to see him with her twin sister Antoinetta and her sisters future husband, Carmelo.

One Saturday after Tony had been fishing he decided to call into Anna’s house and introduce himself to her mother who then asked if he would like to see Anna. When Anna was called by her mother she thought she would be in trouble but thankfully this was not the case at all.

Tony asked permission to take Anna out however her protective father would not allow this.

Instead Tony was invited on weekends to join the family to church, cinemas, dances and other social gatherings.

Tony worked hard to bring his mum, dad and siblings to Australia, his father was also a barber and soon got a job in Sydney’s southern suburb of Hurstville.

Tony was later introduced to hairdresser George Thorburn whose salons were the biggest in Hurstville. Ron and George Thorburn could see the potential in Tony, not only for his passion of cutting and styling, but with the

ability to attract female clients to the salon with his good looks and charm, so they offered Tony his own chair in their salon with a token rent.

Tony was elated and gave his notice at the glass works in Surry Hills immediately.

It was at this time that the foundation to his success in opening his own salons was set.

At the age of 21 Tony proposed to the love of his life Anna who was 16 at the time and were happily engaged.

Over four years later they got married and lived with family.

It was not long before Anna fell pregnant so they bought a small house in Park Road, Ramsgate which they later sold and moved to a small shack on The Promenade on the water as Sans Souci until they built their new home there.

In 1960 Tony opened his first salon on Railway Street in Rockdale naming it ‘Tony of Rome’ which became and still is an iconic name in the St. George area.

He eventually set up another three salons in the Rockdale area with the assistance of his three sons John, Joseph and David, all of whom followed in their father’s footsteps of becoming a hairdresser.

His youngest son Rick also tried hairdressing but it was

not for him, he became a very accomplished panel beater.

Over the span of 38 years Tony became very successful in his career, a much loved and respected identity in the Rockdale community even to this day. Tony was an accomplished man, there was nothing he could not do mastering skills in building, concreting, painting & tiling.

He loved playing sport and practiced tennis with the great Ken Rosewall.

He won the Diadora Club Flotta Lauro Trophy in 1963, played A grade Squash as well as golf.

Tony travelled the world twice with his wife Anna and enjoyed many wonderful family holidays and gatherings together. Love of family was most important to them.

Tony retired at age 65 and was able to spend more time with his much loved family, dancing, playing card games and tending to his vegetable garden and fruit trees.

Tony now resides at Menaville Aged Care Home, he was the hairdresser to many including some residents of Menaville and their relatives who remember this charming man with the big warm smile and his love to interact with others.

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RECOGNISING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY WEEK 2017 During October we celebrated Occupational Therapy Week throughout our homes. Hall & Prior Occupational Therapy (OT) staff held a series of events to educate staff about the work they do, and the ways they help those we care for.

Occupational Therapists are Allied Health professionals who focus on enabling people to participate in the activities of everyday life. They help people maintain function through focusing on their strengths and abilities. The aim is for the person to have the best quality of life despite the limitations caused by ageing or by disease progression.

This means finding ways for people to continue performing everyday tasks that many of us may take for granted, such as using cutlery and being able to move around safely.

Their role focuses on environmental modifications to a home or living space to increase safety, falls prevention, hand therapy to maintain range of motion and grip strength, behavior support and educating other staff.

For example, someone with reduced dexterity and fine motor control in their hands will have trouble using ordinary cutlery to eat a meal on their own. An OT can provide modified, built-up cutlery which is easier to grip and manoeuvre, enabling the person to eat independently.

Changes like these can make a huge difference in the overall health and wellbeing of any person, but are especially important for the care of older people.

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TRAINEE PARTNERSHIP HELPS ATTRACT TALENTED YOUNG CARERS Aged just 19, Tarmira Williams represents Hall & Prior’s next generation of incredible carers.

Across our Western Australian staff, the average age is 40.3, but within the last 12 months, the average age of people we have employed is 35.3 years.

This represents a shift in the future of aged care, as we hope to continue to attract and retain excellent staff to care for Australia’s ageing population.

After finishing high school, Tarmira knew she wanted to enter into a field where she was able to care for people.

try. I didn’t expect to love it so much, and now I definitely feel like this is what I want to do with my life.”

“My mum used to work in an aged care home as a cook, and on school holidays I would go with her and help out with the social activities,” she said.

Tarmira began her journey to care by undertaking a traineeship with Health Training Australia (HTA) to complete a Certificate III in Individual Care.

“I really enjoyed sitting with the older people and talking to them, so I thought I’d give aged care a

The course takes between seven and nine months, and trainees gain an extensive amount of

experience working in an aged care home.

Hall & Prior have a long-standing relationship with HTA, who work with us to support the trainees throughout their course.

“The HTA course was awesome because I got so much placement time in the home,” Tarmira said.

“You end up working in the home pretty much full-time, and

24 Life & Love

because it’s such a long course it’s easier to become comfortable and settle into the job.

“It took me about three months to really get a handle on things and know all the routines.”

After completing the qualification, Tarmira was employed by Hall & Prior in September.

Aged just 19, Tarmira said most of her friends don’t understand the appeal of working in aged care.

“I make sure to explain the other parts of the job, that it’s not just helping people have a shower,” she said.

“I was a bit surprised on my first day when I realised that being a carer is not just handing out cups of tea and having conversations, but I was determined to finish the traineeship.

“Some days it’s hard, but I suppose that’s the same as any job.

“I learned really quickly to just enjoy it and not stress too much.

Overall I really love coming here.

“I felt like a baby when I started at Rockingham, because I didn’t know what I was doing. But everyone here is so lovely and helped me learn.

Within Hall & Prior’s homes, we have the honour of caring for older people in what may be the last years of their life, so Tarmira said the biggest challenge she faces is when someone she has cared for passes away.

“It’s hard to get close because you know they may pass away in the future, and you can get really heartbroken some days,” she said.

“Rockingham is a pretty small home so it’s like a family. When I’m having a bad day, talking to all the residents makes everything better.

“Their company and their wise words are always so positive and I just love that.”

Tarmira hopes to study nursing in the future, and said Rockingham’s Director of Nursing Terri Woolhouse has been very supportive.

Terri said she is continually impressed with Tarmira’s humble and switched-on approach to care and to her work.

“Tarmira is forever helping others and she does everything with a smile,” Terri said.

“The amount of compassion she shows every day is just incredible, and she’ll always take the time to chat to a resident or their family, even if she’s busy.”

Terri said Tarmira is always picking up extra tasks without being asked, and always pays attention to detail.

“Tarmira will often do little things like make a resident’s bed just because she walks past and sees that it needs to be done. She’s so humble and is always happy to go the extra mile.

“Her ability to build a rapport and bond with the people she’s caring for makes all the difference.

“Tarmira truly practices personorientated care, instead of just seeing tasks that need to be completed.”

REMEMBRANCE DAY IN OUR HOMES

November 11 marks Remembrance Day, where people all across the world observe minute’s silence to remember those who have suffered or lost their lives at war.

This moment marks 99 years since the guns fell silent on the Western Front at 11am on 11 November, 1918, after more than four years of continuous warfare.

War has touched the lives of many of our staff, the residents we care for and their families, and it is important that we continue to remember the effects of war so we, as a nation, can learn from the past.

In all of our homes, staff and residents alike gathered together on Remembrance Day to observe the minute’s silence and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have given their lives during wartimes.

As many of the people in our homes are unable to attend services out in the community for occasions such as Remembrance Day, our staff make a special effort to give our residents the opportunity to pay their respects.

Being able to continue the traditions of the past is extremely important for the wellbeing of those in our care.

Across our New South Wales Homes, our Therapy Assistant teams organised a series of themed art sessions in the leadup to Remembrance Day. Residents were encouraged to capture their feelings and memories about Remembrance Day, with many choosing to portray poppies as part of their art.

A wide range of mediums were used to create the artworks, including paint, paper cuttings, felt and pencil. The completed works were then displayed around each home, to truly capture the spirit of the day of reflection.

Residents’ families were invited to come and view the art, as well as join us for recitals of odes and poems in homage to the fallen Australian soldiers and all those who had worked hard to maintain peace in the world.

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NEWS IN BRIEF – WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HALL & PRIOR HOMES Concorde staff in the pink for breast cancer awareness

New Director of Nursing accounced for Belmont

The inside of Concorde Aged Care Home turned bright pink during October as the staff gathered together to fundraiser for breast cancer research.

We are pleased to announce that Terri Woolhouse (pictured right) will be moving to the Director of Nursing (DON) role at Belmont Aged Care Home, in Perth’s east.

Each year, people all around Australia recognise Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to spread awareness of the disease and its impact on those affected.

The Concorde team broke out pink decorations and dressed up for their fundraising morning tea, where they raised an outstanding $270.

Terri has been the DON at Rockingham Aged Care Home, south of Perth, for several years, and has a long history with Hall & Prior.

Concorde’s Administration Office Siobhan Walsh ensures the home rallies around the cause each year, and she said she was pleased to be able to donate the funds to such a worthy cause.

She first joined the organisation in a combined catering and care role at Clarence Estate.

She progressed to a personal carer role before earning her qualifications first as an Enrolled Nurse, and then as a Registered Nurse while at Clarence Estate.

She then supported the initial development and set-up of Clarence Estate’s Home Care program.

“It was great to see everybody participating, whether it was by wearing a funny pink costume, making food on the day and giving donations,” she said.

After moving to Perth, she has worked as a Clinical Nurse Manager with our IT team, and at Hamersley and McDougall Park Aged Care Homes.

Joining in the Melbourne Cup festivities Every year Melbourne Cup is celebrated Australia-wide and is known as ‘race that stops the nation’. Both NSW and WA homes dressed to impress and placed their bets for a fun-filled Tuesday on November 7.

Occupational therapy sessions leading up to the event included craft sessions, where residents got involved in making and decorating hats and fascinators from beautiful fabrics, ribbons, feathers and bows.

Many of the homes hosted competitions for the best headwear or outfit, accompanied by lively fashion shows to rival

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Memorial and Blessing of the Home at Hamersley Each year, Hamersley Aged Care Home’s Director of Nursing Sally Gutman organises a memorial and blessing of the home service.

On October 12, residents and staff of the home, located in the Perth suburb of Subiaco, gathered to remember those who have passed away. the annual Fashions on the Field event at Flemington.

Celebrating staff, culture and food at St Lukes

The sense of excitement and anticipation increased ahead of the big race, with everyone sitting down to special lunches and morning teas ahead of the broadcast.

Throughout Hall & Prior, we have an extremely multicultural body of staff, and there is no better way to celebrate than getting together to share a meal.

The homes organised sweepstakes and residents and staff alike got to cheer on ‘their’ horse once the race kicked off.

Everyone enjoyed the race, there were winners and losers, but more importantly everyone was there to have fun, enjoy the celebrations and each other’s company and just have a wonderful time.

The team at St Lukes Aged Care Home, in the Perth suburb of Subiaco, held a special lunch during October in recognition of all the nations of their staff.

Everyone brought in dishes related to their culture, with representatives from India, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Poland, Nepal, South Africa, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Australia coming together for the event.

Sprigs of rosemary were passed out all attendees, as the scent of the herb is believed to evoke memories.

The service was led by local Anglican Minister Roger Morey, who shared prayers and words of wisdom about giving thanks, dealing with difficult times and saying goodbye.

There was also time for silent reflection, where the group were asked to call to mind a loved one that had passed, and think about the special and happy memories they once shared together.

“Dealing with the passing of a loved one can be difficult, so it’s important to make time to reflect on the happier times in their lives,” Sally said.

HEAD OFFICE 16-18 Mayfair Street West Perth WA 6005 PO Box 1593 West Perth WA 6872 T 08 9321 1388 F 08 9321 1490 E info@hallprior.com.au

NEW SOUTH WALES STATE OFFICE 274 Burns Bay Road Lane Cove NSW 2066 PO Box 84 Lane Cove NSW 1595 T 02 9427 8978 F 02 9427 3218 E infonsw@hallprior.com.au

hallprior.com.au

hallprior.com.au