HALL & PRIOR H E A LT H & A G E D C A R E G R O U P
Dedicated to care Menaville’s cooks celebrate a combined 64 years of service p12 TOWARDS RECONCILIATION > INAUGURAL RECONCILICATION ACTION PLAN RELEASED p4 SIRIUS COVE SENDS SAM SINGH HOME: AN INSPIRING STORY OF HEALING
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DID YOU KNOW THAT THE NUTRITIONAL AIM FOR ANYONE 70 YEARS OR OLDER IS TO MAINTAIN WEIGHT? Learn about nutritional concerns for the elderly from Hall & Prior’s dietitians
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SUPPORTING THE WEEKEND TO END WOMEN’S CANCERS
Concorde’s Director of Nursing puts in the hard yards for cancer research
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 23 years, Hall & Prior has grown from one nursing home to an organisation that cares for over 1,200 people in Western Australia and New South Wales. Our people are our greatest asset. Each one of our 20 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, 7 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 A passion for care
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Sirius Cove sends Sam Singh home
8 Windsor welcomes Wendy Ashwin 10 Judy puts in the hard yards for cancer11 research 11 Zora and Teresa cook up 65 years of service 12
Nutritional concerns for the elderly
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The staff of Sirius Cove said an emotional farewell to former resident, Sam Singh, when he was discharged from the home in January following an immense improvement in his health.
Directors’ Awards feature: Recognising our exceptional staff Kevin enjoys spending time with the boys Literacy program trial WOWs staff
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FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The beginning of 2015 has held some significant milestones for the Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group. Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome some new staff and residents to our organisation. We recently acquired Agmaroy Nursing Home in Wilson, Western Australia, taking our total number of homes to 20 before we begin construction of the first of three new developments later this year. On behalf of Hall & Prior, I would like to I would like to pay tribute to the previous owners, Sue MartinRobins and Alma Martin, for their dedication to care over the past 19 years, and welcome Carmel Greenwood-Hone and Caroline McWhinnie who have accepted our offer of employment and will continue to lead the care program at Agmaroy as Director of Nursing and Clinical Nurse Manager. The 60-bed home provides a high level of care and is staffed by a dedicated team, and we are confident that the home will integrate seamlessly into our current operations.
Secondly, the launch of our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, is a major step forward as we move toward making Hall & Prior more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, both in care and employment. Hall & Prior’s vision for reconciliation is for all Australians to be connected by a shared understanding and mutual respect. Our Indigenous Advisor, Clayton Lewis, is leading the implementation of the RAP through a working group comprising leaders from various
The launch of our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan is a major step forward in making Hall & Prior more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, both in employment and care. areas of our organisation. The appointment of an Aboriginal Health Coordinator, Wendy Ashwin, at Windsor Park in 2014 will provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and their families with valuable support and advocacy across our homes—you can read more about Wendy’s contribution on page 10. A copy of the RAP is available on the Hall & Prior website at www.hallprior.com.au
Left: Graeme Prior and Clayton Lewis launch the consultative draft of Hall & Prior’s Reconciliation Action Plan at the Directors’ Drinks function in December 2014. Below: detail of Bradley Kickett’s painting, Wadjak Country, which was used throughout the design of the RAP.
As a third and final milestone, our homes are preparing to commemorate a landmark event in Australia’s history: this Anzac Day marks 100 years since Anzac troops landed on the beach at Gallipoli on 25 April, 1915. Although our troops were defeated, the battle of Gallipoli was a pivotal moment in the development of our national identity. Our homes will each mark the day with a service, supported by resources developed at a corporate level. I look forward to sharing photographs of our services and more information in the June edition of Life & Love. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group, I am fortunate to work with a range of skilled professionals from a number of disciplines. Stories of our staff going above and beyond our expectations to provide the highest quality care for our staff— whether it be in food, education, clinical care, leadership or support of other staff—are truly inspirational, and I hope you enjoy reading about them in this edition of Life & Love. Until next time, GRAEME PRIOR Chief Executive Officer Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group
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Registered Nurse, Genn Carao, at Hamersley Aged Care Home in Subiaco
A PASSION FOR CARE Genn Carao, a Registered Nurse at Hamersley Aged Care Home in Perth, is one of over 960 nursing and care staff employed by the Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group Australia wide. Genn’s nursing career began more than 4,500km from Perth at the Mahayag Municipal Hospital in Mindanao, Philippines. Aged care was a natural fit for Genn, who has an intrinsic compassion and respect for older people that he attributes to being close to his grandparents while growing up. “I like the continuity of care you experience working in an aged care home,” he says. “You really get to know your residents, which is a lot more rewarding than working in a hospital because you don’t get the chance to really get to know the people you’re caring for.”
Genn started working at Hamersley almost two years ago when he moved to Australia to study management and business, but decided to return to nursing and hasn’t looked back. Working as a personal carer while completing an International Nursing Conversion Program gave Genn’s clinical knowledge a new depth, and he’s excited to be back to doing what he loves doing—nursing. “Being a carer is quite a different experience to nursing,” he explains. “You’re not just planning and implementing clinical care—you get a bigger picture of the care that you’re
planning to give to your residents, which in turn improves the quality of care that you’re able to give. Making the move from an office job to caring was difficult at first because of the physical nature of the job, but the staff at Hamersley were all very supportive during the transition and throughout my study. The best part about my job is interacting with the residents. They are very interesting people and we can learn a lot from listening to their stories. People with dementia have a different way of interacting and their own way of making you smile, even when you’re tired from a busy day.”
Working as a personal carer while completing his International Nursing Conversion Program gave Genn’s clinical knowledge a new depth
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Sirius Cove’s staff say an emotional farewell to former resident, Sam Singh
SIRIUS COVE SENDS SAM SINGH HOME Following a road accident at 68 years of age, Sam Singh required a specialist feeding technique known as Total Parental Nutrition (TPN)—a method of nutrition supply delivered directly into the blood stream, which is required when the body is unable to process and deliver nutrition from food. Sirius Cove Aged Care Home in Mosman, New South Wales is well known by the local hospital network for taking specialised, complex nursing cases for younger people as well as the elderly. When the home’s Director of Nursing, Cathy Orie, learned about Mr Singh’s case, she was eager to begin learning about the technique so they could assist with his care.
Sirius Cove is well known by local hospitals for taking specialised, complex nursing cases for younger people as well as the elderly Sirius Cove is the first aged care home in New South Wales to take on a Total Parental Nutrition case, and Cathy collaborated with Kath Angstmann, the Clinical Nurse Consultant for TPN in New South Wales to prepare her staff to be able to care for Mr Singh. During his four year stay at Sirius Cove, the home’s staff witnessed an immense improvement in Mr Singh’s weight, health and spirit to the point where he no longer required the full care offered by the home and was able to return home. Mr Singh was discharged
on Friday 16 January to return to living independently in the community. It was an emotional day for everyone, but we’re happy to know that he is in good health and wish him all the best for the future.
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NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS FOR THE ELDERLY by Joanne Flannery and Christine Kowalski Did you know that the nutritional aim for anyone 70 years old or greater is to maintain weight? Malnutrition, weight loss, loss of muscle mass and strength, and decreased calcium absorption are some of the biggest nutritional concerns affecting the elderly population. Hall & Prior’s Dietitians, Joanne Flannery and Christine Kowalski, visit each home regularly to monitor how the residents are eating and drinking, review monthly weights and assess residents who have been referred. They work alongside a team of speech pathologists and registered nurses to ensure that the diets provided are safe, nutritious and enjoyable. Our dietitians are currently reviewing Hall & Prior’s menu in accordance with national guidelines, including The Australian Dietary Guidelines (2013) and the Nutrient Reference Values.
Malnutrition (Also known as under nutrition or malnourishment, and is often observed with muscle wasting). Malnutrition can occur as a consequence of not eating enough food, or not having enough food provided. The prevalence of malnutrition in the elderly has been approximated as being as high as 50% within residential aged care facilities in Australia (Banks, Ash, Bauer & Gaskill 2007). Consequences of malnutrition include: • Delayed wound healing • Increased risk of pressure sores • Muscle wasting • Infection • Dehydration • Constipation • Lethargy and depression • Increased likelihood of hospital admission.
The prevalence of malnutrition in the elderly has been approximated as being as high as 50% within residential aged care facilities in Australia Staff at Hall & Prior homes observe residents at meal times and report poor diet intakes to the visiting dietitian. Weight loss Did you know that older adults have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) or weight to height ratio for an emergency supply of energy if they become unwell?
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INTRODUCING HALL & PRIOR’S DIETITIANS Joanne Flannery
Joanne is passionate about food and has worked as a dietitian for 25 years in both Australia and the UK. She has 16 years’ experience in aged care, and has supported Hall & Prior’s residents for the past 10 years.
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Weight loss in older adults is associated with accelerated loss of muscle and bone density, as well as poor health outcomes. Severe weight loss in the elderly is associated with relatively higher rates of morbidity and mortality (Department of Health 2001, Burbridge 2014). All Hall & Prior residents are weighed monthly, and staff work with our dietitians to keep residents’ weights steady. Protein
Christine Kowalski
Christine joined Joanne at Hall & Prior in 2014 and has been a dietitian for seven years, working in hospitals in the UK and Australia. She also has a passion for food and aged care.
Older adults require a higher intake of protein to maintain muscle mass and strength. Good sources of protein are found in red meat, chicken, fish, egg, soy products, legumes and beans, milk, yoghurt, custard, cheese, ice cream and other dairy items. In addition to diet, light exercise such as lifting the legs assists with maintaining muscles. A recent study (Paddon-Jones 2014) recommends 25 to 30 grams of protein per meal to stimulate muscle protein synthesis in young and older populations. Muscle protein synthesis is reduced in the elderly population when protein is 20 grams or less per meal. Bed rest also increases the loss of lean body mass. Calcium Inadequate calcium intake has been shown to lead to decreased calcium absorption and a reduction in bone mineral density (Mangano, Walsh, Kenny, Insogna & Kerstetter, 2014). Low bone mineral density can result in an increased incidence of bone fractures, and an increase in mortality rate. These concerns are being addressed through the menu review, which is scheduled for completion in 2016.
ABORIGINAL HEALTH COORDINATOR AN ASSET TO HALL & PRIOR WA Wendy Ashwin joined Hall & Prior in July 2014 as Windsor Park Aged Care Home’s first Aboriginal Health Coordinator, providing current residents with support and advocacy and helping to further develop the services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and their families. Although relatively new to aged care, Wendy has a diverse background in advocacy and support for people from all walks of life. She formed a strong relationship with Windsor Park’s Executive Manager, Sharyn McDavitt, and had got to know many of the home’s Aboriginal residents while working for the Office of the Public Advocate. “Wendy has been a blessing to families and older homeless and Aboriginal people in our community,” says Sharyn. “Her understanding of support services means that she is able to liaise with government agencies and represent the interests of our residents.” The majority of her time is spent liaising with Aboriginal families and community groups to promote Windsor Park’s care programs through community events, as well as government and nongovernment organisations. She also explains the financial side of care to families, and assists residents with no family to apply for a guardian through the State Administration Tribunal. “My goal is to make sure that Winsor Park is the first choice for older Aboriginal people looking for care, and that the
care they receive is as culturally appropriate as possible. I want to build good relationships with the community and make sure that residents and their families are comfortable living in and visiting Windsor Park,” Wendy explains. “We held a Family Fun Day on 27 November which was a great success, and are hoping to do more in the future. Events like National Reconciliation Week—held from 27 May to 3 June—and NAIDOC Week are things that everyone can get involved with,” she says. “It’s important to remember that the staff and residents and Windsor Park come from many different cultural backgrounds, and Sharyn (the home’s Executive Manager) does a great job of making sure that everyone feels supported.”
Wendy is a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Group, which provides advice and recommendations to the Armadale City Council on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Armadale and Kelmscott. She is also a foundation member of Hall & Prior’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, and will be liaising with staff from Marr Moodtij to develop employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student nurses.
“Wendy’s understanding of support services means she is able to liaise with government agencies and represent the interests of our residents”
Wendy Ashwin and Sharyn McDavitt with a mural at Windsor Park, painted by artist Ron Gidgup
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JUDY PUTS IN THE HARD YARDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH A group of seven Concorde staff leave the home early on a Monday morning to walk along the picturesque South Perth foreshore. They aimed for two kilometres on their first walk but managed to walk three, and have been increasing the distance ever since. But their goal isn’t just fitness— the group formed to support their Director of Nursing, Judy Davis, to train for an enormous personal challenge. Judy will be among hundreds of people participating in the Perth Weekend to End Women’s Cancers, walking 60km over two days and camping overnight at McCallum Park in South Perth during the last weekend in March. The inaugural Weekend in 2014 had 845 participants and raised $2.2 million for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research to continue their ground-breaking work in the prevention and treatment of women’s cancers. Judy’s reason for taking on the challenge is simple: she wants to be able to do what she can to support a cause that’s very close to her heart. “So many of us at Concorde have been touched by cancer—our staff, our families
and our residents. Lots of people can donate to causes like this— that’s the easy part—but you need people to walk for the people who can’t,” she says. “One of my sisters died from cancer, and one has had a lung removed. We’re waiting to see if the operation was a success.” The 60km walk the longest distance Judy has aimed to complete by far, but it’s not her first big walk: she was the only Hall & Prior Director of Nursing to complete both the 14km HBF Run for a Reason and the 5km City to Surf events in 2014. She is well on her way to achieving
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Judy Davis (far right) with members of Concorde’s Monday morning walking group
her fundraising goal of $2,500 thanks to donations from friends and colleagues, and support from the staff at Concorde. Her walking group donates $5 each for every Monday morning walk, and the staff are holding a free dress day, gym day and a staff barbecue to raise extra money. The walk may be over by the time you read this article but it’s not too late to donate: visit www.endcancer.org.au and click through to Perth 2015 to search for Judith Davis, or email jdavis@hallprior.com.au for more information.
“So many of us at Concorde have been touched by cancer—our staff, our residents and our families. Lots of people can donate, but you need people to walk for the people who can’t”
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ZORA AND TERESA COOK UP A COMBINED 64 YEARS OF SERVICE Since 2012, Hall & Prior have recognised more than 300 staff for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 35 years of service. Between them, our longserving staff have touched the lives of thousands of people and their stories form the history of our organisation. At Menaville Aged Care Home in Rockdale, cooks Zora Skubevska and Teresa Rizzuti have recently celebrated a combined total of 64 years’ at the home, serving countless meals to their much-loved residents. “I enjoy the connection to the residents that I get from working in an aged care home,” Teresa says. “They are very kind and giving personalities, with a lot of depth. They are definitely my favourite part of the job!” Zora agrees, adding that they serve food that comes from our heart. “It’s always the best food for these beautiful people!” she says. Zora and Teresa both began working at Menaville in 1982, when the home was owned and operated by the Morris family. Zora had arrived in Australia from Macedonia a month before starting at Menaville as a cleaner, and progressed to various roles within the home before becoming the head cook in 1997. She still remembers her first day at the home. “I had just left my sewing job to come and meet Mr Morris, as a friend had told me there was cleaning work available at Menaville. I worked a trial day for him, and at the end of the day he said to me, “You start tomorrow!” I was very happy as he was a very nice man and I felt instantly at home at Menaville.”
Teresa, originally from Italy, arrived in Australia at the age of 19 in 1968 with her mother, father, sisters and brothers. She took over from a friend who left the home to have a baby, and has learned a lot of her English while working at Menaville. Both women have seen the home change a lot over the years and share many memories—particularly working in a caravan for a time while the kitchen was being renovated! Both women received mementos for their incredible 32 years of service at Hall & Prior’s Sydney Long Service and Directors’ Awards event in November 2014, with Zora also receiving an Outstanding Achievement Award for the exceptional quality of the meals she delivers to the residents of Menaville. She is often seen outside the kitchen speaking to residents about their satisfaction with meals, and happily takes advice or compliments about anything food related.
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A SHORT HISTORY OF MENAVILLE AGED CARE HOME Menaville was named after one of the original owners of the home, Mena Hawk, who bought the property in the late 1950s. She converted the house into a convalescent home for about 11 residents and lived in another house across the street where she provided board and lodgings for wayward girls who staffed the convalescent home. In the 1960s, Menaville was sold to Harry Bath who updated and extended the home, adding approximately 30 beds. Many of the home’s staff also lived at the home, using flats that were located downstairs. The home was then sold to the Morris family who continued the renovations and added a few more beds. Menaville was bought by the Danks Group in 1986, who continued to improve the standard of care and accommodation for its residents, and, in 2007, was acquired by Hall & Prior along with the other Danks facilities. Today, Menaville cares for 48 residents and is recognised by the community for their work to provide personcentred dementia care. Zora Skubevska walking the red carpet at Hall & Prior’s Celebration of Service function at Pier One in Sydney. Left: Teresa Rizzuti preparing a meal in the Menaville kitchen.
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Above: CEO Graeme Prior presents former Marketing Manager, Ellen Thurley, with her award for Outstanding Achievement. Right: Glenwood’s Director of Nursing, Irene Whippy, celebrates her award for Outstanding Leadership with her staff.
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Directors’ Awards RECOGNISING EXCEPTIONAL STAFF Hall & Prior’s Directors’ Awards began in Western Australia 2011 as a way to recognise exceptional staff for their achievements. In 2013, an annual awards event was introduced for staff from Hall & Prior’s Sydney homes with the assistance of PR Coordinator, Jacki Downs, and has become the highlight of the year for many staff. The awards give staff and stakeholders an opportunity to celebrate the year that was and recognise staff for outstanding care and services, leadership and achievement. The iconic awards, designed by Clarity Communications, are proudly displayed on desks and walls of some of the most dedicated and deserving staff members in our organisation. A total of 58 awards were presented across the two states in 2014,. Among the recipients were Sarah Riach, Joy Bigelow, Jesusa Silverio and Cheryl Clark who were nomenated by their staff and peers for ourstanding leadership.
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Sarah Riach
Congratulations
TO OUR 2014 AWARD RECIPIENTS
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Jennifer O’Connell
DRS Group (Jo Flannery Christine Kowalski, Pamela Windram, Lillian Moorcroft, Tapan Desai)
Sandra Piercy
Elizabeth Pietersen
Catherine Zhou
Natalie Skalko
Jesusa Silverio
Fong Keat Leow
Tracey Biddle
Fresh Fields Drivers (Stephen Bishop, Michael Eve, Mikaele Frost, Predrag Gojkovic and Peter Moana)
Care Documentation Group (Duska Bodegrajac, Maria Crothers and the home Link Teams)
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP Irene Whippy Sarah Riach
Cheryl Clark Sharron Magennis Linda Jackson Kraig Hoogland Kevin Fitzgerald
OUTSTANDING CARE AND SERVICES Catherine Melton Itili Tupou Gail Graham Prerna Gurung Lesley Jones Marie Markarian
Mary Somerset
Suzanna Nikolovska Nyo Me Htun Zora Skubevska
Mely Sy Cate Barlow Ellen Thurley
Caroline Cairns
Staff of Belmont Aged Care Home
Linda Christy
Anne O’Donoghue
Ludy Arcenas
Staff of McDougall Park Aged Care Home
Tony Kuszyk Ruth Abraham
Sally Gutman
Tasha McKay
Margaret Tranquille
Tuohy Registered Nurses
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Christine Bennett Evol Brookes Caroline Lawson
Kensington Park Care and Hospitality Staff
Lisa Kim
SCHOLARSHIPS
Audrey Randall
James Wightman Mariska Bezuidenhout
Christine Davin
Immunisation Group (Toni McHale, Caroline Cairns, Linda Jackson and Kraig Hoogland)
Anne Alonzo
Graeme Williams
Alison Galante
Brenda McKell
Ana Akauloa Jessica Orie Eddie Leau Maria Ramaci
Jason Waylen Kath Whisson
Yvonne Wales
DIRECTOR OF NURSING, MENAVILLE AGED CARE HOME
Sarah has been part of the Menaville family for many years now, having started in 1999 as the Deputy Director of Nursing in 1999. After the birth of her third child, Sarah left Menaville to concentrate on family commitments before returning to the home to take up the position of Director of Nursing in August 2007. Before working at Menaville, Sarah had worked as a Registered Nurse at Manly Hospital and the Deputy Director of Nursing at another aged care home in south Sydney. It was Sarah’s unique, caring and positive attitude towards leadership that the staff of Menaville wanted to recognise. The nomination for Sarah’s award highlighted her enthusiastic and passionate approach, not only to resident care and wellbeing, but to mentoring staff to enjoy their work and daily life. Sarah actively seeks to implement new ideas to make individual resident’s lives easier and more meaningful and always recognises staff excellence in their day-to-day duties. Irene Whippy DIRECTOR OF NURSING, GLENWOOD AGED CARE HOME
Irene first started at Glenwood Aged Care Home in November 2001 as the Deputy Director of Nursing, before being promoted to Director of Nursing in August 2011. Previously to this, Irene worked with Thompson Healthcare and various roles within the public health system. The staff of Glenwood nominated Irene for an Outstanding Leadership Award out of respect for her management style. Irene’s
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dedication to resident care and staff management receives constant positive comments through the home’s staff feedback system, as well as the minimal staff turnover and low absenteeism rates at the home. Staff have also acknowledged the professional respect and glowing reputation from external stakeholders that Irene enjoys in the North Shore region. It’s Irene’s unique ability to read people and their needs, as well as her capacity to inspire that drives her staff to succeed both personally and professionally. Irene is always working to achieve positive outcomes for Glenwood and create opportunities for staff development to create future leaders in our business and industry. Jesusa Silverio DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF NURSING, CONCORDE AGED CARE HOME
Jesusa joined Concorde in February 2006 as a Carer, working her way up to become a Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Manager and finally the Deputy Director of Nursing. She constantly encourages staff to participate in educational opportunities, and supports them both in the clinical space and other areas of their work. Jesusa’s Director of Nursing, Judy Davis, describes Jesusa as a remarkable employee with an aptitude for motivation and change management. Jesusa starts work early each day so that she has time to talk to staff about any issues that may be a problem now or in the future. This gives her exposure to the staff and they can see that she is someone who will listen to them and value their input. She is forever testing their understanding of what constitutes their job and trying to steer them more towards resident centred care instead of being task-orientated. She embarked
on person-centred care project in January and has recruited a cross section of likeminded staff to bring the project to fruition. Cheryl Clark COMMUNITY COORDINATOR, CLARENCE ESTATE
Since taking over the role of coordinating Clarence Estate’s home care program under difficult circumstances, Cheryl has shown exemplary leadership to not only maintain continuity but in rejuvenating Community operations through continuous hard work. Her dedication to her job has required working long hours to ensure smooth operation and better maintain existing and new client relationships, and she has become a role model to her staff. Cheryl was nominated by Hall & Prior’s ICT Projects Manager, Tapan Desai, who has worked closely with Cheryl around Comcare: a software program that provides a streamlined, integrated approach to coordinating home care programs. Cheryl has helped to re-define the configuration of Comcare and associated processes to better suit the dynamic nature of interactions between staff and home care clients. Ensuring that information is captured and analysed effectively enables Clarence Estate to better cater for the needs of their home care clients. Along with the management team at Clarence Estate, Cheryl has also been instrumental in striving towards better service, brand differentiation and far improved relationships with external stakeholders such as ACAT, Albany Hospital and other care providers within the Albany region.
KEVIN ENJOYS SPENDING TIME WITH THE BOYS During a recent reminiscing experience, Alloa Aged Care Home’s Lifestyle Officer, Suzy, discovered that resident Kevin Humphrey worked as a fireman in the Sydney East Headquarters during the late 1950s. She contacted the local Arncliffe Fire Brigade who, on hearing Kevin’s story, were happy to pay the home’s residents a visit on Friday 24 October. Kevin and the rest of the residents and staff at Alloa were very surprised by the visit and had a great time chatting with the firemen, looking through the fire truck and posing for photos.
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LITERACY PROGRAM TRIAL WOWS STAFF
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Receiving education as an adult can be challenging. A trial of the Wider Opportunities for Work (WOW) program at Tuohy and Hamersley Aged Care Homes run by Central Institute of Technology (CIT) educators, Claire Yates and Maxine Tomlin, is building confidence and skills among staff at the two homes with fantastic results. The goal of the partnership was to prepare staff for the introduction of integrated progress notes in July and to support them through the new documentation process. At the beginning of the program, Directors of Nursing Jayne Cummings and Sally Gutman invited their staff to engage in a conversation with the CIT lecturers around literacy and English language skills. From this discussion, a plan was devised to support staff members in areas that they identified as needing development. Six months into the program, Sally and Jayne have noticed improved language, literacy and communication skills have enhanced the quality of care documentation and ACFI claims in their homes, as well as resident care. Staff understanding of resident care plans has improved, and the correct and appropriate completion of hazard forms, incident reports and bowel charts has increased. Staff confidence has improved—not just for the program’s participants but for all staff working in the homes. For Claire and Maxine, the key to the success of the program is a supportive Director of Nursing. Claire believes that the program requires a united front between the educator and the home’s management staff, and
Tuohy’s WOW Program participants with Claire Yates
Staff confidence has improved—not just for the program’s participants but for all staff working in the homes for the educator to become part of the workplace. “Having an approachable educator in the workplace rather than having the program delivered by a manager means that staff are more willing to open up, identify gaps in their knowledge and ask questions that they wouldn’t normally ask. There can be a culture of defensiveness in adults who haven’t studied for a long time, so delivering the program one on one builds their confidence better than learning in a group situation might,” Claire explains. “As an educator, you also need to be flexible, available and willing to work around staff to make sure you’re there at the right time to assist with forms and documentation.”
Claire and Maxine have also taken on career councillor roles to support employees’ personal and professional growth. They encourage staff to think about where they’re come from, where they are now and how they would like to develop their careers in the future. “Writing a CV opens up your thoughts for the future, and guides you to develop an awareness of your skills and your role,” says Claire. Training at both facilities has recommenced for 2015 with graduation ceremonies for successful participants planned for July 2015. Helen Dawson, Hall & Prior’s Quality Staff Development Coordinator, is in the process of reviewing the WOW program and hopes to introduce it to more homes later this year.
LEIGHTON WEST PERTH
TUOHY MIDLAND
ST LUKES & HAMERSLEY SUBIACO MOSMAN PARK & FRESHWATER BAY MOSMAN PARK
PERTH
BELMONT RIVERVALE WINDSOR PARK CARLISLE KENSINGTON PARK KENSINGTON CONCORDE SOUTH PERTH McDOUGALL PARK COMO
AGMAROY WILSON
ROCKINGHAM ROCKINGHAM
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
CLARENCE ESTATE ALBANY
OUR HOMES
CONCORDE Director of Nursing, Judy Davis, and her staff (pictured at the front entrance of their home on Anstey Street in South Perth) care for their 98 residents in a vibrant, multicultural community. They specialise in providing cultural, spiritual and language support for people of Asian descent in partnership with the Chung Wah Association.
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