Life & Love Magazine Edition 9 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 CONCORDE

residents contribute to univerisity research project p9

CAROLINE CHISHOLM

A home full of heritage p10

VIVID CREATIVE CAREERS INITIATIVE WITH SYDNEY HOMES p7

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SALLY GUTMAN

A lifetime devoted to the wellbeing of others p12

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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Vivid Creative Careers Initiative with Sydney homes International Nurses Day

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Concorde residents contribute to univerisity research project

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Caroline Chisholm: A home full of heritage

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Sally Gutman: A lifetime of devotion to the wellbeing of others Tuohy team race off ofr a great cause

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White Oak staff upskill with dementia courses

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Providing support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme St Lukes staff member shaves head for Buddhist nun NSW homes host their own Biggest Morning Teas Fresh Fields kitchen training Mothers Day in the homes

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Sally Gutman, Director of Nursing at Hamersley Aged Care Home in Subiaco, has devoted a lifetime to the wellbeing of others.

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FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Looking back at the history of Hall & Prior, it is clear that it is an organisation built on teamwork. It is because of the collaboration within our homes and across our Perth and Sydney offices, we wouldn’t be able to provide the exceptional, relationshipcentred care we are known for nationally.

Within this edition, I am proud to share many examples of the ways our staff and those we care for are giving back to the wider community.

Our New South Wales team have joined in the excitement around the Vivid light festival, working with young people to inspire them to connect with the creative industries.

At Concorde Aged Care Home in South Perth, we are working with the University of Western Australia to contribute to a research project looking at the support networks of older Australians.

At White Oak Home Care Services, our Perth home care organisation, staff are actively extending their knowledge bases with additional courses, so they can assist their clients more effectively.

I am proud to see our staff and residents contributing so much to the communities we are a part of.

It is only through collaboration that we can all work towards a better and more compassionate aged care space in the future.

On this edition’s cover, we acknowledge the hard work and unending compassion and dedication of Sally Gutman. She has been the Director of Nursing at several of our Perth homes in the many years she’s spent with Hall & Prior.

At Hamersley Aged Care Home in Subiaco, and all the homes

“I am proud to see our staff and residents contributing so much to the communities we are a part of. It is only through collaboration that we can all work towards a better and more compassionate aged care space in the future.” she has managed, Sally works tirelessly to ensure her staff and the people in her care are treated with the utmost respect, dignity and kindness. I am extremely proud of everything Sally has done for the older people we have been trusted to care for.

In this edition, we also share stories from our staff, who regularly go out of their way to help people in need in the communities we are a part of.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all our staff in our 25 homes across WA and New South Wales for the hard work they put in every single day. It is because of this commitment that we have grown into the organisation we are today.

GRAEME PRIOR Chief Executive Officer

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Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior speaking at a Hall & Prior Executive Management Team meeting in Perth in May. Below: Our managers and corporate staff working together at the meeting to generate ideas for how we can better serve those we care for.

6 Life & Love Residents and staff at two of our New South Wales homes helped local high school students with an project developed for the Vivid Creative Careers program.

VIVID CREATIVE CAREERS INITIATIVE WITH SYDNEY HOMES Each year between May and June Sydney is transformed into a light and art spectacular for the Vivid Festival. This annual outdoor festival is free and looks to bring the city of Sydney to life during the winter months and entice people into out into the streets to celebrate their city.

The Sydney Vivid Festival is the largest of its kind in the world and attracts record numbers of tourists every year.

Vivid Sydney is made up of Vivid Light show that create innovative light installations and illuminated art sculptures on major buildings throughout the city.

The light shows are complemented by Vivid Music which presents musical collaborations and live performances by local and international artists and musicians throughout the city in hidden laneways, bars, venues and of course, the

iconic Sydney Opera House.

The festival opens up many opportunities for professional development as well through avenues such as Vivid Ideas which provides opportunities for specialist speakers to give updates, announcements and to communicate business opportunities as well as networking with professionals in the creative industry.

As part of the Vivid Ideas Program for 2017, Bradfield Senior College, a senior high school that specialises in the creative industries, teamed up with Vivid Sydney to host ‘Creative Careers’ a two day event held on their school grounds in Sydney’s lower North Shore suburb of St Leonards on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th May 2017.

The Creative Careers event held at Bradfield Senior College were for students, parents, careers advisors and creative teachers with the aim to inspire, innovate, encourage and connect the

creative industries by providing seminars, creative workshops, interactive experiences, food and entertainment as well as music and dance performances. A special feature of this year’s Creative Careers was an exhibition featuring an art gallery as well as a pop up Art and Design Marketplace with over 40 stalls for the creative industry.

As part of this Vivid initiative two New South Wales Hall & Prior lower north shore homes, Caroline Chisholm Aged Care Home in Lane Cove and Glenwood Aged Care Home in Greenwich were chosen to be a part of the ‘Secrets Exhibition’, one of the projects developed for the Bradfield Senior College Vivid Ideas Creative Careers program.

The Secrets Exhibition is an interactive insight into the secrets of the older

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generation, documented

by Year 11 students as part of their industry experience program using mixed media, photography, film, art, music and installations. Its purpose, ‘bridging the years between generations and giving a historical and social context to the present.’

In preparation for the exhibition a few students from Bradfield Senior College spent some time at our homes under the supervision of a teacher, documenting and interviewing some of our residents, Kevin Murphy and Valentine Lowe from Glenwood Aged Care Home as well as Geoffrey Murray, Diana Carley, Michael Shaddick and June McKenzie from Caroline Chisholm.

Caroline Chisholm staff with Bradfield Senior High School students.

This was a great way for the students to learn a bit about the residents. The residents where very open with their interviews telling the students about their incredible past and what they have achieved throughout their lives.

Caroline Chisholm resident Diana Carley also took the opportunity to share her art work for the Bradfield Vivid Ideas Career Expo.

All residents that were involved in the ‘Secrets’ project were invited to attend the ticketed event. Three residents from Caroline Chisholm along with Director of Nursing, Anne Curnow and staff attended. Residents Diana Carley, Geoffrey Murray and Vera Taylor who took this lovely outing on Friday 26th May to the Bradfield College event felt “very special.” Staff and residents of Hall & Prior were all proud to see Diana’s art work on display.

Following the exhibition staff and residents along with some students and teachers

as well as other guests gathered together for a luncheon where they all enjoyed a social meal and mingling with all the students and staff of Bradfield College.

This was a wonderful experience and was such an honour to be a part of the Bradfield College Vivid Ideas Creative Careers event.

On June 1, Trent Zimmerman MP, Member for North Sydney

said in his Vivid Festival speech in the Parliament of Australia, “I particularly want to mention their ‘Secrets’ exhibition, which included a documentary made in partnership with the residents of the Caroline Chisholm agedcare facility in Lane Cove. I know that the making of the doco was a moving and revelatory experience for both the students and the aged-care residents involved.”

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Staff at Clover Lea Aged Care Home in the western Sydney suburb of Burwood Heights dressed up for International Nurses Day.

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY Each year nurses are celebrated around the world on May 12. It is a day to not only recognise but also appreciate all the nurses and their contribution. It is especially important for Hall & Prior who employ registered nurses across NSW and WA and are such a large part of our homes care staff.

The theme for 2017 is Nursing: A voice to lead – Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals The homes individually recognized nurses in their own

way. Some starting the day off by a cooked breakfast which is exactly what the Lifestyle Officers at Menaville Aged Care Home in Rockdale did for all the nurses there. A special finger food luncheon was later prepared

by Director of Nursing, Emma Juretic to thank the hard working, compassionate and caring nurses at Menaville.

Some homes arranged a special lunch to show their appreciation to nurses. Clover Lea Aged Care Home in Burwood Heights went

that step further and followed their lunch by getting dressed up in more traditional nursing attire and created a display of pictures showing images of nursing throughout the ages.

While other homes celebrated nurses by having a lovely afternoon tea which is what the staff at Shangri-La Aged Care Home in Hurstville did along with the residents to thank them for all their hard work, patience, empath and love.

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Concorde Aged Care Home occupational therapy staff members Alison Carpenter and Swee Hong Peh with resident Mrs Chen.

CONCORDE RESIDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROJECT Residents at Concorde Aged Care Home are getting ready to take part in a research project led by the University of Western Australia (UWA).

‘Ageing and New Media: A New Analysis of Older Australians’ Support Networks’ is a collaborative research project coordinated by UWA’s Professor Loretta Baldassar and Dr Raelene Wilding, from La Trobe University.

The three-year project has been funded by the Australian Research Council. It will investigate the ways in which an older person’s mobility and how widely their family, friends and care services are dispersed affects their support networks.

The project aims to investigate the effect that new media technologies like iPads, mobile phones and computers can have on how connected an older

person can feel to their support network.

Concorde is one of many organisations involved in the project, and residents will take part in interviews that will gather information about their life histories, transitions to new living arrangements, social connections, support networks and their interest in new media.

The project aims to gather information from people who speak Mandarin and who were born in China. At Concorde, we have a large cohort of residents and staff who are of Asian descent from a variety of nations.

Contributing to the wider knowledge in the health and aged care space is always an exciting prospect and we wish everyone at Concorde the best of luck with this project.

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A HOME FULL OF HERITAGE Caroline Chisholm Aged Care Home is located on the corner of Burns Bay Road and Cope Street in the Sydney suburb of Lane Cove. Steeped in local history, this land was originally purchased in 1893 by Charles Ludowici from a former private in the Royal Marines, William Henry.

After the purchase, Charles went on to build his home ‘Walhalla’, which kept expanding from its original footprint as his family

and needs grew. However it wasn’t until 1922 that Charles second son, Henry Ludowici used three acres of this land to build ‘Weetawaa’, which still exists today as the current aged care home.

In 1954 Henry sold ‘Weetawaa’ to engineer, Thomas Air who then sold the home in 1967 to Norkom Pty Ltd. It was at this stage that the property was modelled into the Caroline Chisholm Aged Care Home that we know and love. This home was named

after Mrs Caroline Chisholm, who devoted her life to the welfare and care of New South Wales early settlers in the mid 1800s.

The aged care home received its very first resident in February of 1968 and has been accepting residents every day since then.

Over the years, a second secure floor for people with dementia and two additional wings were added. The separate house from original owner Charles Ludowici ‘Walhalla’ and surrounding land became part of the Caroline

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Chisholm Retirement Village, which is located directly next door but is a separate business entity to the Caroline Chisholm Aged Care Home.

In June 2006, Hall & Prior acquired the home which was once known as ‘Weetawaa’.The 79-bed home offers a variety of accommodation options in this grand federation-style building.

Caroline Chisholm Aged Care home runs a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week registered nursing care service and is surrounded by

beautifully landscaped gardens and located close to shops and public transport.

The staff at Caroline Chisholm Aged Care Home pride themselves on their multi-cultural approach to care within the community and provide each individual in their care with the support they need to continue enjoying meaningful and happy lives.

Since being acquired Caroline Chisholm has undergone several

renovations to improve its structure and appearance while still holding on to its heritage appeal.

Today, Caroline Chisholm Aged Care Home is home to many residents who love the feel of living in its real and genuine home-style accommodation that is also based on such a rich local history.

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SALLY GUTMAN: A LIFETIME OF DEVOTION TO THE WELLBEING OF OTHERS Hall & Prior’s General Manager Health and Care Services WA Jennifer Grieve with Hamersley Director of Nursing Sally Gutman.

It is not often that someone comes along who is truly dedicated to improving the lives of as many people as possible, in everything they do. Sally Gutman has forged her career in nursing and aged care for one simple reason: she wants to help others.

consistently gone above and beyond their role, and act as a shining example of the values this organisation is built upon are selected to receive this prestigious award.

Currently Director of Nursing at Hamersley Aged Care Home in Subiaco, west of Perth, Sally has managed several of our Perth homes during her time with Hall & Prior.

When asked why she originally chose to go into nursing, Sally said she couldn’t remember a time when that wasn’t what she wanted to do.

In 2015, our Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior and Director Michael selected Sally to receive the St Lukes Medallion as part of our annual Directors Awards. Only people who have

We are proud to bring you Sally’s inspiring story about her commitment to exceptional care.

when I started my training, you begin out on the wards, which was fabulous. I just loved it.”

“Being able to take care of people is very special. As I’ve gone along in my career, I’ve worked in intensive care, surgical, medical, all the usual things.

“But I’ve always been drawn to caring for the aged.”

“Mum said I wanted to be a nurse from the time I was two, I’ve just always wanted to be a nurse,” she said.

Sally’s family moved to Western Australia from a farm in Montana, in the United States when she was young. She completed her nursing qualifications in country WA and Canarvon, travelling into Perth to complete the theory component of her course.

“I worked as a carer at Carnarvon Hospital when I was 15, and then

She worked at several Perth hospitals during that time,

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other people with similar conditions.

“We set up a group for people who’ve had bladder or bowel cancer and now have an ostomy bag. It meant that they could also have each other for support as well, which really made a difference.

“We could also go and talk to people before they had their surgery and let them wear the bag so they could experience it. It meant that it wasn’t a case of them coming out of surgery never having experienced it.

“They always knew there was someone there to help them if they needed.”

In 2015, Sally was elected president of the Rotary Club of Welshpool. She is still a highly involved Rotary member, working to improve our local communities.

including Royal Perth Hospital and Hollywood Hospital, but she was based primarily at Geraldton Hospital.

Just six months after finishing her Registered Nurse training, she was made second in charge of the children’s ward in Geraldton, which is an incredible achievement.

Further along in her career, Sally managed Silver Chain’s home services in Geraldton for 15 years.

She was responsible for taking them from just five registered nurses to 55 staff during her time there. She then went out to Kalgoorlie and managed Silver Chain’s base there.

“While I was in Kalgoorlie I set up the palliative program for the area, she said.

“I recognised the need, wrote the business plan, applied to Canberra, went over and accepted it and set it up from scratch. That is probably the highlight of my career.

“Another thing I’m really proud of was setting up the continence

clinic in Geraldton. It was the first continence clinic north of Perth. As part of that, I set up the ostomy support group there, as well as another in Kalgoorlie.”

Sally’s enthusiasm and motivation to chase improvements when they are needed is a key part of her personality and style of caring.

“A lot of people around those times just stuck to their jobs and didn’t want to make changes,” she said.

“I guess I just see people’s needs and feel for them. It’s not just children who have continence problems, it’s adults as well.

Once you’re potty trained you’re never supposed to have problems. It’s very hidden, especially in the country towns or in the remote communities.

“For a lot of people, being able to deal with their continence issues and having support gave them back their self-esteem. It was about that confidence, that they could come to a continence clinic and see that there were

After these roles, Sally became a Director of Nursing at Leonora Hospital, a small, multi-purpose hospital.

“In those sort of regional locations, if there are older people who need care, they put them in the hospital, and they’re looked after there in the aged care wing,” she said.

“There were only four people when I was there. It was such a small hospital, it only had a capacity of about 16. There just wasn’t the population out there for more aged care services.

After this, Sally returned to Kalgoorlie and managed the

“ I also remind them that

they live in Australia and it’s a wonderful country.

The people we care for are the ones who built this country, who went without and did things the hard way. Today they’re in need and you have to give back to them.”

- Sally Gutman

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Sally and all the staff at Hamersley Aged Care Home work hard to give the home a fun, friendly atmosphere.

restorative care unit.

“When I was working with Silver Chain, I had become a continence advisor and an ostomy support nurse, so I took that on to my rehab ward, as well as palliative care,” she said.

In terms of her journey to aged care, Sally said it was something she came to slowly and through interactions with older people in her other roles.

“When I finally did go into aged care, a friend of mine said she knew I’d been heading that way for years, which was a bit of a surprise,” she said.

“I’m really passionate about aged people and their care.

he was part of the history of Carnarvon, and had so much respect from all the people there.

“I’m really, really passionate about keeping hold of the people they were, and showing them respect.”

Sally moved to Perth in 2004, to be closer to her children, who were both expecting. She spent six months working as a clinical nurse at Swan Districts Hospital, in Perth’s east, to make sure her skills were up to date.

“Looking back, it was actually quite ridiculous that I decided I needed to do that,” she said.

“When I lived in Carnarvon, I remember the Shire President at the time. He got dementia and there was no nursing home in Carnarvon, so he had to go to Geraldton.

“Out in Leonora I’d put a plaster on while on a televised conference call to the physio in Kalgoorlie, with them telling me which way to put it on. We did that sort of thing. We took all the x-rays, bloods and pathology, whatever was needed.”

“I was living there at the time, and in that town he was just a demented old man to everyone.

I felt so sorry for him because

“So when I came to Perth and there were doctors on-site 24 hours a day, it really wasn’t necessary but I just needed that

reassurance that my skills were up to it.”

Sally then worked for another Perth aged care home before coming to Hall & Prior ten years ago.

She said that although she’s advanced her career significantly since her training days, she’s never been career driven.

Above all, Sally said the rights and wellbeing of the people she cares is always paramount. This is philosophy is one she ensures she imparts on every single member of her staff.

“I always say, ‘treat the residents kindly and you’ll have an easier day. Treat them like a task and it’s not going to go well’,” she said.

“I also remind them that they live in Australia and it’s a wonderful country. The people we care for are the ones who built this country, who went without and did things the hard way. Today they’re in need and you have to give back to them.”

Staff from Tuohy Aged Care Home laced up their sneakers to take part in Perth’s annual HBF Run for a Reason event.

TUOHY TEAM RACE OFF FOR A GREAT CAUSE The team at Tuohy Aged Care Home recently ran in the HBF Run for a Reason marathon to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Australia.

Based at the home in Midland, in Perth’s east, the group started their training schedule several months out from the big race. Tuohy administration officer Fiona Clarkson said having several people get involved helped everyone keep motivated while they trained.

The group raised a huge $750 through their fundraising effort, which is a fantastic result.

Alzheimer’s Australia are a national organisation who provide education and support for people dealing with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for themselves or a loved one. They also work with people throughout the health and aged care industries to ensure they are equipped to provide the appropriate advice and referrals.

Congratulations to Team Tuohy on this fantastic result.

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WHITE OAK STAFF UPSKILL WITH DEMENTIA COURSES Within the aged care space, it’s important for service providers to have a thorough understanding of what their clients may be experiencing.

Being able to understand what a person or their family member is going through can help find the right mix of services to keep clients happy and healthy.

White Oak Home Care Services is part of the Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group. White Oak provides in-home care for people the Perth metropolitan area.

White Oak Care Manager Alex Brett and Program Services Manager Becky Quinn (pictured above) have both recently completed online courses on the topic of dementia. Both undertook the Preventing Dementia course, delivered online through the University of Tasmania. Alex has also finished another course that focuses on understanding how dementia affects a person, and Becky plans to enrol in this when the next round of applications opens.

“They have been incredibly

informative courses, I really got a lot out of them,” Alex said.

“I have don’t have a clinical background in aged care, just what I’ve experienced personally with family. It was helpful to get an overview on how the brain works and to understand what people with dementia are going through.

“Every case is so different, but having a solid understanding of what’s happening and why can help family members and care givers. One example of this is knowing that when difficult behaviours present, like aggression or not showering or eating, it’s because that’s the only way they have of communicating.”

Alex said the biggest challenge was finding the time to work through all the courses’ interesting content.

“There’s videos and transcripts that you go through, plus forums and group discussions that you can get involved in, through the online learning space,” she said.

“Through talking to the other

people in the course meant I ended up learning a lot more as well.”

Becky said the course had given her a new perspective on her role in the home care space.

“Like Alex, I didn’t have any prior experience with aged care before I started in this role, but I’ve always wanted to do something that gives back to the community,” she said.

“I’m passionate about learning, so when this course came up I immediately wanted to be involved.”

Becky said the Preventing Dementia course covered the risk factors associated with the condition, such as alcohol, smoking and poor diet, and the ways they affect the human body.

“It’s really contributed to the way I can do things in my role, now that I know what clients and their families may be going through,” she said.

Becky has also previously completed a course on elder abuse and its effects.

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PROVIDING SUPPORT THROUGH THE COMMONWEALTH HOME SUPPORT PROGRAMME It’s important to have options during difficult times. White Oak Home Care Services are authorised to provide support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, which streamlines access to entry level support services.

This can make a real difference in the life of an older person or their carer, because we can organise respite to relieve carers when they need it.

This may be while they wait for a home care package to become available, or in a situation where emergency respite is needed.

get a home care package. This means people will need these services the programme can provide more than ever.”

Bianca said the program can also be helpful for people who are coming to the end of an interim hospital package.

“The interim hospital packages that White Oak provide are for people who’ve been discharged from hospital but need some assistance until they get better,

or until they receive a home care package. The interim hospital packages generally run for eight to 12 weeks, but getting a home care package after that ends can take more than three weeks.

“The CHSP can help fill the gap until the home care package becomes available.”

“We’re always happy to answer questions if people need more information, we’re just a phone call or an email away.”

White Oak Care Manager Bianca Smilek said it was important for people to know what options are available for home care.

“We want to make sure people are aware we offer this service so they know they can rely on us if they need to organise respite at short notice,” Bianca said.

“With the new changes to the national waitlist for home care packages, it can take longer to

“We’re always happy to answer questions if people need more information, we’re just a phone call or an email away.”

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ST LUKE’S STAFF MEMBER SHAVES HEAD FOR BUDDHIST NUN The desire to give something back to a woman who provided support in a traumatic time has spurred a St Lukes Aged Care Home staff member to fundraise by shaving her head.

Chandrika Perera works in the home’s kitchen, in the western Perth suburb of Subiaco.

Chandrika first met Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni through the Buddhist community. She is well-known through her work as a public speaker, and over the past several decades has travelled all over the world to speak. She also provided counselling to people who had lost loved ones.

“We have always been very close. She lived out in a caravan in the middle of huge block in Gidgeganup and I used to go out and see her,” Chandrika said.

“On my days off I’d take food out to her.”

“This whole story started when my daughter was going through a very tough time, and she ended up in ICU in an induced coma.

The doctors were telling us to tell any relatives overseas, and I had to tell my other daughter.

They said she had no chance of surviving.”

“As a mother, I was in pieces. But one thing I clearly remember is that somebody went and bought this nun to see me.”

“She went to my daughter’s room at Royal Perth Hospital and sat with her. Then she held my hand and said ‘Chandrika, she is not going to die.’”

“That hope made me able to talk to the doctors, to carry on my life, and to be with my other

daughter and help her. I knew she wasn’t going to die so I could do what I needed to do.”

“Those words helped me to face this problem. A few weeks later my daughter woke up. The doctors said they were so glad they were wrong.

“Every day I appreciate what she did.”

During Chandrika’s daughter’s road to recovery, St Lukes Director of Nursing Di Simpson played a pivotal role.

Di has been Director of Nursing at St Lukes for almost 40 years, and is known for doing everything she can to support her team and the home’s residents.

“When my daughter came home from hospital, I didn’t want to leave her home alone, so I spoke to Di and she said she could come in to work with me,” Chandrika said.

“Every morning when I came to work she came with me. She stayed upstairs and helped the occupational therapy assistant, who at the time was Di’s daughter, with the activities.

“Eventually she started cooking, going on the bus trips, holding quizzes together, and they became very good friends.

Chandrika said she appreciated how much Di cared about her daughter, and her kindness during that time.

St Lukes Aged Care Home staff member Chandrika Perera and Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni.

“Di was always talking to her, telling her how important her life is,” she said.

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“That hope made me able to talk to the doctors, to carry on my life, and to be with my other daughter and help her.

I knew she wasn’t going to die so I could do what I needed to do.”

- Chandrika Perera “Then eventually Di gave her a job here, looking after the kitchen, and she worked here for seven and a half years.

“During that time she went back and completed her year 12 equivalent, then she studied nursing. She works at Royal Perth Hospital now and I am just so proud of her.

“All the pleasure that’s in my heart, half of that goes to Di for all she’s done,” Chandrika said.

“If Di hadn’t given her that confidence, she wouldn’t be in the position she’s in now.”

Over the years, Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s health began to decline and now she has trouble communicating and with her balance. To help her maintain

her current way of life as a nun, she now lives with another community member.

Chandrika said she decided she wanted to help with the cost of her care, so she started the fundraiser to shave her head.

She lost her long hair on July 9 in a ceremony carried out under a sacred Bohdi tree, on a full moon day at the temple she worships at.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni was able to watch the event, and Chandrika said she saw tears of joy on her eyes.

“There is peace in my heart, it’s hard to put into words how I feel,” she said.

“All through the ceremony I cried

tears of joy because it meant so much to me to be able to help.

I was a little worried about how I would look but because it’s winter I can wear a hat.”

“It’s a big change but it’s so easy to manage now, no shampoo, no hairdryer, nothing.”

Chandrika said she was thrilled at the way people in the Perth Buddhist community, as well as people from Malaysia, Singapore and China, rallied around the cause.

“It is going to make such a huge difference. I’m so grateful for everyone who contributed.”

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NSW HOMES HOST THEIR OWN BIGGEST MORNING TEAS Our New South Wales homes have shown their support for Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea by hosting their own morning tea on Wednesday, May 24. They aimed to create awareness and raise money for this great cause to help achieve a cancerfree future.

There are more than one million Australians who have had cancer and 1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. Every dollar makes a difference and helps the Cancer Council which is the nation’s leading Cancer Charity to fund research, prevention and support services.

Residents at Clover Lea Aged Care Home in Burwood Heights had been baking the day before to make sure there were some lovely baked goods for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. Residents at Clover Lea always enjoy being part of the wider community and taking part in issues that concern everyone.

Clover Lea cook, Tanya made delicious brownies that went in minutes!

Entertainer, Walter played his piano accordion for residents and staff. He played a mix of old and new songs and then got a few people up for the Mexican hat dance. Residents always have such a great time when he plays. By the end of the day after everyone’s donations Clover Lea raised $325, a great effort.

Vaucluse Aged Care Home in Eastern Sydney held their morning tea in the courtyard

under sunny blue skies, the weather was beautiful. Staff chipped in and gave donations and raised over $100.

The residents and staff at Sirius Cove Aged Care Home in Mosman went on an excursion to Cahills Restaurant where they enjoyed a lovely morning tea. Residents told stories and reminisced about times in their life long ago.

Menaville Aged Care Home in Rockdale had a Mad Hatter themed tea party commencing in the morning then continuing in the afternoon of a wide variety of sweet and savory foods for all the residents to enjoy throughout the day. Everyone was encouraged to participate and to raise more funds Menaville held a raffle with several great prizes to be won, all donated of course. The total raised was $302.

Fairfield Aged Care Home followed suit and staff came to work in mufti wearing a Mad Hatters hat and paid a gold coin donation. They had raffles, games and tables full of food with tea and coffee for staff, residents and families to buy.

Of course all proceeds going towards the charity. By the end of the day Fairfield raised an amazing $1,200.00.

Our newest home, Grafton Aged Care Home in North Eastern New South Wales had a wonderful morning with lovely food supplied by their chef, June. While all the residents were enjoying their morning tea entertainment was provided by a local violinist and her friend on

the harmonica.

Grafton Lifestyle Officer Cherie Onus raised an astonishing $1,300 for shaving her head, with promises from Hall & Prior to match the amount she raised.

Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is a chance for Australians to get together and raise money for a great cause.

One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. One dollar at a time you are making a real difference helping to fund Cancer Council’s vital research, prevention and support service programs.

The funds raised from Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea will help Cancer Council continue its vital work in cancer research, prevention and support services.

Cancer Council is the largest independent funder of cancer research in Australia.

In 2015, research grants through Cancer Councils totalled more than $70.5 million. Cancer Council also advocate for the rights of cancer patients for best treatment and supportive care, and provide information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

Life & Love 21

IMPROVING FOOD QUALITY WITH FRESH FIELDS TRAINING Across our 14 Western Australian homes, the quality of the food we serve is a key aspect to maintaining the health and wellbeing of those we care for. Through our linen and catering division Fresh Fields Hospitality Services, our dieticians and chefs work closely with our home kitchen teams to provide meals that support our residents’ clinical care without compromising on taste.

prior to being delivered to our homes across the Perth metro area.

To ensure the kitchen staff within our organisation receive the specific training and education to deliver the highest quality food, we have implemented a kitchen-specific training program.

Hall & Prior’s dietitians also speak during the sessions, educating staff on the importance of nutritionally balanced meals.

All our staff attend annual core training, where they cover topics like emergency procedures and clinical documentation, as well as a brief food safety workshop. The 120 home kitchen staff in WA previously attended this as well, but found that not all of the content was relevant to their roles.

Through our linen and catering division, Fresh Fields Hospitality Services, a new annual program was developed and launched in 2014, to better educate and engage the kitchen staff in our homes.

Fresh Fields Operations Manager Kevin Fitzgerald and Head Chef Tom Marshall worked with Hall & Prior’s dietitians and speech pathologists to ensure all aspects of food safety and our procedures were covered.

“The main aim was to increase the level of skills training the kitchen staff in our homes received,” Kevin said. “We’ve had fantastic results from the program, both for the quality and safety standards of the food, but also for staff engagement.”

The training is conducted at Fresh Fields’ Carlisle facility, and the staff can see the food is cooked

The program covers a more in-depth course in food safety, how to plate the food, and procedures for regeneration of food in the home. Staff are also taught how to complete the monthly compliance forms, where things like the temperatures of the food and the cold rooms are recorded and monitored.

“Since we implemented the training, the food has been consistently warmer and looks better on the plates,” Kevin said.

“When we’ve needed to implement new procedures, it’s been easier to inform and train all the catering staff. It really has made them all more efficient.”

Kevin said increased levels of staff engagement were also a major benefit of the program.

“When the kitchen staff attended the regular core training, they were often reluctant to speak up and ask questions. We’ve built those relationships with the Fresh Fields team, and they feel more comfortable phoning us if they need help.

“Opening up those lines of communication has really created a sense of belonging between the staff. They understand their role within the organisation more clearly and we get to know them all better.

“They also get a more thorough understanding of the things we teach them because we can work with them as individuals, rather than telling them to refer to a procedure guide.”

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MOTHER’S DAY IN THE HOMES Every year staff and residents celebrate Mother’s Day in the homes, each celebrating in their own way.

Vaucluse celebrated by having a nice party with a pianist who entertained the residents with her relaxing music. Resident Mr. Lindsey, a former music director having worked in a church in the United States of America for over twenty years, sat next to the pianist while she played.

He enjoys listening to music and brings back a lot of memories.

At Caroline Chisholm the residents had a craft day. They made tissue paper hearts of my colours and textures. All female residents were presented with little posies of flowers with a lovely card from The Kiwanis Club who visit every year on Mother’s Day. The visit, flowers and cards brought a smile to the ladies, even staff received a flower.

Shangri-La arranged a lavish morning tea of cakes, chocolates and pavlova. They were entertained by the amazing Alan Duncan and his piano accordion.

Residents and staff danced, sang, clapped and tapped along with Alan’s infectious music.

Aubrey Downer had a special surprise morning tea for all their residents to celebrate the occasion. There was a variety of sweets on offer, caramel slices, black forest cake, mini cheesecakes and flower cupcakes. The residents eyes lit up when they came into the dining room and saw all the yummy treats.

Residents at Clover Lea were visited by their children and loved ones on Mother’s day to show their love and appreciation.

They all enjoyed the delicious morning tea and chocolates gifted to all the mothers.

Menaville sent out Mother’s Day invitations to family members of

the residents to join them for a Devonshire Tea and convrt.

Everyone loved the freshly made scones offered with a selection of jams and cream.

A sing-a-long followed with many residents, family and staff members dancing the afternoon away. This was topped off with a Mother’s Day gift, chocolate and champagne. Who could ask for anything more?

Staff and residents at Fairfield Aged Care Home, in the western Sydney suburb of Fairfield started their Mother’s Day weekend celebrations from entertainer Wendy Jackson. She sang a mix of old-time favourites, love songs and numbers to dance to.

The residents clapped along and some even took over the microphone to sing their own song. They capped off the weekend with a big morning tea, a raffle and a visit from the local gospel choir.

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 OUR HOMES

Hamersley Director of Nursing Sally Gutman and some of her team in one of the home’s sunny outdoor areas. Hamersly Aged Care Home has 79 beds and is located in the heart of Subiaco, Perth.

T 02 9427 8978 F 02 9427 3218 E infonsw@hallprior.com.au

hallprior.com.au