Meet the DON: Natasha Bamber

MEET THE DON

Natasha Bamber

The Director of Nursing of Belmont Aged Care Home in Rivervale, WA is a long way from her birthplace - Fort William in Scotland - but for Natasha Bamber, home is most certainly where the heart is. By Gabi Mills. Portrait by Ammon Creative.

L&L: How long have you worked in aged care?

NB: I moved into aged care in 2018. Previously I was hospital-based, working in older adults rehab, Parkinson’s disease, respiratory, oncology and palliative care. I decided to move into aged care as my passion was to give people the best care possible in the later years of their life.

L&L: What do you particularly enjoy about your job?

NB: I love getting to know the residents. These people have lived amazing lives and we get to know their stories. They have shaped our country and we get the chance to celebrate their lives. I also love teaching. I used to be a clinical nurse facilitator in my previous job and I have had the chance to continue that role in age care. The skills needed to work in aged care are not taught at university. It’s very rewarding mentoring new Registered Nurses and watching them grow.

L&L: On a day-to-day basis, what makes your role special and how do you inspire staff at your home?

NB: Every day is special. There is always something happy, sad or amazing happening that we get to be a part of. I think I inspire my staff because they can see I love my job and really care about my team.

L&L: If somebody was contemplating a career in aged care, what advice would you give them?

NB: I would tell them to do a work placement, volunteer or at least visit an aged care facility so they can see if it is the right fit for them. Working in aged care requires patience, commitment, empathy and passion. Some days can be very challenging but it can also be very rewarding. You can really make a difference in someone’s life.

L&L: What kind of leader are you?

NB: I would like to think I was the kind of leader that motivated and inspired staff. I like to build relationships with my team and cultivate a positive work environment. I am honest, trustworthy, reliable and hands-on. I still love to get out on the floor and work with the clinical team.

L&L: What makes for a good day in aged care and how do you keep smiling on the not so great days?

NB: A good day in aged care is when all our residents are having the best possible day they can, the staff are smiling and working well as a team. I love watching the staff do the extra personal things for the residents that make them feel like they are special. Some days can be more challenging than others and that goes with any job. That is when it is even more important to work as a team, communicate and debrief. The most important thing is to always find a way to smile or laugh about something at the end of the day.

L&L: What plans do you have for your home?

NB: I recently started a project called “dementia doors” where each resident and their family members chose a design for the door leading to their bedroom. The doors help ensure a personcentred care environment where resident’s identities are central. Our OT and physio team have recently redesigned our living room and dining area, which is so much brighter and inviting. We also have a large cuddly dog called Bundy who is a massive hit with all our residents.

L&L: Tell us something we don’t know about you?

NB: I grew up in a small highland village in Scotland called Fort William. It is famous for being the wettest town in Britain, having the biggest downhill mountain bike course in the world and officially having the worst soccer team in Britain (they even made a TV programme about them). Braveheart was filmed in Fort William, 300m from my back garden. My passions are marathon swimming and cold water swimming. I hope to swim the English Channel in 2023 and the North Channel 2024.

New Midland hub for White Oak

White Oak Home Care Services is heading to Perth’s eastern suburbs as it continues its expansion, with a new hub opening in Midland in September.

Located at Midland Gate Shopping Centre, the new hub offers a much-needed resource for older West Australians who want help to remain living in their own homes. General Manager Treasa Lonergan said home care was not a one-size-fits-all service and White Oak was always mindful of working with each and every person to provide individual solutions.

“We can provide a lot of care or a little bit of care,” Treasa said. “We work with clients to make sure we provide the right level of support with tailored packages that suit them, their families and their budgets,” Treasa said. White Oak has been providing quality and affordable home care for more than 20 years and is an organisation that’s passionate about enabling people to live independently in their own community and homes for as long as possible.

Services cater for both private and government supported clients and are offered in a range of flexible packages that can be tailored for individual preferences.

“There are so many options with White Oak; we provide a range of supports from simple domestic assistance to helping people who may need clinical or allied health services.

“We’re very aware it’s often family members who also need that bit of help from time to time, so our respite services give these sons and daughters, husbands and wives a hand when they need it most.”

White Oak offers a complimentary advice line to help clients navigate the often complex world of aged care. It aims to provide clear information about what packages may be available and how best those packages can be used to the maximum benefit for each individual.

As a registered NDIS approved provider, White Oak also offers a dedicated, personalised service to help clients navigate the NDIS every step of the way. “We care for West Australian seniors like they’re an extended member of our family,” Treasa said. “Our motto is ‘bringing our family to yours’ and we pride ourselves on having the very best interests of your family at heart.”