9 minute read
My Favourite Things with Sam Samsudeen
Q+A with Tonnie Mukiibi, PCAP at Hamersley Aged Care Home, Subiaco WA
Tonnie Mukiibi, a recently certified PCAP, is a passionate care worker at our Hamersley Aged Care Home, and loves nothing more than making the residents he cares for smile.
L&L: What made you want to become a carer?
TM: I have always had an interest in the health industry, and it was my aim to pursue a career in nursing. Being a carer has helped me understand what caring for the aged entails and has helped improve my skills.
L&L: How long have you worked in aged care and when did you join Hall & Prior?
TM: I began my career in aged care with Hall & Prior, and I have been with the organisation for the last seven years.
L&L: What does an average day look like?
TM: I wake up at 5:30am and drop my daughter off with her carer. I normally work the morning shifts, and I love to support my residents with their care, and little requests they have for me. I love making a difference in their lives. After work, I go home and relax on my couch.
L&L: Tell us about one part of your job that makes you feel really rewarded and connected to those you care for.
TM: The best moment is when I am able to understand the individual needs of our residents and able to meet their needs. I love to see my residents happy and smiling.
L&L: What is the best piece of advice you ever got about caring for others and from who?
TM: The best piece of advice would be from one I received from my former manager. There are four major attributes to being a great carer - respect, privacy, empathy and listening at all times. I follow this in my job daily.
L&L: What is the best thing about working at your aged care home?
TM: It is very satisfying to know that your work has touched someone’s life positively.
Also, love the team I work with; we respect and look out for each other.
L&L: What have you learned about yourself and those you care for while you’ve worked for Hall & Prior?
TM: I have learned that I have a passion for aged care and also support my colleagues if they are struggling. The industry has made me grow as a person.
L&L: How would others describe you?
TM: I think they would say I am friendly and supportive.
L&L: What qualities are required to make a great worker in your opinion?
TM: Resilience, empathy, flexibility, good time management and good communication skills.
NEWLY CERTIFIED Tonnie Mukiibi is a supportive and friendly PCAP in our Hamersley Aged Care Home.
FAST FACTS
If I wasn't working in
aged care, I would - be an electronic engineer.
What is your favourite movie?
Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy.
What’s your favourite song?
You Are Not Alone by Michael Jackson.
When I’m not at work you’ll
often find me - engaged in my small business that I run.
Vital work of OT teams celebrated
They’re the hard-working heroes who keep our residents occupied, moving and engaged - and during OT Week, culminating in World Occupational Therapy Day on October 27, we will be thanking our OT and Lifestyle and Wellbeing teams.
E
ach year OT Week celebrates occupational therapy and promotes the many ways occupational therapists help all people to reach their potential.
This year OT Week 2022 ran from Monday 24 October to Sunday 30 October, with the theme “OT, what it means to me”.
This theme was chosen to enable OTs, residents and partner organisations to share and reflect on OT from their perspective and enable the entire OT community to shine a spotlight on the care and professionalism OTs deliver to their clients.
As such, we asked some of our team what OT means to them, and loved their responses.
Tracey Omaji, an OT at Windsor Park Aged Care Home in Carlisle, WA, had this to say about her work.
“OT to me is about striving to make our clients lives better and understanding that this looks different for every individual.”
Meanwhile, Georgia Strimaitis, pictured here at Leighton Aged Care Home’s colourful Pride event says: “To me, OT means meeting
people where they are, and working alongside them to reach their goals. It means seeing people at their worst, but also at their best. OT means changing peoples’ lives, one little interaction at a time.”
KJ Yoong, an OT within our WA Health and Care Services is focused on delivering the best experiences possible to all residents he works with.
“OT is about understanding what shapes a person and drives people to keep achieving in life”
Roisin Colgan, who works as an OT at Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community had the last word.
“OT means helping others live more meaningful and enjoyable lives.”
How can occupational therapy help you or a loved one?
Occupational therapists work with adults of all ages, children and families, who have physical, social or mental health needs. OTs can assist with rehabilitation, pain management, driving assessments, support in schools, home modifications and equipment prescriptions amongst other things. Occupational therapists can work with you to identify interests and goals, manage daily routines at home and in the community, modify daily tasks to make them easier to perform, and recommend activities you can participate in.
Occupational therapists work across a whole range of settings. Some of these include:
• Public and private hospitals • Medical rehabilitation units • Your local community health centre • Occupational health centres • Home care services • Retirement homes • Psychiatric clinics, hostels and hospitals • Vocational rehabilitation clinics • Tertiary education centres • Independent living centres • Private practice • Schools, pharmacy and industry
To learn more about occupational therapy at Hall & Prior, please visit our website - hallprior.com.au
VITAL PROFESSION The work of our OT teams greatly add to the allied health offering in our homes.
Everyone’s a winner
The Live Lighter Aged Care Games have become a highlight for some friendly inter-aged care home rivalry - and this year’s tournament was no exception.
On August 11, a group of residents from some of Hall & Prior’s WA homes including Leighton and Kensington Park headed to the Belmont Oasis sports facility to compete in the Live Lighter Aged Care Games against five other teams.
The competing residents and attending staff had a great day, with plenty of fun and games to be enjoyed. Volleyball, bean bag toss, bowling, ball pass and hockey games were some of the highlights and to mark the occasion, each resident received a participation medal.
The Kensington Park team’s colours were orange and morale was high, according to Crystal Beninsig, Deputy Director of Nursing.
“All our residents tried their best to do Kensington Park proud,” said Crystal. “We treated the team to Maccas for lunch afterwards and they all loved their medals awarded for their valiant efforts. A big thank you to the organisers of this great, inclusive event, and to our helpful Occupational Therapy staff and carers who attended to help out on the day.
“We’ll all be practicing from now onwards for next year’s games, said Leighton’s Director of Nursing, Bianca Meek.
FRIENDLY COMPETITION The annual Live Lighter Aged Care Games brought out a competitive streak in the Hall & Prior teams.
Keeping fit
at Karingal Green
Stacey is one of the exercise professionals who help our residents and community visitors keep fit at Karingal Green in High Wycombe - let’s find out more about her work.
Who am I: I am an accredited exercise physiologist. I run the group exercise classes at Karingal Green on a Monday and Thursday morning. I am also currently undertaking research at Karingal Green as part of my PhD.
On the North Side: The group exercise classes are well attended, with a record 12 residents attending the class on Monday 8 August! We focus on leg and arm strength, balance and joint flexibility. The class runs for about 40 minutes and consists of a combination of seated and standing exercises. I try to encourage all residents to stand as much as possible but always take safety into consideration.
On the South Side: The group classes are still a little small on this side; however, I have 3 or 4 regulars that attend every class. This class runs for about 30 minutes and also focuses on strength, balance and flexibility.
What do we do in the group exercise class? We use 500g and 1kg dumbbells, balls, pool noodles and body weight for most of the exercises. Although safety is an important consideration, I don’t wrap the residents in cotton wool – over time I have learnt what the residents of capable of doing and I try to challenge them, not only to improve their overall strength but also to boost their movement confidence.
The residents know that they are free to work at their own pace and have a rest whenever they feel they need one. In between the exercises, we reminisce, do brain teasers, and have a chat. All residents are made to feel welcome, and I have practicum students from Edith Cowan University to assist the residents during the group classes who may be a falls risk or have a visual or hearing impairment.
In the afternoons I work one-on-one with the residents who are part of my research study, I visit and chat with residents, and when the weather is pleasant, the practicum students and I often escort residents who need assistance for a walk in the beautiful garden.
To find out more about Stacey’s and other exercise classes at Karingal Green, visit karingalgreen.com.au
EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF RESIDENTS
ECU is investigating the experiences of older adults who have recently moved into residential aged care.
If you have a family member who has been in residential aged care for 3 months, we would like to hear your perspectives on your family member’s experience
What does the study involve? You will be interviewed twice - at 3 and 5 months post admission of your relative. All interviews will be audio recorded and will be confidential.
Family members may participate even if the resident does not. The resident and the family member do not both have to participate in this study.
If you interested in participating in this study, please contact Stacey Scott 0477 539 870.
