ChurchLink Spring 2016 Issue No. 58
STRATEGICALLY AT THE FOREFRONT OF A RAPIDLY CHANGING AGED CARE SECTOR In June 2016, the Life Care Board formally adopted the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan. As we commence this strategic planning cycle, Life Care is a much more dynamic, agile and resilient organisation. This has been achieved through the commitment, focus and teamwork of the broader Life Care community. The 2016-2021 Strategic Plan articulates a set of ambitious, yet achievable goals to deliver a comprehensive, integrated approach to aged care accommodation and services though the Life Care Service Model. Achieving these goals will position Life Care at the forefront of a rapidly changing sector and ensure our long-term viability. The re-development of our key sites to support the delivery of our Integrated Communities Model was a mere aspiration five years ago.
Now it is a reality with the recent completion of the Aldinga Beach Court re-development and commencement in July of the new Life Care Joslin campus, marking the next step in the roll-out of the Life Care Master Plan. These developments, coupled with significant investment in our workforce and leadership, will see Life Care offer services that the community truly acknowledges and appreciates. We will achieve this by focusing on our 4Cs - being client focused, commercial, cohesive and consistent - and being true to our values. Through the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, Life Care sets a course that will underpin its success for decades to come. Allen Candy Chief Executive Officer
GROWING COMMUNITY SERVICES IN THE NORTH Life Care is expanding its portfolio of community services as it prepares for sweeping Federal Government changes in home care funding. The changes, announced in the Government’s 2015-16 budget, will be implemented in two stages. In the first stage, from February 2017, funding for a home care package will follow the consumer. This will allow individuals to choose a provider that is suited to their particular needs and to direct funding to that provider. A person may also change provider if they wish, for example if there is a move to a new location. The second stage, to be introduced in mid-2018, will integrate the Home Care Package Program and the Commonwealth Home Support Program into a single entity to simplify the way services are funded and delivered.
Anne Higginson, Life Care’s Manager Community Services, said the organisation was gearing for these changes by expanding its home care services in the northern region of Adelaide extending to the Tea Tree Gully and Salisbury Council areas. “This will complement our existing home care packages in the southern and eastern areas of Adelaide,” she said.“Life Care is committed to supporting people as they age through a continuum of care where, how and when it is needed. “The changes announced by the Government present an exciting opportunity for Life Care to deliver expanded community care services for an ageing population. “As we widen the reach of our community care in the north, we will also provide specialist allied health services including respite care and health and fitness programs to encourage active ageing.”
263 Melbourne Street North Adelaide SA 5006
T (08) 8239 9800
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BILL REFLECTS ON SPIRITUALITY WITHIN LIFE CARE Life Care’s Coordinating Chaplain, Bill Hall, has announced his retirement from January 2017. “I joined the Life Care chaplaincy team in August 2006,” Bill said. “ With my passion for the church, I had an expectation that I would ultimately return as a minister in that setting before retirement. “However, being a Life Care chaplain has been such a wonderful experience with so many people working their way into my heart. “I started as site chaplain at Life Care’s Glenrose Court and Parkrose Village. It was a full-time and busy position that included taking Sunday services. “Following some leave in 2014, I decided to relinquish my chaplaincy at Glenrose Court and work three days a week at Parkrose Village as I transitioned toward retirement. It was wonderful, but short lived. “In January 2015, I accepted an appointment as the Coordinating Chaplain. Serving in this position has been
an exciting experience of challenge and change, especially in terms of our multicultural and diverse faith settings. “I have been privileged to lead a very enthusiastic and committed team of chaplains who have embraced the challenge to deliver quality spiritual and pastoral care in a rapidly changing setting. “In many ways, Life Care now has a clearer understanding of the spiritual domain of care. This has resulted in a shift from a quality of care model to a quality of life focus taking into account each person’s spiritual and emotional well-being as well as their physical wellness. “The change in focus ensures that Life Care will continue to provide truly holistic and person-centred care for its residents and clients. “I have enjoyed my journey with Life Care and am confident that the good work of our chaplains - Sue Ind, Maureen Jennings, Deb Likouras and Paul Tyler - will continue long after I retire.”
MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN CHAPLAINCY SERVICES Seven months after joining Life Care’s chaplaincy team, Deb Likouras is spending much of her time helping residents and staff to adjust to change with the $50 million redevelopment of Roselin Court underway. With the acquisition of two properties adjacent to the existing site at Joslin, stage one of the innovative project will include a 96-bed facility due to be completed in 2017. Stage two will feature a further 30 apartments, 28 serviced apartments and a wellness and rehabilitation centre. Deb describes the project as a “new beginning” and has been enjoying helping residents through a peaceful transition. “A group of us meet regularly to focus on the inevitability of change and what it has meant in our lives,” she said. “Reassurance is the key message to build an atmosphere of excitement and expectation about how the new facility will create positive change at Roselin Court. “The lifestyle team and I also take residents out to see work in progress, which is beneficial. One of our residents has an engineering background and he has developed a keen interest in how the project is unfolding.” Deb spends one day each week in chaplaincy at Aldinga Beach Court, where residents, staff and
Deb with resident Alex inspecting the redevelopment work
volunteers happily managed change through a major redevelopment. “The outcomes from Aldinga Beach Court have been invaluable for me in helping residents and staff at Roselin Court to take comfort in the continuum of care through a vibrant period of change,” she said. Glenrose Court Chaplain, Paul Tyler, said encouraging individuals to recognise the continuing significance of their lives had been a constant theme in his engagement with residents since joining Life Care in March this year. “Memorial services are also an important way for people to celebrate lives and past experiences,” he added. “We are a community of residents, families, staff and volunteers in which every life makes a difference.”
For more information on volunteering with Life Care call 8239 9800.
www.lifecare.org.au