ChurchLink Winter 2017 Issue No. 60
UNIQUE ROLE OF OUR CHAPLAINS IN HOLISTIC CARE Since being appointed as Life Care’s Coordinating Chaplain in January this year, Paul Tyler has developed an even more powerful appreciation of the organisation’s Live Every Day culture and the central role of chaplaincy services. “My first 100 days in this role reminded me of the significant place of chaplaincy at the heart and soul of Life Care providing quality of life, meaning and purpose,” Paul explained. “We have an outstanding team of chaplains who are committed to our person centred focus on the well-being of Life Care’s community of residents, clients, families, staff members and volunteers. They bring a wealth of experience and dedication to their roles to deliver consistency in chaplaincy services.
Paul Tyler
“Chaplaincy is at the heart and soul of Life Care providing quality of life, meaning and purpose”
“We are grateful for the support of Chief Executive Officer, Allen Candy, and the leadership team at Life Care who understand the significant purpose and place of chaplaincy within the organisation.” As Coordinating Chaplain, Paul is based at Glenrose Court, Glen Osmond. Other members of the chaplaincy team are Sue Ind (Aldinga Beach Court, Aldinga Beach), Maureen Jennings (Reynella Lodge, Old Reynella), Deb Likouras (Roselin Court, Joslin), and Peter Bradley (Parkrose Village, Everard Park).
“We are also strongly focused on providing support for the families of those in Life Care’s community. This has included the creation of family support groups at our sites with each addressing different perspectives in the care of loved ones.
“A major challenge for all of us in the aged care sector is that many of our residents come to us in a frail state,” Paul said.
“Our chaplains are also playing a vital role as part of a team in facilitating best practice in dementia care of residents.
“Increasingly, the care that we are called upon to deliver is more palliative in nature. It is into this environment that chaplains are uniquely positioned to provide residents and their families with holistic care particularly toward the end of life.
“Another powerful expression of Life Care’s defining culture is the dedication and skills of our volunteers who inspire residents and their families to Live Every Day with meaning and purpose. In particular, many of our volunteers have a highly valued role in providing spiritual care.” For information on volunteering with Life Care, please call 1800 555 990.
263 Melbourne Street North Adelaide SA 5006
T (08) 8239 9800
W lifecare.org.au
HEALTH AND FITNESS FOR THE 50-PLUS Life Care Active provides a range of specialist health and well-being services for men and women aged 50-plus.
cover massage, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, exercise physiology and personal training.
Individual and group fitness programs provide participants with flexibility, balance, strength and overall good health with the aim to be active every day.
Preventative health services feature personal training and exercise classes along with Pilates matwork and equipment as well as the COTA Strength for Life program.
Based at 230 Payneham Road, Payneham, Life Care Active features health professionals across various disciplines working with allied health experts to tailor exercise programs to individual needs. The services focus on general well-being along with specific fitness, weight loss, and rehabilitation from injury or recovery from surgery programs. Life Care Active’s allied health and fitness services
Life Care Active provides Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and cardiopulmonary specialised classes. To book a personal consultation at Life Care Active, please call 8168 7600. Life Care Active services are also offered at Life Care’s Parkrose Village (Everard Park), Reynella Lodge (Old Reynella) and Aldinga Beach Court (Aldinga Beach) residential locations.
EMBRACING WORLD CLASS DEMENTIA CARE Life Care has continued to build on its partnership with the acclaimed Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) in Scotland to ensure dementia care excellence across the organisation.
Shirley Law said: “We have worked with the Life Care team to give them the necessary evidence-based knowledge on best practice within community and residential settings.
Shirley Law, Head of Learning and Development at DSDC, has played a personal role in training Life Care staff members leading to the benchmark Best Practice in Dementia Care Program accreditation.
“I have had the pleasure of teaching many of the Life Care front line team along with volunteers, senior management and Board members.”
Based at the University of Stirling in Scotland, DSDC is an international centre of knowledge and expertise dedicated to improving the lives of people with dementia.
Two senior Life Care staff members - Merridy Schofield, Manager at Aldinga Beach Court, and Heather Fraser, Manager at Reynella Lodge - are participating in Masters of Dementia Studies at Stirling University in Scotland.
The centre draws on latest research and best practice across the world to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date resource on all aspects of dementia.
Merridy and Heather are undertaking the learning externally allowing them to continue in their roles at Life Care. Their studies are expected to conclude in December 2018.
More than 100 Life Care staff members have to date participated in the six-month DSDC Best Practice in Dementia Care Program, and it will continue to roll out across the organisation.
This higher learning will be a vital asset for Life Care in knowledge sharing to enhance the lives of residents and clients with dementia and the skills of staff members engaging with them and their families.
www.lifecare.org.au