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1213} LIVE EVERY D AY Annual Report
Corporate
263 Melbourne Street North Adelaide Phone 8239 9800 Residential
Aldinga Beach Court Pridham Boulevard Aldinga Beach Phone 8550 2100 Glenrose Court 550 Portrush Road Glen Osmond Phone 8379 1449 Parkrose Village 34 Norman Terrace Everard Park Phone 8292 7100 Reynella Lodge 7 Railway Terrace Reynella Phone 8392 3600 Roselin Court 251 Payneham Road Joslin Phone 8362 8974 Respite
Norman House 28 Norman Terrace Everard Park Phone 8293 5924 Life Care at Home
28 Fourth Ave Everard Park Phone 1300 555 220 Retirement Living Services
263 Melbourne Street North Adelaide Phone 8239 9800 Life Care Active
Level 1, 230 Payneham Road Payneham Phone 8168 7600 www.lifecare.org.au
{Mission} Our purpose is to partner with people to embrace life and live every day.
{Vision } Life Care is an innovative provider of quality services to the ageing. We are recognised as a preferred option of choice for active ageing and an employer of choice for staff. This is achieved by an outstanding team working in a flexible and integrated approach with volunteers and partners.
{Values } Integrity • Respect • Innovation • Excellence • Teamwork
{Chair’s Report} Life Care met all of its key strategic objectives for the past year, and in many cases exceeded those objectives.
John Stock OAM
The past year has strengthened the external regard for Life Care as a true leader in aged care services in South Australia, nationally, and internationally.
The resources of the Life Care Board and its operational effectiveness have been further strengthened in the past year, and this process will continue.
The commitment of Life Care to partner with people to embrace life and “Live Every Day” has been further reinforced.
We have established a Strategic Advisory Group of Emeritus Professor James McWha AO, Rod Hook, and Associate Professor Keith Evans to provide advice to both the Board and organisation about global trends and emerging issues impacting on Life Care. This will assist in enhancing our awareness, in assessing our priorities and service options, and in responding effectively to changing needs and partnership opportunities.
Our partnerships with customers, staff, Governments, business, consulting service providers, and the Churches of Christ have all strengthened demonstrably in the past year. The foundations and resources are now in place for Life Care to achieve transformational change, and position itself to provide sustainable service excellence far into the future. A Strong Team
Our Chief Executive Officer, Allen Candy has accepted the Board’s invitation to extend his contract so that his outstanding contribution to the leadership and strategic focus of Life Care will continue to be available to us for up to another four years. In the past year, we have again secured additional quality staff at all levels, adding significant strength to our resource capabilities. We are soundly placed financially to meet the challenges we face, and our strategic aspirations.
Ageing as a Major Community Priority
The importance of ageing as a major community priority has not yet been adequately acknowledged in very many respects, but of necessity it will become a greater focus in the near future. The aged care reform package Living Longer, Living Better, provides a template for implementation of significant changes and for the ongoing evaluation of those changes nationally. It is clear that the redevelopment of our Life Care facilities and of our continuum of services will be critical to us to deliver on our commitment to ongoing excellence and innovation in meeting the needs of those who are ageing.
In 2013, Allen Candy and I initiated monthly Leaders’ Lunches at Life Care to engage with national and local leaders in ageing, as well as a rich range of participants in the spheres of politics, the three tiers of Government, business, community, tertiary education and research sectors. The impact of these lunches already has exceeded what we could confidently have expected in raising awareness of Life Care, and our aspirations; in clarifying some of the key challenges we face; and, in creating a forum for wider ranging open exchange. In Closing
Life Care met all of its key strategic objectives for the past year, and in many cases exceeded those objectives. Many people have contributed to this achievement, through their shared passion and commitment to our Values. I thank all staff and volunteers of Life Care. For their contributions and support, I commend the Life Care Board Directors, Graeme Murley, Deputy Chair; Allen Candy, Chief Executive Officer; and the other member of Board Executive, Alan Young. I acknowledge the work of the Committee Chairs, David Duncan, Rebecca Halkett, Anne Lawson and David Schwab; and our other Directors, Barbara Grear, Malcolm May and Geoff Payne. Life Care is in an exciting place right now. We look forward with confidence to further enhancing its impact in a range of innovative ways in the year ahead.
The 2012-13 year will be remembered as a defining year for Life Care as we continue to evolve as an organisation dedicated to defining standards and services in support of older South Australians.
{CEO’s 365 day wrap up}
Allen Candy
The commencement of the “Live Every Day” Master Plan process was developed and endorsed by our Board to meet growing and changing needs of the ageing population. It reflects a solid commitment to refreshing our Vision and Mission, realigning our services and redeveloping our built assets to create places in which older people want to live and enjoy life. Essentially, we have carefully planned and activated the most ambitious change cycle in our 63-year-history to showcase that ageing for most is an enjoyable period of life, and that aged care is a vibrant part of modern society. Our new whole-of-business approach will deliver positive outcomes for Life Care for decades to come as we implement key aspects of the Master Plan. We are looking to invest around $180 million over the next ten years in design and development changes at each of our residential aged care sites along with the head office at North Adelaide and metropolitan community care services, such as Life Care Active. Life Care has already started work on a $9 million expansion of Aldinga Beach Court to create 35 new beds and services for the rapidly expanding southern suburban and Fleurieu region. In the reporting period, we purchased an expansive residential aged care facility with a three-street frontage at Norwood. The property, will be redeveloped as a service integrated Retirement community.
We have entered into new partnerships with awardwinning architectural firm, Marchese Partners, and project management firm, Thinc Projects. While this is about expanding our business, our focus is not just on built form. Contemporary architectural design and development are critical in the provision of quality aged care. But of paramount importance is our working philosophy, our diverse skills base and our service delivery to ensure older people can “Live Every Day” to keep their interests and dreams within reach. The Life Care way of doing business will increasingly be seen as providing holistic new ageing experiences as we partner with each person to help them get the most out of life and celebrate their achievements. With this goal in mind, we have developed guiding principles that will continue to set Life Care apart, and allow us to fulfil our Mission. Increasingly, we will provide integrated housing with contemporary built form and modern services where people can “age in place” and be part of active and vibrant communities. We are committed to “de-institutionalising” aged care and creating environments in which people want to live and enjoy what each day brings. In doing so, we will continue to develop partnerships with community-based organisations that are relevant to the well-being of our customers. Our unique relationship with the Adelaide Football Club and the Sparkling Diamonds Netball Club, particularly
through player visits to our aged care facilities, are shining examples of this approach. In encouraging active ageing, we have launched Life Care Active with the introduction of specialised allied health and fitness programs for men and women 55+. Based in a new facility at Payneham, Life Care Active delivers a range of programs that help keep older people in the community healthy, mobile and engaged with others. The health and fitness programs are being offered at other Life Care sites at Everard Park, Reynella and Aldinga Beach before being extended to more locations across Adelaide. We recognise that ageing is a unique experience for each individual depending on personal characteristics, outlook, well-being and family circumstances. Our response is to create and maintain an environment of exceptional services in places where people want to be at this stage of their lives. Even in circumstances such as advanced dementia, there are ways to bring happiness, engagement and activity into people’s lives to help them “Live Every Day”. More Awards for Excellence
Life Care celebrated its success in the ACS SA & NT Awards for Excellence in the Organisation Category for the development of the Life Care Charter. As a result of winning the SA and NT Award, Life Care is entered into the Organisation Category at the ACSA National Awards to be announced later this year.
This Award follows our achievements in winning the Staff Retention and Development Category of the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency’s 2012 Better Practice Awards and the International Dementia Excellence Award in the category of Life Engagement for the pioneering Side By Side program. Recognising our Volunteers
In May, Life Care recognised milestones of dedication and achievement among our volunteers who in 2012 accumulated a total of 22,000 hours of skilled and devoted support. Life Care is committed to being the very best aged care organisation in South Australia, but we would not be able to provide our level of care and lifestyle opportunities without the valued contribution of volunteers. Financial Performance
Our plans for the future must be built on the foundations of solid financial performance. In the 2012-13 year, we achieved an improved surplus despite some challenges in the economy and in an increasingly challenging aged care environment. I thank the Board Directors, executive, management staff and each employee and volunteer for their outstanding service over the past year and their commitment to “Live Every Day.”
In late 2012, we celebrated the achievements of our staff members who were nominated by their peers for outstanding service. Innovation Award Winner Craig Sweaney Runner-up Wilma Johns Customer Service Excellence Award Winner Cinta Pappas Runner-up Allison Shipp Leadership Award Winner Dianne Parker Runner-up Rajani Bhattarai Team of The Year Award Winner Reynella Lodge Catering Team Runner-up Parkrose Village Leisure and Lifestyle Team Life Care Way Award Joint winners Janeth Smith and Glenys Brooks
{What a year!}
Highlights of 2012-13
Launch of the Life Care Charter Upgrade at Aldinga Beach Court commenced Beulah Road Norwood site purchased Strong financial performance Celebration of Life Care’s volunteers Aged & Community Services SA & NT Award for Excellence We presented at the National Palliative Care Conference Adelaide Football Club and Sparking Diamonds Netball Club partnerships HESTA Awards Lorraine Eastwood - Finalist Individual Distinction Award Successful ACAR application with 24 Home Care Packages received 2nd Annual Life Care Staff Awards Master Plan initiated Opening and launch of Life Care Active at Payneham
{Financial year in review}
{
Life Care is pleased to advise that it achieved an improved surplus of $2.9 million in 2012-13, an increase of $0.2million over the 2011-12 year result. This improved result was achieved in a challenging year as aged care faced increased revenue and cost pressures. The most pleasing aspect of our result was management’s response to these challenges by collectively identifying areas for improvement, and working as a team to deliver organisational efficiency gains. These gains will deliver sustainable long-term operational benefits.
Life Care’s equity position in 2012-13 increased by around 12% over the previous year. Current assets rose by approximately $6.7 million, predominantly due to stronger accommodation bond receipts. Non-current assets increased substantially, principally through an investment in property at Norwood earmarked for future development, commencement of the expansion at Aldinga Beach Court, and growth in the value of our properties. The ongoing strength of our balance sheet provides great confidence for the future and underpins our ability to undertake future significant capital works as part of our Master Planning process. Through our governance structures and internal capabilities, the organisation has set a framework to deliver these transformational capital projects. This provides a solid foundation for the future. It will allow Life Care to meet the growing needs and expectations of older South Australians and their families.
Revenues Other 2% Resident contributions 23% Interest and dividends 5% Retentions 4% Government contributions 66% Total $37,403,866
Assets Other 1% Investments 13% Cash and bank balance 5% Plant and equipment 3% Property 78% Total $165,024,933
Expenses Other 7% Depreciation 5% Property costs 7% Domestic costs 7% Staffing costs 74% Total $34,515,590
Liabilities Bank loans 10% Provisions 3% Trade and other payables 2% Resident occupancy rights 85% Total $87,955,321
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LIVE EVERY D AY
principles of Life Care
At Life Care, we believe that ageing is not a disability or a policy problem to be solved, rather it is a natural part of life that should be celebrated. It is unique and varies according to our character, experiences, outlook, well-being and family circumstances.
This belief compels us to see beyond conventional attitudes that surround ageing and strive to build a future which delivers an innovative and positive experience for each individual. With our strong and unwavering belief in “Live Every Day� and the Life Care Charter, we have developed five guiding principles fundamental to creating a better ageing experience.
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principle Services are tailored for the “i� in individual
Life Care’s progressive and innovative approach to aged care is strategically designed to help people transition into support services that meet their specific needs. It is this seamless approach that helps our customers to meet each day with the expectation and assurance of being able, to the best of their ability, to continue enjoying life. We are able to facilitate services that give individuals the choice of what services they need, when and where, to stay in their own homes as long as they want or to transfer between our services, as their needs change.
{“i”ndividual stories}
Topsy, Anne & Doris
Topsy happy at home Life Care’s unique model of service allows people like Helene Bennet to live happily in their own homes with the support, reassurance and companionship of carers. Topsy, as she has been known for most of her 92 years, has been a resident at Reynella Village since 1983, moving in with her late husband, Les. With Les suffering from cancer and their large family home becoming a burden, the move to Reynella Village was a blessing that she reflects on with contentment each day. Les passed away almost 20 years ago, and only in recent years have health issues begun to impact on Topsy. Limited in movement, but not broken in spirit, Topsy has been determined to stay in her home for as long as possible surrounded by her treasured memories, friendly neighbours and colourful garden. With regular family visits and support Topsy is still able to feel very much at home at Reynella Village. But without the support of Life Care at Home, and its focus on assisting people to stay in their own homes, it would not be possible. Life Care at Home develops and delivers services that meet the specific needs of its customers to help them maintain independence and continuity at home. “Apart from the wonderful things the carers do to support me, I treasure the companionship and their sense of fun,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do without them.
The maintenance personnel are also wonderful people who contribute to the beautiful environment in which we live. I am so happy and thankful to be able to stay in my own home.” Life Care at Home Clinical Services Advisor, Ree Poole, manages Topsy’s care package, and she is impressed by her choice to stay in her home for as long as possible. “Our Home Support Workers call in three times a day, and Topsy’s stepson visits nearly every night,” Ree said. “He also takes her to medical appointments when necessary. Topsy is able to maintain her lifestyle due to the outstanding support network, a healthy diet and the benefit of good communication with her family and carers.” Anne’s successful transition Anne Gardiner says without reservation that she would not have survived without the support of Life Care through its services and support at Norman House and Parkrose Village. Sick and downcast, she first experienced the benefits of personal respite at Norman House several years ago. It was an uplifting experience that helped Anne regain strength and confidence, eventually resulting in her becoming a volunteer at Norman House. “Norman House is an exceptional place,” she said. “While in respite care, I found a unique form of support through tailored programs provided by skilled and caring staff members.”
Anne’s involvement with Norman House provided purpose and direction in her life, but more recently her circumstances led to a move to Parkrose Village. The move was made possible through the Life Care Service Model with Jacinta Robertson, Manager Respite Services working in conjunction with Ann-Marie Hogan, Residential Services Manager at Parkrose Village. “They were wonderful in their support for me and I moved into Parkrose Village in May this year,” Anne said. “I was very nervous and had mixed emotions at the start, but I have settled into life here, and it is very much home for me now. I am incredibly thankful for the way that Life Care has helped me through very challenging times in recent years. I am now able to enjoy new friends and activities at Parkrose Village, and also volunteer to help out in the laundry.” Ann-Marie said it was often difficult for people to leave their family homes to come into residential care. “We recognise it is a big step, but Life Care is dedicated to helping people integrate into our community,” she explained. “Like Anne, most settle in well and enjoy the outcomes of our seamless services and support.” Doris is happy and settled in her apartment lifestyle For 26 years, Doris Trivett was a happy and active resident at Life Care’s Murlali Village. However, for the last two years at Murlali, her outgoing nature was stifled by a series of illnesses that left her feeling isolated and lonely.
“My daughter, Susan, helped me when I was sick and I would stay with her on weekends,” Doris explained. “But in the end, I felt I was putting too much pressure on my family. I heard about Life Care’s new concept in retirement living at the Reynella Apartments, and asked Susan if she could take me to have a look at them. I fell in love with the apartments straight away. I knew immediately that it was the right place for me at this time of my life.” Doris became one of the first residents at the Reynella Apartments. The 22 apartments are located in the Old Reynella township offering an appealing retirement lifestyle with privacy, freedom and independence, but with essential support services. “I feel very safe and secure here with others around me, and the apartments have a 24 hour emergency call system that we can use any time if we feel unwell. Since I moved into the apartments, I have made new friends and participate in a lot of activities at Reynella Village including bingo, Crafty Chats, and our regular Happy Hour. I’ve never done things like that before, and I love it. I am out and about like I used to be. The bus stop is right outside my door to take me to the shops, and I enjoy the lovely gardens around the apartments and Village. My life has turned around thanks to Life Care. I feel very happy and settled again.”
Through the Life Care Charter and our new Service Model, Life Care is committed to tailoring services for the individual. This commitment is absolutely essential to “Live Every Day� and ultimately is at the core of everything that we do.
2
principle With Values that include Innovation and Excellence, Principle 2 is at the absolute heart of Life Care and “Live Every Day�.
Seek innovation & continual improvement
A new Executive position, General Manager Innovation & Service Development was created this financial year. Associate Professor Keith Evans was engaged as a Thinker in Residence to research and assess innovative ideas from across the globe. Further, the first Life Care Innovation Network was established to share innovative ideas across the organisation to ensure consistency and evidence based best practice.
{Live every day}
Innovation & Excellence
Each week, Life Care welcomes new people into residential care with the primary purpose of helping them to “Live Every Day” to the full. Some residents and their families enjoy many years of active partnership with Life Care, receiving quality care and participating in daily activities. Ultimately, however, every person faces endof-life issues. Sometimes individuals in care and their families discuss and make choices well in advance of the onset of life limiting conditions. For others, these major decisions may be more immediate and often involve palliative care. Life Care has implemented a unified approach to palliative care across its residential and community services as an extension of its approach to “Live Every Day”. Palliative Approach: The Life Care Way has been introduced to all staff members after a multidisciplinary project team led by Reynella Lodge Residential Services Manager, Raelene Madden, based on best practice in palliative care nationally. Life Care’s objective is to ensure a consistent approach to palliative care across the organisation with enhanced staff knowledge and skills and improved information for residents and families. The Palliative Approach addresses key issues from pre-admission and admission to monitoring of health changes, communication with medical staff and family members, spiritual care,
documentation, equipment and resources. “While the process standardises our approach to people facing end-of-life issues, it also places a strong focus on specific needs and desires of residents, clients and their loved ones,” Raelene explained.
“How long a person lives is important, but quality of life is much more important.” An essential ingredient of Palliative Approach: The Life Care Way is case conferencing involving the individual in care along with their family members, doctors, nurses, personal carers, site lifestyle coordinators and chaplains. Parkrose Village has received positive feedback from all participants in this case conferencing process. Residential Services Manager, Ann-Marie Hogan, said “In some cases it involved very emotional considerations, while in other instances it could generate joy and happy reflection.”
Above all, it is designed to be an empowering process through which people can make informed choices and share their hopes and plans in a caring and comfortable environment. Aged care involves people with many backgrounds, feelings and aspirations and, therefore, each situation is approached individually and with great respect and dignity. For some residents, case conferencing is a choice they make while new to residential care when they are still able to lead relatively vibrant and active lifestyles. Koula Pappas, 78, became a resident at Parkrose Village in early 2013. While still able to make regular visits to her favourite shops and enjoy family outings, she has gained great comfort from case conferencing as part of her longer-term care plan. “My family and I came together as members of the case conference team and I found it to be very good,” said Koula. “It certainly left me feeling more comfortable, and I know my family are relieved to know that I am in such a caring environment. I am blessed to have a very supportive family and I have settled in well at Parkrose Village.” Koula’s son, Grant, said that she had suffered a number of falls at her former Morphettville home and had spent some time in hospital.
“We were very concerned about mum before, but the change since she came to Parkrose Village has been remarkable, we are all very happy.” Two general practitioners who treat Koula joined the case conference team. It provides a great opportunity for everyone to come together to look at the whole picture and to help Koula and her family plan for the future. Life Care has made a commitment to innovation and the pursuit of excellence through continual improvement, to reinforce our ‘Live Every Day’ approach. This commitment is pivotal in all of our plans to create Life Care communities of the future.
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principle “Ageing in place” is more than accessibility of services
Society at large is demanding more options around “ageing in place” in particular in one’s home. The Federal Government has acknowledged this through its aged care reform package Living Longer Living Better. As a quality provider of home based care, Life Care acknowledges and welcomes the Government’s direction and looks forward to meeting its customers’ expectations. However, as part of “Live Every Day,” we believe that the communities in which people age are just as important as accessibility to professional and affordable services.
{An hour of community power!} Happy hour at Reynella Village
In each of our existing communities, we have created the role of Residential Services Manager. This role has responsibility for all aspects of community life on our main campuses and smaller satellites. As part of enhancing the quality of the community experience at Reynella, we re-opened the Serviced Apartments, and significantly upgraded the community facilities within the Village.
Life Care’s embracing spirit of community is shining brighter and broader than ever... Life Care’s embracing spirit of community is shining brighter and broader than ever through the simple, but motivating concept of a happy hour get-together at Reynella Village. The focus initially was on bringing friends and neighbours at Reynella together. Steadily the numbers grew as more retirees at the Village became involved. Then residents from the Reynella Apartments and retirees from Murlali Village at Christie Downs also joined in.
Reynella Village resident Barry Golding said “It is very satisfying to see it becoming so successful. We are so pleased to see the pleasure it is generating among people who come along. Life Care invested in creating an excellent Village Hall for us and in developing the new Reynella Apartments. The happy hour demonstrates the community coming together.” Life Care Community Services Advisor, Anne Walker, who attends the happy hour says “It’s important to bring people together. Life Care believes that people should not be socially isolated and the happy hour get-together allows people to share some time together.” Reynella Village residents, Don and Ann Wright, both 80, agree. “It is most important to continue mixing with others socially to share stories and memories and laugh together.” Through our Master Planning process, Life Care is challenging itself to ensure that as we build or redevelop our campuses, we commit to developing a ‘sense of place.’ This will foster strong communities that link to the broader community and facilitate the effective delivery of services, for a truly positive “ageing in place” experience.
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principle It has been a long standing mantra in aged care that helping to maintain independence is a fundamental goal.
Interdependence not just independence
At Life Care we share the desire to help keep people active and independent but are aware that social isolation and depression need to be addressed. Rather than following the conventional care based model, we have developed our own customer focused service model designed to promote health and vitality by building the right sort of independence.
{Life savers}
your mates, your mind & movement
True to his military career, Terry Daly remains stoic in the face of adversity. He is living with younger onset dementia that will slowly erode his memory and impact on many of his plans for retirement. As friends and former colleagues withdraw, the impact of younger onset dementia is magnified many times over. However, Terry is a realist and he is determined to make the most of each day by continuing to engage with others to share his stories, interests and aspirations – and to laugh! He is a regular client at Norman House where Life Care operates unique and award-winning respite services. “To be honest, I wish I did not have to be here,” Terry said in one of the rare moments when he was not smiling.
“Norman House has been a life saver for me. Otherwise I’d be wallowing in my misery at home.” “I’ve made a lot of mates here and the staff and volunteers are always creating new challenges for us. I just don’t know what I’d do without Norman House.”
Terry is a regular member of the Tuesday Men’s Group at Norman House – strangers who have become friends through their shared challenges with various stages of dementia. Each week, they participate in various forms of exercise to keep fit and continue interacting in meaningful ways between themselves and with the broader community. During summer, the Tuesday Men’s Group participated in fun and fitness at Unley Pool through a six-week program developed by Norman House carer, Glenys Brooks, who is studying for qualifications in leisure and health. “We wanted to stretch their boundaries and the program at Unley Pool that involved laps, ball games and exercises followed by a barbecue lunch, did just that.” Glenys said. Later, after completing a 12-week walking program promoted by the National Heart Foundation, the group members and their carers decided to keep it going. “Our good walkers go about 4km while some cover less ground, but for physical well-being and social engagement it has been fantastic,” Glenys said. As we age, our social networks tend to shrink and even the most independent and capable people can become isolated and depressed. For this reason Life Care is committed to developing programs and services that build connections to the community and foster strength through interdependence like Terry Daly continues to do.
5
principle Wellness not just Health
{Adventurous spirit fulfilled} The conventional aged care model is very focused on health and care outcomes and engaging with people once those challenges arise. Our belief in “Live Every Day” compels us to broaden our focus from Health to one of Wellness. We subscribe to Wellness being a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease. To this end, we are enhancing the role of lifestyle within our residential aged care facilities and have launched Life Care Active. Life Care Active specialises in the 55+ market, delivering programs and allied health services that are appropriate, targeted and relevant to individual needs, at that stage of life. Standing on the crest of a towering sand dune in the world’s oldest desert, stretching across Namibia on the western coast of Africa, is a powerful expression of achievement for somebody who is vision impaired. Climbing the dune in this vast and lonely sea of sand is also testament to the fitness and confidence that Wendy Alexander has brought to her body and mind over the past three years.
Wendy, a grandmother, attributes the fulfilment of her adventurous spirit largely to her involvement in Life Care Active and its dedicated programs to maintain fitness and wellness for over 55+ in the community.
“Not that long ago I wasn’t even able to catch a bus on my own in Adelaide.” “But I have since travelled to Africa and gone tobogganing at Mount Buller. Next year, I’m planning a holiday in South America.” Wendy’s vision impairment forced her to end a 38-year career in nursing and for a while she felt isolated from the things she loved to do. “I’ve always been a reasonably fit and active person, but problems with my vision impacted on my confidence to get out and about,” she explained.
An active life, 55+
“I joined an exercise group at Life Care Active about three years ago and it has been wonderful for me both physically and mentally. ” Apart from keeping fit and well, the exercises focus on balance, which is very important for a person who is vision impaired. “I’m enjoying my life and my plans and a lot of what I achieve now would not be possible without my regular exercise and friendship with others at Life Care Active.” Life Care’s partnership with its customers has entered a new dimension with the opening of an expansive new facility at Payneham. The Life Care Active programs are also being offered at other Life Care sites at Reynella Lodge, Parkrose Village and Aldinga Beach Court with plans to extend them to more locations across Adelaide. The training and exercise programs are supported by professional and individualised health services including dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, exercise physiology and podiatry.
The essence of “Live Every Day” centres around celebrating what people can do, and making the most of each day. Life Care Active and the enhanced lifestyle activities in our residential aged care facilities are just the start of our much broader commitment to enhancing wellness outcomes. We are looking to develop and establish meaningful relationships through tailored programs and services that increasingly focus on their wellness goals and aspirations so they can truly “Live Every Day.”
{ Life Care’s Wellness Goals Companionship Establishing a routine Exercise Less stress Getting out Making new friends Exposure to new interests Security Feel needed & appreciated Sense of purpose