Focus on Frankston

Caregivers take a walk for Parkinson’s

Avid supporters of the annual Walk in the Park event held in Melbourne and across Australia, Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital caregivers headed to Fed Square in March this year to take part in either a two or a four kilometre walk to raise awareness for Parkinson’s.

Over 1500 people attended the event raising more than $168,000 for Parkinson’s disease. Well done team.

Therapists delight guests with art and music showcase

In an effort to communicate how important creative therapies are to health, wellbeing and recovery, art therapist Lorin Randall and music therapist Stephanie Whyte hosted an evening to showcase local talent and patient artwork, as well as promote our services.

Approximately 35 people attended the exhibition with feedback indicating that the event was a great success. Lorin describes the evening as having a wonderful energy in the air with a number of guests excited to have their work on display and the opportunity to discuss their creative process with family, friends and visitors to the event.

“There were numerous conversations about the positive experiences and interactions had at our hospital by both patients and guests. As well as sharing feelings of appreciation over the effort taken to promote and celebrate our arts and health programs. Many talked about the enormous benefits they experienced as a result.”

Lorin notes that many family members and carers were in awe of the creative works their loved ones had produced as part of the art therapy program they participated in during their hospital stay.

In order to put on this exhibition the art therapy team were required to submit a proposal to SJGHC’s National Arts and Health team in order to access 50 per cent of the funding needed to run the event.

LSVT programs welcome patients back

Research was undertaken to establish what the patient benefits would be, what would be needed to hold the exhibition and how much it would cost overall.

The therapy team was successful in obtaining the grant after outlining its intention to promote and enhance the hospital’s art therapies programs and demonstrate the significance and importance of creative therapies in the rehabilitation process.

According to Lorin, this holistic approach assisted both the rehabilitation and palliative care patients by supporting the psychological aspects of a patient’s recovery journey. The opportunity to unconditionally express thoughts and feelings that are often hard to verbalise is backed up by evidence and supports best practice outcomes for patients and staff.

“I feel a great sense of achievement with our outcomes and goals attained,” shares Lorin. “The satisfaction expressed by all who attended was an honest reflection of the gratitude and appreciation felt by all participants.”

Guests were treated to light refreshments and enjoyed live music throughout the evening.

Forced to close during COVID-19, Frankston is excited to be re-opening and welcoming back patients to its very popular LSVT programs. Watch this space for further announcements of new programs and initiatives planned for SJGFRH.