LASA National Congress 2018

A south east Queensland provider is thinking ‘outside the box’ in an effort to bring their management team with them on the reform agenda.

The team from De Paul Villa at Southport on the Gold Coast linked with aged care consultant, Lyn Turner from National Care Solutions to attend the LASA Congress in Adelaide recently.

After the congress the group stayed in South Australia and treated themselves to some off-site training where they were able to combine a reflection of the new knowledge gained at the Congress as well as reviewing their strategic direction once this new knowledge could be added to the mix.

High on the priorities canvassed during this time was the transition plan to meet compliance with the new Standards as well as taking note of all the information given in relation to the Royal Commission next year. Lyn Turner is happy work with her clients flexibility wherever it is going to be most beneficial to them.

Above and Beyond Winners 2016

For the 8th year we have acknowledged contributors to the aged care industry with the conferring of the “Above and Beyond Award”. Our Award promotes and recognises someone or an organisation within the aged care industry that contributes to the quality of life of older people through innovative practices for staff and residents alike. The award also acknowledges efforts to increase public confidence and community involvement in aged and community services in a positive manner.

This Award is solely presented by National Care Solutions. This year, National Care Solutions chose to go to winners of the nominator of last year’s Above and Beyond Award and asked Chris and his Regional Manager from Allied Connect to be part of the judging panel. Our thanks go to them for the time they put into scoring, discussing and finally deciding on our winner and our honourable mention applicants.

The 2016 recipient of the National Care Solutions Award is a worthy recipient with the panel having much difficulty in deciding the winner. In the end as well as awarding the main winner with their certificate and their $500 prize money the panel also awarded an honourable mention to two other applicants. These were: the Falls team from Blue Care Carina nominated by the integrated Service Manager, Jill Wiese and the catering management team comprising Caroline Baxter and Kylie from Lions Haven nominated by Colleen Dix. Congratulations to the falls team and the catering management team.

It was with much pleasure that Lyn Turner, Director, National Care Solutions announced our 2016 winner of the National Care Solutions “Above and Beyond Award” was the “Get on the Bus” entry from Merrimac Private Care which was nominated by the Head of Care at that facility, Suzanne Little, a NIMAC Member.

The “Get on the Bus” entry is about the cultural change of a facility that has been successfully taking place at Merrimac Park Private Care over the last 18 months.

Claire Johnston, who was appointed in February 2015 as the new Centre Manager, led the management team and organisation through a significant change management process, focusing on three main areas:

1. Clinical leadership areas of focus on oral health, wound management, social engagement and physical activity, emotional wellbeing and person-centred approach and person centred dementia support.
2. Resident and family engagement.
3. Quality and lifestyle service

In recognition that change is inherently unsettling for people at all levels of an organisation, the management team embraced the new approaches first, both to challenge and to motivate the rest of the team. Speaking with one voice and modelling the desired behaviours. The management team also understood its public face of one of unity, and it, too, is composed of individuals who were going through stressful times and needed to be supported.

Involving all at all layers, with emphasis on a team focus, articulation of a formal case for change and the creation of a vision statement were identified as an invaluable opportunity to create and compel leadership-team alignment.

Firstly, reality was confronted providing a convincing need for change. Intense consultation was undertaken with all staff, and there was recognition and acknowledgment of the past. A line in the sand was drawn as the point to move forward. A vision of the culture, quality of care and service was defined represented by a slogan “Get on the Bus”. Posters were developed, champions of the vision were identified resulting in staff self-identifying if they were on the bus or not.

Secondly through leadership faith that the organisation had a viable future and had the leadership to get there and finally, a road map was developed to guide behaviour and decision making with a key message which described the pending change in terms that mattered to the individuals. Residents and families were consulted with a focus on best practice being implemented in clinical, lifestyle, kitchen, and laundry and maintenance service standards.

Congratulations to the 2016 Above and Beyond Award Winners.

Above and Beyond in 2015

For the 7th year in 2015, we have very proudly honoured contributors to the aged care industry through the bestowing of the “Above and Beyond Award”. Our Award promotes and recognises someone or an organisation within the aged care industry that contributes to the quality of life of older people through innovative practices for staff and residents alike. The award also acknowledges efforts to increase public confidence and community involvement in aged and community services in a positive manner.

The 2015 recipient of the National Care Solutions Award is a worthy recipient with the panel having much difficulty in deciding the winner. In the end as well as awarding the winner with her certificate and her $500 prize money the panel also awarded an honourable mention to two other applicants. These were: Jill Brennan from Wahroonga Retirement Village, nominated by her manager, Lorna Perret and Kim Murphy from Salem Northridge Lutheran Rest Home, nominated by her manager Maxine Noone. Both these homes have had previous winners of the “Above and Beyond Awards” in the past and it is commendable that the standard of entry still causes much lively discussion amongst the Judges. Congratulations to Kim and Jill.

Our 2015 winner of the National Care Solutions Above and beyond Award is Merja Jaaskelainen from Australian Finnish Rest Home Association. Merja was nominated by Chris from Allied Connect who is a NIMAC member and is also the provider of contracted allied health services to AFRHA.
Merja is employed at AFRHA and has recently completed her endorsed enrolled nurse training. Merja has a real passion for assisting the elderly clients that reside within the residential facility, retirement village and community dwelling clients that attend AFRHA on a regular basis.

Merja is a leader in facilitating a healthy lifestyle and is a guiding light for all the residents. Merja is always smiling and encouraging residents to participate and has managed to achieve some unbelievable goals with the residents that attend her programs. In aged care we know the rehabilitation process is a long and hard one but in this case Merja is well prepared to give it 110% to achieve the goals for her residents and clients.

Merja was instrumental in building the program to a point where a new custom built building was designed to house a customised wellness centre to not only service the AFRHA community but the greater Bayside Community. Merja was very excited at the prospect of integrating the services into the greater Bayside Community to promote as wellness program to the community in general.
Merja has been a vocal advocate of the benefits of exercise in the health and wellbeing of older Australians. This has included a focus on inclusiveness through a CALD clientele.

Through Merja’s advocacy and track record of residents’ enthusiasm and results, AFRHA has been able to implement a wellness centre that can offer these fantastic services to the greater community.

Congratulations to Merja on winning the 2015 Above and Beyond Award.

2014 Above and Beyond

Athena Ermides (NIMAC), Kath Lawrie (De Paul Villa, Gold Coast), Sandra Gunner, (Noosa Care Inc), Debbie Biles (Leinster Place, Mercy Aged Care, Rockhampton); Lyn Turner, (National Care Solutions)

For the 6th year in 2014, we have very proudly honoured contributors to the aged care industry with the bestowing of the “Above and Beyond Award”. Our Award promotes and recognises someone or an organisation within the aged care industry that contributes to the quality of life of older people through innovative practices for staff and residents alike. The award also acknowledges efforts to increase public confidence and community involvement in aged and community services in a positive manner.

The 2014 recipients of the National Care Solutions and NIMAC Award were worthy recipients with the panel having much difficulty in deciding the winners. In the end as well as awarding the 2 main winners with their certificates and their $500 prize money the panel also awarded an honourable mention to Kath Lawrie from De Paul Villa in Ashmore.

Sandra Gunner from Noosa Care, nominated by Megan D’Elton, CEO NoosaCare Inc. is one of our winners. Sandra, a Registered Nurse arrived at NoosaCare approximately 10 years ago as educator. It was obvious that Dementia Care was her passion and making a difference to the lives of people living with dementia was her drive. Sandra has always actively engaged with the Board to ensure her objectives and ideals for better care for residents living with dementia are enacted.
Sandra is now the Group Care Manager for Noosa Care and is responsible for the care of the 215 residents and 237 care staff, as well as many other areas, but her passion for assisting those living with dementia is still of utmost importance. Her passion for Aged Care is immense and has a positive impact on staff and residents alike.

Debbie Biles from Leinster Place at Mercy Aged Care, Rockhampton is also a winner. Debbie was nominated by her supervisor, Robyn Tetteroo. Debbie is a Team Leader working in Azar House, the dementia unit at Leinster Place. Debbie has worked for Mercy Aged Care for over 30 years.

Since 2011 Debbie has engaged family members, members of the community, local organisations, local businesses, local media and staff working at Leinster Place to participate in many events aimed at presenting people diagnosed with dementia in a positive light. Debbie’s goal has been to take away any stigma attached to a diagnosis of dementia with a philosophy that the outside can be brought in to ensure people with dementia can still enjoy life when they are no longer able to venture out.

Debbie’s vision was to initially raise the awareness of dementia within the local community and to demonstrate that a diagnosis of dementia, as challenging as that is for those diagnosed, their families and friends, does not mean that life no longer offers joy or laughter. Debbie has certainly gone far “Above and Beyond”, with her commitment to demonstrating that life with dementia is a life worth living and still contains joy and laughter.

Kath Lawrie won an Honourable Mention and was nominated by her manager Julie Madden from De Paul Villa. In the submission Julie outlined the many and varied ways Kath goes about her current position as Director of Care at De Paul Villa, which demonstrated the “Above and Beyond” effort she puts into her position. This includes it seems, many different ways of presenting proposed new initiatives so that they are achievable within the restricted financial realms of residential aged care. New activities such as “Arm Chair travel days” for all residents, training for staff with many and varied outcomes and effective innovative pain management for residents are just a few of the initiatives the application outlined.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year at the Above and Beyond Awards