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.

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.

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.

2013 Above and Beyond Award Winner

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he two winners of the “Above and Beyond” Awards for 2013 were announced at the NIMAC conference on the Gold Coast. The award is presented to 2 people who go “Above and Beyond, to deliver superior service in the Aged Care industry.”

In 2009 the first awards were presented as a result of the Director of National Care Solutions, Lyn Turner, noticing that there were many, many, examples and demonstrations of good care and exceptional effort by staff at all levels across the industry. The outstanding efforts had largely gone unrecognised because of the nature of the quiet achievers involved. Lyn, through her business National Care Solutions has partnered with NIMAC to recognise and reward the people we work with everyday who go well beyond the bounds of their position descriptions.

These people deliver exceptional care to our residents and clients. Many of them are in management, but some are also found among our care staff who well and truly walk the talk through their affirmative actions with all staff. In most cases they do this because that is their nature and not because they expect any recognition or reward.

It is rare that we as an industry get an opportunity to recognise some of these outstanding people as our peers. Through this award , now in its 5th year; ”The Above and Beyond Award” our recipients are recognised at the NIMAC conference at the Gold Coast for their exceptional commitment to the industry and the people whose care we are entrusted with.

The awards are jointly sponsored by NIMAC and National Care Solutions. Each winner is presented with a cheque for $500 made out to them personally in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the Aged and Home Care industry.

Lynda Richardson has been employed as an Assistant in Nursing at Wahroonga Retirement Village since November 2007. Wahroonga is a Lutheran Community Care facility located in central Queensland at Biloela. Wahroonga has 65 residential aged care beds, a day therapy centre & 9 ILU’s.

Lynda started at Wahroonga as an AIN but it became apparent to everyone very soon after she started that there was a lot of potential for this AIN to achieve great things.
Lynda’s caring and compassionate manner and her quiet leadership skills saw her move into the role of Team Leader followed by the position of Co-ordinator, the position she now holds.

Lynda works under the guidance of the CNC and the duty RN to co-ordinate the 16 bed secure Dementia Unit.

Lynda is extremely committed to her work and her residents, often putting in long hours to achieve a most serene and settled environment. Lynda has successfully created a harmonious home for her residents, many of whom have challenging behaviours.

Testament to the atmosphere Lynda has created have been the requests from several people in town to be able to have their end stage palliative family members nursed in the dementia unit , just because of the serenity of the unit and the kind caring staff.

Wahroonga stands on 24 acres of land with the residents enjoying a very rural aspect complete with cattle and paddock views.

Wahroonga is the only retirement village in town with access to allied health and a day respite program. It is situated about two hours’ drive south of the busy regional centre of Rockhampton.

Lynda’s nominator and 2 referees, Lorna Perrett, the manager of Wahroonga, Judith Ivory, CNC, and Terry Arthur, Regional Manager all praised Lynda’s commitment and compassion as well as her leadership qualities.

Terry Arthur perhaps best summed it up in his reference for Lynda when he wrote:

Lynda continues to lead by example and demonstrate her commitment by attending every single education session in the area to widen her experience and knowledge base so as to improve the services for which she leads, truly Above & Beyond the expectations of an employee.

Heather Miller is a long term employee of Clifton Co-op Hospital. Heather has been working at Clifton since 1986, firstly in the role of RN and currently in the role of Director of Nursing. Heather is also long time NIMAC member and supporter.

The facility consists of a 15 bed low care section, 23 bed high care , and 12 bed hospital having grown over its nearly 65 year history. There is also a medical practice located within the complex. It is operated by a volunteer Board made up of members of the community. The township of Clifton is located at the Southern end of the Darling Downs with a population of 2,500. Of these people 370 are aged 65+. The complex is the town’s largest employer, employing over 50 people.

Heather has overseen many changes at the Clifton Co-op hospital in her years there. She has always worked with her staff and residents to ensure they are the first priority in coming along with her and the Board in the planning of any changes. In coming from quite a small town there are of course high community expectations for the DON at any establishment such as Clifton Hospital. Heather has stepped up to meet and exceed these many times over. For example, there is now a Meals on wheels service which is run out of the complex as well. This was as a result of community need and has been incorporated into the ever expanding role the DON, Heather has needed to take on.

Heather also plays an active part in the community, being a member of the local disaster management committee. Currently Heather is overseeing the construction of a Diversional Therapy room which will accommodate 250 people. This will be the biggest function room in the town and part of its role will be to bring the community together. Heather also meets regularly with groups such as the women’s auxiliary to stay in touch.

Of course if there are ‘gaps’ in the roster and a RN is needed…. who fills this … Heather. Heather is always available for ‘chat’ for members of the community or others who ‘drop in’. She has a very much open door policy even though this sometimes results in her own work being put off until long after she should have gone home.

Clifton c-op hospital has received glowing reports from all accreditation agencies. The hospital is of course under a different regulatory system to the Aged Care section. Visiting doctors, physios and the general public constantly make positive comments about the caring atmosphere they find at Clifton.

Staff are always offered opportunities to attend education and TAFE students as well as others benefit from Heather’s long years of experience as both a practicing RN and a Manager.

Heather was nominated by her staff and her 2 referee’s, Judy Rickert, Secretary of the Board and Joan Thornton, an EN on staff at Clifton who gave glowing examples of Heather’s Above and Beyond Qualities, mentioning her, sense of humour, her attention to detail, her wealth of knowledge to be shared, her tolerance, and her valued guidance in “all things Clifton”, definitely going Above and Beyond.

Above and Beyond 2012

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his noteworthy award sponsored jointly by National Care Solutions and NIMAC is going from strength to strength, making the judges jobs harder each year. This is the fourth year we have presented the awards with a record number of entries coming in. The standard was again exceptional. This Award has again demonstrated just some of the contributions that are happening in our industry that in many cases seem to go not so much unnoticed, but to some extent unrecognised, by us as a wider aged care industry.

We choose two equal winners every year and this year needed also to add 2 Highly Commended awards because of the high standard of entries. Both our winners this year are individuals who have achieved extraordinary success in their respective positions and have demonstrated they are prepared to commit to go well “Above and Beyond” what might reasonably be expected of them.

Dafni Brown from Star Gardens at Beaudesert is a winner of the “Above and Beyond Award for 2012. Dafni has worked at Star Gardens for 5 years, starting as a carer in 2007. She rapidly applied her skills and knowledge to further study, becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) by January 2010. Her dedication to her role, demonstrated professional abilities and excellent communication skills led her to be chosen to be the Project Manager for the implementation of iCare (a clinical documentation and medication management system) within Star Gardens in 2010.

Following on from this successful project Dafni was then asked to project manage the implementation of the Vocera project (a hands-free voice activated communications system), which she successfully completed in 2011. In September 2011, Dafni was promoted to the role of Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC). Dafni is currently undertaking her Masters of Health Practice/Gerontology.

Trudy was supported by her employer through a traineeship in Cert 3. Trudy duly organised other staff to form a study group and whilst demonstrating exceptional care for her residents as well as looking after her family Trudy completed the Cert 3 in May 2008. It seems Trudy’s passion for learning had been whetted and her organisational skills in relation to the facility had come to the fore with Trudy taking on more responsibility in planning and working with the allied health professionals visiting Paradise Lakes. In 2008 Trudy was also supported by her employer when she decided to enrol in the Diploma of Enrolled Nursing and successfully completed that qualification in 2009.Trudy Chesterman from Paradise Lakes on the Gold Coast is our other winner for 2012. Trudy has shown great determination and a high level of motivation since starting her role at Paradise Lakes, a small 48 bed facility, as a carer without her Certificate Three in Aged Care. Trudy had been out of the workforce for a number of years taking time to raise her five children, the youngest of whom has a health issue. Trudy was keen to return to the industry where her passion lay.

Highly Commended

In 2010 Trudy’s employer recognised her outstanding ability, organisational skills and leadership qualities by offering her the role of Clinical Co-ordinator. The rest as they say, “is history”. Trudy has gone from strength to strength in this role and the comments from her residents and colleagues demonstrated that Trudy is a worthy recipient of the Above and Beyond Award.

Jenni Hamling from St Paul de Chartres who organises annually a “Never too old to burn rubber day,” has been awarded a Highly Commended. For this Jenni commits countless hours of her own time to organise a mother’s day event like no other. Approximately 40 members of the Logan Albert and Mt. Lindsay Ulysess bike clubs descend on the car park at St Pauls de Chartres to give residents a ‘ride’ they will never forget (around the car park). There are also very popular stalls, face painting, raffles, a morning tea and BBQ lunch with all the visitors, families etc. Of course the day is an ongoing conversation topic by residents and their families for many months. Congratulations & Well Done Jenni.

Staff of Arch Bishop Duhig Court Hostel who have managed and continue to manage the building of a new site, on site, at their existing facility. Their goal was to maintain a status quo for all residents whilst the new $57m, 143 bed multi story site was being built on the same site. This is a huge goal by any standard. The testimony by residents, families and staff as to how this has been managed is truly amazing and credit needs to go to all the management and staff at of Arch Bishop Duhig Court Hostel where the previous staff room and surrounds has now become a small unit for a married couple who are long term residents but were thinking they may lose their rooms through the demolition and rebuild, not to mention the manager who gave up her office to ‘create’ a new 4 bed room. Consultation and teamwork seem to have been to priorities and the referees certainly agreed that the team at Arch Bishop Duhig Court Hostel show of these in spades. Congratulations & Well Done ALL at Arch Bishop Duhig Court Hostel.

Going Above and Beyond

The Awards are bestowed by National Care Solutions and NIMAC through an agreement between both parties. They recognise exceptional contribution by an individual or organisation who has significantly changed and improved the quality of services to older Australians through their actions, commitment and dedication to aged care. The recipient will have made a notable contribution at a local, national and/or state level over a number of years.

Nominations are made via colleagues or peers. The recipient of the awards are determined by a panel made up of one business representative, a representative of National Care Solutions and a representative of NIMAC.

We had a very high calibre of entries this year and would love to say the same next year. To all NIMAC Members we encourage you to start thinking about who you might like to nominate. The winners of each of the 2 prizes each receive a prize of $500 for them to use as they wish.

Mary Newman (AIN) and Dianne Smith (volunteer) took it upon themselves to create a living garden in the dementia area. This was down in their own time and quickly became a project involving many more ‘volunteers both from the site and the community. Fragrant plantings such as lavender and rosemary line pathways to allow walkers to brush them as they traverse the oaths. Standard roses add their perfume and tall hardy camellias have softened hard corners of the building. This area has now become the residents “front yard.” The back yard had citrus trees and some vegetables planted. The residents are excited at being able to pick their own tomatoes, peas, beans and strawberries. The garden is so good it was entered into the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Competition and received 3rd place in the Hospital, Nursing Homes and Retirement Villages section. The garden has brought great pleasure to the residents as they wander along the paths and enjoy lunches in their colourful garden.