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

2013 Above and Beyond Award Winner

T

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.

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