LASA Q Focus Magazine - Leading Age Services Australia ...

COMMUNITY CARECONFERENCEsome compelling examplesof when the industry has notdelivered on pre-arranged respitesupport and the impact this hason her ability to care for herhusband at home. Equally asenlightening was an inspirationalpresentation by Angela Scotney,Director, Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander Health Unit,Metro North Hospital and HealthServices, on being a successfulleader regardless of the personaland professional challenges weall encounter.Also contributing to the successof the conference was a largenumber of industry tradeexhibitors and sponsors. Rangingfrom providers of home supportservices, tailored IT programs,workforce solutions andhealthcare products, delegateswere encouraged to consider howthese professional organisationsmight support and enhance theircurrent provision of communityage services.Particular trade favouriteswith conference attendeesincluded, The Contented Chef –Prescare Catering Services, whoprovided delicious samples oftheir exceptional quality andtrademark catering (the jaffamacaroons were a definite crowdpleaser) and the Tempsmartsponsored masseuses’ whoprovided much muscle relief forthe hard working delegates.The conference also providedan excellent backdrop for theSunshine Coast launch of JustBetter Care; in home supportservice providers that designand deliver support in ways thatensure client preferences areexercised and independence ismaintained.Capping off this highly successfulconference was the positivemedia attention it received fromtelevision media. The coveragereinforced the important roleplayed by community careproviders now and into thefuture, as our older populationgrows, lives longer and aspires tomore independence and controlover how they (we) live.The team at LASA Q wishes tothank all those who made thisconference so successful. Armedwith the excellent feedback,ideas and innovations receivedfrom delegates, we are alreadyplanning next year’s event.With much growth expected inthe community care space, thisconference can only go fromstrength to strength. We welcomefurther suggestions and feedbackon location and program contentviacommunitycare@qld.lasa.asn.auPaul JohnsonManager Community CareLASA-Q Focus | Autumn edition 2013 17