Eldercare Matters Newsletter - Summer 2014-15

eldercaremattersSUMMER 2014/15Feature StoryMeet Walter OldingBridging the GapSouth Australia and South Africa2015Major Building Program

SUMMER 2014/15CONTENTS0609Feature StoryWalter OldingRetirement LivingGrace Sando10Aged CareDementia ExcellenceBreakfast ProgramBridging the Gap16Our CommunityMildred Brocklebank19LifestyleAway with the FairieseldercaremattersEldercare Head Office247 Fullarton RoadEastwood SA 5063PO Box 600Fullarton SA 5063Phone08 8291 1000Fax08 8291 1098Emailadmin.headoffice@eldercare.net.auWebeldercare.net.auCover Image051619Trowbridge House resident WalterOlding with Lifestyle CoordinatorRitesh Sehdev02

Lodge RedevelopmentBuilding works for a significantredevelopment and extensionto The Lodge are scheduled tocommence in January 2015.The Lodge development willinvolve a renovation of the heritagebuilding, and the existing southernbuilding.The former Eldercare head officebuildings facing Young Street willbe demolished and the area usedfor the extension of the northernbuilding. The northern buildingworks will create 26 additionalresidential care beds. This willincrease the number of residentsaccommodated at The Lodge to127.New staff offices, nurse stationsand medication rooms will be built,the hairdressing salon relocated,and a clinic for visiting medicalor allied health professionals andlarge activities room constructed.There will be a new lift and stairsbuilt in the southern building.The existing Memory SupportUnit (MSU) will be integrated withthe new northern extension. Thispurpose-built MSU will be locatedon the ground floor.The renovation will also include:• 13 extra car parking spaces• Secure Memory Supportgarden• Redeveloped sluice andcleaners areas• New pantry/serveries andlaundry• New toilets for residents,visitors and staff• Reflection room, family roomand meeting room• New café and Reception areaThe Lodge’s Residential SiteManager, Kellie Whelan saysstaff are looking forward tothe improvements the newdevelopment will bring.“We are looking forward to theimprovements this developmentwill bring to the services we willbe able to provide our residentsat The Lodge. In particular,an improved environment forresidents living with dementia, abetter hairdressing experience, aswell as a large auditorium and caféareas that will enhance our senseof community.”03

SUMMER 2014/15From the Chief ExecutiveJane Pickering2014 has been both an exciting and challenging year forEldercare. We spent many months preparing for the changesto accommodation pricing which came into effect on 1 July,so that when the changes commenced our staff and systemscoped well. The new arrangements had the potential to bestressful and confusing for new residents and their families,but with the help of our well-trained and skilled admissions andresident billing staff, we have been able to successfully assistnew residents and their families or advocates in understandingthe changes.Christmas MessageIt was my first year anniversary as Chief Executive ofEldercare in October. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first yearwith Eldercare – it has flown. I am constantly impressed by thehigh calibre of our staff and volunteers and their commitmentto the mission and values of Eldercare. It certainly is a privilegeto be the Chief Executive of such a well-regarded organisation.I would like to wish all of our Eldercare Matters readers a veryMerry Christmas and safe and prosperous New Year. It is aprecious time that should be spent celebrating with friends andfamilies and enjoying the freedom that we have as Australians.It is also a time that we can celebrate with older people andthank them for protecting the freedom and prosperity that wesometimes take for granted.Above: Chief Executive, Jane Pickering04

Dementia Excellence ProgramThe Eldercare Board has committed to an ongoing investment in thedevelopment of Eldercare’s Dementia Excellence Program. We are all veryproud of this program and its startling impact on improving the care of ourresidents living with dementia. Our Dementia Excellence Program Manager,Heather Engelhardt, is leading the roll-out of the program across all ofour sites over the next 12 months. More information about this innovativeprogram is included in the article on page 10.Major Building ProgramOver the last 12 months we have been working very hard on progressingthe plans for the redevelopment of The Lodge at Wayville and an extensionof Allambi at Glengowrie. Both sites have been designed in consultationwith our care staff to ensure that the care needs of our residents are the firstpriority in these new buildings. Work will be starting at The Lodge afterChristmas and, at this stage, at Allambi in early 2015.Retirement LivingWe have had a renewed focus on our Retirement Living business thisyear with the appointment of Chris O’Grady as our new Executive inMajor Projects and Property Services. Chris and his team are working onupgrading many of our retirement living units and sites to better meet theneeds of our residents. We have also been working on a service deliveryprogram for retirement living which will be implemented in 2015.Quality and AccreditationStaff at our 12 residential aged care sites have worked tirelessly during theyear to meet the needs of residents and families. We have been extra diligentwith our resource management as the funding environment became moredifficult. Our staff have done a wonderful job under some pressure and stillmanaged to deliver a high level of care at all of our sites. We have beensuccessful with three-year Quality Accreditations this year at Seaford,Acacia Court, Evanston Park and The Village. Cottage Grove has theirAccreditation assessment planned for November and Oxford in December2014 and we are expecting good results for both of those sites as well.Friends of AllambiThe Friends of Allambi group retired on the 31 August 2014, after more than60 years of remarkable service to Allambi as volunteers and fundraisers.During this time the Friends raised more than $200,000 for equipment forthe residents and they held numerous fundraising events and functions forthe residents every year. This small group of dedicated volunteers providedvery special support to our Allambi residents. On behalf of the Board, theExecutive and all of the Eldercare Staff and residents I wish to extend oursincere thanks to The Friends for their many years of service to the residentsat Allambi.The Lodge05

SUMMER 2014/15Feature StoryA Musical ConnectionWalter OldingWalter ‘Wally’ Olding (92) has beena regular fixture at TrowbridgeHouse for the past 17 years; asa visitor, volunteer, and now aresident.He began visiting TrowbridgeHouse in 1997, when his wife Irenewas admitted, and would stay atmealtimes to help feed her.“I was here several times a weekto visit her. When she died it wassuggested that I could help withfeeding the [other] residents.”Several years ago, tighterregulations put an end to volunteershelping to feed residents (unlessspecially trained). However, Wallycontinued to volunteer in anothermode; entertaining residents byperforming concerts as part of theTrowbridge Singers.“I think I fell into it. My wife and Iwere into choral singing – I was abass baritone and my wife was asoprano,” Wally says.“We were both in choirs and weused to sing duets in concerts inour teens, 20s and 30s.”Wally and Irene sang in the choir atMaylands Methodist Church for 40years.“At every church service the choirwould sing an anthem. [The choir]was generally a four-part singinggroup – soprano, alto, tenor andbass.The Trowbridge Singers wasformed in the early 1990s by DorothyReynolds, who ran the concerts atTrowbridge House for more than 20years. Later, volunteer Betty Duketook over running the group. Wallyrecalls that there used to be four orfive people running the concertsback then.Now that Wally himself is a residentat Trowbridge House, he still enjoysperforming in the group.“All of my volunteering over theyears has been connected withmusic,” he says.Today the Trowbridge Singerscomprises singers Wally and Betty,and volunteer Joan Zubrinich whoplays the piano. Wally and Bettyperform solo and duet pieces now,but Joan will sing if there is anotherpiano player available.Wally also plays the piano for theSong of Praise group in the MemorySupport Unit at Trowbridge House.The group is run by retired nurseand volunteer Dawn Erkhe.“I can only play a few simple thingslike hymn tunes. I’m not a pianistreally. As a boy I had a few pianolessons,” he says.Wally says that many of the residents[in the MSU] may not have been tochurch for many years, but if theyhear a hymn they may have heardfrom their time in Sunday School itcan bring back good memories.Wally grew up in the Prospect/Enfield area: “I’m a local; I was bornin Prospect and lived in Prospect.”He met his wife Irene at theChristian Endeavour Choir.“For young people in their teens,their social life would gatheraround the church. At the time Imet my wife I was 19 and she was18,” he says.Above: The Trowbridge Singers: Joan Zubrinich, Betty Duke and Walter Olding06

Wally says that music has been animportant part of his life – “not thatI’m a great singer”, he adds.“I’ve been mainly in choral work,from the time I was a boy in thechurch choir.“There was a different form ofentertainment then, to what there isthere now. I think back in the 1930sthe Church was where boy metgirl,” he says.Wally recalls that in the 1930s peoplemade their own entertainment.“The larger [churches] had dramasocieties, music societies andchoirs,” he says.“There were dozens of similarchoirs. Every district in Adelaidewould have had its own substantialchurch choir of 20-30 people. Thechoirs were often concert parties aswell, so apart from Sunday singingthey might go to another smallercountry church and give a concert.“And that’s what we did, in the daysbefore TV. There was somethingon at the church every night of theweek,” he recalls.In World War II, Wally served in thearmy, while his wife Irene went toboard with his parents in Prospect.“We were married during the waryears and our children were bornafter the war,” he says.Wally’s family has grown from twodaughters to five grandchildrenand five great-grandchildren.Despite issues with his legs thatlimit how far he can walk, Wallyfrequently goes on outings withhis family, as well as with otherTrowbridge residents.A Head for NumbersWally commenced his working lifeas a junior clerk, and following thewar studied accountancy. He sayshis entire career involved financeand accounting.As was common in that era, Wallyworked for the same companythroughout his career:“I spent my whole life in theSimpson organisation,” he says.“Simpson’s big factory was atDudley Park and Pope’s had afactory on Port Road. In the 60sthey merged to form Simpson Pope.That is now gone too.“I was there before the war as a boyand after the war was over; all thecompanies were required to taketheir former employees back.“In those days it was easy. Therewasn’t the cut throat competition.People often worked for the samecompany their whole lives – itwas a different atmosphere,” Wallyrecalls.Times ChangeWally says that the tradition ofchoral singing is something youdon’t hear much these days.“The same classical work is stillbeing done; instead of beingdone with 100 amateur singerswith a book in their hand, they’reoften sung by professional youngmusicians, who can do it betterthan we could.When asked to name his favouritetune, Wally breaks out into song:“Old Father Thames” he says. “It’svery well known amongst olderpeople.”He says the song was popularisedby famous Australian baritonesinger, Peter Dawson in the1930s. Wally has sung it with theTrowbridge Singers, as well asmany other ballads.Wally and The Trowbridge Singersperform on the first Friday of everymonth.Above (L-R): Roz Hamilton, Lifestyle Coordinator, The Lodge; Ritesh Sehdev, Lifestyle Coordinator Trowbridge House; Volunteer Joan Zubrinich;and Trowbridge Singers Betty Duke and Walter Olding07

SUMMER 2014/15Retirement LivingEnjoy an affordable retirementlifestyle in a premium locationAt Eldercare we offer theindependent retiree affordableretirement options in premium andwell sought after locations, acrossAdelaide.College Green at Kent Townand Kingsborough at Norwood,have all the rewards of inner-cityliving along with the space andtranquillity of the leafy easternsuburbs, providing the perfectrecipe for a relaxed and securelifestyle.You’ll enjoy access to a range ofservices, including a hairdresserwho visits on a weekly basis and avisiting podiatrist. Maintenancestaff are also on site to deal withall those small issues, such aschanging light bulbs and of coursetaking care of the wonderfullandscaped gardens.Most importantly you’ll besurrounded by a group of likemindedneighbours.College Green – Kent Town08

Amazing GraceBirthday CelebrationGrace Sando celebrated her100th birthday on October 8,2014 at Eldercare Kingsboroughsurrounded by family and friends.The event made the evening news,with a Channel 9 crew filming thefestivities and interviewing herdaughter Gwenyth.She told family and friends gatheredto celebrate that she had stayed the26 years at Kingsborough becauseshe was so happy there and hadmade many friends, adding thatshe hoped that she would neverhave to leave. She also said thatshe appreciated how Eldercarestaff had listened to, and supportedher, over the years.Grace joined the Eldercarecommunity in 1988 when shemoved to an Eldercare retirementunit at Kingsborough, Norwood.She said at the time a smaller homewas appealing, because ‘I’m notkeen on housework’.Born in Queensland, Gracemoved to Adelaide as a child. Sheworked for many decades as aprimary school teacher in SpecialEducation, retiring from MagillSpecial School in 1979. Later sheworked as a Welfare Officer at theHackney Mission.She married in 1939, living inWoodville Park and later St Peters.Grace has four children (onedeceased), six grandchildren andthree great-grandchildren.Grace was widowed in 1972, andhas lived independently ever since.Grace keeps busy knittingand crocheting, donating hercreations of baby clothes andsquares (used in making rugsfor the homeless). She is also anactive member of the GartrellMemorial Church (Dulwich-RosePark Memorial Church), whichcoincidentally also celebratedits centenary in November 2014.Above: (L-R) Grace’s birthday messages from The Governor General and Queen Elizabeth II; Grace Sando and Retirement Living ServicesManager, Lynne Cleveland09

SUMMER 2014/15Aged CareProgram RolloutDementia ExcellenceIn 2010 Eldercare established theDementia Excellence Program,with the aim of becoming the SouthAustralian Centre of Excellence inDementia Care.The Dementia Excellence Programis based on the philosophy ofperson-centred care, as reflectedin our Vision and Values:Eldercare provides best practicecare in a home-like atmospherethat is resident-focused andperson-centred.The program aspires to improveand enhance the quality of life ofresidents living with dementia, bytransforming the culture of carein our residential care facilitiesfrom task-focused to truly personcentred.Put simply, it involvesrecognising each person’s‘uniqueness’ and allowing carepractices to be flexible enough tomeet individual needs.Following a successful trial atEvanston Park, the program is nowbeing rolled out across Eldercare’s12 residential care facilities.Dementia Excellence ProgramManager Heather Engelhardtsays research indicates thatproviding person-centred carebenefits both residents and staff.The residents experience greaterlevels of wellbeing and decreasedresponsive behaviours, whichin turn provides greater jobsatisfaction for staff.A Phased ApproachIn July 2014, Registered andEnrolled Nurses were recruitedfrom Phase One sites as ClinicalLeaders and Clinical Champions inDementia Excellence.The next step was equipping thesenurses to evaluate the wellbeingof people with dementia throughthe use of a specific tool calledDementia Care Mapping (DCM –see inset). Clinical Leaders andClinical Champions received threedays of specialised DCM trainingin September, taking the skills theylearnt back to their sites to practiseand refine.Dementia Excellence ClinicalLeader at Elanora, Jane Helmore,says the training increased herknowledge of dementia and thedepth and range of emotion thatthose with the condition canexperience.“Now I’ve done the course I feel I ammore aware of how to communicatewell with people with dementia andhow to assist in improving theirquality of life on a daily basis – sothat they feel validated, safe andloved, and an essential part of ourcommunity,” she says.“It has highlighted to me that someof my workplace practices need tobe refined. I am much more aware ofmy behaviour and responses fromour residents during an interaction– both verbal and non-verbal. I nowhave improved my communicationwith every individual within oursite regardless of their cognitionor speech capabilities, which hasenhanced my rapport with them.“We had our first dementia caremapping day and it was bothexhilarating and incredible howall our theory over the three-daycourse was cemented when westarted our Practical within ourworkplace.10

“I’m very enthusiastic aboutsharing this information andknowledge with everyone I interactwith at my workplace so that we allmove forward in providing uniqueindividualised person-centredcare,” Jane says.Clinical Leaders and ClinicalChampions at each site willimplement a schedule of dementiacare mapping; observing andrecording the daily interactionsof residents and any meaningfulengagement they experience. Datawill then be collated, analysedand the information disseminatedvia feedback sessions and focusgroups to all site-based staff.Training for all staffThe next stage of the programinvolves all staff at Allambi andThe Lodge receiving training– comprising an introductorypresentation on person-centredcare. This will be followed by twofull study days focused on caringfor residents living with dementia.Following training, staff willform focus groups at each site,chaired by the Clinical Leaderand supported by the ClinicalChampion. These focus groupswill be the mechanism wherebychange will be driven across thesite and eventually the entireorganisation. Dementia Excellencewill be integrated into action plansand the Continuous Improvementcycle at sites.Training for all staff will be rolledout at The Lodge and Allambi fromlate 2014, with the resulting focusgroups commencing in November.In early 2015, the program willcommence at Elanora, The Villageand Seaford. The aim is to have theprogram delivered to all sites by theend of June 2016Dementia Care Mapping isan observational tool usedto evaluate the wellbeing ofpeople with dementia fromtheir point of view, accordingto 23 behaviour categories anda scale between +5 to -5 whichmeasures their wellbeing.A trained observer records theactivity and emotional responseof several residents withdementia and their carers overa period of four to six hours,making observations every fiveminutes. The observer alsonotes any negative and positiveevents that occur in the careenvironment.DEMENTIA11

SUMMER 2014/15Aged CareA good start!Evanston Park Breakfast ProgramThe Breakfast Program initiative was trialled in the Memory SupportUnit (MSU) as a key component of the Dementia Excellence Programat Evanston Park.The Breakfast Program at EvanstonPark shows that sometimes the bestideas are simple ones.Enrolled Nurse Angela Jocey-Priorrecalls that before the programbegan, residents were wokenby staff between 6.00-7.30am,prepared for breakfast and given atray.“We had a culture of trays in ourMemory Support Unit. Mostresidents would have a tray,” shesays.Angela says that residents weredisengaged at mealtimes andthere was a heavy reliance on onelifestyle staff member to ‘facilitate’meals.Under the new program, the trayswere removed and residents weregiven the opportunity to choosewhat they wanted to eat and drinkfrom a breakfast trolley.“We got rid of the trays herealtogether,” Angela says. “Thereare still a couple of people whowant trays, so for those residentsbreakfast is taken hot from theservery to their room.”Hospitality Services Manager forMedirest (Eldercare’s CateringSupplier) Meredith Adams,introduced the breakfast trolleyidea.“I thought that to give residentsthe choice, visual aids would bebetter,” she says.The trolley features visual cuesto show what is on the menu thatmorning. There are (empty) boxes ofall the cereals being served, as wellas old-fashioned jam and preservejars. There is also a model slice of‘toast’. Residents with dementia,who struggle sometimes to findthe words for what they want to eat,can point to items on the trolley.Their order is then conveyed to theservery and their meal served backat the dining table.“The boxes of cereal jog people’smemories,” Meredith says. “If theyare not communicating then theirface will tell us – their face lights up– ‘ah, rice bubbles’, adds Angela.“They are eating so much morebreakfast. Instead of giving them atray – of what they had for the pastfive years – they can make a choice,and staff let them know they canhave a choice.12

“They have the option to changewhat they want – everybody’stastes change,” she says.Angela says that the focus for staffhas moved away from lists andtasks, to asking residents what theywant – and the results have beenpositive for everyone.“We’ve seen weight gains andnot as many residents getting upovernight,” she says.Lee-Anne says the changes havehelped make the facility more‘home-like’ for residents.“They aren’t institutionalised [atmealtimes], they are actually living,rather than waiting to begin theirmeals, waiting for our permission. Itdoesn’t feel like they are dependenton us.”Another important change to thebreakfast routine was to allowresidents to wake when theywished, and make their way to thedining room at their own pace.Residents are generally nowwaking later.“When a person wakes up they caneither have a shower or come downfor breakfast,” Angela says. “So theculture of our residents rising at fiveand six o’clock has changed – theynow rise at 7-7.30am.”Some minor adjustments havebeen required since the changeswere introduced. Some residentswere sleeping very late becausethe blockout curtains made theirrooms too dark.“With the blockout curtains theydon’t get a sense of the time of day.From about 8.30am, staff will go intoa room without waking the residentand pull back the curtains to letthe natural light in, so they’re notsleeping until 12 o’clock, causing awhole new set of issues,” she says.Lee-Anne says initially it wasdifficult for staff to get used to thechanges, as they were used togetting everything done at a certaintime.“Residents are now getting outof bed at 7.30am onwards – thedifference is that those residentscan now feed themselves, becausebefore they were too tired,” shesays.Lee-Anne describes how thechange has been profound for oneresident, who showed little interestin eating breakfast when wokenearly by staff.“I watched him for a long timebeing brought to the breakfast tableat 7.30am. He would just sit there…and just be so disengaged,” sherecalls.Lifestyle staff discovered that theresident was a publican during hisworking life.“Life histories were a very importantpiece of the puzzle,” she says.“No publican gets up at that time ofthe morning!”Staff allowed him to wake naturallyand staff noticed a ‘massive’change in him. “He now wakes at10.30am, feeds himself and is totallyengaged in what is happening. Yougive him the newspaper and he’shappy,” Lee-Anne says.The team at Evanston Park areconstantly reflecting and reevaluatingthe program, but areso encouraged by the positivechanges for staff and residents thatthey are planning to make some ofthe same changes throughout therest of the facility.Staff struggled with the changesat first, but they have noticed thepositive response from residents.Medirest and nursing staff worktogether as a team and assist eachother by multitasking to ensure thatthe residents’ dining experience isenjoyable.Lee-Anne says it was a case ofgetting rid of the tasks and the oldlists“It’s been an effort from every part.It’s been the managers and all staffsupporting this new way. It’s takeneveryone working together to makeit work.”Medirest WinsFood AwardsThe quality of the catering servicesat Eldercare's residential aged carefacilities was acknowledged atthe 2014 Restaurant and CateringSouth Australia Awards forExcellence.Our catering provider, Medirest,won awards in two categories:Best Industrial/Institutional CatererMedirest at EldercareAllambi, GlengowrieBest Site/ContractCatererMedirest at EldercareKirkholme,GoodwoodAbove right: Charles Koetsier – Operations Manager SA / WA – Medirest; Trish Leschen - Regional Manager Central, Eldercare; Linda Matthews -Hospitality Services Manager, Allambi; Susanne Coleman - Residential Site Manager, Allambi; Stacey Matthews - Hospitality Services Manager,Medirest/Allambi13

SUMMER 2014/15Aged CareBridging the GapElonwabeni - South AfricaEldercare staff and residents havebeen supporting the ElonwabeniAged Care Home in Kokstad,South Africa since 2009, raisingfunds through voluntary staffpayroll deductions and donations.So far, more than $120,000 hasbeen contributed for equipment,services and goods.Many of the basic requirementsthat we take for granted in Australiaare not available to the 51 residentsof this facility, and indeed, manyothers in South Africa. There arestill huge disparities between thefunding provided to black andwhite South Africans – with agedcare homes for black residentsreceiving substantially less.Eldercare provides much neededmaterial and equipment to thisfacility that otherwise would not beavailable.Elonwabeni has minimal heatingand no air conditioning. Thekitchen and laundry have basic,domestic-standard appliances.All equipment, mattresses andfurniture are old, and often sourcedas cast-offs from more affluentwhite nursing homes.Up to six residents share a bedroom,and all meals and activities takeplace in the one, multifunctionroom. A verandah is used as alounge area and a hall is used forcommunity events and worship.A new building, supportedby a Government lottery fundand Eldercare donations, wascompleted in 2012, accommodatingan extra nine residents. The otherbuildings, however, still requiremajor renovations.Until recently, Elonwabeni wasmanaged by Caroline Mnyaiza,a determined 83-year-old, whoworked tirelessly to improve theconditions for the residents. Sadly,Caroline suffered a stroke in early2014 and is being cared for athome. Deputy Manager, NomniniMbunjana, is currently managingthe facility. She says that they aredesperately in need of a water tank,pump and carport.Barbara Freidenfelds, an enrollednurse at Elanora, and her partnerRon, visited Elonwabeni in 2013during a four-month Africanadventure, where they immersedthemselves in the local people,their lifestyles and cultures.Barbara says of her visit: “As wasour experience throughout allthe African countries we visited,the local people are very happyand feel very blessed with thelittle they have. They are a deeplyspiritual people, mostly Christian,with some still maintaining theirtraditional beliefs.“Some of the buildings [atElonwabeni] are very old and inneed of a lot of maintenance. Frommemory I think there were only twovery basic showers. These wereopen (no shower screens) with noequipment and minimal privacy.Saying this though, everythingwas as spotlessly clean as could beunder the conditions.“The terrain indoors and outdoorswas very uneven - Caroline herselfhad trouble walking around thefacility due to her arthritis.Above (L-R) Barbara Freidenfelds with Elonwabeni staff: Sibongile, Nomnini Mbunjana, Caroline Mnyaiza and Albertina14

Caroline told Barbara that shewas continually negotiating withthe South African Government forbetter conditions.“Elonwabeni gets very littleGovernment support, but iscontinually pressured to take inmore residents,” Barbara says.Below is an excerpt from Barbara’stravel diary, describing her visit toElonwabeni:Tuesday 28th May, Kokstad,cool and sunny, 6 – 21deg.We were so warmly welcomed.Firstly, we were taken into Caroline’s‘Matron’ office where we werejoined by her assistant (Nomnini)and registered nurse (Albertina)and given a lovely morning tea.We presented Caroline with acheque for the equivalent ofAU$2,000 from Eldercare.Caroline was overwhelmed, aswere the other staff and continuallythanked us; wanting us to pass onour thanks to Klaus Zimmerman[former Eldercare CEO].Caroline had travelled toPietermaritzberg yesterday withher daughter and was very tiredtoday, but this did not stop herwanting to ensure that we saw her[aged care] home and some of theproblems she faces in running itunder very difficult circumstances.It is what we would classify as ahigh care facility, but with very littleequipment to help. There are nolifters, no shower chairs, no toiletraisers – but everyone is so happyand pleased with what they dohave.We were shown around the home,and typically with black Africanculture, the men are housedseparately to the women, includingwhere they eat. When we arrivedmost of the residents were eithersitting or lying on blankets outsidein the sun. Again, this is what theyare used to, spending most of theirwaking hours outside. We noticedthe absence of care staff – the staffwe saw were either working in thelaundry or helping with the meals.She is very proud of the newbuilding which houses the men’swing and new offices, as well as arecreation room. The laundry hasseveral good washing machinesand a lovely big dryer and old styleroller press for big items.As we walked out to our car wepassed the residents again andCaroline stopped and spoke tothem. One of the ladies startedsinging, and then everyone elsejoined them in beautiful harmony.The few who were able danced afew steps, but the others either hadtheir feet tapping or were clapping.The lady who started the singingwas blind. I must admit, I had a fewtears in my eyes as we left. And tothink that Caroline still runs thishome and is ‘only’ 83 years old!Everything else that day paled intoinsignificance!Above: The outdoor rest area where the residents spend most of their time15

SUMMER 2014/15Our CommunityA Life of ServiceMildred BrocklebankMildred Brocklebank, 94, has been volunteering at Eldercare Seaford for the past five years.In October she received her Service Award at a morning tea held during National Volunteer Week.Here Mildred talks about her life and her experience of volunteering at Seaford.“Warmth and friendship growswhen into Eldercare I go….”I was born in Orange, NSW andtaken to London as a baby where Ihad my education.My ambition was to become ateacher, but instead I found myselfin theatre and dancing. I trained tobecome an acrobat ‘without fear’.Later I joined the world famousBertram Mills Circus. I met manyroyals and dignitaries from theUK and other countries – it was awonderful time in my life.I rode horses, elephants and wouldhave a go at anything. In 1939, atthe start of World War II, the circushad to close because travelling withall the beautiful horses and otheranimals would be too dangerous.I then trained for AeronauticalInspection and spent some yearsin Coventry undertaking finalinspection of every part of theLancaster bombers.I later married, but after severalyears my husband left – one monthbefore my youngest was born,leaving me with four children. Iworked hard to meet the challengeof giving them a good life. I returnedto Australia with my children in1973 and never looked back. I amproud of my country of birth, aswell as my caring, grown-up family.Being elderly and with time onmy hands I looked for ‘something’else. I thought: ‘I am only one, but Iam someone’.Because I cannot do everything Iwill not refuse to do the one thing Ican do. In my heart I know that Godled me to volunteer at EldercareSeaford.I love the happy, caring staff. Ilove the connection with theresidents I visit. Being elderly I visitone-on-one – there’s no strain, butlots of joy laced with a little sadnesssometimes.Sometimes I feel tired before myvisits, but every visit is a lease oflife. Thank you God!I am ready and willing for the lovelypeople at Seaford.God bless you all.Above centre: Mildred (left) receiving her Service Award from Davlyn Hale, Seaford Residential Site Manager, Lifestyle/Volunteer Coordinator,Zoe Kerwick and Jennifer Dunkley, Volunteer Program Manager. Above right: Mildred in costume during her days in the theatre and on board oneof the performing horses. Far right: Mildred performing in a dancing troupe16

Your VolunteersWe do not do it for glory; we do not do it for gain.It is indeed a privilege to turn up again and again.The caring staff take such care of us and greet us with a smile.Walk in our shoes and you will see how it is all worthwhile.A knock on the door of a resident’s room as I peep and smile withinA face lights up “Come in, come in”,then conversation or connection begins.We are blessed!~ Mildred17

SUMMER 2014/15Our CommunitySmart New LookStaff at our residential aged carefacilities have been sporting a newlook recently, following the roll outof a new range of uniforms acrossall 12 sites.The redesigned uniforms, whichinclude a revamped name badgedesign, are the result of consultationwith Eldercare residents andemployees.Early last year, Care ServicesExecutive Sara Blunt met with theCorporate Residents’ Committeeto gain their feedback andunderstand what was important tothem. Residents told her that theyfound it hard to read the names onthe existing staff badges, and thatthey wanted name badges withlarger, clearer lettering. In addition,they said that they supported newuniforms and wanted badges torepresent different work groups.As a result, the decision wasmade to implement a new rangeof shirts and to update the namebadges to reflect residents’recommendations.New BadgesThe Uniform Committeecoordinated the process ofselecting the new uniforms andbadges. With the aim of achievinga professional, well-presentedworkforce, they set to workresearching best practice for namebadges, and sourcing quality,easy-to-wear uniforms.Eldercare staff made contact withThe Royal Society for the Blind(RSB) seeking advice on legibility.RSB advised Eldercare to designa badge with black text on a whitebackground, to maximise legibility.The outcome is that the nameand title on badges is large andclear, and printed black on a whitebackground, with rounded cornersand a backing magnet for safety.To enable residents and familiesto locate a particular staff member,all badges were also colour codedto differentiate between differentroles at site and head office.Best DressedStaff were consulted for their inputinto the new-look uniforms. Basedon existing uniform orders, it wasclear that staff favoured shirts thatwere easy to launder, comfortable,and practical to work in.Procurement and ContractsSpecialist Helen Boyle visited allEldercare sites with samples andstaff were asked to provide feedbackvote on their preferred colourpalette. Staff overwhelminglysupported the blue range of shirts.Feedback from residents andvisitors has been overwhelminglypositive, with the badge readabilityand colour coding for staff rolesparticularly well received.Above (L-R): The new badge designs; Head Office Receptionist Carolyn Swansson modelling the new-look uniform18

LifestyleAway with the FairiesEldercare Trowbridge House haswon this year’s coveted HorticulturalTherapy Prize which was themed ‘AFairy at the Bottom of the Garden’.Teams from all sites were invited toparticipate in horticultural themed‘Fairy’ activities, and to creativelydocument their experience. Theentries were the result of sevenmonths of combined effort fromresidents, families, volunteers andEldercare staff.‘Highly Commended’ Certificateswere awarded to Oxford andSeaford. The competition wasjudged by Kathy Burroughes, fromEldercare’s Marketing Department.“I was impressed at the creativeways that lifestyle staff worked thefairy theme into the activities, inparticular providing opportunitiesfor residents to interact with nature,even when confined indoors due tobad weather or health issues,” shesays.“Trowbridge, Oxford and TheVillage created beautiful keepsakefairy tale books to accompanytheir entries, which will beused by residents long after thecompetition.”The horticultural therapy prizes areopen to residents and the lifestylestaff who facilitate horticulturaltherapy activities for them. Theawards were presented at theLifestyle Networking Day in Octoberby Eldercare Chief Executive JanePickering.Above (L-R): Harper Hamdorf, grand-daughter of resident Jill Hannan and ‘fairy’ Marie Jeffries, with resident Maria Machado at TrowbridgeHouse; Oxford’s fairy garden; Seaford’s fairy toadstool; Jim Goldner and Cath Colliver making papier mache’ mushrooms at The Village;‘Fairy’ Marie Jeffries inspecting the fairy garden at Trowbridge House19

Residential CareLocationsRetirement LivingLocationsEvanston ParkEvanston ParkGlengowrieAllambiGoodwoodKirkholmeHendonAcacia CourtHoveOxfordMaitlandThe VillageMt BarkerSash FergusonPaynehamTrowbridge HouseSeafordSeafordStansburyElanoraWayvilleThe LodgeWoodcroftCottage GroveAdmissions enquiries:1300 925 414FelixstowMulberry GroveHoveOld Oxford CourtOxford Retirement VillageKent TownCollege GreenMaitlandThe Village UnitsMt BarkerCollett BarkerElmwood GroveExhibition CourtJubilee CottagesSash Ferguson Retirement UnitsNorwoodKingsboroughStansburyCorrell CottagesWoodcroftCottage Grove CourtRetirement living enquiries:08 8291 1000eldercare.net.au