COV ER S TORY
towards Consumer Directed Care led by the government’s recently introduced Aged Care Reform agenda. Based on the latest national statistics for aged care, Australia has a rapidly increasingly aged demographic and the Central Coast is one of the highest regions in NSW per capita for older Australians to live. By the year 2026, 1 in 4 people on the Central Coast will be aged 65 years and over. And when you factor into the equation a rapidly declining workforce and mass retirement in the aged care sector (where the average age of workers is 48-50) it’s clear aged care needs to be a high priority on everyone’s agenda. Both Sue and Andrew have welcomed changes brought about by the Aged Care Reform as they give Australians more options while ensuring a more sustainable system for the future. Changes include a doubling of the number of Home Care Packages in Australia in the next 5 years to around 100,000 packages. Supporting more elderly people to stay in their own homes makes common sense as it eases the burden on our already stretched hospitals and aged care facilities. As for the secret to her success in business, Sue says it comes down to relationships, an emphasis on workplace culture and mandatory ongoing training. From the early days, Sue worked closely with local doctors, pharmacists and surgeons and was very grateful for their support in setting up a community nursing service - something that was new and innovative. Within the business, she created a culture in which col-
(l to r) Andrew Mann, Sue Mann and Brooke Cummins laboration, transparency, communication, education and work life balance are paramount. From day one, each staff member undergoes a rigorous orientation and training regime. Sue knows every staff member by name and makes an effort to engage personally with everyone on her team as often as possible. She is also an advocate for supporting older workers. The average age on the team is 51 and some don’t retire until they are well into their 70’s. It’s clear Sue’s strategy has paid off with very low staff turnover, a growing interest by younger people to join the team and staff members that speak very highly of her. “Sue has instilled in us that it is a privilege to be in someone’s home. The staff pick up on her
passion and commitment and Andrew has the same passion as Sue – you can’t teach that,” observed one staff member. Another remarked, “There is such an intrinsic reward to be gained from changing how someone is feeling on any given day. To be paid for that is a bonus.” There is no one more important in Sue’s eyes than the clients themselves and 30 years on it remains at the heart of everything Sue Mann Nursing & Community Care does. Supported by the strength of an intergenerational family team and about to open a new office in Toronto, Sue Mann Nursing & Community Care has all the ingredients for a long-term sustainable future.
DELIVERING QUALITY PROJECTS TO THE CENTRAL COAST FOR OVER 13 YEARS. • CIVIL CONSTRUCTIONS • ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS • BULK EXCAVATION • PLANT HIRE
• COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING • RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING • RURAL LANDSCAPING • LANDSCAPE DESIGN
4384 4376 Office: Suite 1, 16 Church St Terrigal NSW 2260 Mail: PO Box 1167 Terrigal NSW 2260 Fax: 4385 9269 Mobile: 0418 433 921 Email: info@scapeconstructions.com.au To view our project gallery, go to: www.scapeconstructions.com.au CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW NOVEMBER 2014
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