9 minute read
Residential Services
— Fronditha Care values
Advertisement
Above: Jim Scantsonihas, EGM Residential Services with resident Effie during the move to the new St Albans facility.
Delivering a Bounty of Care
Fronditha Care services almost 500 elderly residents across four locations in Melbourne: Clayton, Templestowe, Thornbury and St Albans and in Newcastle, NSW.
We know that connection to language, music, and traditions keep our residents connected, engaged and make a enormous difference to their health and wellbeing. Our unique and culturally centred model of care provides for each of our residents’ physical, cultural, and spiritual needs. The Victorian lockdowns haven’t stopped the development of a rich leisure and lifestyle program, with a special focus on the celebration of Easter, the 200 years since the Greek revolution and the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Fronditha Care also formed partnerships with schools and other associations to keep the residents engaged implementing a range of online activities. We were determined to ensure that the pandemic didn’t stop our Fronditha Care community from engaging and creating memorable moments. While we missed the presence of resident families across many extended periods of lockdown we are grateful for their cooperation and understanding with respect to the measures that kept their loved ones safe. We know that separation from dear loved ones has been challenging and difficult, and we appreciate the support of measures we took to keep our community and beloved elderly safe.
It was a challenging year, and we couldn’t have maintained the health and safety for our staff and residents like we did, if not for the commitment and dedication of the Fronditha Care community- all our staff, residents and their families, volunteers, stakeholders, supporters and the broader Fronditha Care family.
We express our deepest wholehearted gratitude to our Fronditha Care community.
Clayton
Fronditha Care Clayton successfully navigated through a challenging year by implementing robust procedures, policies, and facilitating initiatives to keep residents safe and connected to the community. Not a single case was reported during the reporting period in the 150-bed facility, with regular tests, screenings, and preventative measures in place throughout the year. The residents supported all efforts to keep the facility safe and were quick to participate in the facility’s vaccination program that started in the first half of 2021.
All residents’ families were regularly updated for the measures in the facility through open lines of communication and consultation.
Everyone is thankful for the understanding and support that residents’ families showed during the lockdown periods and restricted visitations which were designed to keep residents, staff, and the community safe.”
– Jayson Vinod, Manager, Residential Care, Clayton In May, the Oscars Care Group program of excellence acknowledged the lifestyle team for the tailored and engaging program they implemented throughout the facility. The team’s activities have focused on special events, maintenance of customs, and traditions that help residents reminisce, be engaged and interested. The lifestyle team was also key in facilitating connection and communication between residents and their families through digital platforms. Our devoted staff worked hard and went above and beyond their duties and roles to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone at the facility and initiatives designed to recognise them were well received. The combined efforts made the most of a very challenge year.
Thornbury
In the past twelve months, Fronditha Care Thornbury has steered through the pandemic thanks to the tireless dedication of the staff and the assistance of residents’ families.
The four different wings of the facility followed lifestyle programs curated to the needs of the residents, while everyone welcomed the joint initiatives. The celebration of 200 years since the start of the Greek revolution, the Olympic games and the Assumption of Mary were some of the most significant activities the lifestyle team has delivered, gaining a lot of attention and praise from the residents, families and community media. The facility’s Head Chef, Manos Anagnostopoulos, was the recipient of the OSCARS Recognition of Excellence program for his culinary skills, creating delicious meals modified for residents’ varied tastes while managing his team in an environmentally friendly kitchen. Each day, Manos and his team deliver tailored meals to 120 residents and work towards achieving the best taste, texture, and presentation for the residents. In April 2021, the facility successfully passed an assessment contact audit and was compliant in all outcomes. Their accreditation was extended until next year, a testament to the implementation of robust procedures that the staff is following.
Because of the hard work of all staff, and the understanding of our residents and their families, our Thornbury facility didn’t have any positive COVID-19 cases throughout the reporting year. Hundreds of employees and residents also attended the vaccination rounds that Fronditha Care scheduled in the facility, with strong protocols being implemented.”
– Tina Lamond, Manager, Residential Care, Thornbury
St Albans
The pandemic and accompanying lockdowns didn’t stop the development of our new state-of-the-art facility in St Albans, which was completed in September 2021. Our residents now live in a modern, open and luxurious residence. They are able to enjoy movies in a private theatre, a great library, a charming chapel, private function rooms, hair salon services and several garden and courtyard areas. The rolling lockdowns and restrictions have been a challenge for everyone, but the Activities team has delivered a special program to help with the wellbeing of the residents. The bigger spaces and amenities in the new building will facilitate the delivery of different and larger group activities. Throughout the reporting year, digital devices were used to help the residents communicate with the families. The residents also created a sentimental video for the Oakleigh Grammar students in response to the students’ videos for the Fronditha Care elderly. During the year, staff had to encounter a COVID-19 outbreak, and they implemented its outbreak management plan. Three cases were however recorded, and sadly one of our residents passed away. We are grateful for the efforts of our staff, residents and their families who cooperated with us in this challenging time by adhering to the necessary measures. Fronditha Care St Albans Chef, Gloria Andriolas, was a recipient of The OSCARS Recognition of Excellence program. OSCAR Care Group recognised Gloria’s excellent skill and commitment in creating nutritious and delicious culturally sensitive meals for her second family of predominantly Greek residents at Fronditha Care in St Albans.
Fronditha Care provides housing for low income individuals over the age of 55 , through the 40 Independent Living Units, located on our St Albans property. The units accommodate individuals and couples creating connection between members of our community.
Templestowe
Fronditha Care Templestowe went through significant management changes throughout the year, to ensure a lift in its standard of care. This resulted in a successful three-year re-accreditation of the facility. In February, Renee Bognar commenced as the Manager of Residential Care and Donna Murray was appointed Clinical Care Coordinator in May. With great teamwork and support from the Mulgarve Hub they rolled out several new clinical programs and continuous improvement initiatives, developed a staff recruitment program fit for purpose, focused on staff education and selfdevelopment, and built better working partnerships with families through enhanced communication. The activities team continued its engaging program, focusing on traditions, religion and honoring special dates. Significantly, there were activities to commemorate, including the 200 years since the Greek revolution, Easter and Christmas and residents’ birthdays. The Templestowe facility’s kitchen received a five-star rating from Manningham City Council while our Chef, Maria Kaitatzi was acknowledged by OSCARS Hospitality in their Recognition of Excellence program Chef Recognition Awards. Maria was acknowledged for her excellence and passion in creating nutritious, delicious & beautiful culturally-sensitive meals for her majority Greek residents. Earlier in the year, the facility hosted a successful menu sampling evening where families had the opportunity to see first-hand how meals are prepared and sample a variety of dishes. Staff responded well to education with respect to the regulatory changes within the industry based on the introduction of the New Aged Care Standards and single quality framework last year. The residents benefited from these changes by being part of the decision-making processes for care delivery in the facility.
This year has seen the St Albans team overcome many challenges and one and all appreciated the support, understanding and cooperation of families in working through this time together.”
– Sue Donaldson, Manager, Residential Care, St Albans
Due to the diligence of staff, residents and residents’ families, there were no cases of COVID-19 in the facility. At the same time, there was a significant uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in the multiple rounds in the facility. ”
– Renee Bognar, Manager, Residential Care, Templestowe It was a remarkable year for the facility, which kept its community safe and well, making Fronditha Care Templestowe a desirable openhearted home for residents.
Above: A sentimental reunion for resident Wale with his wife Leigh, after an extensive lockdown at Fronditha Care Newcastle. Warren picked the red roses from the Newcastle facility garden to give to his beloved partner for their first catch up.
Newcastle
Fronditha Care Newcastle is a unique multicultural facility where people of different cultural backgrounds and walks of life gather, experience memorable moments and exchange perspectives. The facility saw a change in management in December when Garrison Brassington stepped up from his role of Clinical Care Coordinator to Manager of Residential Care.
NSW may not have been affected by COVID-19 as much as Victoria but the staff were vigilant and implemented all the necessary measures to mitigate any risks of outbreak.”
– Garrison Brassington, Manager, Residential Care, Newcastle Throughout the pandemic, the residents have been participating in virtual visits with their loved ones and friends. Residents have continued to take part in meaningful activities and one-on-one visits with our Leisure and Lifestyle team. Before lockdown measures were imposed the residents were also enjoying regular bus outings. Significant improvements have been made around the facility, including new outdoor furniture and building of raised garden beds for our residents to enjoy the alfresco dining experience on sunny Newcastle days. In terms of improvements in clinical care a new computerised assessment tool was also introduced to identify pain in those residents who can’t verbally communicate. The facility received an A+ rating on the food safety audit conducted by the NSW Food Authority. A tasting day with staff and residents was a great opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts about the meals.
Fronditha Care Newcastle head chef Amrinder Singh was also a recipient of The OSCARS Recognition of Excellence program recognised for his excellence and passion in creating delicious and nutritious menus for our residents.
This year’s management introduced a monthly Staff Recognition Award where staff members nominate each other for going above and beyond, performing random acts of kindness, and promoting Fronditha Care, in line with the organisation’s values of Do Right and Inspire Better.
Left: Ourania, Thornbury resident, participating in the activities of the Lifestyle program. Below: Christos, Templestowe resident, striking a pose in front of the garden that he personally tends. Mr Christos sends a message of gratitude to all staff who care for him.
