About Life winter 2021

about life Winter 2021

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Better than I imagined Gaynes Park helps to uncomplicate Liliana’s life

Quid Pro Quo Mentors are forever

about life

Louise Hanialakis, Gaynes Park Campus Manager, with Gaynes Park Manor resident, Margaret

This issue... is a celebration of the stories of Life Care – our people, our achievements and those whom we support to enjoy ‘Inspired Living’.

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Welcome Thoughts from CEO Allen Candy

Innovative Living Gaynes Park Suites open

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Customer Satisfaction NPS results

Fourteen and already in aged care Inspiring story about Harvey Douglas

8 Our People Welcome to the Life Care team

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Better than I imagined How Gaynes Park uncomplicated Liliana’s life

Africa is just the beginning Life in a Memory Support Unit

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Learning from like minds Making connections

Quid Pro Quo Mentors are forever

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Rumpus on the Campus Photo collection of some activities of our campus and groups

Up coming events Life Care Way May > July Mid-year Celebration 23 July LifeFest September End of Year Celebration November International Nurses Day 12 May Life Care Volunteers Celebration Lunch 18 May Aged Care Employee Day 7 August RUOK? Day 9 September

about life

Welcome Thoughts from CEO Allen Candy A lot has happened in the world since our last About Life.

On other matters, I would like to personally thank all of those who responded to our Net Promoter Score survey in late 2020. And whilst I am happy with Life Care’s overall score, it is the feedback on improvements required that gives us an opportunity to be better. This feedback is genuinely appreciated and forms the basis of our improvement plans for each of our services. For example, the feedback received from the 2019 survey led the organisation to recruit Bethany Finn in the new role of Executive Chef in Residence.

Bethany has been charged with improving the quality of our dining experience across all Life Care services, and the article in this edition of About Life further outlines the work already being undertaken.

In some ways, it’s difficult to remember what life was like before COVID-19, but Life Care is here in 2021, still striving to make a positive difference in older South Australia’s lives. COVID-19 made 2020, particularly the first half of the year, a challenging year for everyone involved in aged care.

I’m very proud of Life Care’s response, the work of the Emergency Response Team and the understanding and support of all staff throughout the organisation. I would particularly like to acknowledge the support of those in our care and their families, as we had to make some tough decisions, particularly around visitation, to ensure the safety of all. Even today, we remain vigilant and have established COVID-19 plans, should the need arise.

In February 2021, the Gaynes Park Suites welcomed their first resident, as highlighted in the story later in this edition. The Gaynes Park Suites represent a new standard in retirement living and completes the development at our Joslin campus, Gaynes Park.

While our response to COVID-19 consumed an immense amount of our time and focus in 2020, the world continued to move on. In particular, the Royal Commission into Aged Care, although delayed by COVID-19, completed its work in February 2021. Over two years, with more than 10,500 submissions and over 600 witnesses, the Commissioners concluded that the system is in crisis. One might have expected the Commissioners to provide a streamlined blueprint for generational reform. However, the Commissioners’ final report included 148 recommendations, of which the Commissioners diverged in opinion on 44 recommendations. Given this, I believe the final report may add to the confusion around what is certain to be a complex path of reform.

We believe that the Suites, which combine premium accommodation and a range of services to underpin the wellbeing of those who live there, offer a new and exciting choice for people as they age, rather than the contemporary thinking of staying at home, living in retirement villages or within residential aged care. The Suites will be officially opened on 14 May 2021 by the Premier, the Hon Steven Marshall MP. Having now put many of our traditional events on hold due to the pandemic, I’m looking forward immensely to celebrating the work of our volunteers at the Volunteers Lunch later this month.

Our Chair, John Stock, and I will be conducting a series of consumer engagement sessions in the coming months designed to ensure that both the Board and senior management are truly aware of the issues concerning our consumers.

At the time of writing, the Government’s response to the Aged Care Royal Commission has just been released alongside the May 2021 Federal Budget. I welcome the budget’s record commitment to aged care across the Forward Estimates, including a significant number of new Home Care Packages and an increase in funding that should underpin the short-term future of residential aged care. However, the budget still falls short of meeting the Royal Commission’s aspirations for the sector in some critical areas.

I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank our Board, management, all of our staff, customers and their families for working with us throughout the challenges of 2020, and we look forward to meeting your expectations for 2021 and beyond.

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Customer satisfaction How well do we do when faced with considerable challenges?

In 2019, Life Care engaged an external research consultancy to conduct a Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey. They called hundreds of Life Care customers, and the feedback from a range of questions proved to be highly beneficial. Since then, we have committed to conducting this survey annually.

Considering the considerable challenges we faced in 2020, to virtually hold our position was a pleasing result. What was more important, though, was the additional, detailed feedback we received.

The research consultancy also asks a series of probing questions designed to get to the bottom of each customer’s experience and to highlight what we do well and where we need to improve. It’s the latter where we gain the most value.

The NPS survey is a globally-recognised measure of customer satisfaction. In its most basic form, the NPS Survey asks customers how likely they are to recommend an organisation to someone they know.

Customers give a rating out of 10, with 10 being definitely likely to recommend the organisation.

Scores are compiled, and organisations are rated on a scale between -100 and +100.

Using these insights, we have now developed a specific Action Plan for each Life Care service.

These are being implemented with results carefully tracked to ensure accountability.

We are now looking forward to seeing the results of these efforts in the 2021 NPS survey later in the year.

The Australian aged care industry average NPS score is +22. In 2019, Life Care’s NPS score was +56.

This result was considerably above the industry average and well on the way to our goal of +70.

This goal has been chosen because it will put us among the world’s best organisations for customer satisfaction. In 2019, we hoped that 2020 would see us make strides in that direction. Of course, then COVID-19 happened.

In a year unlike any we had experienced, it would have been easy to delay our next NPS survey.

After all, there were many other things to focus on. But looking at it another way, 2020 presented an opportunity to test exactly how satisfied our customers really are when the chips are down. So, we went ahead and ran the survey late in 2020. The results can be seen over the page.

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2020 Life Care NPS Results The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is one of the ultimate tests of how Life Care is progressing towards being a Premier provider.

Life Care’s goal is an overall NPS that places Life Care among the world’s best organisations globally. That means an NPS score above 70.

NPS is a measure of how likely people are to recommend Life Care to someone they know.

Given the challenges Life Care faced in 2020, we are very pleased with our latest NPS results. We are now implementing a range of strategies to improve our NPS results next year.

It is also a measure of how Life Care compares to other organisations within the aged care industry.

Our Overall Results

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At Home created

by Life Care

Class 70 World (our goal)

What our customers said we do well

What our customers said we could improve

Promptness

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Our People Welcome to the Life Care team

Nichole Tierney Nicole Abfalter General Manager People & Culture People & Culture Coordinator After 9 months in the role of General Manager of People and Culture, Nichole continues to be excited by this opportunity due to Life Care’s genuine commitment to develop and grow a workforce that delivers premier services to Life Care customers.

Nicole recently joined Life Care as our People & Culture Coordinator. In her words, she has ‘absolutely loved her time with Life Care so far!’ She describes her first day as a very warm welcome and being greeted with big smiles. She knew immediately that the ‘Life Care culture is one of Nichole is passionate about aligning the people agenda warmth, support and innovation.’ to organisational strategy and has successfully delivered on the strategic and tactical elements across Nicole was adopted from Thailand with her twin all touchpoints of the employee journey. Her career when they were both very young. They are both polar has spanned retail, consulting, utilities, agriculture and opposites, and yes, her sister looks a lot like her! aged care sectors and she is a member of the Health, Her sister has been back to Thailand to meet their Disability and Ageing Industry skills council. birth parents, and discovered that their father had become a Monk in their absence.

Nichole states “I flourish in the environments of accountability and challenge which Life Care promote, Nicole is a mother of two beautiful little boys, and in I particularly enjoy the collaboration that occurs her free time she likes to run and do Pilates. across Life Care with all stakeholders along with Life I look forward to being a part of the Life Care Care’s appetite to push the boundaries to deliver journey! fit-for-purpose contemporary people solutions that support our vision to be the Premier provider.”

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Bethany Finn Executive Chef in Residence

Linda Turner Clinical Services Manager

Widely recognised as a pioneer, award-winning chef and leader in the Australian hospitality industry, Bethany was anointed as Australia’s first female Executive Chef at the Hilton Hotel at the tender age of 27. Bethany went on to build an enviable team, including the world-renowned Cheong Liew.

Linda Turner joined the Aldinga Beach Court team in February 2021 and brings to the team not only a wealth of clinical skills and knowledge, but a flair for the creative as well.

A renowned Indigenous Artist, Linda comes from the Kokatha/Nharranga clan groups and has sold her artwork all over the world with pieces in Dubai, the US and the UK.

Bethany’s latest adventure has seen her take a bold step into the aged care industry. Her role as Executive Chef in Residence involves overseeing the kitchen of new, boutique Assisted Living apartments Gaynes Park Suites in Joslin, while also guiding the dining experience across five residential care homes.

As a healthcare professional Linda has significant clinical leadership experience across the public health and Aged Care sectors for the past 18 years. Her goal is to demonstrate and lead person-centred care and ensure the delivery of high quality individualised care based on the values of respect and dignity. Linda has a strong passion and focus in the areas of palliative and dementia care.

Bethany sees this latest move as her way of giving back to a public who have generously supported her over the years.

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Innovative living Gaynes Park Suites was officially opened in May 2021.

It represents the very best in assisted living accommodation and forms the newest part of the Gaynes Park campus. But what is assisted living? What is the significance of a campus? And how are the Suites innovative?

When Life Care CEO Allen Candy first accepted a role in aged care, one of his early frustrations was that residential care residents were often separated from their partners.

‘I saw couples who had built a loving relationship over decades going through a grieving process as though they had lost someone, even though that person was still living in residential aged care,’ said Allen.

‘My frustration was brought home when my dad moved into one of our residential care homes,’ continued Allen. ‘Seeing my mum go through such grief made it abundantly clear that there needed to be a better way.

‘Residential care remains a vital part of the aged care offering. However, seeing families separated is very difficult for everyone involved. Stand-alone residential aged care is not the way of the future.

‘We needed to create communities where people can stay together, even if one partner needs to live in residential care while the other does not. This was the main driver behind co-location being a significant part of our strategic plan as far back as 2011.’

These plans have now reached their fulfilment in the form of the Gaynes Park Campus in Joslin, SA. ‘Gaynes Park sets a new benchmark for how well co-location can be done,’ said Allen.

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about life Co-location involves having a residential care home co-located on the same site as retirement living accommodation.

‘We offer a very personalised service here.

We get to know the residents in a personal way; we know the little things that make the difference...’

This concept has been around for a while; however, there was still a gap in this model: what if one partner didn’t need residential aged care, but did need support to live independently?

The solution is an architecturally designed assisted living/ residential care campus. Here, someone can live in their own apartment while receiving services such as cooking, cleaning and laundry that make it easy to continue living independently. Their partner lives next door in residential care.

‘The architectural design of Gaynes Park Suites is vital to its success,’ said Allen. ‘While a person could buy an apartment and receive services to support them at home, they would still be missing several key components of the Gaynes Park offering.

‘We partnered with Marchese Architects to design the entire Gaynes Park campus. The Suites – the assisted living apartments – have clearly been designed with a five-star finish and look more like a boutique hotel than a standard apartment.

However, it’s the other design features and the included services and dining experience that really set it apart.

‘The Suites feature multiple common areas designed to encourage mingling and to bring the community inside: a shared barbecue area, a library, a cinema/ events room, a billiards room; these are all part of helping us build a real community in The Suites,’ explained Allen.

This sense of community is already building, according to Gaynes Park Suites Concierge Kate Wasley.

‘The residents who have moved in have settled really well,’ said Kate. ‘It feels really positive seeing the communal areas being used, residents using the grounds and going for walks. The feeling at mealtimes is particularly positive with residents happily chatting with each other and with the staff.’

A significant part of this positivity is the result of The Suites’ staff. Gaynes Park Campus Manager Louise Hanialakis said that choosing the right people to work at The Suites has been a significant focus.

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‘We wanted people who could not only do the job, but who had the “soft skills” – they need to relate with the residents, interact, and create the relationships that people value in a service-based environment,’ said Louise.

‘We offer a very personalised service here. We are getting to know the residents in a personal way; we know the little things that make the difference.’

The Wellbeing Discussion is a standard part of the welcome experience for new residents. It is then repeated at six-monthly intervals. Feedback on the Wellbeing Discussion has been very positive. (Read about resident Liliana’s experience on page 20.)

Allen also highlighted the value of each apartment’s design.

Another positive for residents has been the dining experience at The Suites. According to Allen Candy, this was part of the vision for the apartments from day one.

‘Each apartment is undoubtedly beautiful. However, they are also designed with older people in mind.

There is space for the accessories that older people require: there are wider corridors, larger spaces between beds and walls, and the bathrooms and showers are large enough for residents to receive support, should they need it. This flexibility is something that a standard apartment won’t allow.

‘We recognised the importance of food,’ said Allen, ‘how it brings people together: friends, family, the community, and we knew that there would be high expectations when it is part of the overall offering.

Our vision was for something exceptional.

‘When you overlay the services that residents receive within this beautiful space, the wellbeing focus we are bringing and the five-star dining experience they enjoy every day, it really is the complete package,’ concluded Allen.

‘This vision led us to recruit Bethany Finn, who is now our Executive Chef in Residence. Bethany’s experience, capability, and talent have undoubtedly enhanced the experience, presentation, and menu beyond even our expectations. That’s why we’re getting such positive feedback about the food and the dining experience at The Suites.’ (Resident Liliana alludes to the dining experience in the article starting page 20.)

The wellbeing focus Allen refers to is another first for Life Care, as Anne Higginson, Wellbeing Manager at Life Care, explained.

‘When people change locations, it can create some stress: organising the sale of your home, packing up and moving and then settling in to a new environment can create some concerns,’ said Anne.

All of this may provide an incredible home for each resident at The Suites. However, the team agrees that the most amazing difference The Suites has made so far is for residents (including Liliana) who have partners next door in Gaynes Park Manor. For Louise Hanialakis, who has worked in aged care for over 20 years, it’s something she has been waiting for for a long time.

‘Following an initial wellbeing discussion, we work with the resident to create a Wellbeing Plan. The purpose of this plan is for the resident to identify the things that matter most to them in various areas of life. The plan also helps the resident to identify what support Life Care can provide to help them achieve their goals.’

‘In all of my experience [in aged care], [keeping couples together] has been difficult to achieve. This is the only successful outcome I’ve seen and it’s a dream come true,’ said Louise.

For more information or to book a tour of Gaynes Park Suites, call 08 8362 7004 or email live@gaynespark.com.au

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Fourteen and already in aged care When someone starts working in aged care at the age of 14 and is still passionate about it a decade or two later, you know there must be a genuine reason.

So it is with Harvey Douglas, Clinical Lead at Aldinga Beach Court.

Harvey grew up in regional Victoria, and at the age of 14, joined his aunty at a local residential care home in Mildura.

‘After school, I would spend a few hours wheeling residents down to dinner,’ said Harvey, ‘putting out the butter and jam, getting the meal trolley ready, working in the kitchen.

More significantly, he valued hearing the residents’ stories and liked the sense that he was helping people.

Harvey completed a quiz at school that suggested he would be suitable for a career in a service-related field – nursing or teaching. Originally he planned to be a teacher. That changed when he received a scholarship to study rural and remote aged care nursing.

While studying nursing in Ballarat, Victoria, Harvey worked at a small, independent aged care and disability home with 15 residents. He was solely responsible for all of them! For two years, he cooked, cleaned, did laundry, baked cakes and did the dishes by hand, all for $16.60 per hour! And he had to walk for 50 minutes to get there and an hour uphill to get home. Perhaps that tells you something about Harvey.

Having already worked in aged care for quite a few years, Harvey joined St John of God Hospital, working as a Nurse Affiliate, a role similar to a nurse’s aid. He found the work very different to and less satisfying than aged care.

‘You’d look after a patient, and you’d finally get to know them and then they’re gone,’ said Harvey.’

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‘Later, I worked as an RN in oncology at St John of God. I didn’t mind that because people did stay longer, so I did enjoy that, although of course, I was also glad they were able to go home.’

As a pivotal part of Aldinga Beach Court’s clinical team, Harvey’s team leadership strengths have come to the fore.

‘Being aware of what’s going on, but also communicating with the staff and receiving feedback from them, all of that means that your staff trust that you know what you’re doing, and that allows you to captain the ship,’ said Harvey.

Having moved to Adelaide, after five months ‘having fun not having a job’, Harvey tried a further stint in a hospital. Again, he found it unsatisfying, so he pursued a casual RN role at the aged care provider, Resthaven.

‘I guess I never really left aged care. Yes, I worked in oncology, but even there, it was mainly older people I was looking after. All the skills I learned in oncology, particularly around palliative care, I brought over to what I’m doing now.

Harvey spent six years with Resthaven, including as RN In Charge and working a whole range of different shifts.

For Harvey, good nursing comes down to the connections you build with people to a large degree.

‘And then I got a call from Life Care asking if I wanted a Clinical Nurse position at Aldinga Beach Court,’ said Harvey.

‘When I was on my placement,’ explained Harvey, ‘one of the nurses said to me, “A patient isn’t going to remember the person who took their blood the best; they’re going to remember the person who made them the cup of tea at midnight or found them that extra pillow they’d asked for.” The clinical side of nursing is important, of course, but it’s that personcentred care that makes someone feel like you’re looking after them.

‘My first impression was how nice and bright the home was. It looked inviting and not so institutionalised. There were lots of little areas residents could go.

‘Straight away, I knew [the staff] were all good people; I could tell everyone was doing their best and doing a good job. Even before my interview [having walked around and met the team], I clicked with the people I would be working with.’

‘When you build a relationship with someone, and you receive that gratitude from a resident because you make their day and make them feel valued and safe, you know, that’s a good feeling.

‘There’s a sense of satisfaction knowing that you’re wholeheartedly trying to do your best for the resident, doing what they want, what is best for them.’

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Better than I imagined Most people would agree that growing older can make life more complicated.

Add to the mix the considerable challenge of a partner living with dementia, and it can become positively desperate.

Liliana Zancanaro’s point of desperation came when she was looking for a new home for her and her husband, Remo. Their four-bedroom family home had become unmanageable, and with Remo’s health deteriorating, Liliana wasn’t able to continue caring for him by herself.

‘We had put a deposit on another place, and honestly, you couldn’t swing a cat [inside that apartment],’ said Liliana. ‘I wasn’t happy with it, but I was almost at the point of being desperate that I had to do something. And then we came across [Gaynes Park Suites] and oh my God. My daughter said, “Mum, the stars are aligned,” and we signed up there and then.

‘The most important thing for Remo and I is that we are together, as together as we possibly can be given our circumstances; that we could see each other every day; that he could come [to my apartment]. It makes it so much easier to bear because [having a partner living with dementia] is hard.’

The Gaynes Park campus includes both The Suites and The Manor, a residential care home where Remo lives and receives full-time care. For Liliana, visiting Remo is as simple as walking out of the Suites’ foyer and into The Manor just five meters away. The buildings are also connected via a flyover on Level 1.

‘When we signed-up,’ continued Liliana, ‘it was a leap of faith because [The Suites] wasn’t finished at the time. And you’re told [by Life Care] this is what we’re trying to achieve [with Gaynes Park Suites]. It sounded wonderful, but I did wonder whether it was all going to eventuate.

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‘Living here, it has afforded me a big thing – and selfishly I can say that – it’s “me time”.

‘I’ve got to say that I’ve been more than pleased. [Life Care] has come to the party on everything they said they would. The staff here are extraordinary. I can see that they pick their staff very carefully. ‘[The Concierge] Kate and [Project Manager] Charlie – I call them my Can Do Girls! It doesn’t matter what you ask them, they will find a way of dealing with it. I couldn’t wish for better. They make you feel welcome, valued. They’re respectful. That’s what you want in your old age.’

My whole life I have looked after family; my own parents, Remo’s parents. And I am taking on [time for myself] fully.

I’m going through [Life Care’s] Wellness Program, and I’m focused on getting myself well so I can travel a little bit and do the things we had to put aside because of our situation.

‘Very rarely does everything fall into place [when you’re moving into a new home]. And yes, there are little things, but you just go to [Kate or Charlie] and they’ll get it fixed! It’s just been great for us. I couldn’t have picked anything better.

‘And of course, I knew [Executive Chef in Residence] Bethany Finn was coming on board, and I know Bethany well; I knew she was top-class, but all the same, the meals are extraordinary.

‘Now I’m just looking forward to the community growing!’

‘We’re going to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary soon, and Bethany’s going to put together a High-Tea for us, and it’s lovely to be able to bring the family in.

‘I have a great sense of relief. My biggest hurdle was when I realised that Remo had to come in [to Gaynes Park Manor] full-time. That was massive. I was hoping we would have time together [at Gaynes Park Suites], but it turned out for the best because I could not have made the move from [our family home] to here while looking after Remo.

‘Of course, I was worried that Remo wouldn’t settle, but once again, we were blessed. That is the biggest relief of all.

‘As for myself, the fact that I don’t have to worry about cooking, going to the shops, what are we going to eat this week… And the other thing is, the safety. I feel safe here.Tot.

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Learning from like minds As much as David Andrew enjoys sport, music and speedway, he enjoys connecting with people through these experiences even more.

David even appreciates the banter he has with Life Care Active Personal Trainers. They cover topics such as music, movies, sport and, would you believe, Thermomix! And as a Glen A. Bakerstyle music history and pop-culture guru, David’s knowledge of ‘who sang what and when’ is something to behold.

Attending events is a little more difficult for David these days. Around eight years ago, David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects the body’s muscle movements and balance. There’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s.

‘My symptoms started with a tremor in my arm, and my writing quickly deteriorated,’ said David.

‘Fortunately, the tremors have stopped now, and my writing is better (and also a lot bigger!). However, now I struggle with freezing [where I cannot move his limbs] and my movements in general.

‘I also have to be ultra-careful that I don’t fall.’

The risk of falling is significant for people living with Parkinson’s: the impact of movement and balance difficulties places them at higher risk; however, if they do fall, the results are also more drastic than for people who don’t have Parkinson’s.

‘If you do fall, it’s like you go into a state of semishock,’ said David. ‘There’s a psychological impact as well as a physical one.

‘I had my first fall in a very long time recently, and it woke me up even more [to the need to be careful to avoid falling].’

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The most significant impact of Parkinson’s on David’s life has been his ability to go out and take pleasure in the activities and pastimes he enjoys, particularly at night.

‘It’s not just the exercise,’ explained David, ‘it’s being with like-minded people.

‘Everyone’s symptoms are different, but we often compare notes: How’re your medications going?

Who’s your neurologist? We learn from each other.’

‘My medication controls my symptoms for around 2-3 hours. After that, I have to figure out if I should take another tablet; whether it will work in time or not. The efficacy of the medication also varies significantly depending on whether you have full stomach or not; it’s much more effective on an empty stomach, so you have to monitor when you eat very carefully.’

This sense of collegiate bonding is so beneficial, particularly when dealing with such a challenging condition.

As for the overall effect of David’s involvement in Life Care Active, it’s actually much more straightforward.

‘It puts you in a good mood!’ said David.

When David was originally diagnosed, his GP made it very clear that exercise is vital in the fight against Parkinson’s. For the first five years or so, David walked regularly, and he continues to do this daily.

‘You’ve got to be as positive as you can, and I do look forward to going [to Life Care Active classes].

After all, exercising by yourself is not much fun!’

In his Life Care Active classes, exercise is central, and in particular, there is a significant focus on improving balance; the objective is to reduce the risk of falls. David also receives remedial massage to help with his aches and pains.

And yet, despite the physical benefits of attending these classes, what David values most is not physical: it’s being part of a group of people who understand and can share their wisdom and experiences.

This sense of collegiate bonding is so beneficial, particularly when dealing with such a challenging condition.

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Africa is just the beginning What do you expect life to be like for someone living in a residential care home’s Memory Support Unit?

To a greater or lesser extent, people here suffer from conditions (Alzheimer’s, for example) that render their brain unable to recall life from one day to the next. People with such conditions are known to ‘wander’, and can become disorientated. So knowing this, what do you expect?

Do you expect them to live in a ‘secure area’ (the politically correct way to describe an area within the care home that has locked doors so residents can’t ‘wander’ into other areas and ‘put themselves at risk’)?

Do you expect them to sit in their chair all day, every day (when they’re not ‘wandering’)?

These are confronting questions simply because facing the reality of people whose life has been so affected means we have to confront the question of ‘what if that were me?’

But let’s ask the question again.

Would you expect people living with dementia to commit to sewing girls’ dresses to send to Africa so that those at risk of homelessness have something to wear?

Would you expect them to have this sort of purpose?

If your answer is ‘no’, you would not be alone. And yet, this last example is the reality for Flora and Cynthia, who live at Aldinga Beach Court.

When the idea of writing an article about residents sewing dresses for kids in Africa was raised, it sounded nice. A positive story, particularly given it relates to people living in the Memory Support Unit—a small light in what could be considered a dark place.

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But speaking with Sarah Miles, Lifestyle Coordinator at Aldinga Beach Court, it quickly became apparent that dressmaking for African children isn’t a small light: it’s one globe in a string of outdoor festoon lights – those ones that make any evening garden party look like something worthy of Instagram.

Peter Morton prunes the grapevines.

‘Flora and Cynthia have procedural memory,’ explained Sarah. Procedural memory is simply the type of memory ingrained as a result of repetitive action over years of practice. It’s the type of memory that often can still be present in people living with dementia.

Others vacuum. Some play ten pin bowling. Others maintain a veggie patch.

Bob Brockenbrow plays the bagpipes on special occasions.

Ted makes toast for himself and many other residents.

One resident likes crocheting. She’s about to finish her first piece – a cardigan for a doll. It has taken her a year. Yes, a year. But with the support of the Aldinga Beach Court team, she has never given up.

‘Flora was taught dressmaking in Africa when she was younger. She did a lot of travelling, right across the world.

But what about the locked doors? Surely that’s still a necessity? Well no. No locked doors anymore. Given this freedom, residents from the Memory Support Unit can regularly be seen on their way to their ‘job,’ or on their way to visit a friend.

‘When I found out that she knew how to make dresses, it was obvious that this could be something she would enjoy and that it could be something that she is still capable of doing.

For Keith Addicot, he’ll likely be on his way to the coffee shop. Across the road. At Aldinga Central Shopping Centre. Every day. Yes, by himself. While leaving the home isn’t possible for everyone, with support, those who can are encouraged and supported, often through repetition over many attempts.

‘We try to set the residents up for success,’ continued Sarah. ‘We break the overall task down into small, manageable elements, and support them to complete the first one, and then build on that.’

The rationale behind creating these experiences is more than simply giving the residents something to do.

For Coral White, she’ll likely be on her way across the road to buy feed for the chickens and rabbits because it’s Coral’s job to look after the chickens.

To let them out in the morning, shut them in at night, collect the eggs, and feed them. So you’ll often see Coral walking over to buy more feed. Because she feeds them a lot. (They’re very happy chickens.)

‘It’s about them having a purpose,’ said Sarah, ‘waking up every day with jobs they can do. Jobs that contribute to others. Something that gives back to the community. That’s purpose.’

While Flora and Cynthia sew dresses, Dorothy makes bags for other residents’ walkers (to help them carry books or whatnot).

Pat Beckham works in the café at Aldinga Beach Court, stacking birthday cards and helping to keep the shop neat, tidy and running.

Memory Support Unit Residents can regularly be seen ‘on their way to their job,’ or ‘on their way to visit a friend.’

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Quid Pro Quo As the Head Chef at Regency Park College, Brian Lawes was used to wrangling students to impart his extensive knowledge to young aspiring chefs.

He recalls cooking being the easy part of his job.

Managing the students, and even more so, the staff, was where it became tricky.

Brian’s reputation was as someone ahead of his time. He was a progressive, a forward-thinker. In a highly male-dominated industry, he engaged respectfully and without prejudice; women were embraced in his classroom, receiving the same disciplined, focused learning as men. He was a patient teacher while still demanding excellence; it was never a case of going through the motions, rather a matter of perfect practice leading to perfection.

Asked whether he was aware of this reputation, Brian responded with frank humility.

‘No, I wasn’t really aware. It was just a case of cultivating the right attitudes in people.’ And to do that, he had to demonstrate the right attitudes.

One person who was greatly influenced by Brian’s attitudes and approach to cooking was Bethany Finn, who still counts Brian and his wife Carolyn as friends.

Bethany was the only woman in her class at Regency Park College. She came from a family where hard work was demonstrated day-in, dayout and she was never told, ‘No, you can’t do that; that’s a man’s job.’ With such an upbringing, her perspective at college was simply, ‘Why aren’t there more women here? I’m here! Why would you not come here and learn?’

And learn she did.

‘Brian opened the doors to my career.’ Had those doors not opened, the hospitality industry would have lost one of its most genuine and genuinely successful chefs.

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Brian’s tutelage gave Bethany a valuable foundation.

From there, with her family’s work ethic to guide her, Bethany went on to become Australia’s first female Executive Chef.

Working at the Hilton Hotel on Victoria Square, Bethany was promoted to lead the hospitality team at the age of 28. Later, she hired world-renowned chef, Cheong Liew. Over six years, they shaped the Hilton’s Grange Restaurant to become one of Adelaide’s most respected fine dining experiences.

‘On my very first day, I walked down the hallway [at Parkrose Village], and I walked past you [Brian]. You were going one way, and I was going the other, and I went, “Chef! What are you doing here?! I’m here!

You’re here! You’re following me!”

‘It was so wonderful, because I was mentored

by Brian. And then when I was Executive Chef at the Hilton, I was supported by Brian. And then we opened up Urban [Restaurant], and you’d come and eat there and support me and [my husband Spencer]. And then at the Mayfair, you supported me there as well.

Bethany still remembers her humble beginnings though.

‘I still remember you [Brian], walking down the hallway [at Regency Park College]. You always had a lot of energy, and you didn’t sweat the small stuff,’ recalled Bethany as she sat talking with Brian and Carolyn at Parkrose Village, where Brian now lives.

‘Wherever I’ve been, you’ve always supported me.

And now I get to cook nice things for you. So it’s kind of fair, isn’t it? You looked after me; now I look after you!’

Bethany went on to open and run one of Adelaide’s best-loved restaurants, The award-winning Urban Bistro on Fullarton Rd, before creating a new team and culinary experience from scratch at The Mayfair Hotel’s Mayflower Restaurant, on King William Street in the city. But it was Bethany’s most recent move that brought her and Brian together again.

While Bethany now oversees Life Care’s entire culinary team, she spent her first days in the Parkrose Village kitchen. Having connected with Brian, she quickly decided she’d better get his seal of approval.

Bethany joined Life Care as Executive Chef in Residence in January 2021.

‘I made a really beautiful crème caramel and took it around to Brian who polished it off in a flash.

Then I came back afterwards and I said, “What’s my score?” Because, whenever we got judged on our meals at Regency College, we would get a score.

And so when I asked Brian what my score was, there was a pregnant pause, and then he said, “Eight out of ten!” And I said, “You still got it!”’

For the final word, Brian was asked whether Bethany’s presence in the kitchen was having a positive impact on the culinary experience at Parkrose Village. His response? An understated, ‘Oh, yeah,’ quickly followed by Carolyn’s confirmation: ‘I haven’t heard any complaints!’

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Rumpus on the campus Life Care people show us what they get up to every day...

Aldinga Beach Court - helping in a jam - or marmalade?

Aldinga Beach Court - getting your Australia Day on!

Aldinga Beach Court - Celebrating 100 years young

Aldinga Beach Court - Australia Day - Lamington anyone?

Corporate celebrations of Aged Care Employee Day

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Corporate – RUOK?? Day

Corporate – RUOK?? Day

Gaynes Park Manor residents cooking pizza with Ale

Gaynes Park Manor Handy Mates

Gaynes Park Manor - Garden assistance

Gaynes Park Manor - chatting with friendly budgie

Gaynes Park Manor staff assisted by Handy Mates

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Reynella Village – Valentines Day

Reynella Village - Chaplain Lorraine flips up a stack

Reynella Village – pancakes together

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Reynella Village - Easter visitors welcome!

Reynella Village - Aged Care Employee Day

Reynella Village - St.Patricks Day

Reynella Village - Aged Care Employee Day

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Parkrose Village dog, Fraser, giving hound hugs

Parkrose Village – lollipops enjoyed post vaccine

Parkrose Village – Show Day capers

Parkrose Village – “Cheep” bundles of joy

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Glenrose Court – Smoothie days

Glenrose Court – Crafty pleasures

Glenrose Court – Staff join in — RUOK? Day

At Home - Aged Care Employee Day

At Home - Aged Care Employee Day

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Norman House – Culture Day

Independent Living residents enjoy time together in Morphettville

Norman House staff share on Aged Care Employee Day

Life Care Active - keeping active at a distance!

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You can keep up to date each day and across our campuses @lifecaresouthaustralia

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