July 2013 swancare resident newsletter Across My Desk CEO’s Report Well it’s the half way mark of the year and we are now on the downward side of the slope to Christmas, how quickly the year has flown by. June has always been a busy month and this year it certainly lived up to expectations. I would like to devote the major portion of my column this month to the forthcoming financial year, the current budget that we are proposing and the uncertain Aged Care operating climate that our political parties are leading us into.
It’s Budget Time and a Challenging Year Ahead June is that time of the year when we present our forward projections for the ensuing year, and in doing so assess the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead for us. There is no doubt that 2013/14 will be a very challenging year for all who operate in the Aged Care and Retirement Living sectors. The Government is presently in the process of releasing a change to the Aged Care legislation, disguised as reform initiative, but in reality it lacks much of the reform that it has set out to achieve, and actually provides no more than a shifting of the goal posts with some subtle changes to funding, which even at this late stage of the process are clouded in uncertainty and lack clarity. These changes are even more tenuous in their application given the extremely likely outcome that in September the Government of the day will be changing. The message being sprouted from the current opposition is that if they are successfully elected, then they will look to claw back much
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0413 388 650
of the changes and apply a new layer of reform, more closely aligned to the recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s report, Caring for Older Australians which hit the streets in March 2012. Given this uncertainty surrounding the reform and associated funding, it is no wonder that all of us in the industry are taking a slightly conservative approach to next year. In our case, we are using 2013/14 as a year to position ourselves as best we can for the challenging and competitive climate that will inevitably be established. It is very clear, from both sides of the political fence that consumer choice and a market driven environment will emerge as we move forward. This will represent wonderful opportunities for those organisations that are well maintained, present well, have a clear and concise service delivery model and offer good value for money. SwanCare Group certainly falls into this category, and we will be using 2013/14 as a year to ensure that we continue to position ourselves as a leading provider of Care and Accommodation services, whether it be in a residential setting or in an independent living environment. This brings me back to our budget setting for 2013/14. This is the year of ensuring that our infrastructure and support services present as best as they possibly can, so that when people sit down to make a choice about their retirement living options, or their need to seek residential care, that we, SwanCare Group, will be one the organisations at the top of their list for consideration. Some of the key highlights from the budget that will have a direct and positive impact on our key assets and service delivery are:• The commencement of the major repainting program for the Bentley site • The replacement of the wheelchair bus • The upgrading and replacement of the reticulation in the older sections of the Bentley site • Additional resident support service personnel
Bentley Park Social Club Auditorium Concert - 7th July
Admin Movie Matinee Auditorium - 26th July
• An increase in our CACP (Community Care) support hours • Continued upgrades to our one-bedroom accommodation stock in the area to the West of Adie Court • Major changes and redevelopment of our website • Commencement of Stage 5A of the Bentley site • Completion of the Australind Rise Community Centre • Construction of a maintenance and workshop facility at Australind Rise • Upgrading and replacement of ageing IT infrastructure As all of you know, we have spent an enormous amount of energy, time and resources over the last few years in ensuring that SwanCare Group has a sustainable and prosperous future. This hard work has paid off, and it is very comforting and encouraging that we are now in a financial position that enables us to undertake these significant maintenance and capital works. This not only assures, but clearly demonstrates to our residents, both current and future, that we are a significant long term operator in this demanding Aged Care and Retirement Living market, and that we are very well positioned to look after your care and accommodation needs for as you long as you need us to. General snippets and developments …..
Community Garden Takes Shape It is really pleasing to see the Community Garden project taking shape during the month. Situated in McGrath Park on the area of land adjacent to the wishing well is the location of, what may hopefully be, one of many Community Gardens that spring up throughout the Bentley site. Continued Page 3
Inside this issue > Bentley Park News - pg 4 Feature Resident - pg 5 What’s On - pg 6 & 7 Bentley Park Social Club - pg 9 Club News - pg 10-11