Aged care providers, residents and families will join the Aged & Community Care Providers Association to say a giant "thanks for caring" to mark Aged Care Employee Day today, Sunday, August 7.
This will be the fourth time thousands of aged care workers have been celebrated on the special day.
Association interim chief executive Paul Sadler said workers in aged care had gone above and beyond the call of duty in the past year while staff in NSW and Queensland affected by floods continued to face immense challenges in providing protection for older people in their care.
"Aged Care Employee Day has become an important date in our calendar and reminds us of the caring and professional work of our aged care staff who are our care 'superheroes' who make the lives of older Australians better," Mr Sadler said.
"Our staff have faced the most challenging of conditions during this pandemic and were tested to their limits with the COVID-19 Omicron wave over summer.
"Many lived on site to continue providing essential care to their loved older residents while colleagues were struck down with Covid or forced to isolate.
"Be they personal carers, nurses, kitchen and laundry staff, diversion therapy staff, allied health professionals, administrators, gardeners or volunteers, they have all worked above and beyond the call of duty to keep our vulnerable older Australians cared for and safe."
An Australian Aged Care Collaboration cost of living analysis released in March showed the lowest paid of our aged care workers are left with little to spend each week after paying daily living expenses.
"As we approach Aged Care Employee Day, we want to keep in mind the almighty effort put in by aged care workers and encourage the public to take a moment and say thank you for caring," Mr Sadler said.
"We also want to encourage aged care staff to take a moment for themselves to regroup, take a breath and refresh either with family, a favourite past-time or recreation, and recharge. They all deserve our thanks for their professionalism, their warmth and their enthusiasm to help older Australians live comfortably."
IMPORTANT DAY
Today is the day South Australian aged care provider ACH Group will recognise more than 1900 people employed with them.
ACH Group chief executive Frank Weits said Aged Care Employee Day is an important day not only for the sector, but the wider community.
"Almost every Australian will cross paths with aged care services within their lifetime and therefore many will meet, or be cared for by, the passionate people in the sector," he said.
"Aged Care Employee Day celebrates everyone who is involved in supporting older people who receive aged care services and recognises the incredible work they do.
"I thank all the staff at ACH Group for their care, commitment and passion."
ACH Group will celebrate Aged Care Employee Day delivering gifts to each of its employees.
Included in the 1900 staff is Lynn Coleshill who has worked at ACH Group's West Park Residential Care Home in Goolwa - on South Australia's south coast - for more than 34 years, 20 years of which she has been the home's Manager.
Lynn said supporting residents to live well and achieve their goals, receiving positive feedback from their families, and the comradery between staff are key to keeping her inspired and motivated.
One of Lynn's favourite memories is when a resident, who had previously been in the air force, had the chance to go flying again.
Time doesn't stand still in aged care. Working as a team is vital to being able to adapt to the changes and challenges.
- Lynn Coleshill
"Caring for residents requires a holistic approach, it's about providing clinical care but also looking at their individual wellbeing needs and supporting the residents to remain socially, physically, and mentally active. There have been many residents who have blossomed when living at West Park," she said.
West Park employees about 90 staff. Lynn thinks there are a couple of personality traits that are important for those working in aged care.
"I look for people with genuine empathy for older people and who have patience. They need to have good communication and effective listening skills and understand how to prioritise their work."
As can be imagined, over the 34 years that Lynn has worked in aged care the sector has changed immensely.
"Time doesn't stand still in aged care. Working as a team is vital to being able to adapt to the changes and challenges. No doubt, this year has been very challenging with COVID but the residents and staff are so resilient. Staff have great satisfaction knowing they are supporting residents, and they are doing such an amazing job."
Lynn said West Park holds a special place in the local community.
"Residents and staff have been part of the Goolwa Christmas pageant each year. Every Christmas the residents and staff hold a toy drive and donate the toys to disadvantaged children, last year donating the presents to Goolwa Primary School to distribute. There is a dedicated group of local volunteers who give up their time to support residents and staff. West Park is part of Goolwa's community."
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Carinity will celebrate its 1000- plus dedicated staff members who care for Queensland seniors.
It isn't just our nurses and carers who support older people living in Carinity aged care communities or those who receive care at home. A number of Carinity employees with different skills make a difference to seniors - helping them to live with purpose every day.
A former home maker, Janice Kelly is now a Diversional Therapist who arranges activities for residents of the Carinity Brookfield Green aged care community in Brisbane.
"There are many reasons why I wanted to work with older people. I believe we learn so much when working with them. I find it brings a lot of joy not only for them but also for the people that work with them," Janice said.
"Our seniors have wonderful stories to share and are great people to be with. I enjoy listening to their life stories and the wonderful adventures they have had. I enjoy sharing music with them and see the joy it brings."
The on-site chaplain at the Carinity Wishart Gardens seniors' community in Brisbane, Gill Johnson is a trusted companion and confidante for older people and their families during all stages of their aged care journey.
"Going into care is one of the biggest changes we make in life for both the resident and their families. One of the most empowering things for residents is to be listened to," Gill said.
"My role is to be in the moment with each resident - to listen to their life stories; to acknowledge frustrations and fears; share in their joys and help them to find hope."
Residential Manager of Carinity Shalom, Joseph Lionheart, enjoys providing support and guidance to the team of staff at the Rockhampton aged care community, while nurturing a positive working environment.
"I like fixing problems: I will give my all to do what it would take to resolve any issues. A nurse's role is to identify any health issues or concerns a resident or client may have, and try to find a solution," Joseph said.
"I ensure good quality working relationships are built and maintained between external and internal stakeholders - and also with staff and residents and their family and relatives."
As a member of Carinity's ICT Business Systems team, Amie Butler collects, analyses and collates data which is used by aged care and home staff to help deliver better care to seniors.
When the residents are happy is when I'm most satisfied.
- Vanessa Turnbull
"I am not 'on the ground' delivering care to our residents or visiting our home care clients, but I can use my skills to provide information and improve ICT processes to support those delivering our services," Amie said.
"If I can figure out ways to improve a process or provide information that makes our managers' and staff's day a little easier - so they in turn can spend more time on delivering a valuable service that ultimately improves the lives of those in need - then I have reached my goal."
One of the unsung heroes at Carinity Cedarbrook is its head chef, Vanessa Turnbull. After a long career in hospitality, Vanessa decided to use her culinary skills to bring joy to Gold Coast seniors.
"Because of my training and skills, I decided to try aged care as I wanted to feel I was making a difference in peoples' lives. I have a real nurturing nature and food is a great way to express care for others," she said.
"I also like working with families to find the best way to meet the residents' needs. When the residents are happy is when I'm most satisfied."
PASSION AND DEDICATION
Aged only 19, frontline aged care worker Emma Taha is already worthy of appreciation for her extraordinary commitment and wisdom beyond her years supporting the frail people in her care.
The passion and dedication of frontline health and aged care staff like Ms Taha, so important for saving lives during the winter Omicron peak, is the reason HammondCare is celebrating Appreciation Days this week tomorrow through to Sunday.
Ms Taha, even while working in lockdown in full PPE, was always ready to dance with guests in her care and bake them "the best biscuits in the world" during her duties at HammondCare's Lucinda Overnight Respite Cottage at Wahroonga.
Manager Kate Banner said Ms Taha sets a wonderful example for other young people considering a career in aged care: "We need more Emmas in the world!"
HammondCare Chief Executive Mike Baird called on everyone across HammondCare as well as the wider community to take a moment to applaud with enthusiasm at midday tomorrow and share these shows of appreciation on social media with hashtag #Thanksforcaring.
"Let's make a noise for them. It's vital we show our appreciation for the incredible work of our aged care and health frontline," Mr Baird said.
Today, there is a further opportunity with a Midday Minute of Reflection as part of HammondCare's involvement in Aged Care Employee Day, being celebrated across the aged care sector.
Mr Baird said HammondCare and the industry is continuing to advocate for long-awaited improvements in pay and conditions. This includes supporting a work value case, seeking wage increases, now before the Fair Work Commission
"There's never been a more important time than the middle of a challenging winter with increasing COVID spread and workforce pressure to come together and show our appreciation for our frontline aged care and health workers," Mr Baird said.
He said last year some care workers cried tears of joy when experiencing the applause and appreciation of their colleagues and others.
Ms Taha went direct from Turramurra High School to Lucinda Overnight Respite Cottage in 2020 after hearing of the work from others who were working in home care. She is studying nursing at Australian Catholic University while working at the cottage.
Almost all the guests who stay for short periods at the cottage - to give their carers a needed rest -- have a diagnosis of dementia.
"I love the people I care for," Ms Taha said. "No two people are the same and like their personalities their care needs are different."
I love the people I care for.
- Emma Taha
"I have learned lots from the wisdom of these guests and it has widened my perspective of the world."
Ms Banner said Ms Taha takes on any shift, including night shifts, with enthusiasm to learn all she can.
"She is our youngest team member but shows such wisdom and maturity for her age," she said. "Emma dances with our guests, bakes the best biscuits in the world and supports our team without any drama - she is a true gift to her cottage manager, our guests, our team and HammondCare."
In May, Ms Taha was recognised for her work achievements with a HammondCare Mission in Action award along with 90 other staff for their exemplary commitment to their work.
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