News and views from our community

Faces of Baptcare | Meet Durham Smith

Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) offers eligible Victorians a free personal monitoring and emergency response service. This important service is funded by the Victorian Government and helps people continue to live independently at home, safe in the knowledge that help is only a button press away.If you or someone you know is frail, elderly and isolated or who is living with a disability, you may like to consider applying for the PAV program.What does the PAV service involve?The PAV service responds to calls for assistance 24 hours per day.Clients wear a pendant around their neck or wrist which is designed with a button that, when pressed, dials the PAV hotline connecting the caller with trained staff ready to provide assistance. For example, if you fall or suddenly feel unwell, you can press the button and be connected with someone who can speak with you through the pendant.PAV hotline staff will talk with you to determine whether a call should be placed with emergency services, one of your nominated contacts (usually family members, friends or neighbours) or whether you simply require some reassurance about your situation (in the event of a non-urgent issue).How does my pendant connect me to the PAV hotline?A receiver unit sits next to your telephone and is plugged into your telephone line. When it receives an alert from your pendant (after you have pressed the button), the receiver unit automatically dials the PAV hotline.Who is eligible for the PAV service?Eligibility is determined via an assessment conducted in your own home.There are two sets of eligibility criteria to meet – Part A and Part B:Part A:You must meet all three conditions set out below –Daily monitoring – you consent to daily monitoring.Wearable pendant - you are capable of using and willing to wear the PAV pendant at all times.Living situation – you live alone OR are alone for most of the day or evening OR live with a person who would be unable to get to the phone in an emergency (or is unable to use the phone).Part B:You must meet two of these criteria –You have had at least one fall that needed medical attention in the previous six months or be at risk of falls.You suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that puts you at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on your health or wellbeing.You are taking six or more different medications on a permanent basis that are prescribed by your doctor / medical specialist.Who conducts my eligibility assessment for PAV?Eligibility assessments for the PAV service are usually conducted by your local council, community health service, aged care assessment service, district nursing service and some publicly funded community rehabilitation services.You can either contact your local service provider directly (for example, by enquiring with your local council’s aged care program) or be referred to an assessment service by your doctor or local community health service.It’s worth noting that there may be a waiting period involved until a PAV unit becomes available for installation at your home.For more detailed information on the PAV program, please refer to the PAV program and service guidelines provided by the Victorian Department of Health.

• 27 Jul 2024

• Home Care

Enjoying the comforts of home: Lynette and George

Lynette is 75 and her husband, George, is 70. With a little help from home care, they're able to live healthily and happily together at home.

• 21 Jun 2024

• Family and support

Keeping your loved one safe | When should an older person stop driving?

While there’s no fixed age when everyone should stop driving in Australia, it’s true that as we grow older, our abilities can change, including our ability to drive safely.

• 14 Jun 2024

• Family and support

Baby G’s story by Karishma Bakshi

Meet Baby G, a brave little one who recently joined our Foster Care program. Born with a low birth weight, Baby G faced unique challenges from the very start.

• 12 Jun 2024

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Alicia Johnston

Tell us a bit about your role and what you do day to day at BaptcareI’m a Practice and Development Consultant (PDC) in the Tasmanian Family Services team.My role is a part of the senior leadership team made up of 11 standard members and sometimes senior practitioners will come along too. The PDC role looks to embed best practice around trauma-informed support for children, young people and families through continuous improvement and education, practice reflection and complex case consultation.I like that I get to work in a real team. It’s a great collective of people who work together to see what they need to do as a leadership team to support each other and the staff.There’s lots of value in the group in terms of different experiences as the members come from different areas and even different states, so there’s a real breadth of experience.The team vibe is really strong.In terms of a standard day, I probably spend about 30% of my day in meetings, a percentage in learning and development working on current best practices and/or developing workshops on such topics as care planning, and spending time reviewing files to support staff with complex families through practice reflection.What was your career background?My background is psychology, but I sort of fell into child safety/human services after moving to Broome, Western Australia where I was working in hospitality, and finishing my degree.I worked in child safety and family violence in Broome, where I lived for eight years. But I was born in Tasmania and moved back to Tasmania (where I worked in child safety) to be closer to family when my daughter was two years old.I worked in the Baptcare office as a community-based team leader for five years before moving to a job in clinical practice as a Practice Manager at Child Safety Service Tas Govt. I also worked as a Practice Manager at the youth detention centre.What do you like about your job?I like being able to look at the situation for families in a different light and to consider things with a trauma informed lens.What do you like about Baptcare?I like the feel at Baptcare.Part of my role is supporting practitioners and this can be creative. I get to work with some knowledgeable practitioners who are genuinely dedicated to the families they work with and I find this inspiring.It’s a give and take space that is welcoming and familial.I also really like the smaller office space because it’s neighbourly and you can get to know most people.Baptcare has a culture of maintaining their values and working towards them.It’s an honest place and it’s a safe place to learn and fail where people are willing to take a considered risk which often comes up with a positive outcome. I appreciate this ‘it’s safe to fail’ environment.Your work must get intense at times. How do you decompress?I think I have a natural resilience because I had a supportive upbringing where I could develop this strength without even realising it. When I started in the area, I had great mentors to explain why we do what we do. This helped me being able to come up with my own strategies that work for me. If I get really stressed, I play a Pixar movie in my head and that helps to stop me looping and gets me to sleep!Any other tips for dealing with the intensities of work in the caring space?I think it’s important to accept that things can affect you more than you thought and honouring that.It also helps to have trusted people around you.If I have a bad day, I’ll just give my hubby a hug and he knows it has been a tough day.It’s important to recognise that what we do is tough and that it’s ok not to be ok.Self-care is so important because if you’re not ok you can’t help others to be ok.What did you want to be when you were a child?I wanted to be a doctor but I’m not sure exactly why. Perhaps because I liked helping people and I saw doctors as helping people. I was pretty serious about this dream at one stage. I even sat my Medical School Admissions Test (MSAT).Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?I went tandem bungee jumping with my husband at Kuta beach in Bail in Kuta. It was so exciting!Party trick – I can do the splits because my daughter is a dancer and was having trouble doing splits, so we had a bet. Whoever did them first would get either coffee and a massage for me, or my daughter would get $20 into her bank account – I won!Ed – an added fun fact about Alicia is that she plays football. Apart from a recent injury, Alicia is a huge fan of her new sport.Tell us about your football ‘career’I play football for St Patrick's Old Collegians in the NTFAW (Northern Tasmanian Football Association Women) Division 1. It is the first year I have played, and the first year St Pats has had a women's team in the competition.I just decided I wanted to give it a try and had a friend playing who encouraged me to come along. I absolutely love it, learning to play, the positive team and club culture, and socialising with new people. The collar bone isn't ideal, but it means I can focus on coaching my netball team (instead of being a coach/player) and I look forward to getting back to training and rebuilding my strength.Ideal weekendI’d spend time with family. I really like the warmth and water/beaches, so I’d go somewhere tropical where I could have the kids entertained for a bit.I love the East coast – Binalong Bay/Scamander, gorgeous seafood.What’s your life motto? I do believe in the idea of karma – if you do good things they’ll come back to you. I really believe that it’s important to do the right thing and the kind thing because you never know what’s going on in someone’s world and how your actions can impact them that day.You can learn more about Baptcare’s work in Tasmania’s Family Services space on our website.

• 24 May 2024

• Faces of Baptcare

In honour of this week’s International Day of Families, meet Kelsey from our Tasmanian Family Services Team

Let’s start with some facts! How long have you worked at Baptcare, what is your current role and what does it involve day to day?I’ve worked at Baptcare for three and a half years. I’ve got two titles: I’m a Family Services Practitioner in the Integrated Family Support team and I’m also the Project officer of Mothers in Mind and Caring Dads groups.What’s involved in these groups?Mothers in Mind is a therapeutic playgroup. Caring Dads is a group working alongside Dads who have used abuse and violence in their parenting environments.Both groups are specific to Tasmania. What’s special about these groups? Starting with the Mothers in Mind group – the best thing we see is that it fosters a connection between mothers and their children who often join the group from a background of trauma. For example, they may have experienced (or are experiencing) mental health issues and/or family violence. It is so wonderful to see the mothers and their children actually feeling safe enough to play by the end of a session with us. It’s a safe space where we do work in small groups so as not to intimidate our participants. We start by modelling positive parenting behaviour and quickly see them mirroring our lead.Part of my role is as a Family Services Practitioner, where I am currently supporting seven families. I visit the families once a week in their homes to build parenting capacity and/or perhaps assist in reengaging the parents and children with school. I work with the families once a week over a 12-month period.We provide mentoring and advocacy work, while also assisting them to identify their family goals and how we can best achieve them.Caring Dads is a17-week group program in which participants can either be referred to us by an external agency like Child Safety or a legal service, internally if they are accessing the Integrated Family Support Service, or they can independently seek out our group. Baptcare deliver content that teaches the Dads how to interrupt their normal thought patterns and implement different ones, and parenting strategies that will support them to experience more positive outcomes and better connection with their children.One of the most positive parts of Caring Dads is witnessing our Dads having realisations that they weren’t making great decisions in their past parenting and within their relationships, and that they can change their behaviour and make decisions that are different and positive, which can increase family safety.What drew you to working in this Family Services space? I did a Social Work degree at the University of Tasmania and during my fourth year, I did a 14-week online placement (during COVID) with the Intensive Family Support Service (IFSS) Team at Baptcare and then was subsequently offered a job with them a few months after graduation.I always wanted to work with people and young people and now I can work with parents and kids at the same time which is ideal! There’s such an important connection with these two groups of people too, as many issues with children start from parenting issues. Therefore, if we can support parents with skills early, hopefully we can break the negative cycles we see.And why Baptcare? What keeps you working at Baptcare? After spending 14 weeks doing my university placement with Baptcare, I knew it was the right place for me.Baptcare has a great culture. It’s really welcoming and an environment where it’s easy to have a joke and a laugh but can still be serious and supportive when needed. Everyone really wants each other to do well and that’s a great culture to be a part of. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to work within the caring space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? From the age of 14 I knew that I wanted to be a social worker and that I wanted to help people.I was very lucky growing up with supportive parents and a good school but I knew there were many people around me who didn’t get those opportunities. I guess my home life was based in caring. My Mum has been working as a nurse for over 35 years and my Dad has a teaching background.I started volunteering at Edmund Rice camps* during school holidays. These camps ran programs for kids who may not have the opportunity to have those experiences.(*Ed. Edmund Rice’s mission is: We create a world where children and families who have experienced trauma and adversity can thrive and belong.)I volunteered at about 30 programs over five years. Now I get to send children who I’m currently working alongside to be participants in their camps and to have those positive experiences too which is very cool.Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself? One - I know lots of random pieces of information that are completely useless. For example, kangaroos can’t move backwards.Two – From the ages of eight to eighteen, I grew up on an alpaca farm in Relbia where we had 60 alpacas. I was a Champion Junior Alpaca Handler in local competitions, including at the Wynyard Agricultural Show, the Royal Launceston Show and the Burnie Show. Describe your ideal weekendTime spent in the garden in the sun.Going to the beach.Watching the footy (my partner plays state league footy so footy consumes a lot of our life!). How would your friends describe you? That I’m not very good at saying no and will offer to help out even if I haven’t got the time!If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why? My Grandma who has passed away. She was a small (4 ft 11) but stoic woman and she’s where I get my random love of trivia!She was a big reader and very smart. My Grandma and Grandad actually ran trivia nights for North East community events in Tassie. Can you share a particularly special work day/customer interaction you’ve had recently?We recently completed a Mothers in Mind group in term 1 of this year, and all of the mums in attendance were really attentive to their children, the group content and to each other. It was evident that they really wanted to be there. As facilitators, we held the space for them but they really made it their own, sharing reflections and advice with each other. Many of them even made plans to continue their friendships at the conclusion of the program. It was a beautiful group.You can read more about services for families and youth in Tasmania on our website.https://www.baptcare.org.au/services/family-youth-and-foster-care/tasmanian-servicesYou can read more about our Caring Dads program on our website.https://www.baptcare.org.au/why-baptcare/news/baptcare-introduces-caring-dads-program-this-october

• 16 May 2024

Choosing the right aged care mobility device for you

As we age, maintaining mobility becomes crucial for preserving independence and overall well-being. Whether you are in your senior years or assisting an elderly loved one, selecting the right mobility device is essential. Here’s a brief overview of some popular options along with some tips for choosing the perfect fit.Walking sticks (canes)Walking sticks or canes, are simple aids to provide stability and support while walking. They are ideal for mild balance issues or occasional support.Features to consider include:Handle type – there are a variety of handles on offer in the marketplace, including crook, swan neck and derby (see illustration below).Make sure to choose the handle that best suits you and your mobility needs. Crook handle walking sticks are easy to carry, like an umbrella, whereas swan neck options provide a stronger grip and keeps your weight centred. Derby handles may be better if you are looking for a bit of added support, for example, if you easily become unbalanced while walking.Material – aluminium canes are light weight and are often height adjustable and foldable. Wooden walking sticks have a more traditional style and feel and may appeal to those who appreciate a more heritage look.Base – a quad base (as displayed on the swan neck walking stick in the illustration above) provides more stability and security for those who suffer with balance issues. They offer four rubber ends to stabilise the walking stick but may not suit those who regularly climb stairs (as the wide base may not fit onto steps).Walkers (walking frames)Walkers provide more stability than canes as they have a larger frame to stabilise movement. If you have moderate mobility challenges and/or are recovering from an injury, a walker may be a better choice for you. Many also come with a built-in seat, allowing seniors to take a moment to rest when needed.Features to consider include:Base configuration – choose between standard (four rubber tipped legs), two wheel or four-wheel walkers. A standard walker provides the most stability, but the user must lift the walker to move it, so some arm strength is required. A two wheel base may be appropriate if you have trouble lifting a standard walker. A four-wheel walker may be more appropriate for those wanting a continuous gait, as there is no need to lift the frame. They have hand brakes fitted to the frame, which helps control speed, so some dexterity is required to use them. Four-wheel walkers may be better for those who only need to lightly balance themselves during walkingFoldability – check ease of folding the walker down and back up again for easy storage and transport.Weight capacity – ensure the walker can support the user’s weight.Mobility scootersElectric mobility scooters offer convenience and independence and are perfect for seniors wanting to travel longer distances, particularly outdoors.Features to consider include:Safe operation – operating a mobility scooter requires the user to be confident in their ability to safely control the vehicle. This requires a degree of concentration, adequate vision, balance (particularly on sloped surfaces), good hearing to be aware of your surroundings and the ability to get on and off the scooter without too much exertion.Operating range – the operating range of mobility scooters can vary. Some small scooters can travel up to 20km depending on the model and may be better suited to those who only want to travel short distances, for example, around the local shopping centre. At the opposite end of the scale, heavy duty scooters may operate at distances up to 50km, depending on the model, and may be better suited to rougher terrain. It’s important to think carefully about how you intend to use the mobility scooter and across which surfaces before deciding on a model.Comfort – check the seat comfort and leg room. Think about your own physical attributes – people who are taller or have a larger frame may require something a bit larger to accommodate their needs.If you are living in Victoria, you may like to consult VicRoads Guide to Choosing and Using Mobility Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs for more information.Remember to consult with a healthcare professional or occupational therapist to make an informed decision about the right mobility device for you. The right mobility device depends on your own individual needs, lifestyle and preferences. By taking the time to consult with professionals who have your interests at heart, you can look forward to enhanced mobility and a higher quality of life.

• 08 May 2024

Food tips for people with dentures

If you have dentures, you may feel apprehensive about eating some of your favourite foods, especially if they are chewy or require you to bite into them.Here’s some tips to help you make the transition to eating with dentures easier. From some ideas for softer options to how to manage a gradual re-introduction to solid foods – we’ve got you covered.Ease into solid foodsTake some time to get used to your new dentures and avoid rushing back into eating solid food straightaway. Start with softer food options and build your confidence before trying your favourite solid foods.Eat healthy, soft foodsWhile it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the list of foods you can’t eat when wearing dentures, it’s important to remember there are a lot of healthy and soft options you can still enjoy. For example:Soft, ripe fruit (bananas, mangoes, oranges, etc.)Steamed, boiled or roasted vegetables (broccoli, carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes, etc.)Slow cooked or mince meats (ground beef, chicken, turkey, etc.)Smooth spreads and dips (hummus, cream cheese, guacamole, etc.)Other soft foods you might like to eat include scrambled eggs, soups, broths and smoothies.Exercise caution with hot foods and drinksKeep in mind that hot foods and drinks can burn your mouth more easily when you have dentures because dentures can hinder your ability to gauge temperature effectively. Try to test the food or drink against your lips first, before you take a bite or sip.Cut up your food and take small bitesTo avoid putting excessive pressure on your dentures, cut up your food into smaller pieces. Taking small bites also helps distribute the force evenly and prevents discomfort. Chew slowly and deliberately across both sides of your mouth.Some things to avoid …Sticky hard foods like toffees, caramels, marshmallows, peanut butter and raisins can adhere to your dentures and dislodge them. Be careful with nuts and ice cubes which can put stress on your dentures and potentially cause damage to them.Some last quick tipsAvoid using your front teeth to bite into food. Instead, focus on cutting up food into smaller pieces which you can put directly into your mouth, using your back teeth to chew.Remember, proper care and maintenance of your dentures is essential to their longevity. Regularly clean them, remove them at night and visit your dental professional for adjustments and further advice as needed.

• 30 Apr 2024

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Erin Macdonald

Meet Erin Macdonald, one of our talented Baptcare Allied Health team members. Erin works as a Diversional Therapist, supporting our Home Care clients’ wellbeing through tailored leisure and recreation-based interventions. She’s also part of an award-winning team, recently recognised by Baptcare for their exceptional performance on the front lines of care.Read on to discover more about Erin’s work in Diversional Therapy, her views on what helps create a high performing team and of course, why she loves working at Baptcare.When did you start working at Baptcare?I started working at Baptcare in December of 2022, about a month after I arrived in Australia from Canada.What does a Diversional Therapist do?As a Diversional Therapist, I work to keep people engaged and busy in their day to day lives. I focus on social, cognitive, physical, spiritual domains and help people engage and stay connected with areas of current or previous interest. I focus on helping people reconnect with previous hobbies or assist them with starting new hobbies that would offer various benefits to them. A collective goal as a Diversional Therapist is to increase and maintain clients’ quality of life. How did you train to be a Diversional Therapist?For me the process was probably slightly different than somebody who trained in Australia. In Canada, my speciality is titled ‘Recreation Therapist’. I went to college for two years, and obtained a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation, and then went on to University where I obtained an Undergraduate degree in Recreation and Leisure studies with a major in Therapeutic Recreation. What kind of personal qualities are needed to do this job well?Empathy and kindness play a huge part in this job. To be able to help people improve their quality of life, it is super helpful to be able to understand how they feel and to be able to put yourself in their shoes. Additionally, being friendly and outgoing really allows you to connect with individual clients and encourages them to feel comfortable around you. What is a typical day at work like for you (if there is such a thing as a ‘typical day’)?Most days are similar, but also very different. I work in Home Care so I typically see clients daily whether it is for an initial assessment, or a follow up home visit to continue implementing the recommendations and action plan that is curated during the initial assessment. I also have a high volume of behind the scenes work that includes researching supplies for specific clients or connecting with community centres on clients’ behalf. You are part of a team who recently won a Baptcare We Care Values and Safety Star Award for Co-Creation – congratulations! Tell us, reflecting on the team you are in – what are the key qualities that drive excellence there?Having the motivation to meet and exceed the needs of clients, and being able to work together effectively as an inter-disciplinary team that has the same goal for our clients’ needs, are both important qualities to have a positive client outcome. Everyone works together in so many ways - whether it is suggesting referrals for different team members or communicating about clients that we see. Have you always worked in the aged care industry?Yes, I have mainly always worked in aged care, Most of my experience has been in Dementia Specific Aged Care facilities but I have also worked in outpatient mental health and day programs for adults with various disabilities. I have always enjoyed working in the aged care industry. Why do you like working at Baptcare?Baptcare has such a supportive team environment, which is an environment I find easiest to thrive in. Everybody is very supportive of one another. I also really enjoy the flexibility, and work life balance the company promotes. What do you enjoy doing in your time away for the office? Any hobbies or other interests you’d like to share?I spend most of my free time outdoors, I love hiking, camping, beach days - anything that gets me outside. I have also recently become interested in photography and started pursuing that hobby which I have really enjoyed.In the winter I snowboard frequently which is the hobby I am most passionate about - I am a winter lover for that reason. What is your motto in life?I live by the belief of trusting in timing and that life is shorter than you think - live it to the best of your desires. If you could sit down and have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be and why?If I had the option, I would love to have dinner with my grandmother - she passed away when I was a toddler and I would love to be able to have a dinner and conversation with her. The stories I have heard have led me to believe she was an incredible woman - and I would love to hear those stories firsthand.Please complete this sentence …” My perfect weekend would include ….”A perfect weekend for me would include going on a day road trip out of the city (I love exploring new areas) going to a local market, finding a nice hike and spending time laughing with friends. Thank you, Erin, for your outstanding contributions to our clients’ care. We deeply appreciate everything you and your fellow team members do to enrich our community.If you are interested in working at Baptcare and joining a great community of supportive colleagues dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our clients, click here to learn more about our career options.

• 23 Apr 2024