News and views from our community

Let’s do some digging into Project GROW

Gardening program Project GROW is in full bloom across Baptcare’s Residential Aged Care communities and community day centre programs. We chatted with the creator of Project GROW, Quality Business Partner Kate Flight, about her vision for the project and how that vision is playing out within our communities. Can you tell us a bit about Project GROW?Project GROW is a 2024 initiative that promotes time outdoors, increased physical activity and being active in the garden.Part of the project has been designed to encourage greater use of our outdoor spaces so even happy hour and some exercise groups can occur outside rather than same room each time indoors.Project GROW encourages our residential aged care and day centre communities to be active in the garden, growing seeds, cuttings or plants to enhance spaces both in and outside while enjoying the many benefits that being in nature provides. It has been wonderful to see how all our different aged care communities have embraced the project, whether by actual physical gardening, enjoying some home-grown crops, decorating some garden spaces or enjoying more activities in our outdoor spaces.I feel that the tagline #growingtogether sums the initiative up nicely as it refers to the growing together as a community, as well as the obvious plant reference. It is so wonderful to see how our residents are enjoying the collaboration between our aged care community sites and getting to know the Baptcare community within their home and outside.Who is involved in Project GROW?All 16 Residential Aged Care (RAC) sites are actively involved in Project GROW and our Retirement Living and Day Centre communities are dusting off their gardening gloves to join in the fun soon too!What are some of the design aims of Project GROW?It has been designed to create further opportunities:for participation and co-designto strengthen partnerships with local communitiesto improve health and wellbeing gained through outdoor activity, social engagement and multi-sensory activitiesto showcase the stories, talent, skills and creativity of our Baptcare communityto connect residents, staff, families and volunteersHow are things going with Project Grow? It’s going so well! There have been so many positive outcomes such as:Opportunities to learn new skillsInstallation and planting of raised garden bedsRe-designing of courtyards to create more inviting spacesResidential Aged Care site connection: The resident committee meets up (currently fortnightly) to share their progress, discuss their plans and highlights. It’s been a great way to share ideas and inspire othersExtra involvement of the Resident committees as they work towards Baptcare’s Biggest Garden Party – a collection of garden parties to be held at each site for 10 days from April 15. The Resident committees have been co-designing their own garden parties and residents at each site have chosen the menu to celebrate the project‘Grass is greener’ competition, with sunflower seeds planted simultaneously. There are now three sites with sunflowers blooming while the other sites wait in anticipation. Our tallest sunflower to date is 151cm (See amazing photos below)Paddock to plate – some residents enjoying corn on the cob fresh from the garden – of course with lashings of butter. A great collaboration with lifestyle and catering teams to plant, grow and eat straight from the garden. Other sites have enjoyed fresh tomatoes or some herb sconesTable decorations – for those less mobile – residents have come together potting succulents and propagating plants for new table arrangementsPropagation station – e.g. Karingal have a table set up with various plants to see which ones work best from cuttings. Includes some garlic cloves that are plantedFor the non -gardeners, painting and decorating has been a big part of Project GROW. Park benches have been redecorated, garden ornaments have been brightened upHans and Shirley from Abbey Gardens RACTreasure hunts – increasing physical activity – finding some (newly painted) hidden treasures in the garden while out on walksFor those less mobile – residents are being supported with 1:1 activity in their room or residents are creating small plants to take to their rooms so they can also be part of project GROWBird baths, bird houses, worm farms have been added to some sitesSharing all our gardening tips to make a sharable resourceSome great watering help from our Coasthaven (above) Wattle Grove residents.How are the staff finding Project GROW?Our Lifestyle Co-ordinators have been amazing with the project and often share lovely feedback such as Kate’s insights below.Kate Jeremiah, Lifestyle Co-ordinator, Heritage ManorProject GROW has been a really great project to work on with our residents. Our residents and staff are able to collaborate informally and for those who aren't very engaged this can really help them feel comfortable without being overwhelmed by noise or crowds.Whether it’s a walk in the garden or sitting making flowers in Art or even driving around in the bus looking at gardens around our area, everyone has really taken to the theme of the project.Our Sunflower Garden is a very hot topic at the moment, generating lots of conversation opportunities. The men at our home are the most interested. The garden bed has become a meeting point for the blokes to stand around and compare tips. I often have three or four of them coming to report to me daily, telling me the plants need a drink or a bit of TLC. We are finally starting to see some flower buds!One particular resident, Anne (see photo) who has spent most of her time here in her room, has started coming out to sit in the garden, water the plants and enjoy the sunshine which has led to her now coming to our Coffee Club to socialise with others. A really great result!Wattle Grove have even set up a display board (below) for everyone to share the Project GROW journey.How does Project GROW link in with our Living Well Together model of care?Project GROW was introduced to support our Living Well Together model of care. Project GROW promotes person-centred care and meaningful engagement. It is not just for the green thumbs but can be inclusive of all our residents. It is great to watch families and staff also sharing cuttings and their tips to create some great gardens and special memories.You can read more about our Living Well Together model of care on our website:https://www.baptcare.org.au/why-baptcare/news/living-well-together-launched-at-strathalan-residential-aged-care-communityThanks Kate. We look forward to seeing the photos of Baptcare’s Biggest Garden Party soon!

• 15 Mar 2024

Personal Alert Victoria | Enhancing safety and independence

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.

• 13 Mar 2024

Gentleman Jim makes a difference by lifting others at Karana

If you look up ‘Gentleman’ in the encyclopaedia, don’t be surprised if it has a photo of Jim Allinson.A much-loved member of Baptcare’s Karana residential aged care community, Jim has a caring word or action for every resident or staff member he encounters.“Treating people well is important,” he says. “We need to look after each other.”Although born in Elsternwick, Jim lived in a string of country towns as a child. His father was posted to different schools as a Maths, Science and Agriculture teacher, but Jim was not so enamoured of the classroom.“I wasn’t a very good student,” he recalls. “All I wanted to do was get to the weekend when I would go out to farms and ‘help’, in inverted commas.”At the age of 15 he left school in Shepparton to assist in running his Uncle Bill’s dairy farm near Cobram. However his father insisted that if he was successful in gaining entry to the agricultural college at Dookie, he must enrol.That is what happened. Jim describes his time at Dookie College as three of the best years of his life. In his final year he was College Captain.He developed an interest in soil and land use which led to employment with the newly-established Soil Conservation Authority. For the next 25 years he travelled all around Victoria, working on erosion, land management and related issues.“At that time there was a high percentage of farmers not treating the soil resource well, but there have been tremendous changes in understandings and actions around ecology and agriculture since then,” he says.Farmers, shire engineers and other land users sought advice on control and prevention of soil erosion and improvement of land productivity. Jim served in senior management positions with the Soil Conservation Authority and the National Parks Service.He also worked overseas on land management improvement with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. During a posting north-east of Cairo, working between Mersah Matruh and the Siwa Oasis, Jim focussed on land management improvement while his wife Mary – a Home Economist – worked with a young female Bedouin Land Management graduate on helping women improve family nutrition and child development within their desert living conditions.On returning to Australia, Jim taught Land Management at Ballarat University College, as well as engaging in further overseas work in the Cook Islands and Zimbabwe.Through it all, Mary McDonald from Shepparton was by his side.They first knew each other through being in the same remedial maths class at Shepparton High School. They had a long and happy marriage and have three children. Jim was Mary’s carer for the last decade of her life.“Of course I wish Mary was still here, but I’m proud to say that if I could choose any three people to be with, it would be my children. I just love them and I love being with them.“We booked Mary into Respite Care at Karana. When we saw how well staff cared for you, we changed to permanent, and I booked in full time too. That was over three years ago, and I am so glad and grateful to be one of the Karana family.”Karana community members love being with Jim, too, because of the way he is always on hand for an encouraging word or to help out.“I call Jim the Cary Grant of the home,” says Bryan Mooney, Baptcare’s Volunteer Program Specialist. “He is a true delight and in truth a bit of a role model for me. I asked his advice on how to be the best husband to my beautiful wife just before I got married.”“I enjoy living here very much,” Jim says. “The Karana staff are just marvellous. You hear stories about places that don’t have good staff, but it’s the reverse here, with their dedication and the high quality of their care. These are such thoughtful, caring people.”Which is of course a perfect description of you too, Jim.

• 08 Mar 2024

Communicating with someone who is hard of hearing – tips for better connection

Communication is central to feeling understood and connected to those around us. But for people experiencing hearing loss, even everyday conversations can feel challenging and lead to feelings of isolation.Simple interactions, such as going out shopping or heading to a café for a catch up, can seem daunting when background noise intrudes on simple conversations, making it difficult to hear what is being said. People experiencing hearing loss can feel awkward about continually asking someone to repeat themselves or fear that they may be misunderstanding the conversation completely. This can cause them to retreat from social outings to avoid feeling uncomfortable.Whether you are interacting with a family member, friend or co-worker, the strategies outlined below can make a difference in fostering better understanding and connection.Please note that these tips are most helpful for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. People experiencing profound hearing loss or those who are Deaf have very different needs – please contact your local Deaf awareness society for more details.Choose the right environment – lighting can make a big differencePeople with hearing loss often rely on visual cues, such as lip reading, facial expressions and gestures to assist with understanding what you are saying. So, it’s best to avoid dimly lit rooms or areas with heavy shadows to make it easy to see everyone’s faces.Another important consideration is to choose a setting without excessive background noise. Crowded restaurants, cafes and venues with loud music will make it hard for the person experiencing hearing loss to focus on the conversation at hand due to sound distortion issues. If you are at home, consider turning off the television or radio to limit background noise.Adjust your speaking style – make sure you face the personBefore starting the conversation, make sure you have the person’s attention – say their name or consider waving towards them to indicate you want to tell them something.Remember to position yourself so that your face is visible to the person with hearing loss. Avoid speaking when your back is turned and remember not to cover your mouth. Some people with hearing loss may hear better in one ear than the other, so adjust your position and speak more towards their preferred ear.Speak clearly and slowly to help with comprehension. If you are in a group, avoid speaking over the top of other people, as it can be hard for someone experiencing hearing difficulties to follow the conversation.Conversation etiquette – remain patient and flexible in your styleAvoid speaking too loudly or shouting at the person – for some people experiencing hearing loss, this can distort the words and lead to even more trouble understanding what is being said.Consider rephrasing your words or even write down important details, for example, appointment times and locations, so that they are not misunderstood.Don’t give up and say things like ‘it’s not important’ and walk away. This can add to feelings of isolation for those experiencing hearing loss.Provide choice – offer to meet someone at their preferred locationIf you want to go out for social reasons, consider asking the person with hearing loss where they would prefer to meet you. This empowers them to suggest a familiar location with low background noise that can help them hear you much better.In summary, if we can all make some gentle adjustments to the way we communicate with someone who is hard of hearing and try to follow these simple tips, we can help create a more inclusive and understanding environment for people with all levels of hearing.

• 01 Mar 2024

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Jamie Waiariki

Jamie ‘Jem’ Waiariki is Team Leader of our Customer Enquiry Centre.She is one of the young leaders making a huge difference at Baptcare, using her energy, charm and expertise to ensure better outcomes for our customers.She is also handy at karaoke and line-dancing, not a big fan of spiders, and brave enough to be our latest Face of Baptcare.Jem, what does a good day at work look like for you?As long as my team and our clients are well and happy, every day is a good day!Where did you work before joining Baptcare?In my most recent roles I worked as a Team Leader as well as a robotics project specialist at EnergyAustralia and Telstra.Robotics? Like R2D2?That role involved user testing and process mapping for robots within the system – robots being programs essentially that did a lot of automated work. Sadly it’s just a fancy name for data analytics and project work.Which of Baptcare’s WECARE values (Wellbeing, Ethics, Co-creating, Accountability, Respect, Effectiveness) resonate most with you?Wellbeing and co-creating. Wellbeing, because mental health is wealth! It impacts engagement, productivity and how much we are able to care for others, which ultimately flows down to our clients. And Co-creating really is teamwork: the act of sharing challenges, letting people be heard, and achieving great outcomes together.You are one of the young leaders making a difference at Baptcare. What does leadership mean to you?Leadership is so multifaceted! Different situations require different approaches, but I find I see the best results from my current team by fostering a collaborative, open and respectful environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. I think also having your team’s back and treating them as people rather than numbers is important in any organisation.What did you want to be when you grew up?A lawyer – before I realised I don't like confrontation and sometimes am not the most articulate person.Can you tell us something surprising about yourself?I was a star line dancer as a child. We mostly performed for aged care homes, so you could say I've been in the industry for a while.What is your go-to karaoke song?Right Next Door - Robert Cray.Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life?Stay humble, stay grateful.We are grateful you are here, but what do you miss about New Zealand where you grew up?I miss being able to fall asleep in the grass or walk barefoot through a forest without being eaten! I definitely miss the lack of spiders.How would your friends describe you?I’m probably the entertainer of the group who can always be relied on for good vibes and a funny, crazy story.Lastly, what would a perfect weekend look like for you?A day trip with friends for a hike, preferably somewhere with a waterfall, then dinner and cocktails somewhere in the city, ideally with a rooftop. I highly recommend Beverly if rooftop dinner and cocktails are your vibe!

• 29 Feb 2024

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Craig Smith

How long have you been working at Baptcare? What is your current role and what does it involve day to day?I started with Baptcare in July 2021. I recently added the Workforce (Talent Acquisition & Employees Services) functions to my previous portfolios of Remuneration/Compensation and People Systems.My role involves fixing problems and improving processes to help keep people working and making their working lives easier.What do you like about working with Baptcare and in your current working space?I admire anyone who works as a carer and I get a lot of satisfaction from supporting the people who perform that important role.What surprises you about your job?People never fail to surprise me, but it doesn’t matter how unique an organisation thinks it is, it is surprising just how often the underlying issues are often the same.Did you always want to work within this space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career?I’ve always worked in the “people” space in some capacity. I started out as a payroll officer and worked my way up to my current role.What did you want to be when you grew up?I’ll let you know when I figure that out.We heard that you won Volunteer of the Year Award for your contributions to community radio station 88.6 Plenty Valley FM. Firstly, congrats and secondly – can you tell us a bit about your volunteering and what drew you to get involved with PVFM?I have always enjoyed music and I thought it might be fun to have my own radio show*. There are a couple of community stations in my area but PVFM offers a formal training course.PVFM supports the local community by promoting services and events offered by community organisations, and the station is also a designated emergency broadcaster delivering key safety messages to the community. Volunteering involves representing PVFM at community events including broadcasting from the mobile studio and the occasional working bee around the studio building. PVFM as an organisation is a great community of like-minded people to be involved with.*Ed note: Each week, Craig presents Deep Cuts a motley collection of memories and musical oddities featuring lesser-known music by artists you know – and some you don’t. Live to air on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM: Wednesday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. More information at the end of this profile.What was the last good book you’ve read or movie/tv series you’ve watched?Currently reading Picts: Scourge of Rome, Rulers of the North by Gordon Noble & Nicholas Evans (non-fiction).Recently enjoyed Everyone Else Burns, a coming-of-age sitcom about a Manchester family who are part of a puritanical Christian sect.Please complete this question: My favourite weekend would include…Four days.What are two things on your bucket list?Visiting the burial sites of ancestors in the UK.Visiting standing stone sites across Scotland, especially in the Orkneys.If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why?Geneticist Professor Turi King who worked on the DNA sequencing of the remains of Richard III and consults on the BBC series DNA Family Secrets.Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?I am a published illustrator (No, I’m not the children’s book guy).I occasionally give presentations at public libraries about using DNA for family history research. This is particularly surprising as I do not generally enjoy public speaking.You mentioned that you don’t like public speaking and yet you’re a radio presenter? What is it about radio presenting that you like (and is perhaps less scary than public speaking?).Speaking on the radio is much less daunting than speaking in public because your audience aren’t in the room looking at you.Tell us more about your illustration side gig. Do you have a favourite illustrator?The illustrations aren’t that exciting – they were for my wife’s academic papers (she’s an archaeologist), but those papers were published so I am taking that.My favourite illustrators include Jean Giraud (aka Moebius) who did the production design for The Fifth Element, William Stout whose art appeared on the cover of many bootleg albums in the 1970s and Kerry Callen, a current artist who creates hilarious parodies of classic superhero comics.Wow – your wife is an archaeologist! That’s pretty interesting.Yes, I sometimes put that as an answer to the “tell us something interesting about yourself” question – “my wife is an archaeologist.”From some of your responses above you’ve clearly got a love of history in common. Assuming history wasn’t part of your meeting story?When we met, my wife was a reference librarian although she did have a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology. She now has her PhD and is the leading expert on the site she did her thesis on.Forgive me but there’s a line here that just has to be shared… “Craig and his archaeologist wife, bonded over their love of ancient ruins and genealogy…and the rest, as they say, is history…”That works.If you’d like to hear Craig’s radio show, Deep Cuts, here’s how!Live to air on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM: Wednesday from 6:00pm to 8:00pmStreaming live: https://www.pvfm.org.auRepeat broadcast: Sunday from 2:00pm to 4:00pmListen any time: https://omny.fm/shows/deep-cuts/playlists/on-demand

• 27 Feb 2024

Caring for older people in hot weather

As the mercury rises and summer heat waves become more frequent, it’s crucial to pay special attention the well-being of our older population. Frail elderly people are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures and proper care can make a significant difference in their health and safety.Read on for some tips on how to keep cool in hot weather.Stay hydratedOne of the most critical aspects of caring for older people during hot weather is ensuring proper hydration. Dehydration can lead to serious health complications, so encourage seniors to drink plenty of water. Remind them to keep sipping water throughout the day, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages which can worsen dehydration. Consider offering water-based fruits as snacks, for example, watermelon, cucumber and strawberries.Stay coolMaintain a cool living environment. Consider air conditioning (and make sure the unit is functioning correctly). Fans can also help circulate air and provide relief.Use a cool, wet cloth to wipe arms and necks. Soaking feet in a bowl of cool water can also help regulate body temperature. Consider a trip to an air-conditioned venue, such as shopping centres, libraries and movie theatres, or contact your local council for information about Seniors Centres in your area.Dress appropriatelyChoose lightweight, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics. Light colours help reflect sunlight and keep the body cooler. Encourage seniors to wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses when outdoors.Regular check-insOlder people living alone are at higher risk, especially if they lack frequent contact with others. Regular check-ins by family, friends or care givers are essential. Ensure they have access to a phone or emergency alert system.Recognise signs of heat-related illnessThe signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke include:Excessive sweatingWeakness and fatigueDizzinessConfusionNauseaCall triple zero (if living in Australia) in case of a medical emergency requiring ambulance support.For non-life-threatening situations, Victorian residents can contact Nurse-On-Call for free professional health advice over the phone. Call 1300 60 60 24 to speak with a registered nurse about health-related questions and concerns. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Limit outdoor activities during peak heatEncourage seniors to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day (usually between 10am and 4pm). If they do need to go outside, encourage them to seek shade and take regular breaks from physical activity.Protect with sunscreenSunscreen isn’t just for days at the beach. Older adults should apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 before going outside. Sunburn can exacerbate heat-related stress.Medication awarenessCertain medications can affect how the body responds to heat. Some diuretics, sedatives, tranquilisers and heart and high blood pressure medicines can make it hard for the body to cool itself on hot days. People on these medications may require more frequent check-ins to ensure they are staying cool in the heat.Remind seniors to take their medication as prescribed and store them appropriately, away from the heat to avoid degradation.Remember, extreme heat can lead to hospitalisation and even death for older individuals. By following these guidelines, we can help keep our seniors safe and comfortable during hot weather.

• 20 Feb 2024

Geraldine Lannon, Baptcare's CEO, elected Deputy Chairperson of ACCPA

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our Chief Executive Officer, Geraldine Lannon, as the Deputy Chairperson of the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA).ACCPA sent out the following announcement to its members informing them of Geraldine’s appointment:Election of ACCPA Deputy Chairperson: Geraldine LannonWe are delighted to announce the appointment of Geraldine Lannon as the Deputy Chairperson of ACCPA, as elected by directors at the ACCPA Board meeting on 13 February 2024. Geraldine is the Chief Executive Officer of ACCPA member, Baptcare.Geraldine brings to the role strong industry knowledge, with extensive strategic leadership experience in aged care, public health and community services, along with very strong board governance experience and qualifications.In her time on ACCPA’s Board, Geraldine has demonstrated a strong commitment to the work of ACCPA in supporting its members and the age care industry.Geraldine’s appointment as Deputy Chairperson follows the departure of Cherylee Treloar from the Board at ACCPA’s Annual General Meeting in November 2023.As part of her new role, Geraldine will chair the sub-committee tasked with the recruitment of a new independent chairperson for ACCPA, who will take up their role when our inaugural chairperson, Dr Graeme Blackman AO, completes his term in November. This process will begin in the next few months and we will provide further updates as it progresses.

• 16 Feb 2024

• Residential Aged Care

Life is about making connections says Karana’s Jean Giese

Ask 96-year-old Jean Giese what matters in life, and she answers without hesitation. A fairly recent resident of Baptcare’s Karana residential aged care community, Jean has discovered that several staff members grew up in Nepal, so she talks with them about what she saw and learned while trekking in that country.

• 13 Feb 2024