News and views from our community

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

• Faces of Baptcare

Karana’s singing Personal Care Worker is Wan of a kind

Wanderful.Wan in a million.Baptcare’s Karana residential aged care community Wan the lottery when they secured him as an employee.Wan (pronounced like ‘one’) Tanamas is famous at Karana for singing to residents as he undertakes his Personal Care tasks.“I love to sing, and a lot of the residents like being sung to,” Wan said.“I like doing karaoke and even have a karaoke machine at home. I sing a lot of the classics like Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, and it makes people happy.”Wan started life in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he studied law and started a wholesale pharmaceutical company. In 2000 he moved with his children to Australia.“I have two daughters and two grand-daughters. No boys, so I tell them I’m the King in my family!”Singing and caring are inextricably linked in his personal and professional life. Away from Karana, Wan sings in the choir at St Francis’s in the city, where he also volunteers to serve food to people in need.“I like to help people. The residents at Karana are really good. They seem to love me – I must be a sweet talker! But seriously, I know everyone at Karana, every staff member and every resident, and I try to show care for everyone.“I love my job because, if I’m still able, I want to be helping others.”Jared McLeod, Spiritual Care Coordinator at Karana, has seen the difference Wan makes in people’s lives. “Wan is incredibly attentive to residents’ needs,” Jared said.“He is so insightful about how people are going, monitors them closely every day, and sometimes lets me know if he feels people have spiritual care needs we can help with.“He is a super caring man. Just one of the best.”

• 13 Feb 2024

• Residential Aged Care

Don McLennan stays healthy in mind, body and spirit at Amberlea

Acknowledging that ageing lifestyles are diverse and that agency and individualised experiences are important is the philosophy that underpins Baptcare’s Living Well Together model of care. It is also exemplified in Don McLennan’s individual and meaningful lifestyle at Amberlea.

• 01 Feb 2024

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Colleen and Nigel

Meet Colleen and Nigel Linnell, partners in life - and in the workplace - at our Hedley Sutton residential aged care community. Colleen works part-time in reception and Nigel is a volunteer. They are both dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of our residents, families and staff.Read on to learn more about how Colleen and Nigel came to work and volunteer at Baptcare, and why they love being a part of our Hedley Sutton community.Meet ColleenHow long have you been working at Baptcare? Have you always worked in frontline customer service and administration?I’ve worked at Baptcare for 14 years. I’ve always worked on the front desk in a customer service role.Tell us about a typical day at work – if there is one?Every day is different – I could be dealing with admissions, discharges, meet and greeting, invoices and ordering. It can be very busy – sometimes even a bit frantic! But there’s a rhythm you get used to – it keeps me on my toes.The type of demand we’re seeing for aged care services has changed over time. People are coming into aged care with more complex needs now – perhaps they’ve stayed at home for longer and are only entering care when they can no longer reasonably be looked after at home.We offer respite care at Hedley Sutton now, which was something we didn’t offer when I first started working here. I’m very lucky to be job sharing with Vanessa Hall. I work two days a week and Vanessa works three days. The flexibility is good and works well for us both. We each provide the other with a detailed handover with comprehensive notes at the end of our shifts to make sure that the Hedley front desk operates efficiently.Growing up, what job did you want to do?I’ve been sewing since the age of five – my mother was a dressmaker. I always wanted to do fashion design but in Hobart, where I lived at the time, there weren’t the opportunities to study fashion back then, so I studied shorthand and typing instead and moved into reception/secretarial work. To this day I still take the Minutes of the staff meetings using Pitmans Shorthand.I still sew at home and modify clothes that I buy off the rack. I’m always busy with my sewing machine and have the same Bernina machine that I bought a year after we married!What are some of the most important qualities for someone working as a receptionist in an aged care community?You really need to enjoy the job and be comfortable with the pace – it can get extremely busy at times. Vanessa and I have each other’s backs when the pressure is on. You’ve got to appreciate that the front reception desk works for the nursing staff, Office Manager and residents.Why do you love working at Baptcare?I felt instantly comfortable when I started working here 14 years ago. I love the people and the job – it just feels like family here. The three Directors of Nursing I’ve worked with over my time here at Hedley have been lovely to work for and I get along really well with our Office Manager too. They’ve all been wonderful, confident and competent people to work with.Meet NigelWhat inspired you to become a volunteer at Hedley Sutton?I’d previously volunteered for the RSL and then Colleen nominated me for volunteering at Baptcare.I took over the footy tipping activity from another volunteer who had left the job suddenly with an unexpected illness. It was close to the end of the footy season, and I had to quickly come to terms with another person’s record system that I knew nothing about! But with a bit of hard work and determination, I was able to work through things and finish up that first season.Prior to volunteering, I’d worked in the Finance/Banking industry and finished my career in financial planning, investment portfolios and superannuation. I’m also ex-Army, having completed National Service and served in Vietnam in the late 1960s. I retired at the age of 65 and there was a bit of role reversal at home – I became the domestic manager at home (instead of Colleen) and decided to start volunteering a few days a week.What are some of the volunteer activities you participate in?I run the footy tipping program during the season, volunteering for a couple of days a week, just to catch all the residents and staff who want to participate. It’s a fun topic to talk about with everyone and creates conversation. We have a lovely presentation after the finals – there’s prizes for first, second and third position. Everyone has a lot of fun – and it’s great interaction and conversation for the residents. Most people like talking about footy!What do you think are the most important qualities for a volunteer in aged care?Empathy is important. As a volunteer, you must understand that our residents want to be listened to, recognised and understood. They have amazing back stories to tell about their rich and varied lives. It’s important to take the time to learn more about them. Don’t rush things and don’t be brash – listen to them on their level. Being patient is key – just take the time to sit down and have a chat with them and a cup of tea.What do you do in your spare time?I do quite a bit of home maintenance. We still live in a large home and there is lots to do. I also enjoy going to the gym three days a week. Previously, I was Vice President of the Waverley RSL, and I still have some strong ties there. Colleen and I like to travel a fair bit as well. We’ve been overseas once every two years since 1997, on average. Our last trip was to the UK and Italy. We love to walk everywhere – some days we’d walk up to 15 kilometres. We also like to get away to the Sunshine Coast about 2-3 times a year.Thank you Colleen and Nigel for your dedication to our Hedley Sutton community. We truly appreciate everything you do to make Hedley such a warm and welcoming place for our residents, their families and staff.If you’re interested to know more about working or volunteering at Baptcare, click here for more information on how to join us and share your passion and commitment to supporting people in need.

• 01 Feb 2024

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Sharon and Paul Beckett

We sat down with Sharon and Paul Beckett, Care Assistants at Baptcare’s Orana aged care community in Tasmania, to talk about working (and laughing) together as spouses, Orana life and their recent renewal of vows – by an Orana resident, no less! It’s no surprise that they refer to Orana as their second family. But first some words from their manager, Robyn Jones.Robyn, what would you like to say about Sharon and Paul?I have never met a husband and wife who work so well together and can bounce off each other so easily.We say Paul is our MP of Orana. He is funny, always happy and seems to get away with things much easier than any other staff member because the clients love him so much. I regularly receive these types of comments from clients: “Orana would never be the same without Paul”. “The day Paul leaves will be a very sad day for Orana.”But I should note something. You may have heard three of our customers on Paul’s recent video saying that Paul is the best? This was because Paul told them to say this! He is always asking for a show of hands from our clients “Who is the best?” and coaches them to answer, “Paul is the best!”.Sharon is the person who clients can talk to about anything, and she is very trusted. When Sharon says she will follow up something for them they know that she will. Sharon has taken clients on bus trips over the years, and the clients always comment that they were in great hands with her. Sharon takes her responsibilities in ensuring client safety very seriously.Sharon and Paul have taken clients on weekends away twice and they are asking for another weekend away to the East Coast. This is very important to our clients as they can’t go away on weekends on their own, so it’s very special for them that Orana can provide this opportunity.And now, let’s hear from Sharon and Paul.What are your roles and how long have you been working at Baptcare? Paul: I have been with Baptcare for approximately six years. I work in the activities centre five days a week. I assist in serving meals and make sure all the customers are engaged in the afternoon activities. I also facilitate the overnight trips. I make sure that the customers leave feeling better than they did when they arrive.Sharon: I have been with Baptcare for six and a half years. I started in the Overnight Respite before moving into the activity coordinator role, then out to the community where I provided support for Domestic Assistance (DA), Personal Care (PC) and Social Support Individual (SSI). I have also worked side by side with Paul in the Social Centre. I’ve been in my current role of Intake and Assessment coordinator for approximately 18 months and I love it! What do you like about working at Baptcare Orana?Paul: I enjoy interacting with customers and bantering with them. They never know what they are going to get from day to day. I also like being able to work in the same facility as Sharon.Sharon: I enjoy working at Orana as I get to get up every morning knowing that I get to walk through the door and start my day in a job I love. I also love working under the same roof as Paul.What are three words that best describe you?Paul: Funny, outgoing, entertaining.Sharon: Caring, honest, hardworking. What did you want to be when growing up? Paul: PolicemanSharon: Hairdresser Pet Peeve?Paul: Being interrupted mid conversation.Sharon: When people are late and don’t apologise. First Job? Paul: Carpet factory worker.Sharon: Supermarket cashier.Ideal holiday destination: Paul and Sharon: Alaska! Fun fact many people may not know about you? Paul: I’ve been a covert surveillance investigator for over 7 years. (Editor: such a perfect example of Paul’s sense of humour at work! Thanks Paul!).Sharon: I studied classical ballet as a child/teenager and received many high distinctions.We heard that you had your wedding vows renewed to celebrate your 30-year anniversary and that a client, Ted Nobbs, ran the service? (Photo below to be included) We renewed our vows on our 30th wedding anniversary in 2022. Ted is a special customer at Orana and the day wouldn’t have been the same without him. We were also lucky to have our two adult children and Paul’s mum and stepfather there with us. Ted was a minister in his younger years. He very kindly wrote our vows, said a few words and presented us with a lovely certificate.Have you got any tips for a successful marriage?Paul: Apologise every morning before doing anything.Sharon: Always talk about things no matter how small or big they are.We don’t want to rock the happy relationship boat but who are your celebrity crushes?Paul: Keira Knightley.Sharon: Hugh Jackman (And he’s now single! )Favourite Quote?Paul: People say exercise never hurt anyone but why risk it?Sharon: Be yourself, everyone else is taken. What are the best and worst things about working together as husband and wife at Baptcare?Paul and Sharon: best thing: we are always together being able to support and bounce off each other in the workplace.Sharon: worst thing: I don't think there is one. We have worked together in other jobs throughout our working life and I just enjoy having Paul by my side.Paul: worst thing: Customers always take Sharon's side during banter and never mine.Thank you, Paul and Sharon, for your fun and caring hearts. We appreciate all that you do daily to make Orana such a special place to be.

• 16 Jan 2024

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Martin Dicker

We sat down to chat with Martin Dicker about his work at Baptcare in Tasmania, including his unofficial position as office comedian and social club organiser extraordinaire!What is your current role and what does it involve day to day? I am a Family Services Practitioner in the Foster and Kinship Care Program in Tasmania. This role sees me travelling all around the north of the state, providing support to carers of children in out of home care.How long have you been working within the Family Services team at Baptcare and what drew you to working in this space? I have been in the Family Services team for just over a year. I used to work in the Horizons program in the Mindset team. I have always loved the culture of Baptcare, so I was drawn back after a while out of the organisation. I love working with families. It can be a complex space to work in at times, but it can also be highly rewarding. What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the family services space? I really love our team and the culture and the growth you can see in families we work with. It’s amazing to see the changes a family can make to help it function better, meet the needs of the children or the parents/carers.Can you share a particularly special work day you’ve had recently? A particularly special day I had with a family recently was when a young person in care was elected to their school’s Student Leader Board for 2024. The happiness, excitement and pride they had made me shed a tear of joy! Did you always want to work within the family services space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? I have worked in a number of different areas since graduating as a social worker, including mental health, housing and family services. I have found there is so much you can learn from every area you work in that can be transferred into work in other spaces. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a firefighter and a pilot!You’ve got a reputation as being the office comedian! What or who makes you laugh? Haha… Lots of things make me laugh. When working with such complex situations, you learn to find the silver-lining. I really love sitting down and consuming a wide range of stand-up comedy, TV shows and podcasts. Some of my favourites include comedians Geraldine Hickey, Rhys Nicholson and Jimmy Carr, TV shows Utopia, Schitt’s Creek and Archer, and podcasts No Such Thing as a Fish and Simply the Jest. You’ve also got a great wrap for being active in the social club. What made you get involved? I love getting involved building the culture in organisations I work for. The Social Club in the Mowbray Hub holds a special place in my heart. We’ve had a lot of success hosting lunches, arranging Christmas parties and activities such as corn-hole (an indoor game) and drumming. Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself? I am a bird nerd and I love mountain-bike riding.Please complete this question: my favourite weekend would include… Time outside, on the couch and at Bunnings. What are two things on your bucket list? Bungee jumping and flying a plane.Do you have a mentor or idol? I don’t really have a specific person. I just enjoy talking with people and hearing about their lives. I find that everyone I meet has something interesting that I can learn from and connect with.

• 12 Jan 2024

Caring for yourself during the holiday season

The Christmas and New Year holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. It’s important to take care of yourself during this time to ensure that you can enjoy all the fun on offer without feeling burnt out. Here are some handy tips on how to care for yourself at Christmas:Set boundaries: It’s important to know your limits and to communicate these to others. Don’t feel pressured to attend every event or to take on more than you can handle. Learn to say ‘No thank you’ when you need to.Take breaks: Make sure to take some time for yourself. That might be a quiet walk outside, a relaxing bath or a good book. The key is to find something that helps you unwind and recharge.Get enough sleep: A good sleep routine is essential for your physical and mental wellbeing. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule and aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night.Stay active: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and boost your mood. Even a short walk around the block can make a big difference. Remember to ‘slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat’ to protect yourself from the sun while out and about.Eat well: The Christmas/New Year period is full of tempting treats but it’s important to maintain a balanced diet. Try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and limit your intake of sugar and alcohol.Connect with others: Spending time with loved ones can be a source of great comfort and joy during this time of year. Reach out to friends and family and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Volunteering can also be a wonderful way to boost your mood and spread some holiday cheer.Practice gratitude: Take some time each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for. This can help you stay positive and focused on the good things in your life, instead of worrying about what’s missing.Take care of your mental health: The holiday season can be a challenging time for anyone struggling with mental health issues. Make sure to prioritise your mental wellbeing by seeking support from your GP, therapist or counsellor if needed. You can also connect with support services such as Beyond Blue, SANE Australia or Lifeline.Remember, the holiday season is about more than just gifts and parties. While it’s a great time to connect with others and reflect on the past year, it’s also an important time to take care of yourself.

• 28 Dec 2023