News and views from our community

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Peter Greene – Head Gardener at our Hedley Sutton community, Camberwell

Walking into the lush gardens of our Hedley Sutton community is one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s early Spring and the first peaks of colourful buds are on display beneath the green velvet canopy of the evergreens.Within the grounds of Hedley Sutton stands Linda Mansion, a splendid example of Boom Style architecture, once home to one of Victoria’s leading retailers, WJ Craig, in the late nineteenth century, before later incarnations as the Presbyterian Babie’s Home (1928-1977) and the Canterbury Family Centre (1977-2000). Generations have enjoyed the space as a place for recreation, introspection, work and social connection.Now home to residents of Baptcare’s retirement living and co-located aged care facility, the gardens are meticulously maintained by Head Gardener, Peter Greene. His devotion to nurturing the smallest flowering buds to the tallest blue gum trees is legendary amongst visitors and residents alike.Read on to learn more about how Peter looks after this enchanting space – and for some handy gardening tips you won’t want to miss.How long have your worked at Baptcare?About six years. I love working here because the people are wonderful, the garden is wonderful! People in our community tell me how much they love the roses and flowers. I feel like they are my friends and I’m blessed to be here.What does a typical day look like for you (if there is such a thing)?There’s no such thing as a typical day!I look forward to my chats with residents and visitors outdoors. I have assistance with the garden from Stewie who comes in a couple times a month for heavy pruning / trimming. So far, all the fertilising is done, mulching is done and the irrigation system is set up – there’s quite a bit of automation in place.How do you plan and design a garden that meets the needs and preferences of all our residents?I know our residents love colour and roses. The design of our garden evolves through all the conversations I have. Some ask me for advice about their pot plants on site. Many of our residents have come from homes with beautiful gardens, so they are delighted to see what we are doing at Hedley Sutton. One lady said to me, ‘This garden reminds me of my childhood home.’ It’s so lovely to see the residents reconnecting with happy memories. I like to make our garden an extension of their own, so that they can feel happy and at home.Sometimes I give the residents a bunch of flowers (most recently, I gave away some gardenias) – I just love seeing the joy it brings to their faces. One of the residents here, Julia, is amazing and delightful. Always full of great suggestions on how I can improve the garden – a lovely lady. She often pulls out the weeds when she sees them!We’ve got vegie pots out the back that our residents love. I’m fixing them up and planting more vegies.With so many beautiful roses – tell us, how do you get rid of aphids?Chilli oil is good, so is soap and water. We don’t use any chemicals on the garden here. Pyretheum is also good – that’s based on natural pyrethrum daisy extract. Aphids don’t like Charlie Carp (liquid fish fertiliser), either so that’s a good one to have on hand.If you keep your garden healthy, you’re less likely to get pests. We see a lot of lady birds here too – they eat the aphids. It’s a healthy ecosystem here at Hedley Sutton.How do you ensure the safety and accessibility of the garden for residents and staff?We are always on watch for trip hazards and are very safety conscious. I make sure hoses aren’t left lying on the paths which would be a trip hazard. We also have to watch for plants encroaching onto paths, like carpet roses, and remain vigilant for any fallen tree branches.We mulch up all the fallen leaves each season and re-use them. We put coffee grains on the garden because the worms love them and snails don’t like coffee. I think that’s why our gardenias are so healthy!We are here on a very cold Spring morning (feels like temperature is 4.2 degrees Celsius). It’s rainy and windy, but in less than a week it’s forecast to be a balmy 26 degrees. What are some of the challenges of maintaining a healthy garden in Melbourne’s variable climate.The main challenge is hot weather – even with our irrigation system. We’ve got to be sensible with our water and plan according to rainfall patterns. In terms of working in the garden, having some flexibility in how we plan our work is essential so that we can tend to the garden as needed.What are some of the materials you use in looking after the garden?I only use Seasol, Charlie Carp, Dynamic Lifter – all organic products. A dose of Seasol every couple of weeks makes the plants much more resistant to the hot weather. A well mulched garden is a good garden. It’s essential to retaining moisture and keeping roots cool in summer. A mulched garden also looks a lot better.Any tips for Spring planting?Prepare your soil and dig in some manure. Preparation of your soil determine the quality of plants. We love dahlias at Hedley Sutton so are planting them and tulips are starting to come up. We have a Café Au Lait Dahlia out the back which has been flowering all Winter, which is unusual, and one to consider.What do you do in your spare time?I like growing vegetables and love bees – I have five hives. It’s wonderful to be able to collect your own honey – I get 50-100kg a year.I volunteer at Reclink which provides sport and recreation programs to disadvantaged Australians. Down at Werribee, we see a lot of people undergoing rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol and we want to be able to help them as they are turning their lives around. We have a community garden, reflexology, tai chi and many sporting programs. People get a cooked lunch every Monday and we often use the vegies we’ve grown in the garden out there. It has a real sense of community.I’ve got a Cavoodle and am babysitting two more at the moment – they are so affectionate!I also like reading non-fiction, especially politics and world events.What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you?I was previously a Registered Nurse. And a prostate cancer survivor – so I know how therapeutic the garden is. I think another reason I love working here is that I really feel the care from everyone around me – residents and staff. It’s a loving community and it’s a real pleasure to be here – I’m blessed to be here. We always have a good laugh together!You’ve just come back from a very well-deserved vacation – what were some of your favourite spots?I really enjoyed Ireland and the greenery there. I found out there’s more than 4,000 castles in Scotland!Buckingham Palace Garden in London was wonderful.In Singapore, we visited the Botanic Gardens – there was a rainforest enclosed in a massive hot house, which was wonderful to experience.What is your motto in life?“Maximum effort with the minimum of fuss.”We can make problems if we want to, or we can choose to find solutions. I’m lucky to be in this Baptcare community where I get to feel the kindness, love and support of our residents every day. And for that I’m truly blessed.Thank you Peter, for your kind devotion to our Hedley Sutton garden and for bringing so much joy to our Hedley Sutton community.If you’d like to learn more about retirement living options at Hedley Sutton, contact us to book a tour here.With preferential consideration for spaces in our residential aged care wing (if your health needs change in future years), Hedley Sutton allows couples with different care and support needs the opportunity to live within the same community.Call us on 13 22 78 to learn more about how we can support you live your best life in our friendly and caring community.

• 20 Nov 2023

How our Houses of Hope program helped a mother and her young son avoid homelessness

People seeking asylum are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. They may have fled their homeland to escape war, conflict, persecution and/or human rights violations, experiencing great trauma and emotional distress. Often they arrive in countries like Australia with little more than the clothes on their back as they await the outcome of their claim for asylum, which can take years to process.Many people seeking asylum experience profound poverty and without a steady income to pay housing costs (many are prevented from working due to visa restrictions and cannot access Centrelink benefits) and no family or support networks to fall back on, can fall victim to homelessness.Read our story about how Baptcare’s Houses of Hope program stepped in to prevent Kadira and her infant son from falling into homelessness and provided essential support while they found their way to greater independence and freedom.Only months after arriving in Australia and engaging in the legal process to seek asylum, Kadira* and her young child, Saabir* were at imminent risk of becoming homeless after a relationship breakdown with the extended family who had been supporting them.When they first moved into our Houses of Hope program, Kadira explained with support from an interpreter that she had not slept for almost a week. She was concerned for her teenaged children who remained in her home country and her young son who accompanied her to Australia, who had recently not been eating.While she was receiving a small payment from the government, it did not allow her to pay rent and support the needs of herself and her child in private rental, and she knew that this payment was likely to end once her child started school. She was very keen to find employment, but while caring for a young child, finding her feet in a new country and with low English language skills, employment was out of reach.For the weeks and months that followed, our caseworker supported Kadira and Saabir as they settled into their new home and community. This included finding services that could help them to take care of their essential needs, working through the steps to make early childhood services accessible and collaborating with other services to ensure access to health care, recreational activities and an English language program for Kadira.Counselling services were arranged for Kadira to manage the effects of the trauma she had experienced in her home country, and the ongoing anxiety and depression she lives with while separated from her other children. Access to recreational options through referral for gym memberships and events supported by Baptcare volunteers enriched her life with her child. Volunteers drew alongside to give social and parenting support, playing and reading together with Saabir.Since that time, Kadira has worked hard on her English language skills, with a volunteer visiting her at home for lessons, and joined a program supporting women with similar shared experiences. She found casual unskilled work and gained a certificate to allow her to work in aged care. Through the social support networks that she developed over this time, an opportunity arose for her to find work in another part of Melbourne and to find a home where she and her child could settle.While still waiting for determination of her claim for asylum, she moved on from Baptcare expressing profound gratitude for the safety and stability we provided to her and Saabir, at a time they needed it so desperately, and how this had afforded her the time and support to become more independent.If you would like to donate to Baptcare and help support people seeking asylum with safe, affordable housing and associated services, please click here.*Names changed and stock image used for privacy reasons.

• 17 Nov 2023

• Faces of Baptcare
• Residential Aged Care

Meet Jack and Gloria

Jack and Gloria were students at the same school until about year eight when Jack left school to work at a grocery shop in Inverloch and Gloria moved to Yallourn North to work in a women's clothing store. Later on, Jack joined the Navy and lost contact with Gloria. It wasn't until years later when Jack moved to Morwell that he would see Gloria around town, but both had married by then and had their own families.

• 16 Nov 2023

Nutritional information to help you manage your diabetes

Key points: Diabetes is a condition characterised by an inability to control the amount of glucose in the blood, primarily due to issues with insulinThere are two main types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2There can be long-term complications if diabetes isn’t managed (for example, cardiovascular disease such as hypertension)Ways to manage living with diabetes include regular exercise, a balanced diet, insulin management and a consultation with diabetes health professionals, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular/appropriate foot and eye careThe Diabetes Plate Method is a simple tool to help plan balanced meals without the need for extensive calculationsWhat is diabetes? When you eat foods that contain carbohydrates, your body digests the carbohydrates into sugar (glucose) that is then used as energy by the cells in your body. Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body is unable to produce enough insulin.A hormone called insulin is required to transfer glucose from the bloodstream to cells and be converted to energy. For individuals with diabetes, blood glucose levels are frequently above average because either the body does not create insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or cannot make enough insulin (Type 2 diabetes).Type 1 diabetes This form of diabetes is an autoimmune condition caused by the pancreas failing to supply insulin. People who have this condition require regular injections of insulin.Type 2 diabetes In this form of diabetes, the cells that convert glucose to energy in the body become insulin resistant It is diagnosed most commonly in both young and older adults. The risk is increased by family history, aging, prior gestational diabetes, pre-diabetes, being above healthy weight/obese and having an inactive lifestyle.Common symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetesMany of the symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are similar, however, they present in different ways. People with Type 2 diabetes may not present with symptoms for many years as their symptoms often develop slowly over a long period of time.Both forms of diabetes can share the following short-term symptoms caused by high levels of glucose in the bloodstream:Passing large amounts of urineBeing very thirsty and drinking lots of fluidsBeing tiredBlurred visionExperiencing regular skin infections which can be slow to healUnexpected weight lossLong-term complications of diabetes if not managedIf diabetes is not managed carefully, the following significant long-term complications may arise:Heart and circulation issuesInfectionsKidney diseaseEye problems, leading to being visually impairedNerve damage to the lower limbs and other parts of the bodyHyperglycemia: all adults with untreated diabetes are at risk of developing hyperglycemia which is a disorder of dangerously high blood glucose. Untreated and unaddressed hyperglycemia presents severe health risks which can involve a diabetic coma (ketoacidosis).Ways to manage diabetes Regular physical activityHealthy and balanced dietMaintaining a healthy weightInsulin management: insulin users need to consider the timing, amount, and type of carbohydrate foods they eat, in addition to the timing, amount and type of insulin they takeRegular blood glucose testing will assist you in managing your diabetes, but you should regularly consult with a diabetes health teamHealthy eating tips for people with diabetes Eat consistent meals and healthy snacks spread over the dayEat meals high in fiber, low GI carbohydrate foods i.e., wholegrain breads and cereals, beans, lentils, vegetables and fruitsExamine the amount of fat you consume and reduce saturated fatty foods by opting for lean meats and healthy fatsRemain in your healthy weight rangeTry to balance the amount of food you eat with the amount of energy you burn each dayNutrition Australia offers valuable resources to help you better understand the concept of energy derived from food and how best to maintain a healthy weight. They have also developed a budget-friendly eating guide for tips on promoting a nutritious diet while being mindful of your expenses.The Diabetes Plate Method - an important tool in managing diabetes The Diabetes Plate Method is a simple yet effective way to create healthy meals that can help manage your blood sugar. By using this method, you can create appropriate portioned meals with a healthy balance of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. Therefore, you do not need to do any counting, calculating, weighing, or measuring – all you need is a plate! Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute developed a portion plate guide, so you can use this to help you plan, prepare or when ordering a meal.Baptcare’s Allied Health Professionals are here to support youAt Baptcare, we have skilled nursing and allied health professionals, who can support you to maintain your health, manage pain or chronic conditions supporting you to live more safely at home. Our community nursing and allied health services include nurses with diabetic management skills and podiatrists who can support foot care.All services are flexible and can be purchased or you may be eligible through a government-funded Home Care Package. You can read more about how home care works on our website.https://www.baptcare.org.au/why-baptcare/news/how-does-home-care-workWith thanks to Baptcare’s Registered Nurse, Amita Sagar for her specialist input on this blog post.

• 16 Nov 2023

How Baptcare supports employees experiencing domestic violence

In Australia almost one in four women over the age of 15 have experienced intimate partner violence (ABS 2017). This statistic is sobering – an indicator of the prevalence of family and domestic violence within the communities Baptcare serves. Unfortunately, this also means it is likely that family violence is the personal, lived experience of our own employees.This article will explore the ways Baptcare is committed to supporting our employees experiencing family and domestic violence, including*:Baptcare’s Family and Domestic Violence PolicySpotlight on Family and Domestic Violence LeaveRespect for confidentialityAdditional employee supports to FDV policy, including Spiritual Care*All of these supports have been communicated to all Baptcare employees recently.Baptcare’s Family and Domestic Violence PolicyBaptcare can make a significant difference to employees affected by family and domestic violence by providing appropriate safety and support measures such as those set out in the Baptcare Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) Policy.Baptcare’s FDV Policy is available on our Baptcare intranet and is motivated by supporting our employees’ safety, making available the time needed for any person experiencing family and domestic violence to seek the expert help and safety they need.The policy covers areas such as relevant supports and training available to staff, the importance of confidentiality in all family and domestic violence matters, workplace safety and security measures, flexible workplace arrangements and family and domestic violence leave (FDV), some of which are discussed below.Family and Domestic Violence Leave (FDV leave)One of the central supports in the FDV Policy is the provision of FDV leave. Baptcare employees (whether full-time, part-time or casual) are entitled to 10 days paid FDV Leave each year, in line with recent legislative changes.Confidentiality assurances – respect for staff privacy and safety is paramount Baptcare acknowledges the very personal and sensitive nature of family domestic violence and the impact on an employee.Baptcare will treat information related to a request for support or for actions related to securing workplace security and safety as confidential and private to the full extent possible in the circumstances. The matter is personal and sensitive, and we understand many employees would not wish other employees to know of their circumstances unless they choose to divulge this information.Subject to the employee’s permission, their manager may be notified of the type of leave their staff member has taken or wishes to take. Otherwise, the People and Culture team will work to ensure the employee is paid appropriately and that their pay slip does not reflect the type of leave taken. Option for staff to request a flexible work arrangementAn employee who is experiencing family domestic violence, or who needs to provide care or support to a member of their household or immediate family because of FDV, may request a change to their work arrangements. Additional employee supports available beyond those provided in the FDV PolicyBaptcare also provides the following:direct, confidential and ongoing connection with a People and Culture representative to employees experiencing family and domestic violenceconnection for employees and their families with employee assistance provider Converge International, including its specialist family violence hotlineaccess to two other employee assistance providers – Karinya (Victoria) and CLS (Tasmania)geographically and circumstance-appropriate referrals including Orange Doors, community legal centres and specialist family violence servicescoaching of people managers around handling disclosure and effectively supporting workers experiencing family and domestic violencespiritual care where appropriateSpiritual Care support At Baptcare, spiritual care is provided by a team of Spiritual Care Coordinators and chaplains. This support is provided to our clients, their families and carers - and also to our employees, should they wish to access it. Where possible, Baptcare hubs also offer a quiet reflection space for staff members experiencing personal difficulties, such as family and domestic violence, to seek respite and support.Extra resources in developmentBaptcare Family Violence SharePoint Resource Site has had a soft launch on our intranet. This resource site has been created to support Baptcare’s workforce for both personal and professional use. This resource will house practice tools, family violence frameworks, support services and other related information and resources. There will also be Family Violence one-page action tip list available to all Baptcare employees.You can read a Faces of Baptcare profile of Lia Porteus and learn about her lived experience of family violence and why she thinks campaigns such as the 16 Days of Activism are so important.

• 15 Nov 2023

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Lia Porteus

We originally reached out to Lia for a Faces of Baptcare profile because her Manager, Residential Care Services Manager (RCSM), Trent Baxter, mentioned Lia’s interesting career journey. During our chat, Lia also generously shared her personal lived experience of family domestic violence. Our aim in doing these Faces of Baptcare profiles is to shine a light on the stories of our amazing workforce who never cease to surprise and inspire us. Lia is a living example of this mission in action, and we are so proud to have her in our community, a sentiment echoed by RCSM Trent Baxter in his comments below. "Lia is a person of utmost integrity, placing a high value on honesty in all aspects of her life. Lia’s exceptional clinical knowledge has made a significant positive impact on Baptcare Karingal Community, our residents and our services. Lia's unwavering dedication and passion for ensuring our clinical governance exceeds expectations led to amazing praise during our 2023 accreditation visit and Baptcare Karingal Community’s consistent 5-star rating for Governance and Quality measures. Beyond her professional expertise, tough exterior and to-the-point approach, Lia possesses a heart of gold, consistently demonstrating compassion and empathy towards her colleagues and those in need. We are fortunate to have Lia as part of our team.”And now, let’s hear from Lia herself.What is your role at Baptcare and what does it involve day to day?Since I commenced working for Baptcare in 2021, I have been in the Clinical Outcomes Partner Role. I lead the clinical team of three nurse unit managers and their wings. Some tasks in my role include nurse recruitment, quality improvement, trending incident analysis, auditing, monitoring quality care, and consumer outcomes. I also fill in as facility manager/Residential Care and Services Manager (RCSM) in Trent’s absence. My role has just changed to Assistant Residential Care & Services Manager (ARCSM) where I will continue with my current tasks with some added responsibilities. What made you change careers from hairdressing to working at Baptcare? When I first left school I became a hairdresser, which led me to a life of fancy hairdos, loads of makeup, and lots of socialising. This was a fun time in my early adult life and eventually, I owned and managed my own salon. My change to nursing came about under not very good circumstances. I was married and living in a domestic violence relationship which ended with police involvement and the domestic violence crisis team hiding me in Western Australia for three months. This was until I was mentally strong enough to come back to Tasmania, lay charges, and go through the whole Supreme Court process. This process resulted in my ex-husband receiving a two-year jail term. It was a very traumatic time in my life but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so they say.Moving forward I set three goals for myself: One, to lose weight and be healthier. Two, to become a nurse and work in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Three, to build two units.I was juggling being a single mum of two beautiful girls and still managed to achieve all three of my goals. My nursing career started in theatre, then surgical ward, and then in Intensive Care (ICU). I then became a Care Manager in another residential aged care facility, before being promoted to Facility/General Manager seven months later. This was no easy task as six weeks later the COVID pandemic occurred. After pushing myself to my limit during the pandemic, I resigned from managing that RAC and came to work at Baptcare Karingal in the Clinical Outcomes Partner role.Given your lived experience, what are your thoughts on days like White Ribbon Day and the 16 days of Activism? I believe that awareness is very important and due to my experience, I always hope days like White Ribbon Day and the 16 days of Activism will help to raise the importance of keeping women and children safe. However, I would like to say that as much as these important events exist to help stop men’s violence against women, I would like to note that although statistics may show higher numbers of women suffering violence from their male partners, there are also some men out there that suffer domestic violence at the hands of women. Public recognition is always an important part of helping to reduce future incidents of violence.What do you like about your current role and working at Baptcare?I have a fantastic team to work alongside. My RCSM Trent is the best boss I have had in my 35-year working career. It is great to be able to wake up each day and be happy to go to work. My role has many moving parts and although it can get hectic it is a great position to work in. The number one thing I love about the role is definitely the team here at Karingal. Oh, and the chocolate cake I get to regularly taste test for Cam the chef manager!What did you want to be when you grew up?A nurse or a hairdresser or a flight attendantWhat attracted you to becoming a nurse and a hairdresser?When I was in high school, I thought a lot about being a nurse. I used to travel to Smithton in my school holidays and stay with my mum’s parents. I would walk and visit my dad’s father in the nursing home every chance I could get. I used to watch the nurses and carers in that nursing home, and they really looked after my grandfather well. I found out in high school at a careers day that I needed to complete years 11 and 12 (college) to be a nurse and there was no way I was interested in doing two more years of school or college.It was at this stage that I went with the hairdressing option because I always liked to cut my doll’s hair off as a kid and I had a Playdoh Fuzzy Pumper Barbershop which was my most favourite toy to receive from Santa! I thought that hairdressing would be a good option as I would get to have nice hair all the time with bright colours in it and perms etc, and I would get to wear makeup every day. This all sounded better to me than doing years 11 and 12 at college. Then many years later after the domestic violence I went through, I decided I needed to make changes in my life, and I got myself together and applied to university to become a registered nurse.It’s funny looking back, but even though it might have taken an extra 20 years since school, I eventually became my first choice – a nurse.What are two surprising things about yourself?I have finally found the love of my life 18 years after my previous domestic violent relationship ended, and I am getting married in Bali in March 2024. Yippee!I have been to Bali approximately 30 times in the last 12 years. Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life?Yes I do - “It is what it is” ... and I even have it tattooed on my right arm! I’ve learned throughout my 51 years that sometimes there are situations in life that you don’t like, and that you just can’t change, therefore the best motto for me is “It is what it is” and “What will be will be”.How would your friends describe you?Loyal, funny, quick-witted, too generous, determined, a good organiser and strong-minded.Do you have a mentor or idol? If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why?My Mum is my biggest mentor. She guides, advises, supports me, and listens to me. She also gives me honest feedback on many situations.At a dinner party, I would want to sit next to my fiancé Todd. He is my rock, my everything.Thank you, Lia, for your openness in sharing your story and for your amazing work at Baptcare. Your workforce – and personal - journeys are inspirational. We are so happy to have you in our Baptcare community.You can learn more about working at Baptcare on our website.https://careers.baptcare.org.au/why-join-usIf you are experiencing family domestic violence, there is help available.https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/helplines/You can read more about how Baptcare supports employees experiencing family domestic violence on our website.https://www.baptcare.org.au/why-baptcare/news/how-baptcare-supports-employees-experiencing-domestic-violence

• 14 Nov 2023

What you don’t see | living and working with invisible disabilities

Lana Davis is our Volunteer Program Lead at Baptcare, known for her bright and bubbly personality and boundless energy. What many people do not realise about Lana is that she is living with two invisible disabilities, also known as hidden or non-visible disabilities.Lana has graciously agreed to share her story about living and working with invisible disabilities, including some useful tips on the support systems and resources she has found helpful in her personal journey. What is your disability and how does it affect your daily life?I am both neurodivergent and suffer from haemochromatosis, otherwise known as iron-overload disorder.Both conditions impact my daily life in varying ways and degrees of difficulty. Being neurodivergent, I often struggle with anxiety and being overwhelmed when physically in a meeting with a lot of people. I suffer from rejection sensitive dysphoria which is when a person feels intense emotional pain related to rejection and as such I tend to withdraw from social situations. It’s the one thing people don’t tend to recognise about me when I am working, as I am generally bright, bubbly and engaging - always the one to be making people feel more comfortable by providing a joke to lighten the mood.With haemochromatosis, I experience pain in my joints, extreme fatigue, lethargy and aches in the body. Food rich in iron can often taste strange and my body doesn’t absorb B12 due to something referred to as an intrinsic factor in my stomach, so I have to take supplements.How did you discover / diagnose your invisible disabilities? What was the process like for you? With haemochromatosis, I was diagnosed at 21 which is actually quite young for a female with most not being diagnosed until they are post-menopause. I would wake up from a nap and feel as though I hadn’t slept in days. Initially, I was being tested for anaemia (low iron) which is when they found I was the opposite - my body registered four times the normal amount required by the female body.I was diagnosed as neurodivergent in my 30s, as women are often taught to mask their symptoms as children. I’m grateful that every day we are learning more and more about these conditions and that the range of support and treatments available are growing all the time.What are some of the common misconceptions about people with invisible disabilities? How do you deal with them?If someone has a physical disability, people can see this, and they offer assistance. I’ve been slim and I’ve been overweight and in the majority of cases, people opened the door for the slim girl, but they didn’t for the overweight one (who was more likely in need of assistance).For those of us suffering from invisible disabilities we are often labelled as ‘lazy,’ a ‘whinger/moaner’ or of having low self-esteem. This isn’t true, in fact we are some of the hardest working people you will ever meet as we have always had to do things for ourselves. We set our own bar for how much we achieve and we can be very competitive in spite of our afflictions.We are often incredibly well organised when it comes to our work life, but at home this sometimes brings us unstuck as we tend to give, give and give to our work as we enjoy it so much and are constantly in search of the next hit of dopamine that our work provides us and - let’s face it - housework doesn’t provide a rush for most people! We often have to question: what is happening to us - is it because of our label or a genuine response to what is happening? It can be difficult to balance and manage.What are some of the challenges you face because of your invisible disability? How do you deal with these? Maintaining my home and car, these are the two things I find trickiest, and I never know if it’s because of how I am feeling or because I have a hurricane of a four-year-old who seems to bring my hard work unstuck! But my love for him is epic, regardless.One thing I try to do is get anything physical out of the way first thing in the morning. That way, the hardest part of my day is done. Whilst I experience extreme fatigue, I often cannot sleep which is why some of my best work is done between 1am and 5am because I am not interrupted and can go flat out, albeit quietly because everyone else is sleeping!What are some of the benefits you feel you’ve gained from experiencing this invisible disability?I’ve been able to achieve my dream job, without a university degree!Few people can say they love what they do, but I do and passionately so. My work isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, there are challenging and frustrating parts, too, like every job. But, every day I am offered the opportunity to bring continuous improvement to our Volunteer Programs, work with the most exceptional people both in my own team and in the broader teams we connect with who are genuine in their connection and are passionate and driven to provide the very best outcomes for Baptcare, which is something I am so very grateful for and appreciative of.In this role, I look at what we have been able to achieve and we’re constantly kicking goals. Our list of things we want to achieve is miles long and almost every day we achieve something new. We are big on living the Baptcare We Care values daily in our team and it makes all the difference.Do you have any tips to share with others who have a similar invisible disability? I think you need to look at what does a successful day look like for you, what happened to support the achievement of this and then try to replicate it.There is a heap of free apps like ‘Remember the Milk,’ ‘Brain Focus’ and Microsoft’s ‘To Do’ which integrate across multiple devices so you can always have your lists on hand. These apps help you focus, plan and monitor your days so you can continue to be the very best version of yourself.You can try playing white/pink/brown noise clips on YouTube that are available to assist you with focus, relaxation or sleep (depending upon what you need).Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Converge is also a great tool. If you are neurodivergent, you can ask for a consultant who either is from this community or has experience in this field – you and your family have up to six sessions a year, per person, which clocks over annually from the start of your first session. With EAP, remember that it can be for preventative health as well as post trauma.How does Baptcare support you?Having a flexible role is the first level of support and providing access to the EAP has been brilliant. Being able to apply for short periods of leave without being made to feel bad - all these little things add up to me delivering on my goals and being loyal and happy in my role.Having a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Working Group where I can advocate for people like me is exceptionally rewarding. Being able to talk to my manager and manage my own schedule to ensure my work is done both well and on-time - like any relationship, it is important to have trust and we do.I was personally able to purchase a monitor that is large and curved to support my eyesight as I can often sit at my screen for hours at a time not realising that I have been in the one spot for so long (hyper-focus). I also have a footrest that has a built-in shiatsu massager and foot warmer (which is needed in Tasmania’s winter). Sometimes it’s as much about managing your physical health as it is your mental health.In your personal life away from the office, can you share some details about your support systems/resources that are useful? I try and do exercise first thing in the morning (because I hate it). I try to avoid the shops by doing online delivery. I have a solid relationship with my local IGA, and they know I will ask them to deliver which is something they tend to do only for those isolating due to contagious illness. It makes a difference to my pain levels.I sleep with my phone plugged into the charger and with a pink noise sound running through YouTube, because it’s free and because light and other outside noises keep me awake. I also try and tag-team with my husband when I need to do a chore that I know our son will interfere with. I ask him to play with him outside once it’s done, then it’s his turn to do his jobs because, guaranteed, if either of us blinks our little one is into something he knows he shouldn’t be!Communicating how you are feeling, what is challenging and what you need help with is a must. It’s okay to take a step back and say you are in pain, or something isn’t feeling right. Don’t subscribe to the gender norms of old. If you are in a relationship then you are in a partnership and sometimes it will be 50/50, other times 70/30 and so on. Talk to your significant other and let them know what percentage you are out of 100, have them do the same to you, look for patterns – do you/they need to do some self-care? What does that look like for each of you? You wouldn’t run any of your devices on low battery all the time, why do that to yourself?What are some of the changes you would like to see in society or in the workplace for people with invisible disabilities?Being rid of the standard 8-4, 9-5 workplace requirements where there isn’t a need to be available 100% of the time (certainly, for some roles this likely won’t ever change, but for many, COVID-19 has proven it can and quite successfully).Providing workplaces where people can feel safe and supported in sharing their disability and that it won’t be taken advantage of. Baptcare is one of the few workplaces where I have shared my story and it hasn’t been used against me. I think, in large part, it was because I proved my worth before openly declaring. It was scary and uncomfortable, but I was met with unwavering support from my people.Recognising no two days are the same. The strategy that worked for someone on one task or project may not necessarily work the next and that is okay.Training managers and staff to ask, “How do I best partner with you?” is one of the most powerful conversation starters I have coined during my time at Baptcare – this applies across all areas of our work regardless of anyone’s capacity. It allows authenticity and respect for where each of us are at in our journey. From there, co-creation is guaranteed to ensue and be at the forefront (my favourite We Care value).Making sure that managers and teams are provided with resources and training to support them in managing someone who could be suffering an invisible disability, because many employees suffer in silence, being anxious/concerned that they will be told they no longer have a job or not promoted. Where supervisors and managers are provided with these skills, they approach performance management in a whole new light. It is as though they are seeing a person for the very first time. I remember that it was a manager who suggested to me that I might be neurodivergent. At the time I was highly offended until they showed me what my strengths were and how I could make perceived weaknesses into potential strengths. Not holding a diagnosis against me was deeply nourishing to my soul as a whole new world opened up to me and every day, I am learning new things, where I can help others.Thank you Lana, for sharing such an intensely personal story. We are proud to have you as a member of our Baptcare team!If you would like to join Baptcare and be part of our respectful and inclusive workplace which supports diversity and inclusion, please click here to explore our current opportunities. We welcome applicants who may require adjustments and have a strong focus on providing flexible working arrangements. Join us today!

• 10 Nov 2023

How does Home Care work?

Key Points:If the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) no longer provides enough support, a home care package may meet your care needsThere are four levels of home care packages that offer different degrees of support from basic to high care needsHome care services can be customized to meet your specific needs, ranging from occasional help with certain tasks to round-the-clock care, depending on your health and level of independenceTo be eligible for a home care package, there is a specific process that needs to be followed which involves an assessment and approval by the Australian Government’s Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)What are Home Care Packages?Home Care Packages (HCP) are a part of Australia’s aged care system designed to support and provide aid to older Australians who wish to continue living independently in their own homes.They are designed for people with more complex needs and go beyond what a Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can provide. HCP can be a choice if you need help with everyday tasks, or if the care you need is more complex or intensive. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be eligible for a government-funded home care package. In order to determine the right level of funding for you, a personal assessment will be undertaken by the Aged Care Assessment Team. (There is more information about this process below).To learn more information about home care packages, you can click here for a video overview. Types of Home Care Packages available There are four levels of Home Care packages that you may be eligible for:Level 1 supports you with basic care needsLevel 2 supports you with low care needsLevel 3 supports you with intermediate care needsLevel 4 supports you with high care needsWhat home care services are provided in a Baptcare Home Care Package?Transport for shopping or appointmentsSocial support by taking you shopping, banking or just providing companionshipDomestic assistance for household duties like cleaning, clothes washing and ironingPersonal care assistance with bathing or showering, dressing, hair care and toiletingHome maintenance for minor repairs and care of your house or gardenHome medication e.g. installing safety aids such as alarms, ramps and support railsNursing care where a qualified nurse comes to dress a wound or provide continence adviceFood services such as helping you prepare food and organising delivery of mealsHelp with medication promptsThe Government will outline in your care plan what services you will be able to receive, and this will be organised by your home care provider. You can learn more about care plans at Aged Care Guide. A Home Care Package should not be used for, and does not replace, care and services that can be accessed through other health programs that you might be eligible for. You should continue to access these when you need them, through your GP and hospitals.Am I eligible for a Home Care Package? One of the most common questions people ask at the start of their aged care journey is: “How can I receive government-subsidised aged care services?”To receive a Home Care Package, you will need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team. The process involves an assessment of an individual’s care needs and the determination of the proper level of care and services.You may be eligible if you have:noticed a change in what you can do or rememberbeen diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobilityexperienced a change in family care arrangements, orexperienced a recent fall or hospital admission.If you are eligible for a Home Care Package, it’s important to understand what fees you may have to pay, how much the government will contribute, and how your budget works. It's helpful to do all this before you choose your provider. Having all the information upfront can help you make the right choice for your care needs and financial situation. The My Aged Care eligibility checker My Aged Care eligibility checker helps you quickly check if you meet the requirements for an assessment before you apply. Click here to check your eligibility.This process is designed to ensure that you receive the proper level of care and support based on your unique needs. It helps coordinate and streamline the delivery of home care services so you can continue living independently in your own home while receiving the necessary support. Remember - Baptcare is here to help Finding reliable information, understanding your options and applying for a Home Care Package can be difficult and confusing. We’re here to guide and support you, and your questions – no matter how big or small – are always welcome.Click here to find a wide range of frequently asked questions, with helpful answers including handy links to our website and My Aged Care.

• 09 Nov 2023

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet James Lewis

As Spiritual Care Week draws to a close, we sat down with James Lewis, our Acting Head of Spiritual Care to ask him about his career path to Baptcare, how he originally wanted to be a psychologist (but ultimately married one instead!) and how he cherishes his current role because it allows him to help people. What is your current role and what does it involve day to day?Acting Head of Spiritual Care. This involves advocating and articulating the value of Spiritual Care to our organisation, managing financial resources, leadership of the Spiritual Care team members including Supervisors, co-creating resources to offer high quality spiritual care practice across the organisation, co-creating strategy for strengthening Baptcare’s alignment with its Mission, Values and Baptist heritage, and being a Spiritual Care presence in the Camberwell office.How long have you been working within the Spiritual Care team at Baptcare? I joined Baptcare in 2016 as Chaplain at Wyndham Lodge Residential Aged Care community. I loved working as a Spiritual Carer amongst the community there. In 2019 I moved to a manager role, supervising Spiritual Care staff across Victoria and Tasmania. Caring for the carers is something close to my heart. For the last five months I have been Acting Head of Spiritual Care.What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the Spiritual Care space? Every day is an opportunity to journey beside people and get to know their life journey. You need to pay attention to the sources of wisdom, courage, faith and hope that will sustain and inspire them. The Spiritual Care team has the privilege and responsibility of hearing some of the most wonderful and heartbreaking stories. It is a sacred space of high trust and respect. It is also a creative space because often the seeds of new growth are planted in those reflective moments. It is very rewarding work: helping people to make sense of their circumstances and draw on resources that will help them be resilient and mature.How would you describe the role of spiritual care at Baptcare? It is the practice of whole-person-centred care for all customers, family members and staff in our organisation. Spiritual care is not limited to any specific religion or belief system. It respects the diversity and uniqueness of each person’s spirituality and does not impose any doctrine or agenda. Rather, it seeks to understand and honour each person’s experience and spiritual perspective and to support their exploration and expression of it. Spiritual care can involve listening, talking, praying, meditating, reading, singing, or engaging in rituals or ceremonies that are meaningful to the person.The theme of this SCW is Spirituality and Mental Health with the overriding message being ‘It’s healthy to get help.’ How does your spiritual worldview impact on your mental wellbeing? My spiritual worldview is shaped by my Christian faith. I believe all people are made in the image of a loving God and are made for relationships. We all have fragility and times of despair, but community is where we can find ourselves understood, affirmed and strengthened. As a follower of Jesus, it has been helpful to remember that Jesus was human: he got angry, was moved to tears and lamented things that disappointed him. He journeyed with a community of people, and he also made time for personal prayer and reflection. Bottling up emotions is not healthy for me or the people I live and work with. I need to share vulnerably, to connect with others and de-isolate when I am struggling. I use a journal to reflect on the stresses I am carrying and blessings I’m grateful for. And I pray lots as I swim.Can you share a particularly special workday/customer interaction you’ve had recently? I held the front door open for a colleague who was entering and realised we had not spoken for more than a year. I asked how they were going and listened as they shared some really challenging and complex experiences they had endured. I gave the person some safe space to reflect on the unexpected nature of the changes that had happened. It wasn’t a long conversation but at the end the person acknowledged it was a really fortuitous moment for them to reflect and debrief. They felt ‘seen’ and ‘heard’ in the challenges. I was grateful for the opportunity to offer that safe space.Did you always want to work within the Spiritual Care space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? I’ve been a secondary school teacher (English and Psychology), a Baptist pastor and lecturer at Whitley Theological College.What did you want to be when you grew up? A psychologist – I knew I wanted to help people. I completed a Bachelor of Behavioural Science but didn’t get high enough grades in statistics to do Honours, so I completed a Dip. Ed to teach psych as a schoolteacher (and then married a psychologist!)Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?I swam across the Rip from Pt Nepean to Pt Lonsdale, which was a pretty amazing experience. (See photo of James in swimming action).I’m a country music fan, especially the contemporary artists, which is probably nostalgia for my childhood growing up on a farm.We have enjoyed seeing many of your fabulous photos over the years in Insight. Do you have a favourite photo you’d like to share and tell us a bit about it? I love taking photos of nature. This was a random time when a Point Roadknight wave made a circle in the air as it hit the rocks. The moment was playful and beautiful. The photo became a prayer of gratitude.Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life? ‘To breathe peace into the world, first disarm your own heart.’Please complete this sentence: An ideal weekend for me involves…. An early morning swim with some friends and family, seeing dolphins and beautiful sunlight rippling on the ocean floor, followed by coffee and croissants, a good book and an arvo nap.If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why? Eugene Peterson – a wonderful pastor, poet and theologian who loved God and people in equal measure. He wrote the bestseller paraphrase of the Bible called ‘The Message’ and treasured words as gifts. He had a keen sense of the privilege of spiritual leadership and the corresponding need for humility. He loathed religion when it was packaged as a product for consumption and was fierce in his critique of Christianity when it was self-absorbed rather than gracious in its vision of faith, hope and love for all. He inspires me to be true to my calling, courageous about values and always a learner.Thank you, James, for your inspirational leadership and gracious care at Baptcare. We are blessed to have you in our community.You can learn more about Spiritual Care at Baptcare on our website.

• 08 Nov 2023