Individuals, teams and organisations working in the home care sector across Australia have been recognised in LASA’s national excellence in service awards.
“The winners are exceptional and offer care and companionship for older Australians across the state and territory,” LASA CEO Sean Rooney said.
The LASA Excellence in Age Service awards recognise innovation, imagination and excellence in supporting older Australians to live well across the categories of Rising Star, Individual, Next Gen Young Leader, Organisation and Team.
Organisation
South Australian not-for-profit ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) took home an award for being attuned to the changing and complex needs of people and promoting self-determination as they age.
ECH has forged a reputation for being prepared to disrupt traditional care delivery and has piloted and introduced initiatives to support people who want to die at home.
The organisation employs more than 600 staff, including more than 200 Home Services Team Members.
Joining ECH as a category winner was fellow Queensland not-for-profit Blackall RangeCare Group which provides in-home community care services to aged and disabled residents in the Sunshine Coast and the Hinterland region.
During first initial COVID-19 lockdown RangeCare ensured its 150 staff could continue to support its 2,000 elderly and disabled clients by introducing local meal delivery services, a butcher meat and a fruit and vegetable pack, an in-home haircut and beard trimming service.
It also offered an iPad loan service including free internet and tuition. This later expanded into an in-home technology support service.
Individual
The Individual category recognised WA Home Instead care worker Patricia Van Niekerk who cares for clients in Perth and the state’s south-west.
Trish excelled in identifying and recognising individual preferences and providiug personalised care, LASA said, including for clients with dementia.
“Trish researches her clients and never misses a special occasion and often celebrates her clients’ milestones with their favourite tea and cake which she enjoys making with them,” LASA said.
Lee-Anne Beazley from Life Without Barriers was the Individual winner for SA/NT for her passion and commitment to her clients, many of whom faced challenging circumstances.
Rising Star
Everglow Community Care CEO Wayne Crase took out a rising star award for shaping the organisation’s vision and strategic direction to enable it to support frail, aged people to remain at home with their community.
Mr Crase was also recognised for his advocacy for veterans and members of the CALD community.
Next Gen
Angels in Aprons carer Lucy West won a Next Gen Young Leader award after being promoted rapidly through the ranks to become a care-cordinator following “countless” letters of positive feedback and requestions from clients.
The Queenslander, who is set to complete a Bachelor of Nursing next month, says she values the “opportunity to give back to those that have supported her and her family and has motivated her to give aged care the service edge it requires”.
Fellow Next Gen Young Leader winner was Richelle Johns, who works at My at Home Care in WA.
Ms Johns has played an integral role in implementing My at Home Care’s customer centred approach to care and has helped implement the provider’s “personal assistant” approach to customer coordination.
Team
The the Reablement Program Team at Footprints Recovery in Queensland was awarded for
designing a program to respond to decline in function or mental wellbeing related to the covid-19 pandemic.
The multidisciplinary team, consisting of a social worker, OT and health worker, aims to reduce the impact of social isolation and enhance social connection in a safe manner.
The Team winner for NSW/ACT was the Gymea Community Aid and Information Service Community Connections Team.
The team, which delivers CHSP, has also created a range of exercise and social support programs including Zumba, seniors boxing, matwork pilates, barre, yoga, Triple B, Buff Bands, Moves for All and Tai Chi.
For WA, the team member was the Woodvale Getaway Team, which has introduced VR at its social centre to help clients ‘travel the globe’ via an immersive and interactive experience, using advanced technology.
The group, part of the Woodvale social club which providing social support, respite and wellbeing opportunities, includes support workers, an aged care manager, art therapist, a VR project lead and chef.
Main image: The Woodvale Getaway team
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