Carer of the year announced
A recreational activities officer with an abounding love for her job and a passion for making a difference has taken out the top title of Carer of the Year in the 2010 National Nursing Home Awareness Week Awards.
The IRT Moruya Village employee, Janine Peucker, was recognised for her efforts in delivering the innovative program entitled the ‘Moruya Taskforce’, which seeks to benefit residents and improve their quality of life.
The voluntary activities program, developed in 2009, provides residents with a sense of purpose by matching participants with various tasks around the facility and its grounds.
The judges ruled that the taskforce promotes choice, autonomy and the joy of working together for the benefit of all.
“It’s totally voluntary but since I started this people who didn’t want to do anything initally have seen others participate and have since asked to come in and help,” she said.
Participating residents, who own the program, are supported by staff. Ms Pecuker expects that the taskforce will attract more volunteers over time, as there has been an increase in the numbers, with a total of 19 current participants of the 28 residents who live at the village.
“We want our village to be their home as much as we can and we want them to feel like it is their place. And they enjoy doing these tasks, with a big smile on their face.
Daniel’s Shield, an arm of Community Outreach Ministries in Sydney, ran the awards and the winner was selected by a panel chaired by Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen.
