Doing things ‘right’ in aged care
A Western Australia aged care provider has adopted the ‘3Rs’ approach to help staff focus on what matters in its service delivery – being the ‘right’ person for the job, doing the ‘right’ things by residents and clients to make ordinary tasks fun or enriching, and doing things in the ‘right’ way which means pitching in with a smile.
Di Bennett, of Amana Living, is awarded as the driving force behind the implementation of the provider's new Home Care management system, with CEO Ray Glickman applauding to the right.
Amana Living recently thanked and awarded its staff at a Masquerade Ball at Scarborough's Rendezvous Hotel.
“Amana Living exists to help older people really live the second half of life,” says Ray Glickman, Amana Living chief executive. “This means making a difference in their lives each day and providing the very best quality care we can. We each play a vital role in achieving this, so it’s important we have the right approach.”
Staff nominated for the 3Rtist Awards were acknowledged at the ball, along with those who have served the organisation from between 10 to 35 years.
The 3Rtist Awards are presented to employees who demonstrate the Amana Living commitment to being the 'Right People, doing the Right Things, in the Right Way'.
The winners were:
Di Bennett – Operations Manager, Home Care
Ms Bennett has been the driving force behind the implementation of the provider's new Home Care management system, ComCare. With up to 4,000 home care visits a week to coordinate, getting a new system up and running has been challenging for the team, to say the least. Ms Bennett got to grips with it, determined to find the best way to train staff and get the system up and running. Not only did she achieve this, but she didn’t stop smiling or finding a way to make others smile too.
Rom Romo – Occupational Therapy Assistant, Amana Living Mandurah (Wearne House)
Mr Romo has turned the Amana Living Wii World Cup virtual tenpin bowling competition into an opportunity to delight residents and to engage with them in a positive way. He pays close attention to individual residents’ preferences – demonstrated when he made an All Blacks medley DVD for a new resident. This helped the resident to settle, aiding staff with behaviour management. Mr Romo did this in his own time, showing great dedication and respect for the individual in his care.
Karen Partington, Consultant, Human Resources
New rosters have been introduced at several Amana Living sites this year. Ms Partington has connected with each individual staff member at each site to support them through the changes and the impact on them personally. In each case, she has looked for the best solution for the individual and for Amana Living. Thanks to her commitment to respecting and listening to each person, the outcome has been positive.
Long Service Awards
Amana Living presented awards to staff marking five year milestones in their Amana Living careers, from 10 to 35 years. This year there were about 70 employees receiving long service awards, including:
Michelle Pisani – 35 years
Ms Pisani has been with Amana Living Bayswater (St George’s Home) for 35 years. She spent the first three years as a cleaner, worked in the kitchen for 12 years, and then became a carer. She says she has stayed with Amana Living for most of her life because she loves the work she does and it makes her happy.
Jan Ireland and Elizabeth Dunning – 25 years
When Jan Ireland joined Lefroy Hostel working night shifts in the kitchen, she was already running a home based daycare service while raising her own three children. She moved from the kitchen to become a carer and eventually to the respite centre, coordinating admissions and activities.
Liz Dunning worked in the kitchen the Anglican Homes Food Service in Cottesloe before it became Total Catering Solutions, a subsidiary of Amana Living. Ms Dunning progressed from her role as cook to become supervisor seven years ago.
Both Ms Ireland and Ms Dunning retired this year.
