DutchCare facility manager wins Eden Champion Award

DutchCare’s Avondrust Lodge Manager, Ann van Dam has won the international Eden Champion Award at the 2016 Eden Alternative International Conference in the USA last month.

Posted June 2nd 2016

by Margot White

Providers

<p>Avondrust Lodge Manager Ann van Dam</p> — Avondrust Lodge Manager Ann van Dam

The award, presented by Eden’s cofounder Jude Thomas, acknowledges the work done at DutchCare’s Carrum Downs home.

The Eden Alternative philosophy of care is about improving the wellbeing of residents and those who care for them by transforming the communities in which they live and work.

“I have a strong belief that all elders who live in an aged care facility, not just at DutchCare, have the right to live in a community where they are valued, and there is a strong focus on eliminating the three plagues: Loneliness, Helplessness and Boredom,” Ms van Dam says.

She says it has been a great journey but insists that the award is not just for her, acknowledging the tireless team efforts and the dedicated staff that have made the Eden facility a success.

DutchCare chief executive officer Petra Neeleman says: “The award is a great honour and acknowledges all the amazing things Ann does to transform the lives she touches both with our residents and with staff.”

DutchCare has practiced the Eden philosophy since 2001.