Patrick on a ‘privileged’ journey

Mercy Health’s pastoral assistant, Patrick Comarmond, says working with older Australians is a “wonderful and privileged gift”.

Mr Comarmond’s dedication and service to the care of older people was recognised at the 2012 Aged & Community Care Victoria’s (ACCV) State Awards for Excellence in Melbourne when he was awarded the Employee Award last week.

Speaking to DPS News last week, Mr Comarmond (pictured), who is based at Mercy Place East Melbourne, says his ability to assist and support people comes simply by “hearing and listening”.

Appointed to primarily help residents, he also supports families and staff through the prospective of change.

He is described as having the unique ability to be there for everyone he interacts with, always putting the needs of others before his own. In his role, he offers emotional and spiritual support to residents, including those with dementia, and their families.

“My role is to support people as they journey through that experience. For me, I guess, with so much access to technology medical resources, working in this area is so much more. Helping someone through this journey is a real gift.

“To help a person and walk with that person as they embark on that journey and to be there for them is important. Sometimes we can talk about it and what it means to die. We discuss our hopes and what it is like to look back,” he says.

For Mr Comarmond, it’s about “creating a real safe place… a place of love” for the resident.

But he admits, “sometimes words don’t do it justice” and sometimes it is difficult to talk about things, particularly dying.

“Using rituals, art or finding a way that works for them to express what stirs up in them is important.”

He expresses joy in having the emerging practice of pastoral care recognised in the industry and believes the sector needs to “value more than just clinical care”.

Bupa Bellarine was also rewarded for its innovations in resident lifestyle and excellent clinical care and as a leader in person-centred care. St Bernadette’s Aged Care’s volunteer of 16 years, Laura Agius, was  recognised for her dedication to the industry as was Linda Shillong who was awarded the trainee award.

ACCV chief executive, Gerard Mansour, said the awards recognise excellence across all fields of the aged care industry and celebrate significant contributions to the quality of life of older people, people with disabilities and their carers.

“Our Victorian aged care industry is renowned for its dedication to ensuring our older Victorians receive the best possible quality of life as they age.

“It is the facilities, employees and volunteers whose commitment to the care of our older people makes the Victorian aged care industry outstanding.”

Describing life as a “mixture of ups and downs”, Mr Comarmond says “as a person ages, we all come together to experience the final journey of life”.

“To see a person living with dementia or to witness someone dying, there can be great suffering but there are also some amazing moments, such as seeing two people get together, sit and hold each other’s hands… that’s a gift and that really makes a difference.”

Mr Comarmond and the other winners of the ACCV State Awards will also be nominated for the 2012 National Awards, run by national peak body Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA).