Resources on the Road

The care provider launched their new Lifestyle Resource Van this week, a mobile library-style service, equipped with items to enhance residents’ lifestyles.

Driven by a combination of staff and volunteers, the van will operate on a rotating roster of Anglican Care’s residential aged care homes, travelling to each site allowing residents to borrow resources through a library-style system.

The van will also visit people in the community who have been identified by Anglican Care staff as needing the additional support that the van can provide.

The concept was developed through the continuing need to provide innovative ways to achieve positive social, cognitive, physical, sensory, behavioural and spiritual outcomes to residents and consumers across the organisation.

The Lifestyle Resource Van is equipped with items such as, large print reading books and other literature, DVD’s, table and floor games, knitting, music and art therapy items, together with information technology items such as iPads.

“The wide ranging nature of resources will mean the van will be able to assist all manner of aged people and carers; from those with a dementia related illness to those who may be socially isolated. It will also have resources to cater for people from different cultural backgrounds via communication cards and links with interpreting/translating services,” says Jane Meldrum, Anglican Care’s Lifestyle and Well Being Coordinator.

The Lifestyle Resource Van is unique to the aged care industry in the areas in which Anglican Care operates and is available to all residential, community and retirement living residents in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, on the Central Coast and in the Manning Region.