Calvary Matters August 31, 2016
Welcome
To the latest edition of our Calvary Matters Employee Update. We hope you are enjoying the new electronic format, and finding it easier to read and navigate on the go. This edition we are inviting you all to take part in the Calvary Steptember Challenge. The Steptember initiative challenges teams of four to take 10,000 steps a day for 28 days to raise funds for people living with cerebral palsy. As an additional incentive Calvary is covering the registration cost of $25.00 per person. Together we can make a huge difference, so let’s Step it Up for Steptember. For more information see the Steptember article below.
Meet Toni Roberts from the Top End
Toni Roberts is the new Manager of Malakunya, our flexible residential facility located on Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory. As part of her new role Toni has relocated and is now living on the remote island.
“I believe that you have to live in a community to be part of the community” says Toni, excited by the opportunity to learn more about Tiwi culture, language and life on the island. Whilst this is the first time she has worked in such a remote community, Toni has many years experience working in regional Western Australia.
In one of her former jobs Toni coordinated aged care services across two shires and an area spanning over 5000 square kilometres. It was the “sheep and wheat” belt and Toni even had clients who lived on the rabbit proof fence.
This experience taught Toni how to be practical and innovative, skills that will no doubt come in handy in Tiwi. Toni firmly believes that “choices are only limited by a lack of creativity, sometimes you may need to work a little harder” admits Toni “but if people are happy and still connected to their family and community it is all worthwhile”.
Toni is looking forward to the warmer weather and the chance to go fishing in Tiwi but not swimming. “I wont be in the ocean” she exclaims “too many crocodiles”.
Step Up with Calvary during Steptember
The Steptember initiative challenges teams of four to take 10,000 steps a day for 28 days. Each participate should encourage family members, friends and other colleagues to make a sponsorship donation to raise funds for people living with cerebral palsy.
How to get involved
- Form a group of up to four people
- Nominate a Team Leader and create a team name
- The Team Leader registers the team at https://event.steptember.org.au/signup
- Enter the code Calvary2016 and Calvary will cover your registration costs ($25). However, we do encourage you to donate the $25 back to Steptember.
Great reasons to get involved
- It’s a great excuse to walk to, in and around your workplace or get active during your break times.
- If you don’t have a pedometer Steptember will send you one so you can wear it to count your daily steps.
- You’ll feel healthier, you’ll sleep better, and at the very least, you’ll feel less guilty about your special treats.
- Other forms of exercise (like a spin class or yoga) still count towards your daily ‘step count’.
- Encourage other teams across Calvary to also join in. We will be able to monitor and report the progress of all our Calvary teams from the on-line reporting tool.
- Mark Doran, our National CEO, is joining us. Walking is a big part of his daily routine and he encourages others to also reap the health benefits of walking.
- Every dollar raised goes towards helping people living with cerebral palsy—a condition that affects thousands of Australians and their ability to move. Please establish your fundraising goals and let your friends know.
If you require further information please contact Joanna Rai, National Injury Management & Wellbeing Advisor on 02 9258 1779 or email joanna.rai@calvarycare.org.au
Located in Manningham, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges?
Why not combine Steptember with the Pathways for carers Project!
The Pathway for Carers project offers carers of people with a disability or a mental health issue, an opportunity to share walks in Manningham, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges with other carers and to learn more about news, services and supports available.
Further information and location details visit www.facebook.com/pathwaysforcarers or phone LifeAssist on 9239 2500.
Pause for Applause – Latest Nominations
We have had another month of exceptional nominations and stand out performances from our Calvary community. Thank you to all those who Paused and Applauded the contributions of their work colleagues.
Congratulations to the June Award Recipients.
Healing
Levina Smith – Case Manager Taree
“Levina has extensive experience working with vulnerable members of our community. The client, a gentleman whose circumstances were extremely challenging and complex with multiple stakeholders involved and noone to support him to regain control over his life. On commencement of the working relationship the client displayed challenging behaviours including verbal outbursts. Levina’s experience enabled her to build the relationship and build trust. Trust was an issue for him given past interactions with people and people in positions of ‘perceived power’. The client wanted to regain control of his life and be responsible for decisions about his money, his living arrangements and desperately wanted his licence back. Levina spent many months and many hours advocating for the client and faced some very challenging interactions across Government Departments, Medical Professionals, the Guardianship Tribunal and the Courts. The end result was that the client did regain control over his life. To my mind Levina demonstrated the epitome of case management practice and excellence in demonstrating our value of healing.”
Hospitality
Andrew Gregg – Client Services Officer Adelaide
’Andrew is always polite, friendly, welcoming, customer centric, always at his desk and willing to take a call and assist clients and employees. Andrew regularly goes above and beyond to ensure client expectations are met. This is something that can be seen all the way in Victoria by the Service Support Team.”
Stewardship
Robert Mander – Support Worker Melbourne East
“Support Worker Robert Mander has demonstrated excellence in stewardship working with new Sams ISP client in completing an effective routine to support the client and his carer in the role. The initial service was around rapport building to develop a routine. Robert has initiated a formal plan as a process to benefit all staff attending this client.”
Respect
Paula Lynch – Support Worker Vic Street
“Paula imbues all that is ‘care’ when it comes to values as a Support Worker. Paula is always there when she has spare time to lend a helping hand. Paula works very well personally with clients and in a team with other Support Workers communicating excellently to make sure the support and residents needs are met. Paula is a pleasure to work with.”
And a big round of Applause for all the June Nominations
Healing:
Philippa Wright
Levina Smith
Julia Davidson
Paula Lynch
Hospitality:
Stephanie Bell
Vic Street Team
Penny Collingwood
Julia Davidson
Sharon Cross
Lesley Deacon
Glen Oakland
Andrew Gregg
Respect:
Helena Thiele
Paula Lynch
Aaron Woods
Stewardship:
Julia Davidson
Robert Mander
A new baby, graduation and service recognition.
A new addition!
Our very best wishes to Melbourne Care Coordinator Shae Baxter and husband Ryann who have recently welcomed the gorgeous Mikey to their family.
Taree Service Recognitions
Congratulations to Taree Support Workers Rozana Jurin (left) and Christine Ostara (right) who were recognised for Calvary service of ten and five years respectively.
Calvary Leaders
[LEFT] Sonya Murray (Riverina), Hazel Still (Sydney) and Rhett Guthrie (ACT) recently graduated from the Leadership Learning Dynamics Course. [RIGHT] They were joined by Helen Douglas (GM Operations) and Julianne Siggins (Area Manager) at their graduation dinner.
Sneak peek behind the scenes.
Man with a Plan – Forster
Respite Coordinator Sheree Sheather and Manager of Practice and Innovation, Judith Henriksen have been developing a pilot program in the Forster region. Called “Man with a Plan”, it is designed to equip older men with basic cooking skills and provide a forum for interaction and socialisation. This program has been developed in collaboration with clients using co-production principles. This means that clients are actively involved in designing a program that meets their needs – they are empowered to participate in both the design and rollout. Pictured in their Calvary aprons, participants of the first session signalled their approval for the program!
Sneak Peek Behind the Scenes – Tasmania Photoshoot
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at a Calvary photoshoot? Balloons are bumping, dogs are jumping and the Calvary team is pumping!
The Community Care crew spent two days photographing clients, patients, staff and even some four legged friends in their favourite community places across Launceston. Thank you to all involved for bringing our Calvary Community Care services, care and possibilities to life in front of the camera! Keep your eye out for the fabulous images on our website, brochures, magazine, newsletters and marketing collateral in the coming weeks.
When Miss Douglas’ Mum came to Class
Ever wondered how a prep student might interpret the work we do at Calvary Community Care? General Manager of Operations Helen Douglas discovered it firsthand when she visited her daughter’s Prep Class. Their comments were beautifully captured in the visuals below.
“I leant that Miss Douglas mum hleps (helps) old pepleas (people). She techdesur (teaches) abolt (about) a spine and brain. We gesst (guessed) what she deos (does). I gesst (guessed) that she hleps peplea (helps people) and I got a priass. (prize)
“I learnt then (that) miss douglas henps (helps) lot of people. I learnt then (that) miss douglas coee (comes) to school to seow (show) wenw (what) she dove (does) in the cheevew (community)”.
“Fus (first) I go to simn (simon). Next I go to miss douglas to thic (think) of miss douglas cmnity (community) and I got a suprs (surprise) and is a botol (bottle). I love my you botl (new bottle).”
A Calvary Message of Appreciation from Linda Lloyd, Gippsland Service Centre
‘I wanted to reflect and appreciate the work of three particular Support Workers that have assisted one of our Gippsland clients for over 14 years.
Three of our Support Workers, Debra, Beverley and Glenda have been long standing Support Workers in our region and have all worked with this particular client over an extended period spanning from 10 – 14 years.
Their dedication and persistence has provided continuity of care and made a real difference to her life.
Providing 24 hour care, with rotating 12 hours shifts, Debra, Beverley and Glenda have worked as a team to provide seamless care between services. Overtime Debra, Beverley and Glenda have become very connected with the family, and have played a very important role in supporting the family, they even cared for the client’s husband for a period of time before he sadly passed.
The relationship between the Support Workers, the client and her extended family, in particular the son and daughter is one of mutual respect and friendship. This is a real credit to the ladies, and a testament of their teamwork, dedication and quality of care.
Linda Lloyd Service Coordinator, Gippsland
Do you have a message of appreciation from your Service Centre?
We would love to hear from you. Email your reflection and photos to ccc.communications@calvarycare.org.au
Client Satisfaction Calls
Late last year Calvary Community Care introduced a new client satisfaction call as part of the transition to electronic declaration lodgement. This call was designed to provide clients with comfort that a regular audit process was in place now that they are no longer required to sign Support Worker schedules.
The call is made to a random sample of clients who have received services in the last 48 hours. They are asked to confirm the service delivered, the time and duration.
Clients are also asked “on a scale of 1-10, how likely are they to recommend the service to a friend or family member?” so we can verify their satisfactions levels with the quality of service delivered.
The responses thus far have been overwhelmingly positive and provided another opportunity for clients to share their experiences and for the organisation to measure and monitor customer satisfaction levels.
Some of the comments that have been recorded include:
“Support Worker is wonderful, best he ever had, arrives on time and works hard for the hour”.
“Client is delighted with Support Worker and would be lost without her”.
“Keep doing what your doing, service is wonderful”
“Wonderful job and couldn’t ask for better Support Workers”.
If you have any queries about the calls, please contact the Quality team on ccc.quality@calvarycare.org.au
Complete your look at the Calvary Uniform Portal
If you are interested in viewing the Optional Calvary Uniform Range which includes a variety of cardigans, vests, dresses and pants simply log on by following the below steps:
- Visit https://www.pbworkwearonline.com.au/index.php
- Log in using your Calvary Employee Number as your username and password
- Use the 5 Easy Steps to Ordering fact sheet to complete your order.
National Child Protection Week – Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business
NAPCAN’s campaign aims to provide communities and individuals with practical information on how to ‘Play Your Part’ and to embed primary prevention messages into social discourse. It also provides a platform for communities to be empowered, resourced and mobilised to take action at a local level.
You can get involved through the campaign’s Play Your Part Awards, events, programs and resources.
For more information visit http://napcan.org.au/ncpw/
Be MedicineWise Week – Take Charge and keep your medicines under control
Be Medicinewise Week encourages Australians to take charge of their health by being medicinewise, and raising awareness on the importance of having conversations about medicines. The campaign is encouraging people to:
Top 5 medicinewise questions
Ask these questions before you take a new medicine
- What is the medicine for?
- What is the active ingredient?
- How do I take or use this medicine correctly?
- What are the possible side effects and what can I do about them?
- What should or shouldn’t I do while taking this medicine?
It’s also a good idea to keep a medicine list.
By recording your medicine details on a specific list you have accurate and complete information on what you are taking, it will remind you when to take your medicine and it can be used as a resource when visiting your local GP or specialist.
You can download a free Medicine List template here.
For further information and useful links visit http://www.nps.org.au/about-us/what-we-do/campaigns-events/be-medicinewise-week
Administering Medications at Calvary
In light of Be Medicewise Week it is timely to revisit and refresh the requirements and guidelines for prompting and administering medications to clients at Calvary.
Critical information and the 8 Rights of Medication Administration is below.
Critical Information:
- Support Workers can only assist with medications if directed by a Calvary Service Coordinator, Registered Nurse or Case Manager.
- Any medication requests from family members, Doctors or external Case Managers must be referred to the applicable Calvary Service Coordinator or Case Manager.
- Only Support Workers who have undergone specialised training and credentialing can administer medication. Administering includes:
- medications from a blister pack
- medicated eye drops
- prescribed creams/lotions
- medicated patches
- measuring liquid medication
- respiratory inhalers and nebulisers
- If you are ever unsure or a medication error has occurred contact your service centre or the service support team immediately.
8 Rights of Medication Administration
For more details on Medication prompting and administration refer to your Support Worker Diary or your Support Worker Policy and Procedures manual.
