Calvary Matters September 21, 2016

Calvary Support Worker, Diane first met Sam when he was three years old. Diane has supported Sam throughout his childhood and teenage years and considers it a privilege to have been part of this young man’s journey to independence.

From daycare to kinder and then school Diane has been there to assist Sam to enjoy his favorite activities and develop lifelong skills.

“Sam has always loved “chippies” from McDonalds, toast with vegemite and the pizza we cook together” says Diane, “Oh and baking the occasional cake to surprise Mum and Dad when they come home from work”.

Sam is now 18 years old and able to support himself, while saying goodbye to Sam has been hard, Diane has reflected on their time together below.

Reflection from Diane, Calvary Support Worker

”In reflecting on my “work” with Sam, and let me say I didn’t consider this work but a privilege. I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting and spending time with Sam and his wonderful family. Right from the start Sam’s parents were very warm and welcoming.

I have been with Sam through daycare, kinder, school right through to his graduation. A recent big event was Sam’s Deb Ball, which I was lucky enough to attend and would have to be one of my highlights. Sam was so excited and had a lovely partner, Chloe. It was a real pleasure to watch them together.

The last 15 years with Sam has included some of the most memorable and rewarding times in my life. I have never considered this work, but rather a great way to grow into a caring person and become aware of special needs. I sincerely thank Calvary, John and Jenny (Sam’s parents) and Sam for 15 glorious years together.“

Picture: Dianne, Sam and Jenny (Sam’s mother)

Hello, my name is Margaret Aslin, I have been asked to tell my story.

I was born in 1953 at North Sydney Hospital. My parents built a house in Ryde and I lived there most of my life.  I have three brothers all older than I am, so I was the only girl and the youngest in my family.  I started out my schooling at Kent Road Public School, and then to Ryde High School, when I left school I had no idea what I was going to do as far as work was concerned.  My parents sent me to secretary school and at those times I was expected to grow up find a partner and get married, but it didn’t happen that way for me.

I started out being a receptionist for a real estate at West Ryde.  I went from there to Revlon at Rydalmere in the ordering department, after a couple of years I worked at a few different jobs, however over a period of time I somehow gravitated to Engineering and Pharmaceutical companies and eventually became Personal Assistants to General Managers and a doctor at Johnson and Johnson at North Ryde, doing various jobs.  In earlier times I worked for Westpac in Training and Development Department where I learnt to use a computer (A Wang system) which now is very outdated but at the time I went from “golf ball typewriter” to a “computer”, which was very scary and daunting.  I soon learnt that I had to grow in knowledge of computers as younger people were taking me over, so I learnt and keep learning up to this day!

In between all of this I travelled overseas, my first trip was to England and Europe, my next trip I took my parents on a trip around Asia, for three weeks, with APT. In my 30’s I decided I wanted to do something more out-there so I went on a trip with a group to Nepal, 10 days trekking , 3 days white water rafting and that was scary but after I did it I loved it, 3 days riding an elephant on the border of India and Nepal looking for tigers!  I loved it!   This made me find some of my strengths that I didn’t really know I had!  Another trip later in my 30’s I decided to go to Africa on Safari, camping with a group and that I loved also, East Africa, to see Maasi warriors and seeing all the animals was great.

I was working in an engineering company as a personal assistant and thought I might like to go to Egypt, I decided to go with Peregrine Expeditions as I did with Nepal and Africa, but at that time there was a lot of problems going on in that country so I decided not to go, instead I bought my first home at Quakers Hill.

In 2003 my Dad passed away, it was a bit of a shock to all of us at the time, but there was nothing that could be done he had a heart bypass but it didn’t take, his veins were too clogged with cholesterol. So after two years and much discussion with my mum, the house at Ryde was too big for her to look after, so I sold my place at Quakers Hill and moved back to Ryde for another 2 years.  Then we decided to move to Halliday’s Point and buy a duplex she in one side and me in the other and I looked after her up until she passed away in 2014.  She had a mastectomy in 1991, and unfortunately when we moved to Halliday’s Point the cancer came back, we tried everything, and the Calvary girls were wonderful help to me and to her.  She became weaker and weaker and Wendy Martin helped me to get her into Taree Hospital in the Palliative Care Ward as I was most appreciative and within three days my mum passed away.

I then decided I still had my time to work again after looking after my mum for 6 ½ years, I was not sure what I was going to do, I took my time as there were things I had to do with my mum’s things and her unit, but eventually I decided to do a Cert III Aged Care course. I really enjoyed doing the course and it would be a big change for me after doing only office work all my working life.  It has been a big change but a rewarding and strengthening one!  I have found I have strengths I knew I had but it was time to put them into something new!

By doing this work which I thought after looking after my mum and now after 12 months of working in this industry that perseverance, patients and being positive really helps and trying not to stress too much about things has been very rewarding.

Regards and best wishes,

Margaret Aslin. Support Worker

Our Manager of Clinical Services, Bronwyn Johnston has provided some simple tips for staying happy, healthy and infection free this Spring.

Washing your hands is your best protection

There are moments when hand hygiene is essential. Ensure you are washing your hands:

• before, during and after preparing food
• between handling raw and cooked or ready-to-eat food
• before eating
• after using a tissue or handkerchief
• after using the toilet, or assisting the client with their toilet routine
• before and after attending to people who are coughing or vomiting.
• after smoking
• after handling rubbish or working in the garden
• after handling animals

Hand Washing Routines are quick and easy

• Remove hand jewellery
• Wet hands thoroughly under warm running water
• Apply liquid soap where possible (bar soap may only be used if, not cracked or soggy and there is no alternative – discuss with the Line Manager for alternative options if not usable)
• Lather vigorously covering all aspects of the hands and wrists for 15 secs
• Rinse thoroughly under the warm water
• Dry hands using a clean designated towel or paper towel
• Where possible, do not touch the taps with clean hands – turn tap off using the towel and discard

When hands are not visibly soiled the use of alcohol based hand rubs can be used.

http://www.hha.org.au/UserFiles/file/How_To_HandRub_Poster(1).pdf

Consider your choice in clothing

Remember to remove any clothing with long sleeves before attending to the clients care.

Also use your personal protective equipment as an added barrier to spreading disease, such as disposal aprons.

Always have Gloves available

Gloves should always be used when in contact with blood or other body fluids. Gloves do not replace hand washing, so wash your hands before and after use of gloves.

If your gloves are torn they must be removed and hand washing completed before putting on a new pair.

Plastic Aprons/Gowns

Protective clothing (e.g. plastic aprons) are recommended to be worn when it is possible that clothing will be contaminated by bodily substances. If a gown is not being worn do not hold linen or clothing that may be contaminated up against the body hold them at arm’s length.

Keep your cough to yourself

Remember to cover your cough with a hand, and wash your hands regularly.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/protect/cdc_cough_nologo.pdf

Congratulations to the July Award Recipients

Healing

Sharon Billings – Client Services Officer Shepparton

“Sharon has worked extremely hard and spent many hours on the credentialing spreadsheet and organising all the training for the Support Workers to attend. Sharon’s efforts and time that has been put into credentialing is very much appreciated.  This allows the Client Service Officers to be able to schedule more Support Workers to cover these specialised services. Sharon’s time management, organisation and team input (regarding credentialing especially) and all the numerous other tasks she performs is of a very high standard.  We understand the importance of these tasks and appreciate all that you do.  You always show commitment to your work and focus on attention to detail. You are deserving of the monthly award.”

Hospitality

Donna (Danica) Collins – Support Worker Melbourne East

“Support Worker Donna Collins will always go above and beyond for Clients to fulfil their requests. Nothing is ever too difficult for her and she has not said no once to a shift that needs to be filled urgently (she is very adaptable) not to mention friendly, polite and respectful. Donna Collins Is known for “Excellent and adaptable communication” “Good citizen promoting positivity through the actions of good spirit” Donna is a real value to Calvary Community Care.”

Stewardship

Kaivalya Prasad – HR Consultant

“Kaivalya Prasad is being nominated for a monthly Pause for Applause award for her work on designing, developing and working with Calvary National office in implementing a solution for CCC. This was a difficult piece of work as it has never been done at CCC or other Calvary streams. Kaivalya persisted and worked in an inclusive way within CCC and National colleagues to get our people pages launched on Calvary Connect. These pages provide access for people managers, employees and new employees to relevant information and documents very quickly without having to run searches on Calvary Connect (especially if you are not sure what it is you are looking for). While this was a fantastic piece of work that provides great benefit for all at CCC, it has now become a benchmark for the rest of Calvary – i.e.: this is now going to be adopted across all of the streams including our National office. I am very pleased for Kaivalya, as her hard work will have a long lasting benefit for Calvary Healthcare. Kaivalya’ s persistence, hard work and delivery of a great outcome that will eventually benefit 10,000+ employees at Calvary is a great example of wise stewardship and deserves recognition.”

Respect

Sharon Cross – Support Worker Vic Street

“Sharon is always thinking of new ideas to keep our residents entertained and stimulated. Christmas in July at Vic St was Sharon’s idea, this was completely thought out down to how staff would cope with the extra workload, menu planning (including special dietary requirements), internal advertising and client participation.”

And a big round of Applause for all the June Nominations

Sharon Billings, Donna Collins, Sharon Cross, Francine Moore and Kaivalya Prasad.

Training in Taree

Taree Support Workers take part in manual handling training, and took the opportunity to show off their new uniforms. Looking great ladies!

ACT shows their support for Jersey Day

Staff at ACT pulled on their favourite sports jumpers in support of Jersey Day.

Pictured: Kelli Harlovich, Acting Care coordinator, Leeanne Houssenloge, Community Engagement Coordinator and Rebecca Colson, Acting Case Manager and Daryl Walkenhorst, Sohail Talib and Anna Howard from National ICT.

Service Recognition Awards– Melbourne East Service Centre

Congratulations to all staff members at the recent Service Award ceremony for 5 and 10 years.  

PICTURED:

5 Year Service Awards:

Gabrielle Fitzpatrick

Patricia Ludekens

Leanne Reeves

Robyn Mioni

Dianne Pickett

Maryse Hermence

10 Year Service Awards:

Glenda Hughes

Robyn Doig

Karen Potter

Robyn Ceran

Adrienne Fleming

September is Dementia Awareness Month in Australia and on September 21, globally we celebrate World Alzheimer’s Days.

Both campaigns aim to raise awareness around the disease and create a deeper understanding of what it is like for a person to live with dementia. However, perhaps most importantly the awareness raising days also highlight the importance of assessing services and support early to assist those impacted by dementia including family and professional carers.

To get involved, access resources and receive free event information in your area visit https://www.fightdementia.org.au/

Dementia-Friendly Dining with Calvary

To show our support for World Alzheimer’s Day and contribute to awareness raising initiatives we are launching our second fact sheet – Dementia-Friendly Dining.

Designed to support people with dementia and their carers, the fact sheet showcases simple and stylish dementia friendly dining solutions.

The factsheet will be launched on Facebook and can be downloaded and printed for free from the Calvary Website. Want to be the first to view? Click here for a prelaunch preview!

In 2015 all employees were asked to take part in the 2015 Being for Others survey. The biannual survey gives all employees the opportunity to provide feedback and reinforce what is important to them at work.

The feedback from these surveys is addressed through local and national BPA Action Plans. These plans address the most prominent areas for improvement or change.

Each plan focusses on applicable key areas, and service centres and departments work towards making positive changes in these areas.

Calvary Community Care is committed to an overall BPA Action Plan based on key themes represented in local areas. We are very pleased to share with you the progress and key achievements below.

Local BPA Action Plans are also being updated and the progress and key achievements will be shared with you locally.

Overall Calvary Community Care BPA Action Plan Update

Below is an overview of the four action areas, the progress and key milestones to date.

The Key Achievements include:

• Pause for Applause has been introduced and implemented across Calvary Community Care with over 300 awards being presented to employees.
• Enhance the Client Journey workshop is currently being rolled out at all service centres.
• Change Management Framework has been endorsed by Executive and is currently being introduced.

Congratulations to Taree Service Centre for their contribution and support for the Push for Palliative Project.

The project aims to increase the government funding and support for Palliative Care in northern NSW.

Daylight savings begins on Sunday 2nd October (Vic, NSW, Tas, ACT, SA).

At 2am, clocks move forward one hour to 3am.

Some of your clients may not be aware of this, or if they are, have difficulty adjusting their digital clocks. Please keep this in mind on your next visit.

Smoke Detectors

This is also the time of year to check our smoke detector batteries. Please discuss this with your clients. Some fire brigades offer this as a free service for older people and our home maintenance service may also be able to assist for a fee.

If the client would like the battery changed but doesn’t have anyone able to assist, please discuss with your local Service Centre as a matter of urgency.