Calvary Health Care

Enrich is a choir for people in the early to mid-stages of Huntington’s Disease (HD). Environmental enrichment and stimulation, such as that gained from singing, can have positive outcomes related to cognitive function, increased social support and enhanced mood. The Enrich project, supported by music therapists, community volunteers and philanthropic funds has been created to support active participation in music, whilst providing a positive, enjoyable and creative way for people living with HD to improve their quality of life and sense of accomplishment.

For more information, please contact the music therapy department on 03 9595 3380.

The Active Palliative Exercise Group began in 2017 to enable people within our Community Palliative Care Service to come together for supervised group exercise.

Participants have enjoyed the opportunity to socialise with others who are undergoing similar challenges, while they maintain their strength and fitness. Since its inception, there have been over 80 participants who have benefited from a tailored exercise program that helps them maintain physical independence and maximise their health and wellbeing, despite the progressive nature of their disease condition.

The group had to adapt after being forced to stay at home because of the lockdown put in place because of the Covid pandemic. Though it wasn’t as good as the real thing, patients relished the opportunity to exercise and socialise together again even if was online.

Picture Power for MND and HD

A photovoice program targeting communication and social participation for families living with progressive neurological disease.

This capacity-building group program has been designed for patients and carers living with a progressive neurological disorder (PND) such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND) or Huntington’s Disease (HD); terminal diseases which have a profound impact on quality of life.

Live music is good for you! Join the Music Therapy department for their weekly music Livestream every Friday from 12- 1 pm. Song requests are welcomed and can be sent to us via email or made via the YouTube chat function on the day. If you can’t join live, re-plays of each week are available for you to view at a time that bests suits you.

Click on the link below to access this Friday’s Lunchtunes@Bethlehem at noon:

We have a Staying Connected team that works on the ward consisting of tech support and diversional therapists who work closely with our healthcare team giving patients one on one support tailoring their technological devices to improve communication and connection with family and friends.

Arts and culture experiences help people to connect, cope, and be well in the short and long term.

• Our Specialist Street library is a collection of books about illness, aging, dying and grief. Community members are invited to browse our collection of end of life books to build their skills, knowledge, and comfort around end of life.

• The Bethlehem Specialist Street Library will be loacted at 152 Como Parade West Parkdale Victoria 3195 from Friday 11 June!

• Brochure to be available here soon!

• Find out more about Street Library here.

• Developed during the 2020 COVID-19 Victorian lockdown, Let’s Talk About Death Over Zoom is an innovative online adaption of Michael Hebb’s Let’s Talk About Death Over Dinner concept.

• During the 1.5hr online session, participants are guided through a series of questions about end of life, such as decision making options, funeral wishes, ideas around a “good death”, etc

• A free home delivery kit with key resources is also provided.

• The Embracing Life DVD follows the experience of a group of students form Sacred Health Girl’s College in Oakleigh who spent time at the hospital with patients, staff and volunteers. The documentary examines how the project changed the student’s views of palliative care, giving them a greater appreciation of life, and increasing their confidence to have conversations about death.

• The video has been used as a classroom resource for high-school students, an induction module for health care staff, and a community education tool.

• A facilitation manual is available for schools and community groups wishing to use the video within their own communities.