Ballarat Health Services recognises that people approaching the end of life, and their families, need us to provide safe and high-quality care.
When the BHS End of Life Framework was developed, bereavement care for families and loved ones was identifi ed as part of the end of life process of care.
Residential Aged Care Services is now leading the way at BHS in seeking to understand what we do well and where we need to improve bereavement care. We are undertaking a bereavement needs project which will involve all nine of our facilities. The aim of the project is build a bereavement service that has been informed by feedback from the families of residents who die in our care.
The bereavement needs project in the residential setting originated in Talbot Place and Bill Crawford Lodge, and came about in response to feedback from residents’
families as well as staff members and palliative and other health
care services. We have trialled the project successfully in two facilities over a 4 month period. Bereaved family members have expressed their gratitude that they were given the opportunity to tell their story about their experience and perspective of end of life care for their loved one in the residential aged care setting.
We are asking families to tell us about their experience across a range of care needs:
• Physical and emotional support of the individual and family
• Communication especially in terms of decision making and EoL information;
• Advance care planning – did it help?
• Focus on individual – personal care and symptom management.
Using the survey information during the trial we were able to assess if the end of life care provided to our residents were consistent with the family
expectations and wishes.
We were able to fi nd out if
there was anything else they would have liked done to help them at this diffi cult time.
Our experience to date has been that the project has provided positive feedback across the range of care needs. It has helped our staff refl ect on the way we do things and to incorporate the family perspective in to day to day practice, helping us be more responsive to the individual needs of our residents and their families.
Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the Hospice movement said
‘How one dies remains in the memories of those who live on’.
The end of life bereavement needs project seeks to ensure that when our residents family recall their loved one’s death, that along with the sadness, is the refl ection that this was a positive time where comfort, dignity and respect underpinned a time to refl ect on the memories of happier times.
BHSRESIDENTIAL NEWS
Winter Edition August 2016
2 Five Minutes with Colleen Foster
2 Are we there yet? (James Thomas Court) 3 Mark Jones Nurse Unit Manager (Talbot Place) 3 W.B. Messer’s Delta Dog
3 Talbot Place’s Star of the Stage 4 Students learn valuable skills at
Geoffrey Cutter Centre
4 End-of-life Care Bereavement Project
Contents
In our Residential Facilities we have Lifestyle Coordinators employed to work with residents to develop activity programs that will enhance social interactions, community involvement and quality of life for our residents. Our Lifestyle staff are always looking for opportunities to network with each other, share resources and to explore ideas, new trends and innovations that other facilities have tried. Interaction with children, animals and music therapy is always well received by our residents and enjoyment is observed by all involved. Our facilities are developing relationships with schools, kindergartens, playgroups etc. to increase the presence of children in our facilities. Our Lifestyle coordinators are very keen to hear any ideas that you may have to assist us to improve our service further. If you are aware of anything that your loved one may have on their ‘bucket list’ we welcome you to discuss this with our lifestyle staff to determine if this is something we could consider. Asking residents what their ‘Bucket List’ might include will become a discussion point between our Lifestyle staff, residents and families in the coming months, we would welcome your feedback and thoughts regarding this.
At Ballarat Health Services we are committed to providing the best care for our residents.
It is well known that frail bed or chair bound residents are potentially at risk of developing pressure injuries. Mobile residents can also be at risk of developing pressure injuries to their feet if footwear is not appropriate.
Preventing pressure injuries from occurring in the fi rst place is the primary goal of care providers. Adequate pressure relieving equipment, appropriately fi tted footwear and good communication with residents and/or family members assists our staff to develop care plans and interventions to minimise the potential risk for our residents.
In the 2014/2015 fi nancial year BHS Residential facilities reviewed and audited the pressure relieving equipment available in our facilities. As a result of that audit a commitment was made to annually commit funds to review, increase and/or update our current pressure relieving equipment across all of our residential facilities. Last fi nancial year we purchased a number of pressure relieving mattresses, cushions and heel wedges along with a number of small items required to assist nurses to prevent serious pressure injuries from developing. This equipment along with raising staff, residents and family’s awareness of the potential risk has resulted in a signifi cant improvement in the reported incidents of pressure injuries across all of our residential facilities. We encourage you to discuss how we manage pressure care with our staff if you would like more information.
Quality Care - Pressure Injury Prevention
Social Activities
A group of year 11 Ballarat Secondary College East
(Woodmans Hill) campus students have been volunteering at the Geoffrey Cutter Centre as part of their Victorian Certifi cate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
During the six week program students have been working with the residents of GCC and their activities staff on a range of projects including hairdressing, helping with food preparation in the kitchen, facilitating games (especially UNO) and working with technology.
The highlight were interviews conducted by students, which they turned into a presentation
and presented back to the residents on their fi nal visit.
Students will use their time at GCC as part of their assessment for their VCAL certifi cates.
The program provides valuable, real life experience for the students in a real workplace. It is also valuable for the residents as it provides exposure to youth, new faces and new experiences.
Ballarat Secondary College VCAL teacher, Patrick Cleary, said “I am very proud of how the students have carried themselves during the volunteering program.
The students showed great enthusiasm and maturity, and
their presentations were especially impressive.
“I am hopeful this is just the beginning of an ongoing relationship between GCC and Woodmans Hill – there is a great deal we can learn from each other”.
Students learn valuable skills at Geoffrey Cutter Centre
End-of-life Care Bereavement Project
[4] BHSRESIDENTIALNEWS
Lorenzo “Kevin” Adair has led the life many can only dream of.
As a young man, Kevin was a boxer knocking around Ararat. As a teenager it was suggested he take up ballet dancing in order to improve his foot work in the ring.
What followed was a dream career dancing in some of the most glamorous places in the world,
“apart from Russia.”
As a principal ballerina for the Australia Ballet, Kevin danced all the popular ballets. “I would dance anything I was asked,” he said. “But I didn’t have a particular favourite.”
Following his retirement from professional dancing, Kevin moved
to Ballarat, where he “spent a lot of time teaching kids to dance,” at his dance studio.
Today, Kevin lives at Talbot Place.
He says the staff and volunteers look after him “very well”.
Events, excursions and outings are some of our favourite activities at James Thomas Court. Whether it’s a small group, or a bus-load of rowdy comrades, it’s hard to tell who’s having more fun – the lifestyle team or our residents. Family and friends are encouraged to join in and whilst trips to the local op shops and afternoon tea at the Art Gallery of Ballarat are high on our list of favourite activities, our residents are keen to keep connected with the local community in other ways too.
This month there was
something for everyone, and the formula for success once again combined entertainment with fi ne cuisine at Morning Melodies, Christmas in July, the QE’s Ladies Auxiliary Luncheon and a trip to the military display to commemorate the Centenary of The Battle of Fromelles at the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum.
We pride ourselves in thinking outside the square at James Thomas Court, but alas, we were not able to convince our normally enthusiastic residents to book a session with the Winterlude pop-up ice skating rink, and despite the kind invitation from Sovereign Hill to visit with their compliments, we admit the ‘Hill’ part of the location does present a few challenges for the lifestyle team in winter – not to worry though, as sometimes the fun unexpectedly comes to us, and we were treated to real snow right outside James Thomas Court instead.
Describe your role and how it relates to Aged Care Services? I am the Nurse Manager at Talbot Place Residential Facility and am responsible for overseeing the care provision and facility management at Talbot Place. We have 30 residents with varying levels of care requirements and a dedicated team who look after them.
What do you like about the job? The people I work with and care for on a daily basis. We have a great team and I enjoy being able to get to know them all and interact with everyone.
Our residents are also fantastic people with amazing stories and personalities that I am enjoying getting to know better each day.
What was your previous role? I have come to Residential from St John’s where I was a Nurse Manager of a Cardiology/
Medical Ward.
If you could go anywhere what favourite meal would you order? My favourite meal has always been steak with pepper sauce, and I would pop along to the Mallow, Dyers Steak Stable or The Ballarat Steakhouse for a prime cut with a cheeky craft beer!
What was your favourite holiday experience? My honeymoon was to Greece and the little island of Hydra was my favourite part of it. No cars, only donkeys allowed, lots of seafood and Greek wine equals a beautiful destination.
What was the most memorable moment you have had
working in Aged Care? These are all very recent for me as I have come from acute. However the most memorable moment for me has been seeing the reaction when one of our volunteers was
nominated for Volunteer of the Year. Our residents were genuinely chuffed and everyone thinks she has won no matter what!
I’m passionate about…… My family, the Hawthorn Football Club, Rugby Union, Golf and basically any sport that I can watch or participate in.
In fi ve words, I am…… Outgoing, Compassionate, Fun, Diligent and Me.
Mark Jones Nurse Unit Manager (Talbot Place)
Are we there yet?
(James
Thomas Court)
Here’s another of our wonderful Delta Dog volunteers.
Beth and Eilish visit W.B. Messer Hostel every Tuesday morning.
In case you’re wondering Eilish is a fi ve-year-old Schnoodle.
W.B. Messer’s Delta Dog
Talbot Place’s Star of the Stage
Five Minutes with Colleen Foster
[2] BHSRESIDENTIALNEWS [3] BHSRESIDENTIALNEWS
Previous Occupation:
Lab attendant Milk vendor Born – Year and Place:
1951, Melbourne
Interests: Gardening, quilting, knitting, and collecting.
Resident since: February 2015 Best part of moving
to.… WBM – I don’t have to cook, and I’ve made friends Most challenging
part…. Getting used to community living.
Earliest memory is….
Having pets – a dog and a bird.
When I was a child I wanted to…. be a vet and work with animals.
My parents always
said…. No such word as “can’t”
My greatest moment in life was…. Getting married to Mark.
In 5 words I am….
Quiet, helpful, nana, colourful, crowded.
I wish I’d never worn….
A hat – I don’t like hats.
Cat or dog…:
Dog named Shane.
When I want to spoil myself I
…. I like to have an ice-cream.
The fi rst thing I reach for in the morning is ….
The bed lamp
The hardest thing I have done in my life…. Losing my husband and best friend
It I could change one thing in the world it would be…. World peace.
After life there is…. Hope I love…. My sister and her husband, and the colours mauve and pink.
In my life I have learnt….
To make the most of my life.
My pet dislike is…. Snakes I can’t live without…. Food.
Before I die I would like to…. Live life to its fullest.
If I could invite fi ve people to dinner they would be…. Alistair, Lachlan, Bob, Carol, and Mark.
The meaning of life is to be…. Happy
If I could be anyone else for the day I would be…. Tina Turner
I am passionate
about…. The colours mauve and pink
A book/song/movie that inspires me…. Pretty Woman
Lorenzo “Kevin” Adair has led the life many can only dream of.
As a young man, Kevin was a boxer knocking around Ararat. As a teenager it was suggested he take up ballet dancing in order to improve his foot work in the ring.
What followed was a dream career dancing in some of the most glamorous places in the world,
“apart from Russia.”
As a principal ballerina for the Australia Ballet, Kevin danced all the popular ballets. “I would dance anything I was asked,” he said. “But I didn’t have a particular favourite.”
Following his retirement from professional dancing, Kevin moved
to Ballarat, where he “spent a lot of time teaching kids to dance,” at his dance studio.
Today, Kevin lives at Talbot Place.
He says the staff and volunteers look after him “very well”.
Events, excursions and outings are some of our favourite activities at James Thomas Court. Whether it’s a small group, or a bus-load of rowdy comrades, it’s hard to tell who’s having more fun – the lifestyle team or our residents. Family and friends are encouraged to join in and whilst trips to the local op shops and afternoon tea at the Art Gallery of Ballarat are high on our list of favourite activities, our residents are keen to keep connected with the local community in other ways too.
This month there was
something for everyone, and the formula for success once again combined entertainment with fi ne cuisine at Morning Melodies, Christmas in July, the QE’s Ladies Auxiliary Luncheon and a trip to the military display to commemorate the Centenary of The Battle of Fromelles at the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum.
We pride ourselves in thinking outside the square at James Thomas Court, but alas, we were not able to convince our normally enthusiastic residents to book a session with the Winterlude pop-up ice skating rink, and despite the kind invitation from Sovereign Hill to visit with their compliments, we admit the ‘Hill’ part of the location does present a few challenges for the lifestyle team in winter – not to worry though, as sometimes the fun unexpectedly comes to us, and we were treated to real snow right outside James Thomas Court instead.
Describe your role and how it relates to Aged Care Services? I am the Nurse Manager at Talbot Place Residential Facility and am responsible for overseeing the care provision and facility management at Talbot Place. We have 30 residents with varying levels of care requirements and a dedicated team who look after them.
What do you like about the job? The people I work with and care for on a daily basis. We have a great team and I enjoy being able to get to know them all and interact with everyone.
Our residents are also fantastic people with amazing stories and personalities that I am enjoying getting to know better each day.
What was your previous role? I have come to Residential from St John’s where I was a Nurse Manager of a Cardiology/
Medical Ward.
If you could go anywhere what favourite meal would you order? My favourite meal has always been steak with pepper sauce, and I would pop along to the Mallow, Dyers Steak Stable or The Ballarat Steakhouse for a prime cut with a cheeky craft beer!
What was your favourite holiday experience? My honeymoon was to Greece and the little island of Hydra was my favourite part of it. No cars, only donkeys allowed, lots of seafood and Greek wine equals a beautiful destination.
What was the most memorable moment you have had
working in Aged Care? These are all very recent for me as I have come from acute. However the most memorable moment for me has been seeing the reaction when one of our volunteers was
nominated for Volunteer of the Year. Our residents were genuinely chuffed and everyone thinks she has won no matter what!
I’m passionate about…… My family, the Hawthorn Football Club, Rugby Union, Golf and basically any sport that I can watch or participate in.
In fi ve words, I am…… Outgoing, Compassionate, Fun, Diligent and Me.
Mark Jones Nurse Unit Manager (Talbot Place)
Are we there yet?
(James
Thomas Court)
Here’s another of our wonderful Delta Dog volunteers.
Beth and Eilish visit W.B. Messer Hostel every Tuesday morning.
In case you’re wondering Eilish is a fi ve-year-old Schnoodle.
W.B. Messer’s Delta Dog
Talbot Place’s Star of the Stage
Five Minutes with Colleen Foster
[2] BHSRESIDENTIALNEWS [3] BHSRESIDENTIALNEWS
Previous Occupation:
Lab attendant Milk vendor Born – Year and Place:
1951, Melbourne
Interests: Gardening, quilting, knitting, and collecting.
Resident since: February 2015 Best part of moving
to.… WBM – I don’t have to cook, and I’ve made friends Most challenging
part…. Getting used to community living.
Earliest memory is….
Having pets – a dog and a bird.
When I was a child I wanted to…. be a vet and work with animals.
My parents always
said…. No such word as “can’t”
My greatest moment in life was…. Getting married to Mark.
In 5 words I am….
Quiet, helpful, nana, colourful, crowded.
I wish I’d never worn….
A hat – I don’t like hats.
Cat or dog…:
Dog named Shane.
When I want to spoil myself I
…. I like to have an ice-cream.
The fi rst thing I reach for in the morning is ….
The bed lamp
The hardest thing I have done in my life…. Losing my husband and best friend
It I could change one thing in the world it would be…. World peace.
After life there is…. Hope I love…. My sister and her husband, and the colours mauve and pink.
In my life I have learnt….
To make the most of my life.
My pet dislike is…. Snakes I can’t live without…. Food.
Before I die I would like to…. Live life to its fullest.
If I could invite fi ve people to dinner they would be…. Alistair, Lachlan, Bob, Carol, and Mark.
The meaning of life is to be…. Happy
If I could be anyone else for the day I would be…. Tina Turner
I am passionate
about…. The colours mauve and pink
A book/song/movie that inspires me…. Pretty Woman
Ballarat Health Services recognises that people approaching the end of life, and their families, need us to provide safe and high-quality care.
When the BHS End of Life Framework was developed, bereavement care for families and loved ones was identifi ed as part of the end of life process of care.
Residential Aged Care Services is now leading the way at BHS in seeking to understand what we do well and where we need to improve bereavement care. We are undertaking a bereavement needs project which will involve all nine of our facilities. The aim of the project is build a bereavement service that has been informed by feedback from the families of residents who die in our care.
The bereavement needs project in the residential setting originated in Talbot Place and Bill Crawford Lodge, and came about in response to feedback from residents’
families as well as staff members and palliative and other health
care services. We have trialled the project successfully in two facilities over a 4 month period. Bereaved family members have expressed their gratitude that they were given the opportunity to tell their story about their experience and perspective of end of life care for their loved one in the residential aged care setting.
We are asking families to tell us about their experience across a range of care needs:
• Physical and emotional support of the individual and family
• Communication especially in terms of decision making and EoL information;
• Advance care planning – did it help?
• Focus on individual – personal care and symptom management.
Using the survey information during the trial we were able to assess if the end of life care provided to our residents were consistent with the family
expectations and wishes.
We were able to fi nd out if
there was anything else they would have liked done to help them at this diffi cult time.
Our experience to date has been that the project has provided positive feedback across the range of care needs. It has helped our staff refl ect on the way we do things and to incorporate the family perspective in to day to day practice, helping us be more responsive to the individual needs of our residents and their families.
Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the Hospice movement said
‘How one dies remains in the memories of those who live on’.
The end of life bereavement needs project seeks to ensure that when our residents family recall their loved one’s death, that along with the sadness, is the refl ection that this was a positive time where comfort, dignity and respect underpinned a time to refl ect on the memories of happier times.
BHSRESIDENTIAL NEWS
Winter Edition August 2016
2 Five Minutes with Colleen Foster
2 Are we there yet? (James Thomas Court) 3 Mark Jones Nurse Unit Manager (Talbot Place) 3 W.B. Messer’s Delta Dog
3 Talbot Place’s Star of the Stage 4 Students learn valuable skills at
Geoffrey Cutter Centre
4 End-of-life Care Bereavement Project
Contents
In our Residential Facilities we have Lifestyle Coordinators employed to work with residents to develop activity programs that will enhance social interactions, community involvement and quality of life for our residents. Our Lifestyle staff are always looking for opportunities to network with each other, share resources and to explore ideas, new trends and innovations that other facilities have tried. Interaction with children, animals and music therapy is always well received by our residents and enjoyment is observed by all involved. Our facilities are developing relationships with schools, kindergartens, playgroups etc. to increase the presence of children in our facilities. Our Lifestyle coordinators are very keen to hear any ideas that you may have to assist us to improve our service further. If you are aware of anything that your loved one may have on their ‘bucket list’ we welcome you to discuss this with our lifestyle staff to determine if this is something we could consider. Asking residents what their ‘Bucket List’ might include will become a discussion point between our Lifestyle staff, residents and families in the coming months, we would welcome your feedback and thoughts regarding this.
At Ballarat Health Services we are committed to providing the best care for our residents.
It is well known that frail bed or chair bound residents are potentially at risk of developing pressure injuries. Mobile residents can also be at risk of developing pressure injuries to their feet if footwear is not appropriate.
Preventing pressure injuries from occurring in the fi rst place is the primary goal of care providers. Adequate pressure relieving equipment, appropriately fi tted footwear and good communication with residents and/or family members assists our staff to develop care plans and interventions to minimise the potential risk for our residents.
In the 2014/2015 fi nancial year BHS Residential facilities reviewed and audited the pressure relieving equipment available in our facilities. As a result of that audit a commitment was made to annually commit funds to review, increase and/or update our current pressure relieving equipment across all of our residential facilities. Last fi nancial year we purchased a number of pressure relieving mattresses, cushions and heel wedges along with a number of small items required to assist nurses to prevent serious pressure injuries from developing. This equipment along with raising staff, residents and family’s awareness of the potential risk has resulted in a signifi cant improvement in the reported incidents of pressure injuries across all of our residential facilities. We encourage you to discuss how we manage pressure care with our staff if you would like more information.
Quality Care - Pressure Injury Prevention
Social Activities
A group of year 11 Ballarat Secondary College East
(Woodmans Hill) campus students have been volunteering at the Geoffrey Cutter Centre as part of their Victorian Certifi cate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
During the six week program students have been working with the residents of GCC and their activities staff on a range of projects including hairdressing, helping with food preparation in the kitchen, facilitating games (especially UNO) and working with technology.
The highlight were interviews conducted by students, which they turned into a presentation
and presented back to the residents on their fi nal visit.
Students will use their time at GCC as part of their assessment for their VCAL certifi cates.
The program provides valuable, real life experience for the students in a real workplace. It is also valuable for the residents as it provides exposure to youth, new faces and new experiences.
Ballarat Secondary College VCAL teacher, Patrick Cleary, said “I am very proud of how the students have carried themselves during the volunteering program.
The students showed great enthusiasm and maturity, and
their presentations were especially impressive.
“I am hopeful this is just the beginning of an ongoing relationship between GCC and Woodmans Hill – there is a great deal we can learn from each other”.
Students learn valuable skills at Geoffrey Cutter Centre
End-of-life Care Bereavement Project
[4] BHSRESIDENTIALNEWS
