The people who make aged care sweeter and brighter

A COLOURFUL ice cream cart, creative activities and plenty of personal connections are helping make life brighter for residents at Peter Sinclair Gardens in Hawks Nest, highlighting the difference aged care workers make every day.

The local aged care community joined Australians around the country in saying “thanks for caring” on Aged Care Employee Day, which was held on Friday, 7 August.

Now in its eighth year, the national day recognises more than 450,000 people working across Australia’s aged care sector, from nurses and personal care workers to chefs, cleaners, gardeners, maintenance staff, administrators, allied health professionals and activity coordinators.

At Peter Sinclair Gardens, Recreation and Engagement Coordinator Cindy Gam is one of the people helping residents stay connected, active and involved in their community.

Cindy runs two weekly programs, with one designed for the residential community and another specifically tailored for the memory support unit.

Activities include church visits, ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies, outings to cafes and clubs, coffee club, bingo and art therapy, while pet therapy visits are also being planned.

Residents also enjoy a monthly concert, where those celebrating birthdays receive their own individual cakes.

Importantly, residents are encouraged to have a say in how they spend their time.

“The residents are encouraged to have input into how they would like to spend their time,” Cindy said.

For residents who prefer to remain mostly in their rooms, one-on-one time is offered regularly to maintain social contact.

That person-centred approach can also mean helping a resident maintain an important connection outside the facility, with one resident regularly taken to visit his cat.

The newest addition to the activities program is an ice-cream cart, with residents involved in choosing its colours and design.

Cindy said that residents “were involved in the colour and design choice to ensure it can have multi use in our programs.”

The residents are reportedly extremely proud of their new trolley and are looking forward to putting it to work.

Even the care staff are finding ways to brighten residents’ days, with colourful and artistic scrub tops worn by staff on Wednesdays and Fridays.

One resident says he “looks forward to seeing all the colourful tops”.

Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said Aged Care Employee Day was an opportunity to recognise the dedication and compassion of the sector’s workforce.

“Our aged care workers provide not only essential clinical and physical care, but also emotional support, companionship and the everyday services that contribute to people’s wellbeing, dignity and quality of life,” he said.

For Myall Coast residents and families, the day is a reminder that quality aged care is about much more than providing practical assistance, it is also about maintaining dignity, relationships, independence and a sense of belonging.

And sometimes, it can be as simple as wearing a colourful shirt, going on a visit to see a much-loved pet, or sharing an ice cream.

By Christine RAYNER