Australia’s best aged care sector professionals have been recognised, with 15 finalists announced for the 2015 HESTA Aged Care Awards.
The Awards recognise those in the aged care sector who make an exceptional contribution to improving the quality of life of older Australians in three categories: Team Innovation, Outstanding Organisation and Individual Distinction.
HESTA CEO, Debby Blakey, said the judges had a tough job in selecting 15 finalists from an outstanding field of nominations.
“These finalists have demonstrated innovation and commitment to the provision of quality care — from helping people live independently, to providing high-quality residential care and assisting people to make end-of-life choices with dignity and respect,” Ms Blakey said.
“Our finalists go above and beyond to provide genuine care and support to older people and their families, and we’re proud to give them the recognition they deserve.”
Team Innovation finalists
- A Safe Place to Call Home program (Catholic Healthcare’s Charles O’Neill Hostel, NSW) for providing care to older Australians suffering from mental illness.
- Holistic Wellness Program (Southern Cross Care Keon Park, VIC) for its innovative program that combines exercise, gym work and a strict nutritional diet to improve the physical and mental health of residents.
- Identify Pain: Ask, Observe, Report project (Wesley Mission Brisbane, QLD) for developing a practical pain identification tool for use by all staff, innovative implementation strategies and extensive staff training to create a pain-vigilant culture in its aged care facility.
- Stronger Carers Program (BaptistCare NSW and ACT) for its ‘home-coaching’ model that helps ensure carers of people with dementia develop their skills, access support services and maintain their own wellbeing.
- Companion Therapy (Bupa Aged Care Berwick, VIC) for its successful initiative to support the psychological and emotional needs a grieving resident with dementia.
Outstanding Organisation finalists
- Anam Cara House (VIC) for providing personalised respite and palliative care within a unique home-like environment, enabling families to remain close to their loved ones.
- Co.As.It. Community Services Inc. (QLD) for adopting a humanistic approach that has enabled clients to gain greater independence and control over daily activities and achieve personal life goals.
- Montessori Ageing Support Services (VIC) for championing a new care model for people with dementia based on Montessori principles that focus on a person’s strengths, interests, needs and abilities.
- Southern Cross Care (VIC) for its employee development program that has improved the skills, health and lives of its predominantly female and culturally and linguistically diverse workforce.
- Synovum Care Group (NSW) for providing small-scale living houses allowing people with dementia to live more independently despite their complex needs.
Individual Distinction finalists
- Frank Naso (Society of Saint Hilarion Inc. Aged Care Homes, SA) for helping aged care residents regain their fitness and building community connections between elderly residents and the broader community.
- Helen Spence (IRT Aged Care, NSW) for establishing a new onsite dental practice at Dalmeny giving residents access to regular dental care, greatly improving their health and quality of life.
- Henry Pan OAM (Chinese Australian Service Society, NSW) for 35 years of dedicated service in driving the establishment of aged care facilities for thousands of Chinese Australians throughout Sydney and Wollongong.
- Paul Brophy (Brotherhood of St Laurence, VIC) for staging musical events that provide 6,000 residents from 20 care facilities, the opportunity to enjoy music, singing and dancing.
- Sheryl Cain (integratedliving Australia, NSW) for creating one of Australia’s first gardens specifically designed for people with dementia.
Finalists are in the running for a share of the $30,000 prize pool provided by proud sponsor, industry super funds’ owned bank, ME.
The Team Innovation and Outstanding Organisation Award winners each receive a $10,000 development grant. The Individual Distinction Award winner will receive a $5,000 ME EveryDay transaction account and $5,000 towards further education.
ME CEO, Jamie McPhee, said, “we’re delighted to give these outstanding individuals, the opportunity to develop and continue to progress their profession, and support innovative health programs that ultimately benefit the entire industry and community.”
Congratulations to all the finalists!
The winners will be revealed at the HESTA Aged Care Awards dinner on Thursday 27 August in Canberra.
