The pandemic may have stopped some organisations and services in their tracks, but for not-for-profit aged care provider Uniting AgeWell, these past months have been even busier.
Placing quality of life, safety and wellbeing at the centre of everything has enabled Uniting AgeWell’s Geelong care teams to be nimble, to do things differently and focus on supporting people with heart and kindness.
And if virtual high-fives, laughter and the width of smiles are measurements of success, then Uniting AgeWell is managing to turn problems into possibilities for clients in the community and in residential care during COVID-19.
Residents at Uniting AgeWell’s Kalkee Nangatta and Murray communities in Belmont are keeping in touch with loved ones by chatting to them on Zoom or teleconferences, thanks to a massive roll-out of computer tablets and smart phones across the organisation, which operates across both Victoria and Tasmania.
Kalkee Nangatta senior care manager Glenda Harvey says many of their residents who live with dementia as well as those in care at Kalkee Murray, say they’ve never felt more connected, as they chat to family and friends across the globe. And this will continue post the pandemic.
Another innovation is the love window, so residents who can’t see their loved ones in person can see them through the window.
Nangatta resident David Hamilton, 87, chats to his wife Marion on the mobile phone as she stands on the other side of the glass.
“David is happy and cheerful,” Mrs Hamilton, 80, says “and this is a great way to see him until iso lifts and things get back to normal.”
Wellbeing and staying fit are paramount, along with celebrating events such as Christmas in July.
Residents continue to be engaged in a range of activities from arts and crafts, high teas, exercise classes including dancing and walks in the garden, bingo, footy tips, simple cooking sessions and more – all with appropriate social distancing.
Special attention is also given to spiritual and pastoral care. A recent highlight was the Nangatta Olympics with games including balloon volleyball.
Kalkee Murray senior care manager Sue Payne says they’re also introducing online shopping for residents.
When it comes to supporting people in their own homes through a home care package, thinking outside the square is easy – being able to think outside the jagged, spiky edges of the coronavirus has been the challenge and one that Uniting AgeWell staff have risen to.
Being agile is key, says Uniting AgeWell’s Barwon client advisor Kaye Hollingworth, who says there has been a significant increase in the number of clients choosing a home care package delivered by Uniting AgeWell since the start of COVID-19.
With 80 per cent of clients living alone, extra welfare checks are being conducted across the board to ensure they’re OK and that they have sufficient supplies.
Added to this are activity kits with arts and crafts and puzzles sent to clients to keep them busy, while telehealth is also popular for those who want physiotherapy sessions at their homes.
Ms Hollingworth says Uniting AgeWell has also provided computer tablets to clients who want to keep in touch during isolation.
