A Culture of Care
Marius Coomans 
Out with the old, in with the new… That was quite a year wasn’t it? Thankfully, our Activities department has the program for the first month of 2021. A year which is bound to be different!
Be sure to read messages from Sophia and Elizabett as well as last month’s reportage and activity schedule in our newletter. It’s all here!
Be sure to download the Newsletter and read the message from the General Manager with reflections of the past year, wishes, as well as some important notes. And of course for all the Activities content.
Best wishes of the Season to all!
The November newsletter is now online. A big month, with the Melbourne Cup festivitates and of course Remembrance Day on the 11th November. Download the newsletter here.
As COVID restrictions are being carefully relaxed, it is now possible to visit residents on selected days.
Next days available: Saturday 10th and Wednesday 14th October between 1.00 pm and 5.00pm.
To book: call 0401 472 926 between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm only on any day with your preferred time, alternatively send an SMS to this number. We will respond in a timely fashion to confirm or offer an alternative time.
Subject to NSW Health Dept advice, next week’s visiting will be on Sunday 18th and Thursday 22nd October.
With the promise of an opening of our facility back up to visitors, this month’s Newsletter hints at many celebrations during the month. Be sure to download it now!
Starring in our August Newsletter for one last time is Virginia Mills. She has been with us for 25 years and we’re finally letting her go! Thank you, Virginia.
Download the August Newsletter, not only to read a message from our General Manager about the unfortunate, but necessary lockdown of our facility, but also about our Home Care efforts and activities which we’ve got scheduled, no matter what happens in the outside world! And read the letter from the Dutch Consul General…
Oh yes, and don’t forget to forward your “thank you” message to staff to
( business.mgr@abeltasman.com.au ), in time for this Friday’s Employee Day (see earlier post). We rely on Abel Tasman Village staff to look after our elderly relatives. Send them a message that we appreciate their efforts…
I am pleased to say that it has been a very calm week this week. In this week’s edition, I would like to provide a quick reminder that this weekend falls on a long weekend and there will be limited staff on duty. We seek your patience and your understanding if the gate may not be answered as quickly as during a regular weekend.
In other news in the Aged Care sector, the Commission has seen a significant increase in complaints over recent months including complaints and concerns related to COVID-19 issues. Key issues raised associated with the COVID-19 pandemic include:
If you have any concerns or complaints regarding the restrictions or the access to ATV, please come and have a chat with Harry (Clinical Care Manager) or I during business hours. In our absence, or after hours, the Registered Nurse on Duty will be available to assist you.
If you have not seen the “industry code of visiting residential care home during COVID-19” please check out the item linked here.
To our Homecare clients, I understand that there are times when you may feel be lonely of you may need additional services or equipment that may assist you with your day to day task during this pandemic. Please make sure you reach out to your Homecare coordinators, Elizabett and Nina to discuss your needs and what assistance we can provide for you.
Have a happy Queen’s Birthday weekend!
Regards,
Sophia Markwell
General Manager
With all the uncertainty in the world, it’s good to be reminded about a constant, Mothers Day. We’ve seen a few changes in our lives this year, as well as at Abel Tasman Village, but it’s good to celebrate that special day.
Meanwhile, here is our May newsletter with all the news that’s fit to print! Download it here.
The last few weeks have been a huge challenge for everyone, and the aged care sector has been right at the forefront of that challenge. Abel Tasman would like to thank you for your support and patience with helping us deal with COVID-19 so far. While it has been difficult and hasn’t always been perfect, the numbers show that Australia’s aged care sector has done a much better job than many other jurisdictions around the world.
However, we know that recent comments made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy have created confusion and concern about visitation restrictions in many Residential Aged Care Homes across Australia. I would like to confirm that visiting hours remain from 1pm to 5pm daily, thus avoiding the lunch service and ensuring that we maintain social distancing to prevent unnecessary contact between residents and other visitors.
The Zoom sessions with Katja and Janina are working very well. If you would like to schedule in a session, please email them at activities@abeltasman.com.au. We are on track to re-commence our Activities programme with Information Cultural exchange (ICE) programme and our residents via ZOOM. We had our first successful trial session with one of our residents on Monday 20th April 2020, more details on our Facebook page.
We are continuing to review our processes and provide essential training regarding COVID-19, including the following:
A friendly reminder that all residential aged care staff and visitors should be vaccinated with the 2020 Flu Vaccine by 1 May 2020 as you will be asked by the RN on duty to present your certificate. As per last week’s update COVID-19 #10, please send your certificate to fluvax@abeltasman.org.au or alternately give a copy to the RN on duty.
Sophia Markwell,
Acting General Manager
Following last week’s update (Advice No.9), I am very pleased to advise that we continue to have a steady calm throughout the Village and with our Home Care clients. Perhaps our biggest hurdle has been the acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The team has managed to procure a new delivery of digital thermometers that will be issued to all Home Care staff as well as within the Village. We had several deliveries of face masks and hand sanitiser which means we are very well placed to deal with any contingency. We have a supply issue with gloves however we are utilising alternate supply chain sources so I do not anticipate any problems.
Our flu vaccination program is now back on track – all ATV residents have received their vaccinations and we have now secured vaccine for all staff and volunteers. Anyone who requires assistance please contact Sophia or the RN on duty. Our home care team will also speak to their clients to provide any assistance or support in obtaining their vaccinations.
During these past weeks, the shopping service for our home care consumers has been adversely impacted with shortages in essential groceries. In consultation with consumers, service times were changed to 6:30 am, and we had a outstanding outcome with satisfied consumers. Our carers effectively adapted to this change with ease so many thanks to the care team to take this challenge head on.
We will soon require all visitors to have had a recent flu vaccination. You will be asked to produce a certificate when entering the village. Alternatively, you might like to place a certificate on file by emailing a copy to fluvax@abeltasman.org.au
I again want to pass on my thanks to our Activities team who have been working hard with the residents and external providers for a wide range of stimulating activities and contacting families through Zoom…well done. Next week we will be starting a new initiative with our friends from Information and Cultural Exchange…more of this in next week’s update. Until then, stay safe and the next scheduled update will be provided next Friday 24 April. As always, you can email me at gen.mgr@abeltasman.com.au or call during business hours on 9645 3388.
Glenn Kirkman
General Manager