Doutta Galla Voice | Issue 1
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Inside this edition
Celebrating Our Aged Care Heroes
Retiring & Thriving in Moonee Ponds
Increased Nursing Care Improves Lives at
Doutta Galla
James Serves Up Superior Aged Care Cuisine
and more
The Doutta Galla
Voice
September 2024 | Issue One
September 2024 | Issue One
The quarterly newsletter of
Doutta Galla Aged Services
Welcome to the
Doutta Galla Voice
Meet one of our skilled chefs at Avondale
Heights James, known for delighting residents
with his culinary expertise, and discover the
advantages of retirement living at our Queens
Park apartments through the perspective of
resident Elizabeth.
I hope you enjoy the inaugural edition of the
Doutta Galla Voice. Your feedback is crucial as
we shape future publications.
Before I go, I would like to remind you that the
Victorian Seniors Festival is taking place from 1
to 31 October. I encourage everyone to explore
the wide array of events available and take part.
Warm regards,
“From nurses, care attendants, support staff to volunteers,
everyone at Doutta Galla contributes to a warm, supportive
environment.”
Glenn Rappensberg
CEO, Doutta Galla Aged Services
It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you
our new publication, The Doutta Galla Voice.
The Doutta Galla Voice aims to shine a light on
the remarkable work happening across our
organisation. From the dedication of our staff
to the meaningful contributions of our
residents, this magazine will give us a ‘voice’
to share with you everything that makes
Doutta Galla such a special place.
On 7 August, we celebrated Aged Care
Employee Day, honouring the hard work of the
370,000 aged care workers nationwide
supporting over 1.5 million older Australians.
Our staff at Doutta Galla exemplify this
commitment. I especially thank our staff and
volunteers who are celebrating employment
milestones this year - read more about this on
the following page.
We are also proud to share in this edition that
Doutta Galla has demonstrated exceptional
performance in meeting and exceeding
national care standards. In the fourth quarter
of 2024, we surpassed national averages in
both total care minutes and RN care minutes
per resident per day.
Read how we do it inside.
Our Service Awards recognised
the impressive milestones of
63 staff members who had
achieved 25, 20, 15, 10, and 5
years of service. Their long-
term commitment and devotion
epitomised the spirit of Doutta
Galla. Special mention goes to
Theresa Cummins, a personal
care assistant at our Grantham
Green Home, who has given
Doutta Galla an incredible 25
years of service.
The past year brought
unprecedented changes and
challenges, requiring extra
learning, professional
development, and new
daily tasks. The complexity
of working in a sector
undergoing significant
reform like aged care
was acknowledged,
and the efforts to
embrace this change
did not go unnoticed.
On 7 August, Doutta Galla joined
the nation in recognising Aged
Care Employee Day (ACED), a
day dedicated to shining a
spotlight on the tireless efforts
of aged care staff.
Led by CEO Glenn Rappensberg,
the organisation recognised the
contributions of some 370,000
care workers across the
country, expressing sincere
gratitude for their positive
impact on the lives of 1.5 million
people. Nurses, personal care
workers, allied health
professionals, case managers,
community workers, chefs,
cleaners, leisure and lifestyle
coordinators, catering staff,
maintenance teams,
administration, human
resource, finance, rostering and
payroll staff, volunteers and
more – each role is integral to
providing essential care for
older Australians.
On this special day, Doutta Galla
also celebrated the dedication of
its own 750 person-strong
workforce.
Doutta Galla Celebrates Our
Aged Care Heroes
Their amazing efforts in
supporting older Australians
and their families through the
ageing journey deserved
commendation, and were duly
thanked for making a
difference in people’s lives
every day.
Grantham Green Manager
Anju Newa presents
Theresa with her certificate
of 25 years of service.
Wise words from a dear friend
guided Elizabeth. "Think about
it," she advised, "make the
decision yourself, not someone
else." This resonated, ensuring
Elizabeth's move on her own
terms. Another factor: her
beloved, ageing cat. "I couldn’t
move without him," Elizabeth
explained. "He was old, but I
needed him by my side."
Doutta Galla Retirement Living
in Moonee Ponds offered peace
of mind. Stepping outside,
Elizabeth is greeted by the
serene beauty of Queens Park.
"It's beautifully green here,"
Elizabeth smiles, "even the
streets are very green."
Years of varied work, from kitchens
to textiles, had built a rich life for
Elizabeth. Her journey began in
wartime Britain, shaping her
resilience through the tough
post-war years.
The key for Elizabeth is the
balance. Independence is
preserved while support is
readily available. Affordability
was crucial, and Doutta Galla
ticked all the boxes.
"Everything's within walking
distance," she shares, referring
to the convenient location near
shops and her frequently visited
Clocktower Theatre.
Elizabeth’s move wasn't just
practical; it was about
embracing a new chapter with
dignity and grace, surrounded
by a supportive community. "I'm
so glad I made this decision,"
Elizabeth concludes. "It's a
lovely place to live."
For Elizabeth, the decision to
embrace retirement living wasn't
impulsive.
Seeking stability, she arrived in
Australia in the 1950s, finding
work and eventually a small
haven in West Brunswick.
Elizabeth's life was built on
hard work, often physical.
Independence, a value instilled
young, was paramount.
Marriage, after initial
hesitation, brought
companionship with a man she
met at a friend's party.
"We had a little house in West
Brunswick," Elizabeth
reminisces. "Not much, but it
was home." Sadly, her
husband's passing left her
facing her later years alone.
Then with age came health
concerns. Unstable on her feet,
a change was needed.
Call us on 0407 367 118 or email admissions@dgas.org.au to book a tour of Queens Park Retirement Living
Grantham Green Home resident Antinina
and her husband enjoying Valentines Day
festivities earlier this year
With a background spanning
the vibrant restaurants of
England to the bustling
kitchens of corporate caterer
BaxterStorey, James’s journey
is one of passion and
adaptability. Now, in service of
aged care cuisine, he crafts
menus tailored to the needs
and preferences of the elderly
residents.
One of the pivotal aspects of
James’s culinary approach in
aged care revolves around
IDDSI, or the International
Dysphagia Diet Standardisation
Initiative.
At Doutta Galla Aged Care’s Avondale
Heights Home, Chef James Erskine-Nartey
brings nearly two decades of culinary
expertise to the table.
This framework categorises
food and drink textures into
different levels, ensuring safety
and ease of eating for
individuals with dysphagia, a
swallowing disorder common
among the elderly. From easy-
to-chew to pureed options,
James navigates these levels
to ensure each meal is not only
delicious, but also accessible.
Mindful of resident satisfaction,
James supports a bi-monthly
Food Focus Group where
residents actively participate in
shaping the menu. “It’s just
time to talk and tell us if
they’re happy with the food or
not,” he explains.
This collaborative approach
ensures that resident
preferences are at the
forefront of menu planning,
fostering a sense of community
and inclusivity within the dining
experience. “So far, I’ve been
hitting the mark with
everyone’s tastes.” he notes,
balancing the flavours of both
Greek and Italian cuisines
which reflect the cultural
make-up of the home.
When it comes to crowd
favorites, James notes a
penchant for pastas among the
residents.
“It’s funny, I come from an
Italian background, so I’m
trying to get to know all the
taste there myself and share it
in my cooking.”
Beyond the kitchen, James is
passionate about fresh
produce, evident in his initiative
to cultivate herb and vegetable
gardens within the facility with
resident Alfred. “We’re trying
to get something fresh so we
can use that in the Home,” he
explains, highlighting a
commitment to quality and
sustainability.
Outside of work, James’
culinary interests extend to
grilling and smoking meats,
although the constraints of the
aged care setting limit these
options.
Nonetheless, his creativity and
adaptability shine through as
he continues to plan nourishing
meals that bring joy to the
residents of Doutta Galla
Avondale Heights. “There’ll be
a new menu coming out end of
this month” he says. “I’ve
listened to all the residents,
what they said, and hopefully
we can hit it off.”
(R) James in Avondale Heights’
veggie garden with resident Alfred
Doutta Galla
exceeds care
benchmarks
Doutta Galla has consistently demonstrated exceptional
performance in meeting national care standards. In the
fourth quarter of 2024, Doutta Galla achieved an impressive
average of 211.65 total care minutes and 40.81 RN care
minutes per resident per day. These figures represent
96.31% and 101.50% compliance against targets,
respectively, surpassing the national averages of 204.2 total
care minutes and 40.2 RN care minutes per resident per day.
Care minutes refer to the time staff, including RNs, spend
directly caring for residents. This encompasses activities
like administering medication, conducting health
assessments, and providing personal care. Higher care
minutes mean residents receive more personalised
attention, leading to better health outcomes and improved
quality of life.
Glenn Rappensberg, CEO of Doutta Galla Aged Services and
a former nurse, emphasises the significance of this
achievement: “Having RNs available 24/7 is a game-changer
for aged care. Doutta Galla’s ability to surpass national
benchmarks demonstrates our dedication to providing top-
quality care for our residents.”
At the core of Australia’s aged care system, registered nurses (RNs)
play a vital role in delivering high-quality aged care. The recent Aged
Care Royal Commission highlighted the need for increased staffing
and better support for aged care workers.
In this context, Doutta Galla Aged Services stands out as a beacon of
care excellence.
Schmierer also highlights the
importance of coordination and
collaboration: “Registered
Nurses liaise and collaborate
with GPs, allied health, and
other specialties, so our
residents receive best practice,
coordinated and integrated
care. It is envisaged that there
will be fewer resident transfers
to hospital due to the
Registered Nurse’s timely
assessment and intervention in
those with a declining health
status.”
The StewartBrown Aged Care
Financial Performance Survey
Participants Report (March
2024) further underscores the
value of RNs in aged care
settings. Facilities with higher
RN staffing levels generally
show better care outcomes and
resident satisfaction.
“The presence of skilled
nurses in aged care homes is
indispensable,” says
Rappensberg. “They are at the
forefront of providing
exceptional care, ensuring that
our residents live with dignity
and comfort.”
One of the most significant
changes following the Royal
Commission’s
recommendations is the
introduction of 24/7 RN
coverage in aged care homes.
As of July 2024, approximately
92% of aged care homes report
having an RN on-site around
the clock, up from 86% the
previous year. This ensures
residents receive professional
medical attention whenever
needed, enhancing their overall
care and well-being.
“The increase in care minutes
directly enhances the well-
being of our residents,” says
Rappensberg. “It means more
personalised attention and
better health outcomes. These
improvements are vital for
addressing the complex health
needs of aged care residents,
many of whom require regular
medical assessments and
interventions.”
Claire Schmierer, Executive
Manager of Clinical
Governance at Doutta Galla,
adds, “Our highly skilled
registered nurses supervise
newer graduates and other
direct and non-direct care
staff, ensuring ‘out-of-hours’
care and service are equal to
those provided during regular
business hours.”
We're proud to share the
progress of our "My Voice
Matters" Consumer Advisory
Groups across our eight Homes.
Informed by the Royal
Commission into Aged Care
Quality and Safety to ensure an
industry-wide mechanism to
foster dialogue and empower
residents, our rollout of the
"My Voice Matters" initiative
stands as a testament to
Doutta Galla’s dedication to
resident-centred care.
Hearing our residents loud and clear
The insights gathered from our
initial pilot have been
instrumental in shaping the
framework and processes for
subsequent groups.
Since November, we have seen
the formation of groups across
all eight Homes, with residents
taking the lead in representing
their communities.
The work continues with Board
Members attending the
meetings to ensure residents
have a clear line to
communicate their issues to
the highest levels of the
organisation.
Some of the notable outcomes
across the Homes have
included new electronic menu
boards, the introduction of
weekend activity programs,
and the creation of vegetable
garden beds for residents.
Board Member Kirstin Fox listening in to residents at Footscray.
Since commencing in 2023 at
our Lynch’s Bridge Home, our
dedicated resident committee
members and Home Managers
have been working together to
amplify resident voices and
enhance our services.
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