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A “Twilight Moment” – RUOK? Day 2023
Today September 14 is RUOK? Day, our national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that any day is the day to ask, ‘Are you OK?’ and support those struggling with life.
Our Twilight Family came together to share cupcakes and some conversation and have a bit of fun.
While we as aged care workers are fortunate to generally have the skills and training to understand how to support the needs of our older community, RUOK? Day does a wonderful job of reminding us that ALL of us can face challenges and that this simple question can start a conversation that can change someone’s outlook on life.
If you know someone is struggling, ask if they have a trusted person to talk to, enquire if they have access to professional support or encourage them to connect with a confidential service like Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.
September is Dementia Awareness Month
Dementia Action Week – Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future
18 – 24 September 2023
Dementia Action Week 2023 is from Monday 18 September to Sunday 24 September, with World Alzheimer’s Day occurring on Thursday 21 September.
This year’s theme is Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future.
Since 2019, the focus of the Dementia Action Week campaign has been to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with dementia and their carers.
Communities that take action to become dementia-friendly have:
- less fear and a greater understanding of dementia
- less stigma and discrimination
- more support and better systems for people living with dementia to live well in their community for longer.
At Twilight, we are fortunate to have renowned global Dementia Specialist/author/researcher Leah Bisiani -MHlthSc/DipBus/RN1/Dementia and Aged Care Consultant on our team. Leah brings over 35 years of experience, in aged/dementia care, providing ongoing consultation, guidance, support and education for our whole organisation, as well as for residents and families.
Do you have any questions about understanding dementia and engaging with people living with dementia? Ask Leah!
You can follow Leah on Instagram at @uplifting_dementia or visit her website https://shimmeringspirit.wixsite.com/uplifting-dementia
A “Twilight Moment” – Family Matters
There are so many beautiful moments that happen every day in our homes, we’d like to start sharing some of them.
When residents come to live with us at Twilight, it’s more than “coming into care”. They are starting life in a new home and truly becoming part of another family. Often, as we go about our daily tasks caring for these people and sharing their lives, we don’t realise what this means to their first family.
John ’Sean’ Kelly was part of our Glengarry family and staff were delighted and surprised to reconnect with his daughter Stephanie when she dropped in to honour his life and his passing with those who also cared about her dad.
“I wanted to mark the first anniversary of my dad’s passing by remembering and acknowledging his second family – his Glengarry one.” Stephanie said. “I was so chuffed that August and Elizabeth were working on the day (16.8 – last Wednesday) I dropped in with the cake. I know how much they cared for and loved Dad. The feeling was so mutual for Dad too. I loved seeing his face light up around August and Elizabeth. They made the final years of his life more joyous and peaceful. Such angels! All the staff, from kitchen, to administration and to all his carers, they ALL made such a difference to his quality of life, especially in the final days of his journey.”
A beautiful reminder that what we do matters. Every time we support our residents in whatever way our role dictates, be it care, lifestyle, administration, cleaning, catering, maintenance or as a volunteer, we are making a positive difference in someone’s life and are part of their family.
Thanks so much to Stephanie for her permission to share this story.
Twilight welcomes Lady of Grace, now Grace Gardens, to the family!
In April 2023, well-known Dural residential care home Lady of Grace changed hands, and operations were assumed by Twilight Aged Care.
Some words from Neil Wendt, our Twilight CEO:
“For Twilight, Lady of Grace is a very nice fit as we specialise in small boutique size operations. Our existing four homes (at Gladesville, Hunters Hill, Gordon and Mosman) are all 35 to 45 bed homes.
Our philosophy is based on the principal that smaller homes allow for a family feel, where staff and residents can form a close bond. We provide our own unique “Twilight Family Model of Care” with key principles being; that the individuality of our residents is valued; that residents live in a home, not an institution, supported to live the life they choose with purpose and meaning, enjoying freshly cooked meals where their health and wellbeing are our priority.
We achieve these objectives through getting to personally know our residents, their individual story and what brings them fulfilment, and connecting with them as valued members of our community. All of our processes are designed to create an environment where residents feel safe, cared for and ‘at home.’
With our wealth of experience, we can draw on a wide range of resources which are already offered in our other homes, knowing that they are beneficial and will enhance the quality of life of residents. Lady of Grace residents now have an expanded range of activities, including The Dance Man, Resparke, silent disco and listening programs, creative outlets with art therapy, fun physical activity such as cardio drumming, as well as bus outings and other events.
Our team spend time with residents and their families to understand each personal story, which then allows us to better tailor our care and activities to their individual wants and preferences. We also celebrate events that are special to this specific community, like the recent Italian National Day at which we provided a pizza oven, Italian chef and Italian singer.
Our Twilight team have embraced the new addition in Dural. Mari Reyes has been acting Facility Manager at the home since May 2023, moving from Hunters Hill Village to support the transition, along with a rotation of team members from all areas of our homes including catering and recreation officers, as well as carers and nurses. With all the positive feedback received at a recent Resident Family and Friends meeting, there is a lot to look forward to.”
Aged Care Employees Day 2023
“I’m so proud of how giving and kind our Twilight staff are. Their focus is always on ensuring our residents feel at home.” Neil Wendt, Twilight CEO.
On Monday August 7, 2023, Twilight Aged Care honoured and celebrated our staff teams. With a gift and a staff luncheon, we said #thanksforcaring to our fabulous staff members, from catering to care, from RN’s to FM’s, from cleaning and maintenance to recreational activity officers and gardeners. Without all of you, our frail aged and vulnerable residents would not receive the excellent care they deserve.
As well as celebrating our current staff, we said goodbye to John, from Hunters Hill Village, after eight years of wonderful service. Best wishes for the future, John!
“It is rare to be part of a team, who all radiate such a splendid commitment to care, compassion, integrity, and generosity of spirit.”
Leah Bisiani – MHlthSc/DipBus/RN1/Aged Care and Dementia Specialist.
Intergenerational Success with Montessori
The children from the Montessori School and their grand-friends enjoyed a Mad Hatters Tea Party; celebrating the end of their busy 6-month research project, focusing on the benefits of an Intergenerational Program.
For the party, the Children’s House of Montessori and the staff dressed up with crazy hats and socks. And the children played games and held performances for the residents.
The project was based off international studies showing the benefits of multigenerational activities and paired this with Montessori principles. The program saw many positive improvements since it began in April, including a reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and social isolation.
The research component of the intergenerational program is now complete. But the strong connection formed between the children and their grand-friends has resulted in the program being extended for the near future.
Re-uniting the community in intergenerational project
A six month local research project started in Glades Bay Gardens last Thursday. It aimed to connect the wisest and youngest generations of North Sydney.
The program involved The Children’s House of Montessori in East Ryde and residents of Twilight Aged Care. The initiative was designed to bridge the social gap between the old and young.
Intergenerational programs bring diverse groups together and unite communities by building relationships and sharing knowledge. This specific project focuses on the benefits of an Intergenerational program using Montessori principles within an aged care setting. It pairs up seniors and children for creative activities to open conversation and learn new skills together.
Denise Underwood, the principal of The Children’s House of Montessori, said that the program gives the children experience outside of an excursion format and allows them to genuinely interact with the community.
A report from Generations United described the far-reaching benefits of these programs in their studies in America. Their research showed how engagement of the children and seniors benefits communities as a whole.
Intergenerational Programs are able to unite diverse groups of people and build social understanding. They provide role models and positive interactions while breaking down negative, generational stereotypes.
The children visiting delighted everyone living at Twilight. They loved the energy that they brought to the day. Dorothy, a resident at Glades Bay Gardens, said that the children were “absolutely wonderful”.
Interacting with children encourages those older to be more active and cognitively alert; improving heart rate and mental health.
Julianne Walker, the volunteer and project coordinator behind the enterprise, was excited about the project. She said that the program has just began, but response from the children and those at Twilight are overwhelmingly positive. The program has 1-2 hours of group interaction per week with a different theme, until its conclusion in mid-September. She looks forward to seeing how the program and relationships will evolve in the coming months.
4 Women, 61 Years of Service
We were very happy to see so many members of our Hunters Hill Village team be awarded their 10 years of service badge!
Combined, these amazing women have given a life-time of care- 61 years:
- Yvette Fonseca (Cook, 12 years at Twilight)
- Elizabeth Sikimeti (PCA, 11 years at Twilight)
- Iwona Taborek (PCA, 20 years at Twilight)
- Chandrika Herath (Cook/RAO, 18 years at Twilight)
The 10 year service badge is a new initiative of the Twilight Aged Care Board. They wanted to acknowledge the exceptional work of those who has been with Twilight for over a decade.
This is an incredible achievement, and we want to thank all of them for their decade(s!) of compassion!