Seasons
It has been a cold start to most mornings of recent weeks with frosts covering roof tops and grassy nature strips. Winter is my very favourite time of year. In late July I arrived at work and was greeted with the most beautiful pink glow to the pre-dawn sky – it brought a smile to me and I hope it does to you as well.
Administratively, this Winter has not been a time to be still, there is a lot happening in and around the Village. Open Day preparations are in full swing. As I write this, we are in the last days of our annual financial audit with PricewaterhouseCoopers. This week we submitted our formal 60 page triennial application for reaccreditation for the Manor and we are currently negotiating our next Enterprise Agreement with the major unions.
Over recent times the peak industry bodies representing Aged Care and Retirement Living who were traditionally divided largely along private vs not-for profit lines, have merged to be a single peak body advocating to Government. This is an important step in working together with Government and consumer groups to complete the legislation and work recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. I expect that once this legislation is tabled in Parliament, Aged Care will once again be in the news as a negative story. Unfortunately, with Covid outbreaks currently in 1100 of Australia’s 2700 Aged Care Homes and significant workforce shortage issues throughout the sector, it is easy to find the bad news story.
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity and whilst the past few years in Aged Care have largely been a time to tear down, a time to mourn and a time to search, the seasons are changing as they always do and we are moving to a time to build, a time to mend and a time to heal. I feel very positive that the changes to regulations in Aged Care homes and Community Care Packages that the services will be more transparent and accountable in the future which will help deliver better care and services to our oldest and frailest Australians.
It is a time to speak for our Residents living in Independent Units and receiving Home and Community Care with the Commissioner for Senior Victorians’ “Ageing Well” Survey now underway. By sharing your views, you can contribute to the big picture and make a difference for all older Victorians. The results of the survey will inform the ongoing advocacy of the Commissioner for Senior Victorians on behalf of older Victorians, in particular advice to the Victorian Government. You can complete survey online here www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/survey
Take care, stay safe,
Kim Jackson CEO