"We have people who have been there for 15, 20, 35 years (working) in aged care... and they do it because they do it from their heart."
Frikkie Botha Care Coordinator | Bolton Clarke
Across Brisbane South – just as it is across the nation – the aged care system is reforming.
From the adoption of digital health technologies to ensuring residents’ preferred GP relationships, residential aged care homes (RACH) are embracing change.
Julia Arapova, Manager of Older Persons Program Development and Coordination for Brisbane South PHN, said change was only possible because of the passion and professionalism of aged care staff across the region.
She said she has been impressed by the commitment of local aged care staff to improving their capacity and capability.
“One example is that Brisbane South PHN hosts quarterly breakfasts to provide peer-supported learning and continuous quality improvement.
“We get really good, consistent attendance by staff who are, more often than not, attending in their own personal time because they want to give their residents the best possible care they can.”
More than 45 aged care clinical staff participated in a three-day CAREPACT exchange program designed to break down silos between aged care and hospital settings. The program allowed residential aged care staff to shadow clinicians in a hospital emergency department, giving them first-hand understanding of the ED experience from a resident’s perspective. This unique opportunity helped build strong connections across the care continuum while also enhancing their clinical skills and confidence.
She said the region should be proud of their RACH staff.
“I think we need to do more to recognise aged care staff and their willingness to go above and beyond to provide the best care they can to their residents,” she said.
“The reality is that workforce retention, staffing shortages and multiple system pressures are all challenges that our aged care workers face.
“I continue to be so impressed by the way RACH staff respond with resilience and dedication.
“They’re so passionate, so dedicated, often forgoing their own needs to be there for residents whenever they need them.”
"… during the cyclone and during the preparation you can see everyone was working as a team, and I think that shows the dedication of our staff to work together during tough times."
Justin Lee Aged Care Coordinator | Bolton Clarke
No time was that more true than in March this year, when Cyclone Alfred threatened to hit Brisbane.
As the cyclone hovered for days off the coast, south-east Queensland residents scrambled to respond to the unprecedented event.
Across Brisbane South’s 95 residential aged care homes, hard-working staff mobilised to protect their vulnerable residents.
From taping windows to ensuring there were sufficient medications and food, RACH staff prepared for potential storm damage, flooding and power outages.
Bolton Clarke aged care coordinator Justin Lee said everyone worked as a team.
“I think that shows the dedication of our staff to working together during tough times,” he said.
As the cyclone neared, public transport shut down across the region. In response, one Brisbane South manager came in on her day off and picked staff up who didn’t have transport. Many staff across the different residential homes volunteered to stay overnight to ensure shifts on following days were covered.
Haylea Parker, an aged care nurse at the Georgina Hostel and Aged Care facility in Morningside, said the “sleepovers” were an unexpected delight for staff.
"It was actually quite nice sleeping over and waking up and having breakfast with the residents the next day," she said.
“It was good to be able to reduce their anxiety by talking to them and saying that we are prepared (and) we were going to be there with them.”
In the end, Alfred was downgraded to an ex-cyclone just before it crossed the coast and, while wind damage, flooding and power cuts still occurred, impacts were far fewer than feared.
But Julia said the selfless responses proved what the industry already knows: aged care workers regularly go above and beyond.
Frikkie Botha, an aged care coordinator with Bolton Clarke, agrees and said aged care professionals – from nurses and nursing assistants to personal care workers, cooks and cleaners – deeply care for their residents.
“If you’re an aged care worker, you’re dedicated – it’s as simple as that,” she said.
“People who aren’t dedicated to aged care don’t stay.
“We have people who have been there for 15, 20, 35 years (working) in aged care… and they do it because they do it from their heart.”
Julia readily agreed.
“We’re really grateful to have such a dedicated and passionate aged care workforce in our region.”
Brisbane South PHN’s Older Persons program team supports the region’s aged care workforce through regular networking and education events and delivers locally relevant industry news for aged care workers in their
bi-monthly newsletter to RACH professionals.
Contact our team to learn more by emailing agedcare@bsphn.org.au.
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