Hat Day is Australian Rotary Health’s newest fundraising event and first community action and awareness day which raises money for Mental Health Research.

The event took place at 1pm in Martin Place and was successful. The record was set at 251 hats on the day and all money raised by Rotary will go towards funding research to find new treatments and potential cures for mental illness like depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

May

19th Principal Caloundra – Caloundra, Queensland

19th Domain by the Bay – Mt Martha, Victoria

26th Domain Bairnsdale – East Gippsland, Victoria

Those who attended had a wealth of information at their fingertips including health, finance, relaxation and much more!

Adults enjoyed the live band and information stalls while kids were kept entertained by the face painter, animal farm and a jumping castle!

And one lucky person walked away with a brand new flat screen TV!

Domain Varsity Rise, 14 Lake St, Varsity Lakes.

For more information please call 07 5554 8100, email varsity@domainprincipal.com.au or click here.

This was a fantastic event with Friends of the Nursing Home organising plenty of entertainment for everyone.

Adults enjoyed the live music and stalls while kids were kept entertained by the face painter and petting zoo!

And one lucky person walked away with a brand new flat screen TV!

Principal Narrogin, 52 Williams Road, Narrogin.

For more information please call 08 9881 2244, email narrogin@domainprincipal.com.au or click here

Adults enjoyed the live music and gift stalls while kids were kept entertained by the free face painter, animal farm and jumping castle!

Everyone who attended was treated to a FREE sausage sizzle, Devonshire tea and refreshments.

And one lucky person walked away with a brand new flat screen TV!

Domain Greenfern Place, 1-15 Greenfern Drive, Browns Plains.

For more information please call 07 3809 1400, email greenfern@domainprincipal.com.au or click here.

The conference was an opportunity for 160 senior managers to better understand the future direction of the company, gain valuable knowledge and insight as well a chance to network.

The event was opened with what became the conference anthem, Vanessa Amorosi’s Absolutely Everybody and it continued to inspire everyone throughout the three days. Inspiration was certainly the main focus of the conference with a range of speakers including Gold Medallist Duncan Armstrong, new Chairman Pat Grier and Managing Director Gary Barnier.

Other members of DPG’s senior executive gave presentations on a range of topics including ‘Operational Health Check’, ‘Market Perception’, ‘Systems Investment’, ‘Implementation of Clinical Management System’ and ‘Getting the Best out of our People’.

The last day saw an informative presentation by Elizabeth Pringle, General Manager Operations, Aged Care Accreditation Agency followed by panel discussions on topics such as ‘What Does DPG Stand For?’ and ‘How Leaders Build Great Teams.”

The awards dinner on the Friday night was a chance for everyone to congratulate the best of the best and saw South Valley crowned Home of the Year, alongside Quakers Hill being inducted into the DPG Hall of Fame.

MD Gary Barnier was enthusiastic about the event and he already has plans underway for next year’s event. ‘I think all who attended will agree that the Leadership in Aged Care conference was a huge success with an even bigger and better one planned for next year.’

Around the Group

DPG staff long service awards A recent flurry of staff long service awards has highlighted the many years of experience held by staff in all our homes.

Principal Hillside was one of the homes that recently celebrated those employees with more than five years service.  As well as an awards presentation, afternoon tea was enjoyed.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their commitment and care which makes Domain Principal Group homes such wonderful communities.

30 years as a volunteer at Norah Head Nursing Home

Every Tuesday for the past 30 years – with the exception of the odd holiday – Dot James has been a regular at the Norah Head nursing home helping to run the weekly bingo game. Dot enjoys it as much as the residents. ‘I just love doing it’ says Dot. ‘Everyone is so nice and I love coming here.’ As well as running the bingo, Dot helps out with recreational activities such as running raffles and helping on outings. To thank her for her amazing dedication, Dot was recently awarded a certificate and a gorgeous bunch of flowers. Our thanks to Dot and all the other volunteers who add to the to the quality of life of our resident.

Significant birthdays

Longevity is a theme this issue with two of our residents reaching significant milestones.

Jan Peska (left) celebrated his 100th birthday at Principal Hobsons Bay (VIC) in January joined by his family, staff and fellow residents.

Nicci Fuller (right) celebrated her 102nd birthday at Principal Berkeley Village (NSW) on Valentines Day this year. She was joined by family as she enjoyed music, cake and a glass of bubbly.

Around the Group

February and March were busy months for community days around the Group.  The following homes all held successful and fun events:

• Domain Paynesville (VIC) Village Fair – Sat 25th Feb
• Domain Sale (VIC) Antiques Roadshow – Sat 21st Jan
• Principal Canterbury (NSW) High Tea – Wed 29th Feb
• Gold Coast Movie Nite – Wed 29th Feb
• Domain Burpengary (QLD) – Sat 3rd Mar
• Domain Seahaven (VIC) – Sun 11th Mar
• Domain Florence Tower (NSW) – Sat 17th Mar
• Domain South Valley (VIC) – Sat 24th Mar
• Windward Manor (NSW) – Sat 24th Mar

Conference Round-up

The winners of the first DPG Excellence Awards were announced at the inaugural conference in March and here we showcase them all. Each of the award programs demonstrated innovation and best practice, however the real winners are the residents who are benefitting from the range of wonderful activities and exceptional care at their homes.

It’s not just the level of care but the passion with which the staff do their jobs that is so evident in the awards with winners in each category demonstrating commitment over and above their job descriptions.

Congratulations to all our winners…

DPG AWARDS – THE WINNERS ARE …

• Home of the Year South Valley
• Community Engagement Award Geraldton
• Clinical Excellence Award Shoalhaven
• Staff Development Awards Bathurst
• Killarney Vale
• Lifestyle Program of the Year Auckland Place
• Coffs Harbour
• Workplace Safety Award Caloundra
• Wall of Fame Quakers Hill

Around the Group

Pain management at Domain Principal Group

Current limited studies indicate the prevalence of chronic pain in aged care residents is as high as 83%. This represents up to 4100 of the total Domain Principal resident population.

Consequences of chronic pain are well documented and include increased confusion, sleep disturbance, nutritional alterations, impaired mobility, depression, social isolation, worsening pain, slowed rehabilitation, increased risk of falls and changes to behaviours.

The Domain Principal Group is now able to offer a unique pain management program to all our residents which may provide relief from the debilitating effects of constant and acute pain.

In partnership with residents and their families, medical officers, pharmacists, physiotherapists and nursing staff, effective pain treatments based on a number of different therapies are provided.

Our treatment options focus on resident therapeutic massage applied by a qualified physiotherapist for sessions of at least 10 minutes, four times a week. In the instance where a Registered Nurse Program is in place, therapeutic massage occurs for a minimum of 20 minutes per week.

Massage therapy is supported by the use of heat packs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machines as well as supportive bandaging. In most instances, pain therapies are combined so residents receive an extensive treatment comprising of the three treatments.

At Domain Principal Group, our pain management program is yet another service that enhances quality of life for all our residents.

Priscilla – the baby Eastern Rosella enjoys mealtimes at Berkeley Village

Emma Hallett, Facility Manager at Principal Berkeley Village (NSW) is no stranger to difficult eaters. Her latest charge is Priscilla the baby Eastern Rosella who has come to live at the home. Emma found Priscilla in her garage and has brought her to the Berkeley Village atrium to live. Here she is enjoying a little lunch – but still needs spoonfeeding!

Babe visits Berkeley!

This little piggy was one of two piggies that visited Berkeley Village (NSW) along with a range of other farmyard animals such as a calf, alpaca, ducks, chooks, rabbits and guinea pigs. Residents loved the visit and got to cuddle the animals as they were taken around the room. This is the second such visit and was an absolute hit!

Domain Ashmore provides a safe-haven for Queensland flood victims

Domain Ashmore has been the temporary home for a number of elderly residents of a St George Aged Care home. Evacuated by air from the dangers of rising waters at St George, Domain Ashmore received 6 of the 34 residents. Comments from residents were very positive and apart from the gruelling journey, which for many was on stretchers, they made the most of the visit. One resident enjoyed catching up with nieces and nephews she hadn’t seen in years and another enjoyed the sea air.

Around the Group

The first Emerging Leaders Program concludes

The inaugural Emerging Leaders Program drew to a close in February this year as participants returned to Sydney to present their work based projects to the Executive team.

These projects were identified by participants as being of value to DPG nationally and included a volunteer orientation program, a procedure for using skin tear first aid kits, privacy and dignity and an end of life pathway.

A presentation skills workshop, held on the first day, assisted participants to fine tune and deliver their project findings to the Executive the next day. This was followed by sessions on managing customer service, handling complaints and promoting workplace attendance and managing absenteeism.

The projects were well received and are being followed up to see how they might be implemented nationally.

Following this program, Jenny Nunn has moved from a Care Manager position at Applecross Nursing Home to an FM role at Murray River. Carolyn Waller recently moved from an FM role at Killarney Vale to a Quality Officer role based in the Southport office. Congratulations to you both.

Sale staff win/win for lose/lose

Chocolates and cakes are now only treats for 14 of the staff at Domain Sale (VIC) with the introduction of a new staff weight watchers program. Recognising the power in numbers, participating staff are supporting each other to help meet their goals and increase their willpower.

Management are fully supportive of the initiative and Facility Manager, Jan Williams is very enthusiastic. ‘This has really brought the team together and demonstrated great team spirit as well as having a positive effect on residents who are all behind the staff,’ said Jan.

‘We are currently in week five (March 20th) and collectively we have lost over 30 kilograms in our first four weeks which everyone is very proud of. The residents are being incredibly supportive and celebrate in our triumphs as well. It’s very much a home-wide activity,’ added Jan.

Initially the program will run for 13 weeks from 15th Feb till the end of May. In the next newsletter we will report back on their progress.

Domain Principal hosts Wheelchair Challenge in Narrabri

During Seniors Week in March this year, a number of Shire councillors and members of the community had the unusual experience of going about town in a wheelchair. Organised by Sandy Tapscott at Principal Jessie Hunt (NSW), the event was designed to raise awareness of some of the town’s hazards and issues for wheelchair users. One councillor, who had been a bit sceptical about the event, now wishes he had taken a pen and paper to write everything down as he went and another councillor felt that council now had a good starting point for future discussions.

Well done to the team at Jessie Hunt for being so proactive on such an important issue!

There will be a wealth of information at your fingertips including:

• Financial advisor
• Real Estate advisor
• Diabetes Australia
• Napean Hearing
• Physiotherapy
• And much more!

Free sausage sizzle, Devonshire tea and refreshments will keep all attendees happy while a free roving puppeteer will entertain the kids!

And don’t forget to enter the draw to WIN A FLAT SCREEN TV!

Domain By The Bay, 185 Racecourse Road, Mt Martha.

For more information, call 03 5976 5700, email bythebay@domainprincipal.com.au or click here.

This community day has something for everyone!

Enjoy free music, sausage sizzle, Devonshire tea and refreshments while the kids are entertained by the free face painter, balloon artist, jumping castle and animal farm!

Plus, get your antiques appraised for free by Bruce Arnup between 11am and 1pm.

And don’t forget to enter the draw to WIN A FLAT SCREEN TV!

Domain Bairnsdale, 79 Harnham Drive, Bairnsdale

For more information, call 03 5152 3744, email bairnsdale@domainprincipal.com.au or click here.

Guests were entertained by the live band as they browsed through numerous market stalls picking up bargains.

The free BBQ and refreshments went down a treat and the kids were kept entertained by a face painter, jumping castle and animal farm!

Click here for more information on Principal Berkeley Village.

Each of the award programs demonstrated innovation and best practice, however the real winners are the residents who are benefitting from the range of wonderful activities and exceptional care at their homes.

It’s not just the level of care but the passion with which the staff carry out their jobs that is so evident in the awards with winners in each category demonstrating commitment overand above their job descriptions.

Congratulations to all our winners…