A LETTER FROM THE CEOWelcome to our final newsletter for 2016. As we look towards Christmas and plan our end of year celebrations, it is a great opportunity to look back on the year that was and note just some of the many achievements Hardi Group facilities have made in 2016. These include:

• Complete upgrade of our computer database to Manad 5, which will streamline our processes, thereby improving the care of our residents

• All sites received an A-rating in their annual food safety audits

• Nurse call upgrade at all sites. Manly Vale will be completed in December 2016.

• All facilities have undergone internal and external building works which has significantly improved residents’ amenities

In addition to these great news items, I am pleased to announce our education program to prevent influenza was a great success. Congratulations to all staff, residents and visitors who got on board. More about this program later in this newsletter.

Major works have been undertaken at Guildford, Blacktown, Manly Vale and Mountainview to improve their outdoor areas. They have been, or will be, completed in time for residents and their families to enjoy the warmer weather outside together.

A very special hello to all of our new residents, volunteers and staff. The Hardi Group is a large, welcoming family, and we’re delighted that you have joined us. As always, we want your feedback so we can develop

and strengthen the Hardi Group. Feedback forms are available at all facility reception areas.

The festive season is always a very special time for Hardi Group residents and staff. As is now tradition, we will take residents on a bus trip to see the Christmas lights, and hold parties at each facility that resident family members are very welcome to attend. Who knows? There may even be a visit from Santa or Mrs Claus.

Have a safe and enjoyable festive season, with best wishes for the New Year.

ROBERT OXFORD

WORKING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITYAll Hardi Group facilities are committed to their local communities. We welcome organised visits to our homes, as well as contributing to our communities by sponsoring different events. All of these activities help to engage our residents. They particularly enjoy visits from local school children.

One such visit occurred at Manly Vale. Students from St Kieran’s, a local primary school, performed a delightful musical set for our

residents. Their school band – which included flutes, clarinets, saxophone, drums and keyboards – captivated their audience. One student also recited a poem in French.

The residents thoroughly enjoyed the music, some with tears of happiness. The students then chatted with residents after their performance and presented them with gifts, including soaps, chocolates and cards.

This year, Hardi Group were proud sponsors of the Newtown Rugby

League Football Club, Australia’s oldest rugby league club. At their home ground, Henson Park, we created a fun family zone on ‘Hardi Hill’. Families and their children were entertained with jumping castles and face painting.

Hardi NewsOCTOBER 2016

OUTDOOR WORKS ACROSS OUR CENTRESAs part of our ongoing commitment to provide our residents with the best possible facilities, we are continuing to upgrade with a particular focus on outdoor areas at Manly Vale, Guildford, Mountainview and Blacktown.

Guildford has had a major renovation in the undercroft area. The spacious area allows residents to walk freely amongst the garden and to enjoy the fresh air. Families of our residents are able to be outside with them as it is equipped with a fully operational kitchenette and a television. The outdoor area was officially opened on the 19th July by Assistant Facility Manager Nawal Torbey where

residents and their families then enjoyed afternoon tea.

Mountainview has had a major redesign to the front entrance with extended driveway, gardens and self-watering irrigation systems. It has also completed upgrades to one of its outdoor areas. There has been the addition of a water feature and a hanging wall garden in which the diversional therapy team grow fresh herbs.

Manly Vale already has a spacious front garden outdoor area where residents and families enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. To complement these existing amenities,

work has just been completed on the central courtyard where residents will be able to enjoy BBQs and entertainment. In addition, the enclosed courtyard at Manly Vale is now equipped with air conditioning and state of the art television to make time with visitors more comfortable for residents and their guests alike.

Blacktown internal courtyard works have been completed with the outdoor veranda area giving it a fresh new look. Residents and their families find this area a piece of solitude to enjoy quality time with each other. A new dedicated outdoor garden area is nearing completion.

USING TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS Robots are not typically associated with emotions and feelings, but we have been having some amazing success using the right technology to support our residents.

In September, we introduced PARO the robotic seal to our Seven Hills facility on a trial basis. During this trial, it was shown to help reduce anxiety, depression and aggressive behaviour with many of our residents

who have dementia. Residents engage with PARO by talking to and patting him. PARO responds as if it is alive, by moving its head and legs and making sounds. PARO imitates the voice of a real baby harp seal. Given the trial’s success, Paro has been purchased for Seven Hills. Trials of additional PAROs will be rolled-out through to other Hardi facilities in the coming months.

‘Music and Memory’, a program developed by the Arts Health Institute, has been introduced to some of our residents who suffer with dementia, pain, feeling depressed or isolated. Each resident is given their own set of headphones and iPod, complete with personal playlists. This has proven to be effective with their moods being lifted and appearing calmer.

‘THE FLU STOPS WITH U’ During the month of March, Hardi introduced a flu awareness and prevention campaign.

Throughout the six facilities a campaign was introduced to ensure residents and their families as well of staff become aware of the seriousness of influenza and what we can do together to prevent influenza.

Staff wore ‘The flu stops with u’ shirts to work and education sessions were run at all sites to educate staff on the benefits of being vaccinated and ways to help stop the spread of germs including hand hygiene and performing infection control procedures.

This campaign of awareness and prevention has proven to be very successful. A huge thank you to all staff, residents and families for the participation in our campaign.

Free call 1800 333 536www.hardiagedcare.com.au

BLACKTOWN | GUILDFORD | PENRITH | MANLY VALE | SEVEN HILLS | SUMMER HILL