Weeding out the generation gap

The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd hosts the first of its 2005 Better Practice events in Adelaide next week, 19 & 20 May. The events aim to assist nursing home staff to improve the quality of care they provide to older Australians.

The Better Practice event will cover a range of topics from dementia and mental health to ethics, medication, falls and enhancing the image of your organisation.

“Weeding out the generation gap” will be presented by Linda Wallace, Manager of Springvale Residential Centre in Victoria.

One of the greatest challenges in today’s society is how to keep the generations coming together. Linda Wallace will speak about an ambitious gardening project at her facility that included volunteers from the broader community and in particular young people.

The project involved a partnership with the local council, volunteers, local businesses, year 10 horticulture students, residents, families and staff. Everyone came together fortnightly to work on propagating plants in new hot houses, rejuvenating existing garden beds, and the development of a hydroponic garden for growing plants and fresh produce.

Ms Wallace spoke about the success of the project, in bringing old and young people together to ‘weed out the generation gap’. She said residents enjoyed the experience bonding with local young people and they continue to show an interest in the gardens and maintaining the delightful display of flowering plants as well as fresh produce to sell at the home’s annual market day.

Linda Wallace
Manager, Springvale Residential Centre, Victoria
“Weeding out the generation gap”
Friday, 20 May
11am
Hilton Adelaide
233 Victoria Square Adelaide

1,500 staff from aged care homes including CEOs, senior management and nurses are expected to attend one of the Better Practice events scheduled across the country.

“The Better Practice events, which began in 2004, provide a dynamic forum to share innovations and practical ideas about achieving better practice and improving the quality of life for older Australians,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Mr Mark Brandon.

“It is an opportunity to learn from speakers who have shared similar experiences and have a chance to exchange ideas with them,” he said.

“In the end, we are hoping that aged care providers come away from the Better Practice events with plenty of information that they can put into practice. The result of which is better care for older people,” Mr Brandon said.

For further information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Liz Blieschke, General Manager Corporate Affairs, (02) 8831 1033, 0438 446 466
Lisa Smith, Corporate Affairs Officer, (02) 8831 1016

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