CARING FOR ALL BY ALL
Community Care
02 6043 9867
Village & Apartments
02 6043 9832
Homestead & Cottages
02 6043 9999

Westmont Newsletter March 2018 – Issue 22

A Message from the CEO

Welcome to our first Newsletter for 2018.

Recent visitors to Westmont have probably noticed the eucalyptus trees have been removed from our driveway. After consultation with an arborist where it was identified these trees could grow up to 45m in height we believed the safest option was to have them removed now as they were going to become a safety concern in the future. They will be replaced with Nyssa Salvatica (a deciduous tree), which grows up to 15m high. Planting will commence after Easter.

You may have also noticed our site excavation in the south east area which will be our Dementia Cottages and Day Centre development in the future. We have undertaken the earthworks now, in order to create a temporary caravan parking area whilst we create the permanent facility.

On 27 April 2018 at 10.30am we have the Official Opening and naming of the Westmont Recreation Centre. We will recognise the outstanding contribution of one of our Board Members. More details will be made known in the next Westmont Newsletter.

With the Flu season approaching we strongly suggest family and visitors to 265 Baranduda Boulevard having a flu vaccination to protect our Residents

Peter de Koeyer – CEO

 


 

Homestead Happenings

The last few months have continued to be busy at the Homestead. 

Our Residents thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas activities and celebrated in style. 

We welcomed our new trainees, and we look forward to enabling them to access a lot of experience at West-mont over the next 12 months. 

Westmont continues to perform well in our independent benchmarking report. Daily occupancy has increased and is performing above the industry benchmark. Our clinical practice has seen a significant reduction in pressure injuries, infections and falls in this report. 

Staff are informed of these outcomes at meetings. Positive feedback is given along with encouragement to ensure their good practice continues, and that staff feel appreciated for the effort they make at work. 

Angela McInnes – Director of Care and Clinical Services

 

The Homestead waiting list for permanent care is very extensive and our respite beds continue to be heavily booked. Four permanent Residents have been admitted since January 2018. Twenty two have enjoyed respite and four have used the transitional care program. We receive on average 10-15 enquires per day.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss your future planning for residential and respite care at the Homestead.

Those prospective Residents currently on our wait list are asked to advise me if your circumstances change.

Aileen Bertram – Admissions and ACFI Manager

 

Our annual Resident surveys have been sent out to either family members or Residents to complete. We appreciate these being completed as it assists us to improve.

Our annual staff training days will commence on 20 March 2018 and will run over 4 days to enable all staff to attend. Some of the topics covered will be Infection Control, Compulsory Reporting, Fire and Emergency, Manual Handling, OHS and a Corporate update.

The Aged Care Standards are changing and a Single Aged Care Quality Framework will be introduced over the next 12 months and come into effect in July 2019.

Amanda Payne – Director of Quality, Education and Admin

 

For your Calendar

Official Opening and naming of the Recreation Centre – Friday 27 April 2018 @ 10.30am

 


 

Community Care

Westmont Community Care is Moving!

Community Care Services have outgrown our office space at the Willows, McFarland Road. Due to this our entire team are moving to 193 Beechworth Road, Wodonga from the 3 April and you will see our signage where Health Focus Physiotherapy used to be. Uniting will continue to run Planned Activity Groups and Social Connections from the Willows, there will be no change to this activity. Westmont will have a staff member working in the reception office each day during April to ensure that our community is aware of the move and they can still pay their accounts at the Willows office during this period. We will do our very best to make the move without causing too much disruption to client accessibility and we are looking forward to our new offices.

Home Care Packages: Home Care Packages are the next level of care offering more specialised support. My Aged Care is the gateway to access a Home Care Package and they can be contacted on 1800 200 422 or simply to make an enquiry. Westmont offers case management, service delivery and referrals to those on home care packages. Please phone the office if you need assistance or more information if you have received a letter and need some help interpreting it.

Volunteers: We would like to thank all our wonderful Volunteers for the dedicated commitment of their time in assisting us to provide meals on wheels delivery. We simply could not provide this service without you. Thank you all sincerely.

Feedback: We improve and grow with feedback from our Community. Please let us know if you have any issues, concerns, complaints, compliments or suggestions. We would appreciate hearing from you.

Christine Odewahn – 02 6043 9867, Community Care Manager

 


 

Apartment and Village Announcements

Autumn is again upon us and the deciduous plants and shrubs at Westmont will be showing Residents a seasonal display whilst leading us to Winter. All the gardens are magnificent at this time of year and our Gardening team work hard on the health of the plantings and the progressive landscaping as we head to the completion of build within the Villas.

At this time there are only three available vacant sites to be developed – two of these will accommodate the two bedroom/1 ½ garage floorplan and the other a 3 bed/double garage floorplan.

Whilst these are available, there have been a number of established Villas become vacant over this last season, due to relocation of Residents to both the Apartments and Homestead – the ageing in place concept is well and truly working effectively.

Village life continues to be vibrant with many events, activities and functions being held for both Apartments and Villa Residents – a newly established Village Social Group at the helm to coordinate the ideas of our many Residents. There is much on offer with Tai Chi, gentle exercise, singing, a walking group, bowls, Happy Hours at the Bars, sizzles and BBQs – many more on offer with something for almost everyone!

All locations within the Westmont precinct are being utilised – the bowls green, Community Centre, the many walking paths throughout, and the newly constructed Recreation Centre, gym and spa/swim – all within easy walking distance. An exciting year is ahead of us.

You are welcome to contact me on 02 6043 9832 to discuss your possible future living at Westmont.

Chris Boyer – Manager Village and Assisted Living

 


 

Homestead Activities

In January the Residents had the pleasure of visiting the Murray Art Museum (MAMA) in Albury to view finalists in last year’s Archibald Prize Portrait competition. We were all in awe of the wonderful talent on display – with residents from our art and craft class, in particular, drawing inspiration from the paintings. Afterwards we relaxed at Canvas, the galleries coffee shop, and chatted about all that we had seen. Homestead Residents certainly know how to enjoy themselves.

 


 

Volunteers Needed!

A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to our Meals On Wheels volunteers. If you would like to become a Meals on Wheels volunteer please call Michelle McIntosh, Meals on Wheels Coordinator.

Michelle McIntosh, Meals on Wheels Coordinator – 02 6043 9867

 


 

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Information

Westmont Aged Care Services Ltd is dedicated to providing aged, community care and lifestyle options to the people of our region with respect, dignity and choice.

Our philosophy is ‘Caring for All by All’. Continuous improvement is a driving force at Westmont as we welcome and encourage feedback from all our stakeholders.

Contact Us

Head Office
265 Baranduda Boulevard, Baranduda VIC 3691

Located on the border of Victoria and New South Wales.
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Visiting Hours

Relatives and friends may visit the Homestead at any reasonable hour. All visitors are requested to sign in and out. It is encouraged that you call prior to visiting to ensure visiting hours have not been changed.