Acknowledging aged care’s volunteers

Aged care providers have been celebrating their dedicated army of unpaid support staff this week.

Held annually, National Volunteer Week commemorates the more than five million people across Australia who selflessly give up their time for free. Around 12,000 of those volunteer in aged care homes.

Millie Bird is one of them. The physiotherapy student volunteers at ACH Group’s ViTA Residential Aged Care Home in Daw Park – an inner southern suburb of Adelaide.

As well as offering residents social support, Ms Bird also hosts clay-making sessions. “It’s nice to do an activity together,” she said. “The clay creates a talking point but also creates a relaxing, comfortable environment where you can just take in each other’s company.”

Older people are all too often pigeonholed, said Ms Bird. “I feel older people are often stereotyped but they are such a diverse, interesting group and we can learn so much from them.”

South Australian aged care provider ACH Group has more than 155 volunteers providing support to residents and staff across 47 facilities.

ACH Group volunteer manager Tay Parker said the volunteers were all driven by a desire to make a difference.

“Our volunteers are in all stages of their own lives, they have different stories about how they came to cross paths with ACH Group, and why they chose to volunteer,” she said.

“However, they are brought together by a passion for making a difference and acknowledgement of the contributions older people continue to make in the community.”

Dot Sims volunteers at the not-for-profit provider’s West Park Residential Care Home in Goolwa – a historic port on the Murray River.

She became associated with the home when her mother became a resident. “I wanted to learn more about my mum’s new home, so I began to volunteer,” said Ms Sims.

That was two-and-a-half-years ago. Ms Sims supports West Park by facilitating its social events such as drumming, bingo, and karaoke.

“Karaoke is the favourite,” she said. “The music and singing deliver so much energy and it brings a lot of enjoyment to everyone.”

Social interaction is important as we age, said Ms Sims. “I really enjoy spending time with residents, hearing their life stories, and reminiscing on history with them. I feel like I am making a difference, especially for residents whose families may not be able to visit often.”

Ben Ward – general manager property with ACH Group’s executive leadership team – also volunteers in his spare time.  

“My parents have been volunteers for as long as I can remember so I guess my interest comes from them,” he said. “But I was also inspired to volunteer because my grandparents passed either before I was born or when I was very young, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to interact with this age group and get to know some of ACH Group’s customers.”

Mr Ward supports the group’s community social program and joins residents for the regular Friday night dinners held at local restaurants.

“Attending the dinners has provided firsthand feedback on their challenges and viewpoints, which have really improved me both professionally and personally,” he said. “And listening to stories about when they were young and the challenges they have overcome in their lives is really inspiring.”

To help meet the needs of its residents, ACH Group continues to seek volunteers across a range of roles including to engage in social activities, one-on-one friendly visiting, and specialist group support like men’s group, gardening and memory therapy.

Dementia care provider HammondCare is also seeking to attract volunteers to its sites. Although, in all, it has around 750 volunteers on the books, numbers are down due to the Covid pandemic.

To boost numbers, HammondCare has launched a video campaign to find people willing to volunteer in residential aged care, home care, and hospitals in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria.

“I invite you to come and share your passion because you will be surprised the joy you will bring,” said HammondCare chief executive Mike Baird in the video.

The roles on offer are varied and include facilitating music and art therapy and providing one-on-one companionship.

At 21, Charlise Hannagan is one of HammondCare’s youngest volunteers. Along with dog Mollie, Ms Hannagan offers her time to visit home care clients.

An NDIS support worker who wants to study medicine next year, Ms Hannagan finds volunteering rewarding. “We have a chat, have a cup of tea or some gardening to help out and they can join in.”

At 90, Lily Burns is one of HammondCare’s oldest volunteers. Each week, Ms Burns makes social visits to The Pines – a home in south-west Sydney.

“We play bingo, dominoes, Uno or whatever they want to play – but usually they want to play bingo,” she said. “The winner gets sugar-free lollies, but then again everyone gets some sugar-free lollies whether they win or not!”

Losing her husband to dementia six years ago motivated Ms Burns to volunteer. “Some residents with dementia don’t get visitors, so if I can join in and bring some fun into their lives it’s wonderful,” she said.

South Australian retirement living and home care provider ECH has more than 100 volunteers across its sites. One of the longest-serving is Gail Ellis, who has been with ECH since 2015.

Ms Ellis was “looking for something to do” after resigning from her job in diversional therapy. “I would drive past the Smithfield Day Program and kept thinking ‘I’ll drop in, I’ll drop in’ – and one day I did, and it went from there,” she said.

“I love volunteering and being with people; you see that glint in their eye, you make them smile and have lots of laughs.”

John Fielke volunteers as an ECH bus driver and ferries residents across the state as far as Coober Pedy. “People think I’m selfless doing this,” said Mr Fielke, “but it’s actually a bit selfish because I’m doing something for me. It’s not a matter of dropping the clients off, I participate in the day trip as well.”

Anne Bucetti became a volunteer at Carinty Clifford House in Brisbane by enlisting in the Community Visitors Scheme – soon to become the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.

The retiree has been volunteering at Clifford House for 11 years. She said, for her, it’s a win-win situation. “I absolutely love volunteering in aged care. I hope I bring some happiness to the day of elderly people.”

The interactions with residents has, said Ms Bucetti, enriched her life. “I have learned so much from these people and I am well rewarded knowing that any little thing I do can make a huge difference.”

Ms Bucetti’s roles at Clifford House are varied. “I assist with group activities such as the singalong as well as one-on-one visits. I’ve documented the memories of residents for their families and also coordinate a book club for interested residents,” she said.

To mark National Volunteer Week – which runs from 15 – 21 May 2023 – Ms Bucetti encourages others to donate their time to support older Australians in aged care.

“Volunteers from all walks of life have a lot to offer residents in their homes. I have found that people are very grateful for the time I spend with them,” she said. “Even if it is just sitting and listening – sometimes that’s all they need.”

Main image: Volunteer Millie Bird clay-making with a resident of the ViTA Residential Aged Care Home in Adelaide

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