Program grants residents a wish

A provider’s wish-granting program has kicked launched its first event of the year.

Ten Catholic Healthcare residents visited a Barracks and an art gallery as part of the provider’s first MyWish event for the year.

The MyWish program aims to offer one wish event a month to Catholic Healthcare residents throughout the year.

“Residents are encouraged to submit their, wishes which could be attending a performance, going to the horse races, taking a motorbike ride, or going out to a lovely restaurant,” a spokesperson for Catholic Healthcare told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Catholic Healthcare first offered Win a Wish prizes in 2019 as part of the organisation’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Following the success, the MyWish program was developed and launched in 2020, but then paused because of COVID-19.

But with restrictions now easing, the program returned with 10 residents and four carers from Catholic Healthcare’s St Bede’s Residential Aged Care in South Hurstville heading out to visit the Hyde Park Barracks and the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney’s centre on 25 March.

The wish was submitted by resident Gloria and inspired by her love of history.

Catholic Healthcare resident Gloria.

“I had heard that the Barracks were renovated so we thought it would be an interesting day out,” Gloria said in a statement.

“The museum is very impressive. We were all given individual iPods and headphones to listen to an audio tour as we moved through the rooms,” she said.

 “I particularly liked the painting of colonial Sydney, which they brought to life through animation,” she said.

A spokesperson for Catholic Healthcare said program was about promoting life to the full at any age and providing residents with an opportunity to enjoy something extraordinary.

“The residents benefit from the opportunity to go on a special outing, enjoy an experience on their wish list, spend time with each other away from the home and have some fun,” the spokesperson said.

Other resident wishes already been granted include a visit to the Mounted Police Stables in Redfern, Sydney, and ride in a horse-drawn carriage in Forbes, the spokesperson said.

The next MyWish event is taking place in April, where a group of 10 residents and carers from Catholic Healthcare’s St Hedwig Village in Blacktown will visit the Monet and Friends Exhibition in Moore Park in Sydney.

Main image: A group of Catholic Healthcare residents and carers visited the Hyde Park Barracks and the Art Gallery of NSW as part of the MyWish program.

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Tags: catholic healthcare, mywish, resident experience, social and wellbeing, St Bede’s Residential Aged Care, win a wish,

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