High praise for WA providers

An injury prevention program that has dramatically reduced workplace injuries and absenteeism and a support pack for families to help navigate the aged care maze have taken out top gongs at this year’s ACSWA Excellence in Care Awards.

Announced on 6 June, the state awards recognised outstanding achievements across the non-profit aged and community care sector in Western Australia.

Aged and Community Services WA CEO Trevor Lovelle said the peak body received a record number of nominations for the annual awards, all demonstrating a strong commitment to helping people to age well.

Australian Senior of the Year Fred Chaney, AO was also in attendance at the gala event in Perth.

Older peoples’ rights peak organisation Advocare took out the ‘new projects/programs’ award for its support pack which has been distributed to more than 6000 families in WA. The resource, delivered to aged care facilities, is designed to support families in the transition to residential aged care.

The ‘health and wellbeing’ category was awarded to aged care provider Amana Living for adopting an early intervention program to encourage staff to report symptoms of injury or illness. Since its introduction, the organisation has experienced a 70 per cent reduction in compensation claims, with the number of claims in 2012-2013 falling well below the industry average.

Amana Living CEO Ray Glickman said the program aims to reduce the severity and frequency of injuries associated with manual tasks and also supports staff in their rehabilitation and return to work, whether the injury is work-related or not. As well as physical issues, conditions such as depression and anxiety are also monitored.

Other winners included Annette Panaia, Moorditj Mia coordinator with Rise Network who was named Employee of the Year. Ms Panaia is a well-respected leader within the Aboriginal community, who has fostered the expansion of culturally appropriate services at Moorditj Mia, an Aboriginal Day Centre.

At 92, Joan Muhling is Subiaco Council’s longest serving meals on wheels volunteer. For her 44 years of dedicated service, Ms Muhling was recognised as the state’s Volunteer of the Year. Her long history of volunteering began as a member of the voluntary air observer’s corps during World War II.

In the service categories, large provider Juniper was named WA Organisation of the Year and Armadale-based Dale Cottages, won in the small provider category.

In recognition of the work of individual staff members, David Spinks, CEO of Elderbloom was awarded the Aged Care Excellence award for his contribution to ACSWA and national peak body committees and for his leading work lobbying for changes to the Retirement Villages Legislation and Cale Swift from Baptistcare was recognised for his dedication and passion to the sector  in the trainee category.

The winners of the Employee, Volunteer, Trainee and Organisation categories will be in the running for the national titles at the Aged and Community Services Australia National Conference in September.