Young woman helping an older woman into a minibus marked CapecareCapecare

Capecare can help you stay living at home longer

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Getting the right help at home is crucial for older people to be able to stay living at home independently for as long as they can.

No two people have the same needs. Some may need help with transport to medical appointments or to the supermarket, others might need home maintenance, gardening, or cleaning assistance, or help with showering, dressing and getting ready for the day.

Capecare Home Care Manager Rachel Meares said trust and continuity between the client and service provider was important in giving older people confidence to stay in their home with external support.

“Recognising that you need help and then navigating home care and aged care services can be tricky,” she said.

“Once Government Home Care Package funding is approved, you want to get straight onto obtaining the help you need and not have to wait any longer than necessary.

“We can help clients through the process of applying for eligibility testing, and can then help them make a plan to suit their individual needs,” she said.

“Our home and community services provide a range of personalised support to people living at home, as well as respite for carers.

“We can provide half day, day or overnight respite at our Busselton Wellness Centre and Cottage Respite.

“Should the client’s needs increase over time, we can then provide continuity of care through our Busselton and Dunsborough residential care facilities.

“This offers great comfort to our clients, knowing they will receive the same high level of care across Capecare’s services provided by a team they have grown to know and trust,” Rachel said.Capecare is a local, independent not-for-profit service provider, supporting the community both at home and in their Busselton and Dunsborough aged care facilities, providing a continuum of care.

To find out more call our Home care team on 9750 2097 or email hscadmin@capecare.com.au.

 

Selfless community project improves gardens at Capecare

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Capecare residents and members of the Geographe Bay Gardening Club got their hands dirty planting a variety of flowers and hardy vegetation after a donation of more than $500 in gardening supplies was made by Soils Aint Soils Dunsborough.

The initiative was created after several Capecare residents discussed they’d like a more interactive garden – inspiring Jan Smith, who resides in the Capecare Independent Living Apartments, to reach out to her gardening club and work friends at Soils Aint Soils.

“It all came about because some of the residents wanted to add their own touch to the gardens,” Ms Smith said. “So, I did some site visits, and we were lucky enough to receive a large donation of plants from the local business, as well as soil conditioners and fertilisers.”

Ms Smith said the community initiative was also a good project for the Capecare residents to get involved with, because it promoted positive mental health and fun. “However, there are a lot of residents who are no longer capable, but therapeutically it’s important for them to have a garden that is beautiful and well maintained.”

“Some of the more senior residents came down too and we helped them to put some plants in. They really enjoyed it, they loved it. They all went off feeling very happy,” Ms Smith said.

The project is estimated to have installed more than 250 plants at Capecare Dunsborough, including many species requiring little upkeep. “I think it was lovely we were given the opportunity,” Ms Smith said. “The generosity of Soils Aint Soils was beautiful. It shows a great commitment to the joy of assisting others, and they were very happy to do that.”

Soul Care Chiropractic team raises $1200 for Capecare

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We are extremely excited to announce the Soul Care Chiropractic team in Vasse raised over $1200 to donate towards new mobile exercise rails for our residents! These are used during exercise classes to support mobility and movement.
Throughout the month of May, the team at Soul Care Chiropractic worked up a sweat to support the needs of our residents. For every dollar donated, they completed push-ups and squats as a team.
The fundraiser ended with an Open Day morning at Soul Care, where our Acting CEO Pip Ayre came down to support the crew. With free posture analysis, goodie bags, mini-seated massages and more, everyone had an absolute ball!
A big congratulations and thank you to the Soul Care Chiropractic team. We are extremely grateful for the support to enable us to continue to improve the lives of our residents.
Pictured (L to R): Dr Zach Willmott, Pip Ayre, Liz Thorpe, Angie Tarbotton, Dr Alex Siegwart, Dr Kat Zoetelief, Chelsea Branson and Rebecca Rose

Volunteers supporting volunteers

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During our Volunteer morning tea on Monday, a special group of students from Cornerstone Christian College were onsite washing cars for Capecare volunteers! They were taking the job seriously and volunteers went home in sparkling vehicles. Led by teacher and Student Leader Coordinator David van der Tang, the students are members of the Cornerstone’s Service and Leadership Council who raise funds for community services and serve within and outside the school community. A quarter of the school’s student population are members of the Council. What a great program to shape future community contributors.

National Volunteer Week 2023

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What a wonderful start we’ve had to National Volunteer Week! We held a morning tea to thank our amazing volunteers and had a great turnout. Heartfelt thanks to Lottery West and Volunteering WA for funding the morning tea, to Cornerstone Christian College, to Origins Market Busselton for volunteer vouchers and to One Rustic Bloom for contributing to our volunteer service gifts.
A number of our volunteers have achieved service milestones and were acknowledged. Our volunteers take our residents on beach and garden walks, play cards and games with them, manage visitor check-ins, help at the Wellness Centre, assist on outings and drive the bus, accompany residents on appointments and generally make an enormous difference to the lives of our residents and staff.
Capecare Busselton female resident Beth Clarke and carer Travis Dean sitting and smiling at each other.

Carer Travis Dean wins an award

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“I’ve found my place” – those are the words of Capecare Busselton carer Travis Dean who has finally found a career he genuinely enjoys at the age of 41.

After working as a butcher for many years, followed by a decade-long stint at McDonalds, Travis is now completing his 3rd year with the not-for-profit.

Working his way up from carer support, to trainee, and finally full-time carer – Travis has never felt more content in his line of work.

His success was encouraged in March when won the ‘South West TAFE Excellence Award for Certificate III in Individual Support’ in a competitive field of over 1000 WA applicants.

“I was shaking when I received the award, I was so nervous,” Travis said.

“I really didn’t expect it. I don’t think I said anything to anyone for a while afterwards.”

Travis said he owed the award to his compassionate spirit and “not giving up”.

“I want to treat people the way I treat my mum and dad,” he said.

“I’m not there for me. I’m there for the residents. I’m a compassionate person and I really care about these people.”

Travis described his workplace at Capecare as a positive environment and that he knew it would help him achieve his vision of becoming a palliative carer.

“It’s a very welcoming workplace and I always feel happy to go to work,” he said.

“Palliative care is an area I think would be very mentally rewarding for myself.”

He said his ability to grow in the industry was due to the staff at Capecare who had helped him every step of the way.

“Any questions I had, they answered them and always went out of their way to help me,” he said.

“I’m very grateful to them.”

If you’re interested in a career at Capecare, contact hr@capecare.com.au or call 9750 2000 to speak to the recruitment officer.

For more information, visit Capecare.com.au

Male carer Travis Dean and Male resident David Clarke sitting next to each other outside, smiling at camera.

Capecare carer Travis Dean and resident David Clarke

Group of 8 people in blue shirts smiling and posing in front of the Capecare Dunsborough entry signCapecare

Meet our new volunteers!

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Capecare recently welcomed a number of new volunteers to our Dunsborough team: (L to R) Michael Copeland, Lisa Annert, Kylie D’Arcy, Karen Barnard, Pepper Dickson, Lauraine Fogarty, Cheryl Thompson, Barton Hatherly and Elaine Graham. Not pictured: Robin Reilly and Sue Legge.
Our amazing team of volunteers give their time and skills to enhance the lives of our residents and assist our team of allied health professionals. Do you have a few spare hours to fill with something rewarding? Join our team and enjoy enriching the lives of our residents with social chats, garden and beach walks, games, cards, gardening, arts & crafts, outings and other events. And we love it when volunteers bring new skills to share.
Smiling lady in hat watering a raised garden bed in a courtyardCapecare

Blooming beds for Capecare Dunsborough residents

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Capecare Dunsborough residents have blooming vegetable and flower beds to enjoy thanks to generous support from Dunsborough Lions Club and Bunnings Busselton.

Eight raised garden beds were designed, constructed, and delivered to the facility to enable residents to participate in the planting and growing of decorative and edible plants kindly donated by Bunnings.

Dunsborough Lions members donated $25,000 to Capecare for this project plus Dementia-enabling equipment in December 2021.

Capecare Dunsborough Facility Manager Tammy Goddard said the completed garden beds would provide enrichment to their residents ‘lives.

“The garden beds were designed so that residents of all mobility levels could get involved in the project and see the fruits of their work grow,” she said.

“The conversations and reminiscence, together with digging in the soil and tending the plants is very uplifting to hear around the facility.

“To date it has been received very well with our residents and visitors. We definitely have some keen gardeners in our plot.”

The next step in the project is to paint the beds and Capecare is grateful to Dulux for donating this product.

 

Smiling lady in hat watering a raised garden bed in a courtyard

Capecare Dunsborough resident Nola Teakle taking care of a new garden bed.

Field of sunflowers with happy capecare volunteers wavingCapecare

Meet our sunny volunteers!

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Our sunny volunteers enjoyed an outing to Taylor Homestead on the weekend to enjoy the amazing sunflowers and support a charity walk raising money for mental health. Thanks to all of our bright and cheery volunteers who were able to make it, and to special sunflower and Volunteer Coordinator Jo for arranging. If you’d like to join this happy bunch, enquire to Jo: jo.gardiner@capecare.com.au.

Two Capecare Board positions available – EOIs open

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Capecare is seeking to appoint two new non-executive directors in 2023.

Capecare was established in 1961 and employs over 220 people who, together with 50 volunteers, support its operations across its residential aged care, community services, adult day centre, respite and independent living operations.

Capecare is the leading regional, community-based, not for profit provider of aged care and accommodation services in the South-West and has residential facilities and independent living apartments in both Busselton and Dunsborough.

The Board of Capecare is now seeking expressions of interest to fill two Board positions that will become vacant in 2023. To complement the existing skills mix, expressions of interest are sought from candidates with a background and suitable experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Strategic and Business development
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Information Technology
  • Fundraising
  • Accounting, Finance & Audit

Board experience and AICD qualifications are preferred but not essential.

Your passion for working with a not-for-profit organisation and experience gained within government agencies or corporate/medium sized business, together with well-developed governance skills will be invaluable in ensuring Capecare continues the rich, local history of people aging well in the Capes region.

To express interest in either of the positions, please submit a brief letter outlining your suitability and your resume to our Board Secretary. Ms Sharon Sermon at Sharon.sermon@capecare.com.au

A full position description and other relevant information will be made available to suitable applicants. A modest sitting fee is payable to cover expenses.

Applications close Friday 10 March 2023.

 

CAPECARE BUSSELTON

20 Ray Ave, Busselton WA 6280
Ph: 08 9750 2000
Fax: 08 9755 4696

Community Care & Respite: 08 9750 2097

CAPECARE DUNSBOROUGH

171 Naturaliste Tce, Dunsborough WA 6281
Ph: 08 9786 5555
Fax: 08 9786 5508

Community Care & Respite: 08 9750 2097

DONATIONS

If you’d like to make a difference to people’s lives, you can by making a donation to Capecare. You can donate now with your credit card via PayPal.

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