News Archives - Page 4 of 5

Capecare welcomes 5 new graduate Carers

February 15, 2022/in News /by Janine Pittaway

Last week we marked a significant occasion with the graduation of five new carers from South Regional TAFE’s Certificate III Individual Support (Ageing), which is an entry level qualification that provides foundation skills and knowledge to become a direct care/support worker. Employment and work with Capecare is a component of the training undertaken during this qualification, and we’re so pleased that each of the five graduates, Linda Sharp, Glenis Gleed, Ella Cull, Oceanna Fardella, and Olivia Hewitt is staying on at Capecare.

Capecare CEO Joanne Penman, pictured on the left of the photo, said the graduates’ commitment to aged care was more important now than ever.

“It’s incredibly important for us to be taking on graduates at a time where it’s really challenging for us to recruit in the aged care sector. Thank you for doing this important work and joining our team, we are so grateful to have you all and so proud that you’ve made it through your traineeship and you’re a shining example to our next group of trainees and I hope that you will go on to be people who influence the way we go about care.

“It’s a work we can feel incredibly proud of. We do make a really important difference to our community and we do provide exceptional care to people who really need us. I congratulate and officially welcome Linda, Glenis, Ella, Oceanna and Olivia to their carer roles and to Capecare.”

On the far right of the photo is Nichola Campbell, Lecturer Health and Community Services, South Regional TAFE Busselton Campus.

Graduates of the TAFE Cert III course who are all commencing work as Carers with Capecare

Capecare - Chad Jackson photographer

Unexpected payments for some Capecare staff

February 11, 2022/in News /by Janine Pittaway

Approximately 400 current and past award-based staff at Capecare will receive an unexpected payment later this month after the Busselton and Dunsborough-based aged care organisation identified payroll discrepancies from the period of 2014 to 2020.

Capecare, Western Australia’s largest regional not-for-profit aged care provider, is repaying all monies owed with interest to recognise and recompense all affected employees.

CEO Joanne Penman said the organisation’s Board and management regretted that this error has occurred and was in the process of contacting all affected staff. She said remediation payments would be made as quickly as possible.

“The discrepancies were identified by a new member of our payroll team. Following a rigorous investigation, the main cause was determined to be inconsistencies of award interpretations in our systems,” she said.

Capecare Chair Martha Ryan said the Board took the discovery of the payroll discrepancies extremely seriously and regretted the errors made.

“We sincerely apologise to affected staff and Capecare is doing its best to compensate staff as quickly as possible.

“On discovery of the potential errors, the Board and Management proactively appointed independent auditors KPMG to undertake an extensive review to ensure accuracy and full transparency,” Ms Ryan said.

Capecare has self-reported its non-compliance to the Fair Work Ombudsman, advising that it had incorrectly applied clauses of the Nurses Award 2010 and the Aged Care Award 2010.

Ms Penman, who commenced with Capecare in October 2021, said Capecare was taking every reasonable measure to ensure this kind of error did not recur.

“We are implementing a number of new procedures and systems, including investing in a new HR information system to measure time and attendance; outsourcing the payroll function; utilising a Compliance Officer to monitor changes to awards and national employment standards; developing an internal payroll audit process; and introducing annual external payroll audits.”

Affected staff will be contacted via mail and phone and advised of the monies owed and the process for repayment.

Capecare has been established for 60 years and is a not-for-profit and independent community organisation, existing to serve the needs of our older people in the Capes Region.

For specific enquiries on the payroll underpayment, email hr@capecare.com.au or call 9750 2000 and ask for the HR department.

Senior Support Worker Liza Hellstrom with Capecare resident

Meet Liza Hellstrom, Capecare Senior Support Worker

February 10, 2022/in News /by Janine Pittaway

A desire to meaningfully help people led Liza Hellstrom to leave her long career in the travel industry to train in a field where she could really make a difference – caring.

Liza Hellstrom, now a Senior Support Worker at Capecare, studied a Certificate III before joining Capecare and hasn’t looked back in the four-and-a-half years since.

“When you get home from a day’s work, you just feel you’ve done something really good,” she says.

Liza’s day-to-day involves roles in and out of Capecare in Busselton. As well as training staff and signing up new home care clients, she visits home care clients in the community to assist with their personal care. Every day is different, and she says she loves being able to get on the road and help her clients with essential tasks.

“I might assist them with showers, help them get dressed and ready for the day, and meal preparation. We help people with making breakfast or if we visit clients in the afternoon we might make a meal for them to have later on at night and we also do medication prompts.

“We do welfare checks – going to client’s houses and making sure they’re okay. We might be the only person they see that day or week. And if we see any change or any decline in their health, we will report that back to our nursing team. We also provide social support which might mean taking people shopping, or staying in the client’s home and just having a cup of tea and a chat, whatever the client wants to do.”

When Liza gets up in the morning, she looks forward to going to work. She loves how rewarding the job is and says it’s a privilege to spend time with people who have such interesting life stories.

Liza says if you like helping people, then definitely look into working in aged care. She said clients are so grateful, and it feels as though you’re really doing something for the community.

Capecare is the largest regional independent aged care provider in Western Australia and Liza said they have been a supportive employer.

“I feel really valued as an employee. They really care about you,” she says. “Capecare are really supportive, always coming to check on us and ask how we’re going. It’s a really good company to work for.”

Originally from Sweden, Liza moved to Australia 20 years ago and has resided in Busselton for four and a half years and couldn’t think of a better place to live.

“It’s so close to all the wineries and lovely beaches. And then we’ve got our foreshore. If you take a client for a drive, you can go down to the beach, and if it’s not too hot, grab a coffee or an ice cream.”

Capecare supports people like Liza to start a career in caring or nursing. The organisation partners with South Regional TAFE to provide a fully supported 9-month traineeship program for students studying a Certificate III Individual Support (Ageing), who will then become part of their Care team for its residential facilities in Busselton and Dunsborough, and its home services community. Your course fees will be covered, and you’ll be paid while you study and doing your practical training at Capecare. If you’re studying to be a Registered or Enrolled Nurse, Capecare also offers practical paid experience in Caring or Support Worker roles while you complete your training.

Opportunities are also available for unskilled Carer Support Workers, Carers, Domestic Assistants and Lifestyle Assistants.

Contact hr@capecare.com.au call 9750 2000 and speak to our recruitment officer, or visit Capecare.com.au to find out more.

Liza Hellstrom, Senior Support Worker

Capecare Accountant Leanda van Zyl with 777 Pharmacist Scott Braddock

Capecare residents and staff boosted by Pharmacy 777 visit

February 3, 2022/in News /by Janine Pittaway

More than 30 staff and residents of Capecare in Busselton took advantage of a visit by Pharmacy 777 Busselton last week to have their COVID-19 booster shots.

The pharmacy is providing vaccine shots to a number of local aged care facilities and Pharmacist Scott Braddock who administered the vaccines said providing the vaccines on site to residents made it less stressful for them and easier to obtain and it took pressure off the pharmacy as well.

“Last year was the first year pharmacists were allowed to vaccinate outside of the pharmacy and this is the first time we’ve provided vaccinations on other premises. I’ve brought a portable fridge along to Capecare to make it easy and hopefully we can do more of it,” he said.

Capecare CEO Joanne Penman said the free service provided by Pharmacy 777 Busselton was greatly appreciated. “Staff and residents were keen to utilise this service as it provided convenience for staff and it was more comfortable for residents to not have to travel outside of our property to attend an appointment. It shows great community spirit and we are very thankful for this kind offer,” she said.

Group of women posing for photo in medical uniforms in front of christmas tree

Capecare and Chad Jackson

Successful 2-year relationship with South Regional TAFE

December 22, 2021/in News /by Janine Pittaway

For the past two years Capecare has partnered with SWRT, supporting their Ageing and Disability Job Ready Program with practical placement opportunities for students, and our own Trainee Program. Capecare runs a fully supported traineeship program for students studying a Certificate III Individual Support (Ageing), who will then become part of our Care team for both our residential facilities, and our home services community.

The students pictured are on the Ageing and Disability Job Ready Program, for those wanting to start a career in the ageing or disability sector, making a positive difference to the lives of others in one of the fastest growing workforces in WA. The Job Ready Program is a fantastic entry level skill set that, once completed, allows students to go on to study their Cert lll as part of Capecare’s Traineeship Program.

Students spent a day at Capecare Dunsborough last week with Lecturer Nichola Campbell and our nursing staff to experience an aged care facility first-hand.

By completing the Ageing and Disability Job Ready Program, graduates may:

Be offered a job with their work placement employer
Be offered an aged care or disability work traineeship
Develop skills to transition into an allied health occupation
Gain employer references, or
Connect with other employment opportunities within these sectors

Capecare’s Traineeship is a 9-12 month program providing individuals with the foundation skills and knowledge to become a direct care/support worker and preparing them for a rewarding career in aged care. The Program also then provides the opportunity to transition into studying a Cert IV or nursing.

More information on Certificate III Individual Support (Ageing)

Lions Club donations enhance the lives of Dunsborough residents

December 17, 2021/in News /by Janine Pittaway

A generous donation of $25,000 worth of equipment by the Dunsborough Lions Club to Capecare Dunsborough is set to enhance the lives of its aged care residents.

The funds have allowed the purchase of a Tovertafel, which provides interactive play opportunities particularly for people living with dementia, along with new wheelchair-friendly raised garden beds for residents and their families to enjoy.

The Tovertafel comprises a box hung from the ceiling containing a high quality projector, infrared sensors, loudspeaker and processor that work together to project interactive games onto a table. It creates moments of happiness for people living with dementia with social, physical and cognitive benefits. It is used at Capecare Dunsborough by residents and carers to allow joyful moments of play with beautiful interactive light projections.

Construction of the garden beds will start shortly in the residential care facility’s two courtyards and will have rounded corners and easy access for up to eight wheelchairs. Residents and carers will be able to plant a garden, care for it and watch it grow.

Dunsborough Lions Club has been a long-time supporter of Capecare, committing to financially supporting the facility when it was still in the early planning stages. President Malcolm Van Rensburg said it was important to the Club to give back to the community.

“When I heard about the Tovertafel through another Lions group, I did some research and got on to Tovertafel distributor out of Melbourne.

“As part of my research I spoke to people who are using it and thought it was really good. It’s been a project close to my heart and when I presented it to the club, they voted to make the purchase for Capecare Dunsborough.
“We donated $155,000 back to the community last year from the money we had raised from selling donated goods at the Lions Shed in Dunsborough Lakes Drive, plus the Lions markets in Dunsborough town. We do monthly sausage sizzles during summer, and the Easter Fair. We’re currently selling Lions Christmas cakes and puddings outside Coles.

Capecare CEO Joanne Penman said the Lions Club donations would have a significant positive impact.

“Generous donations like this really make a difference to the quality of life for our residents,” she said. “Watching them use the Tovertafel is a joy.

“It is interactive, which is really important in terms of socialisation. It’s stimulating – residents don’t get bored with it because the games are changing. It helps with hand-eye coordination and is a really wonderful group activity that won’t get tired.

“And the garden beds will be a real favourite in the facility because we’ll be able to grow some of our own herbs and vegetables, thanks to the Lions Club.

“The beds will be available not only to our residents who are mobile and independent, but also to people in wheelchairs who can wheel right up and also get involved in growing produce.

Jo said there was a real opportunity for Capecare and the community to identify, in partnership with residents, what would be useful for future donation opportunities.

“We’ll target specific needs within the organisation, things that will make a difference to the quality of residents lives that are over and above the things that, as a provider of aged care, we’re funded to provide.

“It would be really fantastic to engage the community’s thinking around ideas for things that we could do together and involve local people,” she said.

Capecare

Capecare Dunsborough officially opens!

October 7, 2021/in News /by webandprint

Dunsborough’s first fully integrated aged care facility has been officially opened by Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories and Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino MP.

The $37.5 million facility, comprising an 80-bed residential care facility and 21 two-bedroom, two-bathroom independent living apartments, was driven by community demand and its central location and appealing design have helped create an extremely successful and in-demand development.

Capecare Dunsborough also features dementia-enabling design, a new headquarters for the Dunsborough branch of the CWA, allied health facilities, landscaped gardens, BBQ and café area, and cinema room.

In her speech at the official opening, Mrs Marino said the Federal Government’s $7.1million contribution to the project was part of the Building Better Regions Fund.

“This Federal Government investment in Dunsborough is about delivering locally to improve the lives of residents aging in their community while creating local jobs and contributing to the local South West economy.”

Mrs Marino officially cut a ribbon to open the premises along with South West Development Commission Chair Nick Belyea representing the State Government Regional Aged Accommodation Program, CWA Dunsborough President Leslie Sproule, outgoing Chair Nadine Carter and Capecare Senior Carer Jess Lehane.

Board Member for 39 years and long-time project advocate John Reid cut a cake to mark Capecare’s 60^th year, with Capecare Dunsborough’s Residential Care Facility resident John Bresland and Acting CEO Philippa Ayre.

Capecare outgoing Chair Nadine Carter said the official opening was a hugely significant milestone for the regional not for profit organisation.

“It has been a long-held vision to be able to deliver this much needed aged care infrastructure and services, to the Dunsborough community and the wider South West.

“The development of this magnificent facility sets a new benchmark for residential care and retirement living in the region and state. This integrated complex enables people to live connected and enriched lives as they age as valued members of the Cape’s community. It has also brought significant social and economic benefits to the City of Busselton and the South West.

“This would have not been possible without the initial vision of Naturaliste Care Services who tirelessly communicated the need for such a facility in this growing community, the CWA who donated a portion of land to allow this development to happen to its existing scale, the State Government that contributed $2.5 million through its Regional Aged Accommodation Program and the Federal Government through its Building Better Regions Fund.

“We have now welcomed in our first wing of clients to the Residential Care Facility, and have leased 20 of 21 apartments. All new clients to the complex have a strong connection to Dunsborough and Yallingup, either as residents themselves or with family members who live here.

“Capecare is fortunate to have such a dedicated team of local personnel now managing the facility and enjoying the flexibility of working across both our Busselton and Dunsborough sites.

“Our vision for Capecare Dunsborough was ‘living well through excellent design’ – to construct a superbly designed building based on clearly defined dementia enabling principles.

“There has been much time taken in best practice research, planning and development of the project to make Capecare Dunsborough extraordinary.

“Along with the seamless blend of the complex into the natural bushland and surrounding residences, Capecare Dunsborough has been designed on a small home model to be welcoming and extremely comfortable for all residents. With intuitive technology, dementia enabling design features and décor, including memory boxes, use of colour, tailored furnishings and fittings, wayfinding with rest stops – this truly is best practice. Nursing and care staff have all been involved in the design process. The use of natural light throughout the complex is a standout feature,” Ms Carter said.

The facility will employ approximately 60 people full time once all four residential wings are fully operational, and employed approximately 530 people during construction.

Capecare Dunsborough was designed by Gary Batt & Associates Architects in consultation with dementia design specialists de Fiddes Design and was built by Perkins Builders.

Art is a prominent feature of Capecare Dunsborough with huge exterior murals by renowned Perth mural artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers, stunning stained-glass windows by Perth Art Glass featuring local flora and fauna, and a local art acquisition project with Arts Margaret River which has seen 24 works by local artists purchased and displayed around the facility.

Open Day – 29 & 30 July

July 27, 2021/in News /by webandprint

Dunsborough’s first fully-integrated aged care facility is now complete and ready to welcome its first intake of residents! Before they arrive, we’d love to give you the opportunity to tour our beautiful new premises.

Dates: Thursday 29 and Friday 30 July 2021

Time: 2pm to 5pm, Guided tours on the half hour

Location: Capecare Dunsborough, 171 Naturaliste Terrace, Dunsborough

RSVP: Please RSVP so we can manage visitor numbers to: rsvp@capecare.com.au with your preferred day and time.Visit the Residential Care Facility, view an Independent Living Apartment and check out Dunsborough CWA’s new HQ.

three drawings of glass panels with cockatoos and fauna

Window art celebrates Capecare Dunsborough’s natural surrounds

April 16, 2021/in News /by webandprint

A beautiful series of stained-glass feature windows celebrating local wildlife and flora will be a feature of Capecare Dunsborough’s residential care facility when it opens mid-year.

Perth Art Glass was commissioned by Capecare to create a three-panel stained glass artwork reflecting the local natural environment. It features flowering gums, eucalyptus and black cockatoos.

Call out to cape-to-cape visual artists

April 16, 2021/in News /by webandprint

With Capecare Dunsborough nearing completion and the focus moving to interior finishes, Margaret River Region visual artists are invited to add their creative flair to the new fully integrated aged care facility.

Capecare will acquire a number of works from local artists to be displayed throughout the residential care building’s internal spaces for residents, their families, visitors, staff and the local community to enjoy.