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Category: Facility Manager

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Facility Manager Latest industry developments

RSL LifeCare Lifestyle Manager Sarah Phillips coordinates four centres for ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day, Tuesday 25 April, is a very important and special day for many people in retirement living and aged care, their families and staff.

Behind the scenes making the national day of remembrance for all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations”, special is Sarah Phillips, Lifestyle Manager for Residential Aged Care at RSL LifeCare Narrabeen on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Sarah coordinates RSL LifeCare’s four residential aged care homes on site to ensure that the residents can attend the activities and services.

It’s a big job as Sarah has to work out how many volunteers are needed and what transport is involved (buggy and buses).

RSL LifeCare holds four major events to mark ANZAC Day:

  • RSL ANZAC Village, Narrabeen Service on Wednesday 19 April, with speaker General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (Retd);
  • Field of Remembrance Dedication and Anzac Service, El Alamein Village, Lyneham, ACT, on Friday 21 April, with speaker Matt Anderson, Director of the Australian War Memorial.
  • Dawn Service on Anzac Day, 25 April, at RSL ANZAC Village, Narrabeen, with speaker Rear Admiral Lee Goddard RAN CSC (Retd).

Kerry Morris, RSL LifeCare’s Manager of Events and Community Engagement, manages the Narrabeen and Canberra events. The Canberra event is in partnership with the Australian War Widows ACT.

“I work closely with Sarah and the Retirement Living Team at Narrabeen including maintenance, landscaping, transport and catering. It really does take a ‘village’ to pull it all together,” Kerry said.

David Deller, Fundraising & Events Manager RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, is managing the annual BridgeClimb.

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Facility Manager Key things to help you everyday

A Fairer, Healthier World

World Health Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness about global health and promoting healthy living. This year, the theme for World Health Day is “Building a Fairer, Healthier World”. As we reflect on this year’s theme, it is important to consider the needs of seniors and the importance of having conversations about their health and wellbeing.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seniors are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to a variety of factors, including age-related changes, chronic health conditions, and lifestyle factors. This makes it crucial for retirement village managers and seniors living communities to create and uphold a supportive and open environment for their residents to have health-related conversations with each other, their families, and from time to time, with the management.

As a retirement village manager, it is essential to promote early detection and treatment of health problems, encourage healthy behaviours and lifestyle choices, and provide an opportunity for seniors to share their concerns and experiences. By simply being there for someone and creating an environment that allows for open conversations, we can help our residents navigate their changing health and wellbeing needs leading to a better quality of and a happier retirement community overall.

In honour of World Health Day, it is important to take a moment to reflect on the need to promote good health and wellbeing for everyone, regardless of age or background. As Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, stated, “Health is a fundamental human right, and building a fairer, healthier world requires a concerted and collaborative effort from all sectors of society.”

On this World Health Day, let us all commit to taking action towards building a fairer, healthier world by prioritizing the health and wellbeing of seniors in our communities.

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Facility Manager Key things to help you everyday Village Operator

Sign of the times: ACT Government to be first to appoint Retirement Village Ombudsman

In a precursor for retirement village operators and residents in each state, the ACT Government is investigating setting up the first independent Ombudsman to help resolve disputes between residents and operators. 

The new Labor Party-controlled NSW Government, when in Opposition, also promised to create a Retirement Village Ombudsman.

The Labor Party-led ACT Government said it is advocating for a national retirement village and aged care ombudsman, after the Legislative Assembly unanimously voted to support Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson’s motion.

Michael told the Legislative Assembly the current arrangements, which rely on internal retirement village disputes committee and the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, did not always offer the pathway to justice seniors deserve.

“Despite being the first port of call for when a dispute arises, the internal village disputes committee often fails to generate tangible outcomes for residents since the decision is not binding,” he said in a statement.

“If a resident subsequently chooses to escalate the matter to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal or the ACT Supreme Court for enforcement, they often find themselves bogged down in a costly, arduous, administrative nightmare.

“As a result, very few seniors pursue the justice they deserve and give up altogether.”

He added seniors deserved access to a binding and enforceable mechanism to resolve disputes with the operators of retirement villages.

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Facility Manager Key things to help you everyday Village Operator

LEADERS SUMMIT SATURDAY special issue: The increasing area of risk for retirement village and aged care operators

With new laws being enacted across every State and Territory aimed at tackling psychosocial safety in the workplace, operators need to prepare now to ensure they are not caught out, the LEADERS SUMMIT has heard.

MinterEllison Partners Deanna McMaster, Penelope Eden and Tammy Berghofer appeared in a panel session to discuss the legal challenges around retirement living and aged care, particularly in relation to workforce and approaches to risk mitigation.

Deanna (pictured above) told the room that MinterEllison expects that there will be more activity in the seniors living space over the next 12 months because of a range of new workplace health and safety laws coming into play.

“Once upon a time, safety laws and the work I do was all about heavy industry mining and construction and physical accidents. But that time has gone. Seniors living environment are of real interest to safety regulators because of the psychological.”

Full story in the LEADERS SUMMIT special issue of SATURDAY – subscribe here.

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Ryman’s Village Manager Charisse Spence takes her team surfing for bonding

Picture: Charisse Spence (far left), with team members Rachel, Ange and Bayden (L-R)
Picture: Charisse Spence (far left), with team members Rachel, Ange and Bayden (L-R)

DCM Institute member Charisse Spence (far left) is Village Manager of Ryman Healthcare’s Deborah Cheetham Retirement Village at the seaside town of Ocean Grove on VIC’s Bellarine Peninsula.

With the village nearing completion, the Registered Nurse is assembling a team and has taken up an offer from another team member Rachel, a keen surfer, to have “unlimited” surfing lessons.

“The village is five minutes from the beach, so it’s easy to get the team to the beach. It’s a great way of bonding because we know we will be busy when the building is finished,” Charisse said.

“There are a couple who won’t do it, they come with their dogs but I think they really come for a laugh.”

Charisse, named Ryman’s Leader of the Year at the company’s 2022 Awards, said Ryman recently held a recruitment night and more than 100 people turned up.

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“They were literally lined up outside the door. We are going through the expressions of interest,” said Charisse, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the healthcare sector, from working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Geelong, managing regional operations at the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and establishing an Enrolled Nursing Course. She has also been at the forefront of medical research, leading the Barwon Health Cardiac Research Unit for about 10 years.

“There are 18 of us at the moment and I would say we need another six to eight staff when the village is finished in July.

“I want to promote a diverse, welcoming and nurturing culture that sets the foundations for an adaptable and versatile workforce.”

Deborah Cheetham Retirement Village currently has 65 residents. It will have 120 care beds and 53 serviced apartments when complete.   

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Facility Manager Latest industry developments

RLC names Best Village Manager and Salesperson of the Year in VIC

Two Lendlease Retirement Living employees have been named the Retirement Living Council’s best Village Manager and Salesperson in VIC at a function in Melbourne.

Sherman Brown, who works at Burwood Terrace in Burwood East, 17km east of Melbourne’s CBD, was named the State’s best Village Manager.

“This is absolutely amazing. It was unexpected because I was given to understand those who had applied for the title was the largest there had been. Today has just got a whole lot better,” he said.

“I would like to acknowledge the people I work with because they are a tremendous example to me. They remind me to sparkle and shine.”

Peta Smith, who works in sales for Lend Lease Retirement Living’s Abervale, a retirement village in Grovedale, and Windsor Park in St Albans Park, both Geelong.

“I am overwhelmed at this award. It is very humbling and it’s great to be recognised by your peers. You get up every day to do the best of your ability and deliver what needs to be delivered and service those beautiful customers,” Peta said.

“Ï would like to acknowledge my manager Mary Swain, she is definitely the go-to person.”

The pair are in with a chance to win the national titles, along with Jo-Anne Quinn and Joanna Watkins, Justine Regan, Amanda Adams, Lee Ann Alejo and Emily Bey, which will be announced at  the 2023 National Retirement Living Summit on the Gold Coast in June. 

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Facility Manager Latest industry developments

Best Village Managers and Salespeople of the Year honoured in QLD and SA/NT

The awards for the Retirement Living Council’s best Village Managers and Salespeople in QLD and SA/NT have been announced.

Justine Regan (pictured right), who has worked for Aveo Group for the past nine years, was named QLD Village Manager of the Year. She is also a member of the DCM Institute.

Justine, who works at Robertson Park Retirement Village, in Robertson, an outer southern suburb of Brisbane, said she was “excited and honoured” to win the award.

”I’m so passionate about this industry and I just love my residents so much,” she said.

“I have had amazing mentors.”

Aveo’s Amanda Adams, who works at The Clayfield, in Albion, an inner northeastern suburb of Brisbane, was awarded QLD Salesperson of the Year,Pictured (left to right): Kylie Fitzgerald, Rachel Carver, Karen Snook, Andrew Head, Lee Ann Alejo, Lisa Wood, Leonie Karlsson and Harish Bastian

Pictured (left to right): Kylie Fitzgerald, Rachel Carver, Karen Snook, Andrew Head, Lee Ann Alejo, Lisa Wood, Leonie Karlsson and Harish Bastian

Lee Ann Alejo, who has worked for RetireAustralia for 18 years, was named SA/NT Village Manager of the Year. She is Village Manager of Spring Grove and Wisteria Grove in Adelaide. She is a member of the DCM Institute.

“Receiving this award is an accomplishment that I could only dream of. I share this with all of you. This journey is not mine alone but our journey together,” she said.

RetireAustralia said Lee Ann “is a values-driven leader who embodies care, compassion, and dedication to her residents’ wellbeing.”

This is an amazing achievement and we couldn’t think of a more deserving Village Manager. In her 18 years of service, Lee Ann has connected with residents and team members across many villages and we are confident they will be as proud of Lee Ann as we are.”

Emily Bey (pictured right with Bruce Djite, Executive Director, Property Council, SA), of Levande, won the SA/NT Award for Salesperson of the Year.

“It was an honour to even be nominated in the first place. It feels unreal. I love what I do,” said Emily, who covers three villages – Levande Hillsview, Walnut Grove and The Grange.

The winners, join Jo-Anne Quinn and Joanna Watkins in the running for the National titles which will be announced as part of the 2023 National Retirement Living Summit on the Gold Coast in June.

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Facility Manager Key things to help you everyday Uncategorized Village Operator

Budget Process: Professionalism + Partnership = Success

Retirement village residents on fixed incomes can be particularly sensitive to changes in the cost of living. The recent announcement of a 7.8% increase in the consumer price index to the December quarter nationally is a timely reminder for Village and Community Managers to prepare for the 2023-24 Budget cycle. This year, negotiating with residents and committees will require professionalism, respect, and care to successfully navigate their concerns with the increased costs of living. 

To guide managers through the budget process, here are some tips to consider: 

Transparency is key. It’s important to be open and clear about the costs involved in running the retirement village, including maintenance, insurance, rates, utilities, and staffing. Be prepared to answer questions about line items and explain any increases or decreases in costs from the previous year. Involve residents in the process through formal meetings and feedback sessions to create a sense of partnership and collaboration. 

Be prepared for budget requirements that continue to increase each year due to legislative changes and reforms. Have Quantity Surveyor Reports, Asset Management Plans, and quotes on hand to justify maintenance of capital items before consulting and negotiating with residents. 

Set clear goals and priorities for the year ahead, allocating funds accordingly. Be realistic about what the retirement village can afford and ensure that the budget reflects the needs and priorities of the residents. Consider how cost allocations are managed between operating and capital funds, and be open to compromise to find a balance between the needs and priorities of residents and the financial constraints of the retirement village. 

Summarise key points throughout the discussions with residents and committees, and follow up with a written document that outlines the agreed way forward. This will help ensure that both parties have a clear understanding of the outcome of the negotiation. 

Allow time for consultation and negotiation with residents and communicate the final budget clearly as per the requirements in your state or territory of operations. 

In conclusion, handling the budget process with care and professionalism, while taking into account the unique needs and concerns of residents, is critical. Success will come to managers who are well-prepared, effectively communicate, collaborate and negotiate with residents.  

The DCM Institute offers resources in its Knowledge Centre to help Village and Community Managers prepare for this year’s Budget cycle. 

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Facility Manager Key things to help you everyday

Village Manager Jo-Anne Quinn and Sales Manager Joanna Watkins named leaders in NSW

Jo-Anne Quinn has been named the Retirement Living Council’s NSW/ACT Village Manager of the Year and Joanna Watkins the Salesperson of the Year at a council event in Sydney last Thursday.

Jo-Anne is the Village Manager of Aveo’s The Manors of Mosman Retirement Village, 8km northeast of Sydney’s CBD. She has been working for Aveo since January 2015.

She said the award was for “all the hard work, doing all the little things right, building a team culture, having a really good staff, good care, really just acknowledgement of looking after our residents as they age.”

“I’m very excited, elated, enthusiastic and ready for the next 10 years,” she told the audience at the NSW Retirement Living Council Outlook event in Sydney.

Joanne is the Sales Manager at Australian Unity’s Willandra Village in Cromer, 20km northeast of Sydney’s CBD.

“I’m really honoured. It’s a very special moment,” she said on receiving her award from James Wiltshire, DCM Institute’s Executive Commercial Director (pictured).

“COVID was really challenging for everyone and it was the refurbishment, the legal team, the operation, everyone pulling together to create a really special feel or record-breaking sales,” she said

Jo-Anne and Joanne go forward to the National titles which will be announced on 22 June at the 2023 Property Council’s National Retirement Living Summit on the Gold Coast.

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Facility Manager Key things to help you everyday

Shrove Tuesday: The Sweetest Day of the Year

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is a day of feasting and festivities that takes place the day before Ash Wednesday – the start of the Lent.

The origins of Shrove Tuesday date back to medieval times, when it was customary to use up all the rich ingredients in your pantry before the start of Lent. Pancakes were a popular choice because they were quick and easy to make, and used up ingredients such as eggs, butter, and sugar. These days, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated all over the world, and many people enjoy cooking up a storm in the kitchen, whipping up as many pancakes as they can eat.

To this day, a good number of retirement villages across the country incorporate Pancake Day into their activities calendar.  It is a day village Chef’s tend to dread with the pressure of making a large numbers of yummy pancakes in a very short period of time.

Anyways, we’ve been lucky enough to get a family recipe from a retirement village in south western Sydney for you to try out on Tuesday 21 February.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Non-stick cooking spray or additional melted butter for greasing the pan

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (the batter will be lumpy). Don’t overmix, as this will result in tough pancakes.
  4. Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Grease the pan with cooking spray or melted butter.
  5. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the hot pan. Cook until small bubbles form on the surface of the pancake, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Flip the pancake and cook until the other side is lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes more.
  7. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more cooking spray or butter as needed.
  8. Serve the pancakes hot with your favourite toppings, such as butter, syrup, fruit, or whipped cream.

Enjoy your delicious pancakes! If you’re feeling creative, why add all sorts of toppings, from syrup and fruit to chocolate chips and bacon.