News

As of 1 July 2019, the Australian Government have introduced Aged Care Quality Standards and Charter of Rights, giving customers a stronger voice.

The new Standards bring together Home Care services and Residential Care under one set of standards. This is one of the most significant changes to occur to the aged care sector in many years.

ACH Group has welcomed the reforms initiated by the Australian Government with Chief Executive Frank Weits saying these standards place the customer at the centre of care through choice and being treated with respect.

The Independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will monitor and assess all aged care providers against the eight new standards with respect to:

1. Consumer dignity and choice
2. Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
3. Personal care and clinical care
4. Services and supports for daily living
5. Organisation’s service environment
6. Feedback and complaints
7. Human resources
8. Organisational governance

Frank said, “At ACH Group, no matter what we do, the emphasis is to always put our customers first. Our focus aligns closely to the new Aged Care Quality Standards.”

“Together with our Good Lives philosophy, we are well placed to respond to our customers’ needs and committed to maintaining full accreditation across all areas of the organisation.”

The new Charter of Aged Care rights has coincided with the introduction of the Standards. Read more about the introduction of the Charter of Aged Care Rights.

Resources

Further resources on Aged Care Quality Standards include:

• Aged Care Quality Standards factsheet (PDF)
• Information about your involvement in the accreditation process
• Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website
• Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s video about what the new standards mean for aged care recipients

July 2019

A group of residents from ACH Group’s Kapara Residential Care Home at Glenelg South experienced the latest in transport technology when they participated in the driverless bus trial at Glenelg last week.

The residents, aged from 72 to 95, caught the bus from the South Esplanade shared pathway from the Stamford Grand Hotel to Broadway Kiosk as part of a six-month Olli bus autonomous vehicle trial that ended on Sunday (June 30).

They provided their feedback on the experience which will form part of a Trial Close Out Report to be presented to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI).

The $1.6 million trial, part funded by a $700,000 grant from the State Government’s Future Mobility Lab Fund, includes the use of the ‘Olli’ shuttle and two portable ‘smart transit hubs’ known as ‘Matilda’.

South Australian company SAGE Automation developed Matilda that has the ability to partner with any autonomous vehicle, including the Olli driverless vehicle developed by US-based Local Motors.

ACH Group’s manager at Kapara Lyn Bertram said the trial was in keeping with ACH Group’s Healthy Ageing Approach which aimed to ensure people remained connected with the local community and continued to participate in community activities.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to experience the latest in transport technology and to contribute their voices to the trial,” Ms Bertram said. “Research around the world has shown that people who are active and socially connected are happier, have a better sense of wellbeing and overall health, regardless of age or health status.”

SAGE General Manager – Transport, Damian Hewitt, said Matilda has been deliberately constructed to ensure that the technologies are designed to support individual needs, especially those with mobility issues such as older people or people living with a disability.

“The trial is aimed at showcasing how driverless technologies could share public spaces with pedestrians, cyclists, animals and recreational activities.”

“Technologies built into the Matilda include T-coil loops to connect to hearing aids, removable wheelchair ramps, sign-language interpretation and large interactive touch screens. We have seen many older Glenelg residents using the free service to grab a coffee at the Broadway kiosk, or travel to Glenelg for groceries which were previously a challenge to access, due to mobility restraints.”

Kapara is one of ACH Group’s eight residential care homes. Located at Moseley St, Glenelg South, it has been developed around a large historical homestead.

ACH Group has welcomed its first international volunteer, Austrian university student Andre Gramlich, who is volunteering his time and skills to the IT department.

Andre, who is working towards his Masters in Artificial Intelligence with Netherlands University, is in Adelaide as part of a semester-long exchange with Adelaide University.

He has been working with ACH Group’s Data Science Specialist Pedro Junqueira on ACH Group’s data analysis.

Andre was introduced to ACH Group via Pedro’s wife, who was lecturing at the Study Adelaide Workshop, and he has enjoyed learning from and sharing his knowledge with a large organisation.

“It has been good to experience an Australian working environment and find out how much it differs from home,” he says. “I’ve enjoyed my time here.”

Andre plans to travel around Australia in July before he returns to Austria in August.

ACH Group Volunteer Team Leader Tay Parker says 390 volunteers work in a variety of roles across ACH Group.

“Our volunteers work across a wide range of roles and they can be students, part time workers or even employees who are looking to give back to the organisation and our customers.”

Caption: ACH Group’s Data Science Specialist Pedro Muller Coimbra Junqueira has been working with international exchange student Andre Gramlich, who signed on as a volunteer in May.

ACH Group Board Director Brenda Wilson has been recognised with an Order of Australia (AM) medal in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List announced yesterday.
Her medal was awarded for “significant service to community health, and to the people of South Australia through a range of roles.”
Prof Wilson has worked in the health industry since 1973 in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and the UK. In addition to her Board position with ACH Group, Professor Wilson is a Director at ACHA Health, a Member of Flinders University Council and Executive Committee, a Director of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Governing Council, and a Director of the State Opera South Australia. Brenda is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She was the recipient of the 2000 Telstra Business Women’s Award: Corporate and Government Sector and the 1999 Johnson and Johnson Wharton Fellowship program. In 2014, Professor Wilson was appointed as South Australia’s first female Lieutenant Governor.

 

Maxine Bawden says she has a renewed sense of purpose now that she is volunteering with ACH Group’s East Arts Group. 

Maxine’s husband passed away 18 years ago and, with no children and not many family members left in Adelaide, she found she was mostly on her own. 

“I started going on bus trips with ACH Group’s Social Links program and I used to help people around me, and someone suggested I would be a good volunteer. 

“That was two years ago. Now I volunteer with an art class and help with bus trips and on op shop trips.” 

Maxine helps set up the room at Thebarton Community Centre on Mondays, brings artists cups of tea, helps with anything they need and enjoys chatting with people. 

“I love coming out and getting to know people, and helping people makes me feel good, too.” 

Find out more about ACH Group’s Social Links program here: https://achgroup.org.au/discover-and-explore/social-activities/ 

 

Becoming an ACH Group Volunteer is a simple process, find out more >

Bea Plush is a volunteer with ACH Group’s Sing for Joy choir at Wynn Vale as well as a member of the group. She was instrumental in organising a series of intergenerational performances with the Wynn Vale and Ridgehaven Primary School choirs. She helped secure a grant from the City of Tea Tree Gully, helped book the venue, organized rehearsals and ticketing. As part of her volunteer role, she helps transport choir members to and from rehearsals and concerts.

“I heard a radio interview a few years ago and they were talking about this ‘Sing for Joy’ choir and I thought ‘that sounds like me’, so I decided to give it a go,” Bea says. “My teaching career was coming to a close, and singing in a choir was on my list of things I wanted to do. And I loved it from the first moment.”

Bea also volunteers as an English teacher, travelling to China to teach English to English teachers.

“I’ve always believed in making the most of every opportunity and I find volunteering challenging, interesting and rewarding.”

 

Becoming an ACH Group Volunteer is a simple process, find out more >

Brian Hibben is a volunteer with Riverside Artists, a group run by ACH Group that meets every Friday morning at Port Noarlunga Arts Centre. 

When Brian joined the group three years ago, he had never tried art before. 

“Now I work across all kinds of mediums – painting, printmaking, clay, mixed media. I volunteer for the group because I’m passionate about the benefits of art. I enjoy the process of making art, but also the companionship. We’re all good friends here.” 

Brian is looking forward to getting involved in South Australia’s Living Artists Festival (SALA) again this year and will be working to submit art based on ACH Group’s theme ‘Around the World.’  

“I just love coming to the Riverside Art Group. Everyone is so welcome and supportive of each other.” 

 

Becoming an ACH Group Volunteer is a simple process, find out more >

 

Les Middleton enjoys the social aspect of volunteering with ACH Group’s ‘Just Blokes’ group. 

Based in the east and north, these groups have grown in popularity and offer men aged 60 and over the chance to make new connections and enjoy fortnightly bus trips to locations around South Australia. 

Les has been a volunteer driver with the group for four years. Highlights include Captain Proud cruises on the Murray River and trips to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood.  

“It’s been good spending time with the older generation and I enjoy helping people,” Les says. “They really appreciate you being there, and it’s good to know you’re making a difference.” 

Les says he’s been surprised by how much he enjoys spending time with “the fellas”. 

“There’s always banter on the bus, it’s good to see the guys having fun and that’s what it’s all about, really. I think everyone should get out and socialise. If you’re stuck at home every day, what’s the use of that? You’ve got to have a laugh every now and then.”  

Find out more about ACH Group’s Just Blokes Group here: https://achgroup.org.au/discover-and-explore/social-activities/ 

 

Becoming an ACH Group Volunteer is a simple process, find out more >

ACH Group is pleased to announce it has selected Sarah Constructions as the preferred builder for ViTA at Healthia, a new health and wellness precinct to be developed adjacent to the Lyell McEwin Hospital in the City of Playford.

The first stage of excavation work on the unique development, a 12,000 square metre state-of-the-art health, aged care, teaching and research facility, is set to commence in coming weeks.

ACH Group Chief Executive Officer Frank Weits said: “We are looking forward to working alongside an experienced, award-winning South Australian builder. This is another step forward in bringing this exciting project to reality.”

Sarah is a well respected, award-winning South Australian building company whose notable projects include the d’Arenberg Cube and Monarto Zoo Lions 360 Experience and Adelaide Oval Roof Climb.

Find out more about ViTA at Healthia here.