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Community connection is often one of the biggest reasons why people choose to volunteer, and stay, with Resthaven. This is certainly the case with Resthaven Leabrook volunteer, Chris Cornwell. With a professional background in nursing and midwifery, Chris says that she ‘wanted to help in some small way.’ ‘I began assisting the Lifestyle team with … Continued

Resthaven resident, Mrs Olga Hrvatin, is the ‘tech whiz’ of Resthaven Westbourne Park, using Facebook, WhatsApp and Skype to stay in touch with family and friends in Slovenia. Mrs Hrvatin was born in Slovenia on 5 August, 1935, to parents Anika and Joseph. Growing up, she was the middle child in a family of five. … Continued

On 2 August 2022, Resthaven Murray Bridge resident, Mrs Kathleen Byass (nee Pedler), celebrated her 105th birthday. Mrs Byass was born at Moonta on 2 August 1917, shortly after her twin brother, and the only daughter of Abraham and Gladys Pedler. A self-confessed ‘real tomboy’, Mrs Byass grew up in a family of five brothers. … Continued

On Thursday 14 July, Resthaven Mount Gambier held their annual ‘Christmas in July’ celebrations, with special guest, Resthaven CEO, Darren Birbeck. This is a much-anticipated event, particularly as the temperature in the Limestone Coast at this time of year closely resembles a European Christmas rather than a typical Australian winter! Manager, Belle Kerr, says, ‘Our … Continued

For many staff working in health and aged care, COVID-19 has meant a daily ritual of rapid antigen tests, personal protective equipment, infection prevention control, outbreak management and detailed reporting to government. There has been little respite in COVID-19 cases in South Australia since the Omicron outbreak in late December. Residential care homes have continued … Continued

At age 80, Judith McKenzie has recently retired from her role with Resthaven, in which she delivered weekly Keep Fit/ChiBall classes to Resthaven Paradise and Eastern Community Services clients for 21 years. ‘As a ChiBall teacher and Master Trainer, I’ve dedicated much of my later life to promoting the importance of health and wellbeing,’ Judith … Continued

Resthaven Bellevue Heights residents, Mr Doug Parrington (91) and Mrs Margaret Parrington (92), have a unique story to tell of their life in Papua New Guinea, and it all began with ‘the young lady on the swing’. Mr Parrington, who had been a school teacher for 17 years, explains, ‘Our paths had crossed in Christian … Continued

Claire Fox, Personal Care Assistant at Resthaven Craigmore, recently took up a unique opportunity to experience life in the Fleurieu Peninsula. Having only worked in aged care for one year, Claire is all about taking new opportunities. ‘I was a dairy farmer in Victoria for 20 plus years, and felt it was time for a … Continued

Resthaven has leased their land at 122 Smart Road, Modbury, to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, to use as an alternative ‘park n ride’ location during the redevelopment of the Modbury O-Bahn station. Resthaven CEO, Darren Birbeck, says, ‘We are in the very early stages of concept development for the block at Smart Road, … Continued

Retired scientist, Diana Walter, first came across Resthaven Mitcham in September 2021, when visiting a dear friend and resident on-site. ‘Hannah Coelho [Manager Residential Services] noticed I had brought in my gentle Labrador, Quaid, and asked if we would like to become Resthaven volunteers – the rest is history!’ Diana explains that 12-year-old Quaid ‘came … Continued

 
Click to listen: Leisure Link (90 min) 09 Jul 2022 – Leisure Link – Omny.fm
At 60 minutes in, Darren Birbeck, CEO for Resthaven, talks with Peter Greco on Leisure Link about changes to aged care funding; living with COVID-19; and the sustainability of the sector.

This year, Resthaven Westbourne Park Housekeeping Services Assistant, Garth Rowe, celebrates 40 years of service with Resthaven Westbourne Park. He shares his reflections with us. Garth says, ‘I was studying at music school, and one of my friends, who was also studying there, told me there were some evening shifts going at Resthaven. So I … Continued

On 3 July 1922, Resthaven Riverland Community Services client, Mrs Anne Thayne, was born and raised in Adelaide with a devoted mother, fisherman father, and two siblings. ‘My father sold his fish at the local markets – we must have spent most weekends down there, all five of us.’ After completing her schooling in the … Continued

On 29 June, Resthaven Aberfoyle Park resident, Mrs Beatrice ‘Mabel’ Freeman, will celebrate her 100th birthday with her family from across the globe. Mabel was born in Nottingham, England, along with her brother and two sisters. While her father worked in the railways and her mother tended to the home, Mabel attended Clairmont School – … Continued

On 22 June, Mrs Muriel Dick, celebrated her centenary at Resthaven Aberfoyle Park. Mrs Dick, a Royal Australian Air Force World War II veteran, only recently transitioned into residential care, and shares some reflections about her incredible life. Mrs Dick says, ‘I was born and raised in Adelaide, and attended Adelaide High School, finishing as … Continued

The World Health Organisation (WHO) iSupport for Dementia online training program is being adapted for the Australian context. The current iSupport study is the first large randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention on health and social care services with carers of people living with dementia in real-world practice across hospital and community aged care … Continued

The sensitive question about who should pay for aged care continues to perplex governments, providers and consumers alike. A recent discussion paper by the University of Technology Sydney Ageing Research Collaborative (UARC), reopened the debate. One approach put forward by UARC is to require consumers who have the capacity to pay to make fair contributions … Continued

Resthaven Murray Bridge resident, Maureen Green (86), has continued her friendship with long-time pen pal, Shirley, by upgrading from traditional handwritten letters to Zoom calls. When settling into Resthaven Murray Bridge in November 2021, Maureen’s daughter, Pam, shared information about Shirley and Maureen’s relationship with site staff. Maureen says, ‘I have been writing to Shirley, … Continued

Over the last few months, we have all been particularly preoccupied with the heartbreaking events taking place in Ukraine. A group of elderly ladies in Kyiv, Ukraine, decided that they should pray for peace. They gathered in one of the city squares, held hands with one another, knelt in the snow, and prayed. When asked … Continued

Resthaven Malvern Housekeeping Services Assistant, Lesley Wimbles, this year celebrates an amazing 45 years of service with Resthaven – however, she only ever meant to be in the role for six weeks! Lesley is pictured above in 2017, receiving her 40 year award from former Resthaven CEO, Richard Hearn. She will be presented with her … Continued