New leader takes the reins at Deloraine Aged Care

New Aged Care Deloraine CEO Nadine Ozols takes a walk with Spyros Marinos, who has lived at Grenoch for three years. Photo by Sharon Webb

by Sharon Webb

AUSTRALIA’S ROYAL commission into aged care has made damning criticisms of the industry and it would be natural for the new Aged Care Deloraine CEO to tread carefully around the issue.

But in an interview about her new appointment, Nadine Ozols waded right in.

‘I think it’s flushed out the toxic part of aged care, and it has highlighted some good things’, she said.

The commission’s final report into aged care quality and safety is due in February next year but the interim report makes cringeworthy reading.

One chapter heading is simply ‘Neglect’. It says the aged care system lacks transparency in communication, reporting and accountability, and it rips into ‘an aged care system that is characterised by an absence of innovation and by rigid conformity’.

But when you walk around Grenoch Nursing Home in Deloraine, you see none of this.

Ms Ozols says it’s because Deloraine is different.

Contrary to the commission’s description of a system built around funding mechanisms and procedures rather than the elderly people it’s meant to serve, Ms Ozols believes Aged Care Deloraine’s not-for-profit status is a protection.

‘We’re run by a board of local people and there is transparent reporting to them’, she said.

‘I believe we are the third largest employer in the area and the largest in Deloraine. Most of our 120 staff are from the local community. They’re advocates for our residents. If something is going on it will be found out.

‘Our staff interact with the local families of our residents and the trust factor is important.’

Aged Care Deloraine looks after 95 residents at Grenoch and Kanangra. They also provide a low cost rental option for residents aged over 55 in 64 units in Westbury and Deloraine, including those at St Marks, Kanangra Gardens, Moriarty Street and Westbury Gardens.

Care for elderly people is more individualised than it ever was, Ms Ozols said.

‘There’s a new set of quality standards in aged care that promote resident decision making. Their choice and decision making is paramount. We have got to keep asking, have we consulted the resident?

‘Aged care has moved from being task oriented and is now about individualised care.

‘We want residents to speak up about their needs, let us know about their daily routines. What they would like to eat and when is shower time for them? There’s a lot more dialogue now.’

But how easily does aged care move from a regimented system, where all residents eat at the same time for the convenience of carers and kitchen staff?

‘Our catering coordinator is a chef who has worked for larger catering companies’, Ms Ozols said. ‘It works in other industries so why can’t it work in aged care?

‘We tell our residents, you don’t have to fit into our routine. For those who don’t like that structure, that’s OK too.’

Staff plan care around the needs of residents.

Ms Ozols said clinical care coordinator Alison Beer and admissions officer Shiralee Lord work from pre-admission with residents and their families to develop tailored care programs.

But in case all this isn’t working, unannounced inspections are conducted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission with up to a three yearly reaccreditation process.

‘In September we had a spot check on our infection control measures and were fully com- pliant’, Ms Ozols said.

A few years ago Aged Care Deloraine had major financial issues. Charlie Emmerton was brought in as CEO to stabilise the operation financially, which he achieved.

Ms Ozols commented, ‘The board stuck in there through a tough time.’

Now it’s Ms Ozols’ turn to take the reins.

A Tasmanian, she has worked in aged and primary care for 12 years, coming to Deloraine from the May Shaw Centre in Swansea and Scottsdale.

And before being appointed CEO of Aged Care Deloraine in August this year, she worked in the organisation for two years in other management roles.

Ms Ozols has bought a house in the area because ‘you’ve got to invest into the community’.

Her plans include developing a website for Aged Care Deloraine and building the usefulness of Aged Care Deloraine to the community.

She talks about helping locals through the notoriously convoluted My Aged Care system, building a respite service for elderly people and their fa ilies, and being equipped to support families through the decision making process to best care for elderly relatives.

According to Ms Ozols, there’s plenty for Aged Care Deloraine to do, if the Federal Government comes to the party with adequate funding and wages for the industry.

‘I believe our staff really care. We have a real pride in what we do’, she said.

‘Community expectations for aged care are high but with current funding we can only do so much.

‘As a society we must be prepared to pay for the care of older Australians.’

The board of Aged Care Deloraine consists of Dawn Vallance (chair), Annette Viney, Dinah Fitzgerald, Russell Whitcombe, Aaron Youd and Gayle Plunkett.