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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc
Aged care for Woy Woy community
Woy Woy Community Aged Care is a public benevolent charitable organisation, established for the provision of accommodation, care and comfort for the aged men and women living in the Woy Woy area.
The concept of building a nursing home adjacent to Woy Woy Hospital was first conceived in the mid-1960s.
Finally, after many public meetings, a committee was formed in 1981 to investigate the feasibility of building a 40-bed nursing home.
A company, Woy Woy Community Nursing Home, was incorporated in 1985 and construction of a 40-bed facility was commenced in 1988.
It was officially opened in May 1989.
In 1992, a 10-bed dementia facility for high care residents was added.
In 1997, the company changed its name to Woy Woy Community Aged Care Limited to more generally reflect the wider role of providing aged care for the community.
With occupancy running at 100% and a long waiting list, it was apparent that more aged care accommodation was needed.
This occurred in 1998, with the construction of a 40-unit aged care hostel for people who required assisted living.
The cost was just under three million dollars.
Financial support for construction of the hostel was received from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, the Department of Veteran's Affair's, the State Government's Hostel and Care program and the local community, particularly service clubs.
Residential occupation began in March 1998 bringing to 90 the number of people in care.
In February 2003, the facility will commence a million dollar refurbishment of the nursing home which will include:
*Eight single ensuite rooms.
* *Conversion of four bed wards to two bed wards.
* *New respite room.
* *Enlarged residents dining room.
* *Enlarged dementia lounge.
* *New staff room.
* *New staff education facility.
* *New sisters station and treatment room.
* *New office accommodation for director of nursing.
* *Improved administration office area.
* *Additional storage areas.
*This project will improve the ability of the facility staff to provide the standard of the resident care which is required, due to the increasing frailty of the average resident.
Woy Woy Community Aged Care is located adjacent to Woy Woy General Hospital and rehabilitation unit, as well as Brisbane Water Private Hospital.
Care is provided to the nursing home residents by registered nurses, and assistants in nursing. Registered nurses are on site 24 hours a day.
The residents' rooms in the nursing home are a combination of four-bed, two-bed and single rooms.
The 40-bed hostel has four wings.
Kathleen Cottage is a secured dementia specific wing, which provides for the needs of residents with early stages of dementia, the area provides a safe and secure environment, which allows for the independence of residents within the unit.
The three other wings have been named after Australian Native Plants to enable easy identification of each area.
These three wings are divided into 10 resident rooms, in each wing with it's own lounge area with tea and coffee making facilities.
These wings are joined by a large combined dining room and activities area.
The large hostel residents rooms are furnished with a double mirrored built in wardrobe, fixed dressing table with drawers and shelving.
Modern ensuite bathrooms are well lit with a skylight. They all have hand-held showers and grab rails installed.
Residents are encouraged to furnish their own rooms; so each room is unique and personal.
An emergency call system is installed with emergency alarms in the bathrooms and bedrooms.
Individual call alarm neck pendants can also be purchased at an additional cost.
Care staff wear pagers which alert them to an alarm that has been activated.
All rooms have ceiling fans installed.
Along with this; there is a centrally-controlled heating and cooling system.
All rooms have a small external patio area.
Care is provided to the residents by personal carers who assist residents with their day-to-day needs.
The hostel manager is a registered nurse.
The centre's mission is to provide caring services to the aged in our community in a manner which recognises and respects the rights, needs and dignity of each individual in a happy and caring environment.
The centre's aim is to provide professional quality care for the resident's individual needs through understanding and respect for their emotional well being, religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds.
The centre has many activities, therapies and other services.
Individual resident programs are structured to encourage residents to retain their interest in activities of their choice and continued involvement in community activities, as well as the challenge to try something new.
Recreational activities are carried out on a daily basis.
The program is organised in consultation with residents and includes, craft, outings, singing, organ and piano playing, word games, quizzes, bowls, darts and special functions.
Social outings are organised by the diversional therapy team.
These are full or half day outings.
The centre has pets as well as a therapy dog called "Buddy".
Buddy brings another dimension of care, nurturing and happiness to Woy Woy Community Aged Care.
The centre has its own physiotherapist who assesses all new residents on admission and when required.
The physiotherapist assists with the maintenance of mobility and recommendation of mobility aids.
A range of treatments including, massage, exercises, mobilisation, ultrasound and acupuncture are also performed.
Other services include: hairdressing, newspapers, library, video library, optical services, dental services, hearing aid services, pharmacy, podiatry, religious services and a kiosk.
Before a person can be accepted for the residency in a funded aged care facility, they must be assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
The local ACAT are located at Gosford Hospital.
To assist with the process of seeking suitable care accommodation, Woy Woy Community Aged Care holds bi-monthly orientation programs.
Hostel orientations are held each first and third Tuesdays of each month at 1.30pm.
Nursing home orientations are held each first and third Wednesdays of each month at 1.30pm.
A wide variety of activities are provided by volunteers, these individuals and groups have a diverse range of talents and provide activities such as concerts, bowls, darts, card games, organ and piano recitals, bus outings and assist with activities such as craft, picnics and BBQ's.
Even the gardens are maintained by a volunteer.
It is this community spirit that makes Woy Woy Community Aged Care unique.
Woy Woy Community Aged Care has always received strong support from community groups interested in the care and well being of the aged.
Donations are received on a regular basis from Lion's Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Bowling Clubs, Golf Clubs, RSL and Veteran groups, CWA, The Outsiders, Seniors Citizens, progress associations, pensioner groups, and many others.
In 1997 a substantial grant was received from the Lions International towards the construction of the Hostel.
Woy Woy Community Aged Care Auxilliary has been working for many years to raise funds to provide furniture and equipment to enhance the quality of life and the care provided to residents.
Woy Woy Community Aged Care has a membership of more than 100 interested local residents. Members have voting rights at all meetings of the company in accordance with the company's Memorandum and Articles of Association.
It is from this membership that the Board is elected.
New members are always welcome,
Applications can be obtained from reception.
There are nine members of the board, including the chairperson.
The board of directors meet monthly.
They provide a governing role by setting policy to ensure the company's mission, philosophy and objectives are being met.
The general manager manages the company on a daily basis.
The director of nursing oversees resident care in the nursing home, and the hostel manager oversees resident care in the hostel.
There are also many committees that make recommendations to management.
Care fees are in accordance with the Aged Care Act 1997.
All residents are required to pay a care fee calculated at 85% of the single aged pension.
Part-pensioners and non-pensioners may be required to pay an income-tested fee.
Accommodation fees are means tested.
Many residents will not be required to pay a fee.
Nursing home residents with sufficient assets will be required to pay a daily accommodation charge in addition to care fees.
Hostel residents may be required to pay an accommodation bond calculated at the time of entry and payable within six months.
There is an annual retention charge on this bond for up to five years.
At the time of discharge, the net accommodation bond is refunded.
Income derived from these accommodation charges and bonds are used to finance improvements to the buildings, ensuring quality accommodation.
Woy Woy Community Aged Care receives funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care towards the cost of care.
Funding levels are dependent upon the care needs of individual residents.
Concessional resident funding is provided to the home for residents who do not pay accommodation fees.
Information brochure