Quality of Care Report - Ballarat Health Services

What Happens if youNeed to Move into aResidential CareFacilityHelping Our Aged ResidentsFeel At HomeEveryday, patients and their families arefaced with the sometimes unfortunatefact that returning to their own homesis just not an option at their stage inlife. The quality of care for our agedcare residents is important to us. Thesocial and emotional needs of theelderly are just as critical as physicalhealth in ensuring wellbeing.The standard of care provided at allBallarat Health Services residential carefacilities is of an extremely highstandard. All staff work tirelessly toachieve total compliance in all 44expected outcomes of the Aged Careand Accreditation Standards.WB MesserIs a 45 bed low-level care facilitysituated on the Queen Elizabeth Villagesite in Gillies Street, Wendouree. Thefacility is comprised of four joinedhouses, each featuring their ownkitchen, dining room and privatelounge, while the 45 bedrooms all haveensuites. The Queen Elizabeth Villageis located beside one of Ballarat’s majorshopping centres and features directpedestrian access.Public transport is also readilyaccessible. The facility is located on alarge well-manicured site with apeaceful rear garden area. Residentshave access to a visiting Podiatrist andhairdresser, telephone, television andVCR, CD and tape player, librarybooks, newspaper, postal services anda small shop on site. There is anactivity room, dry cleaning service, anddirect access to a major shoppingcentre, courtyard access from eachhouse, single rooms with ensuite,activities programs, and furnishedrooms.To address the care needs of residentsthere are 24 hour care staff, 24 houraccess to nursing staff, manager on siteas well as the Director of Nursing.Your Experience Residents StoryNoel EdwardsNoel Edwards a resident at WBMesser shares his experience ofhaving to make this unexpecteddecision; “After a very quick rideto Epworth with the lights andsirens blazing, I was not aware ofanything for several days, buteventually awoke to find that inthe process of operating on amassive aortic aneurism it wasnecessary to close off the bloodsupply to my spine for 30minutes. Result, still alive butnow a paraplegic. I then spentsome time at CaulfieldRehabilitation Hospital and thensome months at the QueenElizabeth Rehabilitation Centre.It was during this time I realized Iwas unable to care for myselfeasily or even properly in awheelchair. It is difficult to makea bed, handle a stove, get closeto a sink, use top or bottomcupboards as well as vacuumcleaner, lawn mower and all theother tasks I took for granted.I was offered a room at MesserHostel and took it although alittle apprehensive about living ina home, soon got over thatfeeling. However, my room is bigand I have filled it with books,music computer, personalrefrigerator favorite paintings andpictures, writing desk and otherpersonal things.In looking for some of theindependence I had lost, my carwas fitted with hand controls anda hoist on the roof to lift mywheelchair up to transport it. Ipassed a new license test and cannow drive myself tophysiotherapy mostly, but really toany other place I choose providedit does not have steps.My new home is warm andfriendly and as I often go out dayor night, a nice greeting is therewhen I come home even at 1.20am as has happened on twooccasions with another late nightevent on my calendar planned fornext month.”Noel enjoys an evening of entertainment with friendsBallarat Health Services Quality of Care Report 2007-08 28