Core Values, Team work and Happier Residents at Hornsby

The Whiddon Group - Hornsby is a 56 bed ageing in place facility caring for a reasonably high number of high care residents. It has an average RCS of 3.14. The Director of Care is Ines Vansevenant and it would appear that the combination of a personal development program for Ines, a leadership development program initiated by The Whiddon Group and a focus on the development and application of core values has permeated the culture of TWG - Hornsby and resulted in happier residents, relatives and staff.
Over the past two years Ines has encouraged staff to think about Continual Improvement as being something that is part of everyday decision making and actions. As part of this approach the importance of openness, honesty and integrity has been continually stressed. Issues and concerns must not be suppressed and it is understood that action wherever possible and within the constraints of budget and legislation will be taken. Ines believes that the approach being taken at Hornsby has been consistent with and supported by the development of The Whiddon Group's core values of growth, integrity, excellence, dignity and autonomy.




Ines explains that getting staff to think about these values and to act on them has not always been easy but she has witnessed a progressive "coming together" of the team and the creation of a like minded approach - an approach aimed at making the lives of both residents and staff happier. With staff starting to work more as a team, TWG - Hornsby has achieved a lot during 2007 and some of the successful strategies and projects include:

• Once a month theme days. On one Friday each month the staff and residents dress up and have activities as per a particular theme. So far theme days have included Italian Day, Belgium Day, Aussie Day, Loud Shirt Day, By The Sea Side Day, Pink Day, Daffodil Day, multicultural day and Hawaiian Day. Staff report that residents become particularly curious and alert on the mornings of these days waiting to see what the staff will get up to
• An increased emphasis on birthday celebrations and the new large tailor made birthday cards (A3 size) have been a great hit.
• A focus on more variety in the menu and making them appear "home cooked". The theme days have helped in this regard.
• The introduction of a sun program to enable residents to enjoy the sun more often.
• Encouraging staff to think of residents as their family to enhance dedication and commitment. This has resulted in some staff coming in on free time to do things with residents such as origami, hand massage, aroma therapy and bingo on weekends.
• More encouragement for residents "to do what they want". Some residents have taken this opportunity to make their own gardens and they now have Betty's flower garden and Antoinette's garden with gnomes and frogs. Other residents assist with clothes folding and assisting administration. Management has the responsibility of recognising those residents who help out through special mentions at afternoon teas and "thank you" award ceremonies.
• Residents are encouraged to set up or assist in the set up of different interest groups and over the past year we have seen the establishment of the men's group, ladies club, knitting group, scrabble team, art classes, card and domino players, story and verse group, music listening and more.
• Trike riding day - donning the helmet, squeezing on the leathers and letting rip!!
• Allowing residents to express themselves in their activities. Hornsby now has a resident who delights in playing the piano for both his, resident's and staff's enjoyment.

Another successful event was the inspiration of a resident. The resident after a bout of social leave came back with the idea of a "happiness kit" to give to residents on their birthdays. Organised by the resident the current happiness kit includes:

• A Rubber to make your mistakes disappear
• A Marble in case someone says you've lost yours
• A Rubber Band to stretch yourself beyond your limits
• A Ribbon to tie things together when they fall apart
• A Candle to always find your way
• A Lifesaver in case you ever need one
• A Pearl so you will always have wisdom
• An Umbrella for a rainy day
• A Safety Pin to hold it all together
• A Rose to remind you to smell the flowers
• A Feather to tickle your fancy and
• A Heart to remind you that love is all around

It has been an extremely active 2007 but plans for 2008 are just as exciting and include:

• Creation of a staff and resident choir
• Bird Show in February
• Children's Show
• Visiting the Zoo

Hornsby does many other things, bus trips etc but the approach and culture of interaction is what Ines believes is important. When spring cleaning becomes a whole team effort with the residents and staff have fun doing it then maybe you are on the way!