Socialising and staying active as you age plays a crucial role in your wellbeing – much more than you probably realise!
This fact is what makes the job of Glengara Aged Care Apartments’ new Diversional Therapist Lauren Winstanley so important and so profoundly rewarding.
Lauren tailors a wide range of interesting and fulfilling activities for each of our residents.
“Put simply it’s about helping people to continue enjoying life,” she said.
“Above all it’s about having fun – it’s such a simple but incredibly powerful notion, with the potential to make such a difference in people’s lives.’’
The role of diversional therapy
At Glengara Care, we recognise how vital a busy social calendar is to the lives of our residents.
We also know that everybody’s different – with varied interests and personalities.
That’s why we have tailored activities, to help each of our residents find the things that bring them the most joy.
We help them to connect with others, remain active and feel truly valued in their community.
Diversional therapist Lauren brings wide experience and qualifications to her role, which requires creativity as well as compassion and the ability to connect with other people.
With Level 4 certification in Aged Care as well as Home and Community Care, she has been working in the aged care sector since 2013. She has also completed a range of studies in dementia.
From regular bus outings to explore the Central Coast’s abundance of attractions to relaxing lunches in some of the region’s most beautiful locations, the Glengara Care social calendar is a highlight of living in a village renowned for its welcoming, friendly atmosphere.
Diversional therapy is also about keeping bodies active as well as minds, with light exercise and stretching classes to complement crafts and hobby sessions, movie afternoons, trivia quizzes, games, and much more.
“Glengara Care is not like traditional aged care. It’s more a like a family environment and there’s also a great team culture here,” said Lauren.
“The staff truly care about our residents and want to improve their quality of life.
“My role involves getting to know each of our residents and planning activities for them to participate in.
“It’s vitally important to understand all of their personalities and interests, which means taking the time to speak to them individually about what they want.’’
Lauren said she relished opportunities to be innovative with the calendar.
“I love that I’m able to use my creativity in this role,’’ she said. “One of the great things about my job is getting to establish a rapport with other people and helping them rediscover abilities they thought were lost to them.
“There have been many cases where people at various stages of conditions, including dementia, have thought they were no longer capable of hobbies that once gave them a lot of pleasure.
“When they realise they are still able to do those things, that those skills haven’t been erased, then that’s the best part of my job.’’
A genuine alternative to traditional aged care
Glengara Care’s commitment to enhancing its residents’ sense of wellbeing exemplifies its whole approach to aged care.
Located within the Glengara Retirement Village at Tumbi Umbi on the NSW Central Coast, it offers a positive alternative to aged care, providing the private support people need to continue living a meaningful life their own way in beautiful surrounds.
The new Glengara Care apartments offer the privacy of a separate bedroom, lounge, dining area, bathroom, outdoor space and kitchenette complemented by a nursing home level of care.
Your partner can move into your apartment with you and you can even bring your pet.
Nutritious meals are prepared each day by our professional chef, and with a personalised care plan for each resident, support will always be available to you no matter how your needs change.