In a climate where some aged care facilities aren’t making the grade, congratulations are flooding in to Henty’s Myoora Homestead Hostel which has achieved an excellence three year accreditation audit.
The facility scored the best possible result: from four standards with 44 outcomes, Myoora achieved the maximum of 100 percent.
In recent times the hostel was significantly upgraded from a 15 bed facility to accommodate 20 low care residents.
“One of the hostel’s biggest advantages is the clinical support from the Henty Hospital and the local doctor Dr Radwan Al-Masawy,” Myoora Care Manager Julie Meyer said.
“Hospital manager Jeff Bedford and hostel staff have worked hard to make this work and ensure there is interaction between hostel residents and residents in the high care nursing home.
“Able people visit the hostel for exercises and hostel residents go to the hospital for church services,” she explained.
The 20 bed low care facility provides a service known as ‘aging in place’ which means residents can stay at Myoora longer than usual because of the clinical support from the hospital and local doctor.
“Homestead” is the telling word when it comes to Myoora Homestead Hostel, according to volunteer Joan Erdahl whose husband Ron is a resident there.
A retired interior decorator, Joan’s assistance was co-opted when it came to decorating the interior of the building, choosing fabrics and using country home style furniture, Billy Tea.
“The auditors were amazed and commented, that Myoora was the most beautiful facility they had been in,” Mrs Erdahl said.
The upgraded kitchen is fully operational providing freshly cooked meals and a variety of menus for the residents as well as the Meals on Wheels service.
Volunteers help to provide social contact, outings and activities for residents. This may include bake-offs in the kitchen and a cocktail party was enjoyed by many residents on Melbourne Cup day.
Ms Meyer gave a lot of credit to the UPA Murray region Aged Care Service which is a non profit organisation and has been involved in aged care and child care for 70 years.
“The UPA state quality team meet regularly and the updating of our systems is all about resident care which is paramount,” she said.
Staff is offered continual training and are fully paid to do this during work time.
Well known Henty resident Kevin Fogarty congratulated Myoora manager Julie Meyer and her staff for such a magnificent achievement.
“The assessors commented very favourably on the homely friendly atmosphere which reflects the staff care and also the way in which volunteers assist.
The gardens and refurbishments such as the new also received special mention.
“We are indeed fortunate to have such an excellent facility in our town,” he said.
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