Music has the power to connect people of all backgrounds and generations and AnglicareSA home care customer Ric is keen to get the band back together.

Ric is a regular at several social groups run by AnglicareSA, however the absence of a music group is off key for the passionate musician and karaoke enthusiast so he’s now working with Social Activities team in putting the call out for others to join him.

“When you think about the number of AnglicareSA customers across home care, aged care, and other programs and how many of them are old musicians,” Ric said.

“How many of them played in bands or orchestras and have instruments in the cupboard just collecting dust.

“I want to get them together, get their gear out of the cupboards and join a big band – there would be singers out there too.”

Growing up with a love of music, Ric got his start in the industry at the age of 15 doing sound and lighting at the former Palais Royale on North Terrace.

A move to Sydney saw him immersed in the booming music scene travelling with bands throughout the 1960s and ‘70s as a backing vocalist for the likes of Max Merritt and The Meteors, Dinah Lee, and Ricky May.

“Music brings people together and provides a sense of purpose,” he said. “It’s helped me beat cancer twice – it’s just always been a part of my life and still is.”

Social Activities Coordinator Tash Burczyk said the benefits of social groups went far beyond just remaining active as they also ensured AnglicareSA customers had opportunities to remain connected socially with significant friendships often formed via the groups.

The potential for a new music group, she said, would fill a growing gap in the social calendar.

“We had a choir before Covid that was around 30 strong,” she said. “During Covid it stopped, and a lot of members didn’t come back to the group – even a singing group that replaced it has seen numbers dwindling.

“With Ric coming along with his new ideas around turning it into a music group has just been fantastic.

“We’ve got fliers out now so we’re just waiting for feedback from other customers around who will be interested in that we can start to build that group again.”

Costs of social activities vary depending on your government funding package and the specific group activity, with co-contributions ranging from $1.50 through to $14.50 – still great value for a day out all expenses included.

For more information about how to get involved with the Social Activities please contact 8209 6626.

The Australian Trusted Brands Survey has named AnglicareSA as a highly commended Home Care brand trusted in South Australia.

AnglicareSA Chief Executive Officer, Grant Reubenicht, said AnglicareSA today had close to 300 Home Care employees supporting more than 2,100 people to remain living at home.

“Building and maintaining solid, trusted connections with the people we serve is critically important,” he said.

“I am so proud of our Home Care employees and generous volunteers for their continued commitment and dedication to the health and wellbeing of our customers.”

For more than 160 years AnglicareSA has taken care of South Australians in need.

AnglicareSA Head of Community Aged Care, Sam Laubsch, said that tradition continued today with services including aged care and support delivered with compassion, respect, and clinical excellence to older South Australians, enabling them to live with dignity and maintain independence.

“The importance of trust in the provision of essential care and support services has never been more important,” she said.

“Our service to others with compassion and dignity is an important part of how we work every day with people experiencing some of the most difficult times of their lives and often when they are feeling most vulnerable,” she said.

As one of the state’s most trusted home care brands, AnglicareSA provides a broad range of in-home care and allied health services alongside its six residential aged care homes and independent living units across Adelaide.

AnglicareSA Home Care customers were full of praise for not only the service provided to them but also the people, the AnglicareSA Home Care employees, who they welcome into their homes.

Nursing Assessment customer Alan praised his nurse who he said had a great skill set and amazing communication skills.

“He made me feel comfortable and respected through the entire process,” Alan said. “AnglicareSA should be proud to have him as part of their team, he brings in great value.”

Meanwhile, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services customer Des said he was thankful for the care provided by all Home Care employees who had supported him.

“I am very satisfied with all these services provided to me,” he said. “I am grateful for all the kindness and excellent care during my recent health challenge – thank you all so very much, it was appreciated.”

The Trusted Brands survey is commissioned by Reader’s Digest and has been running in Australia for 25 years. The survey is conducted by Catalyst Research, an independent market research company, and involved surveying more than 4,000 Australians on brands they trust most across 67 different categories.

Nursing is a role deserving of appreciation – the backbone of the healthcare system, their round-the-clock commitment to care truly makes a difference in the lives of those in their care.

Today on International Nurses Day, we’re thanking the nurses who work across our Aged Care Services for the compassion and exceptional care they deliver to our customers every day.

From administering medication to managing customers’ needs, providing them with social and emotional support, and everything in between, nurses are vital to our customers’ health and wellbeing. 

Passion for helping others

Clinical nurse Xin Hu always knew she wanted to make a career out of caring for others.

“When I was deciding on which university course to study, I was torn between nursing and social work because I have always liked helping other people,” Xin said.

“I decided on nursing because I was passionate about health care and wanted to learn more specialised skills such as wound care.”

In the six years that Xin has been a nurse, she has never regretted her decision.

“I enjoy developing my skills and seeing improvement in my customers’ health. It is rewarding to know that I have helped them improve their mobility, heal their wounds, and improve their overall wellbeing.”

Xin has been a part of AnglicareSA’s Community Aged Care team for four years, providing specialised nursing care in customers’ homes, and said International Nurses Day provided an opportunity to recognise the vital support nurses provide every day.

“It’s a day to acknowledge the role of nurses and value their contribution to the community. Being recognised in this way motivates me to keep working to provide quality care.”

Compassionate nursing that makes a difference

For more than three years, Akash Gill has been one of the friendly nurses making the rounds at AnglicareSA’s Grange residential aged care site.

However, Akash did not always envision that he would become a nurse.

While studying accounting at university in 2019 he realised the world of finance was not for him.

“It was not something I was interested in,” he said.

“The Covid pandemic highlighted a significant need for healthcare workers, including nurses. At the time, I was caring for my grandpa and the things I would do to assist him were developing a nature of compassion that complemented nursing.”

Akash said he loved the strong focus on resident care as an enrolled nurse, and felt honoured to be able to advocate for their rights and health care.

“Some of the customers I care for are in a vulnerable position, and I feel privileged to be able to make sure services are safe and meeting their needs,” he said.

Akash said the compassion and empathy required to provide person-centred care was crucial for nursing and what made it such a fulfilling career.

“It can be an emotionally demanding job that requires a solid understanding of each person’s needs and the skills to help meet them. Being passionate about nursing and each customer makes the outcomes much more rewarding.”

Akash said International Nurses Day provided an opportunity for nurses to learn from each other.

“We might have different thoughts, processes, and skills, but we are all working together to provide continuous, high-quality health care to our customers,” he said.  

AnglicareSA’s Westbourne Park Residential Aged Care site is like Lynne’s second home.

“I feel like I have always been a part of this place,” Lynne said.

For more than 20 years, Lynne has been actively involved at the site – first as an employee, then as a volunteer when she retired.

A Westbourne Park local, there was no other place that Lynne would prefer to volunteer. Passionate about her community, she knew she could make a difference.

“I have an ability to interact with residents and find it to be my passion,” she said.

“Despite retiring, I was still returning to the site regularly to visit the residents I once cared for. I thought I should officially become a volunteer so I could continue catching up with the staff and residents.

“Westbourne Park was the obvious choice – this is where I feel completely comfortable.

“It’s rewarding as a volunteer to see the residents and know what I do makes a difference.”

Now, you’ll see Lynne – or maybe you’ll hear her singing echoing down the halls first – having a ball with the residents at her two monthly programs, Morning Tea with Friends, and Sing-along. 

“I try to run programs that encourage the residents to reminisce,” Lynne said.

Volunteering in aged care has been a wonderful experience for Lynne and she encourages everyone to give it a try.  

“The residents in aged care are just like you or me, except they’ve lived a longer life,” she said.

“Everyone should think about the skills they have and how they could use them to volunteer.”

Customer Wellness Coordinator Jennifer Pilling said the Westbourne Park team were grateful to have a volunteer like Lynne who makes such a difference with each visit.

“Lynne has dedicated so much of her time to care for others at Westbourne Park,” Jennifer said.

“She is wonderful with the residents and makes each one feel special and welcomed.”

You can Register Your Interest online here, or alternatively view our current volunteer opportunities here.

Camaraderie, rigour, and discipline – these are words we commonly associate with the military, but for Deane, they were part of his daily routine when he joined the army in 1954 for National Service. 

“We were trained as soldiers,” Deane said.

“We were taught how to fire guns, dig trenches, ruck march, and throw grenades.”

The 89-year-old ‘Nasho’, who lives at our Westbourne Park residential aged care site, was just 19 when he was conscripted to three months of compulsory military training at Woodside Barracks.

“I wasn’t upset that I was conscripted – I would have signed up even if it was voluntary,” he said.

“I was proud of having the duty to join the National Service and do something for my country.”

While it wasn’t always easy living and training at the barracks, Deane looks back at his time in the National Service with fond memories.  

“There were a lot of larrikins, bad language, and bending of the rules at the barracks,” he said with a laugh.

“Underneath it all, however, we were young men who believed in our country and our role in protecting its future.”

Every year, the serviceman dons his medals, a symbol of his gallantry, with pride.

“Anzac Day has always been an important day to me. I attend dawn services where I can and wear my medals,” he said.

“It’s a day to reflect and remember old traditions and ways of life so they are not lost. We should all try to embody the values that the Anzacs represented, such as camaraderie, helping others, courage, and dedication.”

Deane said commemorating the sacrifices made by the Anzacs past and present in the early dawn light, it was important to consider the fallen soldiers who never made it home.  

“I feel fortunate that, during my time as a Nasho, I did not experience the same horrors as some soldiers past and present did. ”

Deane will lead the Anzac Day service for residents, their loved ones and staff at Westbourne Park, reading the ‘Ode to Remembrance’ and ‘In Flanders Fields’ poems.   

Each of our six residential care sites will mark Anzac Day with various celebrations honouring those who have served and are still serving our country.