The head of the peak body representing the aged and community care sector in Australia will spend Aged Care Employee Day with the dedicated teams in his own community of Bendigo.
With only one week to go until the special day (Wednesday 7 August), Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) CEO Tom Symondson is inviting the Bendigo community to join ACCPA and say a massive ‘thanks for caring’ to our dedicated and compassionate aged care staff.
“In my role with the national peak body, I travel all over the country visiting aged care homes. Because aged care is all about community, this year I’ve decided to stay and celebrate this important day in my own community, honouring the commitment, compassion and dedication of Bendigo’s aged care workforce,” Mr Symondson said.
“I urge everyone to keep in mind the almighty effort put in by aged care workers and encourage the Bendigo community to take a moment and say, ‘thank you for caring’.
“Aged Care Employee Day has become an important date in our calendar and reminds us of the caring and professional work of our aged care staff. They’re the backbone, the people who support our elders day in and day out. They make the lives of older Australians better every day.
“Bendigo staff have proven to be care ‘superheroes’. We want our residents and clients, their families and friends to join us in saying ‘thank you for a job well done’ and recognise the hard work of aged care staff in caring for our loved ones.
“Be they managers, personal carers, nurses, kitchen and laundry staff, diversion therapy staff, allied health professionals, administrators, gardeners or volunteers, they have all worked above and beyond the call of duty to keep older people in the Bendigo community cared for and safe.
“They all deserve our thanks for their professionalism, their warmth, and their enthusiasm.”
Right around the nation, aged care providers, residents and families are gearing up to voice their thanks with morning and afternoon teas, celebrations and simply a message of thanks to aged care staff, who look after our older loved ones in residential care, home and community care, retirement living and seniors housing.
In Bendigo, Mr Symondson will visit six local aged care communities on Wednesday (7 August): Benetas Kangaroo Flat (9:30am to 10:15am), Bupa Bendigo (10.35 to 11.20am), Uniting AgeWell Strath-haven Community (11:35am to 12:20pm), Calvary Mirridong (1.30pm to 2.15pm), mecwacare Flora Hill (2.30pm to 3.15pm), and Bendigo Health Golden Oaks Nursing Home (from 3.30pm to 4.15pm).
Mr Symondson will be joined by the Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, at Uniting AgeWell (Strath-haven Community) and at Calvary (Mirridong), the State Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards will also attend.
The sixth annual Aged Care Employee Day will also be the day the winners of the inaugural ACCPA Excellence Awards will be announced, chosen from more than 460 nominations received as part of ACCPA’s You are ACE! campaign. The ACCPA Excellence Awards recognise industry excellence across 15 categories.
