August 2025
Welcome Message
Dear Residents, Families, and Staff,
We are excited to share the launch of our new website gardenview.org.au. You are warmly invited to subscribe to our Newsletters, explore the site, and provide us with any feedback on improvements or changes that may be needed.
With Spring upon us, we look forward to the blossoms and the return of warmer days. Winter has been challenging, especially with two outbreaks that tested us all. We sincerely thank everyone for their understanding and extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff who worked tirelessly throughout this period.
As we approach 1 November 2025, the new Aged Care Act and strengthened standards are set to be implemented. Training and resources are available to support staff, residents, and families in understanding these important changes. Key updates will be shared through email and this Newsletter, along with short videos to help keep everyone informed.
Our winter events and activities were filled with joy and laughter—please take a moment to visit the gallery on our website for photos. We have recently obtained consent for photo sharing, but if you change your mind and wish to be included in sharing these joyful moments, please let us know.
Thank you once again for your continued support as we move into this new season of growth and renewal.
Warm regards,
Nicole Zhang
Director of Nursing
Important Update
Consumers rights
This video explains how the new Aged Care Act puts Consumers at the centre of aged care. It will make aged care safer, fairer and more respectful. The video explain Consumers rights.
Choice and Control (short version)– Under the new Aged Care Act, it will be it easier for you to make your own choices, control your care and get the information you need to do this.
Supported decision-making (short version) – A key change under the new Aged Care Act is that you are empowered to make your own decisions. But if you want or need help making decisions, you can choose someone you trust to support you.
Star Ratings (short version)– If you’re looking for an aged care home, Star Ratings can help you compare quality and safety across different home.
Understanding Your Pain: A Guide for Residents and Families
Living with pain can be challenging, but understanding it is the first step towards managing it effectively. Pain is a personal experience, and what works for one person may not work for another. The goal of pain management is to improve your quality of life by reducing pain to a comfortable level, allowing you to participate more fully in daily activities.
To help you best, our team needs to understand the pain you are feeling. We might ask you questions like where it hurts, what the pain feels like (for example, is it sharp, aching, or burning?), and how strong it is. Sometimes, pain can be difficult to describe, and for some residents, it may be hard to communicate verbally. In these cases, our staff are also trained to look for other signs of pain, such as changes in facial expressions, appetite, or daily routines. Working together, we can build a clear picture of what is happening.
There are many ways to manage pain, often involving a combination of approaches. These can include medications, such as simple pain relievers or stronger prescribed medicines. The plan is to start low and go slow to minimise possible side effects, while giving the medication enough time to work as some medication take longer to show full effect. It is vital to use these as directed by your doctor to ensure they are both safe and effective for you.
Beyond medication, several other strategies can make a significant difference. Gentle physical activities, like walking or stretching, can help to keep your joints mobile and muscles strong. Therapies such as physiotherapy with our visiting physiotherapist can provide targeted exercises and techniques. Participating in social activities and looking after your wellbeing can also improve pain perception.
It is important to have an open conversation about your pain with your healthcare team and trust us that we always strive to follow the up-to-date guideline and recommendations and at the same time respect your preferences. Discussing how your pain feels, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily life helps us to create a personalised management plan that is right for you. We encourage families to be part of these conversations to better understand and support their loved ones. By working together, we can find the best approach to manage your pain and improve your wellbeing.
Staff Spotlight
This month’s Staff Spotlight shines on our wonderful Head Chef Maran Oo, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our residents nourished, healthy, and happy.
Leonard brings with him almost 40 years of cooking experience, mastering both Asian and Western cuisines. For more than 20 years, he has dedicated his skills to aged care food services, ensuring our residents enjoy not only nutritious meals but also dining experiences filled with warmth and care.
Leonard is truly passionate about aged care food and dining services. He is one of our most dedicated team members, always going the extra mile to fulfil residents’ requests. He takes the time to listen carefully to residents, gathering their likes and dislikes, and actively seeking feedback to drive continuous improvement in our food service.
Beyond his daily role, Leonard often volunteers both within the facility and in the community, offering his skills to provide food-related services with generosity and kindness. His commitment, professionalism, and heart for service make him not only a valued colleague but also a cherished friend to both staff and residents.
We are truly grateful to have Leonard as part of our team. Thank you, Leonard, for your passion, dedication, and the joy you bring to our dining service every day.
Ongoing Staff Training and Education
At our service, resident safety and quality care are always our top priorities. We are pleased to share some updates on recent staff training and competencies that have been completed to further strengthen the care we provide.
During our August Mandatory On-Site Training, our Director of Nursing (DON) delivered a comprehensive lecture on the new Strengthened Aged Care Standards.
We thank all our staff for their commitment to learning and improvement. Together, let’s welcome spring with renewed energy and a shared focus on excellence in aged care.
By completing these assessments, our staff demonstrate their dedication to excellence, continuous learning, and providing the very best care to residents.
Lifestyle and Wellbeing
In August, although our facility went through an outbreak, our residents still enjoyed a wide range of meaningful and engaging activities.
One of the highlights was Indian Culture Week, where residents took part in decorating the rooms and exploring Indian traditions. They enjoyed creating colourful rangoli sand prints, trying out beautiful henna tattoos, dressing up in sarees for photos, and tasting delicious BBQ in the courtyard. Residents also had fun watching an Indian movie together and joining in an energetic Indian dance session during happy hour. The sensory spice-guessing activity was another big hit, allowing residents to truly immerse themselves in the rich culture of India.
Our bus trips continued, with a visit to Wentworth Point. Residents loved the fresh air by the Parramatta River, soaking up the sunshine, tasting local foods, and connecting with community life.
We also welcomed back pet therapy, where Bowie, our friendly dog, brought plenty of joy and smiles. The interaction between residents and animals always creates a warm and uplifting atmosphere.
Daily activities remained a part of our routine, including playing board and table games, as well as arts and crafts. These activities not only entertained residents but also helped exercise both hands and minds, supporting their wellbeing and cognitive health.
As we look back on August, we are grateful for the resilience and positivity of our residents. Despite the challenges, they embraced each activity with joy and curiosity, creating wonderful memories together. With the arrival of spring just around the corner, we look forward to more sunshine, laughter, and opportunities to share special moments in the months ahead.
Bus Trip to Mount Annan
Residents will be going on a bus trip to Mount Annan to enjoy the fresh air, gardens, and scenery.