West Coast Homecare is fortunate to have a local skills-based Board of Management who continue to govern the strategic directions and growth of West Coast Homecare. The 2024-2025 year has resulted in ongoing consolidation, continuous improvement and new strategic initiatives to support community home care and support services. The Consumer Advisory Body receive and review the feedback with agreed actions implemented, monitored and then included in the report to the Board of Management Our person-centred approach has continued with growing support at our “Conversations” Consumer Engagement forums. These have continued throughout the year with multiple sessions held at Port Lincoln, Tumby Bay, Cummins, Cleve and Cowell. We have embraced significant changes to align with legislative, governance and sector reforms and workforce has been a focus during the year sector. increased clinical care environments and change management with clients at the centre of care. Our team are truly amazing. They continue to value and support people to live the life they choose and truly make a difference which is reflected in the wonderful feedback we receive from our Consumers. Independent Contractors were transitioned to employees in April 2025 increasing employee numbers substantially. I acknowledge the dedication, support and contribution of our Executive Leadership Team who continue to support strategic initiatives to continually renew, reposition and re-invent services and systems in the ever-changing landscape of home care. To strive for best practice new initiatives have continually been introduced. We have welcomed new partnerships to support people to continue living at home and in their own communities that have included: Carers SA, The SA Virtual Care Service (SAVCS), Retire SA - Lincoln Grove and allied health providers. New software programs have been introduced to automate and stream-line systems. A Department of Health Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP) grant for consultancy in May 2024 had a focus on progressive review and consolidation of many of our strategic directions and operational practices for improvement. A further consultancy project was granted in June 2025 to support the next phase of our strategic direction. Consumer growth has required additional workforce to meet the need for the increasing service hours. NDIS consumers and hours have remained stable, and a strategic review of NDIS services was completed in May 2025. Successful external audits were completed including Home Care Pricing Transparency and an Aged Care Quality Review. The Royal Commission into Aged Care found the current Aged Care Act and its related legislation no longer fit for purpose. The new rights-based Act will start from 1 November 2025 and responds to issues facing older people, aged care providers, workers and the broader sector. It will put the rights of older people at the centre of the aged care system and will include: • Create a single-entry point, with clear eligibility requirements. • Establish new system oversight and accountability arrangements. • Increase provider accountability through a new regulatory model. • The new Support at Home program. • Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. • Stronger powers for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. • A Statement of Rights for older people. Due to our progressive growth, we will re-locate to a new premises at 52-54 Liverpool St Port Lincoln (the old Target building). This venue will provide improved staff facilities and provide opportunity for new Consumer services. I feel privileged to be in the role of CEO and am absolutely committed to the purpose of West Coast Homecare and I remain passionate and fully committed to support people to receive care in their own homes and local communities. Together – Let’s Make it Happen! Deanne Hartwig Eyre Peninsula Autumn 2023 | Communique Eyre Peninsula August 2025 Message from the CEO
CONVERSATIONS 2 Aged Care Consumer Advisory Body Dates for the next round of ‘Conversations’ Consumer Engagement Forums: • Port Lincoln: Wednesday 29th October 2025 • Cleve: Tuesday 4th November 2025 • Cowell: Wednesday 5th November 2025 • Tumby Bay: Thursday 13th November 2025 • Cummins: Wednesday 19th November 2025 Invitations with the confirmed time and venue will be sent to all consumers ahead of the event. Get ready to ‘jingle and mingle’ ‘Conversations’ Consumer Engagement We are looking for aged care consumers to join the Consumer Advisory Body! Consumer advisory bodies can help fix problems and improve your care. They give you a way to talk about care and service quality with others and share this with your provider’s governing board. Consumer advisory bodies are important because they: • Look at the quality of care and services you and others receive. • Find and communicate consumers’ needs and issues. • Provide opportunities for improvement. Consumer advisory bodies need people like you! Members from all backgrounds are welcome to join; diversity means that all consumers are represented. This includes people who: • Are a current or past consumer. • Are a family member or representative of a current or past consumer? • Are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander • Are LGBTI. • Come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. • Have a disability. • Live with a cognitive or physical impairment. • Live with mental health issues and/ or illness. • Are socially or economically disadvantaged. • Live in a rural or remote area. If you or someone you know wants to join the Consumer Advisory Body committee, call West Coast Homecare on 8682 2177. WIN WIN WIN Tell us why you like your Care Worker, and you will go in the draw to WIN a $100 EFTPOS card! Your Name: Care Workers Name: Feedback: Please return your completed response using the enclosed envelope or by visiting your local office.
3 We are thrilled to have you on board, brining your skills and passion to enhance the lives of people who receive care from West Coast Homecare. Here’s to a journey of making a positive impact together! Welcome to the Team Employee Spotlight Name: Sharon Parry Start date: September 2020 Job title: Administration Officer - Reception, Finance, Corporate and Scheduling Services Brief overview of your role: Answering phone, ordering, scheduling services and reception duties. What drew you to this role and how did you get started in this field: I had previously worked in an office and always wanted to get back into that line of work, so I had the opportunity within West Coast Homecare. I loved my interaction with clients as a Community Care Worker and my position now still gives me the opportunity to still have contact with clients in a different manner. What is your favourite part about your job and why: Talking to clients on the phone and being able to still help them but in a different capacity I feel great achievement knowing I’ve made a difference. What are 3 fun facts about you: 1. I am superstitious. 2. Love buying clothes and shoes. 3. First non-trade female meat manager for Coles Supermarket. The new Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 November 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme will transition to the new program no earlier than 1 July 2027. For more information: www.health.gov.au/our-work/ support-at-home support at the new home program Personnel Location Job Title Employment Type Mary Clark Port Lincoln Home Care Coordinator - Registered Nurse Part-time Jordan Goldsmith Port Lincoln Community Care Worker / Home Care Programs – Scheduling and Digital Systems Coordinator Full-time Emily Sinclair Port Lincoln Administration Officer - Reception, Finance, Corporate and Scheduling Services Full-time Lisa Ditrich Port Lincoln Home Care Coordinator Part-time Mary Pearson Port Lincoln Home Care Coordinator - Enrolled Nurse Full-time Phoebe Porter Port Lincoln Community Care Worker - Trainee Part-time Kelsey Schmucker Cleve Community Care Worker Casual Fiona Ford Port Lincoln Community Support Worker Casual Janie Pichler Port Lincoln Community Support Worker Casual Kylie Hamilton Cummins Community Support Worker Casual Michelle Warburton Port Lincoln Community Support Worker Casual Patricia Hodgins Tumby Bay Administration Officer - Reception, Finance, Corporate and Scheduling Services Casual Rick Steen Port Lincoln Community Support Worker Casual
CONVERSATIONS 4 Important Aged Care Updates New Aged Care Act and Strengthen Quality Standards Starting 1 November 2025, a new Aged Care Act will come into effect, designed to better respond to the challenges faced by older people, aged care providers, workers, and the aged care sector. This new legislation will place the rights of older people at the centre of the aged care system, ensuring their needs and dignity guide how services are delivered. The New Aged Care Act: • Clearly outlines the rights of older people seeking and accessing aged care services. • Creates a single-entry point with clear eligibility requirements. • Introduces a fair, culturally safe single assessment framework. • Supports the delivery of high-quality aged care services. • Establishes new system oversight and accountability mechanisms. • Increases provider accountability through a new regulatory model. • Strengthens the role and powers of the aged care regulator. Statement of Rights A central feature of the new Act is the Statement of Rights. This statement defines the rights that all older people should expect when accessing government-funded aged care services, ensuring their needs and preferences remain the priority. Older people have the right to: • Make decisions about their own lives. • Have their decisions respected and accepted. • Receive information and support to make informed choices. • Communicate their wishes, needs, and preferences freely. • Feel safe, respected, and valued. • Have their culture and identity acknowledged and honoured. • Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Strengthened Quality Standards will commence on 1 November 2025, alongside the new Aged Care Act. The strengthened Quality Standards are designed to deliver a better aged care experience. The new standards will be used by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission as the basis of their compliance and continuous improvement work, they do with aged care providers. There are seven standards aged care providers need to meet. • Standard 1: The Individual • Standard 2: The Organisation • Standard 3: The Care and Services • Standard 4: The Environment • Standard 5: Clinical Care • Standard 6: Food and Nutrition • Standard 7: The Residential Community Resources will be posted to all aged care consumers once finalised by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. More information For more information visit www.agedcarequality. gov.au/ or www.agedcarequality.gov.au/about-us/ legislation-and-policies/new-aged-care-act.
5 One hour extra per week can make a difference Use your HOMECARE PACKAGE to grab some extra help and have fun while improving your wellbeing and feel invigorated! We want to enable you to have more support as a path to greater independence in your own home and community. We can assist you with: • Few extra household chores for spring • Let the sunshine in with window cleaning • Fire prevention. Yard clean up, gutter cleaning • Plant some new flowers & veggies for spring • Live it up! Get out and about with our friendly and fun workers • Lonely no more. Let us come to you for a cuppa and chat • A bit of extra shopping for Christmas Supporting you to live your life to the fullest. You tell us what you want to achieve and together, let’s make it happen! SA Proof of Aged Card The South Australia Proof of age card is an identity photo card available to residents of South Australia over the age of 18. It is available to drivers and non-drivers primarily as an identity document and to access places restricted to persons over the age of 18. You can apply for the proof of aged card online via mySAGOV or visit your nearest Service SA. The proof of aged card doesn’t expire and there will be a fee of $25. For more information go to: www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/licences/proof-of-age-card.
CONVERSATIONS 6 SEASONEDTIMES.COM FOLLOW THE NUMBERS How many can you find the path from 1 to 40? C B R N W I S O U A D N E E G S K O E I F U I C L E B D R G A I Y U I O S A D O S I L G K B A I F R L M U K N T P H P O R U B S O T L S T R C R O E L E I R W E O A C B R T P M U E R I R W N C W Z Y O C F B D M S N N S O R U N S P R T O S T D L C N N O F U F O N V A F T B Y E S L T U E R Spring SEASONEDTIMES.COM GROW SPROUTS RAINBOW PICNIC FLOWERS SUNNY BREEZE BLOSSOM RAIN BUTTERFLY BEE LADYBUG CAN YOU FIND THE SPRING-RELATED WORDS HIDDEN IN THE PUZZLE? SEASONEDTIMES.COM One & Only There are more than one of most images below, but one is unique. Find the unique bunch of flowers that DOES NOT have a match 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DOWN The natural home of an animal or plant Keeping something safe from harm The variety of plants and animals in nature At risk of disappearing forever Large areas filled with trees and wildlife ACROSS The illegal hunting of wild animals A community of plants, animals, and the environment The process of a species no longer existing The protection of nature and animals Animals and plants that live in nature Natural environment crossword Looking for words associated with wildlife and natural resources. SEASONEDTIMES.COM PUZZLES & GAMES Solutions on back page. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DOWN The natural home of an animal or plant Keeping something safe from harm The variety of plants and animals in nature At risk of disappearing forever Large areas filled with trees and wildlife ACROSS The illegal hunting of wild animals A community of plants, animals, and the environment The process of a species no longer existing The protection of nature and animals Animals and plants that live in nature Natural environment crossword Looking for words associated with wildlife and natural resources. SEASONEDTIMES.COM
7 COTTAGE PIE Method Step 1 To make the meat sauce, heat the oil in a large, deep frying pan. Add onion, garlic, carrot and celery and cook over a medium-high heat, stirring often for 8 minutes, until vegetables soften slightly. Add tomato paste. Cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Increase heat to high, add the mince and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break it up for 5 minutes, or until the mince changes colour. Step 2 Stir in the tomatoes, oregano, stock cube and water. Season with pepper and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and simmer uncovered a further 5-10 minutes, or until sauce has reduced and thickened. Taste and season with more pepper, if needed. Step 3 For the potato mash, place potatoes in a saucepan, cover with cold water. Cover with lid and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and gently boil for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain well then return to the hot pan. Mash well. Add milk and beat until smooth. Season with pepper. Ingredients • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 brown onion, finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 large carrot, peeled and diced • 2 stalks celery, diced • 2 tablespoons no added salt tomato paste • 500 g extra lean beef mince • 800 g can no added salt diced tomatoes • 2 teaspoons dried oregano • 1 salt reduced vegetable stock cube, crumbled • ½ cup water • Cracked black pepper, to taste • 400 g green beans, trimmed and steamed, to serve • Potato mash • 700 g brushed potatoes, peeled and chopped • ½ cup reduced fat milk • 2 teaspoons olive oil Method Step 1 Place apples, water and sugar in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are just tender. Remove. Stir in blueberries. Step 2 Transfer apple and blueberry mixture to a shallow ovenproof dish (6-cup capacity). Step 3 To make topping, process flour, muesli, sugar, cinnamon and margarine in a food processor until well combined. Sprinkle over apple and blueberries. Step 4 Bake in 180 °C oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until topping is crisp and browned. Serve warm with yoghurt. APPLE AND BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE Ingredients • 1 kg (5-6) Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 2 cm pieces • ¼ cup water • 2 tbs raw sugar • 125 g punnet blueberries Topping • ⅓ cup (55 g) wholemeal plain flour • 1 cup (95 g) no-added sugar natural muesli • ¼ cup raw sugar • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • ¼ cup (60 g) reduced-fat margarine • ½ cup reduced-fat Greek yoghurt, to serve RECIPES Recipes sourced from the Heart Foundation www.heartfoundation.org.au/recipes Step 4 Preheat oven to 220 °C (200 °C fan-forced). Spoon the meat sauce into one, 6-cup capacity ovenproof dish, or four 1 ½ - cup capacity ovenproof dishes. Top with mashed potato. Brush with olive oil. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until piping hot. Serve with steamed beans.
CONVERSATIONS 8 OFFICE LOCATIONS West Coast Homecare is committed to supporting small rural communities on Eyre Peninsula, our office locations and opening hours are: Head Office Port Lincoln 56 St Andrews Tce Phone: 8682 2177 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Tumby Bay 3 Spencer Street Phone: 8682 2177 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:30pm Cummins 58 Bruce Terrace Phone: 0438 163 641 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4.30pm Cleve 27A Main Street Phone: 8682 2177 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:30pm SQUARE-FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM-SQUARE Join us on Facebook and Instagram westcoasthomecare.com Puzzles & Games Solutions Natural Environment Crossword Solution Follow the Numbers Solution Spring Word Search Solution One & Only Puzzle Solution SEASONEDTIMES.COM Age Adds Flavor COLOURING IN QUOTE “Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.” Maggie Kuhn
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