The very best of our Mission is on display in Catholic aged care facilities

One of the best parts of the job at Catholic Health Australia is getting to immerse ourselves in the incredible work of our Catholic services across Australia, who every day are working to ensure everyone gets the care they need, no matter who they are or where they come from.

Everything we do, and the changes we advocate for with Governments across the country, is built directly in consultation with catholic services big and small; their expertise, experiences and the mission that drives their work. At CHA, this work is always at the heart of our advocacy. And it’s a privilege and a responsibility to be their voice on important legislation shaping the sector.

Recently, in our travels around Victoria, Laura Haylen (CHA’s Director of Aged Care Policy) and I had the pleasure of meeting with Sr. Salam Mouawad and Janette Lahoud who are the dynamic duo behind the success of St Paul’s hostel in Melbourne, which has been providing care for the Arabic speaking community in Melbourne for nearly 30 years.

Sr Salam, was here when it all started, and it was great to hear how they are growing for the future. The relationship and bond between the management and the residents there was evident from the moment we first walked in and coupled with their passion and drive, is probably a significant reason why St Paul’s is one of the top performing homes in the country.

They spoke about the around the clock care they provide to residents, who are treated as family, and their strong track record on workforce retention, sharing with CHA a few of their tips.

We also met with some other wonderful Catholic aged care facilities such as the Little Sisters of the Poor St Joseph’s Home. At St Jospeh’s, the sisters truly focus on the margins, prioritising those most in need financially, of every race and religion, ensuring they receive the care they may not otherwise have been able to access. This focus can sometimes impact their own financial viability, and so they visit the markets every week to welcome donations and fresh produce (including flowers!) for their residents.

We were able to witness first hand the extraordinary people they look after, including an accomplished artist who provides art around the facility, and even gifted CHA an original work. This generosity of spirit is part of the culture of St Joseph’s.

Laura was also welcomed by VMCH Corpus Christi Community in Greenvale, which supports and cares for ageing men who have experienced homelessness and battled addiction and other complex health conditions. Helping these men who have experienced many trials throughout their life, find comfort and peace in their later years, and navigate both the Aged Care System as well as the NDIS, shows the impact of what Catholic services do for the community.

What a privilege it is to be part of this movement for better care, for all.