Anglican Care recently received a significant accolade from the Aged Care & Community Services Australia (ACSA) Aged Care Awards, picking up a win in the NSW Outstanding Employee of the Year category, which was awarded to staff member Janean Cole.
The annual Aged & Community Services Australia Aged Care Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions made by organisations, teams and individuals in the aged care industry throughout the year.
With a passion for end of life care and dignity, Janean has been a member of the Anglican Care team for four years and is employed as a Nurse Practitioner in Palliative Care for Anglican Care residential aged care services.
Janean contributes significantly within the organisation, her position encompassing risk management, medication management, palliative care, clinical governance and policy development.
She is an integral member of the local Medication Review Committee and has been instrumental in exploring the capacity for residential services to have core medications on-site, so they are accessible 24 hours per day.
A key aspect of her role is to assess pain and agitation and to prescribe and de-prescribe proactively rather than reactively in consultation with the older person’s GP.
Janean is one of three Nurse Practitioners leading the Hunter Aged Palliative Care Network (HAPCN), coordinating and delivering education to over forty aged care providers and is confident to influence health and aged care policy through her leadership.
“I am committed to building the workforce capability to consult and support families who do not understand the end of life pathway. It’s at the end of lifetime that we need support in bereavement for the elderly particularly those without family,” Janean said.
“We plan everything else in our lives down to the minute, and I believe end of life planning and quality of life are vital components that are often overlooked.”
General Manager Community Care Services at Anglican Care, Chris Giles said Janean is innovative in her approach and is always looking for new ways or interventions to improve the quality of care and support on offer.
“Janean demonstrates professional integrity and ethical leadership at all times. She is so highly regarded within Anglican Care and externally by other Providers, local health care and palliative care services; she is a local treasure,” Chris said.
“She brings a tremendous amount of passion and commitment to her role and is committed to enhancing the quality of life of seniors while focussing on them as individuals and respecting their dignity.”
Anglican Care was also finalists in Provider of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Stephen Meldham, an eleven-year veteran volunteer with the organisation, was recognised as a finalist for his dedication and commitment to his volunteer role.
Marketing Manager at Anglican Care, Kylie Jacques, regarded Stephen as someone whose passion was an invaluable part of the service Anglican Care aim to provide.
“Stephen has had a huge impact in enhancing the lives of residents and consumers. With a passion for supporting older people, he is very humble regarding his extraordinary contribution to Anglican Care,” she said.
The winners from each state form the finalists for the National Awards in Melbourne in October, with Janean Cole now heading south to compete.
IMAGE | ACSA Award winner for Outstanding Employee of the Year, Janean Cole
