Local community aged care provider, NovaCare recently celebrated 25 years of service with a special house warming at their newly renovated Hamilton respite cottage. It was at the same occasion that they were acknowledged through the presentation of the Better Practice Commendation Award.
Presented by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency, the accolade awards organisations that are focused on good practice and is central to the agency’s role in promoting customer-focused, high quality aged care and services throughout Australia.
NovaCare’s CEO, Joseph McCarthy said the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency does not give these awards our lightly.
“We were honoured with a personal presentation by their NSW/ACT Assistant Director, Gill Jones.It was one of only 15 such awards in NSW/ACT for 2017 and it follows hot on the heels of our two Aged& Community Services (ACSA) awards; so it’s like we’ve won the trifecta,” Joseph said.
In 2016 and again 2017, NovaCare Community Services was named Organisation Of The Year i nACSA’s NSW/ACT State Awards for Excellence.
NovaCare has become a success story for boutique, not-for-profit organisations in the Hunter.
“NovaCare is smaller, more agile and open to new ideas that genuinely improve the quality of life for older people living at home and in their community,” Joseph said.
“We have a whole of life wrap around approach that’s pretty unique in the Hunter, with our Milpara Social Centre, beautiful Ailsa Craig Respite Cottage and a multitude of home support services. It’s all about helping people continue to lead their life the way they want, from the home they love.”
The $315,000 renovation to their Ailsa Craig Cottage means Hunter families now have further access to high-end, state-of-the-art respite care for their loved ones in a beautiful,tranquil home environment. It will allow NovaCare to increase its availability of respite services to the community by 30%, the equivalent of an additional 2,100 hours of overnight carer support.
“Respite care is essential, not just for the guests, but for caregivers. It provides care givers an opportunity to rest and recharge while continuing to care for their loved ones,” Joseph said.
The renovation was made possible thanks to the $80,000 funding provided by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
“The Ailsa Craig Cottage project is a stunning example of how our grants can make a significant difference to the lives of those in our community,” Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair, Phil Neat.
IMAGE | The newly renovated Ailsa Craig Respite Cottage.
