05 October 2022
Kalpana began her nursing career with Estia Health in 2020 after joining us on a placement from the university for two weeks. It was then that she began to learn about aged care. Whilst working on that placement, Kalpana also worked in Ringwood’s Memory Support Unit. Now, three years later, she has been promoted to the position of Clinical Care Coordinator, responsible for the care of 36 residents plus managing and leading the clinical team to excellence.
“It is challenging and dynamic and involves a lot of behaviour management. Critically, it involves supporting residents, sensitively and compassionately who cannot make decisions. So, I work in conjunction with the families”.
Kalpana says that the Memory Support Unit rapidly changes. With residents who are very lovely, but occasionally agitated. “They know me and will often calm down when they see me. It is my job to provide kindness, understanding and care”.
Our residents love living at Ringwood, and some have been here as long as 16 years and don’t want to ever leave. They regularly go on bus trips, to the movies, have walking groups and go on scenic drives. Plus, they enjoy a variety of inside activities including puzzles, armchair travel, puppet, and talent shows and are regularly visited by entertainers which they enjoy immensely.
The diversity of the residents’ care needs drew Kalpana to the Memory Support Unit as well as being motivated to provide the highest level of comfort, quality of care and happiness that she can. She also mentioned that she feels privileged to work in such a skilled, effective care team.
The residents love it when I spend one on one time with them and provide emotional support. Equally important for Kalpana is to respect the dignity and choices of the resident, when providing the best quality of care.
“Having a patient centered care approach works well at Ringwood, we give the resident’s choices, and the capacity to make dignified informed decisions for themselves that they are able to make. Of course, with the education and approval from the health care professionals such as Registered Nurses and General Practitioners”.
Kalpana is now on track to go even further with her career at Estia Health. She is currently studying her Master of Public Health and is also looking at courses in Health Care, Management and Leadership.
