27 February 2024
“There’s nothing more rewarding than walking into a room full of smiling residents and knowing I am part of the reason why.”
It’s the gratification of having a positive impact on the community that’s been driving Olivia De Rose, the new General Manager at Regis Fawkner, since she started with Regis in January 2023.
Olivia said while her role can be challenging, it can also be the most heartwarming job in the world.
“There can be a lot of miracles in aged care, whether it’s a resident who’s had a stroke learning to talk again or a resident living with dementia remembering a loved one who has come to visit,” Olivia said. “There are so many rewarding aspects.”
Olivia takes a holistic approach and coordinates care around an individual’s needs, values, preferences and their own understanding of health and wellbeing. This involves collaborating with caregivers and residents to achieve the best outcomes.
“Eliminating the assembly-line approach to care and embracing a philosophy of residents as individuals are key characteristics of a resident-centred Home,” Olivia said. “I prioritise resident choices and preferences to enhance their quality of life and safety.”
For Olivia, central to person-centred care is always involving residents and families in the decision-making process.
“Have the resident and the family participated in the decision? If the answer to this question is no, then the next step should be to find ways to include the resident and family in their own care decisions.”
Her leadership style incorporates being transparent, collaborative and accessible to her team so she can foster an environment where each member can excel.
The highly-qualified team at Regis Fawkner creates an environment of choice, dignity and respect, ensuring residents receive exceptional care through around-the-clock personalised services, comfortable accommodation, quality meals, diverse leisure options and ample social and mental stimulation.
Olivia loves that her role also gives you the opportunity to meet a wide variety of older people and make a tremendous difference in their quality of life.
“Setting aside the love and kindness, care homes are full of special occasions and cake — birthdays, family visits, national holidays, the list goes on,” Olivia said. “Any excuse for a celebration to bring lots of cake into our Home, and it would be rude not to take part, wouldn’t it?”
