IntegrityRespectInnovationExcellenceTeamwork

2013-14 Annual Report

Reflecting our Values

Given the ever increasing demand for services, Life Care has made the conscious decision to change the way we look at aged care, with the aim of improving the coordination and delivery of our services, and access to them.

We want to build a future we would all like to be part of as we age. To achieve this, we need to challenge some fundamental community perceptions and expectations.

Traditionally, reliance on aged care has been seen as an option of last resort. Life Care’s commitment is to challenge this notion by the development of an extensive range of service options that individuals can draw upon as they age.

We see one’s senior years as full of promise, when the focus is placed upon what people can do rather than on potential limitations. In this chapter of life, it is important to appreciate that everyone’s aspirations and needs remain unique.

In the past year, Life Care took the first steps to transition from a traditional aged care provider to a true service partner. Our aim is to engage with each person, their families, our staff and our business partners to understand how best we can work together to facilitate the enjoyment of these senior years - whether our clients live in their own home or in one of Life Care’s accommodation options.

As part of this process, the Board has endorsed an independent assessment of its capabilities and the strengthening of its resources, to foster greater leadership and accountability. Further, management has made a strong commitment together with our staff at all levels to embrace the ‘Life Care Way’. This is the essence of how we work together and what we should expect from one another.

Life Care has laid the foundations for providing an integrated range of service options and has commenced the process of redeveloping its facilities to support new service delivery models. These initiatives will confirm Life Care as an emerging leader in the ageing sector.

John Stock OAM

Chair

Integrity... always operating in an open and honest manner while observing the highest levels of personal and professional conduct.

Respect...being aware of, and celebrating the different strengths and backgrounds of each person in our community, whether they’re a client, staff member or volunteer.

Innovation...ensuring we are open to new ideas, and actively seek out innovation so we can continually improve our service delivery.

Excellence... our commitment to providing the very best, in everything we do and being accountable for our decisions.

Teamwork... consistently working together – with staff, clients, families, volunteers and the wider community – to provide the very best environment for ageing well with dignity.

Underpinning everything we do are our five core values, which we have highlighted in this report.

We are proud of our core values and the way they shape everything we do at Life Care. The executive team talked extensively with clients, relatives, volunteers, staff and our Board, to identify what really makes for a genuinely warm, welcoming and enjoyable ageing experience.

Our approach is to create a positive and inspiring work environment for all our staff, so they can thrive and be supported to deliver the best possible services and care to our clients and their families.

Reflection

Respect

RESPECT:

“Esteem for, or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability.”

When we think of respect, especially in the context of aged care, our minds naturally turn to respecting the dignity and wellbeing of our clients. This has always been a top priority at Life Care.

In an organisation as diverse as Life Care, respect is also afforded to the entire cross-section of our community – regardless of role, lifestyle, background, abilities, beliefs and preferences.

Respect for privacy and discretion is also paramount, especially as many of our services are delivered in our clients’ own homes and in our clients’ private rooms. In our training and professional development of our staff, we place great emphasis on confidentiality and preserving the dignity and self-esteem of each member of our community.

Amongst our staff, Life Care actively fosters a sense of worth and respect, which is reinforced through ’The Life Care Way’. In this area, the definition of respect becomes even broader as we strive to gain a better understanding of the mechanics of our large and diverse organisation.

Since its inception in 2012, the ‘Life Care Walk’ program has proven to be an eye-opening yet thoroughly enjoyable exercise in temporary “job-swapping” amongst the organisation’s executive personnel, service managers and front-line staff.

By offering a nuts-and-bolts glimpse into the daily challenges and rewards faced in completely different work settings, members of the Life Care staff gain a new appreciation and respect for the diversity of tasks required to ensure that our communities run smoothly. It also allows for our executive and management team to obtain a greater understanding of how changes to policies and procedures are handled by those who implement them at the ‘coal face’.

Respect

As well as job diversity, Life Care is proud of the cultural diversity amongst our clients, staff and volunteers. In all, more than fifty countries of origin are represented within our community, and so it was only natural that we should celebrate our multicultural character.

October 2013 saw the first Cultural Mosaic Month, with a wide range of activities held across Glenrose Court, Roselin Court, Parkrose Village, Reynella Lodge and Aldinga Beach Court.

Through music, cuisine, flags and national costumes, activities, discussions, displays, cultural visits and even the launch of a cookbook, the Life Care community took the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the many backgrounds and cultures that go into making Life Care an all-embracing environment where individuality and diversity is welcomed and, most importantly, respected.

Integrity

INTEGRITY:

“Having ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.”Providing strong, principled leadership is central to the role of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

Chairman, John Stock OAM, and CEO, Allen Candy, provide their own insights into Life Care’s transition to a new era, as the organisation moves from being a traditional aged care provider to become a continuing partner in a person’s transition through their senior years.

ALLEN

Over the past twelve months, everyone at Life Care has almost certainly noticed the significant and positive changes that have taken place across the whole organisation. These changes have been significant as we move towards a new approach to the services we offer.

Consistently, Life Care’s values of integrity, respect, innovation, excellence and teamwork have continued to drive our commitment to deliver 21st century aged care.

Helping older South Australians and their families to navigate their way on their ageing journey begins with starting the conversation earlier about needs and options, and delivering a true continuum of care as levels of independence and reliance vary.

We have become even more determined to create an organisation that can seamlessly provide the full spectrum of assistance and support across the ageing process.

Underpinning everything we have achieved in the past twelve months is our quest to ensure that each person in our care has true quality of life, by offering outstanding services in modern, well-equipped facilities and with genuine interaction with the wider community.

At Life Care, the emphasis is always on quality of life – in our clients’ own homes, within the community and in Life Care’s facilities. I believe we are genuinely changing the way aged care services integrate with the everyday life of senior Australians.

JOHN

Changing this way of thinking and operating was not easy, but it was a challenge that the Board of Directors accepted enthusiastically, as we worked together to consolidate Life Care as a not-for-profit organisation that leads the way in meeting the evolving needs of an ageing society.

We no longer see aged care as a last option, but as part of an ongoing network of support as a person’s needs change. This means that we have developed a much broader range of services than is traditionally found in aged care organisations, beginning with basic support for people who live independently but need a little help around the home from time to time, right through to residential living options, tailored to provide every opportunity for people to remain as active, socially engaged and independent as possible.

Naturally, this doesn’t happen overnight, and in 2013/14 a key thrust of our work was the development of a whole-of-business Master Plan. This is, effectively, the blue print by which Life Care will deliver its philosophy of ‘Live Every Day’ and strive to meet current and future needs of individuals and the community. We are fortunate that our manageable size and excellent resources mean we can actually take a leading role in responding to society’s needs quickly and effectively, having a plan already in place to guide us.

Integrity

The Master Plan also promises to commit significant investment in capital works to modernise our buildings and create places of excellence in which people live and work. The first showpiece of this landmark undertaking was the major redevelopment and expansion of Aldinga Beach Court to create new beds and services, many elements of which have been recognised as international best practice.

In doing so, we have set new standards that are recognised widely in the industry through our outstanding accreditation outcomes and awards for various aspects of aged care.

It has not been our aim to be the biggest in our field. Instead, our aim has been to be the best in our field, as we focus uniquely on partnering with people as they get older.

When I look back over the past year, I am immensely proud of the investment that our staff have made in our ‘Live Every Day’ philosophy. It is why Life Care is the organisation of choice for employees who are devoted to quality aged care, and with clients and their families who recognise that we are building a true sense of place with vibrant, caring and engaging community spirit, that begins long before traditional aged care services are considered.

Innovation

INNOVATION:

“A transformation, a metamorphis, a breakthrough…”More than just a common catchcry, innovation and continuous improvement within Life Care is sought out and encouraged. And it’s not simply in technology and procedures, but also our way of thinking and our approach to care.

That is not to say we seek change for the sake of change. Many of our most successful programs are the result of years of careful development and fine-tuning, however we always consider new options whenever an opportunity arises to revisit the way we provide a service or operate as an organisation.

In 2013/14 we saw enormous leaps in our service capabilities, as we focus on wellness, not just health.

Life Care Active brings innovation and wellbeing together at its dedicated health and fitness Centre in Payneham, as well as delivering services out to various Life Care residential living sites.

Life Care Active is bringing new choices to seniors in the community by offering specialist health services and tailored exercise classes to help maintain relative fitness and wellbeing in men and women aged 55+.

In addition to expanding the Centre to now include a state-of-the-art Pilates Studio, Life Care Active now offers professional podiatry services to all Life Care residential locations, extending the care and expertise beyond its Centre at Payneham.

This initiative also now includes Life Care Active’s physiotherapy services which are available for our residents at Aldinga Beach Court, with a view to rolling out these services to other Life Care residential locations. This extension of services across the whole organisation supports our collaborative approach to designing and delivering services which provide the best outcomes for our clients, and consistently challenges the way we do things.

Pioneering the integrated approach to professional allied health care and fitness, Life Care Active promotes healthy living and helps to support quality of life, wellness and confidence among older people who are trying to keep active and maintain independence in their own homes.

The programs will also assist people recovering from injury or surgery, others with weight or balance problems or those living with arthritis or Parkinson’s disease.

Life Care Active has also received remarkable support for its programs from The City of Onkaparinga through its Every Generation program, and endorsement under COTA SA’s Strength for Life initiative.

Life Care’s ground-breaking approach to palliative care has also been widely acknowledged for its innovation and leadership. Palliative Approach: ‘The Life Care Way’ was showcased at the 12th Australian Palliative Care Conference in Canberra, where 700 delegates from across Australia and the world explored advances in palliative care.

By striking that careful balance between sensitivity and pragmatism, Life Care’s Palliative Care Program has seen the creation of specific information booklets; multi-discipline case conferencing involving the individuals in care along with their family members, doctors, nurses, personal carers, site lifestyle coordinators and chaplains; uniform end-of-life pathways; and the introduction of memorial services and booklets to celebrate the life of loved ones and provide support to other clients and families during their time of loss.

Continuing to underpin our commitment to innovation and forming meaningful partnerships, Life Care introduced its Leaders’ Luncheon Program. Key individuals from government, industry, related organisations and stakeholder groups sit down with members of the Board to discuss issues of mutual concern and the challenges facing the aged care sector.

These gatherings forge meaningful partnerships across all tiers of government, business and the aged care sector as we strive to improve service capabilities not just within Life Care but for senior Australians in general.

Life Care implemented a single 1800 phone number for all Life Care enquiries, that will help drive Life Care’s evolution from aged care provider to long-term partner in a person’s journey through their senior years.

This one number means that no matter what the need or enquiry, our staff can talk through the various Life Care options available and ensure that constant communication with that person is maintained, regardless of what service they are after or where the enquiry leads them with Life Care.

Innovation

Raelene Madden, the Project Leader of Palliative Approach: ‘The Life Care Way’, was a headline presenter at the Conference. Before the delegate clinicians, researchers, allied health practitioners, educators, carers and volunteers, she explained how Life Care has embraced a fully integrated and holistic approach in the provision of palliative care for clients and their families during this important and emotional time.

Excellence

EXCELLENCE:

“The quality of being outstanding or extremely good.”Regardless of age or degree of fraility, we all have a right to expect excellence in service, care and facilities; it is a pledge which Life Care constantly strives to achieve.

In 2013/14, this commitment led to the development and implementation of Life Care’s Every Day Master Plan.

This single document covers our entire operation, from building fabric and infrastructure, to the way we interact personally with residents, clients, staff, volunteers, family and the wider community.

You could say, it’s our blueprint for excellence, and we have received superb feedback from stakeholders who have already recognised the achievements from our uniform approach to continual improvement and development.

In addition to the seminal Master Plan, the Life Care Charter was presented with the Aged and Community Services Australia SA & NT Award of Excellence in the category of Organisation. This was a major achievement for Life Care and puts us firmly on the national stage, as we take part in the Australia wide Award. This honour was not only important for its recognition within the aged care sector, but also proved to us that we were taking the right approach and making the right commitment to our people and our clients.

Our ongoing commitment to excel was recognised when our ‘Bedtime to Breakfast’ program was recognised with a Health and Personal Care Better Practice Award from the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency, and Life Care volunteer Lorraine Eastwood who has given her time to the organisation for 30 years was honoured as a national finalist in the prestigious HESTA Aged Care Awards.

Life Care received funding for the first time from the Commonwealth Government under the Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) Program to expand our Life Care at Home services.

Life Care at Home – services we offer in people’s homes – is a cornerstone of our commitment to ‘ageing in place.’

This funding support will allow Life Care to extend and expand our Life Care at Home service in eastern and southern Adelaide, and offer more support to older people who want to maintain their independence and stay in their own homes, but need help to do so.

with people, organisations and communities to ensure older people live vibrant, healthy, independent lives in their place of choice.

We are excited to be contributing to the broader Aldinga community by providing quality meals through our partnersip with Meals on Wheels.

Our $9 million redevelopment at Aldinga Beach Court was officially opened by His Excellency The Governor of South Australia, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, and his wife Mrs Scarce in July.

It was a wonderful occasion to celebrate a new era in residential living. Working closely with a range of creative partners, the outcome was outstanding. These partners were all committed to not only meeting the brief before them, but to exceed it on a number of levels. Their care in

understanding the need for incorporating key elements in our dementia care house was exceptional. The passion from our staff to ensure that the new home for these clients was so much more than bricks and mortar was impressive.

The outcome is a stunning new home for dementia clients, that offers sun filled rooms, bright outdoor spaces, communal living and eating areas, and a sense of excitement about the future of residential aged care in South Australia.

Excellence

This endorsement of our Life Care at Home service further strengthens our resolve to continue developing from a traditional, aged care organisation to adopting a partnership approach, where we work closely with members in the community to keep them well, healthy, socially connected and to lead a more enjoyable and fulfilling life by offering support when and where they need it.

We want Life Care to be part of everyday communities and expanding our Life Care at Home services allows us to do that. It means we offer flexible, relevant and appropriate services to people in their homes, allowing them to stay at home longer and remain connected to their local communities. This is an integral element of our vision for the future of aged care in South Australia. Partnering

Teamwork

TEAMWORK:

“The process of working collaboratively with a group of people in order to achieve a goal. Teamwork is a crucial part of business…”

The difference between success and failure is a great team. Life Care has a team of passionate, experienced and skilled staff and we invest in our team through workshops, professional development, review and assessment, as we know the more support and investment we make in our people, the more rewarding their role will be, and this flows on to our clients.

No organisation can expect to function smoothly in the absence of teamwork. At Life Care, it’s something we value, as staff, volunteers, clients, Board members, families and the wider community work together in diverse ways to make sure we make the most out of every opportunity for the people in our care.

As part of its unique partnership with the Adelaide Football Club, the August 2013 Showdown Prelude was once again hosted at Life Care’s Parkrose Village, which included the official press conference between rival coaches Brenton Sanderson from the Adelaide Crows, and Port Power’s Ken Hinkley. Life Care clients were treated to a lunch with Crows great Mark Bickley, who, in an open interview with Life Care CEO Allen Candy, offered some rare insights into what it means to be part of a high profile national sporting team.

Crows Ambassador and sporting identity Darren Jarmen was a welcome guest at Glenrose Court, Reynella Lodge, Aldinga Beach Court and Roselin Court as Life Care and the Adelaide Football Club continue to work together to maintain strong community connections and engagement.

Amongst other visitors to Life Care in 2013/14 were students from Antonio Primary School who visited Reynella Lodge to help take part in singing and craft workshops; Tenpin SA’s coach, Hamish Modra, called into Glenrose Court to launch the ‘Young at Heart’ program, which encourages physical activity as part of overall wellbeing; and the Delta Society Therapy Dogs’ regular Friday afternoon visits to Reynella Lodge continue to be a favourite with people and pooches alike.

The last year saw a number of inspiring firsts, as clients, staff and volunteers joined together to create new opportunities and initiatives – both in-house and within the wider community.

At Norman House, the ‘Side by Side’ group – clients who share the challenges of younger onset dementia – worked with City of Unley to refresh the garden area alongside the nearby tramline and create an enjoyable botanic space for commuters, walkers, cyclists and local residents. This project was particularly important in raising awareness of dementia amongst the community, and provide a rewarding endeavour for members of ‘Side by Side’.

Norman House also saw the establishment of a walking group in collaboration with the Heart Foundation; a new water-based health and fitness course at the Unley Pool, in conjunction with the local branch of Alzheimer’s Australia; and the creation of a clients’ choir together with Parkrose Village.

Teamwork

Reynella Lodge’s weekly cooking group, ‘The Stirrers‘ published ‘The Golden Oldies’ cook book, to share and hand down favourite recipes whilst raising funds for new clients’ iPads. Reynella, together with Parkrose Village also hosted an Intergenerational Day, which brought together clients and families from across the Life Care communities as well as Crows players Sam Kerridge, Andy Otten and Lewis Johnston.

Community involvement continued to be a major part of life amongst clients, and saw the craft group members at Aldinga Beach Court create a Christmas tree as part of the celebrations at the Willunga Christmas Tree Festival; and the ‘Knit and Natter’ group at Roselin Court knitted colourful

comfort blankets for children at The Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Similarly, representatives from Reynella Lodge, Norman House and Aldinga Beach Court took part in the 4km Walk to D-Feet – a fundraising event for Motor Neurone Disease Association of SA.

More casual community involvement was also encouraged, and regularly saw Glenrose Court clients visit their nearby Burnside Village Shopping Centre.

As an organisation, Life Care was also actively involved in promoting personal and staff development through teamwork and collaboration. In 2013/14 we launched the Life Care Volunteer Induction Booklet ”Volunteering –

Working Together ‘The Life Care Way’’ to help those who give their time to assist us. Without our valuable team of volunteers, we would not be able to provide the quality service and care that we strive to deliver each day, and together we celebrated our largest ever Life Care Volunteers Day at the Adelaide Pavilion in May.

The health professionals at Life Care Active introduced the ‘Stay Strong Men’ initiative – a valuable and specialised exercise program designed to help men living with prostate cancer.

Our teamwork was also on show as the Life Care Lasers basketball team took home the grand final trophy at Wayville, cheered on by members of the Parkrose Village community.

Of course, it is our dedicated staff who form the backbone of our team, and as an organisation, it is our responsibility to support each employee’s personal and professional development. ‘The Life Care Way’ introduced a series of workshops for all staff members to cover the enormous range of responsibilities and expectations that are intrinsic to each role.

Finally, in the true spirit of teamwork, Life Care once again recognised excellence in care and service through its Staff Awards. These were presented at a gala function at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, and honoured those individuals and teams that went above and beyond in their field to deliver the exceptional service quality that underpins ‘The Life Care Way’.

STAFF AWARDS

‘The Life Care Way’ Award Antonietta Lorenzutti Life Care Active

Customer Service Excellence Award Jackie Molloy Glenrose Court

Innovation Award Helen Cogzell Aldinga Beach Court

Leadership Award Sharon Richardson Parkrose Village

TEAM AWARDS

Lifestyle & Hotel Services Team Parkrose Village

‘Live Every Day’ Lifestyle Team Roselin Court

ABC Building Team Aldinga Beach Court

Norman House Team Norman House

Kitchen Team Glenrose Court

Reynella’s Got Talent Team Reynella LodgeTeamwork

Teamwork

Life Care Board

L > R

TOP: JOHN STOCK OAM DAVID DUNCAN DAVID SCHWAB

MALCOLM MAY ALLEN CANDY

JOHN OLSON REBECCA HALKETT GREG MAY

GRAEME MURLEY ANNE LAWSON

BOTTOM: JO PODOLIAK ALAN YOUNG

HIS EXCELLENCY, REAR ADMIRAL KEVIN SCARCE, THE GOVENOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AND MRS LIZ SCARCE REVEAL COMMISSIONED SCULPTURE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE REDEVELOPED ALDINGA BEACH COURT WITH CHAIR, JOHN STOCK OAM AND CEO ALLEN CANDY

BOARD MEMBERS PROVIDING THEIR SUPPORT TO LIFE CARE’S VOLUNTEERS AND EVENTS

2013-14 Highlights

A wonderful event to celebrate Volunteers Day, with Mrs Liz Scarce, wife of the Governor of South Australia, who spent an afternoon with our volunteers and staff - it was a great way to thank our volunteers for the wonderful work they do.

Our annual Staff Awards night was a fantastic night and a great way to thank and acknowledge all of our staff, but also to award those staff who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional service to our clients.

Our ‘out and about’ activities continue to be a big hit, as our clients get to go out shopping, visiting libraries, museums and attend a range of events and activities.

We also held an Intergenerational Day with the Adelaide Football Club, where grandchildren, parents and grandparents got to meet some Crows players, kick the ball around, get some autographs and enjoy lunch together!

Our regular Happy Hours are always popular, and there are always songs to be sung and a few drinks to share!

Throughout the year, Life Care staff organise a wonderful array of activities for clients, volunteers and staff, which are always a highlight on the calendar, which included:

Multicultural Day was a colourful and spectacular way to share and learn about different cultures. Not only did everyone dress up, but they also enjoyed some culinary delights from around the world!

We launched new services at Life Care Active, including a dedicated Pilates studio, using both equipment and mats, which have been very popular, and are a great addition to our other Life Care Active services.

Sustainable >

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

Our financial results are important.

Having a strong financial platform is essential for Life Care so that we can adequately fund our day-to-day activities and make appropriate investments in expanding and improving our facilities and services both now, and in the future.

The following summarises the financial aspect of our commitment to delivering ‘Live Every Day’ through excellence in service delivery and of strengthening our future capacity to deliver relevant services in the future.

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

The 2013-14 financial results are evidence of Life Care’s ongoing prudent and responsible financial management that underpins our pursuit of ‘Live Every Day’ through service innovation and excellence.

The key highlights for 2013/14 include:

> Revenue increased by 4.6% to $38.9m;

> The operating surplus of $2.267m was achieved with a continued strong focus on operational efficiency (all of which is reinvested within our operations);

> During the financial year capital expenditure totalled $12m representing the expansion of Aldinga Beach Court, the acquisition of land adjacent to Roselin Court and the ongoing refurbishment of both our residential and independent living assets;

> Net assets increased by $4.297m (5.6%) for the financial year and total assets grew $14.146m to $179.17m an increase of 8.6%

OUR SERVICES

Residential Aged Care continues to be Life Care’s largest service with revenue increasing by $1.208m (4.2%) to $32.834m.

Revenue generated by Community Programs increased by $282k (8.8%) to $3.473m, on the back of expanded operations within both Life Care Active and Life Care at Home.

Revenue growth is expected to increase in the 2014/15 financial year with the commission of the last 22 beds at Aldinga Beach Court and anticipated growth in Life Care Active and Life Care at Home.

GOING FORWARD

Life Care will continue to grow its services in order to develop a continuum of services designed to meet the diverse needs of an ageing community and meet our philosophy of ‘Live Every Day’.

Prudent financial management will remain an essential and key focus within all our decision making as we seek to expand and develop new services.

Growth in 2014/15 and beyond will be achieved through:

> Targeted acquisitions;

> Redevelopment and expansion of existing assets;

> Broadening of services and the development of new service offerings;

> Tendering for new services.

Sustainable >

Already significant planning has been undertaken into the redevelopment of Roselin Court and Beulah Road property.

ASSETS

Property 79%

Plant and Equipment 2%

Cash 5%

Investments 13%

Other 1%

Total $179,170, 494

EXPENSES

Staffing costs 74%

Domestic costs 7%

Property costs 7%

Depreciation 5%

Other 7%

Total $36,673,011

LIABILITIES

Bank loans 15%

Provisions 3%

Trade and other payables 3%

Resident occupancy rights 79%

Total $97,804,178

REVENUES

Government contributions 65%

Retentions 3%

Interest and dividends 6%

Resident contributions 24%

Other 2%

Total $38,940,895

THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF AGED CARE…

An annual report is a time to reflect and look back over the past 12 months, but it is also an opportunity to look forward.

Over the last decade the broader community has become increasingly aware of the challenges faced by our rapidly ageing society. As the population is getting older and more diverse much of the public discourse has focused on the policy challenges of a burgeoning healthcare budget and shrinking tax base.

Australia has one of the fastest growing ageing populations and as a result the nature of aged care in this country has changed and will continue to change well into the future.

This change is being driven by both the number of seniors, with the number of those aged over 85 expecting to increase four fold by 2047, and the fact that the level of long term illness and disability increases significantly for those over 65.

While Life Care truly believes that ageing is not a disability or a policy problem to be solved, rather it is a natural part of life that should be celebrated, Government has a role to play in providing both consumers and the sector with a sense of direction and clarity for the future.

Accordingly, Life Care supports the latest installment of Federal Government reforms which took effect on 1 July this year. The reforms are the start of a process which will significantly change the way aged care operates well into the future.

These reforms are designed to move the aged care sector forward, offering greater transparency, easier access to a broader, richer range of services, ensuring they are meaningful, relevant and priced correctly now, and in the future.

Life Care welcomes this direction from the Government as we believe that by being more flexible and offering more choice, we are able to deliver on our promise to ‘Live Every Day’.

We have worked diligently over the past 12 months, on our systems, processes and approach to the design and delivery of our services. This includes reviewing our pricing, especially in residential living and the introduction of Consumer Directed Care – where our customers now have more say in selecting the type of service they need to add value to their lives within their own home.

>Future

Through our recently completed Master Plan, Life Care recognises that modern contemporary facilities are essential. Yet it is through the capacity, passion and ability of our people to deliver the services that are needed, either in peoples’ own homes or in one of our facilities, that will ensure our long-term success as an aged care organisation.

Last year, Life Care developed it’s 5 Guiding Principles and incorporated these into every aspect of our service delivery model. Taking this approach has allowed us to enhance and enrich the lives of our clients, whatever level of care and service they receive from us, to again reinforce our passion to ‘Live Every Day’.

Increasingly, the challenge for the aged care sector is not just to provide care – it is to engage with people to ensure a greater quality of life. Life Care is committed to this approach which already aligns with our mission to partner with people to help them to embrace life.

We have responded to and anticipated the changes within our sector. We welcome them and look forward to growing and evolving our service delivery model to always ensure our focus is on delivering quality outcomes which reflect our Values and remain true to our commitment to ‘Live Every Day’.

Allen Candy

Chief Executive Officer

Life Care Active Life Care at Home Respite Independent Living Residential Living