Retirement village receives better practice award

A local retirement village has received a national Better Practice award at the 2013 Better Practice Conference held in Sydney on Thursday, July 25.

Peninsula Village staff were presented with the award in the category of Resident Lifestyle for a scrapbooking project that was worked on by both Peninsula Village residents and Brisbane Water Secondary College students.

The scrapbooking project involved residents working with the local students to scrapbook using photographs of their new home being built.

"The scrapbooking project provided a focal point for both the students and the residents, to commence their relationship," said Peninsula Village executive assistant Ms Lisa Dalton.

"This overcame the initial awkwardness and provided a path for communication.

"The purpose of the scrapbooking project was to provide a vehicle to assist residents to connect and feel at home in their new surroundings.

"Moving home is recognised as one of the most stressful events in anyone's life.

"Moving into care is not just about location change with all that that involves; it is also about a social change.

"By participating in the scrapbooking project residents were able to identify themselves to their new acquaintances and to learn something about them in return, thus giving a greater sensation of equal belonging," said Ms Dalton.

Media release, 8 Aug 2013

Lisa Dalton, Peninsula Village