How Apollo Care has helped Alexandra Gardens evolve and thrive

2023: Alexandra Gardens’ Year in Review

Our care:

• Overall Aged Care Star Rating up from 3 to 4 stars with 81% of residents rating their quality of life at Alexandra Gardens as ‘Excellent’
• Awarded highest possible accreditation by the Australian Government’s Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
• Staff rosters optimised to ensure every resident receives more time with Nurses and Carers

Our team:

• Work Rite culture program reported a 30% increase in staff wellbeing, achievement, connection and performance
• Permanent staff numbers have increased, reducing our need for temporary staff
• Clinical placements for CQU Bachelor of Nursing students have been reinstated

Our community:

• We partnered with The Shelter Collective to provide 10 refurbished cottages to local women in need of safe, affordable housing, along with

All of these achievements mean we have been able to welcome more locals, and our community has become an even better place to live and work.

Barbara is an active and vibrant member of our community, who loves keeping busy with her sewing.

What do you like about living at Alexandra Gardens?

I like the smaller house environment. In just a few months, I’ve been able to form some lovely friendships with other residents who I think of as neighbours. We come together in our own lounge room and eat meals in our own dining room. It’s much more personal – much more like home.

What things do you like to do here?

Sewing has always been my passion. I have my sewing machine and supplies in my room, and always have a project on the go. The staff are so helpful and friendly. They help me attend my weekly sewing group in Rocky, and they’re really interested in my quilting.

What’s your favourite part of the Lifestyle Program?

I do morning exercises, join in the music activities and concerts, and I was part of the fashion show recently which was so much fun! I’ve been on some great outings around the local area, too.

How would you sum up your life at Alexandra Gardens? 

I love everything about it, especially the social aspect. I enjoy the company immensely. I also like the meals, being able to welcome family and friends, and keeping connected to the wider community. I’m very busy, and very fulfilled.

At PresCare Alexandra Gardens, we love supporting residents to continue to live their way, with grace and dignity. 

To find out more about our community, please contact our friendly team by calling (07) 4999 3000 or emailing infoAG@prescare.org.au

Alexandra Gardens has introduced CareKeeper, an initiative that equips every care worker with a mobile device that enhances the delivery of care to residents.

The innovation, developed by Telstra Health, allows every Nurse and Carer on every shift to access important information about each resident’s care needs, including clinical information and lifestyle choices and preferences, on a mobile device in real time. Staff are able to quickly view, action and record care information or tasks while being at the resident’s side.

Each resident’s individual preferences, such as choice of daily routine or favourite activities, are also accessible giving staff more opportunities to engage meaningfully with residents to provide a truly holistic care experience. Staff are excited about the rollout of the technology saying

it reduces paperwork and time spent at nurse’s stations.

CareKeeper is part of Apollo Care’s overall strategy to deliver efficiency, faster response times to resident calls and enhanced team collaboration.

To find out more about Alexandra Gardens, call our friendly admissions team on (07) 4999 3000.

Our Lifestyle Team comprises Trish, Cassie and Tracy, who work closely with Pastoral Care Officer, Neil, to design and deliver an inclusive and meaningful Lifestyle Program.

What do you think makes Alexandra Garden’s Program so exceptional?

We think outside the box to come up with different and more creative ideas that enhance residents’ wellbeing. For example, we use our outside spaces as much as possible so residents can enjoy socialising in nature. We work closely with the Catering Team to tie food into activities which is always fun, and we incorporate a wide range of interesting locations to visit, as well as incursions. Something so simple as asking the local pet shop to bring puppies or baby chicks in for some cuddles spreads so much joy.

You include opportunities for inter-generational connections. Why is this important?

Residents just adore being around the children from the local kindies or primary schools, but we think the kids get just as much out of the visits! The conversations between them are beautiful and there’s a lot of mutual respect. We’ve even started a Pen Pal program with some Year 4 students and the residents really look forward to their letters.

Why do you love being part of the Lifestyle Team?

This job is so worthwhile! Every single day, we see the smiles on residents’ faces as they enjoy an activity or outing we’ve planned and that’s very rewarding. We make a difference every day and that’s pretty special.

To find out more about our community, please contact our friendly team by calling (07) 4999 3000 or emailing infoAG@prescare.org.au

Residents from our Dementia Support Household enjoy weekly bus outings into the community.

This has become a very popular activity and we’ve visited a range of locations, including the beach for fish & chips, Gracemere, The Caves, the Fitzroy River, Ski Garden, Mt Morgan and the Botanical Gardens.

These trips spark many memories and opportunities for reminiscing and conversation. It’s wonderful to see the enjoyment on the residents’ faces, and hear them talk about the local area they grew up in.

To find out more about our community, please contact our friendly team by calling (07) 4999 3000 or emailing infoAG@prescare.org.au