Daryl and Val enjoy lunch every week at Alexandra Gardens 

We love supporting residents to stay connected with their loved ones.

Val has been a part of the Alexandra Gardens’ family since her Mother became a resident in 2017. Not long after she passed away, Val’s husband, Daryl, moved to this community requiring specialist dementia support. A frequent visitor for six years, Val also volunteers now.

What do you think makes Alexandra Gardens so special?

It’s a lovely, welcoming community and the staff are just beautiful. I love them all! They are responsive, they communicate with me and keep me updated, but most importantly, they are all so kind.

What do you like to do when you visit?

Sometimes we sit in Daryl’s private suite and talk, or we walk around the garden. I join him on the bus outings around the local area, or I take him out for drives in my car. Every Thursday, we have an alfresco lunch date in the garden with a glass of wine. It’s a lovely tradition for us and the staff are so accommodating.

Do you think Daryl feels at home at Alexandra Gardens?

He really does. The specialist dementia care he receives is excellent and the compassion and respect he’s shown is amazing. He is in the best hands – this community is a step above. From the way the Manager Sandra is so approachable, to how the Lifestyle Team incorporates dementia-specific activities, and how well he is cared for by the Nurses and Carers – I can’t fault it.

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

Qualifying as a Registered Nurse in Fiji, Lata spent time in New Zealand before moving to Australia in 2006. Her extensive clinical experience spans a broad range of specialties from midwifery to emergency care and intensive care nursing, through to aged care nursing.

As our new Care Manager, Lata is introducing positive initiatives to Alexandra Gardens, including an after-hours GP service and a mobile, bulk-billed eye-care clinic.

What do you love most about your role as Care Manager?

I love every day! It’s a big change from hospital nursing, but the best part is that I’m able to provide continuous care for residents and support their families as well. I’m there for a family’s aged care journey, and that’s very satisfying because I get to know them so well.

How would you describe Alexandra Gardens?

The smaller house design, the access to outdoor spaces, the way visitors are welcome any time – it all feels like home. Residents are treated with absolute dignity and respect and supported to remain as independent as possible. This is a wonderful community to be part of.

How do you work together as a team to put residents first?

Everyone’s input is valued and we have mutual trust for each other. Sandra is an amazing role model and she supports all of us greatly. We all work cohesively with the same goal – to make a positive difference to residents.

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

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