IRT Employees Honoured for Excellence in Age Services

IRT Group employees were announced winners at this week’s NSW/ACT Leading Age Services Australia’s (LASA) Excellence in Age Services Awards. 

Taking out the top honour in the Team category employees from three Sydney-based IRT aged care centres were recognised for their excellent and innovative provision of care and services to older Australians.

IRT Group CEO, Patrick Reid said the award is testament to all the hard work, love and passion the team pours into looking after older Australians.

Employees from IRT Berala on the Park, IRT Macarthur and IRT Peakhurst Aged Care Centres adopted a Namaste Program that supports residents with severe and end-stage dementia or those residents who cannot engage in traditional activities.

Namaste is a sensory-based program focused on providing meaningful activity and comfort on a one-to-one basis. Through the thoughtful application of activities across the five senses – touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing – the employees focus on improving residents’ comfort and pleasure.

“I am very proud of everyone for making the Namaste Program a reality,” Mr Reid said.

“Our Sydney Namaste team has really embraced the program since its launch in September 2018. Everyone has shown a high level of commitment to delivering this program and sharing Namaste’s benefits and therapeutic outcomes with residents and their families.”

Luke Brown, 28, a psychologist across IRT’s six Illawarra aged care centres was also recognised as a finalist in the Rising Star category. Rising Star is a new category in 2019 and recognises an individual with less than five years industry experience who has made an outstanding contribution to age services.

Mr Reid said few aged care providers employ psychologists and that Luke is breaking ground in his work with IRT.

Luke supports residents with a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, paranoia and personality disorders, as well as residents living with dementia. He also supports family members struggling with placing a loved one into care or dealing with their physical or cognitive decline.

“In his role Luke has delivered significant benefits to our residents, their families and our employees and we’re proud of his achievements. His passion, dedication and empathy are evident throughout his work and it’s lovely to see this recognised publicly,” Mr Reid said.

The Namaste Program team will now progress to the national awards to be presented at LASA’s National Congress on 27-29 October.

Find out more about IRT Group.