Fronditha Care Says Thank You to its Brave Staff

Fronditha Care is thanking its brave superhero workforce as it celebrates Aged Care Employee Day on Friday 7 August, 2020. 

The not-for-profit aged care provider, which specialises in the care of linguistically diverse elderly Australians, has chosen to shine a light on its quiet achievers over this pandemic period.

The eight employees and teams chosen come from across its residential care homes and its community services and are frontline staff who have shown dedication and leadership during a highly volatile COVID-19 period.

Like nurse Eleni Tsaousis, who was one of the first to volunteer to test our residents who showed apparent COVID-19 symptoms (thankfully none were positive).

“She donned the PPE and was in there without fear,” her colleague Elena Bendrycheva RN said.

Or Peter Egan-Lee, a PCW who mans the visitor reception at Fronditha Care’s HIPPOCRATES (Newcastle) facility.

“I want to provide reassurance and laughter during these hard times,” he says.

“I want every visitor leaving the facility with the feeling that staff and management are doing everything to keep us all safe and happy. 

Aside from individual excellence, the whole team at the THALPORI (St Albans) care facility were singled out after going into full lockdown after a staff member and resident tested positive.

“I have an amazing team and I thank them wholeheartedly,” THALPORI Residential Manager Sue Donaldson says.

“Our staff have shown great bravery and leadership following a positive staff and resident COVID-19 case at one of our facilities. They have donned their PPE armour every day and gone in to help our most vulnerable.”
It has been a challenging period for all at Fronditha Care, its CEO Michael Malakonas says.

“I can’t express how demanding this time has been for all of our staff and the family members of the ones we care for. It is a precarious time and our staff have shown great agility and resilience. Caring for the most vulnerable group, they have been working with heightened vigilance since the pandemic was declared in February this year; yet despite the challenges we are all facing, they continue to love, care and support our elders daily,” he said.

“But I am beyond thankful to our brave staff who have become warriors against this invisible enemy.

“They truly are heroes.”

Aged Care Employee Day is a national day to say thank you to more than 365,000 dedicated people who care for and support around 1.3 million older Australians who receive care services each year.

The day is designed to celebrate the individuals involved in the journey of caring for older Australians. From the nurses and care workers, to the cooks and hospitality teams, to the drivers, cleaners and laundry employees, to the volunteers, to the leisure and lifestyle officers and administration teams – this day is to recognise the entire workforce.

Find out more about Fronditha Care.