Council's Jazz Lifts Spirits in Aged Care

Not-for-profit aged care and allied health provider Benetas welcomed Bendigo Council’s gift of jazz this week for its 50 residents to help celebrate the festive season.

Benetas St Laurence Court Residential Manager, Vikki Ough, said it was a well anticipated event by residents and the team alike as a way to lift spirits following an exceptionally taxing year for all in aged care.

“So many of our residents just love music, with a number of talented musicians among us who provided excellent entertainment and music throughout the lock-down.   

“We couldn’t be more grateful for the support that we’ve received from the Bendigo Council and other community groups throughout this year.

The four piece Jazz Band 70+4 performed with residents and aged care workers taking to the dance floor with some foot tapping classics.

Throughout the two waves, Benetas’ allied health, home care and residential aged care teams worked tirelessly to deliver essential services to older people across regional Victoria, including two homes in Bendigo, one in Gisborne, and a wide range of home care services throughout the state.

It’s without a doubt that this entire year has put our residents, their families and our team through a great deal of change and pressure, said Vikki Ough.

“Whether it’s been adapting to the fast evolving public health directives, new infection prevention and control measures, or going above and beyond to support residents to connect with their loved ones, we’ve really witnessed our team and community work under exceptional pressure to provide care to those most at risk.

“As a longstanding Registered Nurse at Benetas’ St Laurence Court Eaglehawk and now as the Residential Manager, I can tell you the strength that our residents displayed throughout this time reminded us of the resilience we have at all ages.

“I also saw the team come together to support one another in ways that I would never had expected. These are the things we’re celebrating this Christmas, working to remind the team, the residents and their loved ones of the remarkable care and resilience they showed this year.”

Find out more about Benetas.