The UCH story – 1949 - 2009
Transcript of The UCH story – 1949 - 2009
4 UCH Committed to caring since 1949 5
Message from Lindsay WolfeContents
Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
I am extremely privileged to be associated with Uniting Church Homes during the year we celebrate 60 years of providing quality aged care across the state of Western Australia.
From a small beginning in 1949, the range of services and the number of people connected with UCH has increased significantly. Today over 1,300 staff provide care and support to more than 3,500 people residing in our facilities and also in their own homes. A small acorn has become a living and growing oak tree.
In providing this care, we are always conscious of our mission statement to journey in a Christian environment with people who require care and support services. Our core values of welcome, respect, compassion and hope are central to who we are and what we do. We are extremely proud of the contribution of our staff in ensuring that our vision of providing a good life to all our people continues to be maintained.
While our efforts during the past 60 years are the
focus for our celebrations during 2009, it is clear that
the demographics of the Australian population will
result in an almost rampant acceleration of demand
for aged care over the next 20 years, particularly for
care in private homes. The work to meet this demand
by UCH is already well advanced and plans to expand
our services are central to our strategic planning. In
undertaking this expansion of services to the aged
population, our commitment of providing quality care to
our new residents and clients will remain a top priority.
The Board and staff of UCH are committed to the
future but all of us will enjoy celebrating 60 years of
achievement this year. It is a track record of which all
those associated with UCH during this period can be
extremely proud.
Lindsay Wolfe, Chair, Uniting Church Homes
October 2009.
Message from Lindsay Wolfe
The UCH story 1949 – 2009
Recognising UCH’s roots
The first UCH site
UCH – caring for West Australians since 1949
A team of dedicated staff
Importance of volunteers to UCH
Celebrating 60 years… and acknowledging the
people who have supported us on our journey
Aged care today
Looking to the future
Message from Vaughan Harding
5
6
8
10
13
15
17
18
20
23
25
6 UCH Committed to caring since 1949 7Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
The UCH story 1949 – 2009
The history of what is today Uniting Church Homes is as unique as it is interesting.
In 1949 Hardey Lodge was opened in Mount Lawley.
This was described as a ‘home for aged women’ and
had been converted from a property originally provided
by Miss Sarah Hardey, which first opened its doors as
a home for ‘wayward women’ in the early 1900s.
This, in effect, was the very first UCH aged care facility
and the first era for what would become UCH. It was
a time when both church-wide and individual parish
activity responded to the needs of the community –
and in effect paved the way for aged care.
So, when the Uniting Church in Australia was formed
in 1977, the new organisation inherited the aged
care activity which had been developed in numerous
separate operations. Each operation had its own
volunteer management committee and, to complicate
things further, each appointed their own administrator
or director of nursing – and some even had both.
To better manage and oversee the aged care activity
which was already up and running, the church created
an Aged Persons Homes Board. This was resourced
with an executive director and an assistant. However,
those early days remained challenging in terms of
planning, systems, communication, and also the
streamlining of many different services.
During the 1980s, the Federal government started to look
ahead to the needs of the Australian community and the
ageing population, and found that the range of service
models and the formal structures needed to change.
Soon after, it became increasingly difficult for small
‘stand alone’ facilities to keep pace with the changes to
rules and regulations laid down by government.
As a result, towards the end of the 1980’s the Uniting
Church came to a view that its structure was no
longer appropriate to meet the changing needs of the
community and the emerging regulatory framework.
At the meeting of the Uniting Church WA Synod in
1992, it was resolved that the 10 separate operations
would become one, and that the name of the
consolidated agency would be Uniting Church Homes.
The new entity would have one board which was
accountable to the church, through the Synod, and that
board would appoint a chief executive.
Fast-forward to December 1999 and Uniting Church
Homes became a body corporate. This final incarnation
effectively means that UCH has undergone three eras
since the days of Hardey Lodge: the era before union,
the period after union when there were the district
operations, and the time post 1992, when Uniting
Church Homes was formed.
Today, 60 years after Hardey Lodge opened its doors,
UCH is one of Perth’s largest aged care service
providers. However, our organisation remains a
charitable organisation and one that continues to
deliver high quality services in residential facilities and
in peoples’ homes across the state.
We look forward to the next 60 years and remain as
committed as ever to serving the West Australian
community and, with the assistance of our dedicated
staff and volunteers, to enabling individuals to maintain
full and independent lives.
8 UCH Committed to caring since 1949 9Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
The UCH story initially began within the Methodist Church.
The three denominations which formed the Uniting Church in Australia during 1977 were the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian churches. And research tells us that each had a long history of initiatives, taken at local and state levels, in providing care for aged people.
Hardey Lodge, which was opened in 1949, in addition to Rowethorpe – the largest of the present UCH facilities – which was opened in 1961, and also Subiaco Memorial Hospital which opened it’s doors in 1965, were the first facilities to be initiated by the Methodist Church.
And in 1943, the Presbyterian Assembly opened a fund for the establishment of homes for the aged. Each year the Assembly reported on the funds which had been accumulated, as well as the number of properties inspected.
As a result, in May 1952 the first property was purchased and was officially dedicated to caring for older people later that year. This property was to be known as Braemar and, at the time of church union, the facility remained under the operation of the Continuing Presbyterian Church.
Furthermore Bethshan in Katanning and St David’s in Mount Lawley both opened in 1955 as Presbyterian sites and became facilities of the Uniting Church. For many years the people of the Katanning district had felt the need to establish a home for the elderly and the Silver Chain Committee had organised many fundraisers for the purpose. However, they continued to need more public support.
Eventually the Rev Jack Hutchinson called a public meeting on 26 August 1954 where this matter was thoroughly discussed. The Presbyterian Church of WA agreed to accept the sponsorship of the project and to be its guarantors. Consequently, by September 1955
a property had been purchased and was ready for occupation. It was officially opened on 14 October 1955.
Similarly, St David’s was purchased by the Presbyterian Church in 1955 at the instigation of ‘that progressive and indomitable James Guthrie Thrum’ and was subsequently converted to a home for aged people. The property was first built and occupied as a palatial home for a businessman, with servants and horse drawn carriages, prior to it becoming a maternity hospital some years later. However, alterations and renovations converted the property to a hostel with 26 beds which was opened on 17 December 1955.
In the early 1950s the Congregational Union also began to raise funds to provide a home for elderly people who needed a little supervision and no longer wished to live alone. In his autobiography the Rev John Bryant relates some of the stories of fundraising and the securing of an option on ‘a fine old home at East Fremantle’. During this time, it is recorded that
he personally approached well known people with
a connection to Congregationalism for substantial
donations. He also targeted the farming community.
As a result, Pilgrim House was opened (free of debt
we are told) on 6 October 1956.
Subsequently, Pilgrim House was the prelude to the
creation of Elimatta – ‘a colony for senior citizens’. The
first sod was turned in the creation of Elimatta in 1963.
The rest, as they say, is history. Archive material
records that, as needs were identified and funds made
available, different types of facilities were developed
by each of the denominations. As a result these
various initiatives form the basis for the variety of care
now provided by UCH.
Recognising UCH’s roots
10 UCH Committed to caring since 1949 11Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
Hardey Lodge – A home for aged ladiesWith redecoration and refurbishment, twelve aged women were able to move into Hardey lodge in 1949. This was reported to be:
“A most comfortable home... Matron Rickards saw that they were well fed and well cared for and the contributions of the residents met the cost of the upkeep of the Home.”
In 1950, Sister Florence (a Sister of the People associated with the Central Methodist Mission) wrote the following about Hardey Lodge:
“One aspect of Mission work which is ever present and ever urgent is that of old age with its pitiable helplessness and dependence. This problem, in post war years, has become considerably aggravated by the lack of accommodation which is everywhere badly felt.”
“So 12 months ago, Hardey Lodge was opened and put at the disposal of old ladies who were most in need of it, and a very good purpose it is serving too. But, as the number that can be accommodated there is very limited, it stands to reason that the situation is still very acute and pressing... this is a dreadful thing and one that concerns the Mission greatly. Some of these old ladies are in a desperate plight and when we remember that some of them must surely have been pioneers when the country was a lot younger, we should experience no lack of sympathy or desire to help.”
Good news followed however, in the early 1950s. The Rev. Ralph Sutton, who succeeded Mr Green as Superintendent in 1953, felt as committed to aged care as his predecessor. With meticulous care, Hardey Lodge was further extended to provide accommodation for 41 residents under his stewardship.
The new Hardey Lodge, with its hospital annexe, set a new standard in small homes for the aged in Western Australia, and the residents were able to live in what was termed ‘a warm, natural and normal atmosphere’.
In the 1940s and due to the ravages of WW II, it became apparent that there was an urgent need in Perth and the surrounding area for accommodation for ageing women.
This great need was documented by the Rev. Joseph Green, Superintendent of the Central Methodist Mission, who wrote in May 1946:
“The most urgent need is a Home for aged women, and we are determined to establish such this year. Naturally the cost will be great and the purpose of our Mission anniversary is to bring before the notice of our people both the work we are doing and our plans for the future; the financial objective is at least 100 pounds towards the cost of establishing the Home for Aged Women.”
Whether Mr Green received his hundred pounds or not, we’re not told. However, three and a half years later Hardey Lodge was officially opened by Dr J S Battye, State Librarian and noted historian. The date was 17 November 1949.
Origins of Hardey LodgeIn 1917 Miss Sarah Hardey donated to the Methodist Church a house in Mt Lawley which was first used for girls in difficulty.
Research revealed that Sarah Hardey was the fifth of Joseph Hardey’s six daughters, and was born on 2 August 1837. Joseph had arrived in the Swan River Colony in 1830 with his brother John and their wives. They sailed into Perth aboard The Tranby and came prepared to set up a farming enterprise. Initially the Hardey brothers were granted land on the Maylands Peninsula where Tranby House now stands.
Little is known of Sarah Hardey, other than that she devoted herself to the life of the church. In 1908 she helped to establish Methodist Ladies College and then the home for girls which was to become known as Hardey Lodge.
The first UCH site
12 UCH Committed to caring since 1949 13Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
November 1949
Opening of Hardey
Lodge
14 October
1955 Opening of Bethshan
17 December
1955Opening of St David’s
16 October
1956 Opening of Pilgrim
14 October
1961 Opening of Rowethorpe
27 November
1965 Opening
of Subiaco Memorial Hospital
April 1968
Opening of Elimatta
(which began in 1963)
9 October
1971 Opening
of Chrystal Halliday
21 September
1975 Opening of
Fraser House
March 1976
Opening of Euroka
May 1976 Opening of Mayflower
16 May 1982
Opening of Riverslea
3 December
1983 Opening
of Chyrstal Gardens
4 October
1986 Opening of
Hillcrest
16 November
1986 Opening of Bethavon
1 May 1993
Opening of RoseMount
29 June 1996
Opening of John Bryant
28 January
1999 Opening of St Andrew’s
23 November
2000 Opening of
Ella Williams
29 November
2001 Opening of Sarah Hardey
26 August 2005
Acquisition of The
Residency
UCH – caring for West Australians since 1949
Nursing Home name change is celebratedOn the 159th anniversary of the birth of Sarah Hardey,
staff and residents of Hardey Lodge gathered to
celebrate her life and work, and to launch the new
name of the nursing home. The home was re-named
Sarah Hardey Nursing Home. According to UCH’s
newsletter on 21 August 1996:
“The staff were elegantly attired in the period
costumes of Sarah Hardey’s day and, following a brief
formal gathering, they waited upon their residents and
invited guests, serving tea and coffee and a wonderful
assortment of tasty sandwiches, cakes and slices.
“The Director of Nursing, Marcelle Meyer spoke at
the launch event, and students from Wesley College
entertained the gathering with music on the oboe,
trumpet, violin and piano.”
The extended facility was officially opened by the Governor, Sir Charles Gairdner, on 17 October 1959, in the presence of nearly 2,000 people.
In the years that followed, Hardey Lodge became known as Sarah Hardey Lodge and continued to provide care for elderly people, under the management of the Central Methodist Mission and then Uniting Church Homes, until it was closed in 2001.
Happily however, Sarah Hardey’s name and fine reputation was transferred to the newly opened Sarah Hardey House in Kelmscott, which was opened in the same year – on Thursday 28 November. The 64 place residential care facility continues to provide both high and low-band care services as well as “a most comfortable home.”
Today, Rev Joseph Green’s vision and his work continues in providing the very best care for dozens of elderly ladies – and now gentleman – in Perth, under the banner of Uniting Church Homes.
14 UCH Committed to caring since 1949 15Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
Throughout our history, UCH has always prided itself on our ability to focus on the individual person and to provide the necessary support to ensure the right care needs are met.
The reason why our care services have become known for quality and excellence is because of our staff, who go out of their way and far beyond what is a normal paid role to support the people for whom we care, as well as their families.
The one most important factor that differentiates the aged care sector from other careers is that it offers meaningful and rewarding work which presents countless personal rewards. Certainly, the staff working at UCH are making a real difference to people’s lives, which is why, despite the labour shortage we have seen over the last decade, a large number of people have remained working with us for many years.
Over a 12 month period, it is common for us to receive many hundreds of letters, notes and responses from people who have been very grateful for the care their loved one has received. As the reproduced note on the previous page demonstrates, the overall message from relatives, carers and friends is that our staff are passionate about what they do and are totally committed to the people for whom they care.
There is no doubt that UCH’s committed staff take their roles to be far more than just a paid job. It’s a calling for them, that’s why our staff are exceptional.
A team of dedicated staff
14
UCH Committed to caring since 1949 17Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
16
By examining the way in which aged care is funded, there is little doubt that all the needs of a person are not readily met within paid resources.
This means that some of those valuable, holistic things – the quality time spent with a person, supporting them to connect with their community and offering transport for an outing – are often undertaken by UCH’s incredible band of volunteers.
The truth is there are hundreds of resident and client activities which are undertaken every week by our volunteers, who help beyond measure to strengthen and support the services we offer. They enhance the lives of the people we care for, and there is no doubt that our organisation would not be held in such high regard, or be able to respond to individual needs in the way that we do, if it wasn’t for these unsung heroes of the community.
Many of our volunteers have been with us for many years. And indeed UCH has evolved into the organisation it is today as a result of the voluntary assistance it has received over the past 60 years.
When UCH looks to the future, we can’t see a time when volunteers will not be essential to sustain our services. These wonderful individuals continue to provide a vital service to the people for whom we care, and also in helping connect and maintain a healthy community.
Their contribution adds value to the life of individual people and to the life of our organisation and we are very appreciative.
Importance of volunteers to UCH
“Sincere appreciation and thanks to the very
caring and compassionate staff at Uniting
Community Care….who assisted Nina for
over a decade to live, as she wanted, for
as long as possible in her own home in
Victoria Park.”
Relative of Riverslea resident
18 UCH Committed to caring since 1949 19Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
UCH used the first of many celebrations during its 60th anniversary year to honour 60 individuals for their dedication to UCH, and to those for whom we care.
The anniversary event was held on Wednesday
24 June 2009 and paid tribute to the many West
Australians who have contributed to the success of
the organisation over the last six decades.
Chief Executive Vaughan Harding said in his speech
that the organisation’s milestone provided an important
opportunity to recognise the exceptional commitment
made by many West Australians who had contributed
to the lives of older people as a result of their
involvement with UCH.
“This, our 60th anniversary event, acknowledges
60 of the quiet achievers in the community,” Mr
Harding said.
“These are just a small number of the hundreds of
individuals who have spent many years of their life
making a real and very positive difference to the lives
of older people throughout our state, through their
involvement with UCH.
“We have come a long way and we are delighted to
have the opportunity to thank some of those involved
in the journey for their commitment to our organisation
and the people in our care.”
Chris Bibrlik
Dr John Blackwell
Ray Chadwick
Jim Cook
Bev Cordier
Pauline Crosby
Wendy Cunningham
Morva Davey
Betty Dickson
The late Ben Driscoll
Frank Fairclough
Betty Fairclough
Elaine Fairclough
Helen Flux
Brian Gates
Joy George
Brian Gluestein
Beryl Grant
Marilyn Hodgkins
Anne Hollis
Dorothy Kirk
Bea Lavery
Cheryl Lipari
Robyn Lloyd
Norm Lushey
Joy MacDonald
Michelle Madden
Helen McMillan
Marcelle Meyer
Keith Middleton
John Milne
Maxine Milne
David Parker
Deb Patterson
Grace Piercy
Barry Preece
Ros Price
Roy Pryor
Rev Les Renshaw
Lynne Reynolds
Lynne Robinson
Jess Russ
Di Russell-Taylor
Noel Ryan
Revd Dr John Smith
Maxine Smith
Henrietta Snowball
Tom Styles
Linda Torricella
Marj Tunstead
May Wancer
Gwen Wealand
Bill Wealand
Neryl Webb
Jan Wennekes
Thelma Wheatley
Dr Chris Whitaker
Shirley Whyte
Rev. Ken Williams
George Wittensleger
Celebrating 60 years… and acknowledging the people who have supported us on our journey
The 60 people who were given special recognition during our 60th year, were:
20 UCH Committed to caring since 1949 21Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
In the early days UCH was focused on residential services, which included nursing homes, hostels and independent living units. At that time, the need for community care or other support models like respite care had not been identified.
Today, UCH is far more focused on care in people’s homes, in fact that is where the major expansion in our services is occurring. That’s because society now recognises that increasing numbers of older Australians want to stay at home as they age and remain living in their community.
In addition, we are continuing to explore other models to continuously improve our services. For example, the more community care we provide, the more respite services we need to create. This is because we know very well that carers need a break from their caring responsibilities in order to sustain them.
So, it is clear that our focus has fundamentally changed since Hardey Lodge was founded in 1949.
The demographic group that we are focusing on at
the present time is the baby boomer cohort – the
people born between 1946 and 1964.
One of the challenging issues of the current time
is that it is very difficult to understand what this
generation will require in terms of aged care. This is
because, as a group, research shows that they are
essentially in denial about getting older, even though
most are on the brink of retirement, if indeed they
haven’t done so already.
However, what we do know about the baby boomer
demographic is that a great deal of how we have
operated previously won’t meet their aspirations or
their needs. Research shows that institutional, i.e.
residential care, is something this group of people
would only consider if absolutely necessary. This
of course has implications for a great deal of our
infrastructure, which will not be viewed as attractive
by the next generation.
It is for this reason that our current focus is on housing with universal design principals which do not bear any resemblance to institutional care. We know that this living environment will be more acceptable to the baby boomers. The work we are undertaking at many of our sites, including Rowethorpe in Bentley, is focused on creating more sustainable, self supporting communities where people can live independently for as long as possible.
Essentially, the current focus of service provision at UCH is on bridging the yawning gap between the past and the future, where we maintain quality services to our current residents and clients.
A snapshot of UCH’s current careIn 2009, UCH provides services to over 3,500 people, employs more than 1300 staff and receives support from 450 volunteers. The organisation offers aged care and support services in the Perth metropolitan region, as well as Katanning, Geraldton and Northam, in the following areas:
Community Care – including Community Aged ›Care Packages (CACPs), Extended Aged Care in Homes (EACH), Therapy Services and Home and Community Care (HACC) services.
Residential Care – Dementia specific, high care, low ›care and respite care.
Care Awaiting Placement ›
Independent living and serviced units, across Perth ›and in Northam
Aged care today
UCH Committed to caring since 1949 23Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
The reality for UCH is that our sector, like most industry groups, is tied to the wealth of the community and the direction in which the economy is heading.
As most people would know, the majority of our funding comes from Government, which in turn comes from taxes and other income streams, both of which are also related to economic growth.
Similarly, because of the way aged care is funded, the worth of the family home and a person’s ability to sell their property or release the investment in it is again an issue tied to our economy. Consequently a strong economic environment is an important factor for UCH’s future.
In many ways, our future will also hedge around what we discover, probably at the eleventh hour, about the requirements of the baby boomer demographic. Just as the baby boomers have shaped the consumer revolution in our western economies, this group will also shape and re-shape the service models that UCH will offer in the future.
We know that this demographic enjoy listening to
music from the 1960s, we also know the nature of the
food they enjoy and the environments in which they
like to live. But when it comes to what they want to
see and hear and relate to in terms of their aged care
requirements, what is currently on offer will need to be
re-worked.
UCH is very aware that, as a sector, we have quite a
challenging future and we have much to learn. Although
2009 has been a year in which we have celebrated our
achievements to date, it certainly hasn’t been a time to
rest on our laurels.
Certainly the coming years will be challenging
for government as they juggle the demands and
associated costs of the baby boomer generation and
in the process, ensure they do not bankrupt future
generations to meet the aspirations of this group as it
moves though the aged care system.
Looking to the future
22
My mother moved to Riverslea in April
2007 and has just moved to care awaiting
placement as she now needs nursing home
care. I wanted to let you know what a
wonderful, caring hostel Riverslea has been.
I won’t name the staff because I might
overlook someone but would like to thank all
of them for the excellent care and regard they
have shown for my mother and for myself.
My first experience of aged care has been
very positive.
Relative of Riverslea resident
UCH Committed to caring since 1949 25Celebrating 60 years of caring
The UCH sto
ry 1949 - 2009
It has been my good fortune to serve as the Chief Executive for Uniting Church Homes for the last 20 years, during which time I have seen lots of change, both within the aged care sector and our organisation’s parent body Uniting Church.
I strongly believe that the move the church initiated over 20 years ago – when it brought all of the church–run aged care facilities under one organisation – was one of the best things it could have done. Certainly, the move has held us in good stead and enabled us to survive challenging times.
One of the things I am most proud of however is that UCH has never forgotten its roots. Yes, we have grown to become a large organisation, but we have remained true to our status as a church agency and a charity. We also closely follow our not-for-profit mandate, so we continue to work in areas where the work is difficult and often financially
challenging. Today, as with 60 years ago, we continue to target people who do not have choices, and this is something I am particularly pleased about.
Indeed, as we reflect upon our 60 year history and as we look to the years to come, I believe UCH will continue to renew and reinvent itself. We will remain flexible and we will respond to the different needs of the community regardless of the constraints that we will face.
As an organisation, we look forward to our future – probably with a different brand and in a somewhat different form – but the line of inheritance will be clear. UCH remains committed to caring in the Western Australian community for many future decades and generations to come.
Vaughan Harding, Chief ExecutiveOctober 2009
Message from Vaughan Harding
24
313 Main Street, Balcatta WA 6021Telephone: (08) 9240 0313 Facsimile: (08) 9240 0329
Email: [email protected] Web: www.uchwa.com
UCH: A community benefit organisation and part of the Australia-wide network.