Oceania Wins Top Care Award for Second Year in Row

Media release

13 October 2016

Oceania Healthcare Wins Top Care Award for Second Year in a Row

Supreme Award for Overall Excellence in Aged Care and winner of Community Connections Award

Oceania Healthcare, one of New Zealand’s largest retirement village and aged care providers, claimed the Supreme Award for Overall Excellence in Aged Care for the second consecutive year at the NZACA Excellence in Care Awards held in Auckland.

Oceania Healthcare won the coveted Supreme Award for Overall Excellence in Aged Care, as well as the Community Connections Award. The company was also a finalist in both the Innovative Delivery Award and the Excellence in Food Award categories.

The NZACA Excellence in Care Awards recognises the continued pursuit of excellence by aged care providers and their staff. All entries are judged on the improved outcomes they deliver for residents and their families.

Oceania Healthcare CEO, Earl Gasparich says he’s delighted the company has been recognised by the industry once again for its outstanding approach to care.

“While it’s a given that we deliver a consistently high standard of care throughout our facilities, we recognise that it’s often the extra touches that make the difference. Every Oceania facility is encouraged and empowered to do that little bit extra for their residents. These awards recognise the creativity and passion our staff bring to their jobs, and the way it enhances the quality of life of our residents.”

That commitment to making a difference to the lives of residents is reflected in the ‘Grandfriends’ initiative which won the Community Connections Award. The programme is based on a partnership between Oceania’s St Johns Wood rest home in Taupo and the local kindergarten.

‘Grandfriends’ brings young and old together on a fortnightly basis, encouraging them to spend one-on-one time together and build meaningful relationships. The residents relish the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills, while the children learn to communicate with and show respect for the elderly.

Oceania’s Elderslea Chef, Rodney Phillips, was a finalist for the Excellence in Food Award. Rodney is passionate about changing people’s perceptions of food in aged care and has won the Senior Lifestyles Cuisine Award at the NZ Chefs National Salon competition for the past two years.

The organisation’s Takanini rest home was also a finalist, coming second in the Innovative Delivery Award category for its Sensory Room. The use of multi-sensory stimulation has been shown to reduce agitation and aggression, decrease wandering and restlessness, and improve interaction with

family, staff and other residents. It was initially trialled in 2014 for residents with dementia who were withdrawn and did not participate in activities. The trials were so successful, the Sensory Room has now been integrated into all levels of care and the concept is being extended to other Oceania rest homes around the country.

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