Aged-care staff pass rigorous test

STAFF at the Alstonville Retirement Village are in celebration mode after achieving the maximum three-year accreditation for its aged-care facility.

Managing director for Seventh Day Adventist Aged Care North NSW, David Knight, said it had been a ‘very rigorous’ process.

He said two assessors from the Aged Care Accreditation Agency visited the facility to test its compliance against a comprehensive set of standards.

These covered all aspects of resident lifestyle.

“The fact that the facility achieved the maximum three year accreditation period is a testament to the dedication and caring approach of our staff,” Mr Knight said.

“We did a self-assessment about four or five months ago and the assessors came to check against that.

“They spent two days here, interviewing staff and looking around.

“It’s very full on.

“And all of this has to happen while we’re continuing to care for our residents – business doesn’t just stop because the assessors are here.”

The Alstonville Retirement Home offers 35 low-care beds in single rooms with ensuites.

It also has 15 special care dementia-specific beds, also in single rooms with ensuites.

Mr Knight said the facility was ‘very important’ to the organisation’s 68 staff.

“We like to think that in our jobs, we go above and beyond the call of duty,” he said.

“Also, the accreditation is important to us because if we’re not accredited we don’t get funding and we can’t offer this service.

“In the hostel section we provide all of the residents’ meals and care.

“We are very proud of the work we do and for getting the full three-year accreditation.”