Niola Welcomes the ADF with Open Arms
It was an exciting week for the staff and residents at BaptistCare Niola in February when Australian Defence Force personnel temporarily joined the team!
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It was an exciting week for the staff and residents at BaptistCare Niola in February when Australian Defence Force personnel temporarily joined the team!
The Niola team were emotionally and physically exhausted after working tirelessly to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in the home. The team needed a little extra support to revive their spirits, lift their energy levels and support the residents. Enter the ADF!
Six men and three women from the Army arrived in Parkes on a Sunday night in late February, ready to start work at Niola on Monday morning. They were an enormous help to the staff, helping with activities like cleaning, sorting inventory and clinical support. They even hung a set of curtains! And they were such a delight for the Niola residents, taking them on walks, playing games with them and just having cups of tea and chatting with them.
Many residents were separated from their family and friends during January and February as Niola closed to visitors tokeep residents safe from COVID-19. The ADF personnel were a welcome presence and great companions for both the residents and staff.
After seven days of helping in the home, the staff and residents farewelled their new friends from the ADF. Thank you to all the ADF personnel who helped at Niola, and a HUGE thank you to our aged care staff who have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic and are true heroes.