SUPPORTER SPRING 2019
With a styled mohawk and subtle swagger, Yitian Chen is not your stereotypical aged care volunteer. Cultural exchange for Grange
In 2016, Yitian (30) moved from Beijing to Adelaide to study social work at Flinders University and gain a better understanding of aged care in Australia. With ambitions to establish his very own aged care facility in China, a partnership between AnglicareSA and Flinders University enabled Yitian to complete a five-month student placement at the AnglicareSA Grange aged care facility. “I think you have to walk in other people’s shoes to understand what they need – so the placement is a great opportunity for students to become familiar with the environment and get lived experience looking after older people,” Yitian said.
“I think it’s a win-win situation… not only do I help them but they also teach me so much… about Australia, history and themselves.” After completing his placement, Yitian has balanced his final year study commitments with continuing as a volunteer at AnglicareSA. Yitian believes student placements and volunteer assignments are the ultimate opportunity for younger generations to engage with older people and learn more about what it means to care for one another. “Sometimes I think about how many older people dedicated their life to the development of Australia… so now it’s the time for the younger generations to give back.”
Aged care upgrades New care and support role
A recent Adelaide Anglican Diocesan appointment has seen Bishop Greg Thompson take up the role of Senior Chaplain. In this role, Bishop Greg will offer support and development to chaplains working in hospitals, as well as the AnglicareSA chaplains who work in residential aged care and employee support. We welcome Bishop Greg to this important new role.
The common living areas at AnglicareSA Elizabeth East recently underwent a beautiful upgrade. The project created a dining area double the size of the original, an upgraded servery, a dedicated resident library and lounge, and a lovely tea room for family members to enjoy.
A key objective of these improvements was to create an engaging dining experience to encourage residents to leave their rooms and use the communal spaces. It seems to have done the trick, with residents filling the dining room to capacity each day since it re-opened.
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