Royal Freemasons Lifestyle Coordinator, Louisa, fell into aged care after a varied career across different industries. Now, five years into the role, she is certain she has found her calling — bringing joy every day to residents by organising meaningful activities that support their wellbeing.
“I come from an Italian background and grew up in a culture where the elderly mean everything to us,” says Louisa. “So, I’m in the right job — I love working with older people.”
Louisa clearly has a natural affinity with the residents at our Coppin Centre home, where she works, and understands that in this precious time of their lives, it’s important to embrace them as family and strive to make a positive difference every day to their living experience.
To achieve this, Louisa takes a person-centred approach to planning activities, tailoring the lifestyle calendar to cater for different interests and preferences. “I try to put in as much as I can into the activities that I organise because I want the residents to walk away happy,” she says.
The activities residents enjoy vary from games of bingo and craft sessions to music concerts, food-filled celebrations and day trips to coastal areas like Phillip Island. Residents living with dementia are supported with sensory activities, reminiscing, eye and hand coordination activities, as well as doll therapy and animal therapy.
“When we organised for the Henny Penny Hatching chicks to come to Coppin, it was amazing to see that something so small can give so much joy to residents,” says Louisa. “It was so great to see their eyes light up.”
Another special memory is the day therapy horses came to visit at Coppin Centre last year. “I really enjoyed the resident reactions to the horses — that got me a little bit teary.”
To thrive in a lifestyle role, Louisa says you need to have certain qualities — and a big heart. “You have to have empathy and compassion, and you have to be passionate about improving wellbeing and quality of life.”
While Louisa loves many aspects of her role, two shine the brightest: her team and making residents happy.
“I have a really good team — they’re my family. I’m even Godmother to one of their children.”
“I also enjoy seeing the residents laugh and getting their positive feedback. One of our residents, Anita, will say to me every morning, ‘I feel much better seeing you here today.’ If I make them smile or laugh, I feel I’m accomplishing what I’m meant to be doing. And I think this is my calling now — I’m here to stay.”
If you would like to join our team at Royal Freemasons, please view our current vacancies: royalfreemasons.org.au/careers
