21 August 2015
Respecting our elders
On a recent visit to Cairns, I had the privilege of meeting with the Apunipima Cape York Health Council to
discuss the successes and challenges they face as the peninsula’s principal Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander health provider. Apunipima talked about the need to address the many social determinants of
health that can have a negative impact on the wellbeing of Australia’s Indigenous people. They also
emphasised the importance of enablement, community empowerment, respect, compassion and teamwork.
The values they espouse are the very values we espouse as a caring ministry of Christ.
While the similarities are strong, there are unequivocal differences. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
face morbidity and mortality rates significantly worse than those of other Australians, which is a source of
shame for our country. In contrast, we have much to learn from our nation’s First Peoples, notably their
regard for the dignity of older people. The respect which they accord their Elders is in stark contrast to how
older Australians are seen in broader society.
Our model of aged care calls upon us to demonstrate this same level of respect. It reminds us that each
older person who joins the Mercy Health community brings with them a wealth of lived experience and
insight. It emphasises the uniqueness, agency and worth of every individual we serve.
However, the most inspirational words are meaningless without action. Our model of care must go beyond
paper, beyond tasks and beyond trained responses. It must go to the core of our values and the behaviours
they dictate, to deliver care deserving of older people whose wisdom, knowledge and life skills extend well
beyond our own.
I am proud that most of our staff treat residents with the respect and kindness they deserve. That is why I
was disappointed when some of our residents contacted me recently about staff behaviour at one of our
homes. The residents said staff had addressed them in a patronising way and perceived them as simply
needing to sit quietly and ‘do their knitting’, rather than as adults of strong intellect and accumulated
wisdom.
I firmly believe this example does not typify the way we regard and behave towards our residents. Yet it is
clear that incidents like this one, however rare, have a lasting negative impact on residents’ lives and on the
culture of our homes. My own frustration at knowing that we have failed, at times, to live up to our model of
care, must pale in comparison to that felt by those who have entrusted us to accompany them in the later
stages of their long and rich lives.
Our older people are not only our equals, but they also bring with them gifts of wisdom, knowledge and
experience. We would do well to turn to our Indigenous communities for guidance on cherishing those gifts.
Developing our organisation
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Living Our Values Award recipients who were nominated for
COMPASSION, which was the value in focus throughout May and June. At Mercy Health we define
compassion as ‘being there for others in their time of need’. All nominations highlighted this value.
Our winning Compassion nominees are a fine example of people who are there for their community and one
another. I would like to congratulate the Maribyrnong Community Integrated Team, Mercy Mental Health –
Saltwater Clinic who have been identified as our overall award recipients. To read more about the team’s
award as well as previous award recipients, please visit MercyNet.
Stephen Cornelissen
Group Chief Executive Officer
Mercy Health
Did you know?
Mercy Health fully funds a childcare and aged care referral service through Childcare Aged Care
Solutions. The aged care referral service is a new offering this year and provides a convenient way for
you to gain advice and guidance to get you started on one of the most sensitive issues that affect families.
For more information visit childcareagedcaresolutions.com.au or phone 1800 628 480.