Ribbonwood Country Home in Tapanui came away from the Aged Care Association annual conference in Christchurch recently with the award for "best small operator" at the association’s excellence-in-care awards.
Ribbonwood general manager Karen McHutchon said the team and residents were "chuffed" to be chosen for the award.
"We were chosen from 77 submissions. We’ve always felt we were on the right track with our model of care, but this was the first time we’ve entered the awards, so it’s very nice to be acknowledged and have our confidence backed by New Zealand’s major players"
Mrs McHutchon said the home’s small size was its strength, allowing it to deliver personalised, friendly care to its 14 residents.
"We were backed by lots of testimonials from residents and their families. They were very excited to see themselves in our video submission for the awards.
"Our relatively small size, with 19 dual-purpose beds, means we can provide friendly, personal care to each and every resident. To us they’re names, not numbers, down to how they like their cup of tea brewed"
The award came with a trophy, and a $1000 prize from award sponsor Lifecare Property.
Mrs McHutchon said the application had been a community effort, supported by the Gore Community Health Trust and Mataura Licensing Trust, as well as local media producer Natwick.
"The trusts sponsored clinical manager Lallu Alex and myself to attend the conference, and Natwick did an amazing job putting together our multimedia application, which was shown to delegates at the awards ceremony before judges made their decision"
She said although the experience had shown they were on the right track, they had also picked up a few new ideas to introduce to enhance residents’ experiences.
"We learnt a lot at conference. But our residents can be confident they’re living in the best little rest-home in New Zealand"
