Adriel honoured as a centre of excellence

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Adriel residents and staff enjoy a chat in the shade at last year’s Amberley A&P Show. Photo: Supplied
Adriel residents and staff enjoy a chat in the shade at last year’s Amberley A&P Show. Photo: Supplied
A unique little home in Amberley is a centre of excellence.

Adriel House and Rest Home is the only home in the world that holds the honour of being a Spark of Life Centre of Excellence. The honour is being celebrated on November 6 with the unveiling of a plaque.

Home owner Mischeal McCormick says it has taken six years to become a centre of excellence through planning, gathering data, and training staff to implement and embrace the Spark of Life philosophy at Adriel, which cares for those who have suffered memory loss.

The focus of the programme is on the quality of the connection between carers and residents, and their families and to foster kindness, compassion, empathy, and respect.

‘‘Everyone has to be trained, and learn the programme, and then it has to be put into practice. It is a huge commitment, but worth it because we care ,’’ Mischeal says.

‘‘To be recognised is huge.’’

Adriel offers meaningful activities and conversations, fostered through hands-on gardening, cooking and other chores, many of which residents have done and enjoyed in the past.

Mischeal says this leads to residents talking about things they have done in days gone by, which in turn makes them happy and feel good about themselves.

To help celebrate Adriel’s milestone, the founder of Spark of Life, Jane Verity, from Melbourne, will hold a free afternoon for family and the community at the St John Hall from 1pm to 3pm on November 6.

Mischeal says the afternoon will help people understand the unexpected and uncharacteristic responses that some with dementia have, how to successfully connect and communicate with them, and the science of how rehabilitation is possible in dementia.

Everyone is welcome.

The next day, a brunch and tea will be put on for all Adriel staff to thank them for their input.

‘‘You are only as good as your staff,’’ Mischeal says.

•Meanwhile, entries are in for the Amberley A&P Show on November 2. Several keen gardeners at Adriel are hard at work nurturing their entries, while good keen bakers are looking forward to the challenge.

Mischeal says the prospect of the show already has many residents talking about past shows, and what they once got up to at the community gathering.

‘‘Many love to get out and about. Others love animals, and all enjoy the sights at the show.’’

There will be a cuppa for anyone who pops into the Adriel tent for a chat with residents and staff.