Relationships key at this local integrated wellness community
residents at Yukana, retirement is an exciting new chapter and an opportunity to have an extra family to share life with.
The integrated wellness community places a high value on living well and aging well, and making sure each resident is cared for while having their own personal freedom.
For managing director Brett Mullen, this means having a unique way of doing things at Yukana.
“People matter,” Mr Mullen said.
“At the end of the day, we have a people-centric model, which is very different to a customer-centric model,” he explained.
Residents never feel like just another number. This model means Yukana is able to listen to each resident and implement changes based on that — as well as our core philosophies of respect, dignity, and honour.
“Yukana is well-known for its community,” Mr Mullen said.
“We don’t try to replace family for the residents but we certainly try to be like an extended family for them,” he said.
As well as the typical nursing and maintenance teams, Yukana has a Lifestyle Coordinator and Relationship Coordinator.
While the lifestyle team organises activities and outings for residents, the relationship team plays a different role.
“They visit each resident, have a cuppa and a chat or just simply sit with them,” Mr Mullen explained.
“Every three months they have spoken to every resident at Yukana.”
The team of four is made up of volunteers, a testament to the fact they do what they do because they honestly care for each person at Yukana.
Between these teams and activities, residents can remain active and engaged.
“While each resident is free to be as engaged as they want, many take part in a lot of activities,” Mr Mullen said.
“One resident in their early 80s once said to me they didn’t know how they ever found time to work!”
Another reason why residents love Yukana is because they feel safe, secure, and engaged — as well as being able to remain independent for as long as possible in their own units.
“There is a 10-20 age gap between all our residents, so they relate on the same level easier and often make good friends within the village,” Mr Mullen said.
“We don’t encourage them to lose their external networks — in fact we actively encourFOR age them to keep them — but you can make new ones too.”
The beautiful thing is that some residents have even reconnected with people they knew years ago, whether that be their childhood neighbour or their best friend from 30 years ago.
“People are not just a physical person; they are also emotional, relational,” Mr Mullen said.
This knowledge is not just behind the existence of the relationship and lifestyle teams, but also in how Yukana runs from day-to-day.
“All staff are employed directly by us — no contractors — so each staff member knows each resident personally,” Mr Mullen explained.
“They build a relationship with each resident, and they know what they like and don’t like.”
“We have happy staff, so we have happy residents,” he said. “A smile goes a long way.” Yukana plans to keep providing exceptional community, care, and value to each and every resident.
“We’ll keep listening to the residents in what they want and require each day,” Mr Mullen said.
Thanks to the community focus, every day is an open day at Yukana.
Any time, any day, just call to book an appointment on 4631 5678.
For more information, you can also visit the website at yukana.org.au.
‘‘ IF WE’RE DOING SOMETHING, IT HAS TO BENEFIT THE RESIDENT.” BRETT MULLEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR