Complete care for complete people
The new executive manager at Brookshaw Retirement Home Louisa White has plenty of plans for the facility.
Louisa grew up in Graaff Reinet and qualified as a registered nurse in Bloemfontein.
That was followed by a working and family life in Welkom, where she was employed by the blood transfusion service.
Her adult son and daughter and her husband all currently live abroad - “for now”.
Louisa recently returned to South Africa after working for 12 years in a care facility in West Sussex, England.
Her nursing specialisation is elderly care and while in England, she also underwent training in dementia care and achieved a manager’s qualification.
She has several changes in store for Brookshaw.
“There are a lot of protocols I would like to introduce here,” she said.
“First, I want to make sure new residents are welcomed with a nice big welcome pack.”
She will enhance care at the facility by introducing individual care plans, along with risk assessments.
“With this information, staff will know exactly how to prop- erly look after each individual resident,” she said.
Louisa has already started an annual staff training programme that includes manual handling, nutrition, continency and personal care, infection control, health and safety, dignity and respect, and dementia.
Brookshaw is also in talks with Nadja Fredericks to provide space for a dementia diagnostic clinic at Brookshaw
“My main job is to make sure that our carers look after our residents properly.”
Louisa is very interested in starting activities for residents - both in and outside of frail care.
Daily exercises for residents in frail care, as well as quiz programmes in the afternoons.
Talking cards get residents talking to each other and encourage social interaction.
They’re hoping to start a regular Saturday afternoon movie slot for residents - but lack the big screen to do so yet.
Brookshaw is well known for its beautiful flower gardens, and for that reason, among many others, Louisa feels right at home.
“I love gardening myself,” Louisa said. “That and reading are how I relax.”