Speak Out December 2015

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Conversation Club Wins Better Practice Award Speech Pathology Australia would like to congratulate Ruth Hartman (pictured) and Wesley Heights (Uniting Care NSW) for winning a Better Practice Award for their ‘Conversation Club’ established as a commitment to long term service delivery of communication services for residents. The Better Practice Awards allow the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency to recognise and showcase aged care providers that go above and beyond to demonstrate innovative and inspirational aged care practice. The projects

and initiatives honoured act as exemplars for other aged care services to assist and encourage improvement. The conversation club has been running on a weekly basis for the past four years, providing residents with the opportunity to practice speech and voice strategies, connect with other residents, and work together on meaningful projects. The club has resulted in a range of benefits for residents, including

When should I see a speech pathologist? Should I be concerned about stuttering? Does bilingualism slow down language development? These were just some off the 200 questions asked by visitors at the Speech Pathology Australia stall at Melbourne’s Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo. At the expo in October, more than 700 parents and carers visited the SPA stall to ask questions, seek information, and enter our Book of the Year raffle. Volunteers, included practicing speech pathologists and speech pathology students, who provided visitors with information about what speech pathologists do, where to find more information about speech and language development, and how to find local services. The SPA stall also provided the opportunity to promote the profession and the association. We even had a few visits from parents wanting to say thank you for the work of speech pathologists! The Victorian SPA Branch would like to extend a big thank you to the 28 volunteers who helped make SPA’s presence at the Melbourne expo a success. Thank you also to Michael Kerrisk of National Office for organising materials for the stall. Katie Gunn, Jenny Elliott and Dahlia Didzys answered dozens of questions at the expo. 700+ seek services at expo

enhanced confidence to speak and social connection with other residents. Each year, the group members showcase their speech skills in an end of year poetry recital in front of family and staff – promoting the resident’s sense of purpose and achievement. Furthermore, the club has successfully increased awareness of resident communication support needs. It is fantastic to see the role of speech pathology in aged care being showcased and celebrated in such a positive way – congratulations Ruth. To read more about the 2015 Better Practice award winners and the Conversation Club please visit http://www. aacqa.gov.au/for-providers/promoting-quality/2015-better- practice-award-winners-1. For further information please contact Ruth Hartman ruthhartman7@gmail.com.

Jade Cartwright Aged Care Project Consultant

Jenny Elliott and Alice Crook (Volunteer Coordinators)

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Speak Out December 2015

Speech Pathology Australia