Eyre and Far North Local Health Network (EFNLHN)

A few facts about Eyre and Far North Local Health Network (EFNLHN)

From Coober Pedy in the North to Port Lincoln in the South. From Ceduna in the West to Cowell in the East. Each Multi-Purpose Service covers all four areas of emergency, acute care, aged and dementia care, and palliative care.

 

 

• Covers over 337,626 square kilometres of South Australia
• Serves a population of 40.500
• Offers 10 Multi-Purpose Services
• Has 6 certified Spark of Life Rehabilitative Facilitators and
• 1 certified and registered Spark of Life Master Practitioner

Spark of Life in EFNLHN

Doing Life Their Way

Spark of Life Master Practitioners in EFNLHN

In 2015, Anthony Ryan, Divisional Director of Older Persons, was the first health care professional from EFNLHN to become a certified Spark of Life Master Practitioner. At that time Anthony was the Executive Officer / Director of Nursing: Elliston and the Pines Hostel. He has set the vision for what is possible to achieve with Spark of Life Philosophy and Education for people with dementia and for staff in the region. Anthony now works more behind the scenes however, still with a Spark of Life Focus on how quality care can be provided in the region.

“While the standard dementia training is helpful for staff’s knowledge and understanding – in practice, it is unsuccessful in changing attitudes and skills.  It is the ‘How’ to implement the knowledge that I believe is missing in the majority of training currently available to staff. After many years working, managing, and researching international best practises for dementia care, I believe, Spark of Life Philosophy and Model of Care provide the all needed paradigm shift from caring with the minds to also caring with the hearts, which is required in dementia care to ensure positive outcomes and benefits for staff, families, community, residents, clients, and patients within our organisation. ”

In 2019, Tania Hammond, Nurse Practitioner for EFNLHN, achieved her certification as Spark of Life Master Practitioner. Tania now works closely together with Anthony Ryan as part of the region’s Aged Care Portfolio.

Tania first implemented Spark of Life Philosophy at Cummins & District Memorial Hospital & Miroma Place Hostel before becoming the regional Nurse Practitioner. During this time Tania experienced firsthand the restorative results that can be achieved when practicing the Spark of Life Philosophy.

Tania says, ‘When we implement the Spark of Life Philosophy and Model of Care, we can achieve a major cultural shift, where people with dementia are given opportunities each and every day, to feel a genuine emotional connection with staff and to have their spirit lifted.’

Quoting Tania’s experience of ‘A Life Restored in Less than ½ Hour – Pat’s Story.

“Some time ago a beautiful lady, Pat, moved from one of our lower care areas to higher care because her dementia had progressed and she needed more support.

However, Pat wasn’t doing so well in her new environment. She had withdrawn into herself, stopped talking to people, and even stopped eating. She spent most of her time in bed and the staff came to me because they were really worried about Pat.

One of the staff members, who had undertaken Spark of Life Education, wanted to do an activity around food to encourage Pat to eat again.

So, we used the special Spark of Life Invitation with Pat for her to make a sandwich. When we invited her, she felt a bit special and she replied, “Yes, I would like to do that.”

And we really didn’t have to do anything – we just encouraged her to come with us. She chose the ingredients and all the toppings she needed, and they were placed on the table in front of her.

Pat did everything. She very carefully buttered the bread, placed the tomato on top, and the used a knife to cut the sandwich. Then with great enjoyment, Pat ate the entire sandwich.

It was incredible to witness the transformation form Pat being curled up in bed, not wanting to engage with anyone, to making this amazing sandwich and then eating the lot.

This change occurred in less than 30 minutes, an you wouldn’t think looking at these photo that Pat had advanced dementia.

That is the magic of the Spark of Life Philosophy and Model of Care.”

Tania is now actively educating staff in the empowering different perspective of the Spark of Life Philosophy. She is the go-to person for solving behaviours of concern in situations of extra challenging behaviours always practicing and role-modelling the Spark of Life Philosophy and its core principles in every interaction with staff, residents, clients, and patients.

Trudy Wadsworth,  Spark of Life Master Practitioners, Registered Nurse, and Nurse Unit Manager at Elliston Hospital & the Pine Hostel, now retired.

Since May 2017, Trudy has been a role model and inspiration for her entire region showcasing what is possible to achieve when applying the principles of the Spark of Life Philosophy into the everyday care practices. Under Trudy’s leadership, the Multi-Purpose Service in Elliston was able to provide outstanding quality care of people who have dementia and became known in the region for their ability to support those who had extra challenging behaviour to live a fulfilling life.

Quoting Trudy’s experience of ‘A Second Chance – Wayne’s Story’

“Some months ago, Wayne came to stay with us here in Elliston after a long illness including brain surgery to remove a clot. He had been hospitalised for four months going back and forth to Adelaide, in and out of acute care and rehabilitation. His lovely wife Janice constantly by his side. Janice said: “Wayne was a wreck. He was angry and frustrated and at times lashed out even at me.”

After a stay in a regional hospital, it was decided that Wayne could no longer live at home with Janice and needed to go into permanent high care. While looking for residential care closer to home, the Pines Hostel in Elliston was chosen as the best place for Wayne because of the Spark of Life Philosophy being practiced here.

When Wayne arrived in Elliston, he had a PEG tube in situ because he had forgotten how to eat. The supplement did not agree with him, so he constantly had to go to the toilet. He had lost 15 kg during his time in hospital. He was confused, had only few words and found it difficult to communicate. He was profoundly sad, frustrated, and angry, and constantly wanted to get out.

The Spark of Life Education and role modelling my team has received came into its own with Wayne.  We instantly identified Wayne’s unmet need and the team around him put heart and soul into developing a close, kind, and compassionate relationship with him which has been the catalyst for Wayne’s improvement.

He has now regained his ability to eat and has put on weight. The staff shares: “His ‘spark’ is back and he is such a happy soul, chirpy, chatty, and joking. Always so thankful and constantly expressing his gratitude. We have grown really fond of Wayne, and he now has many friends.

Janice and Wayne have now decided that Wayne is not going to move and will stay here with us at Elliston permanently even though Janice travels over three hundred km for her weekly visits.”

 

Since 2019, Chris Boylan, Spark of Life Master Practitioner,  EO/DON Streaky Bay Hospital and Health Care Services and Elmhaven Hostel, now retired, has been a strong advocate for implementing the Spark of LifePhilosophy in her Multi-Purpose Service at Streaky Bay including Elmhaven Hostel.

Quoting Chris expressing her observations of the outcomes from implementing the Spark of Life Education, “My experience has been that the Spark of Life Education is transformative in shifting perceptions and attitudes. I have seen before my own eyes in my hospital the changes that occur when people with dementia have their emotional needs met.”