Designing experiences that help residents thrive

With a strong passion for music and a master’s degree in classical voice, aged care was not a straightforward career choice for Lucy Temby, Wellness & Community Engagement Coordinator at Cranbrook Care, a provider of aged care and retirement living residences.

“I always thought I would be a performing musician or work in arts administration; however, life has taken me down a different path,” said Lucy, who became a Junior Fellow of Learning and Participation at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, then got involved in community music and started volunteering with a dementia support charity.

“After six months, I was offered the facilitator role — and I haven’t looked back.”

Music as therapy

While in the UK, Lucy —  who also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Person Centred Dementia Care at the University of Worcester — founded a not-for-profit organisation aimed at bringing music into aged care residences and was involved in developing young musicians’ skills to connect with elderly residents to develop connection and confidence for both the younger and older generations.

“I remember the first time I experienced music-making with a group of older adults living with dementia. The only word to describe it is ‘magical’. It was so rewarding to see the difference music can have on communication, connection and mood. For me, it was an addictive experience, and so different to performing in concert halls to audiences you can’t see or interact with,” Lucy said.

“Once I returned to Australia I worked as a Community Event Planner for a local council, but quickly realised how much I missed working in aged care, so I was thrilled to join Cranbrook Care in 2022 in a role where I can combine my passions for using art and music as therapy to improve wellbeing.”

When asked about a typical day at work, she said, “There’s nothing typical about my workdays; my role is wonderfully varied as I develop and help implement the Wellness and Community Engagement program across our four aged care residences, working closely with the Leisure and Lifestyle teams.

“On any given day I might go between a couple of our residences to run a music therapy sing-along in our Memory Support area, then head to another residence to facilitate a men’s group or meet with the Leisure and Lifestyle teams to run an ‘Armchair Archibald’ talk about the Art Gallery’s Archibald Prize competition.”

Intergenerational activities

Lucy’s passion lies in developing intergenerational programs, such as outings to preschools, an intergenerational pen pal initiative, coordinating visits from local early learning centres or running “our Singing Mamas pilot project, bringing mums and children under five to our centres for group singing sessions”.

“I’m also involved with coordinating special events, such as Wine and Cheese Tasting Day, Jazz on the Green, the Winter Music Festival, Grandkids Day or Pets on the Lawn,” she said.

Interacting with and caring for older adults is one of the key reasons people are usually drawn to working in aged care, and it’s not different for Lucy. “Without a doubt, it’s the connections I’ve developed with residents. My favourite days are those where I spend time with residents and see the positive impact of our programs on their wellbeing. The fantastic thing about my role is that I get to plan, book, coordinate and review our activity programs, but I also spend time face to face with Leisure and Lifestyle staff and residents putting ideas into action.”

From ideas to action

The best thing about the role is that no two days are the same, according to Lucy. Each day offers an opportunity to be creative and connect with residents. “And the better I know the residents, the more engaging and effective the programs I can develop,” she said.

When asked about the inspiration behind the ideas, Lucy said, “I get a lot of inspiration and suggestions from our residents, relatives and the teams who know them best. We also receive ideas from the lovely communities around our residences, and local residents are often keen to get involved. I strive to ensure our programs cater to diverse abilities, needs and preferences, and I’m always looking for new ways to enhance community outreach, family inclusion, intergenerational relationships, art therapy, cultural activities and dementia support programs.”

“It is a privilege to work for a company that is excited and supportive of developing new ideas, and always open to innovation, improvement and out-of-the-box thinking,” Lucy said.

Lucy Temby with a resident.

As a part of Cranbrook Care’s Wellness and Community Engagement program, Lucy has helped create a range of interesting activities including therapeutic animal visits, sensory gardening programs, an intergenerational story-writing program — where pre-schoolers and residents write and illustrate stories together, a chick hatching program in conjunction with preschools, and musical or sports-related outings — for example, a visit to Sydney Swans’ AFL training session and more.

The beating heart of community

The intergenerational programs, Lucy said, are highly popular at Cranbrook Care, not only because residents experience joy when interacting with young children, but because of the sense of purpose and value that comes from being a caregiver or respected elder in the community. The music programs and family days are also highly anticipated and very well received by the residents.

“A dedicated Leisure & Lifestyle program is the beating heart of an individual’s aged care experience. It’s the glue that brings residents together, helps them make friends, brings them into our communal spaces and beautiful gardens, helps them unlock new experiences and interests, and keeps them connected to their sense of self — and the wider community.

“We are fortunate at Cranbrook Care to have exceptional Leisure and Lifestyle teams who know the residents personally and go above and beyond to support each individual to discover activities which genuinely excite them and add value to their daily lives.”

Fostering happiness, good health and connectedness

“These teams understand the barriers and facilitators to engagement for some of our less social residents, or those at risk of social isolation, and work alongside the wider teams to implement strategies to help them remain happy, healthy and connected. These might include running activities in smaller groups or one-on-one such as pet therapy, music therapy or our laughter care therapy, which involves trained Clown Doctors visiting residents at risk of social isolation on a weekly basis to build rapport.”

Lucy has seen significant growth in leisure- and lifestyle-related initiatives and on her watch Cranbrook Care has seen several firsts. “I’m delighted with the early progress of our new Singing Mamas pilot program... I’m also looking forward to our new Christmas Creativity Celebration at the end of the year which will bring residents, staff and relatives together to reflect on the residents’ amazing artistic accomplishments throughout the year.

“Looking ahead, we’re developing a community volunteer program which will be really valuable, as well as formalising a residents’ advisory body at each residence, which will be instrumental in sharing our residents’ priorities and helping identify areas where we can create positive change,” Lucy concluded.

Top image caption: Lucy Temby, Wellness & Community Engagement Coordinator, Cranbrook Care. Images courtesy of Cranbrook Care.