Alka – Physiotherapist
I am the physiotherapist at MiCare. I enjoy integrating exercises into daily routine for residents and making positive impact on their lives by improving and maintaining their mobility, reducing risk of falls and addressing pain.
I completed Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2009, Master of physiotherapy (Mysculoskeletal) in 2012 from India. In 2013, I came to Australia and studied for a Master of Public Health from Deakin University which I completed in 2014.
I have 9 years of experience working as a physiotherapist in an aged care setting. I have also worked in community setting and NDIS for 2 years.
I really value the Eden alternative model of care we use at MiCare. The Eden alternative model means removing loneliness, helplessness and boredom from lives of residents by creating opportunities and meaningful engagement. As a physiotherapist, I encourage elders to participate in 1 on 1 strength / balance exercises, 1 on 1 walking and group walking programs to keep them active, mobile and engaged. Residents who are unable to walk, I would take them in their wheelchairs for a walk outside so they can enjoy sunshine.
During these walks, I enjoy sharing stories or discussing their day, providing a wonderful opportunity to build strong connections and foster meaningful relationships. The gratitude they express for even small acts of care is deeply rewarding, and it is a privilege to support their efforts to stay active and engaged.
Cathy – Personal Care Worker
What I enjoy most about my role at MiCare is the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of the residents. It allows me to build meaningful relationships and ensure they receive the best care possible. Some of my career highlights include implementing a new patient care system that improved efficiency.
The ‘Eden alternative model of care’ means creating a vibrant, life- affirming environment for our residents and clients. I incorporate it into my daily work by fostering a sense of community, encouraging resident participation in activities, and focusing on their individual needs and preferences.
Aarati – Registered Nurse
There are many reasons why I enjoy working at MiCare. First and foremost, work environment is great. The team is efficient, we work well together and its an enjoyable place to work. Getting up to go to work is much easier when you know that what you do has a positive impact on the community.
My role as a Registered Nurse gives me the opportunity to meet a wide variety of older people and make a tremendous difference in their quality of life. We have residents from many nationalities. They are full of interesting stories and facts about themselves or a time they lived through. There’s nothing more rewarding than walking into a room full of people smiling and knowing you are part of the reason why. Sometimes it is challenging, but the rewards are huge.
In my nursing career, I have worked as a nurse in many nursing homes but at MiCare it feels homely – it feels like you are looking after residents at your own home. Seeing your residents get better, being there for them and holding their hands when their family cannot, changing people’s lives with small act of kindness and respect, and a thank you from the family provides huge job satisfaction. These things get me going every day at work.
The Eden Alternative Model of Care is a transformative approach in aged care, aiming to create a more enriching, human-centered environment in long-term care settings. Rather than viewing aged care as a purely medical service, this model emphasizes emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. It shifts focus from just addressing physical needs to fostering meaningful connections, choice, and dignity.
The Eden Alternative likely resonates with the values of compassion, respect, and the desire to improve the quality of life for those we care for. This model reinforces the importance of treating elders not as patients, but as individuals with unique histories, preferences, and desires. It aligns with a commitment to making a real, positive difference by nurturing a sense of community and reducing loneliness, helplessness, and boredom-three core challenges the model seeks to address. As a nurse, the care we provide for every elder is unique and individualised.
Shane – Allied Health Assistant
I enjoy that I get to help our residents keep fit and active while having fun and making them and myself laugh all day long. My career highlights would be how I have been trusted with helping train new staff and students in our first official Memory Support Unit and how I was nominated for this current role of Allied Health Assistant and received a scholarship for the role.
The Eden model of care is pretty important to help elders continue to live a life of joy, independence and happiness. I enjoy how MiCare is very much into giving residents a choice with what they choose to do and not to do, unlike other facilities, they aren’t being told what to do, rather they are being asked. I also like how we don’t wear a uniform, which helps to make the home like environment that our residents enjoy.
Ban – Migrant Services Case Manager
I am a Case Manager in our Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP). I am responsible for managing the cases of new arrivals, assisting those who are arrived on a humanitarian visa to Australia, and I support them via the HSP for approximately a year.
I think the Eden alternative model of care is the most wanted care that everyone (not just aged care residents and clients) needs nowadays. Through Eden alternative model we maintain our body, brain, and our wellness naturally. I also believe that Eden alternative is about keeping communication and connection live which makes everyone’s day and time.
