Meet the aged care residents who travel more than you!

The best present this holiday period is presence.

This Portland home is full of Christmas cheer.

One of those students included Alysha Waye who had just finished her studies, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and Science at Monash University, Melbourne.

“Focusing on health and wellbeing is a very important part of my life.

“So, when I found out about the internship at Bupa through the Australian Network on Disability, it was very appealing being able to join a company that similarly focuses on health and care,” said Alysha.

Alysha was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015, and as a result, lives with an acquired brain injury that affects movement on the left-hand side of her body as well as being fatigued, at times, due to ongoing treatment.

“When I was first diagnosed, I really didn’t know what I was going to do, but I was determined that I would still work one day to use the skills and knowledge gained during my studies,” explains Alysha.

“I’d heard that some people with a similar diagnosis never worked again, but I was determined that wouldn’t be me.”

For Alysha, not working was simply not an option she wanted to consider.

“While not having to work may sound like freedom to some, what would you do every day that had a sense of purpose and would fulfil you?” asks Alysha.

Alysha started her internship at Bupa in the Health Insurance People, Change and Engagement team in January 2018 and a few months later moved to Intern in the People team with Bupa.

It wasn’t long before her skills were put to use helping to develop the foundations for an Access & Inclusion Action Plan, supporting the PACE mentoring program and being an active voice for Inclusion at Bupa.

“Globally, Bupa has a major focus on diversity and inclusion, and locally, we are aiming to create respectful and consistent best practice and become disability confident,” explains Carol Corzo, Head of Inclusion at Bupa.

Alysha has made such a mark during her internship that she has recently been successful in obtaining an Inclusion and Wellbeing Consultant role at Bupa.

“I’m really loving what I’m doing at Bupa around diversity and inclusion. It’s not about the money or job security, but it’s about knowing that in a small way I might be making a difference. And being part of such a diverse, inclusive and caring workplace makes me love coming in to work each day,” explains Alysha.

Outside of work and study, Alysha is also a strong advocate for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and has raised close to $10,000 through a number of fundraising initiatives such as assembling a team of close to 200 people to compete in the annual Cure Brain Cancer Foundation walk.

Alysha’s advice for people if they come across someone they think might have a disability?

“The best thing to do is simply ask a question about their wellbeing,” explains Alysha.

“Most people, like me, will be comfortable with their disability and will be able to talk about it. Try not to be insensitive, but ultimately, it’s better to ask the question and be curious, then to shut that person out and not engage at all for fear of offending. At the end of the day, everyone deserves the same level of dignity at work and that’s all we’re aiming for.”

Early in 2017, Bupa joined the Australian Network on Disability to help on the journey of becoming ‘disability confident’. Not only to ensure that services such as Bupa Therapy were best supporting the needs of people living with a disability, but to also help create a workplace that is inclusive for people with a diverse range of physical, cognitive and emotional needs.

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Focusing on the ability of disability

Little things can make a huge difference

Mr Doig and his therapy dogs have been coming to the home for about six months and are a welcomed distraction for all.

“The visits are just as emotionally beneficial for the residents, staff and families spending time with their loved ones as they are for the dogs and me” Mr Doig said.

Hugo being a Greyhound, must wear a muzzle by law but he passed the Greenhound test on his first go, which means he doesn’t need to wear a muzzle anymore.

“I was asked if we could visit more often because it’s smiles all round when Hugo, Ralf or Lucy arrive.”

“The residents don’t really have to bend down too far to pat him and like most greyhounds, Hugo is no lap dog so there are no worries about him jumping on people,” Mr Doig said.

Bupa Bexley Recreational Activities Officer, Sophia Zaharopoulos said the four legged friends have given the residents another reason to smile.

“The residents absolutely love when the dogs come into the home as they’re able to reminisce about pets that they used to have when they were younger and more independent, this is such a pleasant memory for them to relive,” Ms Zaharopoulos said.

“I think what makes these visits so special is the freedom that residents have in being able to generously give as many pats and hugs as they like. Some people rarely get visitors and the love given by the dogs is both pure, unconditional and organic,” she said.

“I think what makes these visits so special is the freedom that residents have in being able to generously give as many pats and hugs as they like. Some people rarely get visitors and the love given by the dogs is both pure, unconditional and organic,” she said.

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Did you love this pawesome write up? So did the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader.

A ‘neigh’bourly visit to cheer up the elderly.

BeYouAtBupa: Samjhana, Carer, Campbelltown, South Australia.

This is the seventh year of the award which aims to highlight the important contribution early career researchers make toward improving health and healthcare for Australians.

The finalists have been recognised for their research in the following areas:

• Reducing hospital readmission and death after heart failure

• Reducing obesity through nutrition guidelines and programs in childcare centres

• Using technology to improve the physical and mental health of Australian adolescents

• Identifying new therapies for colorectal cancer using the immune system

Annette Schmiede, Bupa Health Foundation Executive Leader, said the entrants for this year’s awards were quite diverse.

“The role of the Foundation is not only to support research through funding and partnerships, but also to develop the capabilities, skills and networks of researchers to improve the translation of their findings to have real impact on health and care,” said Ms Schmiede.

The Bupa Health Foundation Emerging Health Researcher Award recipient will be announced on 5 December 2018, at an evening event in Melbourne.

Bupa Health Foundation 2018 Emerging Health Researcher Award Finalists

Dr Katrina Champion, Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, NDARC, University of New South Wales

Nominator: Professor Maree Teesson, Director, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use.

Research Area: Using technology to improve the physical and mental health of Australian adolescents

Dr Katrina Champion is currently working to reduce the risk of chronic disease in high school students by helping them to modify key lifestyle risk behaviours.

She has been working with a range of professionals and young people across Australia to develop a digital intervention that uses computers, smart phones and interactive cartoons to educate young people about six key risk behaviours that are associated with chronic disease. The big six risk behaviours are identified as: alcohol use, smoking, inactivity, poor sleep, poor diet and excessive recreational screen time.

Dr Champion will lead a trial to evaluate the Health4Life program among 8,000 Year 7 students across Australia to show if the intervention can improve both physical and mental health during adolescence and reduce risky behaviours before they become entrenched.

Dr Jennifer Huynh, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI)

Nominator: Professor Matthias Ernst, Scientific Director, ONJCRI

Research Area: Identifying new therapies for colorectal cancer using the immune system.

Dr Huynh has a keen interest in understanding how the immune system works and how cancer cells can evade detection by the immune response. She has discovered that a molecule produced in our bodies called IL-11 can drive the growth of tumours, by preventing the immune system from attacking and killing colorectal cancer cells.

Dr Huynh is currently actively working with clinicians, researchers and industry to develop and test drugs that can block IL-11 to deliver a new therapy for cancer patients.

With colorectal cancer being among the deadliest cancers, Dr Huynh’s work has the potential to have lasting impact on the survivorship of Australian’s suffering from colorectal cancer.

Dr Quan Huynh, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Nominator: Professor Tom Marwick, Director, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Research Area: Reducing hospital readmission and death after heart failure

Dr Quan Huynh has developed a risk assessment tool to predict patients who are at greater risk of readmission and death following heart failure. With this information cardiologists can target the appropriate interventions to those at high risk. This will not only improve prognosis for patients but will also reduce health care costs.

Dr Huynh has validated the tool with an Australia-wide sample of heart failure patients and his findings on the interventions are already being adopted into clinical practice. The next step for his research is to improve efficiency by integrating mobile technology into the care of heart failure patients after hospital discharge. This model of care also has promising potential to help solve the barriers of those living in rural or remote areas.

Dr Serene Yoong, University of Newcastle

Nominator: Associate Professor Luke Wolfenden, MHMRC Career Development Fellow, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle

Research Area: Reducing obesity through nutrition guidelines and programs in childcare centres

Dr Yoong’s background as a behavioural scientist and experienced dietician has led to her research to help prevent obesity in children by implementing effective nutrition guidelines and programs in childcare centres.

Dietary habits are established in early childhood and can persist into adulthood, so by educating the childcare centres and giving them the right tools, knowledge, resources and support, Dr Yoong aims to reduce the burden of obesity. Dr Yoong is actively applying her research by engaging with end-users to deliver effective and scalable strategies targeting an important population group.

In addition to the four finalists, four outstanding nominees have been recognised with Commendation Awards and will receive a $1,000 prize.

• Dr Jing Jing Wang, Flinders University of South Australia

• Dr Natalie Bradford, Queensland University of Technology

• Dr Annmarie Hosie, University of Technology Sydney

• Dr Bridget Kelly, School of Health and Society and Early Start, University of Wollongong

Previous Emerging Health Researcher Award winners:

2017 Dr Amanda McCullough, Bond University

2016 Associate Professor Gail Garvey, Menzies School of Health Research

2015 Dr Gabrielle McCallum, Menzies School of Health Research.

2014 Dr Greg Ebert, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

2013 Dr Andy Hsu, Peter McCallum Cancer Centre

2012 Dr Priya Sumithran, University of Melbourne

More information on the Bupa Health Foundation and Emerging Researcher Awards

The Bupa Health Foundation is one of Australia’s leading corporate foundations dedicated to health. We are committed to improving the health of the Australian community and ensuring the sustainability of affordable healthcare through collaborative partnerships.

The Bupa Health Foundation was established in 2005 and has invested more than $30million to support over 120 projects in real health and care improvements.

The Emerging Health Researcher Awards is celebrating its sixth anniversary after being established in 2012.

For more information please visit www.bupa.com.au/foundation.

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Advancing Australia's healthcare system

#BeYouAtBupa is a treasure trove of beautiful stories and insightful inspiration from within Bupa Health Insurance, Bupa Aged Care, Bupa Dental, Bupa Optical and Bupa Therapy, but today we're sharing Samjhana's story. 

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