The Leisure and Therapeutic Activities program offers daily activity options to meet the social, cultural,
religious, and therapeutic needs of all residents. The program aims to provide normal living experiences
within the residential care environment focusing on residents' preferences, interests and lifestyle choices.
The weekly activity choices include reading clubs, cooking, gardening, table activities, cultural specific
entertainment and community outings such as shopping, Church or visits to places of interest. Diversional
Therapy, Physiotherapy and a range of complementary therapies are integrated within the weekly program
offering cognitive stimulation, physical exercise and sensory enrichment.
The seasons and celebrations of the year provide variety within the activity program. Christmas is a
special time for most of our residents. In recognition of the cultural and religious diversity within
our residents, this usually extends over two weeks with special recognition of Polish, Catholic and
Orthodox traditions. This year, many of the staff contributed to the Christmas season by purchasing
gifts for residents, bringing tasty Christmas delights to share at the parties and by sharing tapes,
videos and other items relating to Christmas customs and traditions.
Senior Citizens Week and Orthodox Pancake Week coincided this year. Residents enjoyed many special
events including the Autumn Tea Dance at Springvale, Multicultural concert at Frankston and the
International Flower Show at Exhibition Buildings. Pancake Week shenanigans included gypsy dancers,
carousing and of course Pancakes. A highlight was the special breakfasts of pancakes with caviar and sour cream.
Easter is central to the expression of faith for all of our Christian residents. Provision was made
for our residents to attend Easter Services at the Croatian Catholic, Serbian Orthodox and Russian
Orthodox Churches. Most of our Orthodox residents attended Church Services over Easter with 15
attending the midnight service. Many residents, relatives and members of the Church community expressed
their appreciation for the extra efforts made by our staff to enable this to happen. The cooperation
between Nursing, Activity and Support (Laundry and Catering) staff was excellent, clearly demonstrating
the multidisciplinary commitment to residents' quality of life.
Our residents were delighted to attend a Mother's Day function as guests of the Russian Parish School.
Many expressed their enjoyment in watching the children perform traditional songs and were touched to
receive a flower from the children for Mother's Day.
The Russian Cultural Festival was very successful providing an opportunity for our residents to meet
up with family and friends from the Russian communities of Melbourne. Many were proud to contribute
to the display providing their thoughts on activities and reminiscing over the photos. Others
contributed to the floral art display or provided items of cultural significance. All enjoyed the
vibrancy and excitement of the festival including the traditional food, music and displays. The
animal farm demonstrated the importance, particularly for our frailer residents, of contact with
animals. Our display promoted the diversity of activity options provided for our residents and the
commitment to normalisation achieving a normal daily life within the supported living environment.
Responses to the display were positive and complimentary with many surprised and impressed at the
quality of care and services provided for our residents.
Community participation is an important feature of the activities program. The availability of the
bus with a wheelchair hoist enables many residents to participate in their activities of choice
shopping, outings, visits to family and friends, Church activities and special events. Special
events and outings have included participation in Melbourne and Dandenong churches Patronal Feast
days, outings to Melbourne Aquarium, Tesselaars Tulip Farm, Grants Picnic Ground, International
Flower Show, Christmas Lights, Autumn Tea dance, Sumnation Multicultural Festival and Russian
Cultural Festival. Favourite outing destinations include visits to Frankston beach, Fountain
Gate Food Court, Food Star, Tooradin village and Gardenworld. We are proud to report that all
residents who wish to participate in community activities were assisted to do so. The skills and
commitment of our activities staff team is crucial for achieving this aim as many residents are
frail with complex care needs or limited mobility. We also recognise and appreciate the many hours
of voluntary service the activity staff members provide over and above their paid employ and thank
them each for their dedication.
Kronstadt Gardens remains committed to continuous improvement in standards of care and services to
ensure quality outcomes for residents. The “Opportunity for Improvement” forms and Resident meetings
provide opportunity for residents, their representatives, family and friends to evaluate services
and make complaints, suggestions or compliments. This year, resident meetings have commenced in the
Nursing Home in addition to the dynamic meeting chaired by Mrs Sika Kerry OAM for low care residents.
An annual resident satisfaction survey provides further opportunity for feedback and monthly audits
of different aspects of resident lifestyle monitors our compliance with government accreditation
standards. Results from these surveys and audits validate our achievement of excellence in leisure
and therapy services - an achievement that is evident in a myriad of ways everyday through the
attainment of functional independence, dignity, privacy, expression of personal rights, informed
decision making, security and continuance of lifestyle practices.
