Iona Team Leader Julie Worner got into the spirit of St Patrick’s Day by PSS

Little Things Make Big Difference at Iona

For Iona Team Leader Julie Worner, little things can make a big difference for residents.

Being from England, Julie Worner knows how to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style, and bringing a slice of that to Iona was all part of her longer-term aspirations to make daily life as pleasant as possible for Iona residents.

Julie took on the role of Team Leader at Iona late in 2016. It was a move she wasn’t initially keen on, but after one shift she was hooked – and she now sees her long term career firmly in dementia care.

“I love that there’s no routine; there are still things that need done, but it doesn’t matter when they get done. That allows more flexibility in creating a really positive environment for residents,” she said.

Julie has already made subtle changes. Whereas previously residents had to be up at a certain time for breakfast, Julie has relaxed that. Residents now wake naturally and have breakfast when they wish. The simple move has already made things less stressful for staff, and residents are no longer agitated because they’ve been woken up.

While working in dementia care can be physically and mentally draining and involves a lot of understanding and interpretation, Julie says it is also hugely rewarding.

Seeing a smile that lights up a resident’s eyes is all she needs to know she’s on the right track.

Her St Patrick’s Day outfit certainly provided that.

“I thought we could either acknowledge it a little or go over the top – so we went over the top. The reaction from residents made it worthwhile; they were just staring, they couldn’t believe it, there were so many laughs and a lot of pointing.”