Summerset is thrilled to have won the NZ Aged Care Association's award for best training and staff development programme. The nationwide training programme for diversional and recreational therapists (DRTs) picked up the top prize at the awards last month.
Programme Lead for diversional and recreational therapists, Orquidea Tamayo Mortera, was at the awards night and said that she is absolutely delighted Summerset has won.
"The new training programme has helped to increase the professional skills of our Summerset DRTs. This gives them the means to improve the quality of life for our care residents. It's so important for our seniors to be stimulated mentally and physically.
"Out of 47 DRTs, we now have 15 qualified DRTS, two with a national DRT registration, and 30 studying toward a qualification. We've included dementia and palliative care in their training so they can help our residents in these stages of life. And this year we held our first national DRT day with speakers and the opportunity for DRTs to meet in person.
"We have really grown as a team this year and I'm so proud of what we've achieved together," she said.
