What makes working at Emmaus Village so special
This Dementia Action Week, dementia consultant Clare Wallace reflects on the people, relationships and everyday moments that make Emmaus Village special.
When I am going about my day and can hear singing and laughter.
When I see a staff member and resident go out to pick herbs for dinner.
When I walk in the fresh air and am surrounded by nature.
When I see families come together and enjoy visiting their loved ones.
These are some of the things that make working in Emmaus Village so unique and special. I came to Australia in 2023 and was prepared to return to shift work in hospital, as I did not think I would find a role that suited my experience and skill set. What a joy and surprise it was to see the dementia consultant role advertised just three days after I landed.
Three years ago, coming to work involved putting on a hard hat and entering a building site. Today, Emmaus Village is home to 94 people living with dementia and has become a community shaped by the residents, families and staff who are part of it.
What stands out most to me is the people.
I would love to use this opportunity to say the biggest thank you to Kate Koivu, Home Companion Lead, and Fiona Davies, Health and Wellness Lead. Any care setting requires people with intelligence, resilience and a lot of heart, and these two bring all of that to their work. I would not be able to do my job without them.
We are also fortunate to have families and carers who remain closely involved in the lives of their loved ones. Their knowledge, feedback and presence are incredibly valuable, and we love the energy they bring to the Village.
But the most important people are our residents.
While many people can live well with dementia in the community for a long time, there can come a point when additional support is needed. Moving into residential aged care can be a significant transition for both the person living with dementia and those closest to them.
For us, the focus is on supporting people through that transition with dignity, compassion and an understanding of who they are as individuals.
It has been my privilege throughout my nursing career to support people living with dementia and their families at different stages of that journey. What I continue to value most is the opportunity to get to know the person beyond their diagnosis: their history, preferences, relationships, routines and the things that matter to them.
Emmaus Village gives us a beautiful environment in which to do that work, but it is the relationships formed here that make the biggest difference.
Like any care community, Emmaus Village will continue to learn and evolve. We listen to residents, families and staff, reflect on our experience and look for ways to strengthen the support we provide.
That ongoing learning is important because dementia care is never one-size-fits-all. The needs of every resident and family are different, and good care requires us to keep listening, adapting and responding.
This Dementia Action Week, I am most grateful for the people who make Emmaus Village what it is: our residents, families and the staff who support them every day.
Emmaus Village is a purpose-built residential aged care community for people living with dementia in Port Macquarie. Our focus is on providing safe, compassionate and individualised support while helping residents maintain connection, dignity and quality of life.
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