Scalabrini Communities, which runs six aged care homes in Sydney, has an unusual accolade in the sector: its staff retention is extraordinarily high. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
Just 10 staff members have provided 227 continuous years of service to Sydney’s sick and vulnerable seniors, with more commemorating their 15- and 10-year milestones with the company.
They include Sr Jade Resabal ISR and Sr Naw Susiciana ISR, each celebrating their 20th year with Scalabrini Communities.
“I chose the religious life because I want to do something for people, especially to help those who cannot help themselves, and our elderly people are among those in need,” Sr Susiciana said.
At The Village by Scalabrini in Drummoyne, Sr Susiciana provides palliative care and enjoys listening to her patients’ life stories and spending time with them.
She takes inspiration from St Teresa of Kolkata, who taught it was best to “do small things with great love.”
Sr Susiciana’s vocation informs her service as she believes religious life is “dedicated to prayer and serving others.”
Her approach to care also centres on the dignity of each person, which requires her to be “compassionate, inclusive, and focused on the whole person,” caring for their spirit, body, and emotional wellbeing.
“It also involves providing a peaceful presence, managing pain, facilitating spiritual reconciliation, and praying with the dying to help them trust in God until the end,” she said.
The strength of Scalabrini Communities’ workforce loyalty becomes even more apparent when viewed against national trends.
According to the Aged Care Worker Survey 2024, only 43 per cent of aged care workers nationally have remained in the sector for more than 10 years, often across multiple employers.
By contrast, more than a quarter of Scalabrini Communities’ staff have chosen to stay with the same organisation for a decade or longer, highlighting an exceptional level of stability and commitment.
Long-term retention has become a hallmark of Scalabrini Communities’ organisational culture. The staff labour turnover rate is nine per cent against an industry average around 35 per cent.
Sr Susiciana said the secret to her long service was respect, passion and good management, as the staff members at Scalabrini Communities are well looked after.
“Working in an aged care centre is a difficult job but it’s rewarding,” she said.
FULL STORY
‘Difficult but rewarding’: Sisters celebrate 20 years ministering to the elderly at Scalabrini Village (By Tara Kennedy, The Catholic Weekly)
