Work Experience Report: Catholic Healthcare Bethlehem House, Kogarah

This report details Kathleen de Nava's work experience at Catholic Healthcare Bethlehem House in Kogarah as part of her Community Engagement unit (BIPX202) at Australian Catholic University. The report describes her interactions with residents, including Frank, Nolla, and Mr. Smart, during various activities such as singing practices, movie days, and happy hour. The student reflects on the positive impact of her presence and the relationships she formed, particularly with Ann, who shared her life experiences. The report highlights the development of her communication skills, her ability to connect with the elderly, and her personal growth. The report also includes a thank you letter to her placement supervisor and the staff at Bethlehem House. The experience transformed her view of aged care and motivated her to continue visiting the residents.

My work experience at Catholic Healthcare Bethlehem House at Kogarah.
My name is Kathleen de Nava (S00228859), a first-year student studying a Bachelor of
Commerce at Australian University Catholic. I choose a Catholic Healthcare Bethlehem
House at Kogarah to pass the Community Engagement unit (BIPX202). Bethlehem House is
not like the other nursing home, it’s not a prominent place either their room. But what makes
this site unique is that everyone gets along and get to know each other quickly. I choose this
kind of industry to complete my Community Service in Nursing home is because I think I am
good at talking with people especially old people, I get along with them quickly. Also,
because I felt that nursing home might need more help or the residence might need someone
to talk.
1st day, 3 November we had a singing practice for Christmas song. This routine happens
every Friday 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm sometimes depends if they love to keep singing. My first
day in Bethlehem House, I felt a warm welcoming from everyone, the first person I get along
was Frank, he’s the one who guided me and walks around the house. He showed me his
room, where they grab a book or movies if they want to read/watch a movie, smoking area,
etc. At 5:30 pm is their dinner time, I thought I’d help the kitchen staff to serve food to
residences, in that way I’ll get a chance to communicate with everyone and introduce myself
to them at the same time.
2nd day, 10 November another singing practice for Christmas song. Everyone recognized me
straight away and asked how my day has been. I can feel that they were happy that I am there
meeting new people and communicate. The rest of the routine happened similar to the 1st
day. Interacting with different people, asking if they would like some drinks and also helping
them to stand up, moving chairs, etc.
3rd day, 13 November I had a chance to meet new people staffs and residences. This day is a
movie day which starts at 1:30 pm. This day was a big day, but I got a chance to know more
about them and manage to talk to different residences. Frank was born in Germany and
moved to Australia when he was 1 or 2 years old, we mostly talked about the history like
what happened before, and I find it interesting to listen to his story and learn new things.
Also, Frank family primarily lives in California that’s why many relatives are not coming to
visit him. Then I met Nolla she is a very lovely and beautiful woman, she loved to talk about
love and other interesting story. Also, she loved to hold your hand while talking to you with a
beautiful smile. Nolla has three sons some lives in Canberra that’s why they didn’t get a
chance to visit their mum much. Then I met Mr. Smart (forgot his name), he would say
“Hello Kathleen, how are you today?”, He is very interested in my education, what I am
studying. We talked about his interest and what he used to study when he was young. He
used to study about Time which is Einstein’s Theory; He loves to look at the photos of
outside the earth (galaxies, other planets). He’s the previous job was a journalist at
Newspaper it was easy for him, and at the same time, he had a good time. He managed to
help other people from the different country through sponsoring kids before.
4th day, 15 November this day a party day! Someone came to sing a song; everyone was
having a great time listening to their favorite songs some are the songs they haven’t heard for
a long time. Everyone is singing along while other staff and I are dancing around with
Maracas and blowing some bubbles with residences.5th day, 16 November is another good
time! It’s a Happy Hour, that finally some can have a beer, wine and soda’s. While drinking,
we had a questions and answer game. One of the staff were going to ask some questions

While resident will raise their answer if it’s a, b, c ord. We all had a good time; the house was
loud because of everyone’s laughing. After the Happy Hour time elapsed, everyone is still
having a good time then, I noticed the lady who always sits at the back of the red chair. I
approached her by asking “would you like something to drink?” and she replied “yes please, I
would like to have some wine” so I did. When I gave her to drink, I started the conversation
with her by introducing myself and why I am at Bethlehem House. At first, she doesn’t want
to have any more conversation she said “nice to meet you, Kathleen, My name is Ann, you
can go back to what you were doing” so I said ok and if she wants to talk to anyone I'm
happy to come and talk to her. Then a few minutes later, I noticed her waving her hand to me,
so I approached her again and wanted to have another wine, so I gave her another one, then
when I came back with her wine, we started talking. She opened up about her, she stayed at
Bethlehem House for 15 years, and that red chair where she is always sitting on is her spot.
She opened up about her past, she married twice and both men (husbands) are abusive due to
jealousy, and the other husband is because of jealousy and heavy drinker that he punched her
in the face. After hearing Ann’s story, I couldn’t stop myself but hug her and said, “ You are
a charming woman, and you don’t deserve to be treated that way.” The lady told me that I
don’t have to feel sorry. The reason why she stayed at Bethlehem House for 15 years now is
that that’s the place she chooses to stay and all her kids are visiting her and call them
whenever she feels. After our conversation, I noticed that she started to walk around and sit to
other chair and talk to other residence then I thought this kind of picture that I am seeing now
is better than seeing her sitting by herself, not talking to anyone and after meal or activity she
will just go to her room and stay there. Lastly, I noticed this guy I didn’t get a chance to know
what his name because of he can’t talk due to Tracheostomy that created a hole in his throat.
But what I love about this man is, he is a very energetic and lovely person, the way to show
that "you’re doing a great job” is to smile at you, and thumbs up to both his hands or dancing
a bit with thumb-ups at the same time. Thank you is demonstrated through grabbing of hands
and kissing them.
6th day 17 November is my last day as a work placement, today is a singing practice same
routine as day 1 and 2. As I walk around, greeting anyone who I see, talk to them and dancing
around with residence even tho there is no music giving them a happy face. Philip came to
me say it was nice to have me and see me around that bring joy to them and everyone agreed
with him. I was moved by his words. Then I thought, today is my last day of work placement,
I can still come and visit them whenever I’m free.
Being here in Bethlehem Home I did not expect to feel attached here. In fact, I thought I
would never visit this place after my workplace, so I thought this site has a lot of beautiful
people, and I get along with everyone. It is almost startling to think about how my experience
here in a nursing home has changed me. I began talking to old people, discovered how I
could touch this people’s lives through this workplace. Also, I am motivated like never before
to visit Bethlehem Home to sing, play music, play games and to talk with the residents.
Finally, I marvel at how the community tied with the life purpose statement if such a
seemingly daily visit to a nursing home could inspire such a journey of discovering not only
to others but you as well.

Use this letter as your guideline.
If you decide to copy, paste or type over this letter guide then please ensure you remove this
box and guideline information from your document before you send (post) your ‘Thank You
Letter’ to your placement supervisor (via Australia Post). Make sure the content of your
letter appears in the central part of the page.
You will need a copy of this letter in Word format for your online submission for Assessment
Task 3.
Your First and Surname Name
Your address
SUBURB Postcode
Today’s date (e.g. 3 June 2014)
Name of Placement Supervisor
Position
Supervisors’ Company Name
Supervisors’ Company Address
SUBURB Postcode
Dear?
I am writing to thank you and your staff for giving me the opportunity to undertake my
Professional Experience [Community Engagement or Internship Professional Placement]
with your organisation.
This placement contributed significantly to my development as a Bachelor of Business
student as it enabled me to learn and gained a lot of skills in regards to my profession path. I
appreciate the efforts made by your team to work effortlessly to ensure that the vulnerable are
well-taken care. The experience has brought me out of my comfort zone, of being an introvert
and made me learn how to communicate effectively.
The support that you and your staff gave me was invaluable and I consider it a major factor in
the success of my placement. Please convey my thanks to all the staff that helped make this
experience worthwhile.
Yours faithfully
(Student to sign their name above their typed name)

Miss/Ms/Mrs/Mr Type your name in full First Name and Surname