Peter Stevenson singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ at the Catholic Health Australia Conference. Photo: Supplied.
A former opera singer who has been bringing music and entertainment to a Garran aged care facility for more than a decade has been honoured with a national award.
Peter Stevenson was handed the ‘excellence in pastoral care’ award at the annual Catholic Health Australia conference in Sydney, which recognises innovation in the care of patients and staff.
The 58-year-old had previously worked in opera, cabaret and as an actor before travelling the world to perform on cruise ships.
“I fell in love in Canberra about 15 years ago,” he said.
“I decided I didn’t want to travel anymore. I thought, ‘what other thing could I do that is music-related that empowers people and makes them feel good?’. I had a friend working in aged care, who said ‘come along and give it a go’.
“I walked into my first memory support unit and found I was making connections with people through music. I also took a little portable piano into rooms, would play songs and that would spark conversation.”
Mr Stevenson is employed as a lifestyle coordinator at Southern Cross Care’s Ozanam Residential Aged Care home in Garran. In addition to going from room to room to sing, play music and entertain clients, he has also established and leads a residents’ choir which blends music with spirituality.
The choir, which includes several centenarians and those with dementia, has become a means of expression and engagement for several people, including those who are non-verbal.
“What I’d like for everyone to know is that aged care is not a negative thing. Having to leave your home is difficult, but I try and bring people together and make this place a new chapter in their life.
“People might knit, or read or do something they’ve always done, which is great, but why not try something new? It’s a myth that people with dementia can’t learn new things. They absolutely can,” he said.
Peter Stevenson accepted his award from CEO Monique Reynolds. Photo: Supplied.
So what’s the one song most likely to get elderly residents up and dancing?
“That’s easy. Sweet Caroline. One of the things we wanted to do was to approach the US Embassy to see if we could get Caroline Kennedy [daughter of the former US president] here. We’d done our research and found out that Neil Diamond revealed his song was about Caroline Kennedy. It might be hard to get her here, but we have residents who love to write letters and we’ll give it a go,” Mr Stevenson said.
Eileen, a 96-year-old resident at the Garran facility, is very appreciative of what her lifestyle coordinator does.
“I’ve known Peter for eight years, ever since I came here. He’s worked very hard here with us all. I know that if I have a problem I can always go to Peter. He’s encouraged us with different activities. We’ve been having, each Monday, choir practice – he doesn’t want to know if we can sing or not, everyone just goes, and the sound is quite amazing,” she said.
Mr Stevenson continues to enjoy his life away from the spotlight.
“I feel so privileged and so blessed to have gone from a career I really loved to a career I love even more,” he said.
Loading ...
