Understanding Our Mission

Stephanie Buckland, Chief Executive Officer, Amana Living

I am particularly drawn to this issue’s theme, ‘Mission’, since Amana Living’s mission statement is so intrinsic to what we do as a major aged-care provider. Missions and missionary work, in general, are obviously major biblical themes; the uplifting concept of following a mission or ‘calling’ to do God’s work. But the idea of a mission or mission statement is also core to how many companies and organisations operate.

I would contend that good business practice stays very close to what its mission statement is, and the best companies operate in accordance with a persuasive Mission that informs and explains what they do. Our Mission was developed over more than two years and with a great weight of research, focus group discussion and healthy debate because we wanted it to be much more than a simple catchphrase or tagline that could lie and die unnoticed inside an Annual Report.

We wanted it to fly off the page and become something living and breathing; something easily understood and widely embraced. We wanted it to engage and endure. I am pleased with the mission we finally landed because it was democratically created, rigorously challenged and finely honed. In its final form, I see it as our raison d’etre – our reason for being – and it is central to our onboarding process and culture.

Our Mission reads: ‘Together, we enable older people to maintain their individuality, providing what is needed to support a fulfilling life.’

For me, that 18-word statement explains our role as an enabler, provider and supporter. Every one of those words and phrases has been exhaustively examined. For instance, the word ‘together’ was considered essential because we see ourselves as a partner with the older person as well as everyone in their life - whether it be their partner, family, children, priest or GP.

The expression ‘maintain their individuality’ was chosen because research told us that western society reduces older people to be all the same, rather like all babies are considered the same. The phrase, ‘to support a fulfilling life’ was agreed because everyone deserves a fulfilling existence no matter what it looks like. A fulfilling life is up to the individual to decide, and it connects to the Christian principle that life is precious and important.

I like to think that every one of our 1970-strong team walks the talk when it comes to our mission statement and gives cause to reflect on it as they go about their work. I have thought about the statement a lot recently as I reflect on the ramifications of the Aged Care Act.

Last month, the newly appointed Minister of Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, made the decision to defer the Act’s introduction from 1 July to 1 November. This was done, he said, to allow more time for participants to better understand the changes, so they can prepare and make informed decisions.

The Minister said the number one recommendation from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was to deliver a new Act that put the client at the centre of everything.

This in itself is a worthy mission statement and something we wholeheartedly support. He went on to say that a pause was needed to allow for a smoother implementation of the new Act, especially with the Support at Home program. This program, as its name implies, provides support for those who choose to remain at home while receiving approved assistance with cooking, cleaning, gardening, personal and clinical care – such as assistance with showering and medications.

The assistance is delivered by government approved providers like us and paid for by a government subsidy combined with fees paid by the recipients. Although we were ready for the Act, we were also mindful that a lot of information, especially that related to home care packages, was outstanding. Suffice to say, we believe the delay is welcome news.

The deferral recognises the extra time needed to get all the ducks in a row and ensure aged care reforms deliver real and lasting benefits for all older Australians. While we remain in a holding pattern, it is business as usual while we work with the government to fill in the blanks and shape the reforms so we can enable older people to maintain their individuality and provide what is needed to support a fulfilling life.
That is our mission, and we are committed to it.