Our Aged Care Team |
Lifespan Health's team deliver services in participating Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie region.
Program Managers
Our Psychologists
Elaine Samways
Psychologist BBus, GradDipPsych, BBehSc (Hons), MAPS "The RACF program allows me to offer psychological support, and person-centred care to those struggling with mental health and other complexities at the later stage of life. It is a pleasure to work with older adults, their families, and care team and play a role in improving quality of life through mental health support."
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Janice Tan
Clinical Psychologist BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin) MAPS "Working in aged care is particularly meaningful for me; this is a group that I have profound respect and gratitude for. I believe that older adults carry with them a wealth of life experiences and are a treasure to our society. I am proud to be a part of their life journey and honoured to able to provide emotional support through connectedness, empathy, care, and meaning as they navigate through the challenges of ageing"
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Jacinta Walker
Clinical Psychologist BSocSci(Psych)(Hons), MPsych (Clinical) MAPS "Good mental health is a central part of our overall wellbeing and helps us to feel confident and able to face life and its challenges, no matter what our age.
To be a part of the lives of these remarkable older people, providing them with skills to manage their mental health, building their resilience, focusing on their strengths, and encouraging hope is a privilege and the best part of my job as a psychologist." |
Dr Lizanle van Biljon
Clinical Psychologist BA (Hons)(Psych), MPsych(Clin), PhD (Psych) MAPS "I consider it a privilege to share in the experiences and life stories of older clients and to work in partnership to come to a place of increased wellbeing and personal growth. Alongside my clinical work, I have a keen interest in academic research with a specific focus on quality of life for older adults."
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Gabe Hart
Psychologist Clinical Psychology Registrar MPsyc(Clin) "Emotional wellbeing should be supported at all stages of life, and it is a privilege to provide this support to older adults living in residential aged care. To hear to their stories and participate in a small part of their journeys is a fundamentally humbling and rewarding experience. I am so grateful to work with a team of clinicians who share this passion."
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Dr Peta Stephenson
Psychologist Clinical Psychology Registrar MPsych(Clin), PhD (Arts) "Many elderly Australians are living with loss and grief, declines in physical and cognitive health, and the difficulty of transitioning from independence to residing full-time in aged care. They have also led long, interesting, and valuable lives. Listening to and learning from older adults’ life stories is enriching for me and helps some of the most vulnerable people in the community feel heard and respected. Contributing to older Australians’ mental health and general wellbeing is one way I can give back to those who have contributed so much to our society. "
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Jade Crean
Psychologist BSc(Psych)(Hons) "People of all ages deserve to have their mental health needs met and their emotional wellbeing supported. It is a privilege to be able to work as part of a team delivering such a vital service to older adults living in residential aged care."
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Alexandra (Alex) Yates
Provisional Psychologist
BPsychSc(Hons) MAPS
Provisional Psychologist
BPsychSc(Hons) MAPS
“Older adults bring diversity, complexity, and a richness of experience to my work. I often feel that I am learning more from them than they could possibly gain from me! Speaking to someone and being heard can be a powerful experience for older adults in aged care facilities. It is a privilege to support people at this stage in their life, being able to contribute in a small way to their overall wellbeing.”