Windsor Park resident teaches sign language skills

Windsor Park resident Ivan Veale signs for 'coffee' with Deputy Director of Nursing Julie Warhurst.

While communicating with residents can be difficult at times, staff at Windsor Park Aged Care Home have overcome the added hurdle of caring for a man who is deaf.

Ivan Veale moved to the home in Carlisle, Western Australia last year. While he predominately communicates by lip-reading and writing messages to staff, he has also taught the staff some simple signs.

Ivan said he enjoyed making staff laugh and joking with them. “I also like the activities they put on here, they are fun," he said.

“My daughter Sara is deaf too and I have spent a lot of time teaching her sign language.”

Ivan started teaching the staff some signs after he moved the home, like for when he would like a coffee.

Windsor Park Deputy Director of Nursing Julie Warhurst said Ivan had settled in well at the home.

“Ivan has a great sense of humour and he gets along with everyone here,” she said. "He likes the staff to know what he wants and he makes do with what we can do for him."

“Ivan will write notes for us to text to his daughter, and his sister, who lives interstate, writes letters. We also organise a phone call using the national relay service.”

When Ivan needs to go to a medical appointment, Julie can organise for an Auslan translator to accompany him.

To find more about Windsor Park Aged Care Home, located in the Western Australian suburb of Carlisle, click here.