Karen Freeman, Residential Services Manager

What did your journey to working at Emmaus Village look like?

Moving to the Mid North Coast over 25 years ago, my nursing career changed and progressed to an interest in the aged care sector. I worked in clinical education, training staff to work in aged care and nursing for over 10 years, teaching Certificate III and IV courses as well as Diploma in Nursing up to Graduate Certificate courses. I developed a passion for wound management, palliative care, and caring for people living with dementia, and this led me into leadership roles within residential aged care organisations. During the past 12 years, I have been privileged to work in management, experiencing the changes and challenges of aged care reforms, Covid-19, and workforce shortages.

What does your role as Residential Services Manager involve?

I am responsible for ensuring our villagers, families, staff, and visitors have the best quality experience each day. I make sure the Village is compliant with and exceeding the aged care quality standards through a strong focus on clinical governance, developing our people, and building a strong community where Villagers will live an active life and participate in the activities that they enjoy. 

I am looking forward to building and working with a great team of like-minded people and joining the Village community at Emmaus Village when we move out to site.

What excites you most about Emmaus Village?

The opportunity to be a part of a new and innovative model of care for people living with dementia is an exciting prospect. I believe we have the chance to offer people living with dementia an alternative to traditional residential care and provide purpose in each day.

There will be challenges, and that too, will be exciting as I begin to work with a new team. However the ability to have an influence on care provision and the opportunity to work with committed and enthusiastic staff, offers a great chance to make a difference in aged care.

Back