Our Staff

Our team cares for and connects with each person who lives at Admatha like we would a very best friend. This means that people feel loved and important.

We:

accept you as you are
really listen to you
love to hear you laugh
forgive your mistakes
have fun together

Our team has been hand picked with great care. We have the knack of working with people with dementia. We know how to love and care for someone like that person is our very best friend.

We believe that the people who make up our Admatha team need to be nurtured too. Admatha offers a service where all team members can see the doctor free of charge. Workplace Support is given by Chaplaincy Services. This means the people who make up our team are assisted to be completely available to the people they care for.

Vicky Jones - Operational support Manager

A rich and varied career path brings me to this hugely exciting position with Admatha Dementia Care. I have a BA degree from the University of Cape Town in English, Archaeology and Social Anthropology, with experience in the fields of management, PR, media liaison, publicity, counselling, and team leading and caregiving in the demanding and rewarding field of traumatic brain and spinal injury.

I am a people person who believes in the importance of teamwork, positive reinforcement, empathy, energy and humour in all aspects of my life. I'm also passionate about the importance of supporting and mentoring others to overcome challenges and realise their personal potential.

I have a deep connection with the vision and values of Admatha, and am proud to be part of an organisation which leads the way in providing an exceptional level of care to those facing the challenge of dementia. I am committed to providing support to the residents, families, staff and management, at all our facilities, as well as spending special time with our residents and the Diversional Therapy team, sharing many magic moments of enrichment, achievement, laughter and love.

Ruth Babbonich - Nurse Manager

Ruth is Admatha Lodge Hospital’s Nurse Manager, and brings nearly thirty years of experience in aged care nursing. She has specialized in dementia care for the last eight years and has a natural, caring and very experienced way with our hospital level dementia residents.

Ruth says she is enlivened and challenged by the work she does at Admatha Lodge, from the caring of residents to the family interactions as well as working with such a great team. Ruth’s down to earth nature, experience and use of humor is very valued by our residents, families and staff.

Kathy Cargill - Registered Nurse

I am a ‘people’ person with a caring compassionate manner. As a Registered Nurse I enjoy working in a positive team environment. I value the uniqueness and strengths of each team member as we work together to provide the best quality care for the residents and support to their families. Making a difference in people’s lives brings me great satisfaction.

Lyn Horrell - Enrolled Nurse

Lyn Horrell is an enrolled nurse. She has worked with people who are elderly for many years. She brings experience and wisdom to Admatha. She says, “I particularly love working with people who have dementia.

This work is so challenging and rewarding. Every day is so different – often a person I am caring for brings tears to my eyes and often there is much laughter and fun.”

Donya Nee - Vision Development

Coordinator

I came to Admatha and Avonlea from an arts background, combining studies in performing arts, holistic counselling and post graduate studies in community arts management and dance therapy that I employ in my work as a diversional therapist. This brings me great happiness. Activities and daily interactions are so important for our residents and bring many treasured moments for each of us.

Donya works to ensure our vision and values are known within our local community as well as thriving in our unique homes.

She also works across all facilities as an instructor for Non Violent Crisis Intervention.

I have great passion for the wellbeing of our precious residents and I work to ensure their adjustment to home life, their comfort and their happiness. I feel honored to work with such special people, their families and our wonderful team.

I aim to embrace the richness of each moment with each person I work with at Admatha and Avonlea.

“Love prevails, Is forever clear and never forgets”

Helen Knighton - Eve Home Manager

My name is Helen Knighton. I am the home manager in the evenings at Admatha Home.

I have 16 years experience in dementia care. Two of which I have spent at Admatha. I like working in the field of dementia. It gives me great satisfaction to see the residents smile and to assist them with their every day tasks. I enjoy the warm, friendly and homely atmosphere which surrounds Admatha.

Amit Kumar - Home Manager

Bio to follow...

Bebien Montecillo - Home Manager

Bebien Montecillo is one of our home managers at Admatha home. Bebien is a registered nurse in her country, the Philippines. She really enjoys the challenge of working as home manager; She cares for the residents with passion and enjoys the staffing team and families. "Treating our residents as you would a best friend is a great goal for us to acheive.

Rahel Wittwer - Diversional Therapist

Donna Jemmett - Clinical Manager

As the Clinical Manager At Admatha and Avonlea, I have the priviledge of leading the Registered Nursing team.

I have a passion for caring for people with an illness such as Dementia. It is very satisfying to be able to make a difference for those who are vulnerable.

My main priority is to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved for our residents.

Edna Sancho - Registered Nurse

Edna Sancho is the registered nurse with special responsibilities at Admatha Home. She says she gets overwhelming help and support from the management team and from every staff member. She comes from a different country and culture. We respect and value her different perspective very much. She enjoys ensuring each resident gets the best care. She says, “I am very pleased and privileged to be a part of such a lovely and tremendous team.”

Maira Adlaon - Resistered Nurse

I was born in the Philippines and graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2006. I practiced my first professional year at a private hospital where I learnt a lot about the field of nursing.

I came to New Zealand in 2007 and love my work as a registered nurse at Admatha Lodge Dementia Care Hospital.

Simon Hamley - Education Coordinator

I have worked as a registered nurse for the past 25 years, most of that in the UK. I love working in dementia care; each day is different and I strive to get to know each person for who they are, the life they have lead and the things they enjoy.

Education is an area that has always given me great satisfaction. It is great to see staff learn and grow and improve skills and I am always keen to share my experience and knowledge with them. As a nurse, I have always been a teacher – nurses teach clients and families about health and how to manage health problems. However, I have also been lucky enough to spend time teaching adults in a 'classroom' situation, most recently at Kings Education in Christchurch teaching elderly care.

Away from work I have a passion for football (soccer) and have coached several boys teams (teaching again!). I want all staff to feel comfortable, confident and happy to provide wonderful care. Sadly, I am loosing my hair, but my Father once told me - 'Grass never grows on a busy street'.

Sandra McArthur - Home Manager

Sandra McArthur is a home manager. She has recently returned from five years in Scotland. She has much experience in providing care to people who have dementia both in New Zealand and Scotland. She demonstrates much knack in her work with people. She particularly enjoys working in our small homes – these small homes ensure a peaceful and loving atmosphere.

Janet Zhang - Home Manager

Janet comes to us from China and is a registered nurse in her country. Janet is one of our home managers at Admatha Home. Janet says "I love taking care of elderly people. I have allot of fun here an treat the residents as I would my own family members. We share things together and it brings me joy to see their smiling faces.

We get good feed back from our residents families. I learn so much from Admatha that is why I love my job here.

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