Flowers’ healing power

Asiah Diloi and Joe Fiorello with the colourful Cooinda Florist mural.

A wall of flowers is adding a splash of colour and helping lift the mood of residents at Cooinda House.

Joe Fiorello, Redcliffe Hospital’s OVP Practitioner, and Cooinda NUM Esther DeGuzman were two of the driving forces behind the mural installation that discreetly hides the exit to the diversional therapy unit.

Joe said the ‘Cooinda Florist’ mural added an attractive focal point to the room and had already had a positive impact on patient behaviour.

“Some of our residents can become confused or agitated and will look for ways to leave,” he said.

“Doors are attractive areas for unwanted behaviours; by concealing them with art work we can minimise opportunities for these types of behaviours.

“Residents often spend a lot of time in this room talking, watching TV or reading and the mural makes it feel more like home.”

CN Asiah Diloi said the mural had attracted many positive comments from residents’ families.

Joe was also instrumental in the bus stop project in the Delirium and Falls Unit (DAFU) at Redcliffe Hospital, which is helping to make patients’ daily routine appear as normal as possible. It is complete with a bench and bus timetables where patients can quietly wait for the bus.

A similar project is planned for Cooinda to enhance residents’ physical well being.