In Brookfield, an aged care worker is making a difference through music, art, conversation and connection at Carinity Brookfield Green.
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For Carole Pallier, bringing joy is central to her role at Carinity Brookfield Green aged care. As a Diversional Therapist, Carole focuses on supporting residents to maintain quality of life through social connection, creativity and shared experiences.
“My job is to make this part of our residents’ lives enjoyable,” Carole said.
Maintaining hobbies, friendships and interests plays a key role in holistic wellbeing. For many seniors, moving into an aged care home can provide opportunities to re-engage with past interests and build new social connections.
At Carinity Brookfield Green, Carole works alongside Activities Officer Terry Hook to coordinate between five and seven activities or events for residents each weekday. The program provides residents with regular opportunities to engage socially and take part in shared experiences within the home.
Concerts, music sessions and arts activities feature prominently on the activities calendar. Sports-based activities are also popular and encourage movement and participation among residents. Together, these activities support residents to build new friendships and social connections.
Carole recognises that not all residents enjoy group activities and ensures time is set aside for individual engagement.
“We have people who do not like group activities, so we set time aside to make sure they get one-on-one attention,” she said. “This could be painting with just one person, a walk in the garden, reading them a book, inviting them to tell their life story, or playing board games.”
This approach is also used for residents living with dementia, with activities tailored to individual needs. Music and singing sessions, time spent outdoors in the garden, and gentle hand massages are among the ways residents are supported.
“We also do hand massages and nails, as the touch and physical connection is important,” Carole said.
With a background in art, Carole has introduced creative activities at Brookfield Green, including a painting club she refers to as “à la carte art”. During these sessions, she hand-paints gift cards for residents while they sit together and chat. The focus is on conversation as much as creativity.
Carole also takes residents on fortnightly bus trips to visit a local art café, providing them with an opportunity to enjoy an outing and engage with the local community.
Moments where residents reconnect with past interests are particularly meaningful for Carole. One such experience involved a resident who had chosen not to leave her room for a long time.
“One day, we managed to encourage her out of her room and took her to a room with a piano,” Carole said.
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“You can imagine the tears all round when this lady asked to be wheeled up to the piano and she played her concert music, which she hadn’t done for years.”
Carole said moments like these make the work worthwhile and reflect the value of activities that focus on connection, creativity and enjoyment for residents.
Published 2-February-2026
