People living with dementia are some of the most vulnerable in community. Prolonged periods of isolation during the pandemic has exacerbated symptoms of those with dementia. Emotional and physical support provided by care partners has been lacking.
Maree McCabe AM, CEO of Dementia Australia, talked to Re Aged Care , about the aged care sector being under pressure before the pandemic and especially during it. A number of initiatives and policy improvements have recently occurred.
In October 2021, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) adopted the essential visitor protocol for visitor access to residential aged care facilities (RACF). This stated people in residential care should be allowed to take advantage of reduced restrictions and participate in activities outside the RACF such as outdoor exercise and visitation with friends and family.
According to Dementia Australia, having quality dementia care is integral to ensuring mandatory dementia education is available. Dementia Training Australia delivers a 3 days Dementia Essentials course focuses on good communication, planning, developing appropriate activities, observation skills and understanding how changed behaviour can impact the way they respond and their overall wellbeing.
Dementia Australia has developed a Dementia Practice Health Check. aligned with the existing Aged Care Standards. As a self assessment tool it’s split into 3 modules; a manager survey, staff online survey and delivery of a health check report with recommendations for staff training.
In February 2022, the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia, a Dementia Australia initiative, commenced to raise awareness among Members of Parliament about issues that impact people of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers.
The event gave opportunity to discuss the workforce and need for mandatory training.
Looking at the priorities of day to day dementia care, the Dementia Learning Guide has been updated and re-released at the start of 2022. The guide provides best practice knowledge to improve staff morale, reduce staff turnover, raise fewer complaints, better consumer confidence and more importantly in improving care.
The aim for the guide is to develop a workforce that is empowered and feels supported caring for people with dementia, to ultimately lead to improvements in the levels of dementia care.
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Applying creativity in wellness and reablement in residential aged care
Real World Games are a series of events that mimic typical obstacles older adults may face in the community. Each event incorporates a different environment, skill and challenge. Over 4 weeks, each competitor will receive the support and training of their allied health team to conquer challenges. These challenges have been designed for varying mobility and functional levels, as well as some challenges for the trainers, for all involved to compete.
The games will culminate in a live-streamed event where competitors from across Australia will compete against each residential aged care centre.
The aim is to make as many older adults as possible, community ambulant, whilst using creativity to give older Australians a sense of fun in the activity.
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Government’s first report card, 1 year on
Re Aged Care spoke with Paul Sadler, CEO of Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) about this week’s Federal Budget and the recent announcement on on-site pharmacists to improve medication management in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs).
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Smart diaper improves quality of life in residential aged care
Nurses have a pivotal role to play in the widespread implementation and adoption of digital health technologies throughout the healthcare sector for the primary purpose of improving safety and quality of patient care.
Australian Health Journal talked to two of Australian top leaders in nursing and in digital health on how the role of nursing is pivotal to the success of digital health in the Australian health system.
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