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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5 Key priorities in Aged Care, according to a Geriatrician
Geriatrician Professor Susan Kurrle is Curran Professor in Health Care of Older People at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney.
Professor Kurrle is a practicing geriatrician for the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD), specialising in the areas of dementia, frailty, elder abuse, successful ageing, and intergenerational care.
In this Re Aged Care segment, Professor Kurrle talks about the 5 key priorities in aged care reform, from the point of few of a geriatrician, especially those that are living with dementia.
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Overview of End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC)
ELDAC stands for End of Life Directions for Aged Care. It is an Australian national project that aims to improve the quality of end-of-life care provided to older people in residential aged care facilities. The project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and began in 2015.
Re Aged Care spoke with Dr Priyanka Vandersman, an End of Life Directions for Aged Care Research Fellow, at the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Flinders University about ELDAC and its importance for the aged care workers and residents. Timed to coincide with Palliative Care Week 2023, the interview was captured at the ARIIA Facing the Future: Aged Care 2030 and Beyond Conference in Adelaide in May.
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Aged Care homes rescued and transformed
Jason Binder is the Managing Directory and Chief Executive Officer of Respect Group Limited. Although, the organisation has its origins dating back to 1922, its ability to rescue and transform aged care homes start a little over a decade ago.
As Jason explains, his role was elevated from middle management to senior management upon the sudden departure of the Executive team. With the COO, Brett Menzies, the two new senior managers, whilst in their early thirties, put together a plan to rescue the organisation from near bankruptcy, and delivered it to the Respect board. It was accepted and the executed plan was able to turn around the organisation.
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