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.
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.
ELDAC focuses on supporting aged care providers, healthcare professionals, and families in delivering person-centred and high-quality care to older adults nearing the end of their lives. The project provides resources, tools, and training to improve the knowledge and skills of aged care staff and enhance the overall care experience.
ELDAC aims to address several key areas related to end-of-life care, including advance care planning, palliative care, and care coordination. It emphasises the importance of early conversations and planning for end-of-life care preferences, ensuring that individuals’ wishes and values are respected. The project also promotes collaboration between healthcare professionals, aged care staff, and families to ensure seamless and coordinated care.
By providing education, resources, and support, ELDAC seeks to empower aged care providers and healthcare professionals to deliver compassionate and high-quality care during this important stage of life.
The ELDAC project is a consortium led program through a partnership between 3 Universities and 4 peak bodies
- Queensland University of Technology
- The University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
- Flinders University
- Palliative Care Australia
- Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA)
- Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association (AHHA)
- Catholic Health Australia
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Green House Homes coming to Australia
Green House homes for the elderly, also known as Green House eldercare or simply Green House homes, are a unique model of long-term care facilities designed to provide a more home-like and personalised environment for elderly residents. The concept was developed with the goal of transforming the traditional nursing home experience into a more intimate and engaging one.
Healthia, part of the ACH Group will be the first home in Australia where the U.S.-founded Green House Project (GHP) model of care is implemented.
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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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Dental and oral health care priorities for the elderly
In 2023, there are a number of changes occurring in dental services including the start of a new Senate inquiry and new registered nurses in residential aged care. Yet in the meantime there are gaps and delays in dental and oral health interventions for elderly Australians, unless training is more widely deployed.
Re Aged Care spoke to Leonie Short, a dental therapist working for Seniors Dental Care Australia on what she considers are dental and oral health priorities for the elderly, based on her work in the aged, home and disability sectors.
