New research is investigating the experience of people with dementia under a consumer directed aged care model.
In particular, the large scale study to be conducted by Griffith University PhD candidate Tracee Cash will explore the barriers and facilitators to taking up a CDC approach as part of the home care packages program.
“We are aiming to gain an understanding of how CDC is enacted within the family of people with dementia living in the community,” said Ms Cash.
“it’s hoped that this research will provide important insight which will inform government and service providers as they negotiate and adapt policies and procedures to the CDC model of care.”
Professor Wendy Moyle from the Menzies Health Institute Queensland said there has been limited research to date specifically focusing on this cohort under the rollout of CDC.
“As the prevalence of dementia continues to rise and as CDC is the preferred model of community aged care both internationally and in Australia, this research will add significantly to the understanding of community aged care for people with dementia under a CDC model.”
For more information on the study or to participate email: tracee.cash@griffithuni.edu.au
Risk of social isolation among CALD seniors in focus
Elsewhere, Queensland community care provider Diversicare has partnered with the University of Queensland on ways to enhance the social connectedness and wellbeing of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older Australians.
The three-year project aims to understand the best ways to help people ageing in a foreign land stay connected with their social networks, said lead researcher Professor Jolanda Jetten from UQ’s school of psychology.
“Older people from diverse cultural backgrounds are at increased risk of social isolation as they age in a foreign land,” said Professor Jetten. “There is evidence that they may be more vulnerable to diminished self-esteem, depression, poor psychological wellbeing and increased mortality.
“The project will look at answering key questions about the factors that contribute to a sense of isolation and to psychological wellbeing.”
She said the research will also explore the effectiveness of engaging in ethno-cultural and multicultural activities to support social connectedness and community integration.
Diversicare’s general manager Vivienne McDonald said the project would inform strategies used to care for older people from CALD backgrounds.
Diversicare is the community care division of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ).
To subscribe to CCR please visit https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/subscribe-to-ccr/
Trouble is CDC has been abandoned overseas as it didn’t work. They found out what we will. Whilst the philosophy is good, organisations can’t support it and we are already seeing evidence of consumers not getting their goals supported, long review times, services being charged for and workers not turning up. It will be very interesting to see what really happens from next February when clients nominate who manages their funds. Thats when the bigger companies will really show their inability to support CDC.