One move model of care in focus
The largest healthcare gathering in the southern hemisphere – Australian Healthcare Week – takes place in Sydney later this month.
A promise to increase care to residents as needed and an open house approach to any senior-themed groups from the community is at the heart of the model of a retirement living provider in the spotlight at an industry conference this month.
LDK Seniors’ Living, which is an approved home care provider, has three retirement living villages – two in Canberra and one in Sydney. Its chief development officer Chris Davis said at the core of LDK’s model of care is the provider’s one move promise.
“The promise is that we bring care to you as needed, when needed right through to end of life,” said Mr Davis – including palliative and dementia care. “This means you don’t have to move out to a residential aged care facility,” Mr Davis told Australian Ageing Agenda.
Mr Davis is among speakers at the 12th Australian Healthcare Week conference in Sydney later this month. It is the largest healthcare gathering in the southern hemisphere – with more than 6,000 delegates expected to attend.
Curated in collaboration with health and aged care leaders, the conference comprises of six strands including tech innovation in aged care, and aged care facilities design and development.
Mr Davis is presenting on the latter. As well as providing clinical care for its clients, LDK – which stands for love, decency and kindness – runs a lifestyle program to promote health and wellbeing. This revolves around exercise, physiology, nutrition and socialisation, he said.
“We invite seniors’ groups from the community to come into our villages,” said Mr Davis. “Any group that wants to come into our villages with a seniors’ slant is welcome.”
The initiative has a double benefit, said Mr Davis. “It provides activity and life to our villages by bringing visitors in, but it also gives our residents – who may not be able to get out-and-about – the opportunity to participate in these groups.”
LDK residents can also socialise at mealtimes. “We have cafés, à la carte restaurants and bistros,” he said.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of LDK’s model of care, said Mr Davis, is couples get to stay together. “If one partner has dementia or has high-care needs, normally your option would be to go to a nursing home, which means separating the couple. In our model, the couples can stay together. That’s a big appeal.”
Mr Davis will be one of 150 speakers at AHW 2023. As well as aged care experts, there will be senior health executives, clinicians, frontline leaders, and technologists.
The two-day event – which is running at the International Convention Centre from 15-16 March – is free to attend. Register here.
Australian Ageing Agenda is the Official Aged Care Partner of AHW 2023
Main image: LDK Greenway Views in Canberra
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