51 outstanding efforts in aged care

Above: Some of the winners of 2012 Better Practice Awards from NSW and the ACT. The chair of the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, Dr Andrew Refshauge, is second from left, back row.

Ballroom dancing as a falls management strategy, sensory towels which improve appetite and cooking classes to beat depression were among the 51 Better Practice Award winners announced today by Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.

The judging panel decided to give awards to 51 programs in homes run by 38 different aged care providers.

At Bupa Thomastown, in Victoria, warm face-washers infused with essential oils, distributed to residents half an hour before their lunchtime meal, stimulated their interest in eating and appetite.

A supper dance at St Michael’s Aged Care Facility, in the Victorian town of Murrumbeena, proved so popular it led to a ballroom dancing program which has reduced falls, improved resident posture and behavioural outcomes.

Pathways Aged Care Killara Gardens, in Sydney’s north, identified that up to 60 per cent of new residents had a history or symptoms of depression and anxiety, and that many had difficulty socialising in large groups and were self-isolating.

To promote mental health and social inclusion, developed a range of small-group activities including reminiscing, gentle exercise, tai chi, a men’s group and an interactive cooking class called ‘Cooking with Barry’. 

Each week, six residents at a time help the facility’s chef prepare meals from a special menu, which they are then served in the private dining room.

Garden City Retirement Home at Upper Mount Gravatt, in Queensland, also addressed social isolation through activity programs in response to resident preferences. The gender differences were apparently rather stark: a lot of men wanted a shed and beer, while many women wanted to go shopping and have a coffee.

Aged care organisations were also recognised for programs to attract and retain staff, including ‘employer of choice’ initiatives, recruitment programs to grow the talent pool of front-line care workers, and a graduate nurse program to make aged care a more attractive career option for graduate nurses.

The recently-appointed chair of the Accreditation Agency, Dr Andrew Refshauge, congratulated the Better Practice Award winners and praised all of this year’s nominees.

“We received almost 200 nominations – more than double last year – and the calibre and quality of the programs was outstanding,” Dr Refshauge said.

“The people behind these award-winning programs are the aged care industry leaders who are driving quality, driving improvement. Their efforts are deserving of recognition,” Dr Refshauge said.

“Whether the program is about staff development, addressing living environment or environment management, the ultimate goal is improved resident care.”

The full list of Better Practice Award winners and profiles will be available on the Better Practice website: www.accreditation.org.au