New approaches to aged care recognised in awards

A program that provides client-centred support to residents and a service boosting the health and wellbeing of family carers are among the initiatives recognised in industry awards.

Kyle Miller was recognised for the Moments That Matter initiative at Australian Unity Rathdowne Place, Victoria

A program that provides client-centred support to residents and a service boosting the health and wellbeing of family carers are among the initiatives recognised in industry awards.

Leading Age Services Australia 2018 Excellence in Care Awards, announced on Sunday night, recognised excellence across South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania’s aged care industry in three categories – organisation, team and individual.

Among those awarded was Kyle Miller, who coordinates the Moments That Matter initiative at Australian Unity Rathdowne Place in Victoria.

The clinic provides emotional, social, cognitive and behavioural support from a client-centred, psychosocial perspective, targeting special moments in a resident’s aged care journey.

Mr Miller has weekly one-on-one checks with residents to assess their required level of support from counselling and undertakes reviews to help reduce behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Christine Ferlazzo and Collette Arnheim from Carer Links North.

Also recognised was Carer Health and Wellbeing Coaching Team of Carer Links North (CLN), a service provided by Merri Health across the Northern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Its health and wellbeing coaches foster carer health literacy, goal setting, resilience, self-management, decision making and sustained behaviour change.

LASA chief executive Sean Rooney said the achievements by organisations, teams and individuals highlight the dedication of an industry passionate about providing quality care for older Australians.

The award winners in SA were:

Organisation award: Ridleyton Greek Home for the Aged
Team award: Reynella Lodge Team, Life Care
Individual award: Simon Chappel, managing director, Ubercare Services

Award winners in Victoria/Tasmania were:

Organisation award: Nagambie HealthCare and Cooinda Aged Care Services
Team award: Carer Health and Wellbeing Coaching Team, Carer Links North, Merri Health
Individual award: Kyle Miller, Moments That Matter Coordinator, Australian Unity Rathdowne Place.

The state level award recipients progress as finalists to the national awards to be presented at LASA’s national congress in late October.