There is a constant among the change in aged care

For all of us involved in the aged care sector, the imminent changes approaching can bring about uncertainty, causing us to question current decision-making or putting amendments on hold until we are clearer about the implications of reforms to the aged care system. But amongst all the impending changes, there is a constant, one that has always been there and will not be changing no matter what reforms take place. This constant is for the individual who requires assistance having a right to receive support which will enhance their ability to regain abilities or maintain their independence and autonomy for as long as possible.

When making decisions and changes to your care and business models which enhance opportunities for people to achieve their optimum level of independence, there is no need to hesitate, as this objective remains the underpinning aim of the Australian aged care system. The 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety report stated: ’When people need support from an aged care system, providers need to place them at the centre and focus on providing support that prevents and delays any impairment of that individual’s capacity to live independently.’ For providers who are committed to delivering services with such positive client outcomes, it requires the embedding of wellness and reablement across the whole of the organisation. This requires elements of the approach to permeate every component of the business and care models.

An alignment between both care and business models is required to succeed in providing best practice outcomes for older people who wish to stay in their homes for longer. Another statement made in the 2021 Royal Commission report relating to models of care stated: ‘The dominant models of care delivery in aged care are task-based and focused on standardised processes. The task-based approach reflects a misplaced belief that care is adequate so long as a person’s medical and physical needs are met.’ At KeepAble, we have put together some elements which need to be considered for both care and business models:

1. Promoting independence across the whole of organisation requires an understanding of the entire ageing process.
2. Individual support plans are used as the communication tool between the client/family and staff.
3. Service delivery that enables active engagement.
4. Support positive risk-taking to maximise independence, and
5. Measuring client outcomes or the impact which support being provided has on the person’s independence and quality of life.

All stakeholders benefit when wellness and reablement approaches are embedded into service delivery including families, staff, organisations and financial savings for the aged care budget. The most outstanding benefit is for the client when reliance on support is decreased, and confidence grows, which leads to a greater quality of life. So, feel assured when making informed client-focused decisions related to your business and care models that they are the right ones and will endure through the current flux of uncertainty.

Visit KeepAble Aligning Business and Care models to succeed | KeepAble to read the full version of this article and access information and resources to assist you to embed wellness and reablement in your organisation’s business and care models and to best support clients to keep able for longer.

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For further reading and information, visit keepable.com.au today, discover lots of free resources, and don’t forget to register with the ‘Count me in’ form to become a part of the KeepAble ‘team’  assisting with resource and content development, taking part in surveys, and having your input on wellness and reablement delivery.

iLA is a Western Australian not-for-profit organisation with a focus on individualised assessment, peer navigation, and community and sector capacity-building initiatives.

KeepAble was created by ILA’s Sector Support & Development (SSD) team and is one of a range of activities that the team undertakes through SSD funding from the Australian Government, Department of Health, Commonwealth Home Support Programme.