news
Best practice
National quality agency awards
recognise excellence and
innovation in aged care. Australian cities to have received this
recognition at that time.
By Dallas Bastian RETURNING HOME
A
n age-friendly community,
relationship-based care and a
‘back to country’ program were all
recently recognised with gongs from the
Australian Aged Care Quality Agency.
This year’s Better Practice Awards
celebrated the dedication of workers and
providers in Australia’s world class aged
care sector, said Ken Wyatt, Minister for
Aged Care – now also Minister for Senior
Australians.
“Each in their own way has created
an environment that has led to positive
health and wellbeing outcomes for older
Australians,” Wyatt said.
KEEPING IT FRIENDLY
The City of Boroondara was one of three
National Innovation and Excellence in Aged
Care Award recipients.
It put the win down to its Creating an
Age-Friendly Boroondara strategy, which
led to the implementation of programs
like a casserole club, the addition of adult
outdoor fitness equipment and an annual
age-friendly forum.
“These initiatives have allowed us to
deliver essential services to meet the
diverse needs of those aged 55+ in
Boroondara,” the city said.
In 2012, the city was also recognised
by the World Health Organization as
an age-friendly city – one of only six
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agedcareinsite.com.au
The promise of sending Aboriginal care
recipients home to their traditional lands
led Fresh Fields Aged Care to its award win
in the same category.
Its Back to Country program aims to
provide social connection and hope, and
inspire positive mental health outcomes.
“Due to the urban location, our home
has care recipients with high-level care
needs. Many of these people identify as
Aboriginal and are traditional land owners
from remote areas of the state who have
been transferred to the city for medical
care,” the Fresh Fields team said.
“The Back to Country program consists
of evaluating whether the person’s
health condition can be stabilised and
rehabilitated to a level of fitness and
independence where they would be able to
return to their home.”
Those who have been able to return home
benefit from social inclusion, an increased
sense of community and the sense of being
‘back in country’, the team added.
MAKING YOUR CONNECTION
Rounding out the winners in the innovation
and excellence category was The Whiddon
Group (NSW), which was recognised for
embedding relationship-based care.
The provider said its care philosophy has
always been based on a belief that personal
growth and meaningful activity can be
possible regardless of age and frailty.
“The launch of our new MyLife model
of care – which integrates care for social,
emotional and physical needs – provided
us with the opportunity to consider how
best to ensure a consistent and holistic
approach to care and create true cultural
change,” the Whiddon Group (NSW) said.
Whiddon created a new program
manager role to drive the trial program
and subsequent three-year roll out across
all 27 residential and community care
services.
It also set up focus carers called MyLife
Buddies who were allocated to each
resident to develop the relationship,
partner with family and advocate for them
to other staff.
The team said the model has empowered
clients and families to be true partners in
their care and gives permission – along
with the right skills – to staff to deliver
relationship-based care.
At the awards, the Quality Agency also
recognised organisations that represent
“exemplars of good practice”.
This year’s winners were:
ECH Incorporated (SA) – for its ECH
LGBTI Connect Service
Feros Care (QLD) – for Grow Bold –
Independent Fulfilled Lives
Feros Care (NSW) – for Trials to Smiles –
Sunbeam Legacy
Resthaven Incorporated – for Restoring
Older People’s Lives
Sacred Heart Community (Vic) – for My
Community My Way
Montefiore (NSW) – for its Integrated
Cognitive and Sensory Program
Yackandandah Bush Nursing Hospital
(Vic) – for Let’s Grow Old Together. ■