1. Brett Partington (left) with his father, Bob,
Partington.
who has greatly beneftted from the services provided by Eldercare. Photo courtesy Brett
Redefining dementia care
This September marks one year since
Eldercare began implementing the Dementia
Excellence Program across its residential
aged care facfities. Feedback to date shows
the organisation's innovative approach to
dementia care is delivering widespread
benefits to residents, families and staff
Brett Partington says he "knew nothing at
all" about dementia when his father, Bob, was
diagnosed seven years ago.
Today, Brett is cornmitted to learning
everythinghe can andvolunteers at
Eldercare's aged care facfityThe Lodge,
where Bob has lived for 18 months. The
Lodge was one ofthe first sites to implement
Eldercare's Dementia Excellence Program
and Brett believes it has made his father
more rela-xed.
"The ambience of The Lodge has become
more about the resident rather than the
system and because ofthat, people are happier
and so are families."
Brett says watching his father transition
back in to care after a recent hospital stay has
demonstrated the program's effectiveness.
"It makes daily life for the residents more
like home," says Brett.
"Staffremain flexible and adjust their duties
around residents, which reduces anxiety and
frustration for both the carer and the person
with dementia."
Gary Campbell, an enrolled nurse, helps
lead the Dementia Excellence Program at The
Lodge. He believes 'flexible care is paramount
to practical outcomes".
'We embrace the notion of change as a
constant, and champion the idea that the best
care is taken fiom what the person wants
as opposed to imposing a set of task-based
approaches onto them," says Gary.
"To see task orientation dissipate and
the energylevel lift, with residents and staff
laughing and sharing, inspires me to keep
leading change."
Facedwith a growing demand for quality
services, Eldercare established the Dementia
Excellence Program to foster a new care
culture with 'person centred" nursing
replacing' task focussed" support.
Program Manager Heather Engelhardt
says the fresh approach is making a difference
with reported increases in resident wellbeing
and staffmorale.
"By creating dining experiences that
are more relaxed and inclusive with staff
and residents having meals together, we're
improving residents' nutritional status
and seeing them interact more positively
with others.
'We ve also seen a big drop in verbal
and physical aggression from residents
by introducing more personalised
hygiene routines."
The Dementia Excellence Program is
based on the successfi.rl integration of four
key aspects - clinical leadership, tailored
support and lifestyle programs for residents,
ongoing family assistance, and supportive
physical environments for people Jiving
with dementia.
It has been implemented at six Eldercare
aged care faciJities so far and will be rolled out
across the organisation's remaining sites by
the end oflune 2016.
Heather believes it's the focus on
clinical leadership that makes Eldercare's
program unique.
"We are selecting and recruitingleaders
who are passionate about person centred
care and who are allocated time to provide
ongoing mentorship to staffon site," she says.
"Everyone working with residents will be
trained and it's this site-based leadership and
education that will build sustainabilityinto the
program for the long term."
Eldercare is aUnitingCare organisation and
a community service of the Uniting Church in
South Australia. It wasfounded in 1979, and is
now one ofthe largat providers of aged care in
the state. Eldercare's mission is to be 'h leading
provider of quality raidential and community
cnrefor the ageing based on Christian
principles andthe maintenance of dignity,
ights and valua of the individual."
For more information about Eldercare,
please visit eldercare.net.au or call 8291 1000,
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2. NewTmesThe voice of Uniting Church SA September 2015
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