How operators' care for residents has evolved
Leti Asi has been working at the Not For Profit organisation Carinity's Clifford House residential aged care home in Wooloowin, Brisbane, for 38 years.
The Activities Officer is Clifford House’s longest-serving staff member and has seen first-hand the approach to care has evolved to the benefit of the residents.
“The understanding of holistic care for our residents has really improved,” she said, noting that modern care spans well beyond just the physical health of residents.
“Residents’ preferences, tastes and lifestyles are accommodated as much as possible.”
The individual approach to care is an ongoing shift within the sector.
“Modern approaches to aged care are focused on maintaining each resident’s right to live their life the way they choose,” said Regional Residential Manager Larissa Gear, also a long standing Carinity employee.
“The personal relationships and connections are such an essential part of the type of care we deliver.
“Improvements in wearable technology has the potential to free up time for our nursing staff to spend on meaningful personal conversations with residents, checking in on their wellbeing and mental health.”
Residents now have the dignity of choice and control over almost every aspect of their day-to-day life.
Technology is also contributing to significant improvements in the experiences of residents. The AI-powered PainChek app monitors minute facial movements to determine when a resident may be in pain but unable to tell care staff.
From a medical perspective, breath and pressure-sensitive mats allow care staff to remotely monitor the wellbeing and movement of residents unobtrusively.
The rapid implementation of telemedicine and virtual wards also enables residents to receive hospital care and monitoring without the need for a disruptive and often distressing transfer to hospital.
The dedication shown by the people delivering care has remained constant. Working in aged care is often spoken about as being more of a calling than a job, with a special drive and devotion shown by the people drawn to caring for seniors.
“We’ve really embraced our Christian values with the people we care for and support,” Leti said.
Clifford House was Carinity's original service. After eight years, it relocated from Alderley to Ascot, before the current community at Wooloowin welcomed its first residents in 1991. The organisation will soon commence renovation and refurbishment of that aged care community.
