Year: 2008 - 09

Staff: Betty Haralambous, Xiaoping Lin, and Kirsten Moore

Summary:The CACPs/EACH Electronic Waitlist Governance Committee and Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) Victoria contracted NARI to develop a Community Aged Care e-Waitlist priority of access (POA) tool. The aim of the tool is to provide a consistent approach to prioritisation of client needs. This project was based on a priority of access (POA) tool NARI developed for Home and Community Care (HACC) Services since 2002. Click here.

Funding source: The CACPs/EACH Electronic Waitlist Governance Committee and Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) Victoria

Reports:

- Discussion paper, available here ....

Year: 2008 - 09

Staff: Keith Hill, Karen Borschmann, Kirsten Moore, Marlena Klaic, Amanda Bingham, Xiaoping Lin, Frances Batchelow (NARI), Ecosse Lamoureux and Eva Fenwick (Centre for Eye Research Australia-CERA).

Summary: This collaborative project between NARI and the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) addressed vision related needs for older people in low-level residential care. The project involved three facilities; one in Geelong and two in Melbourne. The project had the following aims: 1. To quantify the magnitude of vision impairment among people in residential care facilities; 2. To quantify the extent of environmental factors influencing safety, function and quality of life in residential care settings; 3. To develop a collaborative approach with each facility's key staff members, residents and carers to determine a framework for improving outcomes related to these problems in each setting; 4. To implement a targeted intervention plan to address individual and facility factors influencing vision and the environment to improve resident's safety, function and quality of life in the participating facilities, and 5. To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program.

Interventions included: referral for further assessment where indicated; provision of corrective lenses for those with correctable visual impairments; environmental modification to address factors affecting function and safety; staff training about screening and management / referral options for residents with visual impairment (including consideration of environmental factors for residents with impaired vision) and information for residents and carers to maximise vision and environmental safety.

This project was successful in raising awareness of vision impairment, environmental issues and education needs relating to these topics within low level residential aged care facilities. Whilst only three facilities were involved in the study, it has raised a range of issues that need to be considered more broadly in residential care. Routine vision assessment and support for residents who may not be able to afford new glasses needs to be given attention, particularly given the strong connection between vision, mobility and quality of life. The need for additional staff training and attention to environmental issues was also identified. This project has evaluated a range of strategies for addressing vision impairment and environmental issues that could be beneficial for residential aged care facilities to implement. Project activities have also been used to trigger a range of additional related activities within participating facilities that may facilitate sustained change in practice for older residents with vision impairment.

Funding source: Eye Health Demonstration Grants Program, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

Reports: The final report can be downloaded here...

Year: 2004-05

Staff: Betty Haralambous, Kirsten Moore

Summary: The aim of this project was to identify barriers to implementing 'restraint free care' policies in the residential aged care environment. Three facilities (high and low level care) participated in this qualitative research. The study included interviews with residential care staff and medical practitioners and focus groups with residents and family members. Existing restraint policies within each of the participating facilities were also reviewed. Drawing these sources of information together provided a rich account of the use of restraints in these facilities with an understanding of the attitudes and experiences of residents, staff and family members. The full report and executive summary can be downloaded below as well as a brief pamphlet for staff and one for family members summarising the key findings from the study and strategies for reducing restraint use. The full report and pamphlets also include a list of key contacts and useful resources relevant for reducing restraints in residential aged care settings.

Funding source: The Bernard Judd Foundation, an initiative of The Hammond Care Group

Reports: The following reports from the “Barriers to implementing ‘restraint free care’ policies” are accessible:
- Final Report, available here ....
- Executive Summary, available here ....
- Pamphlet for residential aged care staff, available here ....
- Pamphlet for residents and family members, available here ....

Year: 2003-04

Staff: Joan Nankervis, Kirsten Moore, Dietitians Association of Australia - Vic Branch

Summary: The Well for Life program, developed by NARI in collaboration with the Dietitians Association of Australia (Vic), aims to facilitate practice change and quality improvement in the areas of physical activity and nutrition in residential care facilities.

During 2003-4, a dissemination strategy was implemented in two regions of Victoria. Staff from residential care services in each region participated in a facilitated formal group process designed to support their leadership of continuous improvement processes in their workplace with a focus on nutrition and physical activity. Regionally based dietitians, physical activity, and quality improvement experts collaborated with the project team to develop and conduct a professional development program, using the Well for Life project resources.

The impact of the dissemination project was extremely positive with facilities reporting improved nutritional care and increased opportunity for physical activity. The action learning model used to introduce the resources to the aged care sector has proved to be successful in providing a strong foundation for the extension of this work.

Funding source: Victorian Department of Human Services

Year: 2001-02

Staff: Deborah Osborne, Catherine Barrett, Clare Hetzel, Joan Nankervis, Robyn Smith

Summary: The Project team explored staffs' experiences and beliefs influencing their work practices within three units of Melbourne Extended Care and Rehabilitation Services. A participatory action research approach was employed to explore and reflect on the way care was provided. A broad definition of sexuality was used encompassing intimacy, social relationships, sensual expression of identity through grooming and body image. Key aspects for clients and staff included acknowledgement that older people were sexual. Key influences at the macro policy level and organisational policy level (respectively) were frameworks for quality care and a supportive organisational environment.

Funding source: The Department of Veterans Affairs, administered by the Victorian Department of Human Services.

Reports: The final report "The Wellness Project: Promoting Older People's Sexual Health is available here ....

Year: 2001-03

Staff: Lisa Engel, Patricia Buckley, Robyn Smith, Melissa Lindeman

Summary: This project was designed to improve the health status of SRS residents. In 2002 this was achieved by working with staff from SRS to raise their awareness of health promotion strategies that could be applied to their practice. Using an action research approach, the project aimed to:
. facilitate health promotion practice that was resident centred, and evidence based;
. empower staff to identify barriers and enablers to using health promotion strategies; and
. encourage collaboration between residents, staff, management and between community providers and other facilities at both local community and state-wide levels.

Funding source: Victorian Department of Human Services.

Year: 1999-2000

Staff: Robyn Smith, Kirsten Moore, Andrea Bryce (DAA), Chloe Dyson, Belinda Gilsenan, Jenny Gough, Keith Hill, Anna Laffy, Melissa Lindeman, Alison Stewart (DAA)

Summary: "Well for Life", was a project designed to support the development of organisational practice and policy to enhance the social and physical health and well-being of the residents of aged care settings, by improving nutrition and physical activity opportunities. The project was undertaken by NARI in partnership with the Dietitians Association of Australia - Victorian Branch (DAA). This twelve month project, using an action research approach, focused in Retirement villages, Supported Residential Services (SRS) and Aged Care Facilities (low and high care), had important benefits for residents as well as for staff and management of these facilities.

Funding source: Victorian Department of Human Services.

Reports: The "Executive Summary - Well for Life" is available here ....   and the "Summary Report - Well for Life" is available here .....  .
A copy of the resource kit is available at the Victorian Government Health Information / Aged Care in Victoria / Publications web site, link here ....

Year: 1995

Summary: Project aims were to develop an overview of the existing level of provision, models of care available and client and carer profiles for a sample of people using inpatient respite care services in state funded extended care centres and public nursing homes.