Sharon Callister
The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus, Australia
Title: Person centred approaches in commissioning memory support units
Biography
Biography: Sharon Callister
Abstract
This presentation will focus on our model for families admitting their loved ones into a newly commissioned residential service. The person centered approach within our memory support units ensures that residents who require a secure environment as a result of significant cognitive impairment are cared in a manner which is holistic, provides opportunity to stimulate the senses and evokes a calming atmosphere. Our model and framework is focussed on individualistic needs of residents and attitudes of staff operating within a family / community framework. Evaluation has shown that key success factors are: •Initial set-up, training and mentoring of staff is critical and should be self-sustaining, (i.e., positive role-modelling at the ground level, education and setting standards of care and expectations of staff behaviour which creates a positive culture of care) •Continuity of staff encourages staff engagement. Staff feeling valued in their role is a key component to resident, representative satisfaction and quality of life. •Staff attitude – staff demonstrate a high level of respect for residents resulting in tangible physical, emotional and spiritual outcomes for residents. •A high awareness of individual resident's needs and resulting behavioural responses by staff towards resident's increases the bond of trust and co-operation, whilst meeting a deep emotional need for residents. •The creation of a homely, emotionally and physically safe environment which is individualistic in nature. •Involvement and inclusion of relatives in the day-today running and activities of the unit. •High levels of activities and the opportunity for residents to engage in familiar every day activities via sensory areas
