Aged Care Plus applauded for Best Care

The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus has been awarded two Better Practice Awards at the 2017 Australian Aged Care Quality Agency Better Practice Conference in Sydney, celebrating their revolutionary dementia care philosophy and unique hospitality program.

The Better Practice Awards, awarded by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency, showcase aged care providers that go above and beyond for the benefit of older Australians.

One Better Practice Award celebrated Aged Care Plus’ dementia care philosophy, Making Moments Matter, after implementing the internationally awarded Butterfly Household Model of Care developed, pioneered and operated by UK-based Dementia Care Matters. This model of care was launched at Mountain View Aged Care Plus Centre in Canberra and The Cairns Aged Care Plus Centre in Brisbane, and has seen significant success in improving the quality of life for those living with dementia.

The model values emotional intelligence, inspiring leadership, domestic household living and the core belief that everyone living with dementia can be reached as a whole person. Through the pilot of this model, Aged Care Plus has seen a reduction in expressive behaviours, falls and a decrease in the number of residents who require psychotropic medication. 

The second Better Practice Award acknowledged Aged Care Plus’ “Food Glorious Food” program at Weeroona Aged Care Plus Centre in Sydney. The foundation of this program is built on high energy, high protein foods, and promotes a home-like mealtime experience. This program has seen significant success in improving residents’ overall health, Body Mass Index and enjoyment of the mealtime experience.

Aged Care Plus’ Quality Consultant for Hospitality, Lainie Lynch, has been instrumental in improving outcomes for residents through the program and expresses the importance of enhancing the mealtime experience for older Australians.  
“It is essential we provide meals that are home-like, tasty and suitable for the generation we are feeding. I feel this connection is missing in many aged care food models,” Lainie says. 

This achievement builds on previous success, bringing Aged Care Plus’ Better Practice Award tally to six since 2014.

Aged Care Plus was also awarded the 2017 Mental Health Service Award for its mental health care philosophy, My Mindfulness, delivered at Montrose Aged Care Plus Centre in Sydney, titled “Homeslessness, Mental Health and Holistic Support: A lifestyle and wellness model in residential aged care”.

My Mindfulness empowers older Australians through equality and enablement, focusing on one’s capabilities rather than their limitations.

The 2017 Mental Health Service Awards recognise best practice, excellence and innovation in mental health service delivery and honour providers who have made an exceptional contribution to mental health services across Australia and New Zealand.

Aged Care Plus Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Callister, says all employees should be proud of these achievements. “This type of industry recognition is only made possible by the dedication of our employees, and this is a wonderful reminder of the high quality of care we deliver, and the profound impact this has on older Australians each and every day,” Sharon says.

Congratulations to all Aged Care Plus employees who made the above a reality through your commitment and dedication to Best Care.

Report courtesy of Aged Care Plus.