Residents of Calvary Health Care's Launceston aged care home are able to co-design their care in a trial of the provider’s PEARS model of care.
Ideas proposed by residents included:
- having staff name badges and meal menus in larger font,
- bringing back tablecloths and salt and pepper shakers (which were removed during COVID-19),
- having more outings,
- strengthening personal connections with each other and staff,
- having a quality dining experience, and
- acknowledging and celebrating the lives of residents who had died.
The PEARS Model, which shares the Calvary pear tree symbolism, is a research and principles-based approach to aged care based on person-centred care.
The first trial of the program is taking place at Calvary Riverside Views in Tasmania’s Launceston, 200km north of Hobart.
Residents participated in interviews and observational studies, completed surveys, and took part with staff in a series of co-design workshops to identify what is important to them, what is working well, and what could be improved.
Not For Profit Calvary Health Care’s Chief Medical Advisor Dr Tracey Tay said the program will ultimately be rolled out the group’s 63 aged care homes which are located across QLD, NSW, SA, VIC, and ACT.
“We are listening to our residents and families and working with them to design solutions and improvements where they believe things can be done differently or better,” she said.
You can learn more about Calvary’s PEARS model of care here.
The SOURCE: Involving residents in decision-making about their lives is a commendable idea.