2019 - 2022
Dementia Training Australia
ACEBAC
Australian Government
2016 - 2019; 2019 - 2021; 2021 - 2025
La Trobe University (ACEBAC) is one of six members of the Dementia Training Australia consortium. Funded by the Australian Government, led by the University of Wollongong and comprising of Dementia Australia, La Trobe University, the Queensland University of Technology, the University of Western Australia.
Dementia Training Australia aims to improve the quality of care and support provided to people living with dementia and their families through providing development opportunities for existing and future professional carers of people living with dementia across all care settings and general practice. DTA's goal is to enhance the knowledge and skills base of the current and future dementia care workforce, delivering a nationally cohesive approach to dementia training.
This is achieved through a dedicated range of courses, workshops, seminars, and programs that translate contemporary knowledge into practical, effective approaches to helping people living with dementia and their families. DTA programs are designed for aged care and general practice staff who provide care for people living with dementia.
https://dta.com.au/
Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Rebecca Brown, Betty Panagiotaros, Loretta Quinn, Jenny Vibert, Chris While, Erica Wise
Development of education and training for the Victorian aged care sector
ACEBAC
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
2020 - 2021
The scope of this project is to build capacity and capability within the Victorian residential aged care sector workforce. The project aim is to develop, implement and deliver a training program for Victorian residential aged care services with a focus on three key areas:
- Dementia Care
- Recognising and providing a palliative response to care
- Oral hygiene and links to health and well-being
The project aim is to improve the lives of those living in residential aged care by ensuring that point of care staff have increased knowledge and confidence to provide evidence-based care.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified gaps in training in these three key areas which should be critical foci for point of care staff, inclusive of nurses, personal care workers and allied health staff.
Team members: Anne-Marie Mahoney, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Angela Casey, Joanne Joyce-McCoach, Mikee Elliot
Provision of a Literature Review on the Potential Health Effects from Smoke Exposure during the First 24 hours
LINCOLN
Metropolitan Fire Brigade (now Fire Rescue Victoria)
May 2020 – February 2021
The aims of this project are to:
- Identify and analyse contemporary peer-reviewed literature on the potential health impacts of short-term exposure to PM2.5.
- Develop content for operational guidance materials for Incident Controllers to assist them to make informed decisions before, during, and after an urban fire/smoke event to minimise adverse health impacts from smoke on firefighters and other emergency responders.
- Develop content for operational guidance materials for Incident Controllers to assist them to make informed decisions pertaining to advice and warnings to the community within a short-term period (less than 24 hours), particularly related to “shelter in place” and emergency evacuations, with the aim of minimising adverse health impacts from smoke in the community.
The methodology includes systematic rapid evidence review and broader “grey literature” review, internal and external workshops to evaluate the literature, and consultation with key stakeholders.
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells, Rachel Tham, Xia Li, Kane Solly, Sam Clune, and Nikk Hunter. External: Jen McCulloch (Fire Rescue Victoria)
Piloting draft performance measures in public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS)
ACEBAC
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
2019 - 2021
This project involves piloting a suite of aged care performance measures in six Victorian public sector residential aged care services in 2020/2021 and then evaluating the pilot. The eight performance measures being piloted are:
- The use of evidence-based guidelines
- Open disclosure
- Timely access to care
- Recognition of end of life
- Comprehensive resident review
- Medication safety
- Dignity of risk
- Responsive behaviours management
A resource guide has been developed to define the performance measures and guide the pilot.
Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Jo Rayner, Linda McAuliffe, Yvonne Wells. External: Joseph Ibrahim (Monash)
Scoping social inclusion opportunities and desires for older people living in the community and residential aged care facilities
ACEBAC
Internal ACEBAC funding
2020
This project will address the following key research questions:
- What is the nature of social inclusion for older people living in the community and how does this differ for older people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs)?
- What are the opportunities for social inclusion for older people living in the community as compared to older people living in RACFs?
- What are the barriers and enablers for social inclusion for older people living in the community and RACFs?
- What happened in RACFs during the COVID-19 lockdown when visiting was severely restricted i.e. what opportunities did RACFs provide their residents for social activities?
This project will involve: a state-wide survey of residential aged care services to explore the current social inclusion activities provided to residents; interviews with older people living in residential aged care services and in the community and; interviews and focus groups with aged care staff.
Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Jo Rayner, Linda McAuliffe, Samantha Clune, Sandra Cowen
Exploring the impact of Comprehensive Health Assessment of the Older Person (CHAOP) training on future nursing practice
ACEBAC
Internal ACEBAC funding
2020
This project will explore:
- Whether Comprehensive Health Assessment of the Older Person (CHAOP) is being conducted in the workplace by past CHAOP workshop participants more than 6 months post workshop?
- What type of CHAOP is undertaken – full, focused or both?
- Are there any barriers to conducting CHAOP in the workplace?
- Has the participant detected a health problem of an older person after conducting a CHAOP? If so, were they able to plan/implement any treatment or care?
Team members: Sandra Cowen, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Jo Rayner, Kane Solly
AN-ACC training needs
LINCOLN
Australian Department of Health
March 2020 – July 2020
The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) has been developed as a possible way of funding residential aged care. The tool was trialled in residential aged care settings in 2019 and early 2020. The outputs and outcomes of this project were intended to inform the practical considerations required to train and credential an external assessor workforce nationwide. La Trobe University was contracted to:
- Conduct a training needs analysis.
- Develop a strategy for curriculum design and delivery options.
- Evaluate the training provided in the AN-ACC trial.
- Develop a credentialing/competency framework for assessors.
- Develop a clinical governance training framework for assessors and the assessment management organisations in which they work.
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Meg Morris, Andrew Robinson, Simon Haines. External: Melissa Crampton, Angus Algie (Department of Health)
The Consumer Experience Interview for Home Services: Data analysis
LINCOLN
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
March 2020 – June 2020
The aim of this project was to analyse data from Consumer Experience Interviews in Home Care (CEI-HS) to address the following questions:
- Does the mode of collection (in person, phone, online survey) have an effect on responses? Based on that result, can the Commission conduct the CEI-HS in any mode or is one or more modes preferred?
- What is the overall consumer sentiment (i.e., simple counts and proportions of responses by question)?
2a. Are the questions fit for purpose (i.e., do they have reliability and validity considering the results)?
2b. Does this apply across the different demographic groups? - Are there differences in consumer sentiment for the different demographic subpopulations included in the survey (e.g., age, sex, state/territory, ATSI, CALD)?
- Does mobility have an effect on consumer responses?
- Are there differences in consumer sentiment for the different service characteristics (e.g., remoteness, ownership type and state/territory)?
It was clear that model of data collection affected responses, in terms of both level of missing data and positive response bias. However, overall consumer sentiment was highly positive. The area of greatest concern is that relatively few clients (76%) said their services were updated frequently. Given the limited means available of assessment validity of responses to the CEI, the results are encouraging, suggesting both high internal reliability and good inter-rater reliability.
Consumers responded more positively to the questions than their representatives (i.e., family members or friends). Responses to individual questions varied by gender, area, and CALD background.
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells, Kane Solly. External: Libby O’Toole (Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission)
Development of End of Life audit tool DHHS
ACEBAC
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
2018 - 2020
This project involved:
- The development of an audit tool from the End-of-Life standardised care process
- Piloting of the audit tool in three residential aged care facilities
- Evaluation of the pilot
- Revision of the audit tool
- Producing a report for DHHS
Publication
Fetherstonhaugh, D. (2020). Development and pilot of an audit tool for measuring end-of-life care practices in residential aged care. Final Report for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Michael Bauer
Evaluation of the 'Little things' training intervention for Personal Care Attendants
LINCOLN
Meaningful Ageing Australia (Ilsa Hampton) and Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre (Pip Mackay)
June 2018 - June 2020
The Little Things intervention provides training in communication skills to Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) with English as an additional language (EAL) working, or undergoing training to work, in residential or community aged care.
The main purpose of the evaluation was to determine whether the training developed by Meaningful Ageing Australia and the Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre is effective in increasing participants’ communication skills. Our role before the project was to design the evaluation framework for the grant application. In later stages of the project, we analysed data provided by PCAs pre- and post-intervention and conducted a Most Significant Change process. The evaluation showed significant improvement in PCAs confidence to communicate with older residents in English. The stories elicited from training participants were grouped by workshop participants into five main themes: Increased confidence; Taking time; Building rapport and collaboration; Awareness of new skills; Seeing the whole person; and Positive impact on the resident. Secondary benefits are expected to include improved employment prospects for the PCAs and improved relationships between PCAs and residents/clients of aged care services.
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells and Kane Solly. External: Ilsa Hampton (Meaningful Ageing Australia), Pip Mackey (Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre)
Promoting Independence Through quality dementia Care at Home (PITCH)
ACEBAC
NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research (NNIDR)
2017 - 2020
Led by the National Ageing Research Institute, PITCH will see the development and evaluation of an education program aimed at increasing the dementia knowledge of home care workers providing care to community dwelling people living with dementia.
Team members: Internal: Margaret Winbolt. External: Briony Dow, National Ageing Research Institute
ADVANCE Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning in general practice – a training package for Practice Nurses
CHSD
HammondCare Health and Hospitals
2016 - 2020
Advance is a national, federally funded program designed to introduce advance care planning into general practices in a sensitive and routine way. It also helps general practices to identify people who may benefit from a thorough assessment of their supportive care needs and consideration of early referral to palliative care. HammondCare invited Virginia Lewis to offer evaluation advice to the Advance project during its funding round (2016-2017). As an external evaluator, Virginia provided the project with:
- Assistance with choosing an appropriate evaluation framework.
- Advice and input regarding draft study design, draft evaluation protocol, draft ethics application documents, draft surveys, and draft qualitative interview questions.
- Advice and input regarding the qualitative and quantitative analysis (to be conducted by the evaluation officer).
- An independent review of the evaluation process.
Virginia joined the second phase of the project (Advance 2) as a CI (2017-2020). Advance 2 was delivered by HammondCare and other collaborators from the University of Sydney, Flinders University (CareSearch), Austin Health, University of Queensland, University of Technology Sydney, and University of Wollongong. It included:
- Consultation with relevant health professional bodies to identify the highest priority groups of clinicians for the new program and to tailor the resources and training for their specific needs.
- Development of online learning resources for the new groups of clinicians.
- Individual tele-mentoring for participating clinicians from across Australia.
- Grants and train-the-trainer support for champion networks to deliver face-to-face training and to support implementation of the model into clinical practice.
www.caresearch.com.au/advance
Team members: Virginia Lewis
Development of a consumer resource for carers in residential aged care about every-day decision-making and people with dementia
ACEBAC
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC3) - Carers and Consumers
2015 - 2020
This project involved the development of a resource for direct care staff in residential aged care to guide them in ensuring that people with dementia are supported to make everyday decisions.
Publication
Rayner, J. Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Bauer, M. (2020) How to support everyday decision-making for people living with dementia in residential aged care: A guide for care workers ISBN: 978-0-646-82126-9
https://dementiaresearch.org.au/resources_categories/health-professionals/
Team members: Jo Rayner, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Michael Bauer
CareSearch Evaluation and Support
CHSD
CareSearch
2014 - 2020
CHSD has had an ongoing partnership with CareSearch since 2014.
In 2014, CareSearch commissioned CHSD to undertake a Review of CareSearch from release of the website in 2008 until 2014. The Review highlighted what has been done well and raised any issues relevant to future development.
Team members: Virginia Lewis, Geraldine Marsh
From 2015 to 2017, CareSearch commissioned CHSD to evaluate the effectiveness of the CareSearch project. This included developing a program logic map and designing and implementing evaluation activities and studies which addressed aspects of the program logic and informed the effectiveness of the CareSearch project. CHSD undertook a workshop to confirm the program logic and then supported a series of studies including interviews with key stakeholders, and surveys of website users.
Team members: Virginia Lewis, Geraldine Marsh, Kate Silburn, Michaela Willet
From 2017 to 2020, Virginia Lewis partnered with CareSearch as a Chief Investigator on the Engagement Activity element of the project funded by the Commonwealth under the National Palliative Care Projects Activity funding. This involved collaborating to develop the Engagement Activity Framework, developing and facilitating workshops, designing evaluation of the Framework, gathering and analysing data and producing reports, conference papers and journal articles.
Funder: Flinders University with Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing funding
Team members: Virginia Lewis, Jenny Macmillan, Deepika Ratnaike
Sampling for the Consumer Experience Report for Home Care: Sampling strategy and sample size
LINCOLN
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
April 2019 – December 2019
The aim of the current project was to provide advice to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission ("the Commission”) on the design of the survey for the Consumer Experience Report in Home Care (CERHC), with a focus on sampling strategies and sample size. This project proceeded in three stages: consideration of sample sizes; consideration of sampling strategies; and a synthesis of the previous two stages.
The report concluded that, on balance, the best way to ensure comparability across providers is to ensure that all samples are as representative of the population as possible. While this may lead to samples with different characteristics in different aged care services, it is the most straight-forward way of interpreting comparisons between services. Issues of samples with unique or unusual characteristics likely to affect the results (e.g., a reliance on proxy respondents) may be acknowledged in reporting.
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells, Janette Collier, Virginia Lewis. External: Libby O’Toole (Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission)
Development of the Consumer Experience Report for Home Care (CERHC)
LINCOLN
Australian Aged Care Quality Agency - now the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
June 2018 - May 2019
The purpose of the project was to develop and assess a set of structured interview questions for piloting for use in home-based and community-based aged care services. The interview questions are intended to support the development of a report on consumer experience of the quality of care and services in home and community care.
The project also involved reviewing questions currently being used in the CER for residential care, especially three questions that had been identified as difficult to administer, and to include more emphasis on choice and control.
Methods included: a limited literature review; meeting with the Quality Agency Liaison Group; proposing questions to be piloted; data analysis; and writing a report on the pilot that included recommendations for implementation.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Janette Collier
Evaluation of Hand-in-Hand© model of residential aged care
LINCOLN
Jewish Care
August 2017 - December 2019
This project is to evaluate Jewish Care’s new model of residential aged care, which relies on consistent staff assignment and access to kitchen facilities.
The methodology includes observations of staff-resident interactions (before, mid-implementation, and after), analysis of data (medication use and activities of daily living), and the Most Significant Change (analysis of post-implementation stories about the impacts of the change, from the perspectives of staff and residents).
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells. External: Emma Bould, Samuel Murray - Jewish Care
Older Person's Legal Service Evaluation
CHSD with cohealth and Justice Connect
Victorian Legal Service Board
2016 - 2019
The Older Persons’ Legal Service (OPLS) (or Seniors’ Law Service) was developed as a health justice partnership between cohealth and Justice Connect and funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board to provide a new service for older people who may be experiencing legal problems but who have trouble accessing advice or help.
The evaluation conducted by CHSD through a partnership with cohealth and Justice Connect considered the extent to which the service met its intended reach (providing legal services to older clients) and achieved positive outcomes for clients. The evaluation helped cohealth and Justice Connect to determine the value of the service, and contributed evidence to support consideration of whether this model should be replicated more widely.
Evaluation of the OPLS was involved collection and analysis of data from a number of different sources, including regular surveys with cohealth staff, feedback following training sessions, focus groups with cohealth staff, online surveys of pro bono lawyers, routine data collection by the OPLS lawyer and (anonymous) consumer feedback.
Knowledge translation stemming from this consultancy included:
Publications
Lewis VJ, White V, Hawthorne F, Eastwood J, Mullins R. (2020). Addressing elder abuse through integrating law into health: What do allied health professionals at a Community Health Service in Melbourne, Australia, think? Australasian Journal on Ageing https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ajag.12720
Lewis V, Adamson L, Hawthorne F. (2019) Health justice partnerships: A promising model for increasing access to justice in health services. Australian Health Review. https://doi.org/10.1071/AH18101
Team members: Virginia Lewis, Jenny Macmillan, Vanessa White, Robyn Mullins
Victorian Residential In-Reach Services evaluation
ACEBAC
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
2014 - 2019
An evaluation of two Victorian Residential In-Reach (RiR) programs from the perspective of residential aged care.
Residential in-reach staff from both in-reach services and staff from a sample of aged care services in the health service catchment were interviewed about the use of residential in-reach services. The aim of the evaluation was to fully explore and explain why some residential aged care facilities (RACFs) use the RiR service more frequently than others.
Publications
Rayner, J. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Rota-Bartelink, A. (2019). Second Report: Evaluation of Residential in Reach: The perspective of residential aged care. Final Report Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Rayner, J. Fetherstonhaugh, D. McDonald, E. Bauer, M. (2017) Evaluation of Residential in Reach: the perspective of residential aged care. Final Report for Residential In-Reach Service A (Internal report DHHS)
Team members: Jo-Anne Rayner, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Ewan McDonald, Michael Bauer, Alice Rota-Bartelink
Recognising and reporting changes in residents' health: An education and training package for aged care facility staff
ACEBAC
Internal ACEBAC funding
2015 - Ongoing
This education and training package is specifically aimed at residential aged care personal care workers (PCWs) and personal care assistants (PCAs). It was developed to support PCWs/PCAs to recognise changes in a resident’s health status and report these to the appropriate person in the facility. The package is interactive and engaging and was developed using principles of adult learning. The package comprises eight modules – communication; wellbeing; movement and mobility; skin condition; breathing; eating, drinking and elimination; mental awareness; and end of life and takes 10 hours to complete.
The package has been designed for delivery by a nurse in an aged care facility. The package contains:
- One full set of presentation slides complete with text, case studies/vignettes, video clips and images (Windows and Mac compatible)
- One hardcopy of the facilitator’s manual and one hardcopy of the presentation slides with explanatory notes for the facilitator
- Hardcopies of the participants’ workbook plus PDF for self-print option
- One hardcopy set of activity sheets, flash cards and templates, plus PDF for self-print options
- One hardcopy of a summary sheet for each module, plus PDF for self-print option.
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/aipca/australian-centre-for-evidence-based-aged-care/workshops-and-training-packages/recognising-and-reporting-changes-in-residents-health
Team members: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Chris While, Sandra Cowen, Jo-Anne Rayner, Rebecca Watson
Comprehensive Health Assessment of Older Person (CHAOP)
ACEBAC
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
2011 - Ongoing
2018 - 2019: DHHS commissioned ACEBAC with administrative support from the ANMF to deliver 40 CHAOP workshops to Victorian nurses.
2014 - ongoing: ACEBAC granted the licence by DHHS to run CHAOP workshops fee for service.
2012 - 2013: DHHS commissioned ACEBAC to deliver and evaluate 45 CHAOP workshops to health professionals working in Victorian Public Health Services (acute and sub-acute care, community care and residential aged care).
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/ageing-and-aged-care/residential-aged-care/safety-and-quality/improving-resident-care/comprehensive-health-assessment
2011: DHHS commissioned ACEBAC to: develop 4-5 day education and training workshop on Comprehensive Health Assessment of the Older Person (CHAOP); and deliver and evaluate 20 of these workshops to health professionals working in Victorian Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services (PSRACS). 20 workshops delivered.
Publication
Bauer, M. Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Winbolt, M. (Dec 2018-Feb 2019) Perceived barriers and enablers to conducting comprehensive health assessments in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing 36(2) 14-22.
Team members: Past: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Margaret Winbolt, Sandra Cowen, Michael Bauer, Joanna Lee, Pauline Vandenberg, Alison Beattie, Angela Casey, Edwin Pascoe. Current: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Rebecca Watson, Pauline Vandenberg, Alison Beattie, Angela Casey, Edwin Pascoe
Development of evidence-based standardised care processes (SCPs) in areas of clinical risk for older people living in residential aged care
ACEBAC
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
2010 - Ongoing
This project identified clinical risks for older people living in residential aged care and develops evidence-based standardised care processes (SCPs). New SCPs are developed every year and all SCPs are reviewed every 2-3 years for currency and any new evidence. Up until 2020 19 SCPs have been developed. The SCPs are:
- Antimicrobial stewardship
- Choking
- Constipation
- Dehydration
- Delirium
- Depression
- End of life care
- Falls
- Hypoglycaemia
- Infection Control
- Oral and dental hygiene
- Polypharmacy
- Pain
- Physical restraint
- Pressure injuries
- Responsive behaviours
- Skin tears
- Sleep
- Unplanned weight loss
SCP resources available at:
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/ageing-and-aged-care/residential-aged-care/safety-and-quality/improving-resident-care/standardised-care-processes
Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Chris While, Margaret Winbolt, Angela Casey
2015 - 2018
Intimacy and ageing in residential aged care: What factors influence the views of senior staff?
ACEBAC
Internal ACEBAC funding
2018
This project aims to identify the factors that influence senior staff decisions to support or restrict the sexual expression of older adults living in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs). A postal survey has been sent to Directors of Nursing/Facility Managers of all Australian RACFs. Respondents were asked to read a vignette describing a hypothetical relationship between two residents and to rate to what extent they agree the relationship should continue when different aspects are changed (i.e. presence of dementia, involvement of family, type of sexual activity).
Team members: Internal: Linda McAuliffe, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh. External: Maggie Syme (Kansas)
Feedback to the AACQA on Aged Care Guild use of Consumer Experience Report data
LINCOLN
Australian Aged Care Quality Agency
June 2018 - July 2018
AACQA wished to explore how the Guild had arrived at the numbers quoted in its reports. A series of questions were put by AACQA, focusing on use of any weighting of data. These questions were explored by analysing data published by the Guild.
Despite the content of the Guild reports, it appears that no weighting had been applied to the data reported.
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells. External: Shaun Hancock, Timothy Yap (AACQA)
Analysis of consumer experience report (CER) data
LINCOLN
Australian Aged Care Quality Agency
November 2018 - December 2018
This analysis was commissioned by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) to explore variance in results.
The data set provided included ratings from interviews held between 9 May 2017 and 4 July 2018. This data set included data from: 1,159 homes and 17,194 cases.
Formal measures of spread proved not very useful. Instead, percentage agreement was compared across groups. Results were presented to the Agency on 21 November 2018. Further analyses then explored predictors of scores.
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells, Kane Solly. External: Libby O'Toole (AACQA)
Development of Performance Measures and a Guide to Excellence for Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services in Victoria
ACEBAC
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
2017 - 2018
1. A draft suite of consensus, evidence-based performance measures for public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS) were developed to strengthen monitoring and accountability for the delivery of safe high quality person centred care to residents. This included a focus on measures designed to improve the capacity of public sector providers and the department to identify potential care system failure and resident harm.
2. The development of a guide to excellence in residential aged care to be used to articulate a high performing service. It is forward thinking and adaptable for different services and includes:
- Key domains - Principles, Characteristics, Attributes of good/best practice
- Definitions to provide shared understandings of key concepts
- Illustrative examples of exemplary/innovative practise.
This guide has been designed as a stand alone resource, but it aligns with the key domains, definitions, etc. used within the PSRACS performance measures development project.
Publications
Ibrahim, J. Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Rayner, J & Bauer, M. (2020) Meeting the needs of older people living in Australian residential aged care: A new conceptual model. Australasian Journal on Ageing DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12796.
Fetherstonhaugh, D. Ibrahim, J. Rayner, J. McAuliffe, L. & Bauer, M. (2018) Public Sector Aged Care Performance Measures Development. Final Report (internal DHHS)
Rayner, J. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Ibrahim, J. McAuliffe, L. & Bauer, M. (2018) A guide to excellence in public sector residential aged care services. Final Report (internal DHHS)
Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Jo-Anne Rayner, Linda McAuliffe, Michael Bauer. External: Joseph Ibrahim
Literature review on drivers of choice and perceptions of quality in home and community-based services
LINCOLN
Australian Aged Care Quality Agency
December 2017 - February 2018
The purpose of this literature review was to inform the development of a Consumer Experience Report (CER) for home-based and community-based aged care services, similar to the one recently introduced by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) in residential aged care.
The scope of this work was a rapid review of available literature and expert opinion to assist in identifying: Key drivers of choice, in terms of expectations of the characteristics sought by consumers and potential customers when looking for a home or community-based aged care service; and key domains that capture consumer perceptions and, or experience, of the quality of services and care in home or community-based aged care.
Publication
The final report from this project has been published online: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/consumers/consumer-experience-reports-home-and-community-care
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Stav Hillel, Nikk Hunter, Sam Clune, Erica Johnstone, Beatriz Ayala Quintanilla
Feedback on Productivity Commission literature review on care support to prevent or delay entry of older people to residential care
LINCOLN
Productivity Commission
September 2017 - July 2018
The main purpose of this consultancy was to provide expert advice to support the PC’s review of what works to improve outcomes in government services. The subject of this review was: What types of support for carers of older people are effective in preventing or delaying older people’s entry to residential aged care?
Feedback was provided to the Productivity at various stages of the project, including the PICO framework and search terms, the evidence synthesis, and the final report.
Publication
The review has been published online: https://www.pc.gov.au/research/ongoing/report-on-government-services/what-works/dementia-support/dementia-support.pdf
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh. External: Catherine Andersson - Productivity Commission
Healthy and active ageing in the veteran population and factors and interventions that achieve positive effect; A rapid evidence assessment
LINCOLN
Department of Veteran's Affairs
October 2017 - June 2018
The purpose of the literature review was to inform the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) about: Whether veterans experience different challenges and issues as they age from those of the general population; and factors and interventions that positively affect health and wellbeing outcomes for older people (particularly those from military backgrounds).
The methodology included either literature reviews, conducted separately and then synthesised. Searches were restricted to the Medline database and supplemented with Australian grey literature on veterans’ health and wellbeing. Screening was managed in Covidence, and risk of bias assessments were completed. The number of articles included in final reports were; 62 on challenges to healthy ageing; 77 on determinants of healthy ageing, and 98 on interventions.
Publication
Final reports were published online: https://www.dva.gov.au/documents-and-publications/healthy-and-active-ageing-veteran-population-and-factors-or-interventions
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Stav Hillel, Richard Gray, Jenny Davis, Amal Al Ghareeb, Nikk Hunter, Sam Clune, Erica Johnstone, Beatriz Ayala Quintanilla
Chaplaincy and pastoral practice in Uniting
LINCOLN
Uniting NSW & ACT
June 2017 - 2018
This project aimed to scope issues and recent research on pastoral care and chaplaincy in aged care settings, and provide information on current issues and practices in Uniting’s pastoral care and chaplaincy services. The overarching research question was: What is the role of pastoral care and chaplaincy in aged care settings now and in the future?
The project had three broad stages. Stage 1 comprised a literature review, scoping focus groups, and interviews with an expert panel. Stage 2 was a survey of Uniting chaplains and pastoral practitioners. Stage 3 comprised follow up focus groups and telephone interviews.
Despite the challenges of pastoral care work, participants spoke passionately about its importance in residential aged care.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Angela Herd, Deepika Ratnaika, Barbara Parker, Karen Teshuv
Data analysis for DOORS (Detection of Overall Risk Screen)
LINCOLN
Relationships Australia
2015 - 2018
Two waves of data collection were analysed to determine psychometric properties and fitness-for-purpose of the DOORS (Detection of Overall Risk Screen), using criterion measures such as the K-10, the Brief Infant and Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - Parent Report (SDQ).
Publication
Wells, Y., Lee, J., Li, X., Tan, E. S., & McIntosh, J. E. (2018). Re-Examination of the Family Law Detection of Overall Risk Screen (FL-DOORS): Establishing fitness for purpose. Psychological Assessment. doi:10.1037/pas0000581
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Jennifer McIntosh - Deakin University and La Trobe University, Jamie Lee - Relationship Australia
Developing and piloting the Consumer Experience Report: Pilot Study
LINCOLN
Australian Aged Care Quality Agency
December 2016 - October 2017
The aim of this project was to develop a set of core structured interview questions for use by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) as part of each accreditation site audit of residential aged care services. The interview questions were intended to support the development of a standard report on consumer experience of the quality of care and services in residential aged care and be implemented within the context of existing audit practice.
This project had three stages. The development stage involved developing options for the core structured interview questions and consulting with the Project Reference Group to narrow the choice of questions to be piloted. The second stage (March 2017) was a pilot study to test the questions during reaccreditation site audits in the field. The final stage involves finalising the tool and developing training materials for use by the AACQA in implementing the Consumer Experience Report (CER).
Publication
The final report on the project has been published online: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/consumers/consumer-experience-reports-residential-aged-care-services/research-reports
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Angela Herd
Advancing practice in the care of people with dementia: the Dementia Training Study Centres' (DTSC) National Practice Improvement Program
ACEBAC
Australian Department of Social Services
2015 - 2017
Funded under the Australian Government's Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants the DTSC National Practice Improvement Program delivered a program of education and support to aged care providers to facilitate knowledge translation and practice improvement in the care of people with dementia in four critical care areas: environmental design; sexuality and dementia; medication management; responding to behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Team members: Internal: Margaret Winbolt. External: Richard Fleming, Elizabeth Beattie, Andrew Stafford, Katherine Cunningham
Systematic review - The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to support the functional activities/ADLs/personal care (bathing/showering, hygiene/toileting; feeding/eating/dining/meal times) of people living with dementia in residential aged care
ACEBAC
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC3) - Carers and Consumers
2015 - 2017
The research literature was searched and reviewed (2000 - 2015) using the following parameters:
Participants:
- people with dementia (Alzheimer’s disease, multi-infarct, Lewy body, young onset,….) living in RACFs (nursing home, hostel, low care, assisted living, long-term care, care homes)
- nurses, (LPNs/ RNs) personal care workers, personal care assistants, personal carers/assistants in nursing/nurses aides, health (care) professionals, GPs, allied health, occupational therapy/therapist, physiotherapist, diversional therapist, lifestyle therapist, dietician/dietitian, speech pathologist/therapist
Interventions of interest:
- individualised care plan/approaches to care
- bathing method/approaches/techniques
- technology/assistive technology/assistive devices (equipment)
- environmental adaptations
- seating/postural care
- education
- training
- music
- complementary medicine i.e. aromatherapy
- exercise
- rehabilitation/geriatric rehabilitation/rehabilitation care
- reablement
Types of outcome measures:
- performance in ADLs, functional abilities (i.e. the functional abilities checklist FAC, Barthel score)
- BPSD - aggression, agitation, wandering, social and sexual dis-inhibition, verbal outbursts, delusions, hallucinations, and anxiety
- wellbeing
- compliance/co-operation
- independence
- quality of life
- restiveness to care
- pain
- withdrawal
Types of studies:
- quantitative studies incl. RCTs, CTs, quasi- experimental, cohort, case studies
- qualitative studies- descriptive, observational, expert opinion?
Publications
Fetherstonhaugh, D. Haesler, E & Bauer, M. (2019) Promoting mealtime function in people with dementia: a systematic review of studies undertaken in residential aged care. International Journal of Nursing Studies DOI:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.04.005
Fetherstonhaugh, D. Haesler, E. Beattie, E. Hill, K & Poulos, C. (2018) The impact of nurse and care staff education on the functional ability and quality of life of people living with dementia: A systematic review Nurse Education Today 67: 27-45.
Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Michael Bauer, Emily Haesler
The development of an evidence-based intervention tool to improve hospital discharge practices for people with dementia and their family
ACEBAC
Nurses Board of Victoria Legacy
2014 - 2017
A Carer Controlled Health Record (to be used by the carer of an older person) was developed following: a literature review; interviews and focus groups with health service staff; drafting of the tool and then several Delphi rounds with experts until consensus was reached and finalisation of the tool.
Publication
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/aipca/australian-centre-for-evidence-based-aged-care/resources
Team members: Michael Bauer, Lesley Fitzgerald, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh
Sexual Health: What factors promote or inhibit the recognition of sexuality as a component of health care for older people? A systematic review of the literature
ACEBAC
Faculty of Health Sciences Grant
2014 - 2017
Sexuality is increasingly being recognised as a key component of health and wellbeing. For older people, however, including those with dementia, sexual expression, sexual health, and sexual identity are often excluded by health professionals in their care delivery and practice. It is important to understand how and why this oversight occurs, and what can be done to improve practice. To date, no solid evidence base exists around what factors promote or inhibit the inclusion of sexuality into the care of older people, and this project will attempt to address this important knowledge gap through a systematic review of the literature.
Publications
Bauer, M. Haesler, E. & Fetherstonhaugh, D. (2019) Organisational enablers and barriers to the recognition of sexuality in aged care: A systematic review Journal of Nursing Management 10.1111/jonm.12743
Haesler, E. Bauer, M. & Fetherstonhaugh, D. (2016) ‘Sexuality, sexual health and older people: A systematic review of research on the knowledge and attitudes of health professionals'. Heath and Social Care in the Community. 40 (May) 57-71.
Bauer, M. Haesler, E. Fetherstonhaugh, D. (2015) ‘Let’s talk about sex: Older people’s views on the recognition of sexuality and sexual health in the healthcare setting’. Health Expectations. DOI 10.1111/hex.12418.
Team members: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Emily Haesler
Supporting GPs and Practice Nurses in the Timely Diagnosis of Dementia
ACEBAC
Australian Department of Social Services
2015 - 2016
Funded under the Australian Government's Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants this project responded to the Australian Government's priority on improving timely diagnosis of dementia by delivering accredited continuing professional development training on dementia assessment, diagnosis and management to GPs and practice nurses throughout Australia. ACEBAC delivered the GP training component of the project.
Team members: Internal: Margaret Winbolt. External: Allan Shell, Henry Brodaty
Identifying support needs to improve rural dementia services: A Delphi consultation study
ACEBAC
La Trobe University 'Building Health Communities' grant
2014 - 2016
This project identified the priority support and service needs for:
- People living with dementia
- Carers of people living with dementia
- Health service providers
This project was conducted in a rural area of Victoria and involved interviews and focus groups.
Publication
Bauer, M. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Blackberry, I. Farmer, J & Wilding, C (2018) Identifying support needs to improve rural dementia services for people with dementia and their carers: A consultation study in Victoria, Australian Journal of Rural Health (in press)
Team members: Internal: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Irene Blackberry. External: Jane Farmer
HACC Active Service Model client and carer outcomes framework and measurement tools project
LINCOLN
Department of Health and Human Services Victoria
2014 - 2016
A project to identify a suite of validated measures that can demonstrate change in client and carer status in a range of domains resulting from Victoria's ASM approach and test the measures on a sample of clients and carers, both before and after service delivery episodes of care.
Conference presentations
Teshuva, K., & Wells, Y. (July, 2016). Measuring the Impacts of the Active Service Approach in Home Care and Community Services. Paper presented to the 2016 LTU Early career Researcher Network meeting, Melbourne.
Teshuva, K., Wells, Y., Russell, H., & Payne, K. (Nov, 2015). Measuring the impacts of the Victorian HACC Active Service Model. Poster presented at the AAG Annual conference, Alice Springs.
Team members: Karen Teshuva, Yvonne Wells
Health and wellbeing aged 50 and over: Data stories for Banyule, Darebin and Nillumbik
LINCOLN
North East Primary Care Partnership
October 2014 - March 2016
The conduct of workshops and collection of information, and analysis of HACC and ACAP MDS data across three local government areas – Banyule, Darebin and Nillumbik.
Reports have been published online: https://www.nehc.org.au/resources/
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Karen Teshuva
Victoria and Tasmania Dementia Training Study Centre
ACEBAC
Australian Department of Health
2009 - 2016
Funded by the Australian Government and hosted by ACEBAC, the Victoria and Tasmania Dementia Training Study Centre was one of five Dementia Training Study Centres nationally which aimed to improve the quality of care and support provided to people living with dementia and their families through providing development opportunities for existing and future dementia care health professionals. This was achieved through a dedicated range of courses, workshops, seminars, scholarships, support, and curriculum development that translates contemporary knowledge into practical, effective approaches to helping people living with dementia and their families. DTSC’s goal was to enhance the knowledge and skills base of the current and future dementia care workforce, creating a nationally cohesive approach to dementia care.
Team members: Rhonda Nay, Margaret Winbolt
Literature review: Outcomes of Case Management
LINCOLN
Baptcare
2015
A review of the literature to identify key outcomes of case management as a component of home care packages with older people, and potential measurement approaches.
Team members: Janette Collier, Yvonne Wells
Literature review: Practice Approaches in Dementia Care
LINCOLN
Baptcare
2015
A review of the literature on practice approaches in organisation, client/resident assessment, carer, family and friends, care provision, environment and staff education.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Chris While
Banyule Aged Friendly cities indicators project
LINCOLN
Banyule City Council
January 2015 - March 2015
This project was to assist Banyule City Council compile and report on indicators of age-friendliness to the WHO.
Team members: Internal: Yvonne Wells. External: Catherine Simcox and Hariklia Kessaris (Banyule City Council)
Using the Montessori Approach
ACEBAC
Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria
2014 - 2015
Researchers from ACEBAC undertook an evaluation of the impact of Montessori-based activities on the engagement of people with dementia attending two planned activity groups in Melbourne. The project aimed to improve the engagement of people with dementia in purposeful activity. The intervention was a Montessori education workshop for staff and family carers. Findings showed that using Montessori principles to inform activities statistically improved constructive engagement, pleasure and helping among the people with dementia; and that the Montessori education may improve staff satisfaction and attitudes to people with dementia.
Team members: Jo-Anne Rayner, Chris While
Managing Memory in Older Age in Regional and Remote Communities
LINCOLN
Building Healthy Communities Research Focus Area, La Trobe University
2014 - 2015
A project to: 1. Provide proof of concept about a memory management program adapted for older adults living in regional and remote communities in Victoria and designed to assist maintenance of cognitive health and independence in daily activities. 2. Evaluate the customisation and implementation of this program on a blended learning platform. 3. Establish a cross-disciplinary team of researchers from La Trobe and partners from Alzheimer's Australia VIC, Caulfield Hospital & Adult Learning Australia, with skills and expertise in interventions for maintaining cognitive health in older adults, especially in rural communities.
Team members: Glynda Kinsella (School of Psychology, project lead), Kerryn Pike (School of Psychology), Yvonne Wells
A family carer and consumer guide to intimacy and sexuality in residential aged care
ACEBAC
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC) - Carers and Consumers
2013 - 2015
This project involved the development of consumer resource - family carer and consumer guide to intimacy and sexuality in residential aged care and involved a literature review, drafting the guide and then receiving feedback from people with dementia and carers of people with dementia before finalising the resource.
Publication
Bauer, M & Fetherstonhaugh, D. (2015) Sexuality and people in residential aged care facilities: A guide for partners and families https://www.latrobe.edu.au/aipca/australian-centre-for-evidence-based-aged-care/resources
Team members: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh
Proxy decision-making on behalf of people with dementia - how do surrogates decide?
ACEBAC
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC3) - Carers and Consumers
2013 - 2015
This study explored how proxy/surrogate decision-making on behalf of people with dementia. Specifically, the aims of this project were:
- To explore how proxy/surrogate decision makers make decisions on behalf of a person with dementia.
- To explore whether proxy/surrogate decision makers feel they need support in making decisions on behalf of a person with dementia.
- If determined that proxy/surrogate decision makers need support what type of support do they require?
- If determined that proxy/surrogate decision makers need support in making decisions on behalf of a person with dementia how could this support be provided.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people who were proxy/surrogate decision makers for people with dementia and who have already made decisions on their behalf.
Publications
Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Shanley, C. Bauer, M. & Beattie, E. (2017). “Did I make the right decision?”: The difficult and unpredictable journey of being a surrogate decision maker for a person living with dementia. Dementia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301217721862
Shanley, C. Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Bauer, M & Beattie, E. (2017) Providing support to surrogate decision-makers for people living with dementia: healthcare provider, organisational and community responsibilities. Health and Social Care in the Community 10.1111/hsc.12456
Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Bauer, M. & Shanley, C. (2016) ‘Decision-making on behalf of people living with dementia: How do surrogate decision-makers decide? Journal of Medical Ethics doi;10.1136/medethics-2015-103301.
Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Linda McAuliffe, Michael Bauer. External: Chris Shanley, Elizabeth Beattie
Evaluation of Wyndham City community support worker program
LINCOLN
Wyndham City Council
2013 - 2015
The main aim of the evaluation was to assist Wyndham City Council to evaluate its Community Support Worker project. The project was to develop and evaluate a service model that provides client-centred Home and Community Care-funded services to support clients to remain at home, with Community Support Workers (CSWs) empowered to engage with the client daily to determine the activities undertaken. Supports range from the Home and Community Care activity suite that the CSW is qualified to provide, and staff work toward goals previously agreed to within the care plan.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Barbara Parker
Staff-family relationships for people with dementia living in residential aged care -
Evidence-based online resource package
ACEBAC - University of Tasmania and Griffith University
Alzheimer’s Australia
2012 - 2015
This project aimed to translate the available evidence, into a nationally-applicable 'Staff-family relationships' online resource package and education program to facilitate the implementation of an evidence-based clinical guideline to improve an support collaborative staff-family relationships, and, by extension, improve the wellbeing of family carers of people with dementia living in RACFs. These resources are available to RACFs around Australia, including in rural and remote areas.
In particular, the evidence translated into practice is derived from a systematic review of the literature, which identified a number of key factors known to influence the promotion and maintenance of collaborative staff-family relationships: - information sharing and the promotion of residents' uniqueness; - clear communication processes, expectations, goals and responsibilities in relation to resident care and decision making; - educational support for staff and families about developing constructive staff-family relationship; - staff working cooperatively and in partnership with families and a reciprocated recognition of roles, that is, shared understanding of each other's roles and contributions to care (Haesler, Bauer & Nay, 2010).
Published resource
http://qualitydementiacare.org.au/project/improving-staff-family-relationships-for-people-with-dementia-living-in-residential-aged-care/
Team members: Internal: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Laura Tarzia. External: Wendy Moyle (Griffith University), Andrew Robinson (University of Tasmania)
2011 - 2014
“What Works” to promote emotional wellbeing in older people
LINCOLN
beyondblue
2013 - 2014
Development of a 'What Works' booklet: psychosocial interventions for older people for the prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety in older people.
The booklet has been published online: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us/about-our-work/older-adults-program/what-works-to-promote-emotional-wellbeing-in-older-people-useful-links
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Barbara Parker, Monika Merkes, Glynda Kinsella (Department of Psychology), Sunil Bhar (Swinburne University), Alison Padgett (Uniting AgeWell)
Assistance with ILC bid
LINCOLN
Benetas
2013 - 2014
The main aim of this project was to assist a range of Australian stakeholders to form a consortium and develop a bid to become the International Longevity Centre- Australia. This bid proved successful.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Barbara Parker, Richard Huysmans (Raven Consulting)
Factors influencing residential aged care staff decision-making when a resident's health deteriorates
ACEBAC
Department of Health Victoria
2012 - 2014
This PhD project explored RACF staff decision-making regarding the transfer of residents to hospital.
Publications
Laging, B., R. Ford, M. Bauer and R. Nay (2015). "A meta-synthesis of factors influencing nursing home staff decisions to transfer residents to hospital." Journal of Advanced Nursing 71(10): 2224-2236.
Laging, B., M. Bauer, R. Ford and R. Nay (2014). "A systematic review on the experiences of Residential Aged Care Facility staff decision making regarding the transfer of residents to Emergency Departments. ." JBI Database of Systematic Reviews 12(2): 263-388.
Team members: Brigid Laging (PhD student), Michael Bauer, Rhonda Nay
My Place for Life
LINCOLN
Australian Research Council Linkage Grant
2011 - 2014
The My Place for Life research project sought to address the question of how different living environments affect quality of life and outcomes of older people. The main outcome measures are quality of life and social participation. With Uniting Aged Care.
Conference presentations
Wells, Y., & Herd, A. (Nov, 2013). Congregate housing: Impacts on quality of life and social participation. Paper presented at the 46th National Conference of the Australian Association of Gerontology, Sydney.
Herd, A., Street, A., & Wells, Y. (Nov, 2015). Hearing older people’s voices: What matters in housing design? Paper presented at the AAG Annual conference, Alice Springs.
Herd, A., & Wells, Y. (June 2016). Design of retirement communities. Paper presented at the International Federation on Ageing, Brisbane.
Herd, A., Wells, Y., & Street, A. (Feb, 2016). Home is best – or is it? Presentation to the La Trobe University Healthy Ageing Research Group (HARG) Industry forum
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Angela Herd, Annette Street
Review of meal services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program
LINCOLN
Australian Government Department of Health
2013
A project to develop an evidence base and identify subsequent service delivery implications to ensure meal services under the new Commonwealth Home Support Program contribute to the objectives of the Program.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Angela Herd, Barbara Parker, Karen Teshuva, John van Holsteyn
Expanded Settings for Clinical Placements Project
LINCOLN
Department of Health Victoria
2012 - 2013
Implementation of an expanded settings program for clinical placements in Uniting Aged Care
Team members: Karen Teshuva (project lead), Yvonne Wells, with Uniting Aged Care
Evaluation of Short-term Case management in the HACC Program
LINCOLN
Department of Health Victoria
2012 - 2013
A project to evaluate the HACC short-term case management pilot.
Six short-term case management pilots were funded by the Victorian Department of Health. The pilots tested the propositions that: short-term intensive case management in the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program would support Active Service Model objectives (that is, capacity building and maintaining an individual’s independence); and that such a service could potentially prevent the need for higher levels of care. Evaluation methods included analyses of HACC and case management data, de-identified case studies, project reports, and care plan documents. These were supplemented with interviews with case managers, service managers and assessment officers, and with Most Significant Change stories from clients and staff.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Barbara Parker, Karen Teshuva, Katrina Lavender
Everyday decision-making: the experience of people living with dementia and their carers
ACEBAC
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC3) - Carers and Consumers
2011 - 2013
Stage 1. This project informed by Van Manen’s approach to phenomenology (1997) explored the essence of decision making when a person has a diagnosis of dementia. People with early stage dementia were interviewed.
Stage 2. Carers of people living with dementia were interviewed to explore how they facilitated remained involvement in decision-making for the person living with dementia.
Publications
Fetherstonhaugh, D. Rayner, J & Tarzia, L. (2016) ‘Hanging on to some autonomy in decision-making: How do spouse carers support this?’ Dementia DOI:10.1177/1471301216678104 dem.sagepub.com.
Fetherstonhaugh, D. Tarzia, L & Nay, R. (2013) ‘Being central to decision making means I am still here!: The essence of decision making for people with dementia’. Journal of Aging Studies (27) 143-150.
Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Laura Tarzia, Jo-Anne Rayner, Rhonda Nay
The experiences and processes for decision-making by direct care staff in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) when the person about whom the decisions are to be made has a diagnosis of dementia
ACEBAC
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC3) - Carers and Consumers
2011 - 2013
This project used grounded theory methodology to explore the experiences and processes of direct care staff in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in enabling/preventing people with dementia to make decisions. A literature review was undertaken and direct care staff (nurses and personal care workers) (N=80) from residential aged care services in two Australian states were recruited and took part in interviews or focus groups. Interview data was analysed.
Publications
Cameron, N. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Bauer, M & Tarzia, L. It’s a matter of knowing your resident’. How residential care staff conceptualise identity and its relevance for decision-making with regard to residents with dementia. Journal of Applied Gerontology (in press)
Cameron, N. Fetherstonhaugh, D & Bauer, M. (2020) Challenges faced by residential aged care staff in supporting the decisions of, and making decisions on behalf of, residents with dementia: moving from broad principles to specific instances Dementia. doi.org/10.1177/1471301220929154
Cameron, N. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Bauer, M & Tarzia, L. (2018) How do care staff in residential aged care facilities conceptualise their non-verbal interactions with residents with dementia and what relevance has this for how residents’ preferences and capacity for decision making are understood? Dementia DOI:10.1177/1471301218798422
Tarzia, L. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Bauer, M. Beattie, E & Nay, R. (2015) ‘We have to work within the system!: Staff perceptions of organizational barriers to decision making for older adults with dementia in Australian aged care facilities’ Research in Gerontological Nursing. DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20150413-01.
Fetherstonhaugh, D. Tarzia, L. Bauer, M. Nay, R. & Beattie, E. (2014).'The red dress or the blue?: How do staff perceive that they support decision making for people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities? Journal of Applied Gerontology.35(2), 209-226. DOI: 10.1177/0733464814531089.
Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Laura Tarzia, Michael Bauer, Rhonda Nay, Nadine Cameron. External: Elizabeth Beattie (QUT)
The social participation of carers of people with dementia
ACEBAC
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC3) - Carers and Consumers
2011 - 2013
This project explored the meaning, barriers and enablers of social participation for carers of older people with dementia. The concept of social participation has not been well defined, used inconsistently in the literature, and been used interchangeably with a range of other terms but it remains an important notion because it is an indicator of both the quality of life experienced by individuals and the extent to which communities are functioning successfully. The meaning of social participation for carers of older people with dementia and the enablers and barriers that can facilitate or diminish that social participation had not been previously explored. Thirty three carers of older people with dementia from across Victoria and Queensland participated in a conversational semi-structured interview.
Publications
Nay, R. Bauer, M. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Moyle, W. Tarzia, L. & McAuliffe, L. (2014) ‘“Surviving”: Social participation and family carers of people living with dementia. Health and Social Care in the Community DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12163.
Nay, R. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Bauer, M. Moyle, W. McAullife, L. & Hart, C. The social participation of carers of people with dementia. Dementia Collaborative Research Centre 3 Carers and Consumers http://www.dementia.unsw.edu.au/images/dcrc/output-files/707-dcrc_social_participation_report_october_2013.pdf
Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Michael Bauer, Rhonda Nay, Carol Hart. External: Wendy Moyle
Data analysis: Survey of HACC Active Service Model providers
LINCOLN
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)
2012
This project involved a simple descriptive analysis of data from a MAV Survey of HACC home care providers (N = 48: 22 metropolitan and 26 regional/rural). Data were mostly numeric, but open-ended responded were analysed. The analyses contributed to a report compiled by the MAV. The objectives of the project were to: identify the range of tasks being undertaken by HSW and how they link broadly to the ASM objectives, client goals and care plans; describe the range and frequency of tasks being provided within the current domestic assistance and personal care service categories in response to individual needs, and any barriers to proving the flexibility needed to meet goals; document examples of the practices and system changes which effectively support the role of HSW in implementing care plans, and recommend on further training needs for HSWs.
Team members: Yvonne Wells
Best Care for Older People evaluation framework
LINCOLN
North Health
2012
Evaluation framework and data analysis for Northern Health's Best Care for Older People program.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Barbara Parker
Personalised MP3
ACEBAC with the Centre for Health Systems Development
Southern Cross Care
2011 - 2012
The aim of this project was to determine if, and when, an MP3 player is provided to informal caregivers of people with dementia, the use of the device by the person with dementia enables their caregivers to undertake activities that give them brief respite from the high level of vigilance often needed in caring for their family member, both at home and in public spaces. This project was conducted in collaboration with Southern Cross Care (Vic.) who funded the project. Findings from the study were launched in September 2013.
Publication
Lewis, V., Bauer, M., Winbolt, M., Chenco, C. & Hanley, G. (2014) A study of effectiveness of MP3 players to support family carers of people with dementia at home. International Psychogeriatrics 27(3): 471-479
Team members: Margaret Winbolt, Virginia Lewis, Michael Bauer, Carol Chenco, Francine Hanley
EN-ABLE
ACEBAC
Australian Department of Health and Ageing
2011 - 2012
The EN-ABLE Project addressed the target area 'Behaviour Management' in residential aged/dementia care. It supported a key national health priority, 'Promoting and Maintaining Good Health' and the Department of Health and Ageing reform agenda 'Encouraging Best Practices in Residential Aged Care'. The aim of this project was to skill residential care staff to respond in person-centred, evidence-based ways to need-driven behaviours (NDBs), variously referred to as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) and Unmet Need Behaviours (UNBs) in the literature. The central project goal was to implement and evaluate the EN-ABLE education and training in residential aged/dementia care through an empowering staff support process.
Team members: Internal: Rhonda Nay, Margaret Winbolt, Carol Chenco. External: Lynn Chenoweth, Elizabeth Beattie, Elaine Fielding
SCTT Revision Pilot Project
LINCOLN
Department of Health Victoria
2011 - 2012
Pilot of the Service Coordination Tool Templates (SCTT) – a suite of templates developed to facilitate and support service coordination, SCTT support the collection and recording of initial contact, initial needs identification, referral and coordinated care planning information in a standardised way. The project was to ensure the SCTT suite of tools have the utility, usability, and practicality necessary to enable appropriate referrals. Revision activities included clinician benchmarking workshops, and a report including recommendations for revising the SCTT.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Barbara Parker, Karen Teshuva
Evaluation of CACP for Dementia (CACPD)
LINCOLN
Baptcare
2011 - 2012
Evaluation of Baptcare’s CACPD packages. An intervention group (N = 9) and a control group (N = 8) were recruited to the evaluation. Participants were interviewed in their homes and followed up after 2-3 months. Analyses indicated that there were some benefits to carers on the CACPD package, in comparison to those on the standard CACP, in terms of more services such as respite and home maintenance, and reduced burden and increased quality of life over time.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Judy Tang
Transforming the Experiences of Ageing: The ABCD of Building Socially Inclusive Communities
LINCOLN
Australian Research Council Linkage Grant
2010 - 2011
This project addressed the national goal, 'ageing well, ageing productively'. Serious problems with community and residential aged care services for older Australians are well-documented. This project will determine the best way to find out what older people want now and for the future, in terms of housing, supports and services.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Carmel Laragy (RMIT), Elizabeth Ozanne (University of Melbourne)
ACAS Evaluation Unit
LINCOLN
Victorian Department of Health
1983 - 2014
As the Victorian state Evaluation Unit for the Aged Care Assessment Program (ACAP) since 1983, the Lincoln Centre oversaw the collection of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) on the approximately 70,000 assessments carried out each year by Victoria's 18 Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS). Reporting had particular focus on waiting times for assessment, numbers of assessments, and outcomes (recommendations) of assessment.
Team members: Yvonne Wells, Karen Teshuva, Judy Tang, Janette Collier, Ian Gardner, and many others
