Projects

Funder: Australian Government

Start year: 2016
End year: 2021

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 Alzheimer's Australia, La Trobe University, the Queensland University of Technology, the University of Tasmania and 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. 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, Fellowships, that translate contemporary knowledge into practical, effective approaches to helping people living with dementia and their families. DTA programs are designed for health and aged care staff who provide care for people living with dementia.

https://dta.com.au/

Team members: Internal: Margaret Winbolt, Chris While, Rebecca Brown, Angela Casey
External: Belinda Goodenough, Elizabeth Beattie, David Sykes, Ellie Newman

Funder: Victorian Department of Health and Human Services

Start year: 2019
End year: 2021

In 2017-2018 ACEBAC developed a draft suite of performance measures for predicting ‘failure’ in residential aged care. The DHHS have currently commissioned ACEBAC to pilot eight of the ten performance measures in six public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS) across Victoria. The eight performance measures being piloted are:

1. Use of evidence-based guidelines for clinical and aged care practice – proportion of Standardised Care Processes (SCPs) implemented
2. Open disclosure, just and transparent culture – proportion of permanent staff trained in open disclosure
3. Capacity to manage periods of peak demand – proportion of days where timely access to care for residents was not met over a month
4. End of life care – proportion of permanent staff trained and competent in recognising imminent death
5. Comprehensive assessment – proportion of permanent residents who have had a comprehensive review in the last 30 days
6. Medication safety – proportion of permanent residents who are prescribed one or more high risk medications that are being monitored with a relevant safety protocol
7. Dignity of risk – proportion of permanent residents who wish to undertake an activity that may expose them to a hazard and have a risk mitigation strategy for that potential hazard
8. Dementia care – proportion of permanent residents who exhibit responsive behaviours that have an individualised and current behavioural management plan

Publications

1. Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Rayner, J & Ibrahim, J (2020) Piloting draft performance measures in public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS). Quarterly Report 4 for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
2. Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Rayner, J & Ibrahim, J (2020) Piloting draft performance measures in public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS). Quarterly Report 3 for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
3. Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Rayner, J & Ibrahim, J (2020) Piloting draft performance measures in public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS). Quarterly Report 2 for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
4. Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Rayner, J & Ibrahim, J (2020) Piloting draft performance measures in public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS). Quarterly Report 1 Project for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
5. Fetherstonhaugh, D. McAuliffe, L. Rayner, J & Ibrahim, J (2020) Piloting draft performance measures in public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS). Project and Evaluation Plan for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Jo-Anne Rayner, Linda McAuliffe, Yvonne Wells
External: Joseph Ibrahim

Funder: Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration

Start year: 2020
End year: 2021

This seed project will adapt a knowledge product called Will it Work Here: a decision maker’s guide to adopting innovations. Targeting readiness for knowledge translation in the Australian residential aged care sector, the adaptation will use co-design methodology to include people with lived experience of dementia as a perspective integral to an ‘intervention readiness’ assessment. It will assist clinicians and stakeholders to work collaboratively to identify factors that influence fit of intervention to care setting; readiness of staff people to change practice; risks and benefits of implementation; and selection of implementation strategies.

Team members: Internal: Chris While, Margaret Winbolt, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh
External: Belinda Goodenough, Jacqui Watts, Sarah Bartlett, Merrin Lewis

Funder: Internal ACEBAC funding

Start year: 2020
End year: 2021

This project will investigate the meaning of, and opportunities for, social inclusion of older people, and how this differs across older people living in the community when compared with older people living in RACFs.

Specifically this project will explore:

• 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)?
• The opportunities for social inclusion for older people living in the community as compared to older people living in RACFs?
• 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.

Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Sam Clune, Jo-Anne Rayner, Linda McAuliffe, Sandra Cowen

Funder: Internal ACEBAC funding

Start year: 2020
End year: 2021

Following the delivery of 40 CHAOP workshops in 2018/2019 participants will be invited to complete a survey and/or be interviewed about the impact of the training on nursing practice. Specifically, the following will be explored:

• 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?
• The type of CHAOP being undertaken – full, focused or both?
• Whether there are any barriers to conducting CHAOP in the workplace?
• Whether the participants have 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: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Sandra Cowen, Jo-Anne Rayner, Kane Solly

Funder: Internal ACEBAC funding

Start year: 2019
End year: 2021

This study 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 will be sent to Directors of Nursing/Facility managers of all 2672 RACFs. Participants will be asked to read a vignette describing a hypothetical relationship between two residents and to rate to what extent they agree the relationship should continue.

Team members: Internal: Linda McAuliffe, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh
External: Maggie Syme

Funder: Internal ACEBAC funding

Start year: 2019
End year: 2021

This project explores the way care of the older person is taught in the undergraduate nursing curriculum in Australian Schools of Nursing. All Australian Schools of Nursing (undergraduate co-ordinators/curriculum coordinators) were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview.

Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Jo-Anne Rayner, Kane Solly
External: Elizabeth Beattie, Yun-Hee Jeon, Deb Parker, Ann Harrington, Wendy Moyle, Chris Toye

Funder: Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and health and aged care services

Start year: 2011
End year: Ongoing

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).

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

2014: DHHS granted licence to ACEBAC to run CHAOP workshops fee for service (34 workshops delivered).

2018 - 2019: DHHS commissioned ACEBAC with administrative support from the ANMF to deliver 40 CHAOP workshops to health professionals working in Victorian Public Health Services.

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.

Report

Fetherstonhaugh, D & Cowen, S (2020). Comprehensive health assessment of the older person (CHAOP) workshops in 2018/2019. Final Report for the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Margaret Winbolt, Sandra Cowen, Michael Bauer, Joanna Lee

Funder: Internal ACEBAC funding

Start year: 2015
End year: 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:

1. One full set of presentation slides complete with text, case studies/vignettes, video clips and images (Windows and Mac compatible)
2. One hardcopy of the facilitator’s manual and one hardcopy of the presentation slides with explanatory notes for the facilitator
3. Hardcopies of the participants’ workbook plus PDF for self-print option
4. One hardcopy set of activity sheets, flash cards and templates, plus PDF for self-print option
5. One hardcopy of a summary sheet for each module, plus PDF for self-print option.

Team members: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Chris While, Sandra Cowen, Jo-Anne Rayner

Funder: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Start year: 2009
End year: 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 2018 16 SCPs have been developed with another three being drafted. The SCPs:

1. Antimicrobial stewardship
2. Choking
3. Constipation
4. Dehydration
5. Delirium
6. Depression
7. End of life care
8. Falls
9. Hypoglycaemia
10. Infection Control
11. Oral and dental hygiene
12. Polypharmacy
13. Pain
14. Physical restraint
15. Pressure injuries
16. Responsive Behaviours
17. Skin tears
18. Sleep
19. Unplanned weight loss

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

Funder: Victorian Department of Health and Human Services

Start year: 2017
End year: 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 practices.

This guide has been designed as a standalone resource, but it aligns with the key domains, definitions, etc. used within the PSRACS performance measures development project.

Publications

1. 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.
2. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Ibrahim, J. Rayner, J. McAuliffe, L. & Bauer, M. (2018) Public Sector Aged Care Performance Measures Development. Final Report (internal DHHS)
3. 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

Funder: Department of Health and Human Services Victoria

Start year: 2014
End year: 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

1. 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).

2. 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

Funder: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre: Carers and Consumers

Start year: 2017
End year: 2019

Publication

Rayner, J. Fetherstonhaugh & Bauer, M. (2020) How to support everyday decisions-making for people living with dementia in residential aged care: A guide for care workers.

Available at: https://dementiaresearch.org.au/resources/a-guide-for-care-workers/

Team members: Jo-Anne Rayner, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Michael Bauer

Funder: Australian Department of Social Services

Start year: 2015
End year: 2016

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

Funder: Australian Department of Social Services

Start year: 2015
End year: 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

Funder: Nurses Board of Victoria Legacy

Start year: 2014
End year: 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

Funder: Australian Government Department of Health & Victorian Department of Health and Human Services

Start year: 2014
End year: 2015

This project seeks to improve levels of engagement in purposeful activity for people living with dementia who attend Planned Activity Groups. With Alzheimer's Australia.

Team members: Jo-Anne Rayner, Chris While

Funder: Faculty of Health Sciences Grant

Start year: 2014
End year: 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

1. 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
2. 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’. Health and Social Care in the Community.40 (May) 57-71.
3. 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

Funder: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC3) – Carers and Consumers

Start year: 2015
End year: 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
• well-being
• compliance/co-operation
• independence
• quality of Life
• resistiveness to care
• pain
• withdrawal

Types of studies:

• quantitative studies including RCTs, CTs, quasi- experimental, cohort, case studies
• qualitative studies – descriptive, observational, expert opinion?

Publications

1. 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
2. Bauer, M. 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 submitted to Nurse Education Today 67: 27-45.

Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Michael Bauer, Emily Haesler

Funder: Southern Cross Care

Start year: 2011
End year: 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., M. Bauer, M. Winbolt, C. Chenco and F. Hanley (2014). "A study of the 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

Funder: Australian Department of Health and Ageing

Start year: 2011
End year: 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

Funder: Department of Health Victoria

Start year: 2012
End year: 2014

This PhD project explored RACF staff decision-making regarding the transfer of residents to hospital.

Publications

1. 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
2. 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
3. Laging, B., R. Ford, M. Buer and R. Nay (2015). "Factors influencing Nursing Home staff decision-making regarding the transfer of residents to hospital: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies." Journal of Advanced Nursing 71(10 ): 2224-2236

Team members: Brigid Laging (PhD student), Michael Bauer, Rhonda Nay

Funder: Australian Department of Health

Start year: 2009
End year: 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

Funder: Alzheimer’s Australia

Start year: 2012
End year: 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 and 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 the project 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 understandings of each other's roles and contributions to care (Haesler, Bauer & Nay, 2010).

Team members: Internal: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Laura Tarzia
External: Wendy Moyle (Griffith University) Andrew Robinson (University of Tasmania)

Funder: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC) – Carers and Consumers

Start year: 2013
End year: 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

Funder: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC) – Carers and Consumers

Start year: 2011
End year: 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

1. 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
2. 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

Funder: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC) – Carers and Consumers

Start year: 2011
End year: 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

1. Cameron, N. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Bauer, M & Tarzia, L (2020) 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 DOI: 10.1177/0733464820951734
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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. Published online DOI: 10.1177/0733464814531089

Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Laura Tarzia, Michael Bauer, Rhonda Nay, Nadine Cameron
External: Elizabeth Beattie

Funder: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC) – Carers and Consumers

Start year: 2013
End year: 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

1. 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
2. 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  
3. 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

Funder: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC) – Carers and Consumers

Start year: 2011
End year: 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

1. 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
2. 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

Team members: Internal: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Michael Bauer, Rhonda Nay, Carol Hart
External: Wendy Moyle

Funder: La Trobe University ‘Building Healthy Communities’ grant

Start year: 2014
End year: 2016

This project identified the priority support and service needs for:

1. People living with dementia
2. Carers of people living with dementia
3. 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

Funder: Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University

Start year: 2010
End year: 2011

This project constructed and evaluated a psychometrically sound tool to measure nursing staff knowledge and attitudes regarding pain in older adults (including adults with dementia) for use in the residential aged care setting. Access to pain relief is basic human right. The tool developed will be beneficial in identifying nursing staff knowledge deficits and negative attitudes that may be preventing staff from recognising pain in the older adults they care for, and preventing the older adult from receiving appropriate care, pain relief, and pain management. These areas of deficit can then be targeted in education programs for aged care staff and used to inform practice so that older people (including older people with dementia) can access the care to which they are entitled.

Publication

Fetherstonhaugh, D. Lewis, V. McAuliffe, L. & Bauer, M. (2015) ‘Pain in older adults: Development of a tool for measuring knowledge of residential aged care staff’. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. DOI 10.1002/gps.4364

Team members: Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Linda McAuliffe, Michael Bauer

Funder: Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University

Start year: 2010
End year: 2012

Two tools (the Family and Staff Relationship Attitude Tool (FASRAT) and the Family and Staff Relationship Implementation Tool (FASRIT) were developed and validated using the following method – literature review, development of draft tools, several Delphi rounds with national and international experts until consensus reached about the content of tools, administration of tools to a sample and psychometric analysis and validation of the tools.

Publications

1. Bauer, M. Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Lewis, V. (2012) ‘Assessing the quality of staff-family relationships in the Australian residential aged care setting: development and evaluation of the Family and Staff Relationship Implementation Tool (FASRIT)’. International Journal of Person-Centered Medicine 2(3) 564-567
2. Bauer, M. Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Lewis, V. (2013) ‘Attitudes towards family-staff relationships in Australian residential aged care settings: development and psychometric evaluation of the “Family and Staff Relationship Attitude Tool” (FASRAT)’. Australasian Journal on Ageing DOI: 10.1111ajaj.12006

Team members: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Virginia Lewis

Funder: Australian Department of Health & Ageing

Start year: 2009
End year: 2009

The Encouraging Best Practice in Residential Aged Care (EBPRAC) Pain Management Project aimed to establish an effective and sustainable implementation strategy for pain assessment and management for the residential aged care setting. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, the project was led by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) in a multi-disciplinary partnership of six research organisations, and five residential aged care facilities, across Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.

Team members: Internal: Rhonda Nay, Linda McAuliffe
External: Stephen Gibson

Funder: Department of Health Victoria

Start year: 2008
End year: 2010

The SCORE project aimed to enhance care outcomes for people living in Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services, through the implementation of standardised care processes (SCPs) based on the best available evidence, clinical judgement and resident choice. SCORE was a DHS funded project, to: identify areas of clinical risk in Victorian PSRACS, develop evidence-based standardised care processes (SCPs) in ten of these identified clinical risk areas; pilot these ten SCPs in six Victorian PSRACS; evaluate the pilot and consider broader state-wide implementation of SCORE. With Lincoln.

Summary report can be found 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: Rhonda Nay, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Margaret Winbolt, Michael Bauer, Yvonne Wells, Joe Ibrahim, Angela Herd

Funder: JO & JR Wicking Trust

Start year: 2009
End year: 2010

Snoezelen and other multi-sensory therapies provide stimuli to the primary senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. Developed in the Netherlands as a leisure resource for children with learning disabilities in the 1970s the popularity of Snoezelen has spread and is now frequently used in fields as diverse as paediatrics, midwifery, mental health, special education and pain management.

Traditionally Snoezelen is delivered in a dedicated room designed specifically for this purpose using a variety of lights, moving objects, music, aromas, and tactile objects. Many Snoezelen environments now incorporate the use of 'high tech' fibre optics, bubble tubes, strobe lights, aroma steamers, image projectors and ceiling mounted mirror balls. Most recently, the sensory experience has been provided via a mobile cart transported to the individual's bedside or in the form of an outdoor Snoezelen garden. Anecdotally, the use of Snoezelen and multisensory therapies has become increasingly popular in residential aged-care facilities (RACFs) in Victoria, in particular for residents living with dementia who may exhibit behaviours that staff find challenging. These behaviours include wandering, restlessness and aggression.

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of Snoezelen and other multi-sensory interventions in the management of dementia behaviours in Victorian RACFs, including the indications for use; the types of interventions used; staffing and physical requirements for the delivery of multisensory therapies; assessment; staff training, education and evaluation.

Publications

1. Bauer, M, Rayner, J & Koch, S (2010) 'Managing dementia in residential aged care using Snoezelen and other multi-sensory therapies', Journal of Clinical Nursing, vol. 19, no. Suppl. 1, p. 44.
2. Bauer, M, Rayner, J, Tang, J, Koch, S, While, C & O'Keefe, F (2015), 'An evaluation of Snoezelen compared to ‘common best practice’ for allaying the symptoms of wandering and restlessness among residents with dementia in aged care facilities', Geriatric Nursing, vol. 36, pp. 462-466

Team members: Michael Bauer, Jo-Anne Rayner, Susan Koch

Funder: La Trobe Faculty of Health Sciences Grant

Start year: 2009
End year: 2010

There is increasing evidence of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by older people living in the community; however, little is known about the use of CAM in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Using focus groups and key informant interview, the project investigated the views and experiences of older people living in aged care facilities, family members and staff about the use of CAM in RACFs.

Publications

1. Rayner, J & Bauer, M 2016, '"I wouldn't mind trying it. I'm in pain the whole time": Barriers to the use of complementary medicines by older Australians in residential aged-care facilities', Journal of Applied Gerontology, vol. 36, no. 9, pp. 1070-1090
2. Bauer, M & Rayner, J (2012), 'Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Residential Aged Care', The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 18, no. 11, pp. 989-993

Team members: Michael Bauer, Jo-Anne Rayner, Susan Koch

Funder: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC3) – Carers and Consumers

Start year: 2010
End year: 2013

This project involved the development of an assessment tool to guide staff and improve care practices related to sexuality and dementia in residential aged care facilities. This tool’s content was informed by the research literature and interviews with aged care staff, older people with dementia living in residential aged care and family members of older people with dementia living in residential aged care. Using a Delphi drafts of the tool were reviewed by national and international experts until consensus was reached.

The tool ‘Sexual Assessment Tool (SexAT) is available at: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/aipca/australian-centre-for-evidence-based-aged-care/resources

The SexAT has been translated into Dutch and German – see: http://www.reinhardt-verlag.de/de/titel/53389/

Publications

1. Bauer, M, Fetherstonhaugh, D. Tarzia, L. Nay, R. & Beattie, E. (2014). ‘Supporting residents' expression of sexuality: the initial construction of a sexuality assessment tool for residential aged care services’. BMC Geriatrics, 14, 82-87
2. Tarzia, L. Bauer, M. Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Nay, R. (2013). ‘Interviewing older people in residential aged care: Difficulties and challenges’. Sex and Disability 31(4)361-371
3. Bauer, M. Nay, R. Tarzia, L. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Wellman, D. & Beattie, E. (2013). 'We need to know what's going on': Views of family members toward the sexual expression of people with dementia. Dementia. DOI: 10.1177/1471301213479785
4. Bauer, M. Fetherstonhaugh, D. Tarzia, L. Nay, R. Wellman, D. & Beattie, E. (2012): ‘I always look under the bed for a man’. Needs and barriers to the expression of sexuality in residential aged care: the views of residents with and without dementia’. Psychology & Sexuality 4(3) 296-309
5. Tarzia, L. Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Bauer, M. (2012) ‘Dementia, sexuality and consent in residential aged care facilities’. Journal of Medical Ethics 38: 609-613

Team members: Internal: Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Laura Tarzia, Rhonda Nay
External: Elizabeth Beattie

Funder: Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University

Start year: 2010
End year: 2011

This research project sought to obtain baseline data on whether or not residential aged care facilities in Victoria provide residents with rights regarding sexual expression and sexual health. A national survey of Australian residential care facilities was conducted.

Publications

1. McAuliffe, L. Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Bauer, M. (2018) Sexuality and Sexual Health: Policy in Australian Residential Aged Care Australasian Journal on Ageing DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12602
2. McAuliffe, L. Bauer, M. Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Chenco, C. (2016). 'Education of residential aged care staff regarding sexuality and sexual health in later life'. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 25 (5-6) 883-885
3. McAuliffe, L., Bauer, M., Fetherstonhaugh, D. & Chenco, C. (2014). ‘Assessment of sexual health and sexual needs in residential aged care’. Australasian Journal on Ageing, Early View. DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12181

Team members: Linda McAuliffe, Michael Bauer, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh