Skip to main content RSS Info Close Search
Feedback

Research helps give a voice to aged care residents

Australian aged care residents have been given a chance to share their experiences of life in residential homes, and to shape the future of the sector, as part of recent research conducted by La Trobe University.

<p>Residents share their personal experiences on key aspects of their care (Source: Shutterstock)</p>

Residents share their personal experiences on key aspects of their care (Source: Shutterstock)

La Trobe’s Australian Institute for Primary Care and Ageing conducted the extensive research on behalf of the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA), supporting the agency in producing new Consumer Experience Reports.

The reports include responses to questions that the La Trobe team developed such as “Do you feel safe here?” and “Do you like the food here?”

The pilot study was run in March this year by La Trobe Professor Yvonne Wells, Dr Angela Herd and Dr Deidre Fetherstonhaugh to test the questions on residents at ten aged care homes in Sydney, Melbourne and Launceston.

“The pilot study found that Consumer Experience Reports are a feasible way to gather information on the experience of people living in residential aged care facilities,” Professor Wells says.

“We identified 12 questions for AACQA to ask residents as part of the accreditation process, including how well staff meet their healthcare needs, whether they feel safe, what they think of the food, and how they would improve the home.”

Professor Wells says the questions were designed to allow residents to share their personal experiences on key aspects of their care, either directly or through a representative.

“It gives residents a stronger voice and allows other consumers to make informed choices about aged care,” she says.

“Providers can also use the information to identify opportunities for improving the experiences of residents.”

Professor Wells will attend the Better Practice Conference in Sydney this week (17-18 August) where the AACQA will officially launch the new Consumer Experience Reports.

Comments

Read next

Subscribe to our Talking Aged Care newsletter to get our latest articles, delivered straight to your inbox
  1. A new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia:...
  2. Our furry friends are more than just pets. They are cherished...
  3. The Department of Health and Aged Care will address the...
  4. As one ages, it’s a good idea to keep as healthy and active...
  5. Lutheran Services has become one of the first Aged Care...
  6. What would you like to see from the new Aged Care Act in...

Recent articles

  1. There are genetic and modifiable factors that make people...
  2. This Easter, tightening connections could help combat...
  3. Improving your diet and increasing exercise could reduce your...
  4. Knowing you can access reliable information in one place could...
  5. Will July be a gamechanger in upholding the rights of older...
  6. What are the lasting impacts of sexism on older women?
  7. How could technology reduce cognitive decline in older...
  8. Do you believe that some workers are more entitled to a raise...
  9. At 2pm AEDT, aged care staff will learn the Fair Work...
  10. Understanding more about the 60-day prescription update to the...
  11. Multiple options are available to organise your medications
  12. Looking to move into the modern age of communication and speak...