Aged care arts programs awarded

Two aged and community care facilities in New South Wales were finalists at this year’s Positive Living Aged Care Awards, which recognise residential aged care providers in the state who implement strategies to improve the wellbeing of residents in aged care facilities.

Baptist Community Services’ Cooinda Court, a low care hostel in Marsfield, won a Positive Living in Aged Care Award, as well as $10,000 for a project which aims to prevent the onset of mental illness in aged care residents – particularly for residents from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

The eight week project was completed in collaboration between residents, staff, a specialist in ceramics and a contracted psychologist, Julie Bajic, from Wise Care.

Twentyfour residents identified creative ways to express their emotions by painting on ceramic pots and planting young orchid plants in the finished product.

Ms Bajic and the team observed reduced symptoms of psychological distress among residents, which was validated with psychometric tests administered before and after the project.

The residents reported thoroughly enjoying the experience, engaging in a meaningful activity and forming new friendships.

The activity was simple enough for residents to participate without any previous experience in ceramics. Some residents with very limited motor skills were still able to contribute and reported having had great fun. 

At BCS Morven Gardens in Leura, the Never too Old program received a highly commended award with an innovative partnership between the Blue Mountains College of TAFE and residents at the Centre, where life-long learning is encouraged and ‘senior students’ are the norm.

The program involved 10 residents participating in a weekly study program in subjects from basic computer skills to creative writing.

Many of the residents used their studies to help achieve worthwhile personal projects that may have not come to fruition. One such resident, Dudley Barker, did a computer course and wrote an entertainment piece about his memories of celebrating Christmas while living in India.

Executive care manager, Donna Dobson, said: “The partnership between the centre and TAFE produced wonderful results, keeping the residents’ minds active and allowing them to learn new skills. We’re never too old to learn!”

Six awards were given across the three categories, with a total of $45,000 in prize money, by the Aged and Community Services Association.