Aged care residents ‘real winners’
New South Wales aged care residents living with mental health conditions were the real winners at yesterday’s presentation of the final Positive Living in Aged Care (PLAC) Awards in Sydney.
New South Wales aged care residents living with mental health conditions were the real winners at yesterday’s presentation of the final Positive Living in Aged Care (PLAC) Awards in Sydney.
Aged care facilities in Balranald and Booragul received the 2013 awards for their projects – Saltbush Yarns and Nostalgic Pathways. Facilities in Macquarie Park, Port Macquarie and another in Booragul were highly commended for their projects.
Illana Halliday, Aged and Community Services Association NSW & ACT chief executive, said the Awards had been an important step in recognising and promoting good mental health in aged care.
“In 2008, there were 60,258 people living in NSW residential aged care facilities. By June 2011, there were almost 64,000 residents,” Ms Halliday said.
“These numbers will continue to grow as our population ages, as will the increase in mental health disorders for many people living in residential aged care.
“The introduction of the Awards in 2007 created an opportunity to focus on issues arising from mental health disorders including dementia, and generate greater awareness through projects designed to improve residents’ mental health and wellbeing.”
The Awards recognised a range of initiatives across NSW, some of which had demonstrated a reduction in cognitive decline.
“With dementia set to be the leading cause of disability in Australia by 2016, it is imperative that we continue to promote and implement programs to ensure that people living with dementia live well with higher levels of engagement and enjoyment.
“While it is disappointing that the PLAC Awards have come to an end, I am confident everyone involved will continue to pursue and promote positive mental health in aged care to ensure that residents continue to be the real winners.”
The NSW Health Older People’s Mental Health Working Group developed PLAC, funded by NSW Ministry of Health. Aged & Community Services Association of NSW & ACT has managed PLAC in collaboration with Leading Age Services Australia NSW-ACT.
