Ending the isolation in aged care
A new project titled ‘Ending the Isolation’ aims to to assist those working in the aged care sector to identify when a resident has a combination of vision and hearing impairments.
A new project titled ‘Ending the Isolation’ aims to to assist those working in the aged care sector to identify when a resident has a combination of vision and hearing impairments.
Senses Australia, a disability service provider, has received funding from the federal government’s Department of Social Services to undertake the Australia wide project.
Matthew Wittorff, Senses Australia’s manager deafblind services and the lead researcher in the project, says as a provider of services to people of all ages with disability, the significant move for Senses Australia into the aged care sector is important.
“Age related dual sensory loss or deafblindness is an isolating disability for our growing ageing population. It is our goal to educate and create resources for people working in the aged care industry, so that they can support those they are providing services and care to so these people do not feel alone. This is something that has never been addressed before within the aged care sector,” Mr Wittorff says.
The two year project will include the development of a screening tool, prevalence rates within Western Australia will be determined and resources as well as information packages will be developed that will be available to the aged care sector nationwide.
“Senses Australia is excited to be supporting the aged care industry in this way. We are committed to providing appropriate information and support to Australians who are deafblind or have dual sensory loss, as well as conducting research within this field and advocating on behalf of people who are deafblind,” he says.
“We are the centre of excellence in deafblindness and dual sensory loss, our expertise dates back to our earliest beginnings. We have a proven track record of disability service delivery, having proved for over a century that we are reliable and viable and have the ability to adapt.”
As one of the oldest disability service providers in Western Australia, this year the not for profit, charitable organisation celebrates 120 years of service.
Find out more about Senses Australia's Ending the Isolation project.
