Feel good awards a bonus for NSW aged care residents
Four New South Wales (NSW) aged care facilities have won awards for their positive living programs designed to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of residents.
The projects from regional and metropolitan NSW were recognised for their innovative approaches to understanding and enhancing the mental health and well being of residents either with, or at risk of, developing a mental health condition.
The Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health), Barbara Perry, presented the Positive Living in Aged Care Awards.
The awards form part of a two year project developed by NSW Health, Older People’s Mental Health Working Group, funded by NSW Health and managed by the Aged and Community Services Association (ACS) of NSW and Australian Capital Territory in collaboration with the Aged Care Association Australian (ACAA) – NSW
The awards comprised three categories with the winners receiving $10,000 and runners up $5000. Programs and recipients were:
Targeted Strategy: Dalmeny Village, Dalmeny: My Story Matters.
Residents participated in a project to tell their life stories which were recorded in a variety of formats.
Runner up: Elizabeth Lodge, Anglican Retirement Villages, Rushcutters Bay: Cub Bright – Group Therapy Program.
Residents participated in cognitive behaviour group therapy to reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Universal Strategy: Warrigal Care, Goulburn: Validation, Recognition, Protection and Calming of the Resident with Dementia or Mental Illness.
The project developed a guide for resident behaviour management to assist with positive experiences in a new living environment.
Commendable: $3,500 prize. Warrina Village, Anglican Retirement Villages, Castle Hill: The Mixed Nuts – Never too Old and Never Singing the Blues.
The project involved the formation of a men’s singing group comprised of 80-90 year old men to encourage companionship, support and a sense of achievement. The Mixed Nuts have been recorded and perform regularly.
