Model of care inspires aged care staff in NSW
As UnitingCare Ageing prepares to appoint an architect for a multi-million dollar upgrade to Wontama Village, in New South Wales’ central west, a new management team has been selected to oversee the transition to a new model of care for elderly residents at the facility.
UnitingCare Ageing regional director, Jenny Coutts, told the Central West Daily that the organisation was leading the way in personalised care for patients at Wontama, building smaller pod type communities where staff have the opportunity to build stronger relationships with the families of patients.
“This pod type of care system will involve 15 patients all cared for by the same staff,” she said.
“When people leave their homes to come into aged care, we want them to feel like they are coming to another home-like atmosphere.”
Ms Coutts said the aged care industry had learned lessons from the past, with wards with large numbers of patients no longer acceptable.
She said the “inspired-care” model being introduced at Wontama emphasised treating each patient as an individual, respecting their life story and experience, culture and faith.
“A case manager or person responsible for care is assigned to manage an individual’s care from entry to exit and is matched to the client or resident to best meet their individual needs,” she said.
Ms Coutts said staff education was a large part of the model, so staff were well trained to deal with the diversity of residents, including cultural differences and sexuality.
