‘Playing up’ in aged care to win innovation award

Blue Care South Coast introduced Play Up – a play based program run by the Arts Health Institute – at seven of its residential facilities in the region in response to the organisation’s new service model Blue Care Tailor Made.

Linda Taylor, Blue Care South Coast general manager, says the program involves regular visits by a specially trained Play Up performer, who work with staff members to creatively engage with residents who live with dementia.

“The program gives our residents sunshine, hope and laughter in what can sometimes feel like a cloudy day,” Ms Taylor says.

“Blue Care provides tailor made services to suit the differing needs of each client and resident at our facilities, and this is a great example of that.

“Our teams have done a fantastic job to make a difference to residents’ lives and they do this every day without the need for reward or recognition.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive national acknowledgement through the Better Practice Innovation Award.”

The annual Better Practice Awards recognise innovation and better practice in aged care to encourage improvement across the industry.

The awards are organised by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency – the accreditation body for residential aged care in Australia – and include five categories: environmental management/living environment, health and personal care, innovation, resident lifestyle, and staff development and retention.

Ms Taylor says an evaluation of the program found there had been a significant improvement in the mood and attitude of both residents and staff during the program, as well as a reduction in falls amongst residents.

“They say laughter is the best medicine and with this program, we really see residents become engaged and their home becomes a place where there is so much laughter, singing and sometimes even dancing,” she says.

According to the federal government's Department of Health, dementia is one of the major reasons why older people enter residential aged care or seek assistance from community care programs. 

With the projected rise of Australia's aged population, it is estimated the number of people living with dementia is projected to triple to about 900,000 by 2050.

Blue Care is a not for profit organisation which works in partnership with clients, families and other health providers to support 13,000 people every day with tailor made services that maintain their independence, personal wellbeing, community connections and quality of life.

For more information about the Play Up program, visit www.artshealthinstitute.org.au. For more information about the Better Practice Awards, visit http://www.aacqa.gov.au/for-providers/2014-better-practice-award-winners