Striving for ‘better practice’
Ballroom dancing as a falls management strategy, sensory towels which improve appetite and cooking classes to beat depression are among 51 Better Practice Award winners announced last week by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
Ballroom dancing as a falls management strategy, sensory towels which improve appetite and cooking classes to beat depression are among 51 Better Practice Award winners announced last week by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
Resident lifestyle initiatives featured strongly among the Better Practice Award winners.
Aged care organisations were also recognised for programs to attract and retain staff, including ‘employer of choice’ initiatives, recruitment programs to grow the talent pool of front-line care workers, and a graduate nurse program to make aged care a more attractive career option for graduate nurses.
The Accreditation Agency’s annual Better Practice Awards recognise innovation, quality improvement and better practice in aged care across five award categories:
• Environmental management/living environment
• Health and personal care
• Innovation
• Resident lifestyle
• Staff development and retention
The Accreditation Agency’s Chair, Dr Andrew Refshauge, congratulated the Better Practice Award winners.
“We received almost 200 nominations – more than double last year – and the calibre and quality of the programs were outstanding,” he said.
The judging panel had a challenging task, and decided to award 51 programs to 38 approved providers representing 110 homes.
“The people behind these award-winning programs are the aged care industry leaders who are driving quality, driving improvement. Their efforts are deserving of recognition,” Dr Refshauge said.
“Whether the program is about staff development, addressing living environment or environment management, the ultimate goal is improved resident care.”
A distinguished panel of aged care experts reviewed the 186 applications and made 51 awards.
The full list of Better Practice Award winners and profiles are available on www.accreditation.org.au
Stay tuned this week for DPS News’ story on Victoria’s Bupa Thomastown sensory towel project.
