Monash University researchers have developed a new aged care program they hope will help reduce cognitive decline --- by encouraging residents to do more for themselves. The model is based on the Montessori approach which is more widely recognised in schools and childcare centres.
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00:00 Joy Macmillan is 90 but she doesn't want to stop and smell the roses. She's too busy helping
00:07 them grow.
00:09 You don't want to feel as if you've been shoved in the corner. We've still got geraniums now
00:15 because I go around and water every geranium plant separately.
00:22 Residents are benefiting from a Monash University pilot project called Living Well Together
00:29 - helping those with dementia to live fuller lives by encouraging them to take on simple
00:34 tasks and do more things for themselves.
00:37 There is a narrative that Australians have that you come to residential aged care to
00:42 die. We want to change that.
00:44 The program encompasses all aspects of care, changing the way aged care is provided from
00:49 being rules based and task focused to person centred.
00:53 Being compliant and meeting the regulations but doing it in a way that is putting the
00:57 person first as opposed to ticking a box and putting the task first.
01:01 Who are they in the home? Who were they before they came into the home? What is a meaningful
01:05 activity? Not everyone wants to play bingo. You know, what is something that we can engage
01:10 people with that they really want to do and they look forward to doing?
01:13 There's even an area decked out as a cafe so residents can make themselves a cuppa.
01:18 You can go and have a coffee or cappuccino. It has got better. Yeah, they give you more
01:24 to do.
01:26 We're already seeing significant impact and a reduction in incidents to our residents,
01:31 a reduction in falls, less agitation and they're just happier.
01:35 This aged care model incorporates the Montessori approach which is much more well known in
01:40 child care centres and education. But for aged care and dementia it focuses on the resident's
01:47 interests, preferences and independence.
01:50 It's my idea, my thoughts, my feelings, like a cloud has been taken away.
01:58 And carers here say their work is more fulfilling.
02:00 We're very happy that we are making residents' life meaningful here. They're not just sitting
02:06 there, they're doing a lot of activities here and we can see happiness in their faces as
02:14 well.
02:15 There was research a couple of years ago that showed up to 70% of residents were just spending
02:19 all of their time in their rooms. Who wants to spend the last thousand days of their life
02:24 trapped into their bedroom?
02:25 The program's had such success it's being rolled out at 15 other aged care centres and
02:30 researchers say this shift in mindset should be considered Australia-wide.
02:34 It's really easy to demonise residential aged care and to kind of say it's an awful place
02:38 but I think we as a society have the collective right to think what could it look like.
02:44 For Joy it's as simple as getting menu options.
02:47 What things do you enjoy most that you look forward to?
02:51 Dinner. A good meal and you get a choice. It's not plump down in front of you, unlike
02:59 chicken.
03:00 Is there anything else you'd like to add Joy?
03:06 What to the chicken?
03:08 Some food for thought for the future of aged care.
03:11 That was a good video.
03:13 [BLANK_AUDIO]