A new model for resident wellness could very well be the future of aged care.

Highercombe home in Hope Valley, Adelaide isn’t your typical nursing home. ACH Group’s newest facility, which opened its doors last October, is operating under an innovative new model of resident wellness.

At its core is a partnership between staff and residents, with both parties sharing the responsibility of achieving improved mental health and physical outcomes.

“It’s a model that consciously addresses the low expectations that older people often have of their goals, skills and capacity to retain or regain a rewarding and satisfying life,” says Jo Boylan, manager of Highercombe.

“In this model, our expectations shift. The difference is it’s a partnership between staff and residents. There is shared responsibility. The resident makes a pledge to take control, to take the lead as well as to participate. They take responsibility for their own happiness and they contribute to the happiness of others. They are encouraged to get involved, to use their voice and to assume active roles within Highercombe and the wider community.”

Central to the model are seven key elements, to which residents pledge to follow. These include exercising regularly, maintaining strong personal relationships, being open to learning, performing acts of kindness and adopting positive communication strategies (see panel below).

Boylan says it is the partnership, and the responsibility on the part of the resident, that leads to a rich and meaningful life in aged care.

“There must be a commitment from residents to share the responsibility for their wellbeing. No one can make another person exercise, or be part of a class and nor can you promise to make them happy or fulfilled. This commitment must come from within. Our role is to facilitate opportunities that encourage, coach, and motivate older people to adopt health promotion/wellbeing strategies that lead to a good life,” says Boylan.

The model is born out of research of literature Boylan conducted as part of her doctorate in public health. “But has also come from many years of experience working in a dependency model of care for older people in residential facilities,” she says.

The facility has 50 high care and 70 low care beds. Boylan and colleague Pam Castle had been developing the model for more than six months prior to the facility’s opening – pulling together extensive research into positive ageing, ageing in place and positive psychology.

Currently, half of the facility’s places are occupied but it’s believed the remaining beds will be filled by June. When fully operational, there will be around 100 staff employed. Despite the differences in the model, Boylan says the staffing arrangement is largely similar to other facilities.

“However, a lot of our staff will act as coaches, reinforcing the message. The key to the model is staff attitudes around positive ageing,” she adds.

According to the Boylan’s research, the benefits of a healthy environment that fosters healthy ageing include greater quality of life, fewer premature deaths, fewer disabilities, greater participation and lower medical and care costs.

But for the benefits to be seen, residents must engage actively in the life of the home and the broader community.

“It’s an expectation, a commitment to wellbeing. It’s not imposed,” she explains. “The resident makes the choice to be part of the program and many residents chose our facility because of this model. We will always motivate and encourage them to stay with it. Our healthy ageing coordinator is like a life coach.”

Boylan says the model is still in development, a work in progress. “And undoubtedly it will require adjustment, it is a journey. But so far the residents are committing to the model and there’s a big commitment from staff. One of the staff’s KPIs is that they engage in the model.”

The new approach is already under evaluation, and that is ongoing, Boylan says. Part of the model entails research and an evaluation committee, which includes residents.

“Residential settings have not always been viewed as an attractive area to live or work. For some residents it is seen as the end of the road, but this is rapidly changing. The next generation of older people will bring a different set of expectations and values to the residential settings. We have designed and implemented this model and it will be adjusted as we go along, because it is really the way aged care must go,” she says.

ACH Group’s positive ageing program

The program is comprised of ‘seven key understandings’, to which residents make a pledge to follow in order to live a rich and meaningful life.

Healthy ageing:

Improving well-being by being active. The program is facilitated by a life coach who supports residents set up their individualised fitness program. This component involves at least three fitness sessions per week, choosing from activities such as swimming, gym, cycling, walking classes and easy move classes.

Valued social roles:

Taking pride in maintaining and building important roles. Roles within the facility include public relations officer, pastoral care officer, IT facilitator, food and beverage assistant, events assistant, group leader, committee member, community worker, library assistant, pet program facilitator and food and wine coordinator.

Savouring our senses:

Opening the doors to the senses through participation. Residents chose to become involved in activities such as food and wine group, visual arts group, craft group, pet program, community connections or pastoral care. Residents are also encouraged to form their own interest groups.

Expressing gratitude (appreciation):

Acknowledging the people who make a difference in our lives. Residents are encouraged to show appreciation by honouring their memory in stories, poems, arts or prayer.

Living and learning:

Using strength and will power to keep learning. Residents are encouraged to improve their sense of control by using their physical strength to do for themselves and help others.

3-to-1:

Increasing life satisfaction and wellbeing. Based on a positive psychology approach residents are encouraged to see three positives in a situation for every negative. Also, to share three positive experiences for every negative experience they recall.

Strong voice:

Taking responsibility for quality of life and for adapting to residential life. Residents are encouraged to speak up about ways that will keep their minds and bodies active. They are also encouraged to help others be heard.