Australia will be the final country I visit during my Watson Fellowship. Another multicultural country I visit except this time I am able to engage fully as I speak the language. I have been able to tour various care facilities and understand more about the government’s involvement in reimagining long-term care in Australia. Below, you will find my reflections on some of the organizations/groups I worked with during my time in Australia.
Community Home Australia (CHA)
I had the great opportunity to visit Community Home Australia which is leading the way in transforming care for people living with younger onset dementia.
Canberra Care Homes Visits
During my time in Canberra, I visited these three care homes that varied in terms of funding schemes and the services they provide. They enriched my ideas of what we can do to improve as well as understand how administration plays a major role in the overall impact of how the care home operates. It was fascinating to witness a care home undergoing renovation in terms of trying to transform the culture within the care. I witnessed a training session where people were able to break down stigmas or ideas that they had that perhaps will not contribute to the overall care home mission.
- Goodwin
- LDK
- Retirement Village
University Visits
I was able to connect with some professors across these two universities and learn more about their work in aged care. It was great to be able to see the multidisciplinary approach some researchers are taking in focusing on cultural, technological, and then staffing in the improvement of nursing homes.
- Griffith University
- University of Canberra Hospital
Each of these care homes and conversations I had with others informed my understanding of an aged care facility and how we can reimagine them to be better. I am eternally grateful for the time and support I received from an array of people and the older persons of Australia for conversing with me. Australia concludes my ten-country visit on my Watson Fellowship exploring eldercare worldwide.
Dementia Justice Project:
“Exploring the need for redress and reparations in response to violence, abuse and neglect of people living with dementia in residential aged care in Australia.”
I had the opportunity to attend a Zoom call where both Drs. Steele and Swaffer spoke about the critical work they are doing in reparations of dementia care. This work deeply moved me as it holds care facilities accountable for the harm they at times cause and offers insight into other methods of reparations that go beyond financial compensation. I invite you to read the full report here. Many of the older adults I met around the world emphasized how aging in a care facility is not ideal for their ability to decide would be stripped away.
Main Takeaways:
Below you will find a video that captures my time in Australia and my main takeaways from my time visiting various aged care providers and speaking with older Australians.
- We must work together across providers to share resources and support one another. We all have the same end goal of supporting older adults.
- We need to be the process more fluid of our day centers, care homes, and respite centers. How do we ensure we are able to have someone be in a care home but go to a day center if they desire?
- We need to create an internal accountability team to ensure care providers are providing the best possible care outcomes.
- We need to invite our residents to create a residents council and have a seat at the administration table conversation.
- We must find a balance between the dignity of risk and completely saying no. An older adult deserves to be able to live their life to the fullest.
