Aged Care Sector Research Articles

A community within social and ecological communities: a new philosophical foundation for a just residential aged care sector.

A community within social and ecological communities: a new philosophical foundation for a just residential aged care sector.

Fostering an aged care organizational culture that supports innovation.

This study aimed to identify how aged care organizations can foster a culture that supports the implementation of innovation. The aged care sector must innovate to meet clients' evolving needs and increased regulatory requirements. Given the need to account for the values, beliefs, expectations, and assumptions held by a diverse range of stakeholders, implementing innovations within aged care can be exceptionally complex. Fostering a supportive organizational culture can facilitate the implementation of these critical innovations. Papers from a large scoping review that identified organizational culture as a barrier and/or enabler to implementing innovations in aged care were imported into NVivo. Data relating to how organizations fostered (or could foster) a culture that supported the implementation of innovations were then extracted, inductively coded, interpreted, and grouped into approaches. Of the 193 papers from the original scoping review, 109 were included in this secondary analysis. From these 109 papers, we identified six key approaches: cultivating collaboration; valuing contributions; ensuring alignment between the organizational vision, culture, and innovation; demonstrating organizational commitment; developing and communicating the implementation plan; and accounting for stability. Our study outlines effective approaches that can be used by aged care organizations to cultivate a culture that supports the implementation of innovations. However, these approaches should not be viewed in isolation; rather, they are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Together, these insights offer practical guidance for aged care entities seeking to adapt and evolve through innovation implementation. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A264.

Leading the way: implementing aged care innovations.

The objective of this study was to identify the key characteristics of leaders that support the implementation of innovations in aged care settings. We conducted a secondary analysis of papers from a large scoping review that identified how leaders supported the implementation of innovations in aged care. Once imported into NVivo12, the findings were deductively coded using the domains of Bloom's taxonomy of learning. Each parent code was then inductively analyzed to identify key characteristics within each domain. Our review identified four types of knowledge, five skills, and six attitudes that leaders should exhibit to better support the implementation of innovations within aged care settings. In addition to our findings regarding Bloom's learning domains, we identified nine leadership behaviors that participants in the included papers perceived as valuable for enhancing the implementation process. Furthermore, we identified four key organizational elements that support leaders in navigating and facilitating the implementation of innovations within aged care settings. Our review identified the characteristics that leaders should demonstrate when supporting the implementation of innovations in aged care. Importantly, our findings also emphasized the changing role of leadership from a hierarchical approach to a more collaborative, supportive, and empowering style. The insights identified in this review will help to guide aged care leaders, stressing the significance of adaptable and relational leadership styles that will guide the implementation of innovations within the aged care sector. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A271.

The evaluation of health, disability and aged care-sector engagement with resources designed to support optimisation of the allied health assistant workforce: a qualitative study

BackgroundAllied health assistants (AHAs) support allied health professionals (AHPs) to meet workforce demands in modern healthcare systems. In an Australian context historically, AHAs have been sub-optimally utilised. Prior research has identified that AHAs and AHPs working in health, disability and aged care sectors, and the Vocational Education and Training (VET) industry, may benefit from access to resources to support the optimisation of the AHA workforce. As a part of a Victorian department of health funded project, several resources were developed in line with workforce recommendations for use in each of the above sectors. Recommendations and resources covered the broad areas of pre-employment training, workforce planning and governance, consumer-centred therapy and supports, recruitment and induction and workplace training and development. This study aimed to evaluate the engagement with these newly designed resources to support optimisation of AHAs in the Victorian context.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted to evaluate engagement with resources, from the perspective of AHAs, AHPs and allied health leaders (AHLs) in the health, aged care or disability sectors, and educators and managers of allied health assistance training. Thematic analysis was conducted using team-based framework analysis.ResultsThematic framework analysis of the interview data identified four themes; Why participants accessed the resources; How participants engaged with the resources; What (if any) changes in practice occurred as a result of engaging with the resources in a participant’s local context, How did participants envision the resources being utilised for AHA workforce optimisation in the future. Responses were mapped to the AHA workforce career pathway at the career preparation, career development and career trajectory tiers.ConclusionsAppetite for AHA workforce development and optimal utilisation is evident across Victoria, Australia. Readily accessible resources that inform AHA role and scope of practice, delegation practice, or improve the ability for an AHA to state their own development needs, were identified as useful by participants. The potential for these resources to assist in the optimal utilisation and development of AHA workforces across the career continuum differs according to the role, sector and geographical location of the resource user. Further study is needed to investigate the transferability of these resources to national and global contexts.

Implementation of an Arts at Home program for people living with dementia: Learnings from key stakeholders.

This study explores experiences of people with dementia and family carers who participated in an Arts on Prescription at Home (AoP@Home) program, artists who delivered the AoP@Home program and the managers who coordinated the AoP@Home programs. Semi structured interviews were conducted with the three stakeholder groups to explore experiences around implementation of AoP@Home. Interview questions were specific to each stakeholder group, and designed to capture the varied experiences around coordinating, delivering and participating in AoP@Home programs when delivered as a standard service offering. Qualitative content analysis was applied to evaluate the transcripts. A total of 13 stakeholders participated in interviews: four people living with dementia and four family carers, three artists and two AoP program managers. Three overarching themes emerged across the stakeholder groups: 'what worked well', 'challenges' and 'moving forward'. AoP@Home has potential as an important offering for community-dwelling people with dementia who may no longer be able to access group-based community programs. As AoP@Home is expanded, ongoing implementation monitoring and quality improvement will be essential to ensure maximal applicability of the program across the community aged care sector. SO WHAT?: The implementation of a new AoP@home service has been examined, and finds consumer satisfaction (person with dementia and their carer), and support from staff (artists and program managers). The novel nature of the service, however, requires considerable work to educate service referrers about the service and its benefits.

Validation of a national leadership framework to promote and protect quality residential aged care: protocol for a Delphi study

IntroductionAustralia’s ageing population is driving an increased demand for residential aged care services, yet concerns about the quality and safety of such care remain. The recent Royal Commission into Aged...

My Voice, My Choice: A systematic review of the literature relating to consumer-directed care in Australia

Objectives and importance of study: The objective of this systematic review of the literature was to examine the evidence relating to consumer-directed care (CDC) in the aged care environment. CDC entails providing individuals with the option of choice and flexibility in their care, to empower aged care recipients with autonomous decisions over their healthcare choices. Additionally, the researchers found evidence relating to the vulnerability of users of aged care services and the lack of understanding towards a true consumer-oriented approach which was highlighted during the Royal Commission into Aged Care Safety and Quality. Study type and method: The research team used the PRISMA Method to review the available literature systematically. This qualitative review of the literature on consumer choice in the aged and social care sectors assessed sixteen high-quality research papers and identified themes that emerged to promote authentic consumer voice in aged care services. These articles provided insight into what aged care providers require to increase transparency and facilitate effective, meaningful consumer choice. Results: Six themes emerged from the literature reviewed: Informed Choice, See Me Hear Me, Funding My Choices, My Choice My Way, Policy, and Know Me, Include Me. The authors found significant challenges to authentic consumer voice in terms of reliable information, complex, inflexible service provision, and a trusted and skilled carer workforce. Conclusion: Authentic consumer choice requires collaboratively designed care plans with consumers, integrating their care-related preferences and values. Providers who have embraced CDC principles, and innovative practices have enhanced person-centred care, and consumer experience and autonomy. Cultivating inclusive, transparent, and collaborative environments to empower older Australians to shape and control their care provision and wellbeing is a key challenge for providers.

Utilising a ‘Community of Practice’ to support pharmacists to work in residential aged care: protocol for a longitudinal evaluation

IntroductionA Community of Practice is briefly defined as a group of people with a shared interest in a given area of practice who work collaboratively to grow collective knowledge. Communities...

"COVID-19 - A Perfect Storm": A Qualitative Exploration of Residential Care Facility Managers Perspectives on the Psychosocial Impacts of COVID-19.

Growing evidence highlights the negative impact of managing the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of the healthcare workforce, including in the aged care sector. We undertook a qualitative study during the pandemic's third year to explore the psychosocial impacts on nine managers of residential care facilities (RCFs) across metropolitan and rural New South Wales, the largest state in Australia. Four themes were identified: (1) Increased pressure on maintaining aged care services, (2) Increased responsibility on RCF managers, (3) Psychosocial impacts due to accumulating pressures, and (4) Experience of beneficial supports. COVID-19 compounded pre-pandemic sector challenges and added new stressors. While resilient and resourceful, RCF managers experienced workplace stress and burnout, which may affect quality of resident care and impact on staff retention. There is a need for more investment to effectively support staff, and research to identify optimal psychosocial and management supports.

A Pilot Food Waste Audit in Aged Care Using Method InSight Technology

This study aims to pilot the use of Method Insight technology, in the form of bins and smart scales, to carry out a non-manual food waste audit in an aged care facility in Ōtepoti, Dunedin. There is very little literature on food waste in the aged care sector, and existing research uses manual food waste audits. In comparison to the present study, manual food waste audits are known to be time consuming and require in-depth knowledge of measurement protocols. This study provides information on the quantities and sources of food waste, reasons for disposal, and staff perceptions of the technology used and the process followed for the food waste audit. The research hopes to inform on the implications and design of future research on food waste in the aged care facility in Aotearoa.
 Supervised by: Margaret Thorsen and Sheila Skeaff, Food Waste Innovation

Examining interrater agreement between self-report and proxy-report responses for the quality of life-aged care consumers (QOL-ACC) instrument

BackgroundQuality of life is an important quality indicator for health and aged care sectors. However, self-reporting of quality of life is not always possible given the relatively high prevalence of cognitive impairment amongst older people, hence proxy reporting is often utilised as the default option. Internationally, there is little evidence on the impact of proxy perspective on interrater agreement between self and proxy report.ObjectivesTo assess the impacts of (i) cognition level and (ii) proxy perspective on interrater agreement using a utility instrument, the Quality of Life-Aged Care Consumers (QOL-ACC).MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken with aged care residents and family member proxies. Residents completed the self-report QOL-ACC, while proxies completed two proxy versions: proxy-proxy perspective (their own opinion), and proxy-person perspective (how they believe the resident would respond). Interrater agreement was assessed using quadratic weighted kappas for dimension-level data and concordance correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots for utility scores.ResultsSixty-three residents (22, no cognitive impairment; 41, mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment) and proxies participated. In the full sample and in the mild-to-moderate impairment group, the mean self-reported QOL-ACC utility score was significantly higher than the means reported by proxies, regardless of perspective (p < 0.01). Agreement with self-reported QOL-ACC utility scores was higher when proxies adopted a proxy-person perspective.ConclusionRegardless of cognition level and proxy perspective, proxies tend to rate quality of life lower than residents. Further research is needed to explore the impact of such divergences for quality assessment and economic evaluation in aged care.

Design of a shared context-aware assistive robot for personalised aged-care services

ABSTRACT Background: Sensors, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics hold considerable potential for enhancing the efficiency of care and health outcomes in the health and aged care sectors. The Australian aged care sector in particular faces significant challenges due to an aging population and outdated technological infrastructure. This article builds upon the foundational research conducted through the collaboration between the University of New South Wales and the University of the Sunshine Coast, as part of the European Union VictoryaHome (VH) project (2014–2016). The VH project, which involved partners from Australia, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Portugal, aimed to enhance the emotional well-being and security of elderly individuals in their homes. The present study specifically addresses some of the challenges identified in relation to the prohibitively high costs and usability of robots for personalized services in the aged care sector. Methods: This paper presents the design and implementation of an affordable service robot specifically developed to offer personalized services to multiple users in aged care facilities. The system utilizes a Raspberry Pi 4 and incorporates functionalities that are tailored to the needs identified through interviews with facility managers and staff. Results: We successfully demonstrate tracking of entities within a room-scale environment and the switching of profiles using cost-effective devices. Moreover, by tracking multiple entities simultaneously we were able to achieve powerful context-aware functionality that was seamless to the end-user. Conclusion: This study underscores the feasibility and potential benefits of employing low-cost, context-aware service robots in aged care environments.

Supporting healthy ageing for people with intellectual disabilities in group homes: Staff experiences

ABSTRACT Background This study explores the perceptions of supported accommodation staff and their managers of the support needs of residents ageing with intellectual disabilities, and their experiences of adjusting services for this group in the context of individualised funding. Method Qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 staff working in Australian supported accommodation services. Findings Four themes emerged. The first captured the staff’s limited understanding of ageing and the medicalisation of support needs. The second identified staff practices and adjustments to service provision to facilitate residents’ healthy ageing. The third described staff commitment to facilitating ageing residents to age in place, and the fourth identified staff challenges and opportunities in supporting ageing residents in the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Conclusions Findings may inform the development of practice guidelines and training for supported accommodation staff, protocols for intersections between disability, aged care and health sectors, and adequate policy responses to support older residents’ healthy ageing.

Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia.

Infection surveillance is a key element of infection prevention and control activities in the aged care sector. In 2017, a standardised infection surveillance program was established for public residential aged care services in Victoria, Australia. This program will soon be expanded to a national level for all Australian residential aged care facilities. It has not been evaluated since its inception. The current study aimed to evaluate the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating Centre Aged Care Infection Indicator Program (ACIIP), to understand its performance and functionality. A mixed methods evaluation was performed using the Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems developed by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a framework. VICNISS staff who coordinate and manage the ACIIP were invited to participate in interviews. Residential aged care staff who use the program were invited to participate in a survey. Document analysis was also performed. Four VICNISS staff participated in the interviews and 38 aged care staff participated in the survey. The ACIIP is stable and able to be adapted quickly to changing definitions for infections. Users found the system relatively easy to use but have difficulties after the long intervals between data entry year on year. VICNISS staff provide expert guidance which benefits users. Users appreciated the benefit of participating and many use the data for improving local practice. The ACIIP is a usessful state-wide infection surveillance program for aged care. Further development of data validation, IT system capacity and models for education and user support will be required to support future scalability.

Job satisfaction and regulation in the aged care sector: staff perspectives

BackgroundThe quality of care provided in residential aged care facilities is largely dependent on the job satisfaction of employees and the organisational framework and systems that they provide care in. This study aimed to explore aged care staff perceptions of job satisfaction, regulation of the sector and the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.MethodsA cross-sectional survey conducted in 2019-early 2020 with staff employed in various roles at residential aged care services in Australia. The study specific survey collected views and experiences about working in the aged care sector as well as information about their role.ResultsA total of 167 aged care staff completed the survey of which 71% worked in a direct care role. Most participants indicated they thought they were doing a worthwhile and important job (98%), were proud to work in the sector (94%) and found the job personally rewarding (94%). However, participants also reported feeling emotionally drained by the work (37%) and fatigued by having to face a day of work (30%). 72% of participants felt the Royal Commission would lead to improvements in the care provided to residents.ConclusionAged care staff have an overall positive feeling towards their work. Additional support including increasing skills to deliver high-quality care, creating a supportive work environment to reduce job stressors and changes to the way the sector is regulated, are likely to lead to improved care.

Registered nurses' perceptions and experience of working in aged care: A qualitative approach.

To understand and report on the perceptions and experiences of registered nurses in the aged care sector. An exploratory qualitative study. Semi-structured telephone interviews were utilised as the primary data collection method. Fifteen registered nurses were interviewed. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using conventional content analysis. Participants were quoted verbatim to ensure authenticity. The results indicated a demand for increased administrative and staffing support in the aged care workplace. Poor morale and unethical practices contributed to negative perceptions and attitudes among nurses towards aged care. Managing and communicating with older people was reported as challenging, which impacts nursing staff recruitment and retention. Future work is needed to ensure that outstanding clinical role models and leadership support nursing staff recruitment and retention. Incorporating aged care content into the nursing curriculum and providing professional development opportunities to aged care professionals would be the foundation towards solutions, as the study primarily explored nurses' perspectives.

Cross-sector learning collaboratives can improve post-diagnosis care integration for people with young onset dementia

Introduction:Post-diagnosis young onset dementia (YOD) care is often fragmented, with services delivered across aged care, health care, and social care sectors. The aim of this project was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a learning collaborative implementation strategy for improving the cross-sector integration of care for people with YOD.Methods:We conducted a longitudinal mixed-methods process evaluation, and recruited one representative from three Australian aged care organisations, three disability care organisations, and three organisations contracted to deliver care navigation services. One representative from each organisation joined a learning collaborative within their local area and completed a six-module online education package incorporating written resources, webinars, collaboration, and expert mentoring. Participants identified gaps in services in their region and barriers to care integration, and developed a shared plan to implement change. Normalisation Process Theory was applied to understand acceptability, penetration, and sustainability of the implementation strategy, as well as barriers and enabling factors.Results:Dementia knowledge measured by the Dementia Knowledge and Awareness Scale was high among the professionals at the start of the implementation period (Mean = 39.67, standard deviation = 9.84) and did not change by the end (Mean=39.67, standard deviation = 8.23). Quantitative data demonstrated that clinicians dedicated on average half of the recommended time commitment to the project. However, qualitative data identified that the learning collaborative strategy enhanced commitment to implementing integrated care and promoted action toward integrating previously disparate care services. Participant commitment to the project was influenced by their sense of obligation to their team, and teams that established clear expectations and communication strategies early were able to collaborate and use the implementation plan more effectively (demonstrating collective action). Teams were less likely to engage in the collective action or reflexive monitoring required to improve care integration if they did not feel engaged with their learning collaborative.Discussion:Learning collaboratives hold promise as a strategy to improve cross-sector service collaboration for people with YOD and their families but must maximise group cohesion and shared commitment to change.

Pandemic Preparedness in the Aged Care Sector: A systematic literature review

Infectious disease outbreaks in aged care services present challenges for consumers and staff. The vulnerability of users of aged care services and a lack of preparedness on the part of aged care services to manage the risk associated with viral disease transmission was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.We used the PRISMA Method to review the available literature systematically. This qualitative review of the literature on pandemic preparedness assessed eight high-quality research papers and identified themes that emerged to support aged care services in preparing for future pandemics. These articles provided insight into what aged care services require to increase their capacity to respond to communicable disease outbreaks.Four themes emerged from the literature reviewed: Staff Training and Development, Safety Culture, Creating a Safe Environment by planning for contingencies and Risk and Resource Management (including resourcing for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Leader Presence and Time Responses and Clear, Consistent Messaging) were the dominant themes in the literature. The researchers found that using guidelines and checklists is helpful but only if they are clear, not complex and do not take too long to read. Risk strategies in future must also focus on the resources required to protect staff, families, and consumers. This paper also provides recommendations that will allow aged care services to respond to future communicable disease outbreaks more effectively. Such measures include the need for a planning methodology that incorporates ready access to PPE, the use of meaningful communication, increased hazard and risk awareness and the need to create a safety culture within the service based on sound values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and staff.

Transformational leadership style and holistic accountability mechanisms in not-for-profit organisations

This study examines: (i) the ability of the transformational leadership style of top management to effect holistic accountability in not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) through the use of downward (to clients), upward (to funders) and lateral (to employees) accountability mechanisms; and (ii) a mediating effects model of not-for-profit accountability practices wherein the use of lateral accountability mechanisms mediates the association between transformational leadership style and the use of downward and upward accountability mechanisms. Data from 236 NFPs in the residential aged care sector in Australia were gathered through survey questionnaire and analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. We find that transformational leadership style is significantly associated with the use of downward, upward and lateral accountability mechanisms. We also find that the use of lateral accountability mechanisms mediates the association between transformational leadership style and the use of both downward (full mediation) and upward (partial mediation) accountability mechanisms. The results have implications for the research literature seeking to understand the role of leadership in effecting holistic accountability in NFPs as well as for management and practice in those organisations.

Workplace oral health promotion activities among community-aged care workers: A qualitative exploration.

The workplace is an ideal-and priority-setting for health promotion activities. Developing and implementing workplace health promotion interventions, including oral health promotion activities, can help create health-supporting workplace environments. To pilot workplace oral health promotion activities among staff working in the aged care sector, report their impact and explore participants' views on the factors that contribute to participation and effectiveness. This study comprised three phases: (i) the development and face validation of the resources, (ii) a 3-h educational session and (iii) five interview sessions with participants 4-6 weeks following the education session. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Eleven community-aged care workforce were invited to five feedback sessions. Ten participants were female and ranged in age from 18 to 64. All participants gave favourable comments about the content and delivery of the training session and accompanying resources. The participants felt that the benefits of WOHP include improved staff knowledge, awareness and oral care routine, the ability to share (and put into practice) the gained knowledge and information with their dependants, a lower risk of having poor oral health that adversely affects their well-being and work tasks, and potentially beneficial impacts on the organization's staff roster. Their attendance in the WOHP was facilitated by being paid to attend and scheduling the sessions during work time. Future WOHP suggestions include the possibility of a one-stop dental check-up at the workplace or staff dental care discounts from local dental practitioners and combining oral health with other health promotion activities. Planning and implementing WOHP was deemed acceptable and feasible in this study context and successfully achieved short-term impacts among community-aged care workers. Appropriate times and locations, organizational arrangements and a variety of delivery options contributed to successful programme planning and implementation.