Living Well Together launched at Strathalan Residential Aged Care Community

Living Well Together, our new model of care, has been officially launched at BaptistCare’s Strathalan Residential Aged Care community.

The launch was a wonderful event, with residents and family members given the opportunity to hear from and meet with BaptistCare CEO Geraldine Lannon, Chief Operating Officer Silvia Alberti, BaptistCare executive leadership team members and Associate Professor Darshini Ayton from Monash University’s Health and Social Care Unit.

Living Well Together (LWT) is also implemented at Brookview community and will be rolled out across all of BaptistCare’s residential aged care communities.

This approach has been created in consultation with residents, families and Monash University researchers to better meet the needs of all residents who we care for, including those living with cognitive impairment or dementia.

At the Strathalan launch the meeting area was festooned with green and white decorations, balloons and posters. All decorations were made by residents, with assistance from staff, exemplifying what LWT, Montessori and person-centred care is all about.

Deepti Kaushal, Strathalan’s Residential Care & Services Manager, said the launch was a great event for the whole Strathalan community. “It was spectacular! Residents had a lot of input in decorating the area, and we received a lot of positive feedback from the residents and their families about how LWT has changed their lifestyle and is providing them with an opportunity to do what they were not able to do before.

“LWT is about meaningful activities, not just playing games in groups. It’s more personalised and person-centred. We are giving staff more training and education to understand the importance of having engagement with residents rather than just focusing on their task list.

“It’s about getting to know the residents more deeply. Staff are receiving training to create genuine opportunities for residents to be involved in more meaningful activities they love to do.”

In aged care, models of care define care practices. They guide how aged care services should be delivered, and outline best practice so that residents get the right care at the right time.

LWT focuses on what matters to residents, what is important to them, and what gives them meaning and purpose. It also supports staff by defining the tools, resourcing and training they need to best care for all residents.