Living Well Together launched at BaptistCare Brookview

Living Well Together, our new model of care for BaptistCare’s Residential Aged Care homes, was officially launched this week.

It will help us meet the needs of all residents we care for, including those living with cognitive impairment or dementia.

The launch was held at BaptistCare’s Brookview Residential Aged Care community, the pilot site for Living Well Together.

BaptistCare is partnering with a team from Monash University’s Health and Social Care Unit to implement Living Well Together, co-designed with our residents and staff.

“Brookview staff have embraced this model of care,” said Susan Lyon, Living Well Together Program Manager. “Our frontline staff are the best resource we have. This project is about promoting identity, independence and working alongside – doing with our residents, not for them.”

Living Well Together focuses on what matters to residents, what is important to them, and what gives them meaning and purpose. The model of care will support staff to work alongside residents and to support them to live their fullest lives.

Associate Professor Darshini Ayton from Monash University said, “What we are building is based on the best practice evidence available, but we had to make it applicable to residents, staff and families.

“This is a whole-of-home project. It is not for a specific wing, or for people with specific characteristics. It is for all residents and all staff: one consistent way of working, caring, being.

“The model isn’t static. We are continuing to grow and develop it. But it is based around a Montessori approach, focusing on person-centred care, environment, integration and coordination, clinical care, and workforce and training.”

The project commenced in 2021 when Monash University researchers conducted a review of the literature on person-centred interventions, what best practice looks like in a residential aged care setting, and the training needs of staff.

It is exciting to have the project underway at Brookview. BaptistCare’s Strathalan Residential Aged Care community will be the next trial site.