14.12.2016
Aged care's role in overcoming the feeling of loss
A recent report from Australian Aging Agenda highlighted the overwhelming feeling of loss residents feel when moving into an aged care facility.
The report specifically heard from Vasey RSL Care’s ANZAC Hostel where over time, through listening to residents and asking about what they most valued, a common theme was the residents feeling of loss. Loss of home, neighbours, a partner, friends, caring for grandchildren and community; a feeling of loss of all things familiar by moving out of their family home and into residential aged care. Some older people feel as though they have lost their ‘voice’ and no longer have a say in their day-to-day care and activities.
The design of aged care facilities and the placement and quality of furniture throughout, plays an increasingly important role in ensuring quality of life for people living in residential care facilities.
A report to the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council argued that:
“Consideration of the built environment is essential to the achievement of the vision of increased healthy life expectancy. The built environment has a powerful impact on mobility, independence, autonomy and quality of life in old age and can also facilitate or impede the quest for a healthy lifestyle at all ages.” [1]
Dementia-friendly design not only enhances the wellbeing of residents living with dementia but enables aged care providers to create sustainable environments.
That’s according to architect Kirsty Bennett, manager of environmental design education services at the NSW/ACT Dementia Training Study Centre (DTSC), who said it was a myth that providers had to be simplistic when it came to designing dementia-friendly environments.
“Bland, boring, repetitive environments are actually really confusing for a person with dementia,” Ms Bennett told the Leading Aged Services Australia Tri-State conference earlier this year.[2] Instead, she said providers needed to design environments that were relevant and meaningful for residents living with dementia. Making an environment more dementia-friendly didn’t necessarily have to involve a new build – it could be as simple as rearranging furniture, she said.
Designing facilities to support people with a reduced level of cognitive function is practical and achievable. Good design is vital so that residents feel at ease in their home and carers are able to work in a safe environment.
As per a paper prepared for NSW Health, the Principles of Good Design for Aged Care facilities[3] should ensure that the environment:
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supports the safety and security of residents, staff and visitors. Security measures are unobtrusive to residents and visitors but a deterrent to unwanted visitors.
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is homely for the residents, and pleasant to work in for staff and for families to visit. It creates a sense of belonging and familiarity and promotes residents’ being able to ‘personalise’ their living spaces.
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supports residents’ independence and facilitates provision of assistance when required – unobtrusive support services that enable residents to maintain their independence and dignity while remaining within a ‘homely’ environment.
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provides the appropriate level of care required by the clients e.g. those with dementia or challenging behaviours and those with disabilities, as well as any special cultural needs.
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achieves a balance between residents’ functional abilities and a manageable work environment for staff.
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is sympathetic to the local community and natural environment including attention to visual appeal and being sympathetic to the local buildings.
Crown Furniture offers a range of aged care, healthcare, mental health and retirement furniture, so your patients and residents feel both welcome and at home. The trend towards stylish facilities is beneficial for everyone – it puts residents at ease, allows visitors to relax and means that staff have a more welcoming place in which to work.
With variety, choice and flexibility in furniture design, the team at Crown Furniture will work with you to create an environment that is resident-friendly and can assist staff in managing residents.
To learn more about Crown Furniture’s specialty furniture design, call our team on 1800 194 194.
[1] Promoting Healthy Ageing in Australia, 2003, page 47
[2] http://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2016/03/02/38444/
[3] http://www.fallssa.com.au/documents/hp/Design_guidelines-aged_care_facilities.pdf