Aged care is not a hospital – it is a home that brings the smiles back
One of the most common myths about residential aged care is that it is like a hospital – but that couldn’t be further from the truth of today, according to aged care providers.
“If there was one myth l could dispel about aged care it would be the old mindset around aged care homes as hospital-like facilities of the past. They are homes, not hospitals,” said Alyson Jarrett, Deputy CEO of Whiddon, which cares for more than 2,300 people in NSW and Queensland.
“There is tremendous life inside our aged care homes. At Whiddon, our focus is to create a home for our residents, extending from the social connections and vibrant activity around our homestyle kitchens to positive ageing programs that keep our residents connected to what matters most in life. Importantly, and underpinning it all, is an emphasis on relationship-based care that builds meaningful day-to-day relationships between residents and our team members.
“The depth and richness of the relationships that can be built when we are caring for people longer term, as opposed to hospitals, is illustrated through the warmth of an early morning hug, the joy of the resident’s face when an employee returns from leave, the secret jokes and eye winks between the residents and staff.
“Whilst we have the clinical teams and capacity to provide clinical care, this is not the focus. The focus is providing a loving home for our residents with the advantage of being able to receive clinical care when they need it, similar to the hospital in the home model.”
There are so many things happening in residential aged care almost every minute.
The images pictured above show Penrith Panthers forward Trent Martin calling in at Whiddon’s Temora home, the SES volunteers putting on a show at Southern Cross Care NSW and ACT’s home in Parkes in the NSW Central West, and a brass band putting the smiles on residents at Palm Lake Care Deception Bay in Moreton Bay, Queensland.
Not every aged care home has the same services, amenities, and programs available so it is essential to talk with family and friends before deciding which one is right for you or your family members.
You can find more information about choosing an aged care home on AgedCare101 here.
