Resources

‘Small scale living’ or ‘household models’ of residential aged care are now proliferating across the world as an alternative to institutional models, but what are the features that make them work, what does make home, home?

The Equip Aged Care Learning Packages from the University of Tasmania (Wicking Dementia Centre) are freely available to anyone interested in the aged care sector to help enhance knowledge and keep up to date with current practices.  One of the modules is focused on promoting mental health and wellbeing, and can be accessed by enrolling in the course.

This is the supplement to the full report that Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) completed for the Department of Health and Aged Care. It  presents the findings of the stakeholder interviews and the surveys conducted among health professionals, providers and residents about psychological services in residential aged care facilities.

This full report from  Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) discusses the need for psychological services in residential aged care facilities as part of the primary health network. It presents the findings of a comprehensive evaluation of service models being implemented, the effective models and the recommendations to improve service. 

This webpage from Aged Care Guide discusses about the importance of looking after the mental health needs of older adults and what services are available for older adults. The aged care workforce can refer older adults to these services if needed. 

This report from COTA Australia discusses the experiences of Australians aged 75 and older during the COVID-19 pandemic and how their mental health was impacted by the pandemic.

This report from Enkindle presents top home care innovations in aged care. It provides case studies and examples of technologies and creative service models, and how these can be used in the care setting. (Free registration required to receive report by email.)

This manual from End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) contains different evidence-based digital tools to support the aged care sector to make the best of technology to enhance care at the end of life. It covers the steps to digital readiness which includes assessing digital maturity, adopting digital tools and technology considerations.

This webpage from COTA Victoria discusses a few approaches to address social isolation and loneliness. It also contains a video about the Connecting Communities to Care programs from Bolton Clarke and links to resources from the World Health Organization specific to social prescribing to address social isolation.

This information sheet from the Australian Institute of Family Studies discusses social isolation and loneliness and provides common definitions to support practitioner understanding of people experiencing challenges with social relationships and connections.