New apartments
stunning new facilities at
Selwyn Heights, Hillsborough.
Hospital-level care
now available
at Selwyn Sunningdale Village,
Hamilton.
Newsletter Subscription
‘At Home at Selwyn’ – a new approach to the care of the older person
In 2010, The Selwyn Foundation's expertise in aged care provision received national acclaim, when the Foundation was named supreme winner of the annual INsite/New Zealand Aged Care Association ‘Excellence in Care’ Awards. Not only did Selwyn win the specific ‘Innovative Delivery’ category for the introduction of its ‘At Home at Selwyn’ new model of care, but also received the ‘Overall Excellence in Aged Care’ award (granted to the organisation that demonstrated an outstanding commitment to achieving excellence in aged care across all four award categories).
‘At Home at Selwyn’ is a practical application of The Selwyn Way’s four cornerstones of Faith, Care, Wellness and Independence. Based on the Eden Alternative, it focuses on a more personalised approach to the care of the individual, on the creation of an environment that promotes residents’ independence, and on families and staff actively working together to develop a partnership in the provision of care. It seeks to eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom from the lives of residents, by reintroducing companionship, a sense of purpose and variety into the daily experience.
Variety, spontaneity, independence and companionship are the order of the day!
The model was initially trialled during 2008/09 at Gracedale Home and Hospital (Mt Roskill, Auckland), which is managed under contract by the Foundation. Care delivery was centred around ‘households’ of residents and staff, with the same, multi-skilled care teams assigned to the same household, thereby enabling close relationships to form with residents. Activities were organised as similarly as possible to how they would be at home and with much spontaneity. Residents were encouraged to make decisions about their daily life, when to rise or go to bed, when to eat and what activities to take part in. They were also offered the opportunity to care for pets, tend plants and undertake simple tasks, which engendered a feeling of being valued members of the household.
After twelve months, the trial was evaluated through the annual resident and staff satisfaction surveys. Its success was clear. Satisfaction rates amongst residents and their families had increased dramatically in terms of the quality of care and the creation of a sense of ‘being at home’, whilst staff job satisfaction levels had also improved significantly (as a result of new multi-skilling and training initiatives that had been introduced as part of the trial).
Where you'll always feel at home
The concept is now being launched in a phased programme across the Foundation’s eleven care facilities around the country, with staff and residents alike relishing the prospect of adding enrichment to the daily routine and the infinite opportunity that is made possible as a result of the new philosophy. In consultation with residents and in accordance with their interests and abilities, new initiatives are springing up regularly - from gardening and vegetable growing at Caswell rest home at Selwyn Village, to renaming the wards at Christ’s hospital (Selwyn Village) and helping to organise the village fete at Selwyn Park (Whangarei).
This inclusive approach is also being implemented at a wider level within Selwyn, with residents now taking the initiative and becoming involved in other functions and areas of operation, were appropriate. The residents’ ‘welcoming committee’ and ‘buddying’ programme for new arrivals at Selwyn Oaks (Papakura, Auckland) is an example, as is the independent living activities and entertainment programme at Selwyn Village that is now led by independent residents. All of which is designed to make people feel at home and involved in the life of their immediate community, and further enhancing the daily lives of those whom the Foundation supports and cares for.
Please click on the image to view our gallery.
