|
|
|
|
|
|
The role of evidence research is becoming more important as the sector prepares for a new Act and the implementation of the revised and strengthened aged care standards. The new Act describes a new “person-centred” aged care system underpinned by a Statement of Rights. The new Act also provides a basis for the strengthened Quality Standards. The Standards also introduce Standard 5: Clinical Care and Standard 6: Food and Nutrition. The KIH team has already produced knowledge resources on various elements relating to these new requirements including Clinical Governance (Outcome 5.1), Palliative Care and end of life (Outcome 5.7) and Dementia Care (Outcome 5.6).
|
|
|
|
Underpinning all care is the older person, so resources relating to meaningful lifestyle activities, mental health and well-being, reablement and social isolation can help services to consider what could support enhanced care at home or in residential aged care. While the changing care context can be challenging, it is also the opportunity to think about how evidence and quality appraised resources can help you respond and build a more capable and sustainable workforce and service. |
|
|
|
User Reference Group Engagement: Hearing from our users |
|
The Knowledge and Implementation Hub (the Hub) formed a User Reference Group (URG) to oversee the relevance of the contents, the feasibility of using the Hub and identify ways to improve the Hub to achieve its purpose. People working in aged care or using aged care services were invited to be part of the URG.
Two online meetings were held last year. The first meeting was understanding how people find and use information sources in aged care.
|
|
|
|
We’ve heard that people find and use information in various ways, depending on the type of information needed, their role and their workplace. Some members prefer to read online information from trusted organisations, or watch videos, whilst others prefer to read textbooks or talk to their colleagues or supervisors.
The second was about their experiences in using the Hub and perceptions of its usefulness. The members described what they found good about the Hub, the challenges in using and navigating the Hub and recommendations to improve the Hub.
We thank the URG members for their valuable contribution in these meetings. We are reviewing the Hub, and we hope to make it more useful and give users the best information and user experience. Please check our Knowledge blogs to read about views and perspectives of services, aged care staff, older people and families and others engaged with the sector.
|
|
|
|
Informed choice in providing nutritious and tasty meals in care settings
|
|
|
|
During
the development of our recent themed Innovator Training Program (ITP) focused
on 'Tasty, Nutritious, and Safe Meals,' informed choice was
found to be a fundamental consideration when services adopt a person-centered
approach to creating and fostering positive dining experiences. By involving
older people in the planning of their meals, tailoring food and experiences to
their individual needs can maximise access to and increase their participation
in mealtimes. Creating positive dining experiences can improve an older
person’s quality of life and promote positive physical and mental health.
Informed choice describes the process of working with older
adults to incorporate their meal preferences and accessibility needs whilst
accounting for medical and nutritional requirements.
Although these requirements are crucial when planning meals, it is also
important to discuss preferences with older people to allow autonomy and
attribute more meaning to mealtimes. Food can provide connections to culture,
religion, family, and previous positive experiences An
older person’s preferences can guide the creation of appetising texture-modified
or diet-specific meals that
are more likely to be enjoyed when eaten. Informed choice also extends to
working with older adults in the community and people
living with dementia by
considering their context and preferred eating patterns. Aged care services and
staff should, therefore, consider using person-centred approach with the older
person involved in the planning their meals and should be supported in their
choices when it comes to dining. |
|
|
|
|
|
Over the course of 2022-2024, six rounds of ARIIA Grants were awarded in total. Successful applicants will receive funding to deliver a translational research project which can run for up to 12 months. These projects are evidence in the making. Many of these studies directly relate to the priority aged care topics developed for the Knowledge and Implementation Hub. You can now explore all of the project outlines in a new section looking at ARIIA Grant Funded Projects
|
|
|
|
Best evidence: the ARIIA review collection |
|
|
|
|
|
What is evidence and why it matters in aged care? |
We all want an aged care sector that provides high-quality care that is safe, effective, and capable of meeting the unique physical, psychological, and social needs of each person in its care. But how do we know which care approaches and practices can help the aged care workforce achieve this standard? And how can we ensure quality care. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
|
How can the Hub support you in your work? |
|
The Hub provides access to research evidence and quality resources on common aged care topics. Whatever your role in the aged care sector--service provider, nurse, allied health professional, or aged care worker--you will find valuable information for your practice. Even older people and their family and friends may find some useful information in the Hub. However, we know that to create change we need to understand what processes can support change.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We’re coming together again for the
highly anticipated and must-attend 2024 ARIIA conference.
Join us for two days of inspiring debate and thought-provoking
conversations from the best and sharpest minds from several sectors across the
aged care ecosystem, who want to make a real impact on positive ageing. Early bird now open!
|
|
|
|
|
|
How you can support the Hub |
|
All of you have knowledge, skills and insights about aged care and how we can use evidence to change practice. We would like to invite you to share your research projects, suggest resources related to the aged care topics, offer to write a Knowledge Blog, or indicate your willingness to be involved with one of the Evidence Advisory Groups. You can also provide feedback in one of the various response forms within the Knowledge and Implementation Hub.
We are keen to build a community of knowledge practitioners who not only build the knowledge base but support its use in practice. Email us at
kih@ariia.org.au and share your knowledge and insights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KnowledgeConnect is the quarterly newsletter from the ARIIA Knowledge and Implementation Hub . Designed to bring you an informative read on the latest aged care research, Australian aged care projects, and ways you can use evidence in your personal practice and within your organisation.
KnowledgeConnect is the fastest way to stay in touch with aged care evidence and how to move it into practice. If you have been forwarded this email, click the button below to subscribe today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
