Not-for-profit RAAFA WA (Royal Australian Air Force Association – WA Division) is billing its newly opened $30 million 102-bed Alice Ross-King Care Centre in Bull Creek as a first in the state – why?
The centre, which officially opened in August last year, is designed to give residents greater choice on their care and how they spend their day – and shake off the ‘one size fits all’ approach traditionally seen in aged care.
One size doesn’t fit all
“Residents, families and staff spend time together prior to moving in to determine what the resident chooses for their daily routines,” facility manager Helen Falkiner explains.
“Gone are the days where breakfast and meals are only served at set times. Residents have a choice to eat breakfast anytime between 7am through to 10am, and this applies to all meals. They can also choose the times for other care needs such as showering and decide what activities they would like to engage in during the day. It is a lot less regimented lifestyle with choices.”
Even better, individual staff also work with the same residents for more than 80 per cent of their shifts to encourage a closer relationship between staff and residents and provide continuity of care.
A say in staffing
In another first, residents and families also have a say in how services are provided, including staff recruitment.
The 100 full-time, part-time and casual staff all go through an in-depth interview and role-playing process before being hired – “Staff training is no different,” Helen adds. “It’s all about having a more flexible approach.”
And it’s paying off too – the centre is now full and began turning a profit at the end of 2016. CEO John Murray now says RAAFA plans to roll out the model across all of its facilities.
