Comfort Care Centre Sonya Smart Chief Executive Catholic Homes Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always Hippocrates
About Catholic Homes Western Australia Not-for-profit aged care provider 50 years of operation
Care Model Care with Purpose - Montessori Approach Roles Activities Enabling Environments
Caring for the Dying in Aged Care Advertising for aged care promotes a long life a new journey, positive future. Tag lines such as: Living the second half of your life Live life your way Today, tomorrow, together 10 years younger home care Quality lifestyle choices
The Reality Average length of stay in 2011 27% less then 6 months 38% less then 1 year Average age of entry is 80+ Women live longer regardless of where they live 91% leave residential care due to death Core business is: Complex chronic disease management Palliative Care Dementia Care Mental Health
Chronic Disease Management Congestive Cardiac Failure Respiratory disease (inc. asthma) Peripheral Vascular disease Diabetes Cancer Parkinson s Chronic Renal failure Mental health Schizophrenia, drug and alcohol dependencies Depression Liver Disease Kidney Disease CVA strokes Neurological Disorders MS, Huntington s Chronic Obstructive airways disease Osteoarthritis Motor Neurone Disease All these chronic diseases in residential aged care facilities, ultimately result in managing symptoms as there is no cure. Palliative care requiring proactive symptom management by appropriately skilled staff to be able to offer as much quality of life as is possible)
You ll never see this advertised Come die with us Chose to die your way A quality death at.
Why a Comfort Care Centre? We recognised what matters most to people; A sense of feeling safe A sense of experiencing links between the past, present and the future A sense of belonging- having a place A sense of purpose- having direction A sense of fulfilment A sense of significance-feeling you matter (Kitwood 1993/7; Eales, Keating & Damsma 2001; Clarke, Hanson & Ros 2003; Hubbard 2002)
Why a Comfort Care Centre? We recognised a community need We recognised a residential care need Personal experience
Our Goals The goal of the Comfort Care Centre is to achieve the best quality of remaining life Comfort Care focuses on relieving pain agitation, anxiety, hunger, thirst, loneliness and boredom We believe there is always something that can be done to improve the comfort of someone
Achieving Our Goals Staffing Care Model Environment Admission and Fee Structure
Staffing of the Centre Dedicated care staff on a set roster Clinical Nurse 7 days week Registered Nurse onsite 24/7 Hospice GP with support from Palliative Consultants Onsite Allied Health Team Pastoral Care Available alternative therapies Onsite beautician and hairdresser
Staff Selection Not fearful of death Willing to provide comfort Good communicators with families and registered staff Customer focussed = no limits caring Strong resident advocates Not task orientated Care with Purpose
Care with Purpose the practice of Comfort Care Staff members anticipate the needs of individuals by: offering food and fluid before hunger managing pain before it s out of control offering rest before fatigue offering activities before boredom provide sensory stimulation
Care with Purpose the practice of Comfort Care The comfort of each person is everyone s primary concern and care is organised around existing abilities and knowledge of the person, their life and families. Staff members recognise family and friends as partners in care. Family and friends are a valuable source of information Involve them in as much of the care planning and care as possible
Additional Support Services Family Focussed Education from GP and CN for resident and family Coordinated discharge Coordinated funeral planning Spiritual support
Building Design The rooms Oversized rooms and ensuites King size beds with specialised linen Quality spare beds for families and recliners Fridges, TV s, WIFI in bedrooms Every room opens or looks onto garden area Two large windows 2 per room
Building Design Living area Spacious family room Domestic Kitchen for families to be able to cook meals Alfresco area for outdoor dining and relaxing Large storage for equipment to diminish clinical feel
Admission Criteria 65 + years or ACAT-able Terminal/ end stage of life Eligible for respite Eligible to receive ACFI funds and can pay fee for service or can pay full user-pays Ability to pay 2 weeks upfront fees
Fee Structure 1. High Care Respite + Daily Care Fee 2. Comfort Care Fee 3. Fully paid private option
Recognised Issues How do we provide this service to those who cannot afford it? 10% of service will be provided to those who cannot afford to pay = 18 days per month/30 weeks a year
Recognised Issues ACFI requirement for assessment Dying not discussed openly within aged community Dying not recognised as core business Respectful bed turnover
They may forget what we say, but they will never forget how we made them feel.