The micro-town model of aged care has long been heralded as a refreshing departure from the institutional feel often associated with traditional care settings.
For Natasha Chadwick, Founder of NewDirection Care, having the right environment is only one part of the larger vision for people to continue to “live as normal a life as possible”. To achieve this, care within the community is driven by an ethos of reablement for all residents which is spearheaded by allied health services and filters down into the roles of all team members.
NewDirection Care’s Clinical Services Manager, Alyssa Jenkins, shed light on how this focus on allied health services and early intervention has allowed residents to bypass the more typical stages of physical deterioration, promoting living better for longer.
“In seven years, we have not had to use our stand-hoist,” exclaimed Jenkins. “Typically, our residents go from being mobile right up until the point where they need a full hoist as they approach their final moments.”
The micro-town consists of 17 houses, each accommodating seven residents. Every house is designed to function look and feel like a typical home, complete with ensuites and shared living spaces.
“Residents have access to the fridge, the ability to make a cuppa and participate in menu planning – even cooking. Nothing is locked and everything is accessible in the community,” Jenkins noted. This design fosters a sense of independence and normalcy, which is central to the community’s ethos.
Reablement Through Allied Health
A core component of NewDirection Care’s approach is reablement, which focuses on enhancing residents’ functional abilities rather than merely managing their limitations. Allied Health professionals, including occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists, play a crucial role in this model.
“Our OT and physios don’t just look at what residents can’t do; they focus on what they can do,” Jenkins emphasised. This approach aligns with the International Classification of Functioning (ICF), which promotes quality of life by emphasising functional capacity and independence.
Jenkins highlighted how this philosophy permeates daily interactions. “House Companion Support Workers, are trained to support residents in a way that encourages them to perform tasks by promoting as much independence as possible,” she explained. This method not only promotes autonomy but also integrates reablement principles into everyday life.
Empowering Residents and Staff
The reablement approach at NewDirection Care extends beyond direct care. Allied and Clinical Health professionals as well as Lifestyle and Events professionals work closely with residents, families, and staff to foster an environment that supports engagement and purpose.
“Our entire team empowers every resident in the community to participate in activities and understand how they can contribute,” Jenkins said. This proactive approach helps in early intervention and sets a positive tone for residents’ overall wellbeing by facilitating meaningful engagement and relationships.
An inspiring example of this approach is seen in the case of Helga, a resident who, after suffering a severe medical event and extensive rehab, significantly improved her mobility through the support provided at NewDirection Care.
“Helga came to us unable to walk and needing a machine to transfer. Through her hard work and our support, she now walks with a walker over 100m and needs only minimal assistance,” Jenkins shared. Stories like Helga’s highlight the transformative impact of the reablement approach on residents’ lives.
Community Integration and Longevity
NewDirection Care’s micro-town model not only focuses on individual wellbeing but also promotes community integration. The main precinct offers a Wellness Centre, music room, café, corner store, art room, hairdresser, barber and a cinema.
The Wellness Centre features various facilities, including a dental office, hydrotherapy spa, and several consult rooms. All of NewDirection Care’s facilities are accessible to residents and the broader community. This inclusive approach helps in breaking down barriers and fostering a vibrant, engaging environment.
Moreover, Jenkins noted a remarkable trend in resident longevity. “Currently, our average length of stay has increased to over 30 months,” she observed.
While Jenkins emphasised that the focus of care should remain on quality of life rather than simply extending lifespan, the increase in stay duration reflects the positive impact of the community’s approach on residents’ overall wellbeing.
The Allied Health (wellness) team at NewDirection Care is diverse and includes OTs, physiotherapists, and Allied Health Assistants. This team not only addresses daily care needs but also provides regular health education and preventive services.
Jenkins highlighted the importance of this comprehensive approach: “Additional to routine dental care and podiatry, we utilise government funding to provide regular access to services like audiology and optometry, which are crucial for maintaining quality of life. Resident and family uptake in these services is overwhelmingly positive.”
By integrating these services within the micro-town, NewDirection Care ensures that residents receive holistic and continuous support, contributing to their overall health and happiness.
Through their focus on autonomy, functional capacity, and community integration, NewDirection Care is blazing a new trail in Australia for what it means to live well in later years. As Alyssa Jenkins aptly puts it, “If someone is engaged, they have meaning. If they have meaning, they have quality. If they have quality, they have purpose, and if they have purpose, they have life.”
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Well done New Direction Care!