Paul's Aged Care Facility In Caboolture example essay topic

How is Australia's aging population supported by the Australian Health Care System? PREAMBLE Since 1901 Australia's elderly population has had a dramatic rise with it estimated that 65-year olds make up just under 15% of Australia's population (Northern Health Research). The median age of the country has risen from 22 to 35 years and people age 0-14 has decreased from 35.1% in 1901 to 20.7% in 2001 (Mayne Health Research). As this "grey ing of the nation" continues mirroring global trends, there has been an influx of residents admitted into aged care facilities around the country. The aim of this report is to perform a case study on an elderly member of the community cared for at the St. Paul's Aged Care Centre in Caboolture, after visiting the facility every Friday for a period of five weeks. Not only will the residents health be investigated but also the effectiveness of the aged care centre to cater for the rights and needs of the residents in relation to the Ottawa Charter.

Suggestions will be made on how the centre could be improved in the future culminating in a detailed summary of the report's findings. INTRODUCTION Upon commencing weekly visits, each group of students was assigned a particular resident and advised to monitor their health, behaviour and needs. After being assigned an elderly gentleman by the name of Ken, it quickly became evident the reasoning behind his care. Ken was suffering the early stages of dementia often forgetting names and having short-term memory loss. According to the Alzheimer's Association in Queensland, early stages of dementia involves the destruction of brain cells in isolated areas often with first signs being short-term memory loss.

He was also suffering severe arthritis of the left knee that seemed to be afflicting each of his elbows as well. Arthritis is a term loosely applied to inflammatory, metabolic, or degenerative diseases involving one or more of the joints (Collier's Encyclopedia). It is a prevalent, crippling disease affecting tens of millions worldwide (web). The final health concern noticed was Ken's social un acceptance. Often reluctant to join in with conversations and games, Ken seemed very isolated and lonely, probably further reinforcing the signs of dementia setting in. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On completion of the weekly visits and looking back on the time spent with the residents, it is obvious to recognise the needs of many, especially Ken.

Due to his arthritis Ken required a walker to enhance his mobility. Without the walker Ken found it extremely difficult to move around. It was also evident the assistance he needed when trying to pick things up and dressing. On one occasion he was removing a jumper and couldn't get it over his head without the help of a nurse.

Another of Ken's needs was supervision. Although he seemed quite independent, often he required someone to instruct him on what to do, as on occasions he just seemed lost more than likely due to dementia. Ken is also catered for with all food being prepared by the staff. He did have access to a kitchen and cups of tea and coffee but in our presence seemed reluctant to utilise this luxury.

The final area noted in terms of Ken's needs was the fact that his laundry was attended to by the staff. Although given the option to do personal laundry, when asked Ken simply replied, "Nah, I always forget to put in the powder so I don't do it any more". In terms of facilities available to Ken and the residents, a number were observed. These included numerous outdoor settings ensuring privacy when talking with other residents. Hairdressers often visited attending to individuals within the centre. Diversion al and assistant diversion al therapists were employed attending to both groups and individuals.

Doctors visited weekly and were on-call with residents allowed access to their own doctors if they were in the area. There was also a physiotherapist attending to the rehabilitation of residents suffering from arthritis or other injuries. Exercise sessions were provided and residents were given opportunities to attend scheduled bus trips. A pastor from a local parish church attends the centre for approximately eight hours a week to ensure residents's spiritual needs are addressed with a special area available for the observance of spiritual activities (web).

Visits from family members and friends were allowed and encouraged to take place and finally word games and bingo were played. The importance of these services and facilities cannot be stressed enough for they provide the only form of physical, social and mental well being. They help to keep residents like Ken safe, aware and active and through doing so, help to maintain a quality of life that all people deserve. ANALYSIS OF FACILITIES WITH REGARDS TO OTTAWA CHARTER Many of the services and facilities mentioned above are in conjunction with Ottawa Charter principles and thus help to ensure the health of the residents. The first being the whole facility itself. The St. Paul's Aged Care Centre, funded through the governments public policy is a health service providing care for the sick and elderly that families can't provide themselves.

It undergoes stringent accreditation measures every five years (web) which is reorienting the health service and ensuring that the facility is providing the adequate care required by law. From visits it was observed that on the whole the centre was a warm caring facility providing a supportive environment for each of the sixty residents. The fact that meals and laundry services are provided helps to foster a nurturing stress free environment encouraging health and well being of the residents. The weekly visits by the local pastor are in accordance with social justice and allow the residents to maintain their spiritual skills through accessing this service. Visits from doctors and the fact that physiotherapists and diversion al therapists are present within the facility also nurture health through a supportive environment catering for the physical and social needs of individuals within the facility. Finally residents are encouraged to maintain their personal skills through maintenance of their room and given the opportunity to do personal laundry.

Both help to facilitate dignity and independence, which has been proven to have health benefits (web). EVALUATION OF AGED CARE CENTRE IN RELATION TO CHARTER OF RESIDENTS RIGHTS Upon entrance to the St. Paul's Aged Care Centre, the residents "Charter of Rights" is one of the first things that can be seen (as shown in Appendix 1.) As the name suggests, this document outlines the rights of each resident within the facility and is considered a very important document. After extensively examining this document it can be seen that for the most part, the residents charter of rights is being implemented effectively at the St. Paul's Aged Care Centre. For example it states that each resident has the right to quality care which is appropriate to his or her needs. This is being firmly adhered to with all staff informed about the needs of residents and if needed doctors are on call. Also the charter states that each resident has the right to continue his or her cultural and religious practices and to retain the language of his or her choice without discrimination.

With the visits of the local pastor this right is being clearly adhered to as well. There are even designated areas that allow spiritual worship to take place. Another right supporting the charter is to have access to services and activities that are available generally in the community. Like the doctor and pastor mentioned above, there is also a visiting dentist and hairdresser that regularly attends the centre. Clearly services generally available within the community are being made available to residents. The next right is to live in a safe, secure and homelike environment and to move freely both within and outside the residential care service without undue restriction.

Now this right is both being adhered to and ignored. The fact that is a right too safe and secure is living is supported greatly within the centre. Alarm systems have been installed and the health of the residents is the top priority, however the homelike environment and being able too freely move outside the centre is being ignored. The architectural design of the facility centres around a circular hallway in each of the lodges that doesn't encourage homelike living and social activity.

It sees few area's where a large group people could sit and have a conversation comfortably which is harming the credibility of the centre. Also, residents are restricted to the facility and cannot freely move outside its gates. They are required to stay within the boundaries and only allowed to leave on scheduled bus trips. Both these aspects are infringing on the rights of the residents. Another aspect in the charter that isn't being supported is the right to maintain his or her personal independence, which includes a recognition of personal responsibility for his or her own actions and choices; even though some actions may involve an element of risk which the resident has the right to accept and that should then not be used to prevent or restrict those actions. This right is clearly being ignored with clockwork like requirements to adhere to the schedules of the facility.

Residents have to eat at a certain time and sleep at a certain time. If they want to leave the facility it can only be on scheduled trips. If an element of risk is involved in an activity the residents are not permitted to take part for fear of their safety. This is clearly infringing on the rights of the residents, however the fact that it mostly seems to be for safety reasons helps lesson the severity of the issue. Thus overall, the St. Paul's Aged Care Centre is effectively adhering to the resident's rights as stated in the charter. CONCLUSION Taking into account all that has been mentioned it can be seen that the St. Paul's Aged Care Centre is a supporting nurturing facility mostly adhering to rights, beliefs and requirements of its residents and the Queensland government.

It effectively promotes health through implementing the principles of the Ottawa Charter in a caring and responsible way. Residents have access to services generally available in the community and can live free from fear and reprisal. In making suggestions for future improvements, I would redesign the layout of the facility encouraging a more sociable and homelike setting. This would further enhance resident's social well being allowing a friendlier environment to be created and according to Dr. Luke Rose, "A person who is living a life in a favoured setting is less likely to suffer stress, depression and anxiety often associated with aged care facilities". (web) Another improvement would be to give greater freedom to the residents. Maybe have meals at different times in the evenings giving them a sense of control and also allow residents accompanied visits outside the facility on a weekly basis. Both would lift spirits in centre and are improvements that are easily attainable.

They allow residents greater independence and as mentioned earlier, this fosters better health. However apart from those two areas, the St. Paul's Aged Care Facility in Caboolture is effectively caring and adhering to the needs of the elderly in conjunction with promoting health through the implementation of the principles of the Ottawa Charter.