In the Journey map Peter shares his experience of aged care after suffering a severe stroke. For Peter and his family, the experience was not always a good one. Here we look at what the residential aged care facility (RACF) staff could have done to improve Peter's journey and the experience of his family.
1. Decision-making made easier
Planning for care in advance helps people receive the care that they would want to receive. Peter completed his Advance Health or Care Directive (AHD/ACD) many years ago. Reviewing this on entry to the RACF would have given Peter an opportunity to make changes if he wanted. It would also have helped staff to get to know Peter and his family, and what matters to them.
Do you know what information an AHC/ACD includes and when it should be made available? For help with this, look at the palliAGED Tip Sheet
2. Recognising deterioration
Before Peter was found collapsed on the floor, we heard that he had become withdrawn. There were other signs that his condition was deteriorating. Can you remember what those signs were?
To learn about more signs of deterioration that you should look out for, check out the palliAGED Tip Sheet
2. Recognising deterioration
Before Peter was found collapsed on the floor, we heard that he had become withdrawn. There were other signs that his condition was deteriorating. Can you remember what those signs were?
To learn about more signs of deterioration that you should look out for, check out the palliAGED Tip Sheet
3. Keeping families informed and consulted
Peter’s children thought that staff were not taking their father's situation seriously. They were worried and angry. This might have been avoided if RACF staff had organised a case conference to discuss care decisions and to give Peter and his family a chance to ask questions.
As a careworker you can also contribute to case conferences. Do you know how you could help? To find out, look at the palliAGED Tip Sheet
4. Supporting families
At the hospital Anna was able to build relationships with the staff. This helped her to be involved in the care provided to her father. She felt supported. What could the RACF staff do to improve their relationship with Anna?
The needs of families are not always the same. To find out what else you could do and how it can help, look at the palliAGED Tip Sheet
4. Supporting families
At the hospital Anna was able to build relationships with the staff. This helped her to be involved in the care provided to her father. She felt supported. What could the RACF staff do to improve their relationship with Anna?
The needs of families are not always the same. To find out what else you could do and how it can help, look at the palliAGED Tip Sheet
5. Next steps
Now that you have thought about Peter’s experience, talk with your supervisor and co-workers about what is done in your organisation to support older people and their families. Discuss how the experiences of the people you care for might be improved.
Would you like to hear about other journeys in aged care and what you could do to help?
Page created 24 April 2023