caring for carers
DESCRIPTION
IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing. Caring for Carers. Presented By: Kay Hevey MHSc(OSH), Grad.Dip.OHM, CPMSIA, RSP-Aust . Managing Director GSLS Pty. Ltd. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +61 03 9398 2414. Caring for Carers. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Presented By:Kay Hevey MHSc(OSH), Grad.Dip.OHM, CPMSIA, RSP-Aust.Managing DirectorGSLS Pty. Ltd.E-mail: [email protected]: +61 03 9398 2414
When age or disability occurs in a family, the person who undertakes the care relinquishes their normal life to care for their family member.
These carers often find it difficult to cope with the level of stress that this stage of life brings.
In Victoria, Australia we refer to these carers as “Primary Carers”
A state based program operates in Victoria, which has been designed to provide help and assistance to the elderly or disabled person, while providing support to the Primary Carer.
The program provides links to specialised services such as dietary, vision, hearing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, in-home care, personal care and respite.
However many of our elderly do not have family or Primary Carer support – therefore the importance of the in-home care program is paramount.
The people who undertake this care
are called “Direct Care Workers” (DCW).
Early
Investigation
Findings
No formal work procedures
were in place
Minimal management of
the work program within
the homes
Limited consultation
with the client or primary carer
Significant compromise
issues for the DCW
00Lack of link between assessment and the
work programs for DCWs
Management Structure for In-Home Care Communication in our Community:
MANAGEMENT
CLIENT
SERVICE PROVIDER/
CARER
MANAGEMENT
CLIENTSERVICE
PROVIDER / CARER
PREVIOUS NOW
Pastoral Caring Role
Linking systems to people for more effective safety management
DCW Training focusing on hazards re working in isolation, strategies to manage hazards, with a strong emphasis on reporting issues to Management.
Assessment Officer Training covering assessment of client needs, referrals to support agencies eg dietary, OT, vision etc., including the safety issues and work programs for DCW’s.
Information for the client and primary carer to ensure they understood the role of DCW.
Management Training in developing and implementing systems which were monitored and reviewed.
A program was launched for this industry with a focus on the following stakeholders
The training enabled DCW’s to better understand their professional role in the care of their clients, while emphasising safe work procedures and the support of Management in the program and safe work procedures across activities:
• In-Home care – vacuuming, mopping, bed making, shower/bath cleaning etc.
• Personal Care – showering & assistance with personal needs.
• Meals preparation
• Respite – breaks for the Primary Carer.
Other services include:
• Meals-On-Wheels
• Gardening, property maintenance
SERVICES
Stage three of this program - implementation of a behavioural safety Peer Support Program.
Research identified risks associated with isolated work environments; Compromise by the client/primary carer/family member; Lack of assertiveness to deal with confrontation.
Direct Care Workers volunteer for training to undertake Peer Support , enabling them to attending homes to provide support to other team members: Observing tasks and safe work practices; Reporting at-risk equipment /environments; Assist in reporting safety issues to Management; Providing positive feedback to the DCW to reinforce a team approach, both to the client and the primary carer.
IDENTIFIED RESULTS OF
PROGRAM
Injuries in the Municipalities employing this program have
decreased
Serious injuries have
also decreased significantly
DCW’s have more control
over their work environment
Clients/Primary Carers better informed &
involved in training eg transfers etc
Improved Career Path and Staff Retention
Building a modern safety culture
The highest priority must be given to safety issues
Management must respond efficiently and effectively to safety issues
Workers must feel confident not only in hazard reporting but in their continued involvement in the risk mitigation process
Safety issues must be constantly assessed and reviewed
Annual reviews are undertaken of positive indicators to evaluate and continue improvement in the safety system
One Municipality has expanded this program involving DCW’s – upgrading and increasing skills, autonomy and confidence:
In Home Foot Care Program – Podiatrist Training
Making a Move – exercise program OT training
Medication – assisting clients with low risk needs
Healthy Communities – Clients & Carers physical activities and nutrition
Healthy Ageing Demonstration Project – Improving workforce capacity & service delivery
Providing assistance to GSLS to develop the new Safe Working Guides.
“ I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow human being, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
Stephen Grellet.
Presented By:Kay Hevey MHSc(OSH), Grad.Dip.OHM, CPMSIA, RSP-Aust.Managing DirectorGSLS Pty. Ltd.E-mail: [email protected]: +61 039398 2414