Benetas at Lovell House

Recognising the value of residents

The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd has awarded Benetas at Lovell House a Better Practice in Aged Care Award for its total commitment to involving its residents in how to best manage their individual care.

The Agency commended the facility for its model of person-centred care that acknowledged the wealth of skills and experience that older residents brought to an aged care residential facility.

Lovell House is one of 16 residential aged care facilities owned and operated by Benetas - Victoria's leading not for profit aged care provider of community and specialist residential care services.

It is the organisation's belief that ageing and aged care should be the  best possible experience for everyone. Indeed, its name is derived from the Latin words 'bene' meaning good and 'aetas' meaning age of life. Together, they build a name that means 'a good age of life'.

At Lovell, residents have long been encouraged to use their independence and decision-making skills to organise events and to initiate lifestyle changes they would like to see made.

Since 2003, the residents have driven and participated in social events and fund raising activities under the auspice of the Community Relations Group. As a result, a unique pathway for residents to use their collective and individual, creative and artistic imagination has been created which has both enhanced their quality of life and commitment to each other as vital members of the community.

The Facility Manager evaluates each social and fund raising activity carried out by the residents and feedback is considered and evaluated in the context of the facility's original objectives when extending the traditional recreation, leisure and lifestyle program.

The first fund raising activity - a resident recipe book - came about following talks between residents and staff. Interest was gathered from residents, family and staff to capture each resident's recipes and stories. The completed book was later offered for sale to the local and wider community. The residents then decided how the money could be best spent.

Since then, staff, volunteers, families and friends have worked with and supported residents in organising and conducting an ongoing series of fund raising events - from an auction night to gala dance - each designed to recognise that social contact is an important part of life for everyone. Each activity has raised funds for a range of projects, including new carpet and dining room furniture, upgrade works to the facility entrance, an internet cafe and an external courtyard.

Lovell has developed a program that is sensitive to resident lifestyle needs, fosters independence and establishes relationships that support resident choice and control. Resident feedback drives the program, directs the allocation of funds and informs and helps to scope the social and fund raising activities for the following year.

As a result, these social and fund raising events have encouraged residents to use skills they thought they had lost or no longer needed to use. More importantly, it has enabled them to make decisions about their everyday lives, retain their independence and be active community members.