Good Shepherd Aged Services, Vic

Good Shepherd shares the spirit

Good Shepherd Aged Services Nursing Home and Hostel in Abbotsford, Victoria have each been awarded a Better Practice in Aged Care Award for its health and wellness program.

The ‘Sharing the spirit of health’ program works on the assumption that everyone has the right to optimal health and wellness no matter what their current level of health and wellness. The program emphasises promotion of healthy lifestyles through exposure and opportunities to maximise each person’s individual potential and ability to contribute to the well being of the community.

‘Sharing the spirit of health’ aims to include all residents, in particular residents that have had a marginalised background. The program has built upon the current implemented programs, whilst also introducing new programs that have further assisted to improve key performance indicators.

As a result of its efforts over the past two years, the ‘Sharing the spirit of health’ program has resulted in a measured improvement in residents’ health and increased resident satisfaction.

The home conducted focus groups and research to develop a Good Shepherd health and wellness model. The home has implemented the following programs that have been directly linked to the health and wellness model.
Intergenerational friendship program 

• Reinvigorated fit for life program 
• U3A program 
• Undertaken a collaborative project with St Vincent’s Health relating to Diabetes better practice 
• Further developed internal resident newsletter Spreading the Word, with a focus upon health and wellness including mateship and the dissemination of health promotion information 
• Celebration of Life Senior Sports Day, with six other aged care facilities 
• Further developed avenues for laughter, with one nurse trained at Clown School 
• Further refined annual Christmas concert where staff and resident groups present different comedy skits and acts 
• Developed further links with the local parish and congregation 
• Continued the monthly visit to the local pub and pokies venue 
• Implemented music appreciation group 
• Further developed pastoral care services for residents including counselling and emotional support for residents, relatives, friends and staff 
• Developed focused group activities for residents with dementia 
• Further updated the resident sensory garden 
• Developed men’s special interest group 
• Development of resident focus group about happiness, the results being made into a booklet 
• Implemented resident relaxation program 
• Further developed pet therapy program 
• In consultation with residents, the facility and visiting medical practitioners – a thorough and systematic review of all medications to ensure the best quality of life for all concerned.