Hedley Sutton Community, Vic

Work, laugh and play

Hedley Sutton Community's extensive lifestyle program has led to their Better Practice in Aged Care Award.

The lifestyle program has been tailored to the specific needs of the residents and ranges from doll therapy to volunteering within the home, tai chi and laughter therapy.

Tai chi
Based on research the tai chi program has been highly successful, with monitoring showing improvements in residents' posture, mobility, strength, effort and energy. The classes have expanded with some of the more experienced residents taking on a mentoring role among the newcomers.

Doll therapy
Doll therapy has focused on recognising the resident for who they are (parent, grandparent, great-grandparent) rather than on their challenging behaviour. The therapy has proved successful in providing an opportunity to give and receive unconditional love, to minimise agitated or intrusive behaviours and to provide a tool for structured reminiscence sessions.

Laughter
The 'laughter boss' program is based on the concept that laughter in the aged care facility meets quality of life and psychosocial issues. Staff are trained in laughter therapy with the aim of the program being to create bonds, be nourishing, help improve coping, be supportive, give cognitive control, provide positive diversion and increase the 'smile-age factor'. Residents collect jokes and funny stories and share them with each other and staff in the Laughter Corner Group each week.

Residents as volunteers
Residents are encouraged to remain active and are supported to do voluntary work around the facility. Residents run the exercise program under supervision, run the kiosk, visiting in the nursing home, and assist with activities including the bus, shopping and pet therapy. This helps to increase self esteem and to feel valued for the contribution to their community.