Northcliffe Lodge, Vic

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Residents of Northcliffe Lodge commence from admission, exposure to a program of lifestyle choices and leisure options that is second to none.

Details of each person's personal preferences, lifestyle, leisure, interests and cultural life are captured through use of a comprehensive documentation process. The information gathered provides the 'bones' for an individualised resident program that is blended into the existing program, or provides opportunity to create other opportunities.

Lifestyle staff meet with the resident and family at a pre-admission meeting, and the importance of the documentation is explained to those at the meeting. The resident is met on arrival and made to feel welcome. After some time with the person admitting, lifestyle staff give everyone a break and take the resident out to see some of the home, meeting others along the way; where possible engaging in an activity with others.

Lifestyle staff undertake to visit the resident for 28 days, checking that the person is settling in this period continually gathering information and observing strengths and limitations. An official 'welcome' takes place at happy hour after seven days where the person is introduced formally to the Northcliffe community; they are given a gift made by one of the clubs - 'Sweat Shop'. After 28 days, assessments have been completed; analysis and evaluations provide the basis for an individualised plan that is implemented.

From the information gathered, the person is teamed up with a club of interest; there is also opportunity with links that lead to involvement of new interests, or restoration of past interests or activities. Consultation about the proposed plan is discussed with the resident.

The resident's participation levels and depth of involvement are monitored through attendance; and evaluation processes at month's end facilitate analysis for effectiveness of the plan. Where there is a need for diversional therapy, it is usually identified over the first quarter and a case conference to validate need, develop strategies and outcomes takes place. Involvement of the resident and where appropriate family, occurs.

Evaluations are completed quarterly, or more often if identified necessary - the team meets to discuss evaluations, trends and effectiveness of programs. A bi-monthly meeting with other homes' lifestyle coordinators occurs to discuss program content; program processes and procedures are reviewed at this time and various manuals.

Feedback is regularly sought from residents - at  happy hours, monthly meetings, regular surveys, verbally one-on-one with residents or family, and 'Have your say'.

The philosophy of the lifestyle team is about looking for challenges that stimulate a person into new experience not about entertainment, as was the case in the early years of accreditation. The main focus is the end result, specific reason or purpose behind each 'club'. The team tries to incorporate community into all that is programmed.

From program successes, with community connections, residents' expectations are much higher today. They are discerning and know the difference between engagement and passivity; they know they can make a difference particularly when they put back into the community as they used to do when younger. Many are proud of the contribution and role they have in Northcliffe and the community.

The dementia program has been successful from a number of aspects. Being a mainstream service, the management of challenging behaviours can be difficult. The success of the program is evident in a reduction of people absconding, in aggression, and challenging behaviours.

The program has altered others perceptions of people who have dementia, because residents' behaviours are less evident and they are involved in activities, including some clubs. This helps cognitively higher functioning people accept more readily as they become less frequently exposed to behaviours.