The ‘Home Care Today’ project ran from 2013 to June 2017. COTA Australia continues to provide access to Home Care Today resources which were current at June 2017. However they are no longer monitored or updated, and information may not be current.
The resources on this page will help Home Care Package providers understand and support a wellness and enablement approach in service provision. An emphasis on active ageing, including wellness and enablement is at the centre of the current Australian Government Aged Care Reforms.
The World Health Organisation defines active ageing as:
“a process which allows people to…realise their potential for physical, social and mental well-being throughout their life course.”
“…engaging in appropriate physical activity, healthy eating, not smoking and using alcohol and medications wisely in old age can prevent disease and functional decline, extend longevity and enhance ones quality of life.”
Wellness is an approach that builds on a person’s capacity to improve their physical, social and emotional functioning while supporting them to live independently and autonomously.
Enablement is ‘doing with’ rather than ‘doing for’ the individual in order to enhance autonomy and/or independence.
Put simply active ageing and wellness can be summarised as:
- Be well
- Be open
- Be optimistic
- Be involved
Wellness and Enabling Resources
The following resources have been primarily drawn from Home and Community Care but are equally relevant to those with higher needs receiving packaged care.
Ageing Myth and Reality
This resource is a useful tool to challenge beliefs about ageing – especially active ageing and wellness. For example
- Older people are all the same
- All old people are unwell
- Memory loss and senility comes with age
- Older people are unable to learn or change
It can also be used to stimulate discussion and provides accurate information to counter hidden assumptions.
VIEW or DOWNLOAD Queensland Government resource: Ageing Myth and Reality
Towards and Enabling Approach in Community Care
This paper describes an enabling approach. The purpose of this paper is to highlight how people can benefit from an enabling approach, encourage discussion and suggest some next steps for people and organisations implementing this approach.
VIEW NSW Family and Community Services resource: Towards an Enabling Approach in Community Care: Empowering People, enhancing independence, enriching lives
Home and Community Care in Victoria
This document provides website links to publications and programs outside of the Victorian Department of Health which may be useful to those involved in the delivery of a wellness and enablement services.
VIEW Department of Health Victoria: Home and Community Care in Victoria
Useful Video Links
Wellness and Language in Consumer Directed Care
Hilary O’Connel a Wellness and Philosophy Expert talks about and explains the importance of wellness and language in consumer directed care
VIEW video: Wellness & Language in Consume Directed Care
Effective communication approaches to assist in goal setting
Constructive Conversations with Consumers – A video resource to help assessment staff with conversations about consumers wellness goals and wishes.
VIEW video: Effective communication approaches to assist in goal setting
Montessori in Aged Care – Changing Lives 2
It can be difficult to find some clear examples of enablement in Community Care but the points made in the following video about enablement in a dementia environment are very instructive of what the difference enablement makes to staff, consumers and family members.
“The more we do for people the more we steal from them”
VIEW video: Montessori in Aged Care – Changing Lives 2